Jacob 1–4

Overview

Before Nephi died, he gave his younger brother Jacob the responsibility to preserve the plates and record on them what was “most precious” (Jacob 1:2). Jacob’s message pointed others to Jesus Christ, helping them avoid the consequences of unbelief and sin. He knew by revelation from God that the Nephite people were struggling with several sins. He preached a sermon in which he addressed the sin of pride and taught about the law of chastity. His teachings can help us overcome sin in our own lives and come unto the Savior.

Prepare to Teach

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

Doctrinal Mastery: 2 Nephi 32:8–9

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students memorize the doctrinal mastery reference and key scripture phrase for 2 Nephi 32:8–9, explain the doctrine, and apply principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge to realistic scenarios.

Student preparation: Consider inviting students to identify a time in their life or the life of someone they know when sincere prayer helped them come closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider inviting students to answer questions using the chat feature. This will allow students to prepare their responses before submitting them, and it will also encourage students who do not usually offer responses to give their input.

Jacob 1

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students discover ways to help others come unto Jesus Christ.

Student preparation: Invite students to think of times they could talk to others about Jesus Christ. Encourage them to pray for an opportunity and to have the courage to act in the moment.
Videos: “Inviting All to Come unto Christ: Sharing the Gospel” (4:30); “Worldwide Broadcast on Sharing the Gospel” (54:06; watch from time code 0:00 to 1:35); “Member Stories: Youth and Young Adults” (5:08); “Ministering as the Savior Does” (6:08)
Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider dividing students into breakout rooms to discuss ways to help others come unto Christ in various situations.

Jacob 2:1–21

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students become more like Jesus Christ by recognizing and resisting the sin of pride.

Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared to share examples of how they see pride manifested in the world today.
Content to display: The scenarios at the beginning of the lesson, the quotes from President Ezra Taft Benson and Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, and the concluding invitation
Videoconference teaching suggestion: You could divide students into breakout rooms to study Jacob 2:17–21 and discuss the associated questions. Consider sending messages to all the breakout rooms to remind them of the questions.

Jacob 2:22–35

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students delight in chastity as the Lord does.

Student preparation: You could invite students to ask their parents or a Church leader about the blessings that come from obeying the law of chastity. You may also want to contact parents to inform them that students will be learning about the law of chastity so parents can continue the discussion at home if they want to.
Content to display: Graphic comparing the Lord’s standards with the world’s
Videos: “Stand Strong in Holy Places” (16:07; watch from time code 3:22 to 4:50); “Jacob Teaches about Chastity” (4:53; watch from time code 0:20 to 1:51); “I Choose to Be Pure” (4:19)
Materials for students: A copy of For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices for each student

Jacob 4

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ by identifying, recording, and pondering principles and truths that Jacob taught.

Student preparation: Consider inviting students to read Jacob 4:7–14 and prepare to share a principle or truth they find that they feel is especially needed in the world today.
Materials for students: Something other than a pen or pencil that students can use to scratch or engrave a paragraph into a piece of aluminum foil or paper
Content to display: The bullet points at the end of the lesson that help students ponder the truth they identified
Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider inviting a few students to use the chat feature to share the principle or truth they found in Jacob 4:7–14. Then other students could share questions for the class to ponder about the principle or truth.