We live in tough and tumble times when men stumble about looking for meaning in life. Where is peace? Who really knows joy?

Well, it was a moment so rare and powerful that it was engraven on gold for all to remember for all time. You see, there came a man among the Nephites named Sherem. He was anti-Christ. He went about preaching among the people that there should be no Christ. He was very successful in his proselyting, due in part to the fact that he was gifted in the art of persuasive speaking. He knew how to flatter people, break down their defenses, and sell them on his insidious ideas.

Flushed with success, Sherem arrogantly sought an audience with Jacob, the presiding high Priest. In time Sherem did stand before Jacob.

“… I have heard,” he said, “and also know that thou goest about much preaching that which ye call the gospel, or the doctrine of Christ. And ye have led away much of this people that they pervert the right way of God, and keep not the law of Moses which is the right way; and convert the law of Moses into the worship of a being which ye say shall come many hundred years hence. And now behold, I, Sherem, declare unto you that this is blasphemy ...” (Jacob 7:6-7)

Now, that’s what he said to Jacob. You have to understand, Sherem is a study in contradictions. He styles himself a religious man and advocates adherence to Jehovah’s law - while denying Jehovah. He teaches that men should live by the rules of the law of Moses while denying the very being to whom those rules points. And to this cause Sherem has been very very zealous; he’s given his life to it.

The Holy Spirit came over Jacob and where Sherem had confounded and confused so many in their faith, now Jacob turned it on him. “…Believest thou the scriptures?” Jacob asked. And Sherem said “…Yea.” “… Then ye do not understand them;” came Jacob’s rebuke, “for they truly testify of Christ …” (Jacob 7:10-11)

And then Jacob went on to share his witness of Jesus Christ. By the scriptures, the words of the prophets, and lastly by the power of the Holy Ghost “…I know …” Jacob said. (Jacob 7:12)

At that point Sherem was at a loss. He couldn’t shake Jacob or find a chink in his armor of faith. So in desperation, he made a terrible mistake! “… Show me a sign …,” he demanded. (Jacob 7:13)

Such a request then and now denies all the fundamentals of faith, and is so - so grievously offensive to God. Jacob refused, but then he added, “… if God shall smite thee, let that be a sign unto thee …” (Jacob 7:14)

At that moment and dramatically, Sherem was struck and “… fell to the earth …” (Jacob 7:15).

Image

For days he suffered in anguish and awful torment, sinking lower and lower.

As death approached, he called for the people and “… denied the things which he had taught them… [He] confessed the Christ…” (Jacob 7:17)

It was a moment before the people of compelling drama. In the very act of confessing his lies, Sherem’s strength failed, and he died right before them. The people were so astonished that they “… fell to the earth.” - and were filled with the power of God. (Jacob 7:21)

Image

Sherem had asked for a sign, and he got it; he was struck dead. And the testimony of Christ because of him was once more established in the hearts of the people. Jacob closed this remarkable account with these telling words, “And it came to pass that peace and the love of God was restored again among the people…” (Jacob 7:23)

Now, my friends, peace is the purpose of life. And the love of God, both him for us and us for him, is the greatest of all things to obtain in this life. Therefore, unequivocally, anything or anyone that destroys or diminishes the love of God in our hearts is anti-Christ! Do not allow it!