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Book of Mormon Commentary
Jacob Chapter 3
ENGRAVING DIFFICULTIES AND SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS, VER. 1-17
Jac 3:1 Now behold, it came to pass that I, Jacob, having ministered much unto my people, in word,
(and I can not write but little of my words, because of the difficulty of engraving our words upon plates,)
and we know that the things which we write upon plates must remain;
3:1 Engraving on metal was a slow, tedious process; but any other material would perish before its
purpose would be accomplished. Both Nephi and Jacob considered it to be God's will that the
record be kept (1 N. 2:96; Jb. 1:1). It was for the benefit of “our children and also our beloved
brethren" Ob. 3:2, 3). Jacob hoped that "our children will receive them with thankful hearts and
...not with sorrow, neither with contempt concerning their first parents" (3).
Jac 3:4 For, for this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we knew of Christ, and
we had a hope of his glory, many hundred years before his coming, and not only we, ourselves, had a
hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which were before us.
3:4 Jacob knew it would be helpful to future generations to learn that God had given a witness of
the Savior's coming (A. 19:24-27). It had also been received by the prophets before him (see
comments on II N.1:71).
There is a distinct difference in the extent and plainness of the Book of Mormon writers when
compared to the Old Testament prophets. It is quite possible that the advanced spiritual condition
of the Nephites, and the direct translation "by the power of God,” may account for this difference.
Jac 3:6 And for this intent, we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to him; and for their cause, it
is sanctified unto us, for righteousness, even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness, to be
obedient unto the commands of God, in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of God and his
only begotten Son.
3:6 The Law of Moses had much that was symbolical of the atonement of Christ, “the lamb of
God” (John 1:29, 36). The Nephites “worshiped the Father in his (Christ's) name” Ob. 3:5). (See
also Gen. 7:54; Rev. 7:9, 10; and comments on II N.11: 45) Jacob declared that the offering of
Isaac was “a similitude of God and his only begotten Son”. (See Gen. 4:7, 8)
Jac 3:7 Wherefore, we search the prophets; and we have many revelations, and the spirit of prophecy,
and having all these witnesses, we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we
truly can command in the name of Jesus, and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of
the sea;
3:7 Jesus did all of these miracles in Palestine. When Nephi was released from bondage on the sea
voyage to America, the waves became calm and the compass worked so Nephi could guide the
ship (I N. 5:208-211).
Helaman records the promise of God to a later Nephi, "If ye shall say unto this mountain, be thou
cast down and become smooth, it shall be done” (H. 3:118-122).
Jacob records that God also showed them their "weakness" that they might know "it is by his grace
...we have power to do these things" (Jb. 3:8). (See E. 5:27-29)