Book of Mormon (Plain English Version)/Jacob/Chapter 7
Jacob meets with Sherem...
(compare Jacob, chapter 7)
After some years had passed, a man named Sherem came among the Nephites. He began to preach that there would be no Christ. He preached many flattering things in order to overthrow Christ's doctrine. He worked hard and led many hearts away.
He knew that I, Jacob, had faith in Christ, who would come, so he tried many times to speak to me. Sherem was a well educated man, and he had a perfect knowledge of the people's language.
He was a very flattering and powerful speaker, having power from the devil. He was hoping to shake me from the faith in spite of the many revelations and things that I had seen, for I truly had seen angels who had spoken to me. I had also heard the Lord's voice speak to me from time to time, so I could not be shaken.
When Sherem finally got his chance to speak to me, he said,
"Brother Jacob, I have been looking forward to meeting you for some time now, for I have heard, and also know, that you preach what you call 'the gospel’ or 'the doctrine of Christ.’
You have led many people to change the ways of God and not keep the law of Moses, which is the right way.
You are attempting to convert the law of Moses into the worship of a being whom you say will come many hundreds of years from now.
I, Sherem, declare to you that this is blasphemy, for no one knows such things--no one can see the future."
Then the Lord God poured His Spirit into my soul, enabling me to confound Sherem in all his words. I said to him, "Do you deny Christ, who will come?”
He answered, "If there were a Christ, I would not deny Him, but I know there is not a Christ. There never has been nor will there ever be one.”
I asked him, "Do you believe the scriptures?"
He said, "Yes."
I said, "Then you do not understand them, Sherem, because they truly testify of Christ. None of the prophets have written or prophesied without speaking of Christ.
I have seen and heard Christ in vision, and by the power of the Holy Ghost it has been made known to me that if no atonement were made everyone would be lost."
Sherem replied, "Show me a sign by the power of this Holy Ghost, whom you know so much about."
I answered him, "Who am I to tempt God by asking Him to show you a sign to prove to you what you already know is true? Even if you saw a sign, you'd still deny Christ because you're of the devil.
It's not up to me, but if God smites you, that's His sign to you that He has power, and that Christ will come. Oh Lord, Thy will be done, not mine.”
As I, Jacob, said this, the Lord's power came upon Sherem and he collapsed. He was barely kept alive for many days.
Then one day Sherem said, "Gather the people together tomorrow, for I'm going to die soon."
The next day a crowd gathered and Sherem spoke plainly. He denied what he had taught. He confessed the reality of Christ, of the power of the Holy Ghost, and of the ministering of angels. He said he had been deceived by the devil's power. He spoke of hell, of eternal punishment, and of eternity.
Sherem uttered, "I'm afraid because I think I have committed the unpardonable sin, for I have lied to God. I denied the Christ, yet said I believed the scriptures, which truly testify of Him. Because I have lied to God, I'm afraid for my soul. But I now confess my evil works to God.”
Sherem could say no more, and he died.
Having seen Sherem confess just before dying, the multitude was greatly astonished. As God's power came upon and overcame them they all fell to the earth.
This pleased me, Jacob, because I had asked my Father in heaven for such an event. He had heard my cry and had answered my prayer.
God's love and peace was restored among the people. They searched the scriptures, and Sherem's lies died with him.
The Nephites had many ideas about how to restore the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth, but they were all in vain because the Lamanites delighted in war and bloodshed. They had an eternal hatred against us, their brethren, and they continually tried to kill us.
So we, the people of Nephi, fortified ourselves against them with our weapons and strength, trusting in God, the rock of our salvation. By doing this, we were able to conquer our enemies.
As I, Jacob, now grow old, I finish my record on the small plates that Nephi gave me. The Nephite history is kept on Nephi's larger plates.
The best way I can describe our lives is by saying that they passed like a dream. We were a lonesome and solemn people--wandering outcasts from Jerusalem, born in tribulation in the wilderness and hated by our brethren, who caused wars and contentions. And so we mourned out our days.
When I, Jacob, realized I would soon die, I told my son Enos to take charge of all the plates. I repeated the commands of my brother Nephi to Enos, and he promised to obey them.
This is the end of what little I have engraved. I hope many of my brethren, the Lamanites, will be among those who read my words.
Farewell, and may blessings attend you.