O How Great the Goodness of Our God

1 THE words of Jacob, [Nephi is keeping the records and notes that Jacob is the speaker here] the brother of Nephi, which he spake unto the people of Nephi:

2 Behold, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, having been called of God, and ordained after the manner of his holy order, and having been consecrated by my brother Nephi, [Nephi is now the prophet] unto whom ye look as a king or a protector, and on whom ye depend for safety, behold ye know that I have spoken unto you exceedingly many things. [Not the first time he has addressed the group ]

3 Nevertheless, I speak unto you again; for I am desirous for the welfare of your souls. [ What are your thoughts when someone starts out their sermon like this "Concerned for the welfare of your souls"? get the feeling that it is not going to be a sermon on how well you are doing.] Yea, mine anxiety is great for you; and ye yourselves know that it ever has been. For I have exhorted you with all diligence; and I have taught you the words of my father; [Lehi] and I have spoken unto you concerning all things which are written, [Those things which are contained on the brass plates] from the creation of the world. [ Why do you suppose that most doctrinal discourses begin with some reference to the creation? It is important to understand who the creator is, that there was a plan put together from the very beginning.] [ When I think of Jacob to me he is the Bruce R McConkie of their time, the scriptorian, the one who best understands the doctrinal parts of the gospel; and here we are going to here his conference address - which is very doctrinal in nature. When Nephi wants to have something said just right he gets his younger brother Jacob to say it.]

4 And now, behold, I would speak unto you concerning things which are, and which are to come; wherefore, I will read you the words of Isaiah. [so the prophet Nephi has called Jacob to teach in conference and the topic is two verse that are found in Isaiah (on the brass Plates) see verse 6 & 7 which correspond with Isaiah 49:22 & 23; all in all his entire speaking assignment addresses Isaiah 49–52. Compare Isaiah 49:22–26 with 2 Nephi 6:6–7, 16–18; Isaiah 50 with 2 Nephi 7; Isaiah 51 with 2 Nephi 8:1–23; and Isaiah 52:1–2 with 2 Nephi 8:24–25.] And they are the words which my brother has desired that I should speak unto you. [These Isaiah chapters were assigned to Jacob as his topic by Nephi] And I speak unto you for your sakes, that ye may learn and glorify the name of your God. [ Little stab here at those who are acting in direct opposition to glofing God, as they are glorifying themselves, cp. 9:28, 10:20, 10:24.]

5 And now, the words which I shall read are they which Isaiah spake concerning all the house of Israel; wherefore, they may be likened unto you, for ye are of the house of Israel. [ Nephi quoted these same verse earlier when he compared them to his people; where as Jacob is quoting them and comparing them to Jerusalem (see vs 8). So the words of Isaiah here are meant for dual prophecy. Isaiah did not limit them to one event but all of the house of Israel. ] And there are many things which have been spoken by Isaiah which may be likened unto you, because ye are of the house of Israel.

6 And now, these are the words: Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people; and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.

7 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their faces towards the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.

8 And now I, Jacob, would speak somewhat concerning these words. [so now we have Jacob begining the teachings that are derived from those verses, starting first with an outline of the house of Israel; which continues through the remainder of chapter 6. Then in chapter 10 he will bring all of it back and discuss how all of this applies to you/them.] For behold, the Lord has shown me that those who were at Jerusalem, from whence we came, have been slain and carried away captive.

so what is happening here?

[ Nephi is the prophet and has assigned Jacob his younger brother to speak on a specific topic. Isaiah 49 - 52

A casual reading might imply that Jacob is simply commenting upon a few chapters from Isaiah, telling the people to repent to keep the commandments. However; a closer examination yields that there may be a bit more on Jacob's agenda.

2 Ne. 6:5

5 And now, the words which I shall read are they which Isaiah spake concerning all the house of Israel; [ first these words apply to the entire house of Israel ] wherefore, they may be likened unto you, for ye are of the house of Israel. [ Why do you think that Jacob needed to declare that they are of the house of Israel? Don't they already know that or do they? What might be happening with them to cause them to doubt? ] And there are many things which have been spoken by Isaiah which may be likened unto you, because ye are of the house of Israel.

Jacob repeatedly addresses two doctrinal points, and one warning in these chapters, first that the Nephites are still part of covenant Israel (cf. 6:5, 7:1, 8:2, 9:1-3, 9:53, 10:1-2, 10:17-18, 10:20) and second the divine role of the Messiah as redeemer and the atonement (cf. 6:4, 9:5, 9:23, 9:53, 10:3, 10:23-25). Jacob also repeatedly warns of one behavior in specific, that of pride as a result of intellectualism (cf. 6:4, 9:4, 9:28, 9:42-43).

