Jacob was the elder of Lehi’s two sons who were born in the wilderness (1 Nephi 18:7). He had endured great hardship and suffered much because of Laman and Lemuel (1 Nephi 18:19; 2 Nephi 2:1–2). Nevertheless, he was highly favored of God, for he enjoyed the visitation of angels and even saw the Lord (2 Nephi 10:3; 11:3). He was truly a kindred spirit with his brother Nephi. He stands as a model for us to follow today.
Fifty-five years after Lehi’s colony left Jerusalem, Nephi instructed his brother Jacob (born ca. 595 b.c.) to continue inscribing on the small plates of Nephi the things he considered precious—sacred preachings, prophecies, and revelations. The central theme and purpose of the small plates was to focus on Christ for the sake of God’s people.