1 And now, Jacob, I speak unto you: Thou art my firstborn in the days of my tribulation in the wilderness. And behold, in thy childhood thou hast suffered afflictions and much sorrow, because of the rudeness of thy brethren.
2 Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.
At the beginning of this sermon on opposition and agency, Lehi acknowledges that Jacob has suffered afflictions because of the wrong choices of his brothers. But he goes on to teach an important principle: God can convert those afflictions into blessings. How does He do that?
- As we are healed from the damage, we become stronger than we were before. Through the atonement, the Savior can heal us from any damage we experience. After we are healed, we are stronger for having endured the pain and suffering.
- Through our affliction we can develop greater empathy and compassion for others, which helps us to be of greater service.
- If we allow the affliction to humble us sufficiently, we gain access to the grace of God, which will sanctify us and make us holy. (Ether 12:27, Moroni 10:32-33)
Today, I will be grateful for a God who is powerful enough and who loves me enough to consecrate my afflictions for my gain.
Book of Mormon Study Notes 
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