From these emphasized points we can conclude that some of the Nephites, through their studies in the Scriptures, had incorrectly determined they were cut off from Israel. The result was they considered themselves no longer a part of the covenant, and presumably no longer under the Law of Moses. They also appear to have taken a secularized view of the Messiah (that his mission was one of physical or temporal savings from enemies) , as was common among the Jews.

How widespread this view had become among the Nephites is unclear. Jacob may have simply been addressing a small group of Nephites who had intellectualized the gospel.

so what could it be that was making them come to those conclusions? Let's explore for our own benefit that we might learn.

Possibility #1) At least part of the answer comes from Lehi's warnings and curses appearing in part in 2 Ne. 1:7-22. Therein, Lehi tells them that if they keep the commandments they will enjoy peace and prosperity, but if they don't they will be visited with wars and destruction and lose their inheritance. Almost immediately after Lehi's death is the separation of the Nephites and Lamanites with the Lamanites falling into gross apostasy (cf. 5:19-24) while the Nephites "lived after the manner of happiness" (cf. 5:27). Then, within ten years the two groups end up fighting (cf. v. 34). so, the curses Lehi hurled at them start to be fulfilled in their own eyes only some ten or twenty years after they were prophesied. As such, it would have been pretty easy for the Nephites to conclude Lehi's curses concerning their being cut off and smitten were already fulfilled. One could assume the audience has adopted the view they are cut off from covenant Israel because things are going badly for them, so they are depressed and feeling rejected. This kind of negative thinking could easily result in them secularizing as they are already feeling damned.

Possibility #2) The rising generation being less religious than their predecessors. This is the group that has been in the New World for about 30 years, so the rising generation would not have witnessed firsthand the various trial and miracles their parents saw. The result is the subsequent generations are not as zealous as their parents, which occurrence is so commonly the case in later history of the BofM.

Possibility #3) Perhaps the Nephites had some contact with the Lamanites and had adopted some of the Lamanite views had begun to influence them, as is later the case between Jacob and Sherem (cf. Jacob 7). so, Jacob stands up and attacks the Lamanite view in their absence and persuades the Nephites to repent of that influence. This seems unlikely though given Nephi's mentioning immediately before the sermon that the two groups are at war, and the apparent novelty of the confrontation between Jacob and Sherem. But, from the description Nephi gives in 5:19-24, it is plain there was some contact between them besides just for combat.

On a different subject, the sermon takes place over two days. Was this message given on a Sabbath Friday night and then Saturday morning, or on two concurrent Sabbath days during one of the week long Sabbath festivals ]

Whatever the reason Nephi has assigned Jacob to treat these principles in his talk:

Principal #1) The atonement is real, this is the work assigned to the Savior, and what you need to do it have it take effect in your life as well as the consequenses if you don't.

Principal #2) There are certain attitudes that prevent us from receiving all of the blessings of the atonement.

Principal #3) There is reason to rejoice as they are not cut off but are still part of chosen Israel, and the Lord does remember His covenants with His people.

1 AND now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things [ What thing has he read? The chapters of Isaiah that he was assigne to teach] that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has covenanted with all the house of Israel—

2 That he has spoken unto the Jews, by the mouth of his holy prophets, even from the beginning down, from generation to generation, until the time comes that they shall be restored [ What does restore imply? it must have been with them before, because you cannot restore something which they never had. The restoration of Israel is different than the gathering of Israel. Israel is gathering today.] to the true church [ as defined in 1 Ne. 14:10 (two churches, church of the devil and church of the Lamb of God)] and fold of God; when they shall be gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and shall be established in all their lands [more than one] of promise.

