I noticed some statements indicating Jacob, son of Lehi, was a remarkable man. I began to note them all as I read the scriptures. Here is my list. I was right. He was an amazing man.
1
Lehi states that Jacob had a very rough life because of the "rudeness of thy brethern." Jacob had the opportunity to become bitter, feel sorry for himself, or even revengeful towards Laman and Lemuel. But instead, he had righteous responsiveness and controled self-restraint. He focused enough on God that he, as Lehi states in the next couple of verses, beheld visions of Christ, and beheld his glory. He was that way in his youth - which may be even in his early 20s . He didn't take 60-70 years to refine his soul to that degree of righteousness. He did it as his initial response.
7/2019
Verse 4 states that Jacob has beheld Christ in his youth. In addition, the footnote reference attached to "beheld" in verse 3 points to 2 Ne 11:3, which states that Jacob had seen Christ and had visions.
Not only did Jacob respond with meekness early in his life, he retained it throughout his entire life. The footnote in verse 4 under "beheld" refers to Sherem trying to shake Jacob's faith. (Jacob 7:5) But even in his old age, Jacob was steadfast in his faith and righteousness.
11/2022
2Nephi 2:2
...consecrate thine afflictions for they gain.
2
Jacob cares about other people. He cares about them over his own welfare.
11/2022
2 Nephi 6:2
...mine anxiety is great for you...
3
Jacob was worthy of being a teacher to all the people
11/2022
2 Nephi 6:2
...I have spoken unto you exceedingly many things...
4
Jacob deferred authority to the one who actually held it (Nephi was seen as their King or protector)
11/2022
2 Nephi 6:2
...consecrated by my brother Nephi.....
5
Jacob was worthy of the High Priesthood
11/2022
2 Nephi 6:2
...ordained after the manner of his holy order....
6
Jacob was well studied in the scriptures so he was able to teach the people from them
11/2022
2 Nephi 6:3
...concerning all things which are written...
7
Jacob is detailed and focused on the tasks he has
2 Nephi 6:3
...with all diligence...
8
Jacob understood the connection of how the scriptures spoke of the past and the present at the same time
11/2022
2 Nephi 6:4
...concerning the things which are and which are to come...
9
Jacob was well educated in both basics (reading) and scriptures (Isaiah requires more than a casual understanding)
11/2022
2 Nephi 6:4
...I will read...
10
Jacob accepts and follows through with assignments from his leaders
11/2022
2 Nephi 6:4
...my brother has desired that I should speak...
11
Jacob's intent to teach the people isn't so they can admire him. It is so they can learn, and, more related to humility and maybe meekness, so they can glorify God. Strong self-restraint - not in the form of not striking out to someone who is mean to you, but in the form of avoiding the desire for self aggrandizement, or for the adulation of others.
11/2018
2 Nephi 6:4
...that ye may learn and glorify the name of your God.
12
Jacob was a good teacher -- he saw the importance of the student knowing the relevance of the subject to themselves
11/2022
2 Nephi 6:5
...that they may be likened unto you...
13
Jacob was close enough to the Spirit to received visions and revelations withing his scope of stewardship.
11/2022
2 Nephi 6:8
...the Lord has shown me...
14
Jacob has and espouses faith and trust in God
11/2022
2 Nephi 6:12
...the Lord God will fulfill his covenants...
15
Jacob understood the scriptures well enough to explain their specificity to others who did not know them well
11/2022
Jacob 6:14
...according to the words of the prophets...
16
Jacob teaches with intent, and chooses his teaching materials with intent
11/2022
2 Nephi 9:1
...I read these things that ye might know...
17
Jacob's intent for others is their positive welfare and their joy
11/2022
2 Nephi 9:3
...that ye may rejoice, and lift up your heads forever...
18
Jacob could see the larger picture of life and it's purpose -- the important stuff is not what we feel about just "right now", but the inclusion of now and the future
11/2022
2 Nephi 9:4
...our flesh must waste away and die; NEVERTHELESS, in our bodies we shall see God.
