Jacob 4

“Our Faith Becometh Unshaken”

Carving words into metal plates was not an easy task (see Jacob 4:1). So why would Jacob go through the effort to do it? He had experienced the joy of knowing the Savior and desired to help us come unto the Savior as well. This lesson can help you strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ by identifying, recording, and pondering principles and truths that Jacob taught.

What would you share?

Jacob fulfilled a commandment to write on the small plates “a few of the things which [he] considered to be most precious” (Jacob 1:2) for future generations to read (see Jacob 4:1–3). Imagine you have similarly been asked to write a short message for people in the future.

Write one paragraph that contains the most important things that you know or have experienced for your children and grandchildren in the future to read.

Jacob’s message to us

As you study the message Jacob was inspired to engrave in Jacob 4 for people in our day to read, you will have an opportunity to practice using helpful scripture study skills. These skills include:

1. Identifying and recording principles and truths

2. Pondering and asking questions that help you better understand the truths and principles

Using these skills can help you to learn and feel more from the Holy Ghost as you study the scriptures.

1. Identifying and recording principles and truths

It is helpful to pause when you read the scriptures and record what you learn as simple statements of truth. You can use your own words or use words and phrases directly from the scriptures.

Practice identifying principles and truths by:

• Reading Jacob 4:1, 4–6, looking for what Jacob was inspired to record about the Savior.

• Marking words and phrases that are important to you.

• Recording in your study journal or in your scriptures what you feel are the most important messages in these verses.

An example of a principle that you might identify from verse 6 is sincerely searching the words of the prophets will strengthen my faith in Jesus Christ. Consider recording this principle in your study journal or in your scriptures near verse 6.

2. Pondering and asking questions

Pondering can help you understand and apply the principles and truths you identify. You might ponder questions like the following:

• Why do I think people in our day need to know this truth?

• How does it apply to my life?

• What would the Lord have me do because of what I learned?

Practice using scripture study skills

Practice the skills of identifying, recording, and pondering principles and truths by:

1. Studying Jacob 4:7–14, searching for important teachings that Jacob chose to record about the Savior.

2. Recording in your study journal or in your scriptures one principle or truth that you feel is important for people in the world today to understand.

3. Pondering the importance of what you found. Ask questions that could help you better understand and apply it in your life. (Examples of questions you could ponder are found in the “Pondering and asking questions” section earlier in the lesson.)

1. Write a paragraph or two, sharing with your teacher the principle or truth you chose, the verse(s) you found it in, and what you learned from it. Consider the following examples of things you could include in your paragraph(s):

   • How the principle or truth could help a teenager to strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ

   • Other scripture passages or statements from Church leaders that help you understand this principle or truth better

   • Things you could ponder and questions you could ask to help you better understand this principle or truth

   • Ways you could apply what you learned to strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ

   • Experiences when you or those you know have been blessed by applying what Jacob taught

Optional: Want to Learn More?

Jacob 4:10. How can good people fall into the trap of not taking counsel from God?

President Marion G. Romney (1897–1988) of the First Presidency explained:

I do not think that many members of the Church consciously [follow] the persuasions of men or their own counsel instead of heeding the Lord’s. However, when we do not keep ourselves advised as to what the counsel of the Lord is, we are prone to substitute our own counsel for His. As a matter of fact, there is nothing else we can do but follow our own counsel when we do not know the Lord’s instructions. (Marion G. Romney, “Seek Not to Counsel the Lord,” Ensign, Aug. 1985, 5)

Jacob 4:14. What are some ways people look “beyond the mark” today?

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Some members elevate causes, many of which are good, to a status superior to basic gospel doctrine. They substitute their devotion to the cause as their first commitment and relegate their commitment to the Savior and His teachings to a secondary position. If we elevate anything above our devotion to the Savior, if our conduct recognizes Him as just another teacher and not the divine Son of God, then we are looking beyond the mark. Jesus Christ is the mark! (Quentin L. Cook, “Valiant in the Testimony of Jesus,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 43)