3 Behold, my beloved brethren, I speak unto you these things that ye may rejoice, [ Why would they possibly need to be told to rejoice? Remember that Lehi had told them before he died that if they were righteous that nothing would happen to them they would be protected; but they are already starting to war with the Lamanites, so are they second guessing, are the rumors going around that they are already not faithful and have lost those promised blessing? That just as the Lord has promised that he will continue to work with the Jews until they are restored to their lands and all that they were promised. No matter what they appear to be or have done. And just as he has made a covenant with the Jews, as part of the house of Israel - so to will he work with the Lehites; to restore all the covenants they were promised as children in the House of Israel.] and lift up your heads forever, because of the blessings which the Lord God shall bestow upon your children. [ along with our own salvation nothing is as important as the salvation of our children - in this case the Lamanites specifically ]

4 For I know that ye have searched much, [ How would they have searched much - no google, no scriptures? Or was there a library with them in it? Was this just them searching in their hearts?] many of you, to know of things to come; wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away and die; [ The first 3 verses have been speaking to all of the house of Israel, collectively as a group, and their rights and covenants. Now from here through vs 38 he is going to speak to them as individuals; and what is required for individual salvation. vs 4-22 physical life through resurrection; vs 23-48 repentance to gain spiritual life, ] nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see God. [ What principal of the gospel plan is he teaching here? not in the flesh, but in our bodies. What is the difference between seeing him in the flesh and in our bodies? they began this verse by searching to know the things to come, and they were lead to remember that the Lord has taught from the beginning that there will be a resurrection. so we can conclude that the doctrine was taught in plainess in the brass plates.]

5 Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; [ Why? we find that answer in 2 Ne. 10:3 ] for it behooveth the great Creator [ What title is he using for Christ here? What is the signifigance of that title here? Note the Ttitle used here for Christ - the Creator. This was one of the missions of Christ and as the Creator he formed us first, he created us. If he had the power to Create us, and he is the one that created us then he is the one that can use that same power to ressurrect us. The fact that Christ was our creater is part of the plan - that our Father in Heaven give to us in the pre-mortal life.] that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, [ How was the Savior subject to man in the flesh? He became subject to the laws of men, (the agency of men) of which they hung him on a cross. While they might not have had the power to take his life they did put him on the cross in an environment where he delivered himself up. Why was it important that he become subject to man in the flesh? It is and was through that suffering that he can say yes I understand I was there, and he while he was here provided the perfer example for use to follow.] and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him. [Savior came to do what man could not do for himself. Is there any way that man could have figured out how to ressurrect himself?]

6 For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, [ In what way is death merciful? Can you imagine living on this earth forever, never to return to his presence? Birth and death will happen to all of us; they are just two points on our eternal spectrum. We are born helpless as in death we are helpless. Death is as important as birth. In the garden of eden what were the mechanisms put in place for us? If you eat of the tree you will die, when we become subject to death cherribums are placed to guard the tree of life that man cannot live forever in sin. ] there must needs be a power of resurrection, [ Why must there be a resurrection? Symbolism from verses above that just as Israel is scattered, and then gathered back together so to will our bodies be joined back with our spirits in the resurrection. the bands of transgression must be broken ] and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; [ What is he saying here? so the merciful plan is because Adam fell we must have a means to be restored or resurrected to a state of immortality. So if man is going to be permitted to partake of the tree of knowledge which will bring about death then there must be prepared a way for man to have his spirit and body reunited through resurrection.] and the fall came by reason of transgression; [What is the signifigance to us? transgression, not sin. BY REAsoN - agency of man; the Lord did not just do this on his own; he did set the law and the consequences; but man did using his agency; he broke the law - transgressed; as a result it would set the coarse of events in motion that are required if transgression were to occur. In the pre-mortal world when we cast our lot to be part of the Fathers Plan we agreed that Adam would represent all of us, that we would bound under the laws given Adam. ] and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord. [ What is he saying here? So when Adam partook of the fruit he was cast out of the presence of God [out of the garden of eden] - So to are we born into the world out of the presence of God. Moses 5:4]

