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Jacob 1–4
Scripture Central Videos
Watch videos from Gospel scholars and teachers to learn more about these Book of Mormon passages.
Other Creator Videos
KnoWhys
Evidences
Commentary
Book of Mormon Minute is a commentary series made especially for the free ScripturePlus app, which features insights from Book of Mormon scholar Brant A. Gardner. John W. Welch's notes for Come, Follow Me are also available for free.
John W. Welch, General Editor
Reading Plan
Structure your personal scripture study by following a 15-minute, day-by-day plan. Each day's assignment includes the required scripture passages from the Come, Follow Me curriculum, as well as suggestions for additional resources to bring context and understanding to your study. For the best experience, use our Reading Plan in the free ScripturePlus app! You can track your progress and have access to the best resources.
Monday
- Scripture: Jacob 1:1–19
- Commentary: Keeping the Small Plates
- Commentary: Jacob Lists the Seven Tribes of Lehi
- Commentary: Jacob, the High Priest, Magnifies His Calling
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Additional Study
- Commentary: Jacob 1:1-4
- Commentary: Jacob 1:5-8
- Commentary: Jacob 1:9-12
- Commentary: Jacob 1:13-14
- Evidence: Lehi's Seven Tribes
- Evidence: Seven Founding Lineages
Tuesday
- Scripture: Jacob 2:1–11
- Commentary: What Were the Circumstances of Jacob's Sermon?
- Commentary: Jacob Preaches Repentance in a Temple and Family Setting
- Commentary: Jacob 2:2-5
- Commentary: Jacob 2:6-8
- Commentary: Jacob 2:9-11
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Additional Study
- KnoWhy: Why Are So Few Women Mentioned in the Book of Mormon?
- Evidence: “This Day”
Wednesday
- Scripture: Jacob 2:12–21
- Commentary: The Search for Gold and Silver Hints at "Outsiders"
- Commentary: When Is It Appropriate to Seek for Money?
- Commentary: Jacob 2:12
- Commentary: Jacob 2:13-16
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Additional Study
- Commentary: Jacob 2:17-19
- KnoWhy: Why Does the Book of Mormon Warn Against Seeking after Riches?
Thursday
- Scripture: Jacob 2:22–35
- Commentary: The Nephites Begin to Commit Whoredoms
- Commentary: The Nephites Seek to "Excuse Themselves"
- Commentary: The Lord Forbids the Nephites to Enter into Polygamy
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Additional Study
- Commentary: Jacob 2:20-22
- Commentary: Jacob 2:23-26
- Commentary: Jacob 2:27-30
- Commentary: Jacob 2:31-33
- Commentary: Jacob 2:34-35
- KnoWhy: What Does the Book of Mormon Say About Polygamy?
Friday
- Scripture: Jacob 3:1–14
- Commentary: Jacob Addresses the Pure in Heart
- Commentary: Jacob Uses the Lamanites as an Example of Righteousness
- Commentary: Jacob Invites the People to Repent
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Additional Study
- Commentary: Jacob 3:1-3
- Commentary: Jacob 3:9–11b
- Commentary: Jacob 3:12-14
- KnoWhy: Why Did Jacob Call his Record the "Plates of Jacob"?
- Evidence: Plates and Warfare
Saturday
- Scripture: Jacob 4:1–4
- Commentary: What Does It Mean to Minister in Word?
- Commentary: Jacob Hopes His Posterity Doesn't View Their First Parents with Contempt
- Commentary: Jacob 4:1-2
- Commentary: Jacob 4:3-4
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Additional Study
- Evidence: Pre-Columbian Books
- KnoWhy: Why Is the Book of Mormon So Focused on Jesus Christ?
Sunday
- Scripture: Jacob 4:5–18
- Commentary: The Prophets Knew of Christ and Prophesied of His Mission
- Commentary: Jacob Warns the People to Not Despise the Revelations of God
- Commentary: Jacob Asks, "Why Not Speak of the Atonement of Christ?"
- Commentary: The Jews in Jerusalem Were a Stiffnecked People But in the End They Will Bear Good Fruit unto the Lord
- Commentary: Jacob 4:5-6
- Commentary: Jacob 4:7-9
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Additional Study
- Commentary: Jacob 4:12-14
- KnoWhy: Why Did Jacob Share the Allegory of the Olive Tree?
