Jacob 1-4 Jacob Ministers to the Nephites

Jacob 1:6-8, 17-19 We Labored Diligently

In these verses, have students find the words “labor” and “diligence” in all their forms. What is it that Jacob and his associates did and why did they do it? Why must we labor diligently today?

Jacob 2:12-20 The Pride of Your Hearts

Ask students what caused the Nephites to be proud in their hearts (see verses 13, 16, and 20). What is it that causes people to have unrighteous pride today? Have students read verse 17 and explain how the ideas in this verse would help them overcome pride.

Jacob 2:23-35 They Shall Not Commit Whoredoms

Explain that some Nephites had more than one wife. Have students read verse 27-29 and have them state in their own words how the Lord feels about this kind of behavior. Verse 30 explains when the Lord allows men to have more than one wife. The living prophets have declared that the Lord does not want his children to have more than one wife. President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “More than a century ago God clearly revealed unto His prophet Wilford Woodruff that the practice of plural marriage should be discontinued, which means that it is now against the law of God. Even in countries where civil or religious law allows polygamy, the Church teaches that marriage must be monogamous and does not accept into its membership those practicing plural marriage” (Ensign, November 1998, page 70).

Jacob 3:3-10 Repent and Remember


Jacob said that the pure in heart will receive the word of God (see Jacob 3:2).


Have students find the word “repent” in verses 3-8 and ask them what Jacob taught about repentance. Have students find the word “remember” in verses 9-10 and ask them what Jacob wanted his people to remember. How can repenting and remembering help us come closer to Christ today?

Jacob 4:1-13 Things as They Really Are

In these verses the word “Wherefore” is the first word several times. Remind students that the word wherefore is a summary word. It suggests that the words that come before are leading to the words that come after. For example, Jacob 4:6 says, “Wherefore, we search the prophets.” Somewhere before verse 4 this question is answered, “Why did Jacob search the prophets?” If you read verse 3 you can find the answer. Have students answer these questions by looking in the verse that comes before:

Jacob 4:6 Why did Jacob search the prophets?

Jacob 4:7 Why did Jacob tell the Nephites not to despise the revelations of God?

Jacob 4:10 Why did Jacob tell the Nephites not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand?

Jacob 4:11 Why did Jacob tell the Nephites to be reconciled to Christ through His atonement?

Jacob 4:13 How can the Holy Ghost speak of things as they really are, and as they really will be?

Jacob 4:14-18 Rejecting the Sure Foundation

These verses explain that the Jews will reject Jesus as the Messiah, or the “stone upon which they might build and have safe foundation” (Jacob 4:15). Have students read verse 14 and explain why the Jews would reject the Savior. Why do people today reject the Lord as their sure foundation?

2 Nephi 31-33 The Doctrine of Christ

The Doctrine of Christ – 2 Nephi 31:2-32:6

Help students see that everything between 2 Nephi 31:2 and 2 Nephi 32:6 represents when Nephi calls “the doctrine of Christ.”


The Lamb of God set the example the Father wants us to follow.


Invite students to find statements in the “doctrine of Christ” that pertain to:

1) the Lamb of God, or the Son, or the Son of the living God, or Christ, or the Holy One of Israel, or your Lord and your Redeemer

2) the Father, or God

3) the Holy Ghost,

How do these verses help us understand the relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost? Invite students to explain Nephi’s statement in 2 Nephi 31:21: “This is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end.” How are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost one?

2 Nephi 32:1-5 The Gift of the Holy Ghost

Have students read these verses and look for the blessings that can come to them through the Holy Ghost. What must we do to obtain these blessings?

2 Nephi 32:8-10 The Privilege of Prayer

Have students explain how the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are involved in our prayers. Why should we follow the pattern of prayer given by Nephi?

2 Nephi 33:1-15 Nephi's Final Farewell

Have students look for the word “I” and list the things that are important to Nephi as he bids his people farewell. What are the important things that we should pass on to our posterity?

2 Nephi 25-30: Nephi's Commentary on the Words of Isaiah

Nephi’s Soul Delights: 2 Nephi 25:4-5, 13

Have students read these verses and list the things that bring delight, or joy, to Nephi. Ask students why they think these things would bring Nephi joy.

Nephi’s Prophesies of Christ

Help students understand that Nephi is giving two prophecies: one, events related to his appearance when he comes in glory among the Nephites (2 Nephi 25;5-26:13); and two, events related to his appearance when he comes in glory at his Second Coming (2 Nephi 26:14-30:18). Invite students to summarize the major events contained in each prophecy.

Events Prior to and Shortly After Christ’s Appearance Among the Nephites

Nephi prophesied about the coming of Christ among the Nephites.

1) The scattering of the Jews (2 Nephi 25:9-15)
2) The gathering of the Jews (2 Nephi 25:16-18)
3) The destruction of the wicked prior to Christ’s appearance among the Nephites (2 Nephi 26:1-8)
4) The destruction of the wicked after Christ’s appearance among the Nephites (2 Nephi 26:9-10)

Events Prior to Christ’s Appearance at his Second Coming

Nephi prophesied about the coming of Christ in the last days.

1) The preparation of the Book of Mormon (2 Nephi 26:14-18)
2) The rise of the Gentiles in the Promised Land (2 Nephi 26:19-22)
3) The establishment of false churches (2 Nephi 28:3-5)
4) The doctrines of false churches (2 Nephi 28:6-10)
5) The practices of false churches (2 Nephi 28:11-14)
6) The destruction of false churches (2 Nephi 28:15-23)
7) The gathering of Israel (2 Nephi 29:11-14)
8) The coming forth of the Book of Mormon (2 Nephi 30:3-6)
9) The gathering of Israel (2 Nephi 30:7-8)
10) Final preparations for the Second Coming (2 Nephi 30:10-18)

The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon – 2 Nephi 27: 6-11

Help students see the difference between the “book” (the plates delivered to the Prophet Joseph Smith), and “the words of the book” (the portion of the plates that was translated by the Prophet and became the Book of Mormon).

Scripture Analysis

6 And it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall bring forth unto you the words of a book [the Book of Mormon], and they [the words of the book] shall be the words of them which have slumbered [the Nephites who have died].
7 And behold the book [the plates containing the Nephite record] shall be sealed; and in the book shall be a revelation from God, from the beginning of the world to the ending thereof.
8 Wherefore [because it is sealed and reveals everything from the beginning], because of the things which are sealed up, the things which are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the wickedness and abominations of the people. Wherefore [because the plates which are sealed shall not be delivered] the book [the plates containing the Nephite record] shall be kept from them [the Jews and the Gentile nations].
9 But the book [the plates containing the Nephite record] shall be delivered unto a man [Joseph Smith], and he shall deliver the words of the book [the translation of the Nephite record which is not sealed], which are the words of those who have slumbered in the dust, and he shall deliver these words unto another;
10 But the words which are sealed [the plates containing the Nephite record] he shall not deliver, neither shall he deliver the book [the plates containing the Nephite record]. For the book [the plates containing the Nephite record] shall be sealed by the power of God, and the revelation which was sealed shall be kept in the book until the own due time of the Lord, that they [the revelations in the sealed portion of the Nephite record] may come forth; for behold, they reveal all things from the foundation of the world unto the end thereof.
11 And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed shall be read upon the house tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ; and all things shall be revealed unto the children of men which ever have been among the children of men, and which ever will be even unto the end of the earth.

What are the important things we learn about the words of the book which are sealed?