7 Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite [ What does it mean infinite? eternal in scope of time, no measurment in scope of what it covers it covers everything, must break the finite bands of mortality; not infinite in the mathematical sense see D&C 19:4-12 “having no boundaries or limits.” ] atonement [Russell M. Nelson said: “In the English language, the components are at-one-meant, suggesting that a person is at one with another. Other languages employ words that connote either expiation or reconciliation. Expiation means ‘to atone for.’ Reconciliation comes from Latin roots re, meaning ‘again’; con, meaning ‘with’; and sella, meaning ‘seat.’ Reconciliation, therefore, literally means ‘to sit again with.’…In Hebrew, the basic word for atonement is kaphar, a verb that means ‘to cover’ or ‘to forgive.’ Closely related is the Aramaic and Arabic word kafat, meaning ‘a close embrace’—no doubt related to the Egyptian ritual embrace….While the words atone or atonement, in any of their forms, appear only once in the King James translation of the New Testament, they appear 35 times in the Book of Mormon. As another testament of Jesus Christ, it sheds precious light on His Atonement.” (Ensign, Nov. 1996, pp.34-5 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 85))]—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. [ Why must it be infinite? If it only lasted for a period then everything would revert back at some time and then all would be lost. Because of the fall blood became part of man. Blood is corruptable and as a result man is now subject to death. So to become incorruptable our blood must be replaced with the blood of anothers that is incorruptable - a transfusion so to speak the blood of a God would do the trick. Only could be done by somone who was a God, since God's judgements are eternal (D&C 19:4-10 the corruption (sin) could only be overcome by a God who was without any corruption (sin) ] Wherefore, the first judgment [ What was the first judgment? Through the fall Adam and Eve were removed from the Garden called Eden (the presence of God - spiritual death) and became subject to death. So that judgment brought about 2 deaths spiritual and physical. Moses 3:17 "In the day that thou eatest thereof Thou shalt surley die"] which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. [ so how long would this first judgement have lasted? And what would the condition of man be at this point? Without the atonement (ressurrection) - when death occurred we would have remained that way forever. Our spirit would be seperated from our body never to be joined as well.] And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more. [Unable to know the joy and fuliness that comes only in the ressurrected state. D&C 93:33-34]

8 O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! [ What is the wisdom of God spoken of here? that he had and put in place a plan long before it was needed. First that he was wise enough to know that we would need a plan as Adam would partake at some point. What is the mercy and grace spoken of here? Then that he would care enough for us to put in place a plan that would take care of us] For behold, if the flesh should rise no more [so the first part of the mercy of Gods plan is that we will be resurrected; we will not be condemned at death; as a result of the first judgement; we will live again after death. See verse 15.] our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more. [ he being the first to fall, he would become our master as he is the master of that awful kingdom.]

9 And our spirits must have become like unto him, [ How would our spirits have become like him? 1) they would be without a body 2) if we got to the point of realizing that we were never going to enjoy the presence of our Heavenly Father, if we new there was only misery for us through out eternity; then we would eventually become just like satan, we would do everything that we could to get back at our Heavenly Father, to destroy anything that is right, just, moral... The idea is that you cannot associate with evil and not become part of it, and had there not been an atonemant the devil would have eventually worn us out. And we would have all become like him.] and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, [ Satan resides outside of Gods presence ] and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, [ Why is Satan in so much misery? No body, no progression, it is Gods presence that brings real joy and happiness, the eternity with him and our loved ones. Satan has none of this and is therefore miserable] like unto himself; yea, to that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh [ near in place, time, or relationship; but not there ] unto an angel of light, [ It might be good enough to trick some people; but those who have seen God are not tricked; remember Jacob has seen the Savior. like Moses in Moses 1 who sees satan and asks "where is your glory" he gas seen the other or greater light from God.] and stirreth up the children of men [ What are your thoughts when you hear that phrase? just like the older brother who knows that something is bad and try's to get his younger brothers to do something that he knows is bad. ] unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness.

10 O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape [ First it was his wisdom and mercy, now it is his goodness, righteousness, love. This way was prepared from the beginning and was part of the plan. who prepared a way out of the grasp of this awful monster ] from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, [a]death and [b]hell, [a]which I call the death of the body, [physical death] [b]and also the death of the spirit. [referred to here as hell - or being left in a state where the body was without the spirit, and the spirit was not near the presence of God. How does Jacob try to show that temporal death and spiritual death are an “awful monster”? If our spirits are bodies are seperated from each other to dwell with Satan for eternity that would be pretty awful.]

[Note how he uses this death meaning two different types in the next two verses.]

11 And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this death, [ Which type of death is he referring to here? death of the physical body ] of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave.

12 And this death [ Which type of death is he referring to here? spiritual death or being out of the presence of our Heavenly Father ] of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death [the grave] and hell [out of Father's presence] must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; [something can only be restored when it was that way before - you cannot restore what was not.] and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.

13 O how great the plan of our God! [ What is Jacob expressing thanks for here? The plan that there is one. Have you ever just thought about how greatful you are for the plan of God? ] For on the other hand, the paradise of God [ Where is the paradise of God? The same place that the Savior went before he was ressurrected. It is the place were the righteous spirits go to await the ressurrection. D&C 138 ] must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect.

