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"Prosper in the Land," Jarom 1:8-15

Jarom 1:8-15

The remainder of the book of Jarom is evidence to this promise of the Lord: "Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land." Which promise was first extended to Nephi and his brothers by their father, Lehi. (see 2 Nephi 1:20)

Jarom also continues to elaborate upon the theme of teaching the people. He explains that those prophets, priests, and teachers that were among them labored diligently to remind the people of the above stated truth. The one thing that these observations of Jarom have helped me to understand is that the purpose of their preaching was to "stir them up unto repentance." (verse 12) Previous to this in the same verse, Jarom states that this is what kept the people from being destroyed.

Coming back at this a second morning, I'm addressing the connection between prosperity and obedience to the commandments. I really appreciated the footnotes on the word "prosper" in verse 9. One leads to the Lord's admonition of Joshua, that he keep the laws which Moses had revealed without variation (see Joshua 1:7). The other was footnote leads to Psalm 122:6, which simply states "they shall prosper that love thee." Therefore, it is the love of God and His commands that brings prosperity and peace.
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