Jacob 2

Creator

But behold, hearken ye unto me, and know that by the help of the all-powerful Creator of heaven and earth I can tell you concerning your thoughts, how that ye are beginning to labor in sin, which sin appeareth very abominable unto me, yea, and abominable unto God. Jacob 2:5–6

Jacob calls God the all-powerful Creator of heaven and earth and his Maker. Latter-day scripture teaches that Jesus Christ created the heavens and earth under the Father, and Jacob himself called the great Creator the one who would die for all men.

• interpreted by 2 Nephi 9:5 — Jacob: "it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men."
• interpreted by Mosiah 3:8 — "Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning."

Jehovah (the Lord)

Jehovah — "I AM", the covenant name of the premortal Christ

Wherefore, I must tell you the truth according to the plainness of the word of God. For behold, as I inquired of the Lord, thus came the word unto me, saying: Jacob, get thou up into the temple on the morrow, and declare the word which I shall give thee unto this people. Jacob 2:11

When Jacob asks the Lord, the Lord answers in His own voice and sends him to the temple with a message. The Lord who speaks to Book of Mormon prophets is Jehovah, the premortal Christ.

• the same event in Jacob 1:17 — Jacob taught in the temple "having first obtained mine errand from the Lord."

Christ

Christ — Greek Christos, "the Anointed One" (Hebrew Messiah)

But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. Jacob 2:18–19

Jacob sets the order: first a hope in Christ, then riches used the way Christ would use them — clothing, feeding, freeing, and relieving others. His wording matches what the Savior later taught about seeking the kingdom first and serving "the least of these."

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Matthew 6:33 — The Savior's teaching, "seek ye first the kingdom of God" — the same counsel Jacob received by revelation centuries earlier.
• alludes to Matthew 25:35-36 — Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned is service done unto Christ.
• alludes to Luke 4:18 — Jesus' mission statement includes preaching "deliverance to the captives."

Creator

Do ye not suppose that such things are abominable unto him who created all flesh? And the one being is as precious in his sight as the other. And all flesh is of the dust; and for the selfsame end hath he created them, that they should keep his commandments and glorify him forever. Jacob 2:21

The One who created all flesh sees every soul as equally precious, so pride and persecution offend Him. In Jacob's teaching the Creator is the Lord who would come to redeem all.

How we know: a Church study aid lists it

• interpreted by 2 Nephi 9:5 — Jacob identifies the great Creator as the one who becomes subject to man in the flesh.
• alludes to 2 Nephi 26:33 — Nephi: the Lord "inviteth them all to come unto him ... all are alike unto God."

Jehovah (the Lord)

Jehovah — "I AM", the covenant name of the premortal Christ

But the word of God burdens me because of your grosser crimes. For behold, thus saith the Lord: This people begin to wax in iniquity; they understand not the scriptures, for they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son. Jacob 2:23–26

The Lord speaks in first person: He led Lehi's family out of Jerusalem by His arm, just as He led Israel out of Egypt. This covenant God who leads and corrects His people is Jehovah, the premortal Jesus Christ. (The "righteous branch" here means Lehi's descendants from Joseph, not a title of Christ.)

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• interpreted by 3 Nephi 15:5 — The risen Christ: "I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel."
• alludes to Genesis 49:22 — Joseph is "a fruitful bough ... whose branches run over the wall" — the branch of Joseph language in verse 25.

Lord of Hosts

Lord of Hosts — Jehovah Sabaoth, Lord of the armies of heaven

Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none; Jacob 2:27–30

Jehovah, under His title Lord of Hosts, gives the law of chastity to Lehi's people. The same Lord who later ministers to the Nephites is the one who sets these standards.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• interpreted by D&C 110:3-4 — In the Kirtland Temple the risen Christ declares "I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain" and speaks as Jehovah.

Jehovah (the Lord)

Jehovah — "I AM", the covenant name of the premortal Christ

For behold, I, the Lord, have seen the sorrow, and heard the mourning of the daughters of my people in the land of Jerusalem, yea, and in all the lands of my people, because of the wickedness and abominations of their husbands. Jacob 2:31–33

Jehovah says He has seen the sorrow and heard the mourning of wives and daughters hurt by unfaithful men, and He will defend them. It is the same God who told Moses He had seen His people's affliction and heard their cry.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Exodus 3:7 — Jehovah to Moses: "I have surely seen the affliction of my people ... and have heard their cry."
• alludes to Alma 7:11-12 — Christ takes upon Him the pains and afflictions of His people so He can succor them.