Jacob 1-2

Lesson Quotes:
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
“Perhaps you already know (but if you don’t you should) that with rare exception, no man or woman who speaks [in general conference] is assigned a topic. Each is to fast and pray, study and seek, start and stop and start again until he or she is confident that for this conference, at this time, his or hers is the topic the Lord wishes that speaker to present regardless of personal wishes or private preferences. … Each has wept, worried, and earnestly sought the Lord’s direction to guide his or her thoughts and expression” (“An Ensign to the Nations,” Ensign, May 2011, 111).

President Hugh B. Brown
“President John Taylor said on one occasion, speaking to the brethren of the priesthood: “If you do not magnify your callings, God will hold you responsible for those you might have saved, had you done your duty.”


“This is a challenging statement. If I by reason of sins of commission or omission lose what I might have had in the hereafter, I myself must suffer and doubtless, my loved ones with me. But if I fail in my assignment as a bishop, a stake president, a mission president or one of the General Authorities of the Church—if any of us fail to teach, lead, direct, and help to save those under our direction and within our jurisdiction then the Lord will hold us responsible if they are lost as the result of our failure.” (CR Oct. 1962)

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf 
“At its core, pride is a sin of comparison, for though it usually begins with ‘Look how wonderful I am and what great things I have done,’ it always seems to end with ‘Therefore, I am better than you.’ …
“… This is the sin of ‘Thank God I am more special than you.’ At its core is the desire to be admired or envied. It is the sin of self-glorification” (“Pride and the Priesthood,” Ensign, Nov. 2010, 56).

President Ezra Taft Benson

“The plaguing sin of this generation is sexual immorality. This, the Prophet Joseph said, would be the source of more temptations, more buffetings, and more difficulties for the elders of Israel than any other” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson [2014], 220).

Elder Richard G. Scott 

“Those intimate acts are forbidden by the Lord outside the enduring commitment of marriage because they undermine His purposes. Within the sacred covenant of marriage, such relationships are according to His plan. When experienced any other way, they are against His will. They cause serious emotional and spiritual harm. Even though participants do not realize that is happening now, they will later. Sexual immorality creates a barrier to the influence of the Holy Spirit with all its uplifting, enlightening, and empowering capabilities. It causes powerful physical and emotional stimulation. In time that creates an unquenchable appetite that drives the offender to ever more serious sin” (“Making the Right Choices,” Ensign, Nov. 1994, 38).

COMMENTARY JACOB 1:7-8

 “Come unto Christ” To come unto Christ, a person “must have faith in Him unto repentance—making the necessary changes to bring their life into agreement with His teachings” (Preach My Gospel: Guide to Missionary Service [2004],;2).

“Partake of the goodness of God” This phrase is an invitation to receive God’s blessings through obedience to the commandments and ordinances of the gospel.

“Enter into his rest” Entering into the rest of the Lord means enjoying peace in this life and receiving “the fulness of [God’s] glory” in the next life (D&C 84:24).

“Provocation in the days of temptation” This phrase refers to the ancient Israelites provoking God’s anger by rebelling against Him in the wilderness (see Hebrews 3:8–9; D&C 84:23–24).

“View [Christ’s] death” One definition of view is to look at or examine attentively. When Jacob wrote that he wanted to persuade people to “believe in Christ, and view his death,” he may have meant that he wanted them to examine the Atonement of Jesus Christ attentively, realize its importance, and gain a personal testimony of it.

“Suffer his cross” This phrase refers to our willingness to deny ourselves of ungodliness and worldly lusts and to keep the Lord’s commandments (see Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 16:26 [in Matthew 16:24,footnote e]; Luke 9:23; 2 Nephi 9:18). It also refers to our willingness to endure and sacrifice as we follow the Savior.

“Bear the shame of the world” This phrase refers to keeping the commandments despite the worldly pressure, humiliation, and opposition that often come to disciples of Jesus Christ.