19
Jacob respects and acknowledges the knowledge and wisdom of his students / audience, i.e. he doesn't speak down to them
11/2022
2 Nephi 9:5
...I know that ye know...
20
Jacob has a deep understanding of the Plan of Salvation and the Atonement
11/2022
2 Nephi 9:7
...it must needs be an infinite atonement...
21
Jacob has a deep awe and gratitude for God's qualities and wisdom in how he treats his children on the earth.
11/2022
Jacob 9:17
O the greatness and the justice of our God!...
22
Jacob loves his people
11/2022
2 Nephi 9:39
...my beloved brethren...
23
Jacob is practical and expects people to not be overly sensitive.
11/2022
2 Nephi 9:40
...Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you...
24
Jacob wants only righteous things. He doesn't have little secret desires for wicked it worldly things
11/2022
2 Nephi 9:49
...my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in righteousness...
25
Jacob was worthy of and received detailed doctrinal revelation
11/2020
2 Nephi 10:2
...the promises...has been shown unto me...
26
Jacob was righteous enough and worthy to see the Savior
11/2022
2 Nephi 11:3
...Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him...
27
Jacob seems to be a Guardian Temperament, but he also is an optimist.
He says His has given us "so great a knowledge" and "great are the promises to those in the isles of the sea" and "cheer up"
11/2022
2 Nephi 10:23
...therefore cheer up your hearts...
28
Jacob is trustworthy of sacred and vital tasks
12/2022
Jacob 1:1
...Nephi gave me, Jacob, a commandment concerning the small plates...
29
Jacob has love and concern for his relatives. He is not focused only on his own life, own comfort, and own achievements.
12/2022
Jacob 1:5
...because of faith and great anxiety...
30
Jacob is close enough to the spirit throught righteousness that he is able to receive revelation from the Lord.
12/2022
Jacob 1:6
...had many revelations...
31
Jacob is diligent in his responsibilities.
He is sincerely committed to the welfare of his family.
His belief and faith in Christ's existance, Christ's coming, and Christ's mission is deeply anchored and absolute.
12/2022
Jacob 1:7
labored diligently among our people, that we might persuade them to come unto Christ...
32
Jacob is internally motivated. He initiates the actions to fulfill his responsibilities.
Jacob personalized Nephi's commandment. It is his task, not just what Nephi asked him to do.
12/2022
Jacob 1:8
...take it upon me to fulfill the commandment of...
33
Jacob does not covet political power.
He was not declaring he should be king because he was brother of Nephi. He accepted someone else was going to have the political position of power.
12/2022
Jacob 1:9
...he annointed a man to be a king...
34
Jacob is not jealous. He never gives any hints that he felt jealous over the love the people had for Nephi, nor that he felt they should love him as much or more than they loved's Nephi.
12/2022
Jacob 1:10
The people having loved Nephi exceedingly..
35
Jacob gives no hint of jealousy that Nephi is so loved by the people.
12/2022
Jacob 1:11
Wherefore, the people were desirous to retain in remembrance his name. And whoso should reign in his stead were called by the people, second Nephi, third Nephi, and so forth...
36
Jacob doesn't presume the role of correcting the people. He received first the instruction from the Lord before he began correcting people.
12/2022
Jacob 1:17
...having first obtained mine errand from the Lord.
37
The previous note about receiving his "errand from the Lord" shows that while he was a priest and a teacher, he sill sought the Lord's direction for specifics he should teach.
He doesn't depend on his own discernment and opinions.
12/2022
Jacob 1:18
...had been consecrated priests and teachers...
38
Jacob is not going to make excuses for not doing his responsibiliies seriously.
He won't blame others for his lack of action.
12/2022
Jacob 1:19
...answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them...
39
Jacob is meek. He does not delight in showing others how bad they are.
He doesn't elevate himself because of the contrast of how bad others are.
12/2022
Jacob 2:6
...grieveth my soul...
40
Jacob is sensitive to how other people feel.
He doesn't just blurt out what he has to say withing being aware of how it will affect others.
12/2022
Jacob 2:7
...many of whose feelings...
41
Jacob is a metaphorical speaker.
