Shortly after Nephi passed away, Jacob noticed that under the reign of Nephi II the people had begun to grow hard in their hearts and indulge themselves in wicked practices. They claimed they were copying the practices of David and Solomon in acquiring many wives and concubines. There was also a great concentration of effort in acquiring vast quantities of gold and silver and other precious metals.
But Jacob was not the only one who was exercised over the deterioration which was beginning to take place among the people. When Jacob presented the problem to the Lord, he was given an errand. He was instructed to gather the people together at the temple and call them to repentance.