“The Way is Prepared from the Fall of Man”

W. Cleon Skousen

At this point Lehi turns to his son Jacob who was born after his parents left Jerusalem. In fact they were well on their way in their trek through the wilderness when Jacob came upon the scene. We learn that the older brothers made the life of this young boy totally miserable. Nephi says the afflictions of the older brothers constantly tormented Jacob.

These passages contain some scriptural gems. We learn that Lehi felt this choice son was already redeemed because while Jacob was still a young boy he had seen the Savior and apparently witnessed a vision of Christ's ministry in the earth, including the Savior's death and resurrection.

5. And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil. And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever.

6. Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.

7. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.

In verse 7 Lehi anticipates the day when blood sacrifices under the law of Moses will be replaced by the requirement of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. This is pure Christian doctrine being taught by Lehi nearly 600 years before Jesus was even born.

Treasures from the Book of Mormon

References