The book of Jacob divides into four sections:
- Introduction (chapter 1)
- Jacob’s second sermon to his people (chapters 2-3)
- Jacob teaches us about the gathering of Israel (chapters 4-6)
- Sherem challenges Jacob (chapter 7)
This week, we will study the first four chapters of the book. We will see Jacob’s conscientiousness in fulfilling his priestly responsibilities. We will learn about the dangers of pride and the importance of chastity. And we will recognize the importance of being reconciled to God through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Here are some highlights from these chapters, with links to relevant blog posts:
Outline
- Jacob 1 – Jacob’s Duty – Jacob describes how he fulfilled Nephi’s instructions and his responsibilities as a priest.
- Jacob 2 – Jacob’s Second Sermon, Part 1: Pride and Unchastity – Jacob teaches his people to treat everyone as equals and to obey the law of chastity.
- Jacob 3 – Jacob’s Second Sermon, Part 2: Receive the Pleasing Word of God – Jacob comforts the pure in heart and warns those who are not pure to repent.
- Jacob 4 – Building on the Sure Foundation – He urges us to receive counsel from God and to be reconciled to Him through Christ.
Key Themes
- God loves all of His children, and we are all precious in His sight. We must be careful not to confuse worldly wealth with eternal worth.
- God will give us specific assignments to help us fulfill our responsibilities. We can move forward in confidence after obtaining our “errand” from Him.
- Writing in a journal can help us better evaluate and extract meaning from the experiences of life.
- We can find solace and strength in the scriptures and in the words of modern prophets.
Connections
- A psalm prophesies that a stone rejected by builders will become their cornerstone. (See Psalm 118:22-23.) Peter testified that Jesus was that stone. (See Acts 4:10-12.) Jacob explains how those who have “rejected the sure foundation can one day build upon it” (Jacob 4:17).
- Jacob taught that Abraham acted in the “similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son” (Jacob 4:5) when he offered Isaac as a sacrifice.
- Pontius Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). Jacob provided a succinct answer: “Things as they really are, and…as they really will be” (Jacob 4:13; see also Doctrine and Covenants 93:24).
Applications
- Recognize the importance of your callings and perform them to the highest standard of excellence.
- Be sensitive to the feelings of the people around you, particularly when those feelings are tender.
- When you pray, ask for guidance, not just blessings. Don’t pray as though you had the master plan and you just need God to help you fulfill it.
Recommended Posts
- Why Did the Nephites Keep the Law of Moses?
- We Did Magnify Our Office unto the Lord – Jacob 1:19
- Atonement and Reconciliation
Blog Posts: April 2-7
General Conference and the Welfare of Our Souls
Jacob says he obtained his “errand from the Lord” before speaking to his people, because he was anxious for their welfare. As our church leaders prepare for general conference, they also seek to align their words with God’s will for our benefit.
“Their Delicate Minds”
Jacob taught the men among his people to become more attuned to the impact of their actions on their wives and children, whose feelings were tender. God was aware, and they should be too, of the wounds caused by their insensitivity toward their loved ones
Beyond the Mark
Jacob warned us that we are blinded when we look “beyond the mark.” Elder Quentin L. Cook explained that there are many ways to fall into this trap, including adding complexity to gospel truths or focusing excessively on one aspect of discipleship.
Trusting the Answers We Receive from God
“Counsel me not,” says the Lord of the vineyard when his servant questions a prior decision. Jacob urges us to “take counsel from [the Lord’s] hand.” An important part of that is trusting the revelation you have already received on a given topic.
Obtaining Hope
Jacob says that we obtain hope by searching the prophets and by receiving personal revelation. Hearing from many witnesses strengthens our faith and our hope and helps us align our lives with the will of God through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
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