“O Be Wise What Can I Say More?”

Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet

This would appear to be a farewell statement, an indication to the reader that Jacob had planned initially to close his record at this point. Subsequently, however, there occurred in his life an incident which was worthy of inclusion in a record which would come forth to a cynical and highly secular world-his encounter with Sherem the anti-Christ.

“O Be Wise; What Can I Say More?”

Wisdom is a spiritual gift (D&C 46:17); it is the capacity to view situations with spiritual perspective, the much-desired ability to perceive and discern meaning, intent, and direction. The wisest among us are, of course, those who have come to acknowledge the hand of God in all things. Jacob’s petition is a capsule statement: to be wise is to give heed to the words of the prophets and seers, to attend to those things in life which matter most, namely, the salvation of one’s soul.

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 2

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