Jacob's Testimony of the Plan of Salvation

I have often wondered how it is that the Jews at the time of Christ seemingly had no understanding of His mission and of the Plan of Salvation. Lehi, Nephi, Jacob, Alma, Abinadi, and others had the same scriptures as the Jewish scribes and Pharisees but understood who the Messiah would be and were watching for Him. Jacob tells is that "no other nation on earth would crucify their God". What was it that corrupted their faith? Priestcraft. Understanding this helps you understand why the Nephities took the rise of Priestcraft among their own people so seriously. Made it a capitol offense. It would destroy the people's ability to recognize and follow Christ.
Jacob bears a clear and beautiful testimony of the great Plan of Salvation and the central role of the Savior's Atonement. He witnesses in 2 Nephi 11:4 that "Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him." What a powerful thought. Everything God has revealed to man is to point us to Christ and teach us of His Atonement. Every revelation, commandment, covenant, insight, test, trial and gift is to remind us and turn us to Christ. In each of these circumstances we need to ask, "What am I to learn of Christ and His Atonement?" "How can this point me to Christ?" As we do this we will find that we are closer to our Savior and are enduring trails with greater strength, purpose, patience and faith.