1. Jacob 7

2. “How blessed are they who have labored diligently in his vineyard” Jacob 6:3

3. He has done so much for His vineyard!

4. As a member of the vineyard What are you doing? What will you do??? “I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts.” Jacob 6:5

5. Now we understand the need for strong nourishment and roots… Here is the ultimate test…

6. Jacob 7—Sherem, an Anti-Christ The Anti-Christ vs An Anti-Christ

7. Jacob 7—Sherem, an Anti-Christ The Anti-Christ vs An Anti-Christ – Anyone or anything that counterfeits the true gospel plan of salvation and that openly or secretly opposes Christ. John the Revelator described the antichrist as a deceiver; the great antichrist is Lucifer, but he has many assistants, both spirit beings and mortals. – LDS.org

8. Jacob 7—Sherem, an Anti-Christ Read Jacob 7:1-15 with a friend to determine: Tactics used by Sherem Modern-day Sherems (individuals, organizations) using the same tactics Keys to Jacob’s/our success in defeating Sherem(s)

9. Jacob effectively deals with Sherem.. 1.Jacob 7:5 2.Jacob 7:8 3.Jacob 7:10-11 4.Jacob 7:12 5.Jacob 7:13-14 A.Testified of the scriptures and the words of the prophets. B.Left the outcome in God’s hands. C.Relied on guidance and strength from the Holy Ghost. D.Remembered past experiences that had strengthened his faith. E.Shared the testimony he had received through the Holy Ghost.

10. Sherem Jacob 7:2- “he began to preach among the people, and to declare unto them that there should be no Christ.” Jacob 7:2- “he preached many things which were flattering unto the people” Jacob 7:3- “he labored diligently that he might lead away the hearts of the people”

11. Some Sherem’s today… “Is it healthy to drink wine? If you have will power, and alcohol doesn’t completely cloud your judgment, a “moderate” amount of wine can potentially have significant health benefits.” “There is absolutely nothing in the Bible forbidding premarital sex. It is one of the traditions that is man made to control people.” “Sexual misconduct is ‘a small thing … [if I am] a kind and charitable person.’” (Cook, Oct. 2012)

12. Some Sherem’s today… “Some view homemaking with outright contempt, arguing it demeans women and that the relentless demands of raising children are a form of exploitation. They ridicule what they call ‘the mommy track’ as a career. This is not fair or right.” (Christofferson, Oct. 2013) “I believe in moral relativism– that there are no moral truths and that morality is simply an individual’s definition of right and wrong.”

13. Jacob 7—Sherem, an Anti-Christ What were the chances that Sherem would succeed with Jacob? “Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God…wherefore, thy soul shall be blessed, and thou shalt dwell safely with thy brother, Nephi; and thy days shall be spent in the service of thy God. Wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer; thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory.” (2 Nephi 2:2–4; emphasis added). What are the chances that an Anti Christ will succeed with you? Do you know the goodness of God? Do you safely dwell with friends and family? Have you spent your days serving others? Do you have a testimony of the Atonement? Have you experienced the Savior in your youth?

14. Jacob 7—Sherem, an Anti-Christ Jacob 7:15–20 The demise of Sherem.

15. Jacob 7—Sherem, an Anti-Christ I recollect a Campbellite preacher who came to Joseph Smith... and said that he had come a considerable distance to be convinced of the truth. “Why,” said he, “Mr. Smith, I want to know the truth, and when I am convinced, I will spend all my talents and time defending and spreading the doctrines of your religion, and I will give you to understand that to convince me is equivalent to convincing all my society, amounting to several hundreds.” Well, Joseph commenced laying before him the coming forth of the work, and the first principles of the Gospel. Alexander Campbell

16. Jacob 7—Sherem, an Anti-Christ The minister exclaimed, “O this is not the evidence I want, the evidence that I wish to have is a notable miracle; I want to see some powerful manifestation of the power of God, I want to see a notable miracle performed; and if you perform such a one, then I will believe with all my heart and soul, and will exert all my power and all my extensive influence to convince others; and if you will not perform a miracle of this kind, then I am your worst and bitterest enemy.” “Well,” said Joseph, “what will you have done? Will you be struck blind, or dumb? Will you be paralyzed, or will you have one hand withered? Take your choice, choose which you please, and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ it shall be done.” “That is not the kind of miracle I want,” said the preacher. “Then, sir,” replied Joseph, “I can perform none, I am not going to bring any trouble upon any body else, sir, to convince you” (Journal of Discourses 2:326).

17. Jacob 7—Sherem, an Anti-Christ Who’s witnessed a Sherem? (Hold to the Rod video)

18. Jacob 7—Sherem, an Anti-Christ You probably have friends that are anti-Christs: I do not eat with antichrists at Wendy’s during seminary I do not watch bad movies with antichrists I do not kiss antichrists I do not sluff church with antichrists I do not become immoral with antichrists (or anyone else for that matter)

19. Jacob 7—Sherem, an Anti-Christ “Antifamily media messages are everywhere. Public policies are being made every day that are antifamily, and the definition of family is changing legally around the world. “Pornography is rampant. Youth are being desensitized about the need to form eternal families.For those who create pornography, their new target audience is young women. “Satan knows that he will never have a body; he will never have a family. So he targets young women, who will create the bodies for the future generations. “Korihor (and Sherem) was an anti-Christ. Anti-Christ is antifamily. Any doctrine or principle our youth hear from the world that is antifamily is also anti-Christ. It’s that clear.” (Sister Julie Beck, March 2011 Ensign)

20. Jacob 7—Sherem, an Anti-Christ Do you know the goodness of God? Do you safely dwell with friends and family? Have you spent your days serving others? Do you have a testimony of the Atonement? Have you experienced the Savior in your youth?

21. T HE OBJECTIVE OF SEMINARY IS TO HELP YOUTH UNDERSTAND AND RELY ON THE TEACHINGS AND A TONEMENT OF J ESUS C HRIST. What principles from today’s scriptures point you the teachings of Christ? What part of the lesson can help you rely on the Atonement?

22. Jacob 7