Jacob 5–7

Overview

Jacob shared Zenos’s allegory of the olive trees, which symbolically illustrates the scattering of Israel and the constant efforts of the Lord to gather all Heavenly Father’s children to Him. The final part of this allegory symbolizes the Lord’s work in the last days, including the efforts He and His servants make to gather souls to Him for a final time. Some years after Jacob shared these teachings, a man named Sherem came among the Nephites and “labored diligently that he might lead away the hearts of the people” (Jacob 7:3). These lessons can help students face challenges to their faith and prepare to labor in the Lord’s vineyard.

Prepare to Teach

The following information provides teachers with ideas of what may need to be prepared in advance for each lesson.

Jacob 5:1–53

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students feel the love Jesus Christ has for them and for all people.

Student preparation: Consider providing students with the diagram titled “The Allegory of the Olive Trees (Jacob 5)” found in the “Commentary and Background Information” section. Invite students to use the diagram to help them study the allegory in Jacob 5 and become familiar with its overall message.
Content to display: The chartchart explaining symbols from the allegory
Handout: The diagram titled “The Allegory of the Olive Trees (Jacob 5)” in the “Commentary and Background Information” section (Consider providing a copy for each student.)
Video: “Unplanned Pregnancy, Adoption and the ‘Best Gift Ever’” (5:42)
Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider using the whiteboard feature to allow students to record their responses to the “What I learn about Jesus Christ from Jacob 5” activity.

Jacob 5:54–77; 6:1–13

Lesson purpose: This lesson is intended to help students feel a greater desire to labor with the Lord in helping Heavenly Father’s children come unto Him.

Student preparation: Consider inviting students to do the study activity under the heading “Jacob 5:61–75: The Lord invites me to labor with Him in His vineyard” in the study outline “April 8–14. Jacob 5–7: ‘The Lord Labors with Us’” in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2024.
Videos: “Hope of Israel” (1:01:34; watch from time code 31:24 to 33:42); “2021 Youth Theme Song: ‘A Great Work’” (4:06)

Jacob 7

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students prepare to overcome challenges to their faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel.

Student preparation: Invite students to come to class prepared to share an example of someone standing firm in their faith when others challenged them.
Videos: “Sherem Denies Christ” (7:16); “Spiritually Defining Memories” (16:43; watch from time code 13:40 to 14:46)
Videoconference teaching suggestion: Role-playing can prepare students to respond to situations where their faith is challenged. Consider choosing one or two such challenges that students in your area are likely to encounter. For example, if such statements are common in your area, you could choose “Members of the ‘Mormon’ Church are not Christians,” or “The Book of Mormon can’t be true because the Bible is the only book of scripture that will ever exist.” You could place students in small groups in breakout rooms to role-play responding faithfully to these challenges.

Assess Your Learning 3

Lesson purpose: This lesson is intended to help students see how they have grown or changed during their study of 2 Nephi 26–Jacob 7.

Student preparation: Consider inviting students to reflect on how they have grown spiritually through their study of the Book of Mormon in the last four weeks. You could invite them to identify specific teachings they have applied or verses that have been especially meaningful to them.
Videoconference teaching suggestion: Students may choose to do activity A or activity B. Place those who choose activity A in one breakout room and those who choose activity B in another. When each group finishes working on their activity together, they could choose a representative to share their explanation with the rest of the class.

Doctrinal Mastery Review 5

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students memorize the scripture references and key scripture phrases for doctrinal mastery passages in the Book of Mormon.

Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared to share ways they remember Jesus Christ each day.
Content to display: The chart of doctrinal mastery passages with their key scripture phrases
Materials: Paper and scissors for students to use to create their word strips
Videoconference teaching suggestion: The memorizing activity in this lesson may be challenging in a videoconference class. Consider inviting students to do a similar activity on the Doctrinal Mastery app.