“March 14–20. Jacob 1–4: ‘I Must Do According to the Strict Commands of God’” Come, Follow Me: For Individuals and Families at Home (2015), 24–25
“March 14–20. Jacob 1–4: ‘I Must Do According to the Strict Commands of God’” For Individuals and Families at Home, 24–25
March 14–20
“I Must Do According to the Strict Commands of God”
Introduction and Impressions
There are many loving and kind leaders in the Church—leaders who express their love and teach important truths. Jacob, following in the footsteps of Nephi, was that type of leader. Calling his people to repentance was not easy, but Jacob’s love for God and his people gave him strength and courage. His teachings can help me avoid two temptations prevalent in my day: sexual immorality and pride.
Record Impressions
It is very important that you seek impressions from the Spirit to help you and your family. Therefore, before reading the rest of this study outline, read Jacob 1–4. What messages do you find for your life? What will be of most value to you and your family? What can you share in your Church classes? Record your thoughts and impressions below or in a journal or notebook.
Ideas for Personal Learning
Jacob 1:6–8, 15–19; 2:1–11. I am accountable to God for magnifying my calling.
Jacob wrote about his great desire to bring his people unto Christ and about how he faithfully magnified his calling. President Gordon B. Hinckley taught that we magnify our callings “as we serve with diligence, as we teach with faith and testimony, as we lift and strengthen” (“Magnify Your Calling,” Ensign, May 1989, 47). According to these verses, why did Jacob serve so faithfully? What can I do to more fully magnify my calling?
See also “Rise to Your Call” (video), LDS.org.
Jacob 2:22–35. The Lord delights in chastity.
When prophets testify against wickedness, they sometimes warn that widespread calamities and destruction will be the consequences of wickedness. Jacob emphasized the devastating effects of sexual immorality on individual hearts (see Jacob 2:9–10, 31, 35). According to Jacob 2:22–35, how does God feel about chastity? What are our living prophets teaching us about chastity?
See also Matthew 5:27–28; David A. Bednar, “We Believe in Being Chaste,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 41–44; “Sexual Purity,” in For the Strength of Youth (2011), 35–37; True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference (2004), 29–33; “I Choose to Be Pure” (video), LDS.org.
Jacob 4:4–13. I can be reconciled to God through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Jacob wanted to inspire his people to be reconciled to (or be in agreement or harmony with) God through the Atonement of Christ (see Jacob 4:11). What do I find in this week’s reading that can help me be reconciled to God? What are some things Jacob mentioned that helped his people strengthen their faith in Christ? For example, Jacob taught that the law of Moses was given to point his people to Jesus Christ (see Jacob 4:5). What has God provided to point me to Christ? Am I using these things to draw closer to God?
See also Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Have We Not Reason to Rejoice?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 18–21.
Ideas for Family Learning
Family Discussions
Jacob 2:12–21. What do we learn from these verses about riches and wealth?
Jacob 3:1–2. What does it mean to be pure in heart and have a firm mind? What promises are made to the pure in heart?
Jacob 4:4–11. Why was Jacob’s faith “unshaken”? What can we do to develop faith that is “unshaken” like Jacob’s?
Family Home Evening
Jacob 1:6–8, 15–19; 2:1–11. How can we sustain our Church leaders?
Jacob used many words and phrases that help us understand how much he cared about his people. What words and phrases convey that love in Jacob 1:6–8, 15–19; 2:1–11? What have our Church leaders done to help us feel their “desire and anxiety for the welfare of [our] souls” (Jacob 2:3)? What can we do to sustain our Church leaders? For example, we could write notes to one of our leaders and thank them for something they have taught by their example.