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Book of Mormon Commentary
Jacob Chapter 1
The words of his preaching unto his brethren. He confoundeth a man who seeketh to overthrow the
doctrine of Christ. A few words concerning the history of the people of Nephi.
JACOB BECOMES LEADER OF THE NEPHITES, VER. 1-12
Jac 1:2 And he gave me, Jacob, a commandment that I should write upon these plates, a few of the
things which I considered to be most precious: that I should not touch, save it were lightly, concerning
the history of this people, which are called the people of Nephi.
1:2 The sacred records were given into the care of Jacob by Nephi. He was to write on the smaller
plates (1 N. 2:6) only the spiritual or "precious” happenings Ob. 1:4). He could give some
historical headlines but touch lightly on the details of a historic nature. Nephi's larger plates were
reserved for the history of the people.
Jac 1:6 And we also had many revelations, and the spirit of much prophesy; wherefore, we knew of
Christ and his kingdom, which should come.
1:6 Not only did the Nephites have revelations which made them acquainted with the coming
Messiah but they believed in it so strongly that they talked about it and planned for it. They
persuaded "our people ...to come unto Christ, and partake of the goodness of God" (7). (See
comments on II N. 1:71)
Jac 1:9 Now Nephi began to be old, and he saw that he must soon die; wherefore, he anointed a man to
be a king and a ruler over his people now, according to the reigns of the kings.
1:9 Nephi had no desire to be a king (11 N. 4:28); he was willing to do all he could for his people
without any title. "The people ...loved Nephi exceedingly" Ob. 1:10). It seems that without a
protest he willingly anointed "a man," perhaps his brother Jacob, to be their king in his last days.
To honor his memory each succeeding leader was called "a Nephi."
NEPHITES LIFTED UP IN PRIDE, VER. 13-20
Jac 1:14 But I, Jacob, shall not hereafter distinguish them by these names, but I shall call them
Lamanites, that seek to destroy the people of Nephi; and those who are friendly to Nephi, I shall call
Nephites, or the people of Nephi, according to the reigns of the kings.
1:14 The descendants of Zoram, Ishmael, and Lehi's sons became mixed in their allegiance. Their
attitude toward God seemed to be the basis of classification and the choice of the group who
should be their people. (See A. 1:109)
Jac 1:15 And now it came to pass that the people of Nephi, under the reign of the second king, began to
grow hard in their hearts, and indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices, such as like unto David
of old, desiring many wives and concubines, and also Solomon, his son: