Jacob’s discourse on covenant integrity and honor centers on the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Applying the Atonement in Our Lives
The word is clear on how we apply the Atonement to our lives. In this chapter Jacob counsels us on things to beware of that would prevent us from receiving the blessings of the Atonement in our lives. Here are a few:
Murder, the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought or under such circumstances of criminality that the malice is presumed, “is a sin unto death” (1 John 5:16–17), a sin for which there is “no forgiveness” (D&C. 42:79), meaning that a murderer can never gain salvation. “No murderer hath eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15). He cannot join the Church by baptism; he is outside the pale of redeeming grace… . Murderers are forgiven eventually—but only in the sense that all sins are forgiven except the sin against the Holy Ghost; they are not forgiven in the sense that celestial salvation is made available to them. (Matt. 12:31–32; Teachings, 356–357.) After they have paid the full penalty for their crime, they shall go on to a telestial inheritance. (See Rev. 22:15.) (Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966], 520)
Jacob reminds us that to be spiritually minded is life eternal. This glorious chapter can change lives. I had my gospel students read this chapter for thirty straight days. It changed their lives, and it will make a difference in the life of anyone who does this. (Ed J. Pinegar)