The message of Jacob is to be wise in honoring our covenant vows. Jacob has already experienced a major social division when the Nephites separate themselves from the murderous circle of Laman and Lemuel. Now he looks out over the growing branch of Israel under his stewardship and senses forces that threaten, once again, to polarize the population into two camps—the chaste and obedient on the one hand, and the prideful and corrupt on the other. Thus his fervent appeal to his people to repent or be “hewn down and cast into the fire” (Jacob 6:7). He warns his listeners to be wise and repent at once.
We can apply Jacob’s counsel to ourselves as we seek to participate in the ongoing unfolding of the restoration of the gospel in its fulness. Those who come unto Christ experience the opening of windows of eternal blessings upon themselves and their families. Those who eschew righteousness and refuse to repent are consigned to damnation, Jacob reminds us that now is the time for us to repent and align ourselves with the word of God. We cannot set our repentance aside, because we will stand accountable for everything we have done.