Lehi’s comforting words to Jacob regarding his afflictions in the wilderness being turned to him for good (vv. 1–2) reminds us of the Lord’s words to Joseph Smith concerning his sufferings in Missouri, “that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good” (D&C 122:7). The same principle is applicable to everyone.
Lehi gives two personal blessings to Jacob: (1) he would dwell safely with Nephi, his brother; and (2) his days would be spent in the service of God (v. 3). The first is a temporal blessing, and the second a spiritual one. While the record does not state much directly about these two blessings, it gives enough to confirm them. Jacob leaves with Nephi as part of those who “believed in the warnings and the revelations of God” (2 Nephi 5:6), and he shares teaching and preaching responsibilities with Nephi (2 Nephi 6–10 chapters). Nephi also commands Jacob to keep the “small plates” and the “other plates … and hand them down unto my seed from generation to generation” (Jacob 1:1–4). He thus replaces Nephi as the spiritual leader of his people.
Lehi mentions two events of which we have no record on the small plates, and which he equates with Jacob being redeemed. Jacob had apparently been shown a vision of the Lord’s coming in the fulness (meridian) of time to bring salvation to men (v. 3). The fulness of time is obviously a reference to the earthly ministry of Christ when he made the atonement for all mankind. Paul uses the same expression in reference to the time of Christ: “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law” (Galatians 4:4). Perhaps it is called the fullness of time (not times) because it is the time of most importance of all the times of the earth.
The second unrecorded event is a personal visit of the Savior to Jacob. Nephi later states: “And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him” (2 Nephi 11:3). Lehi compares this visit with the blessings of those to whom Jesus will appear during his earthly ministry. The basis of Lehi’s comparison is made on the principle of the eternal nature of the gospel, the Spirit being the same yesterday, today, and forever (v. 4). We are given no other information in the Book of Mormon about Jacob’s two experiences. Lehi concluded that Jacob had been saved from the fall. Salvation is a free gift to those who will meet the conditions of redemption. Lehi’s statement declared the mission of Jesus’ earthly ministry, and confirmed the fallen nature of man. Lehi had earlier declared: “all mankind were in a lost and fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer” (1 Nephi 10:6). The fall is a basic doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Lehi leaves the enumeration of Jacob’s blessing and launches into a great doctrinal treatise of the agency of man, the fall, and the atonement.