I need to observe to see if this is consistent, predominant, or just occasional.
12/2022
Jacob 2:9
...have daggers placed...
42
Jacob will do the hard tasks he is required to do.
Sometimes people try to minimize the difficult things they are suppose to say because the don't want to hurt other people's feelings. Jacob is willing to be direct when it is required.
12/2022
Jacob 2:10
...tell you concerning your wickedness...
43
Jacob makes sure the people know the source of his comments. They are from the Lord, not from his own thoughts.
12/2022
Jacob 2:11
...declare the word which I shall give thee unto this people
44
Jacob can speak plainly. I noted earlier that he spoke metaphorically. Here he is direct.
12/2022
Jacob 2:13
...that you have obtained many riches; and because some of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your brethren ye are lifted up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness of your apparel, and persecute your brethren because ye suppose that ye are better than they.
45
Another example of Jacob being direct and blunt in his message that others may try to soften.
12/2022
Jacob 2:14
...But he condemneth you...
46
He has brotherly kindness. He does not see the Lamanites who have tried to harm them as his enemies. They are his brethren - both literally and in his mind. He still feels love for them.
12/2022
Jacob 4:2
...our beloved brethren...
47
He holds on to optimistic feelings.
12/2022
Jacob 4:3
...hoping...
48
The center point of all Jacob does is Christ. His eye is single to the Glory of God.
12/2022
Jacob 4:4
...they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming...
49
The last half of this chapter (about 6-13) shows Jacob's love and furvor for the Lord's power and his will.
12/2022
Jacob 4:8
Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord...
50
Jacob had the ability for revelation and prophesy.
This is because he was:
righteous
kept the Spirit
was in the position of authority by God
12/2022
Jacob 4:15
...am led on by the Spirit...
51
Jacob was concerned about his people. It was even to the point where he worried enough that it could cause interference with other focuses he should have had.
This is the only thing I've seen which would be a weakness.
12/2022
Jacob 4:18
... stumble because of my over anxiety for you.
52
Jacob is mostly a serious guy.
12/2022
Jacob 6:5
...words of soberness...
53
Jacob is logical and practical. He is using a logical train of thought to persuade his people.
12/2022
Jacob 6:6
...for why will ye die?
54
Jacob can assess people's qualities.
He can see their strengths and weaknesses.
He can determine whether they use their skills for good or for evil.
12/2022
Jacob 1:4 (the word "wherefore")
And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; WHEREFORE, he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil.
55
Jacob has maintained a focused spiritual consistency. He has had angels come to him and has heard the Lord speak to him.
He is an uncommon spiritually strong man.
12/2022
Jacob 7:5
...seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word,...
56
Jacob holds fast to what he knows is true and to what he has experienced. He does not waiver.
Jacob cannot be gaslighted.
12/2022
Jacob 7:5
...I could not be shaken...
57
This is where Sherem is trying to tell Jacob that what he experienced is not true.
This is Sherem trying to "gaslight" Jacob. But, Jacob cannot be "gasllighted".
12/2022
Jacob 7:7
...for no man knoweth of such things; for he cannot tell of things to come....
58
Jacob depends on the Lord. He does not depend on his own skills to disprove this apostate. That shows meekness and humility - he knows he cannot do as well as the Lord can do.
12/2022
Jacob 1:8
...the Lord God poured in his Spirit into my soul...
59
Jacob responds on the offensive, not the defensive. This is how Christ approached his accusers.
He approaches the conversation from the view that he is right and that his view is normal. So he is not defending his view. He is making Sherem defend his view as the abnormal and incorrect view.
12/2022
Jacob 7:9
...Deniest thou...
60
Jacob finds the common denominator between them as the baseline for discussing their differences.
12/2022
Jacob 7:10
...Believest thou the scriptures?...
61
Jacob is boldly honest. He has the scriptures to testify of Christ, but that does not cause him to omit his own witness. He is not embarrassed to share his spiritual witnesses.
12/2022
Jacob 7:12
...for I have heard and seen...
62
Jacob is not presumptive in his power or greatness. He recognizes who has the power (God) and that he cannot command God's actions.
