Jacob 1-4

I Will Send Their Words Forth
by Elspeth Young

Have you ever had to teach a lesson or share a message that you were uncomfortable with? How did you go about preparing to perform that task? What preparations did you make on the day? Did you ponder and meditate? What did you think about as you actually shared the message?  This is the predicament that is outlined in the opening chapters of the book of Jacob and which we discussed in our lesson.

Jacob 1:15-16 outline the arising of a problem, as observed by Jacob.  His next step, as shown in verse 17, was to obtain his "errand from the Lord" as to how he could appropriately discharge his calling (or "consecration" in his words).  Reflect on some of the following questions in your journal: When I see something that is problematic within the scope of my calling, what do I do?  Do I dismiss the problem or seek the Lords' errand?  How can I appropriately seek the Lords help in dealing with issues that arise within my calling? Am I confident to seek such help?

Jacob 1:19 includes the phrase "magnify our office unto the Lord".  What does this phrase mean?  The institute manual provides a wonderful definition from President Thomas S. Monson:

“What does it mean to magnify a calling? It means to build it up in dignity and importance, to make it honorable and commendable in the eyes of all men, to enlarge and strengthen it, to let the light of heaven shine through it to the view of other men."

Gordon B. Hinckley said: "That word magnify is interesting.  As I interpret it, it means to enlarge, to make more clear, to bring closer, and to strengthen."

Elder Henry B. Eyring said: "You are called to represent the Savior.  Your voice to testify becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift the same as His hands.  His work is to bless His Father's spirit children with the opportunity to choose eternal life.  So, your calling is to bless lives.  That will be true even in the most ordinary tasks you are assigned and in moments when you might be doing something not apparently connected to your call."

Take some time to ponder and reflect on the following questions in your journal: What does the word magnify mean to me?  What do I feel about my call?  How can I best magnify my call? What promises were made to me about my call?  What can I do to bring these promises about?

Resources :
Gordon B. Hinckley : Magnify Your Calling 
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1989/04/magnify-your-calling?lang=eng
Henry B Eyring : Rise to Your Call
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2002/10/rise-to-your-call?lang=eng
Thomas S Monson : The Call of Duty
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1986/04/the-call-of-duty?lang=eng