14 Wherefore, we shall have a perfect knowledge of all our guilt, [ What does it mean to have a perfect knowledge of our guilt? How is judgment effected when both parties recognize the guilt? So first we will see all of our mistakes, all that we have done wrong and will have the guilt associated with those wrong doings. having committed an offense, crime, violation, or wrong, especially against moral or penal law; justly subject to a certain accusation or penalty; culpable: ] and our uncleanness, [ Is there a difference between guilt and uncleanness? How does that compare with the righteous who are finding enjoyment in the knowledge of their righteousness? ] and our nakedness; [ How do our actions show our nakedness? Just as Adam and Eve could do nothing to hide themselves from the all seeing eye of God so to does God see all of our actions, we are naked before him with all of our actions - nothing is hidden to him.] and the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness. [ What do the righteous get? What does this mean? Note that this part applied to the righteous, those who have enabled the atonement in their lives, After we have seen all of our past sins - those that are righteous and have repented will then see those sins wiped away by the atonement - they are gone and that is where we will find our enjoyment (which is the opposite of guilt)- the knowledge that we really are clean (which is the opposit eof uncleanness) and pure enough to dwell with God. Instead or nakedness you will be clothed with the robe of righteousness.]

15 And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, [ resurrection perceeds the judgement ] insomuch as they have become immortal, [ What does he mean here? now having been resurrected man is now in a state that he can appear before God - to be in his presence for judgment.] they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God.

16 And assuredly, as the Lord liveth, for the Lord God hath spoken it, and it is his eternal word, which cannot pass away, that they who are righteous shall be righteous still, [ The message for us here? Just as Amulek testified in Alma 34:34 "that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the tiime that you go our of this life...will have power to possess your body in the eternal world." ] and they who are filthy shall be filthy still; wherefore, they who are filthy are the devil and his angels; and they shall go away into everlasting fire, prepared for them; and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end. [ What does the fact that God will judge us tell us about the character of God? That he will be our judge and as such he will send those who are filthy to places which the filthy dwell. He is not an all-beneficent, all-benevolant God. some do not believe in a God that will do anything but forgive everyone. What does this say about such doctrine? How does this verse correalate with the degrees or glories since he only mentions two groups here? We need to remember he is speaking of resurrection at this point and to what will each group be resurrected. So with resurrection there are only two extremes to which a mortal can go. The First Resurrection and the Second Resurrection. What is the second resurrection? The Second Resurrection is the resurrection of damnation and doesn't occur until after all of the sinners suffer 1000 years of agony in the "pit" along with Satan, cf. D&C 76:81-85. After this they are resurrected while Satan is cast into outer darkness, cf. Rev. 20:5-15.]

17 O the greatness and the justice of our God! [ Why must God be just in execution of this judgement? In the premortal world when we signed on to the plan, we did so with full confidence that God was and would be just. Without the idea of the existence of the attribute justice in the deity Joseph Smith declared men could not have had confidence sufficient to place themselves under his guidance and direction; for they would be filled with fear and doubt lest the judge of all the earth would not do right, and thus fear and or doubt, existing in the mind, would preclude the possibilities of the exercise of faith in him for life and salvation" Lectures on Faith 4:13] For he executeth all his words, [ D&C 82:10 I am bound when you do what I say; otherwise he would cease to be God. ] and they have gone forth out of his mouth, and his law must be fulfilled.

[Now that Jacob has laid out the plan and why it is important he is going to change to teaching us what we must do to be saved in the kingdom of God. This is found from Read 2 Ne. 9:18-26; 39-54 According to Jacob, what are some of the things we must do to be “saved in the kingdom of God”? Answers include 2 Nephi 9:18, 21, 23–24, 39, 41, 50–52]

18 But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, [ What does it mean to endure the crosses of the world? Matt 16:24 24 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." interesting choice of words as Jacob has seen the ministry of the Saviour (2 Ne 2:4; 10:3 just like Nephi 1 Ne. 11; and Isaiah.] and despised the shame of it, [ What does it mean to despise the shame of the world? See 2 Nephi 9:49. Hating evil, love righteousness ] they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever.

19 O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel! For he delivereth his saints from that awful monster the devil, and death, and hell, and that lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment.

20 O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it. [How does God progress? - through increase in his creations. Doct of Salvation pg 7-10; Lectures On Faith]

21 And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; [ Why must we hearken to the voice of the Lord? (See D&C 1:38; 18:33–36; 88:66.) D&C 1: 18 "What he has spolen he has spoken and he excuses no one not even himself.] for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, [ though that suffering he purchased us ] yea, the pains of every living creature, [ What is the signifigance of sufferring all the pains of man and every creature? not the sins but the pains, I don't believe that animals can sin. ] both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.