- Evidence: Wordplay on Law
Additional Resources
Explore art, charts, and more.
Images
Charts
- Writings of Lehi Quoted or Paraphrased by Nephi and Jacob
- Life Spans of Lehi's Lineage
- Key Doctrinal Chapters: 1 Nephi–Omni
- Did Lehi Organize His Posterity into Seven Tribes?
- Wars in the Book of Mormon
- Data on Wars Involving the Nephites
- Metals in the Book of Mormon
- Whose Words Are Found in the Book of Mormon?
- Number of Pages in Books of the Book of Mormon
- Average Number of Pages Covering One Nephite Year
- Nephite Books Compared by Length and Years Covered
- Nephite Books Listed Chronologically
- Names Used for Christ by Major Book of Mormon Authors
- Names and Concepts Associated with Christ by Major Book of Mormon Authors
- Number of Names Used for Christ by Major Book of Mormon Authors
- Number of Names for Christ Used Exclusively by Individual Authors
- Ten Essential Features of Book of Mormon Geography
- Geographical Names Listed Alphabetically
- Geographical Names Listed by Scripture Reference
Bibliography
Jacob 1
Halverson, Taylor. "Jacob 1-4. Seek the Kingdom of God." Interpreter Resources for Students and Teachers. March 5, 2016.
Bokovoy, David E.. Holiness to the Lord: Biblical Temple Imagery in the Sermons of Jacob the Priest. The Interpreter Foundation, 2012.
Bokovoy, David E.. "Ancient Temple Imagery in the Sermons of Jacob." Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 46 (2021): 31-46.
Larsen, Val. "A Mormon Theodicy: Jacob and the Problem of Evil." Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 15 (2015): 239-266.
Nyman, Monte S.. "To Learn with Joy: Sacred Preaching, Great Revelation, Prophesying." In The Book of Mormon: Jacob Through Words of Mormon, To Learn With Joy, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 193-208. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1990.
Jacob 1:10
Bowen, Matthew L.. "Jacob's Protector." Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 27 (2017): 229-256.
Jacob 1:17
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Does Jacob Quote So Much from the Psalms? (Jacob 1:7).” KnoWhy 62 (March 25, 2016).
Book of Mormon Central. “Why New Testament Words and Phrases Are in the Book of Mormon Part 5: How Often Were Scriptures on the Plates of Brass the Common Source? (Jacob 1:7).” KnoWhy 533 (September 26, 2019).
Hilton, III, John. "Old Testament Psalms in the Book of Mormon." In Ascending the Mountain of the Lord: Temple, Praise, and Worship in the Old Testament (2013 Sperry Symposium), 291-311. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2013.
Jacob 1:13
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did Lehi Divide His People into Seven Tribes? (Jacob 1:13).” KnoWhy 319 (May 29, 2017).
Sorenson, John L., John A. Tvedtnes, and John W. Welch. "Seven Tribes: An Aspect of Lehi's Legacy." In Reexploring the Book of Mormon, edited by John W. Welch, 93-95. Provo, UT/Salt Lake City: FARMS/Deseret Book, 1992.
Jacob 1:19
Cowan, Richard O.. ""We Did Magnify Our Office unto the Lord"." In The Book of Mormon: Jacob Through Words of Mormon, To Learn With Joy, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 73-86. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1990.
Jacob 2
Bokovoy, David E.. "Ancient Temple Imagery in the Sermons of Jacob." Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 46 (2021): 31-46.
Jacob 2:9; 2:35; 3:1; 4:14
Lindsay, Jeff. “The Possibility of Janus Parallelism in the Book of Mormon.” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 28 (2018): 1–20.
Jacob 2:12–18
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Does the Book of Mormon Warn Against Seeking after Riches? (Jacob 2:18).” KnoWhy 518 (May 30, 2019).
Perry, L. Tom. “United in Building the Kingdom of God” In The One Hundred and Fifty-Seventh Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1987.
Riddle, Chauncey C.. "Pride and Riches." In The Book of Mormon: Jacob Through Words of Mormon, To Learn With Joy, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 221-233. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1990.
Robson, R. Thayne. Wealth, Attitudes Toward In Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Edited by Daniel H. Ludlow. Vol. 4. New York: Macmillan, 1992.
Tvedtnes, John A.. "Promiscuity and the Search for Wealth." In The Most Correct Book: Insights from a Book of Mormon Scholar, 161-166. Salt Lake City: Cornerstone Publishing, 1999.
