Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Book of Mormon Commentary
Jacob Chapter 2
JACOB REBUKED NEPHITE WICKEDNESS, VER. 1-13
Jac 2:3 And ye yourselves know, that I have hitherto been diligent in the office of my calling; but I this
day am weighed down with much more desire and anxiety for the welfare of your souls, than I have
hitherto been.
2:3 Jacob began his discourse by stressing his priestly responsibility. He said he had "come up into
the temple this day, that I might declare unto you the word of God” (2). He commends the people
for having "been obedient unto the word of the Lord" (4).
Jac 2:5 But behold, hearken ye unto me, and know that by the help of the all-powerful Creator of
heaven and earth, I can tell you concerning your thoughts, how that ye are beginning to labor in sin,
which sin appeareth very abominable unto me, yea, and abominable unto God.
2:5 Only God knows our thoughts, according to the scriptures. "[God] is a discerner of thoughts
and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12). "There is none else save God, that knowest thy thoughts and
the intents of thy heart" (D. and C. 6:7 b). (See also A. 9:4; 12:110.)
Jacob did not claim any personal power of divination. His knowledge of their thoughts came to
him by the help or revelation of "the all-powerful Creator." As a result of this knowledge he was
grieved and ashamed (Jb. 2:6).
Jac 2:7 And also, it grieveth me that I must use so much boldness of speech, concerning you, before
your wives and your children, many of whose feelings are exceeding tender, and chaste, and delicate
before God, which thing is pleasing unto God;
2:7 Jacob was grieved to give the message which the Lord directed that he speak before this mixed
group. He knew the women and children had come to the temple "to hear the pleasing word of
God" (8); and instead he would only pain their wounded souls more (9, 10).
Jac 2:11 But, notwithstanding the greatness of the task, I must do according to the strict commands of
God, and tell you concerning your wickedness and abominations, in the presence of the pure in heart,
and the broken heart, and under the glance of the piercing eye of the Almighty God.
2:11 Only in this way could he bring himself to speak of their wickedness in the presence of the
pure in heart. Men of God do not enjoy saying things which hurt and wound. But once they are
convinced that the Almighty has laid the burden upon them, they would rather please God than
men (Gal, 1:10) .
GOD HOLDS ONE PERSON AS PRECIOUS AS ANOTHER, V ER. 14-29
Jac 2:16 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, and persecute your brethren, because ye suppose that ye are better than they.