12/2022
Jacob 7:14
...What am I...
63
Jacob holds to the truth. He is not willing to "believe the lie" that Sherem is telling.
12/2022
Jacob 7:14
...the thing which thou knowest to be true?...
64
Jacob is not spiteful. Even though Sherem was attacking him, he still helps him when he is ill.
12/2022
Jacob 7:15
... he was nourished for...
65
Jacob recognizes the positive in events and is happy for the good that come out of them.
01/2023
Jacob 7:22
...this thing was pleasing unto me...
66
Jacob prays for the spiritual growth of his people
01/2023
Jacob 7:22
...I had requested it of my Father...
67
Jacob acknowledges it is God who makes good things happen and who answers his prayers.
01/2023
Jacob 7:22
...he had heard my cry and answered my prayer...
68
Jacob's intent for change in the people is not for his personal power or influence. It is for their happiness.
01/2023
Jacob 7:23
...that peace and the love of God was restored again...
69
Jacob has tenacity. He doesn't give up on something quickly when it is hard, or failure is met.
01/2023
Jacob 7:24
...many means were devised...
70
Jacob has a brotherly love capacity. His brothers and their families have tried to kill him, but he still refers to them as his brethren, not as his enemies.
And that is while he is under continual threat of destruction, as stated at the end of this verse.
01/2023
Jacob 1:24
...against us, their brethren...
71
Even though he still feels love for those trying to kill him, he is wise enough to prepare defenses against them to protect his people.
It was likely instigated by their King, but I expect he both sanctioned it as their religious leader and participated.
01/2023
Jacob 6:25
...did fortify against them with their arms, and with all their might,...
72
Jacob does not have over confidence in his or his people's physical strength. He does not rely on the arm of flesh, but on the arm of God.
While they prepared to protect themselves during a war, he still understands it is actually God protects them.
01/2023
Jacob 6:25
...trusting in the God and rock of their salvation; wherefore...
73
Jacob shows both diligence and humility in this statement.
He has done the best he could do, and he acknowledges it may not be perfect.
01/2023
Jacob 7:26
...according to the best of my knowledge,...
74
Jacob is a more serious person with a sad side, or even a sad core.
The difficulties in his childhood caused by Laman and Lemuel are possibly the cause of this sad outlook.
This point shows that even if we had a rough background and we have a personality that isn't peppy or completely optimistic, we are still able to serve the Lord and be righteous enough to receive revelation and angelic visits.
01/2023
Jacob 7:26
... we being a lonesome and a solemn people, wanderers, cast out from Jerusalem, born in tribulation, in a wilderness, and hated of our brethren, which caused wars and contentions;
75
Jacob plans ahead. He also does not live in denial about his own mortality.
01/2023
Jacob 7:27
... I ...saw that I must soon go down to my grave; wherefore...
76
Jacob does not give responsibility to others without also giving proper instruction and understanding.
01/2023
Jacob 7:27
... I told him the things which my brother Nephi had commanded me...
77
Jacob has faith in the mission of the plates. He comprehends and believes that others will be reading them in the far future.
01/2023
Jacob 7:27
,,,to the reader I bid farewell, hoping that many of my brethren may read my words...
78
Jacob is a "just" man. His actions are justified before God.
1/2023
Enos 1:1
...my father that he was a just man,,,
79
Jacob taught his children. He was a good father.
He not only taught them to read and write, but he taught them about the goodness of God and righteousness.
01/2023
Enos 1:1
...my father... taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord...
80
Jacob frequently spoke of God and the gospel.
He didn't just teach his children once. The love for God and the joy of the spirit were central enough in Jabob's life that he spoke of it frequently in their daily life, and/or made it a consistent subject in his teaching of this children.
01/2023
Enos 1:3
...the words which I had often heard my father speak..
81
Jacob didn't present the gospel as just philosophical issues.
Jacob presented the gospel so his children could see how it applied to daily life. He presented it so they could see how it affected daily life, as shown in the phrase, "joy of the saints."
01/2023
Enos 1:3
...concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints,,,,
