Jacom was a son of Jared, the progenitor of the Jaredite civilization recorded in the Book of Ether. He, alongside his brothers Gilgah, Mahah, and Orihah, were part of the foundational generation that established the community after their long and arduous journey to the promised land across the ocean (Ether 6:14). Jacom, true to the teachings imparted by his father and uncle, the Brother of Jared, illustrated a preference for humble service over sovereign rule.
Amidst the societal desire to implement a monarchy, Jacom was among the sons who turned away from the opportunity to rule as a king. This event underscored a pivotal moment in Jaredite history, where the transition from a divinely guided leadership to a requested human monarch was taking place (Ether 6:27). His decline can be seen as an act of deference to the profound warning provided by the Brother of Jared, cautioning against the establishment of kings and the potential descent into captivity this form of governance could lead (Ether 6:23). Consequently, his brother Orihah was anointed as the first king of the Jaredite people, setting a precedent for future generations.
Jacom’s refusal to assume the kingship suggests that he may have held a worldview consistent with his father’s teachings and the divinely inspired counsel they had received. His brief mention in the record leaves much to conjecture about his life and influence. However, his decision not to reign as a king demonstrates a commitment to the principles upon which his family’s journey had commenced and a continuity in a form of leadership that shunned the potential pitfalls of absolute monarchy.