22 And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, [ Who will be ressurrected? everyone ] that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day. [ Why do we need to be ressurrected? So that we can stand befoe him to be judged.]

23 And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, [ Why then is repentence, and baptism so important? Because these are the beginning steps to developing and showing that we have faith in him. How can one obtain perfect faith without obedience to his commandments? Why is faith in Jesus Christ essential in order to receive all the blessings of His Atonement? ] or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.

24 And if they will not repent and believe in his name, and be baptized in his name, and endure to the end, they must be damned; [ It is not will be damned - but MUST BE Damned. Why is it that if men will not repent and be baptised that they must be damned? Because he set that as the standard for belief see verse 23. Because if we do not accept the Savior, if we do not come to him and ask for his grace and mercy; then he as God is bound by the law of agency. Which says that he will not decide for us, we are the ones who must choose, and that decision will rest the basis for those who believed enough in his power to save them, and those who did not believe that he had enough power to save them so they did not choose to follow him; to ask for the atonement in their lives.] for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it.

25 Wherefore, he has given a law; [ What is his law? the gospel. there is but one Gospel law, and it is by that law that we will all be judged. - Bruce R McConkie Doctrinal New Testiment Commentary 2:222] and where there is no law given there is no punishment; and where there is no punishment there is no condemnation; and where there is no condemnation the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, because of the atonement; for they are delivered by the power of him.

26 For the atonement satisfieth the demands of his justice upon all those who have not the law given to them, that they are delivered from that awful monster, death and hell, and the devil, and the lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment; and they are restored to that God who gave them breath, which is the Holy One of Israel.

39 O, my beloved brethren, [they are all related so they really are his brothers, sisters and family vs 40, 41, 44, 45, 47, 50, 52, 54)] remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, [ What is the awfulliness of transgressing against God and not repenting? spiritual death throughout eternity - being cut off from the presence of God through eternity.] and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, [ What does it mean to be carnally minded? How does being carnally minded lead to spiritual death? ] and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal. [The comparison between the two choices and the result of those choices. What does it mean to you to be spiritually minded? How does being spiritually minded lead to “life eternal”?]

40 O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; [Jacob is letting them know before hand that it is the spirit in which you take council. If you take it as love then you will respond and correct your life; wheras if you are not humble you will reject the message and the messenger and will turn away further. How does this council apply to us today? ] for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, [ Why are words like this hard for the unrighteous and not feared by the righteous? Because the words make the unrighteous change their ways, away from what they want; whereas the righteous want to be like God and know that they need to make daily changes to become like him. One might argue that how we accept council is a good indication of where we are on the path, even what path we are on.] for they love the truth and are not shaken.

41 O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, [ without a bend, angle, or curve; not curved; direct: or a straight path that leads to him ] and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; [There are no short cuts; we will all be brought to the gate where judgement will be rendered. There is only one gate that leads to eternal life. Will you be worthy to open it? ] for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.

42 And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, [ He is suggesting that some will cast these things away - why? The idea that they are smarter than than God, they know what is better for them and their lives; ] and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.

43 But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever—yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints. [What is that happiness prepared for the saints? Eternal life in his presence]

44 O, my beloved brethren, remember my words. Behold, I [Jacob] take off my garments, and I shake them before you; [ What is the symbolism applied here? Symbolic that Jacob has taught them to the point that he is shaking (removing) all sin from his garments - they will not be cast on Jacob they are the peoples responsibility now and what they do with what they have been taught. ] I pray the God of my salvation that he view me with his all-searching eye; [ God sees everything done both good and bad. Nothing happens that he does not see.] wherefore, ye shall know at the last day, when all men shall be judged of their works, that the God of Israel did witness that I shook your iniquities from my soul, and that I stand with brightness before him, and am rid of your blood. [ Just as the Bishop who allows sin to happen, bears that sin; but here Jacob will have none of that - you have been taught and I testify that you will be accountable. This can only be done under the influence of the Holy Ghost. The imagery of shaking the blood of one's cloak appears in the contemporary account of Ezekiel, cf. Ezek. 33. The original source of the imagery may be that of the Levites and priests of Aaron getting the blood of the people's sacrifices upon themselves.]

45 O, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins; shake off the chains [ What do chains imply? those bound by the power of Satan ] of him that would bind you fast; come unto that God who is the rock of your salvation.

