Jacob 5–7

March 21–27

The Lord Labors with Us

Preparing to Teach in Sunday School

Begin your preparation to teach by reading Jacob 5–7 before studying any supplemental material. Prepare your teaching plan, and record your thoughts and impressions. You might also use some of the ideas on the next page or in Come, Follow Me for individuals and families.

Encourage Sharing

• How can you encourage class members to share insights they had as they studied these scriptures individually and with their family?

• What experiences have class members had as they acted on what they learned?

Teach the Doctrine

• As you teach gospel principles from these scriptures, what verses, quotations, experiences, questions, and other materials might you share?

• How might you use these resources to help class members ponder the gospel principles?

• How can you encourage class members to record and act upon the impressions they receive?

Encourage Sharing and Learning at Home

• Encourage class members to read the book of Enos and think about what they can do to make their prayers more meaningful.

My Teaching Plan

Additional Ideas

Jacob 5:61–62, 70–75. The Lord labors with His servants in His vineyard.

• What scripture passages (from Jacob 5 or elsewhere) inspire us to share the gospel?

• Jacob 5:61–62, 70–75 teaches that the Lord works alongside His servants in His vineyard. How has the Lord helped us to labor in His vineyard? What can we do to inspire each other? As a class we could share photographs or stories related to our own or family members’ Church service. What do we feel prompted to do to more fully experience the joy of participating in God’s work? (See also Mark 16:20.)

Jacob 7:1–23. We can stand strong against those who seek to destroy our faith.

• What scripture passages from Jacob 7 have strengthened our faith in the Savior and His gospel?

• Jacob’s experience with Sherem provides principles that can help all of us when our faith is challenged. What principles do we find in this account? What other examples of standing strong can we share—from the scriptures, our family history, or our own lives—that can help others stand strong against opposition? What messages from Church leaders have inspired us to resist the messages of those who seek to destroy the faith of the Saints? (See, for example, Jeffrey R. Holland, “Lord, I Believe,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 93–95.)

Jacob 7:24–25. We can trust in God.

• What effects are we seeing in our lives from regular scripture study? For example, how has our scripture study strengthened us, as individuals and as families, against worldly influences?

• The Nephites lived under constant threat of attack from the Lamanites. What can we learn from the Nephites’ response to this situation? (see Jacob 7:25). Though we may not face the daily threat of physical warfare, what spiritual dangers do we face? How can we learn to trust God to help us as He did the Nephites? Ask the class to read or sing a Church hymn that uses warfare as a metaphor, such as “Onward, Christian Soldiers” or “Behold! A Royal Army” (Hymns, nos. 246 and 251).

Optional Resource

Counsel from Elder Neil L. Andersen

Elder Neil L. Andersen told how one young woman remained firm in her faith despite opposition:

“Recently, I spoke with a Laurel from the United States. I quote from her email:

“‘This past year some of my friends on Facebook began posting their position on marriage. Many favored same-sex marriage, and several LDS youth indicated they “liked” the postings. I made no comment.

“‘I decided to declare my belief in traditional marriage in a thoughtful way.

“‘With my profile picture, I added the caption “I believe in marriage between a man and a woman.” Almost instantly I started receiving messages. “You are selfish.” “You are judgmental.” One compared me to a slave owner. And I received this post from a great friend who is a strong member of the Church: “You need to catch up with the times. Things are changing and so should you.”

“‘I did not fight back,’ she said, ‘but I did not take my statement down.’

“She concludes: ‘Sometimes, as President Monson said, “You have to stand alone.” Hopefully as youth, we will stand together in being true to God and to the teachings of His living prophets’” (“Spiritual Whirlwinds,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 18–21).

How is the young woman in this story similar to Jacob when he withstood the cunning arguments of Sherem? How can we follow the example of Jacob and this young woman?

Improving Our Teaching

How can I reach out to those who don’t attend Sunday School?

You can support those who do not attend by sharing something that you learned during class that could bless them. You could do this through an email, a phone call, or a visit.