In the first part of the Book of Moses (we call it the Book of Genesis), a copy of which was in the possession of Jacob and was thus available to the Nephites, we read of the creation of earth and man. The facts there stated were familiar to all the descendants of Nephi and were used by Jacob as a proof of his further statement that if such were the case, then it is not unreasonable nor incompatible with the truth to believe that by that same power "why not able to command the earth, or the workmanship of his hands upon the face of it, according to his will and pleasure."
You will remember that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The beasts of the field, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea were given an abode and told to multiply and fill the earth. The Great Creator saw what he had done and pronounced it "Good." He then said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." (Mal. 2:10) The thought that they were all created in the image of God, imbued every generation of ancient Israel and sanctified before him, their prayers to him and their praise of him.
To them, he was the "Majesty on High."
The Nephites, whose fathers came from the Capital City of the Jews, believed as did the Jews, in God the Father Almighty. They believed that he was the Maker and the Creator of all. They believed in a God with whom they dwelt in close relationship and one who would lead them and guide them in every experience of life. The Hebrew conception of man's relationship to God was the basis of their wisdom, and the wisdom Paul deplored, was the wisdom displayed in the pagan philosophy of Greece and Rome and of it he said that the world, by wisdom, knows not God.
This task has been left to revealed religion. It has been left to revealed religion to do that, in the attempt of which mankind has failed. It has been left to revealed religion to accomplish those things for which men have sought in all ages. Revealed religion is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jacob says in verse eight, "And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him."
If you lean unto your own understanding and trust to those who are worldly wise, you may search every acre of the globe and not find it. You may follow every path of human erudition and not walk in the way of truth. A man may partake freely of all the knowledge that has accumulated since the world began, and still not know that which has been revealed to even the humblest among us, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." (Mosiah 15:1) This is a great mystery revealed to the pure in heart. Learning cannot find it. The power of man cannot gain it. With money, it cannot be purchased, but it is made known to those, who, without guile, seek the Kingdom of Heaven. I have seen the golden glow of money illumine the halls of the rich. I have seen great armies, on the eve of battle, prepare to inflict their might. I have seen the learned, when they say, "I do not believe." But in the hovels of the poor, in the dwellings of the meek, in homes where toil and sorrow seem to pace the struggle to endure, I have seen the strength of faith, the power of love, the light of God's Holy Word, shine more brightly than all the riches of the world, all the learning of the ages, or all the force the armies and navies of the world can muster. These first are mysteries of God, as are prayer, forgiveness of sin, etc., and as Jacob says these mysteries "Are known only to those to whom it is revealed."