Today, as I read the story of Sherem in Jacob 7, I was struck by Sherem's reliance on his own persuasive abilities. In contrast Jacob was focused on "things as they really are and...as they really will be" (Jacob 4:13). Jacob introduces Sherem as a person who "had a perfect knowledge of the language of... Continue Reading →
“The Lord God Poured in His Spirit” – Jacob 7:8
Last week, I wrote about Jacob's recurring testimony that his faith was strong because of the many revelations he had received. Consistently receiving personal revelation strengthens our faith, because it gives us strong evidence of the hand of God in our lives which we can rely on in times of uncertainty. I think this is... Continue Reading →
“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... Continue Reading →
What Is the Purpose of Suffering?
Why isn't life easier? Some people suffer more than others, and some trials are harder than others, but we all suffer to some degree and in some way. Why? Lehi's son Jacob was born in the wilderness, far from the comforts his family had previously enjoyed in Jerusalem. In addition to the physical hardships associated... Continue Reading →
What Is the Ministering of Angels?
When John the Baptist appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, he told them that the Aaronic Priesthood held "the keys of the ministering of angels" (Joseph Smith—History 1:69). What does that mean? In the Book of Mormon, there are many references to the ministering of angels. Nephi and his brother Jacob both tell us... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Obedience?
Some form of the word "obey" appears 31 times in the Book of Mormon: Book # Occurences 1 Nephi 4 2 Nephi 6 Jacob 5 Mosiah 7 Alma 9 TOTAL 31 "I must obey." Obedience is a very important topic for Nephi, and he frames most of his story in terms of the response of... Continue Reading →
What’s Wrong with Seeking Signs?
The prophet Zenos foretold a sign which would coincide with the Savior's death hundreds of years later. Some members of the house of Israel, who would be living on "the isles of the sea," would experience three days of darkness (1 Nephi 19:10). Just five years before the Savior's birth, a prophet on the American... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Sadness?
Yesterday, I wrote about what the Book of Mormon teaches us about happiness. Today, I would like to consider what the Book of Mormon teaches us about sadness. 1. Sadness is a fact of life. Alma referred to mortal life as "this vale of sorrow" (Alma 37:45). Jacob said that he and his people "did... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Search the Scriptures?
After leaving the city of Jerusalem with his family, Lehi sent his sons back to obtain the words of the prophets and a genealogy of their ancestors which were recorded on a set of brass plates. When his sons returned with this sacred record, Lehi "gave thanks unto the God of Israel." Then, he "took... Continue Reading →
They Searched the Scriptures – Jacob 7:23
21 And when the multitude had witnessed that he spake these things as he was about to give up the ghost, they were astonished exceedingly; insomuch that the power of God came down upon them, and they were overcome that they fell to the earth. 22 Now, this thing was pleasing unto me, Jacob, for... Continue Reading →