Jacob 1:1-2:11 (11/3)

Reading Assignment for class on 11/6: Jacob 1:1-2:11

Sometimes the scriptures contain phrases that are difficult to understand.  As you read Jacob 1, try to identify some of these phrases and then take the time to look up the words (This is easy in gospel library.  All you have to is highlight a word and choose "Define").  Here are some words to get you started from verses 7-8:
“Come unto Christ”
To come unto Christ, a person “must have faith in Him unto repentance—making the necessary changes to bring their life into agreement with His teachings” (Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service [2004], 2).

“Partake of the goodness of God”
This phrase is an invitation to receive God’s blessings through obedience to the commandments and ordinances of the gospel.

“Enter into his rest”
Entering into the rest of the Lord means enjoying peace in this life and receiving “the fulness of [God’s] glory” in the next life (D&C 84:24).

“Provocation in the days of temptation”
This phrase refers to the ancient Israelites provoking God’s anger by rebelling against Him in the wilderness (see Hebrews 3:8–9; D&C 84:23–24).

“View [Christ’s] death”
One definition of view is to look at or examine attentively. When Jacob wrote that he wanted to persuade people to “believe in Christ, and view his death,” he may have meant that he wanted them to examine the Atonement of Jesus Christ attentively, realize its importance, and gain a personal testimony of it.

“Suffer his cross”
This phrase refers to our willingness to deny ourselves of ungodliness and worldly lusts and to keep the Lord’s commandments (see Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 16:26 [in Matthew 16:24, footnote e]; Luke 9:23; 2 Nephi 9:18). It also refers to our willingness to endure and sacrifice as we follow the Savior.

“Bear the shame of the world”
This phrase refers to keeping the commandments despite the worldly pressure, humiliation, and opposition that often come to disciples of Jesus Christ.

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Jacob 1:18. “Consecrated priests and teachers”

President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) explained the meaning of the phrase “priests and teachers” in Jacob 1:18:

President Joseph Fielding Smith
“The Nephites officiated by virtue of the Melchizedek Priesthood from the days of Lehi to the days of the appearance of our Savior among them. It is true that Nephi ‘consecrated Jacob and Joseph’ that they should be priests and teachers over the land of the Nephites, but the fact that plural terms priests and teachers were used indicates that this was not a reference to the definite office in the priesthood in either case, but it was a general assignment to teach, direct, and admonish the people” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. [1957], 1:124).

Jacob 1:19. “We did magnify our office unto the Lord”

President Thomas S. Monson explained what it means to magnify a calling:

President Thomas S. Monson
“What does it mean to magnify a calling? It means to build it up in dignity and importance, to make it honorable and commendable in the eyes of all men, to enlarge and strengthen it, to let the light of heaven shine through it to the view of other men.

“And how does one magnify a calling? Simply by performing the service that pertains to it” (Thomas S. Monson, “The Sacred Call of Service,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 54).

Jacob 1:19; 2:2. “Answering the sins of the people upon our own heads”

Those who have leadership duties in the Church bear a sobering responsibility. Jacob taught that when leaders neglect to teach the word of God to those whom they are called to lead, they become partly responsible for the people’s sins. When speaking to the brethren of the priesthood, President John Taylor (1808–1887) elaborated on the responsibility Jacob described:

President John Taylor
“If you do not magnify your callings, God will hold you responsible for those whom you might have saved had you done your duty” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor [2001], 164).

Jacob 2:8. The “word of God … healeth the wounded soul”

When new information is confusing or bothersome to gospel learners, it is better for them to seek answers from God, who knows all things, than to conduct a general search on the internet or turn to anti-Mormon material. Going directly to God for answers shows our faith in Him and allows us to receive answers through the Holy Ghost. We should also turn to the scriptures and the words of latter-day apostles and prophets, which can answer difficult questions and heal wounds. The following scriptures teach us where we should turn and what we should do when we have challenging questions or concerns:
  • Jacob 2:8—The “word of God … healeth the wounded soul.”
  • James 1:5–6—“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, … and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith.”
  • Moroni 10:5—“And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”