Jacob understood the importance of gospel teaching and took his responsibilities seriously. His brother Nephi, who had consecrated him as “a priest and a teacher” over their people (2 Nephi 5:26, Jacob 1:18), had commanded him to write sermons, revelations, and prophecies on the plates “for Christ’s sake, and for the sake of our people” (Jacob 1:4). After Nephi’s death, Jacob recognized that his people were drifting from the commandments of God. He delivered a stern sermon, calling them to repentance, in order to fulfill his responsibilities in his calling.
Here is an outline of that sermon: Jacob’s Second Sermon – Jacob 2-3
Blog posts about Jacob 1-4
Jacob 1 – Introduction and statement of purpose
- We Did Magnify Our Office unto the Lord – Jacob 1:19
- Having First Obtained Mine Errand from the Lord – Jacob 1:17
Jacob 2 – Jacob’s sermon, part 1: Jacob denounces pride and unclean thoughts
- Ye Are Beginning to Labor in Sin – Jacob 2:5
- What Should I Do About Economic Inequality?
- What’s Wrong with “Costly Apparel?”
- Stiff Necks and High Heads – Jacob 2:13-14
- Let Not This Pride of Your Hearts Destroy Your Souls -Jacob 2:16
- I, the Lord God, Delight in the Chastity of Women – Jacob 2:28
- Ye Have Broken the Hearts…and Lost the Confidence – Jacob 2:35
Jacob 3 – Jacob’s sermon, part 2: Advice for the pure and for the impure
- Why Is It Important to Lift Up Our Heads?
- If Your Minds Are Firm – Jacob 3:1-2
- How Much Better Are You Than They? – Jacob 3:7
- Their Husbands Love Their Wives – Jacob 3:7
- Ye Have Grieved Their Hearts – Jacob 3:10
Jacob 4 – Jacob writes about the importance of building our foundation on Christ and being reconciled to Him.
- Why Is Family History Important?
- What Are the Mysteries of God?
- What Is Truth?
- Seek Not to Counsel the Lord – Jacob 4:10
- Looking Beyond the Mark – Jacob 4:14-16
- Because of My Over Anxiety for You – Jacob 4:18
Blog Posts: March 10-15
“Tender and Chaste and Delicate” – Jacob 2:7
When the prophet Jacob called his people to repentance, he was keenly aware of the innocent people who would surely be emotionally wounded by this recitation of evil. “It grieveth me, ” he said, “that I must use so much boldness of speech concerning you, before your wives and your children, many of whose feelings…
“We Also Had Many Revelations” – Jacob 1:6
As I listened to the first chapter in the book of Jacob this morning, I was struck by how he talked about revelation. His brother Nephi had entrusted the sacred records to him and had instructed him to limit this record to spiritual things: sermons, revelations, and prophecies (Jacob 1:1-4). Jacob goes on to say that…
“All Flesh Is of the Dust” – Jacob 2:21
After creating the earth, dividing the light from the darkness and the water from the land, and populating the earth with living things, God created people in His own image. We look like Him, but whereas He is eternal, we are fragile—subject to disease, injury, and death. Underscoring the temporary nature of our current existence,…
“A Hundredth Part” – Jacob 3:13
Near the beginning of Nephi’s record, he instructed those who would add to the record after him not to “occupy these plates with things which are not of worth” (1 Nephi 6:6). He emphasized that his father had seen and heard and taught many things which could not be included in his record (1 Nephi…
“The Pleasing Word of God” – Jacob 2:8, Jacob 3:2
At the beginning of Jacob’s second sermon, he expresses sorrow that many innocent people in the congregation will be subjected to a strict call to repentance. He acknowledges the people present, “many of whose feelings are exceedingly tender and chaste and delicate before God. He says that he imagines that they have come to the…
“The Only Sure Foundation” – Jacob 4:15-18
In the 118th psalm, there is an interesting passage which highlights the disconnect between popular opinion and intrinsic value: The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. (Psalm 118:22-23) During the Savior’s mortal ministry, He referenced this passage…
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