Jacob 1

Persuade Others to Come unto Christ

Before Nephi died, he gave his younger brother Jacob the responsibility to preserve the plates and record on them what was “most precious” (Jacob 1:2). Jacob’s message pointed others to Jesus Christ, helping them avoid the consequences of unbelief and sin. This lesson can help you discover ways to help others come unto Jesus Christ.

Helping learners be active participants. For some students, putting forth effort to learn from the scriptures may seem unfamiliar and somewhat difficult. However, students can grow in their abilities and gradually take more responsibility for their learning. Look for opportunities to help students take an active role in class and praise their efforts and progress.

Student preparation: Invite students to think of times they could talk to others about Jesus Christ. Encourage them to pray for an opportunity and to have the courage to act in the moment.

Possible Learning Activities

Talking to a friend

The following questions and video could help students discuss what it can be like to talk to others about Jesus Christ. If students were asked to do the student preparation, invite them to share times they might talk about Jesus Christ with others. It may not be necessary to show the video if students have a lot to discuss about their own feelings and experiences.

• When can talking about Jesus Christ with others feel intimidating? What might help us overcome our fears?

• Who is someone you know that is a good example of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others?

A young man named Junior is a great example of sharing the gospel. He was the only young man attending church in a small branch in Florida, USA. He decided to talk to one of his friends about the gospel of Jesus Christ and invite him to church. You may want to watch the video “Inviting All to Come unto Christ: Sharing the Gospel” (4:30), available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, and look for one or two things you can learn from Junior and the others in his branch.

The example of others can give us reasons and ideas of how to invite others to come unto Christ. While studying today, think about why you might want to help others come unto the Savior and in what normal and natural ways you might do this.

Persuading others to come unto Christ

Before Nephi died (see Jacob 1:12), he gave his brother Jacob the responsibility to write on the small plates the Lord had commanded him to make. The small plates focus on spiritual things and other plates were dedicated to the people’s history (Jacob 1:1–3).

Read Jacob 1:4–6, looking for what Nephi asked Jacob to include on the plates and teach the people.

• What are some things Nephi and Jacob knew? How did they learn these things?

Help students recognize Jacob’s testimony of Jesus Christ and how it motivated him to action.

Read Jacob 1:7–8, looking for what Jacob did because of his understanding. You might mark phrases in your scriptures that show what motivated Jacob to action. The following explanations could clarify Jacob’s motivation.

“View his death”:Jacob was likely inviting the Nephites to think about Jesus Christ dying for them and atoning for their sins.

“Suffer his cross”:This phrase refers to a commitment 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 means that we can show our willingness to endure and sacrifice as we follow the Savior.

• Which reasons that Jacob wrote about could motivate you? What other reasons can you think of for inviting others to come unto Christ?

  Consider asking students what phrases in the verses they need help understanding. Invite students to help each other.

  You could provide the explanations found in the “Commentary and Background Information” section as needed.

• What can we learn from Jacob’s example in these verses?

One truth we can learn from Jacob’s example is that knowing of Jesus Christ and His kingdom can motivate us to labor diligently to help others come unto Him.

It might be helpful for students to hear a few of their peers share their answers to the following prompt.

Ponder on what you know about Jesus Christ and think about what truths you would want others to know about Him.

Students could do the following as a group activity, brainstorming situations in which they might help someone come unto Christ.

Take a moment to think about what you might do to labor diligently to persuade others to come unto Christ. Write down situations in which you might have opportunities to do this. Next to each situation, write down how you might help others in that setting come to know and love Jesus Christ. You could use the following examples and add any others:

1. At home

2. With a friend

3. On social media

4. In your calling or through ministering

Students might benefit from a class discussion on how the callings they have or could be asked to fulfill can help them bring others to Christ. They could ask questions they have about ministering or share advice about serving in the Lord’s Church.

Consider sharing an experience you have had helping someone come unto Christ.

You could also show a video example. Choose from one of the following videos or others available to you.

“2021 Broadcast: Principles of Love, Share, Invite” (54:06) from time code 0:00 to 1:35

“Member Stories: Youth and Young Adults” (5:08)

“Ministering as the Savior Does” (6:08)

As you think of ways to help others come unto Jesus Christ, you can take courage from promises and advice in the scriptures.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 15:6; 18:15–16 to discover what the Lord promised those who help others come to Him.

Read Alma 31:34–35 to learn from Alma’s example in wanting to help lead the Zoramites to Christ.

• When have you been able to help other people learn about Jesus Christ?

• Who is a person you would like to invite to come unto Christ? What can you do to invite them? How can you rely on the Savior to help you?

Commentary and Background Information

Jacob 1:7–8. What do Jacob’s words mean?

Understanding the following terms Jacob used can be helpful.

“Enter into [God’s] rest”:Only when we follow Jesus Christ can we enjoy peace and freedom from worry.

“Provocation in the days of temptation”:After their deliverance from Egypt, the ancient Israelites provoked God. That is, they rebelled against Him, wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, and lost great blessings, including being in God’s presence (see Numbers 14:2–3, 22–23; Hebrews 3:8–9; Doctrine and Covenants 84:23–25).

“Bear the shame of the world”:Jacob recognized that it is not easy to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. We are invited to follow the Savior even with the opposition that often comes with it.

How can I minister to others and lead them to Christ?

President Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women General President, explained:

As we strive to follow the Savior’s example, we must first know and number His sheep. … Numbering, however, is not really about numbers; it is about making certain each person feels the love of the Savior through someone who serves for Him. In that way, all can recognize that they are known by a loving Father in Heaven. …

… As you seek the Lord’s direction on how to convey His love and see the needs of those to whom you minister, your eyes will be opened. (Bonnie H. Cordon, “Becoming a Shepherd,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 75–76)

How can the Lord bless me as I help others come unto Him?

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught:

Your power will be multiplied many times by the Lord. All He asks is that you give your best effort and your whole heart. Do it cheerfully and with the prayer of faith. The Father and His Beloved Son will send the Holy Ghost as your companion to guide you. Your efforts will be magnified in the lives of the people you serve. (Henry B. Eyring, “Rise to Your Call,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2002, 78)

How can I magnify my calling?

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught what is required to magnify our callings:

It will depend on our diligence in trying to know the Lord’s will and our efforts to hear His voice so that we can know better what He wants for the person we are serving for Him. That magnification will come in small steps. It may come slowly, but it will come. (Henry B. Eyring, “Bless in His Name,” Liahona, May 2021, 70)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Jacob 1:17. My errand from the Lord

Students may benefit from a discussion about what it means to obtain an errand from the Lord. Help students understand that we receive an errand from the Lord when we accept a call to serve in His Church or fulfill a ministering assignment. We can also pray for guidance from our Heavenly Father and follow the promptings we receive from the Holy Ghost. Consider using this statement by President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018): “When we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember that whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies” (“Duty Calls,” Ensign, May 1996, 44).

Jacob 1:18–19. The Lord gives us opportunities to serve others

Consider sharing that “being a faithful disciple in order to help others become faithful disciples is the purpose behind every calling in the Church” (General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4.1, ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Read Jacob 1:18–19 as a class. Help students see that Jacob and his brother Joseph took their responsibilities very seriously because they were called by the Lord. You could use the statements in the “Commentary and Background Information” section to encourage students to serve the Lord in His Church.

Jacob 1:19. “We did magnify our office”

To help students understand what it means to magnify a calling, bring a magnifying glass to class and discuss what it means to magnify something. Then help students discuss what it might mean to magnify a calling. Doctrine and Covenants 24:9; 84:33 or statements from Church leaders may help.