What is Available to Us?

Jacob 1:7-8

Wherefore we labored diligently among our people, that we might persuade them to come unto Christ, and partake of the goodness of God, that they might enter into his rest, lest by any means he should swear in his wrath they should not enter in, as in the provocation in the days of temptation while the children of Israel were in the wilderness.

Wherefore, we would to God that we could persuade all men not to rebel against God, to provoke him to anger, but that all men would believe in Christ, and view his death, and suffer his cross and bear the shame of the world; wherefore, I, Jacob, take it upon me to fulfill the commandment of my brother Nephi.

Context:

This is Jacob describing both his and his brother, Nephi's ministry.

I've talked more about coming to Christ in this post, but I will repeat one of the scriptures used in that post as it defines what entering into his rest means.

Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;

But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.

My conclusion and thoughts:
We cannot enter into His rest if we cannot endure His presence. Moses could and did do this, and sought to teach it to the Israelites mentioned by Jacob in the first scripture of this post. Jacob mentioned it because he and Nephi were inviting and trying to persuade their family and their people to do this as well. They both had seen the Savior. At least Nephi saw the Savior's life. Judging from this scripture, I'd say Jacob did as well, as they both desired to persuade men to believe in Christ, view his death... Why would they desire to persuade all men to do this, if it was not within the ability of every man to achieve?

Just something to think about...