Lessons for Our Day From the Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ - 2024
Lesson No. Ten

The Love and Mercy of God is the Carrot; The Consequences of Sin is the Stick

The Lord and His prophets use “the carrot and the stick” to motivate obedience – “The phrase ‘carrot and stick’ is a metaphor for the use of a combination of reward and punishment to induce a desired behavior” (Wikipedia, Carrot and Stick). In the Gospel of Jesus Christ the desired behavior is always obedience. “Obedience is the first law of heaven, the cornerstone upon which all righteousness and progression rest” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Obedience, p. 539). In the Book of Mormon the Lord often promises that the obedient will prosper (carrot), and the disobedient will be cut off from His presence (stick). (See Index, Prosper)

Prophets, both ancient and modern, emphasize the love and mercy of God, the carrot, when their people are on the covenant path. When their people have strayed they administer the stick and teach the consequences of sin. In this regard Jacob teaches: “Behold, if ye were holy I would speak unto you of holiness (the carrot); but as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as a teacher, it must needs be expedient that I teach you the consequences of sin” (the stick) (2 Nephi 9:48).

The “Cherry O’s” – In 2 Nephi 9, Jacob entices with the carrot, or what may be called the “Cherry O’s”. The verses cited should be studied closely as Jacob teaches powerful doctrine and reminds us of the blessings of obedience:

- “O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace!…” (Vs 8-9).
- “O how great the goodness of our God…” (Vs 10-12).
- “O how great the plan of our God!…” (Vs 13-16).
- “O the greatness and the justice of our God!…” (Vs 17-18).
- “O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel!...” (Vs 19).
- “O how great the holiness of our God!...” (V 20-21).

The “Dreadful Wo’s” – Also, in 2 Nephi 9, Jacob applies the stick, or what may be called the “Dreadful Wo’s”. In each wo he reminds us of the consequences of sin:

- “But wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, and that transgresseth them, and wasteth the days of his probation, for awful is his state!”(Vs 27).
- “But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them” (Vs 30).
- “And wo unto the deaf that will not hear; for they shall perish” (Vs 31).
- “Wo unto the blind that will not see; for they shall perish also” (Vs 32).
- “Wo unto the uncircumcised of heart, for a knowledge of their iniquities shall smite them at the last day” (Vs 33).
- “Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell” (Vs 34).
- “Wo unto the murderer who deliberately killeth, for he shall die” (Vs 35).
- “Wo unto them who commit whoredoms, for they shall be thrust down to hell” (Vs 36).
- “Yea, wo unto those that worship idols, for the devil of all devils delighteth in them” (Vs 37). “And in fine, wo unto all those who die in their sins; for they shall return to God, and behold his face, and remain in their sins” (Vs 38-46).

Lesson for Today – Teaching children the consequences of sin is an essential part of their learning obedience – Many of us, in raising our children, focus on God’s love and mercy, and we are not as comfortable in teaching the consequences of sin. This may have been the case when the Lord rebuked the Prophet Joseph Smith and Bishop Newell K. Whitney concerning their families:

“And now, verily I say unto Joseph Smith, Jun. – You have not kept the commandments, and must needs stand rebuked before the Lord;

“Your family must needs repent and forsake some things, and give more earnest heed unto your saying, or be removed out of their place.

“What I say unto one I say unto all; pray always lest that wicked one have power in you, and remove you out of your place.

“My servant Newill K. Whitney also, a bishop of my church, hath need to be chastened, and set in order his family, and see that they are more diligent and concerned at home, and pray always, or they shall be removed out of their place” (D&C 93:47-50).

After children leave home parents have less influence and therefore, less responsibility. But while children are living at home, parents have the responsibility to teach the love and mercy of God and also the consequences of sin.

Testimony – The Lord is the Master Teacher and Psychologist – The Lord has given me both the carrot and the stick, and I much prefer the carrot. However, the stick, knowing and experiencing the consequences of sin, has been very effective in bringing about repentance. The Lord is the Master Teacher and the Master Psychologist, and it is clear that He uses a combination of the carrot and the stick, as He sees best, to motivate obedience. Fortunately, as we grow in obedience, and as our righteous desires increase, it is the carrot, the promise of eternal life which He gives to us, that truly motivates our behavior and blesses our life.

Released on March 10th, 2024.