Jacob 2:24–30
Baird, Brian J.. "Understanding Jacob’s Teachings about Plural Marriage from a Law of Moses Context." Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 25 (2017): 227-237.
Book of Mormon Central. “What Does the Book of Mormon Say About Polygamy? (Jacob 2:30.” KnoWhy 64 (Marcy 28, 2016).
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “Women in the Book of Mormon.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999.
Jacob 2:27–33
Stamps, Wm. Lyle. “Divine Speech Texts in the Book of Mormon.” Insights: A Window on the Ancient World 20, no. 4 (2000): 2.
Turner, Rodney. "Mortality and Marriage in the Book of Mormon." In The Book of Mormon: Jacob Through Words of Mormon, To Learn With Joy, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 271-294. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1990.
Jacob 3
Bokovoy, David E.. "Ancient Temple Imagery in the Sermons of Jacob." Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 46 (2021): 31-46.
Jacob 3:7
Book of Mormon Central. “How Can the Book of Mormon Strengthen Marriages and Families? (Jacob 3:7).” KnoWhy 302 (April 19, 2017).
Jacob 3:13
Book of Mormon Central. “Did “Others” Influence Book of Mormon Peoples? (Jacob 3:13).” KnoWhy 435 (May 22, 2018).
Jacob 3:14
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did Jacob Call his Record the "Plates of Jacob"? (Jacob 3:14).” KnoWhy 65 (March 29, 2016).
Jacob 4
McConkie, Joseph Fielding. "The Testimony of Christ Through the Ages." In The Book of Mormon: Jacob Through Words of Mormon, To Learn With Joy, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 157-173. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1990.
Skousen, Royal. "Jacob 4–6: Substantive Textual Variants between Manuscripts and Editions." In The Allegory of the Olive Tree: The Olive, the Bible, and Jacob 5, edited by Stephen D. Ricks and John W. Welch, 105-139. Provo, UT/Salt Lake City: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies/Deseret Book, 1994.
Jacob 4:2
Book of Mormon Central. “Is the Book of Mormon Like Other Ancient Metal Documents? (Jacob 4:2).” KnoWhy 512 (April 25, 2019).
Jacob 4:4
Book of Mormon Central. “What Can Stylometry Tell Us about Book of Mormon Authorship? (Jacob 4:4).” KnoWhy 389 (December 12, 2017).
Jacob 4:5
Book of Mormon Central. “How Abraham’s Sacrifice of Isaac Illuminates the Atonement (Jacob 4:5).” KnoWhy 412 (March 1, 2018).
Hlavaty, Lauri. "The Religion of Moses and the Book of Mormon." In The Book of Mormon: Jacob Through Words of Mormon, To Learn With Joy, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 103-124. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1990.
Jacob 4:8
Call, Gail. "Antenantiosis in the Book of Mormon." In Reexploring the Book of Mormon, edited by John W. Welch, 96-97. Provo, UT/Salt Lake City: FARMS/Deseret Book, 1992.
Bassett, W. Mark. For Our Spiritual Development and Learning In The One-Hundredth and Eighty-Sixth Semiannual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016.
Jacob 4:11–12
Thompson, A. Keith. "The Doctrine of Resurrection in the Book of Mormon ." Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 16 (2015): 101-129.
Tvedtnes, John A. “Atonement and the Temple.” Insights: A Window on the Ancient World 25, no. 6 (2005): 5.
Jacob 4:14
Bowen, Matthew L.. "“God Hath Taken Away His Plainness”: Some Notes on Jacob 4:14, Revelation, Canon, Covenant, and Law." Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 39 (2020): 81-102.
Christensen, Kevin. “Jacob’s Connections to the First Temple Traditions.” Insights: A Window on the Ancient World 23, no. 4 (2003): 2–3.
Hoskisson, Paul Y. “Missing the Mark.” Insights: A Window on the Ancient World 29, no. 2 (2009): 2–3.
Jacob 4:15–16
Book of Mormon Central. “Why New Testament Words and Phrases Are in the Book of Mormon Part 6: Why Do Similar Clusters of Old Testament Texts Appear in Both? (Jacob 4:15–16).” KnoWhy 535 (October 10, 2019).
Jacob 4:17
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did Jacob Share the Allegory of the Olive Tree? (Jacob 4:17).” KnoWhy 66 (March 30, 2016).