# Jacob 2

*Paraphrase*

This is what Jacob, Nephi’s brother, said to the Nephites after Nephi died:

### Jacob Speaks at the Temple

Brothers and sisters, I came to the temple today because I have a responsibility before God. He’s called me to teach you, and I take that seriously—I need to rid myself of any guilt for your sins by warning you plainly. So I’m here to tell you what God wants you to hear. You know I’ve always been devoted to my calling. But today I’m more burdened than ever. I’m deeply anxious about the state of your souls.

Until now, you’ve followed the Lord’s word that I’ve given you. But listen closely. God, who made heaven and earth, has shown me your thoughts. You’re starting to fall into sin—sin that disgusts me, and disgusts God even more. It breaks my heart. I’m ashamed to stand before my Maker and have to confront you about the evil in your hearts. And it pains me to speak so bluntly in front of your wives and children—many of whom have tender, pure hearts that please God. I imagine they came here hoping to hear something uplifting—words from God that heal wounded souls. So it weighs on me that God has commanded me to confront your sins instead. Rather than comforting those who are already hurting, I have to reopen their wounds. And those who aren’t wounded yet—instead of feeding them encouraging truth, I have to drive painful words into their hearts and minds. But as hard as this is, I have to obey God. I must tell you about your wickedness and the disgusting things you’ve done—right here in front of the pure-hearted, the brokenhearted, under the watchful eye of Almighty God.

So I’m going to tell you the truth plainly, the way God wants it said. When I asked the Lord what to do, he told me: “Jacob, go to the temple tomorrow and speak the message I give you to the people.”

### The Sin of Pride

Here’s the message: Many of you have started searching for gold, silver, and all kinds of valuable metals. This land—the land promised to you and your children—is rich with them. God’s been good to you. You’ve become wealthy. But because some of you have more than others, you’ve become arrogant. You walk around with your noses in the air, showing off your expensive clothes. You look down on your brothers and sisters, treating them badly because you think you’re better than they are. Do you really think God approves of this? Let me be clear: he doesn’t. He condemns you. And if you keep it up, his judgment will come down on you fast. Don’t you understand? With one glance he could strike you down. I wish he would free you from this evil. I wish you’d listen to what he’s commanding you and stop letting pride destroy your souls.

Think of your brothers and sisters as equals. Be generous with what you have so they can thrive like you do. But before you chase wealth, chase God’s kingdom. After you’ve found hope in Christ, then go ahead and seek riches if you want—but only so you can do good with them. Use your wealth to clothe people who have nothing to wear, feed the hungry, free prisoners, and help the sick and suffering.

I’ve just talked to you about pride. Now, those of you who’ve hurt your neighbors and mistreated them because you’re proud of what God has given you—what do you have to say for yourselves? Don’t you realize how disgusting that is to the one who created everyone? Every person is equally precious to him. We’re all made from dust, and he made us all for the same reason: to obey his commands and honor him forever.

That’s all I’ll say about pride. I wish I could stop there—my heart would be so happy with you if I could. But there’s something worse I have to address.

### A More Serious Sin

God’s word weighs heavy on me because of your more serious sins. Listen to what the Lord says: “These people are growing more wicked. They don’t understand the Scriptures. They’re using what was written about David and his son Solomon to justify sexual immorality. Yes, David and Solomon had many wives and concubines. But that was disgusting to me, says the Lord. I brought these people out of Jerusalem by my own power so I could raise up a faithful people from Joseph’s line. So I, the Lord God, will not let this people act like those who came before them.”

“Brothers, listen carefully to what the Lord says: No man among you should have more than one wife, and you should have no concubines. I, the Lord God, treasure women’s faithfulness. Sexual immorality is disgusting to me, says the Lord of Hosts. This people must keep my commands, says the Lord of Hosts, or the land itself will be cursed because of them. If I want to raise up children for myself, says the Lord of Hosts, I will command my people. Otherwise, they must follow these rules. I, the Lord, have seen the grief and heard the crying of the women among my people—in Jerusalem and everywhere else—because of their husbands’ wickedness and disgusting behavior. I will not tolerate the cries of the women I brought out of Jerusalem rising up to me against the men of my people, says the Lord of Hosts. These men will not take advantage of my people’s daughters because of their vulnerability—not unless I bring severe destruction on them. They will not commit sexual immorality like the people of old, says the Lord of Hosts.”

These commands were given to our ancestor Lehi. You’ve known them all along. You stand condemned because you’ve done things you knew you shouldn’t do. You’ve sinned worse than the Lamanites. You’ve broken your wives’ hearts and lost your children’s trust because of your bad example. Their grief rises up to God against you. And because of God’s firm word coming down on you, many are dying inside, pierced with deep wounds.

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*Source: [The Book of Mormon](https://bookofmormon.com/paraphrase/jacob/2)*
