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Book of Mormon Commentary
Jacob Chapter 5
The Nephites must have been given a lasting impression this day, for this repentant man was not
permitted to extend his remarks nor to live longer. "He gave up the ghost" is an ancient expression
which means he died, for the spirit left the body.
EFFORTS TO RESTORE THE LAMANITES, VER. 36-48
Jac 5:36 And when the multitude had witnessed that he spake these things as he was about to give up
the ghost, they were astonished exceedingly; insomuch, that the power of God came down upon them,
and they were overcome, that they fell to the earth.
5:36 This was a marvelous manifestation of divine grace. Jacob said, “This thing was pleasing
unto me," for God had responded to his appeal (37).
Jac 5:38 And it came to pass that peace and the love of God were restored again among the people; and
they searched the scriptures, and hearkened no more to the words of this wicked man.
5:38 Some of the Nephites had been disciples of Sherem, but after seeing the manifestation of
God's power, they no longer accepted his teachings but studied the Law and the Prophets. They
greatly desired to devise some plan which would "reclaim and restore the Lamanites, to the
knowledge of the truth" (39). When the Spirit of God comes upon his people, their hearts are filled
with love for all mankind, even their enemies (Matt. 5:46-48).
The sad sequel was put in Jacob's record that their hope for the Lamanites was vain "for they
delighted in wars and bloodshed; and they had an eternal hatred against us, their brethren"
Ob.5:39).
Jac 5:40 And they sought by the power of their arms to destroy us continually;
5:40 Some of us have not known what it is like to live in fear of enemy destruction; yet many
others have lived and are now living in terror of their lives. Robert Burns once wrote:
"Man's inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn." It is hard to understand why men
should let Satan into their hearts so that they war on each other continually (D. and C. 3:15d; Luke
22:31; Acts 5:3; II Cor. 11:13-15). The Nephites had to fortify themselves with armies or perish.
There was one difference; they put their trust in God, and their enemies were not successful Ob.
5:41).
Jac 5:42 And it came to pass that I, Jacob, began to be old; and the record of this people being kept on
the other plates of Nephi, wherefore, I conclude this record, declaring that I have written according to
the best of my knowledge, by saying,
5:42 Lehi and Sariah had two sons born in the Arabian wilderness. Jacob was the older. He was
next to Nephi in his ability to rule righteously and to enjoy the gifts of revelation needed by the
spiritual leader of the people.
The record which Jacob was concluding was known as the smaller plates of Nephi or the spiritual
record (see comments on I N. 1:17; 2:1; 3:1).