After sharing the Allegory of the Olive Tree, Jacob urges us to act on its message. “Repent,” he says, “and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you” (Jacob 6:5).
“Will ye bring forth evil fruit?” he asks. “Will ye reject these words?” (Jacob 6:7-8). He asks us to consider the serious consequences of these unserious decisions, particularly with respect to our eternal destiny. Then, he succinctly summarizes his message:
O be wise; what can I say more?
Jacob 6:12
We often talk about wisdom as something you gain with experience and effort. For example, Luke tells us that “Jesus increased in wisdom” as a young man (Luke 2:52). And the writer of Proverbs urges us to “get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). But Jacob isn’t asking us to become wise or to grow in wisdom over time. He seems to be inviting us to make use of the knowledge we already have, to do what we already know we should do.
It’s good to acquire wisdom. It’s also important not to let that wisdom go to waste. Our decisions need to be carefully informed by our understanding.
When King Mosiah proposed to his people a radical change in their culture and lifestyle—the abolition of the monarchy—he knew he was fighting an uphill battle. They had loved his father, and they loved him as well. (See Mosiah 29:40.) They had even requested that his son, Aaron, be his successor. (See Mosiah 29:2.) So Mosiah invited them to slow down a little, override their natural impulses, and think about the possible consequences of continuing to have a king. I think it’s significant that he made this proposal in writing, not in a public speech. He wanted the people to take some time and consider his words carefully. Twice in this letter, he echoed Jacob’s words, urging them to be wise:
- “Let us be wise and consider these things, for we have no right to destroy my son, neither should we have any right to destroy another if he should be appointed in his stead” (Mosiah 29:8).
- “Let us be wise and look forward to these things, and do that which will make for the peace of this people” (Mosiah 29:10).
Like Jacob, Mosiah believes that his people are capable of acting in wisdom. They just need to think the decision through thoroughly, with a clear eye and a long-range perspective.
Near the end of the Book of Mormon, Moroni gives us the same advice: “Be wise in the days of your probation,” he says (Mormon 9:28), underscoring the high stakes of our daily decisions. When you are being tested, you strive to do your very best. Your goal is to show what you are capable of, not to act on your first impulse.
Moroni specifically urges us to be careful what we pray for and to evaluate our worthiness before participating in sacred ordinances (Mormon 9:29). We ought to be particularly intentional about experiences in which we approach God, and ensure that we are treating those activities with the care they deserve.
Elder M. Russell Ballard emphasized some other areas of life which also require careful decisions:
Brothers and sisters, be wise with your families. Be wise in fulfilling your Church callings. Be wise with your time. Be wise in balancing all of your responsibilities. O be wise, my beloved brothers and sisters. What can I say more?
“O Be Wise,” General Conference, October 2006
Today, I will make decisions thoughtfully, considering the likely outcomes of my actions. I will let reason, not emotion, govern my choices. I will be wise.
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