“As Yet Ye Have Been Obedient”

Brant Gardner

Rhetorical: Jacob is still setting the stage by contrasting himself and his audience. He makes the contrast quite clear. Jacob has been diligent in his calling. His audience has not been obedient (not been diligent) in obeying the Lord.

The interesting part of Jacob's phraseology is the "as yet" in verse 4. This is both an indication that the subject of this sermon is not new, but that there will yet be hope. Jacob is giving a sermon of condemnation, but not one without hope. They may have not yet obeyed God, but Jacob clearly suggests that obedience is still an option, and therefore the reconciliation of the audience and Jacob, and the audience to their God.

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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