18 For I, Jacob, and my brother Joseph had been consecrated priests and teachers of this people, by the hand of Nephi.
19 And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day.
Immediately after separating his people from the families of Laman and Lemuel, Nephi went to work establishing routines and structure which would help his people live “after the manner of happiness” (2 Nephi 5:27). Part of that process was establishing the church: he consecrated two of his brothers, Jacob and Joseph, as “priests and teachers” (2 Nephi 5:26). In the verse above, Jacob explains what that meant to him. It meant that he was accountable to teach and to warn the people. If he saw them doing wrong and said nothing, he was effectively guilty of the sin he might have prevented. He needed to observe the actions of his people, teach them correct principles, and call them to repentance when necessary.
Today, as I consider my priesthood responsibilities, including my church calling and my role as a father, I will remember the importance of being observant and of speaking up. I will take responsibility for the people I serve, and I will choose to teach them and to warn them as necessary to help them live after the manner of happiness.
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