46 Prepare your souls for that glorious day when justice shall be administered unto the righteous, [Those who have been obedient are entitled to their reward.] even the day of judgment, that ye may not shrink with awful fear; that ye may not remember your awful guilt in perfectness, [ What must we do so that we will not remember our guilt in perfectness? repent apply the atonement] and be constrained to exclaim: Holy, holy are thy judgments, O Lord God Almighty—but I know my guilt; I transgressed thy law, and my transgressions are mine; and the devil hath obtained me, that I am a prey to his awful misery.

47 But behold, my brethren, is it expedient that I should awake you to an awful reality of these things? [ Why is this kind of message so hard to deliver? it requires a wake up call so to speak, when we become less diligent, when we are not actively seeking to become like him we tend to drift, to the point that we may not even be aware of it. So we need to be shaken up to the reality of things, stringly enough to influence us to change. ] Would I harrow up your souls if your minds were pure? Would I be plain unto you according to the plainness of the truth if ye were freed from sin?

48 Behold, if ye were holy I would speak unto you of holiness; but as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as a teacher, [ What is he implying here? Since you aren't keeping the commands of God then I better inform you of the consequences. How often do we deny ourselves of being taught more for our leaders; except they have to teach us to repent instead of teaching us as if we were holy? What more could we have if we lived better as a people? I suppose that the same things that were taught the city of Enoch would be ours as well. ] it must needs be expedient that I teach you the consequences of sin.

49 Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in righteousness; [hate one and love the other] and I will praise the holy name of my God.

50 Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; [dualism; living waters, baptism] and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; [money is not required for purchase in the kingdom but the heart is.] yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.

51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, [ What are some things that never perish? How can we “feast” on these things? ] neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.

52 Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; [ How does remembering God’s words help us receive all the blessings of the Atonement? In what ways can we do this? ] pray unto him continually by day, [ What are the benefits of praying continually? Never ceasing - we'll if you are talking to him all day long then you are most likely trying to do his will and following him] and give thanks unto his holy name by night. [Interesting perspective by Jacob - go to him through the day with your troubles that he might guide you but at night just thank him. How does praying and expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father help draw us nearer to Him and His son?] Let your hearts rejoice.

53 And behold how great the covenants of the Lord, and how great his condescensions [see 1 Ne 11:16 Heavenly Father would condescend to have mortal offspring; see 1 Ne 11:26 Jesus Christ would come to the world, live an examplary life, be crucified, atone for our sins and be resurrected] unto the children of men; and because of his greatness, and his grace and mercy, he has promised unto us that our seed shall not utterly be destroyed, according to the flesh, [these blessings are not figurative but literal and are to find fulfillment in Lehis decendants, who will eventually become a righteous branch] but that he would preserve them; and in future generations they shall become a righteous branch unto the house of Israel.

54 And now, my brethren, I would speak unto you more; but on the morrow I will declare unto you the remainder of my words. Amen.

27 But wo unto him that has the law given, [ Us, Jacob and those whom he is instructing here - as they have been given the law. Where much s given much is expected D&C 82:3 ] yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, [those who have been taught] and that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of his probation, [ How does one waste the says of his probation? For starters they do not keep the commandments of God, They do not repent, the do not get baptised and finally they do not gain that perfect faith in God] for awful is his state!

28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! [ Jacob outlines the things that they need to be aware of in order not to repeat the ways of ancient Israel; and th eplans that satan uses on man. What is the plan of the evil one? to see that we do not receive all of the blessings associated with the atonement. How does he accomplish his plan? ] O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! [ Meant to be a contrast between man and God who... vs 8 "O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace";vs 10 "O how great the goodness of our God"; vs 13 "O how great the plan of our God!"; vs 19 "O the greatness of the mercy of our God"; vs 20 "O how great the holiness of our God!"] When they are learned they think they are wise [1 place secular learning above that of God] , and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, [2 Trangress the commandments of God and waste the day of our probation They think they are smarter than God; then his rules do not apply to them - they can apply the law of justification] for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.

29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God. [see Col 2:3 "In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."]

30 But wo unto the rich, [ 3 Why is it bad to be rich? Those who place riches above God; the love of money not money itself.] who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, [ 4 Because they think thay are better than others because they are rich.] and they persecute the meek, [use of money as power to enslave humble, to by politicians that set the rules to favor them] and their hearts are upon their treasures; [3 Those who place riches above God] wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.

