Lehi and Jacob

Jacob learned a lot from Lehi.

At the beginning of his first sermon recorded in the Book of Mormon, Jacob says, “I have taught you the words of my father” (2 Nephi 6:3). So it’s not surprising that this sermon also draws heavily on principles taught by Lehi. Here are a few examples:

1. Positive Outcomes from Suffering

In Lehi’s final message to Jacob, he acknowledges how much Jacob has suffered, both because he was born in the wilderness and because of the “rudeness” of his older brothers. “Nevertheless,” Lehi assures him, “thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain” (2 Nephi 2:1-2).

In Jacob’s first sermon, he rejoices in “the greatness…of our God” and testifies that “the righteous…who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it…shall inherit the kingdom of God…and their joy shall be full forever” (2 Nephi 9:17-19).

2. Overcoming Sin and Death

Lehi explains that the Atonement of Jesus Christ answers “the ends of the law” on our behalf. He connects redemption from sin with resurrection from the dead and testifies, “There is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah” (2 Nephi 2:6-10).

Jacob likewise testifies that the Savior’s atonement is “infinite.” He proclaims, “O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! For behold, if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more” (2 Nephi 9:7-8).

3. Law, Sin, and Righteousness

Lehi’s description of mortality begins with the law. If there were no law, he explains, there would be no sin. There would also be no righteousness, because righteousness is the intentional choice to avoid sin. Without righteousness, there’s no happiness. Without sin, there’s no punishment and misery. Without all of these, there is no God. (See 2 Nephi 2:13.)

Jacob teaches this same principle, but with an encouraging addition:

[God] has given a law; and where there is no law given there is no punishment; and where there is no punishment there is no condemnation; and where there is no condemnation the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, because of the atonement; for they are delivered by the power of him.

2 Nephi 9:25

Lehi’s hypothetical involves a world with no law, but Jacob considers a real situation: a person who is unaware of the law. He or she cannot sin, because sin is the intentional violation of the law. But there is still a law, and there is still a God, and He will have mercy on those who do not know the law.

4. Misery and Joy

Lehi says that an angel of God fell from heaven and became the devil. What motivates him? “Because he had fallen from heaven, and had become miserable forever, he sought also the misery of all mankind” (2 Nephi 2:17-18). In contrast, God intends for us to have joy (2 Nephi 2:25).

Jacob tells us that, without the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we would “remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself” (2 Nephi 9:9), but that with God’s help, we can receive “that happiness which is prepared for the saints” (2 Nephi 9:43).

5. Free to Choose

Lehi testifies that because the Messiah has redeemed us, we are “free forever…to act for [ourselves] and not to be acted upon” (2 Nephi 2:26). He pleads with his sons to “choose eternal life,” not “eternal death” (2 Nephi 2:28-29).

Jacob ends his sermon with the same plea: “Cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life” (2 Nephi 10:23).

Conclusion

Jacob clearly internalized his father’s words. He recognized that life can be difficult, but that it gives us meaningful opportunities to choose. He knew that, because the Savior overcame sin and death, we have a choice. We can choose righteousness, happiness, and eternal life.

Today, I will remember the words of Lehi and Jacob. I will be grateful for the freedom God has given me, I will remember that He wants me to have joy, and I will strive to make choices which bring me closer to Him.