It is sometimes difficult for men and women to reconcile themselves to the needed discipline which leads to the celestial kingdom of God. Jacob pleads with the Israelites of the last days to repent and enter in at the strait gate, then continue in the way which is narrow until they obtain eternal life. Jacob has already warned the reader that not all Israelites are going to be willing to do this.
Almost in a final burst of desperation, Jacob cries out, "O be wise!" In the final analysis there isn't anything more he can say than "be wise." This is the only course which makes common sense. It isn't rational to reject the gospel. Nevertheless, half of the Church and kingdom of God will be "foolish" in the last days and be rejected when the Lord comes because they let their lamps go out.7 The Lord has explained that the parable of the five "foolish" virgins refers specifically to the members of the Church who will be rejected at the time of the Second Coming.8