31 And wo unto the deaf that will not hear; [ 5 Deaf to what? Those who cannot or choose not to hear the commands of the Lord] for they shall perish. [ How does this deafness cause them to perish? Because if they will not listen then they cannot know the way, and if they do not complete the assignmemt give for this life as detailed in verse 23 they must be damned vs 24]

32 Wo unto the blind that will not see; [ 6 Blind to what? Those who are spiritually blind. see 2 Peter 1:8-11 ] for they shall perish also. [ How does spiritual blindness cause us to perish? If you are spiritually blind you cannot see the hand of God, you cannot see to recognize his wonder and if you do not see that eventually you will begin to believe that he does not exist and fall away.]

33 Wo unto the uncircumcised of heart, [7 What does this mean? Those who refuse to cut away the impediments of impurity and sin. There heart is set after doing evil. In ancient Israel, a man who was uncircumcised was considered a covenant breaker. ] for a knowledge of their iniquities shall smite them at the last day. [ How do we get in trouble without a circumcised heart? Well we are not willing to submit to the commands of God, we will be left to the knowledge of what could have been.]

34 Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell. [ Lying is the language of hell, Satan is the Father of lies as was noted in the great pre-mortal assembly when he lied to us that his way would save us all. Why is that were the liar goes? Because they are just following their master the Father of Lies has earned that name.]

35 Wo unto the murderer who deliberately killeth, [8 Either by doing it themselves or by getting one to commit murder] for he shall die.

36 Wo unto them who commit whoredoms, [9 Getting men to commit adultery, being unchaste] for they shall be thrust down to hell.

37 Yea, wo unto those that worship idols, [10 Those who put anything or anyone before God] for the devil of all devils delighteth in them. [ Why does the devil delight in the worship of idols (American or otherwise- just joke)? If we have put our trust in the idol to save us then if have neglected to put our trust that God will save us, as a result we will not develop that perfect faith (vs23) required in order to save us]

38 And, in fine, wo unto all those who die in their sins; [in summary all those who simply choose not to repent, change their ways from sin and follow the Master.] for they shall return to God, and behold his face, and remain in their sins. [If they do not ask for forgiviness it will not just be granted for them, and they will meet God and shrink because they cannot with stand his presence.]

1 AND now I, Jacob, speak unto you again, [Day 2 of the message] my beloved brethren, concerning this righteous branch of which I have spoken.

2 For behold, the promises which we have obtained [the blessings of being born into the house of Israel] are promises unto us according to the flesh; [ meaning these thing will happen to people here upon the earth. the conditions and laws that govern in mortality; he will us this phrase several times in the chapter] wherefore, as it has been shown unto me that many of our children shall perish in the flesh because of unbelief, [Jacob has seen their future and prophesied that the Nephites’ descendants would “perish in the flesh because of unbelief”] nevertheless, God will be merciful unto many; and our children shall be restored, that they may come to that which will give them the true knowledge of their Redeemer.

3 Wherefore, as I said unto you, it must needs be expedient that Christ [Christ becomes the predominate or favored title going forward in the Book Of Mormon replacing the title Messiah. Since Messiah means annointed and has more ambiguity associated with it than Chrsit who we know exactly whom we are talkig about.] —for in the last night the angel spake unto me that this should be his name—should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify him—for thus it behooveth our God, and there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their God. [ Why was Jesus born in Jerusalem? This is why Christ was born in Jerusalem]

7 But behold, thus saith the Lord God: When the day cometh that they shall believe in me, that I am Christ, then have I covenanted with their fathers that they shall be restored in the flesh, upon the earth, unto the lands of their inheritance. [compare with 2 Ne. 25:6-8]

8 And it shall come to pass that they shall be gathered in from their long dispersion, from the isles of the sea, and from the four parts of the earth; and the nations of the Gentiles shall be great in the eyes of me, saith God, in carrying them forth to the lands of their inheritance.

9 Yea, the kings of the Gentiles shall be nursing fathers unto them, [ Who are the kings of the gentiles? Those who have the gospel. Why are they the kings? Because they are the holders of the light - even the light of the King of Kings See 1 Ne 21:6 ] and their queens shall become nursing mothers; wherefore, the promises of the Lord are great unto the Gentiles, for he hath spoken it, and who can dispute?

10 But behold, this land, said God, shall be a land of thine inheritance, and the Gentiles shall be blessed upon the land.

14 For he that raiseth up a king against me shall perish, for I, the Lord, the king of heaven, will be their king, and I will be a light unto them forever, [ See 1 Ne 21:6 also see vs 9] that hear my words.