Jacob 1 - 2

Jacob, the brother of Nephi, expresses his feelings in the great responsibility he felt after -

“…having first obtained mine errand from the Lord.” (Book of Mormon Jacob 1:17)

For –

“..Jacob, and [his] brother Joseph had been consecrated priests and teachers of this people, by the hand of Nephi.

(Book of Mormon Jacob 1:17 - 18)

And that -

“..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.” (Book of Mormon Jacob 1:19)

This is the kind of faith and commitment Jacob had. He tells us –

“…as I inquired of the Lord, thus came the word unto me, saying: Jacob, get thou up into the temple on the morrow, and declare the word which I shall give thee unto this people.” (Book of Mormon Jacob 2:11)

Among other things, Jacob had noticed that the people had

“…began to grow hard in their hearts, and indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices.” (Book of Mormon Jacob 1:15 - 16)

And he tells them -

“…that many of you have begun to search for gold, and for silver, and for all manner of precious ores, in the which this land, which is a land of promise unto you and to your seed, doth abound most plentifully.
13 And the hand of providence hath smiled upon you most pleasingly, that you have obtained many riches; and because some of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your brethren ye are lifted up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness of your apparel…” (Book of Mormon Jacob 2:12 - 13)

But not only just wearing costly apparel but that you –

“…persecute your brethren because ye suppose that ye are better than they.” (Book of Mormon Jacob 2:13)

He asks his people –

“…my brethren, do ye suppose that God justifieth you in this thing?” (Book of Mormon Jacob 2:14)

No way! Do we not realize that no matter how hot we think we are or how much better we think we are that God -

…can pierce you, and with one glance of his eye he can smite you to the dust!” (Book of Mormon Jacob 2:15)

The Lord wants us to –

“…think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.” (Book of Mormon Jacob 2:17)

And admonishes us that -

“…before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.
19 And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.”..(Book of Mormon Jacob 2:18 - 19)

In closing on this topic, Jacob’s pleads -

"O that he would rid you from this iniquity and abomination. And, O that ye would listen unto the word of his commands, and let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls!" (Book of Mormon Jacob 2:16)