Weekly E-mail Reminder

	HIDDEN LDS/JEWISH INSIGHTS #12 Book of Mormon Gospel Doctrine Supplement by Daniel Rona Weekly E-mail Reminder << Seek Ye For The Kingdom of God >> Jacob 1–4 --------------------------------------------------------------------- (1.) SCRIPTURES, NOT NECESSARILY A RUNNING HISTORY: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Several records being kept by the people who left Jerusalem in 600 B.C. Although they were historical, we can see that Jacob was instructed by his father, Nephi, to keep a separate history that dealt more with sacred instructions. These instructions were to lead the people to their identity with their Lord. --------------------------------------------------------------------- (2.) UNHEALTHY FOCUS ON WEALTH: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Jacob’s first recorded "sacred" teaching included a call to repent from focusing so much on wealth accompanied by immorality. These result in the abuse and even the abandonment of the family. "The rabbis taught that a man is truly ‘rich’ when he is ‘happy with his portion’ . . . Ultimately, a man's material poverty or wealth is irrelevant; what is really important is his spiritual worth." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. HEALTHY & UNHEALTHY FOCUS ON SEX: --------------------------------------------------------------------- ". . . Sex is regarded in a positive light in Jewish teaching, especially as it is the means of fulfilling the first biblical commandment: ‘Be fruitful and multiply.’ "Detailed legislation concerning sexual behavior can be found in the Bible as well as in the Talmud and subsequent rabbinic literature. Celibacy (complete abstinence from all sexual activity) is discouraged as an unnatural state and detrimental to the human personality." "The primary restriction of sexual activity in Jewish law is that it should take place within marriage, as an expression of love between husband and wife as well as out of a desire to fulfill God's commandments. An element of holiness is added by the laws of niddah (separation during the period of menstruation; which ensure that the couple does not indulge in sex on impulse but rather directs the act to holiness)." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (4.) CHASTITY AND MODESTY: --------------------------------------------------------------------- "Chastity, the goal to be aimed for, does not mean the avoidance of all sex but of illegal sex." "Judaism encourages modesty as one of the means to chastity. Thus the Jewish woman is enjoined to dress and act modestly at all times. Furthermore, a man is forbidden to be alone with a woman with whom he is not permitted to have sexual relations from considerations of both chastity and modesty." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (5.) CONCERN FOR FAMILY IDENTITY: --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Book of Mormon teachings of Jacob reflect the repeated teachings to the Children of Israel which show concern for family identity and sacredness of marriage, marital companionship and the sanctity of children. "The mother . . . occupied a place of honor next to her spouse. At his death, if no sons were of age, she could become the legal head of the household. Concern for her welfare as a widow was considered the duty of a good society." "The successful marriage in the eyes of the prophets . . . was the most perfect symbol of a meaningful and purposeful relationship and was . . . the closest approximation to the idealized relationship between God and Israel, and between Israel and the Torah." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (6.) PARENTAL RESPECT: --------------------------------------------------------------------- "Children are obliged to treat their parents with honor and respect. Children must provide dependent parents with food, clothing and personal attention if it is necessary. This obligation is removed from a daughter when she marries." "Children may not abuse their parents. According to the Bible, if a son is extremely rebellious and incorrigible and refuses to mend his ways . . . his parents may agree to bring him to the town elders for judgment and punishment, which could be death by stoning. However, there is no record of such punishment ever having been carried out." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (7.) RESPECT FOR WIVES AND CHILDREN: --------------------------------------------------------------------- As Jacob rebuked the Nephite men for their mistreatment of their wives and children, so have other prophets given the same counsel. Jewish philosophy carries the same theme. "It is said that a man without a wife lives without joy, blessing and good, and that a man should love his wife as himself and respect her more than himself. Women have greater faith than men and greater powers of discernment. The Torah, the greatest joy of the rabbis, is frequently pictured as a woman and is represented as God's daughter and Israel's bride." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (8.) WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM HISTORY? --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mistreatment of anybody is simply ungodly. The Jews, as a people, have experienced mistreatment. That probably makes them more concerned about being kind and removing racial prejudice. Unfortunately, as Jacob taught, wealth leads to immorality. Immorality leads to family abandonment and that leads to discrimination and prejudice. In reflection of this lesson, the history (large plates) was not as important as the lessons of history (small plates). In these few verses, Jacob uses the repeated lessons of history as a guideline for finding the "Kingdom of God."
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