Jacob 7

Doctrine of Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

And it came to pass that he began to preach among the people, and to declare unto them that there should be no Christ. And he preached many things which were flattering unto the people; and this he did that he might overthrow the doctrine of Christ. Jacob 7:2

Sherem's whole mission is to deny that Christ will come and to tear down His doctrine. The Nephite church, centuries before His birth, already knew Him by name.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Faith in Christ

And he labored diligently that he might lead away the hearts of the people, insomuch that he did lead away many hearts; and he knowing that I, Jacob, had faith in Christ who should come, he sought much opportunity that he might come unto me. Jacob 7:3

Jacob's faith was in a Christ who had not yet been born. Believers before His mortal life looked forward to Him and were saved through faith in Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Jehovah

And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken. Jacob 7:5

Jacob's unshakable witness came from hearing the Lord's own voice. Nephi records that Jacob had seen the Redeemer, so this Lord is Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in 2 Nephi 11:3 — Nephi: 'my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him.'

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; for no man knoweth of such things; for he cannot tell of things to come. And after this manner did Sherem contend against me. Jacob 7:7

Sherem mockingly describes Christ as 'a being' who would come hundreds of years later. Without meaning to, he states exactly what the Nephite prophets taught: the law of Moses points to Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by Jacob 4:5 — Jacob taught that the law of Moses points souls to Christ.

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

And I said unto him: Deniest thou the Christ who shall come? And he said: If there should be a Christ, I would not deny him; but I know that there is no Christ, neither has been, nor ever will be. Jacob 7:9

Jacob confronts Sherem directly with the coming Christ. Sherem's reply, that there is no Christ, has been, or ever will be, is the denial the chapter answers.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Christ

And I said unto him: Then ye do not understand them; for they truly testify of Christ. Behold, I say unto you that none of the prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ. Jacob 7:11

Jacob declares that every prophet has testified of Christ and the scriptures all point to Him. This verse is a key for reading all scripture as a witness of Jesus.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Jacob 4:4 — Jacob: all the holy prophets before us knew of Christ and had a hope of His glory.

Atonement

And this is not all—it has been made manifest unto me, for I have heard and seen; and it also has been made manifest unto me by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, I know if there should be no atonement made all mankind must be lost. Jacob 7:12

By the Holy Ghost, Jacob knows that without Christ's Atonement every person would be lost. The Atonement is not optional; it is the only rescue for mankind.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to 2 Nephi 9:7 — Jacob's earlier teaching that it must needs be an infinite atonement.

Christ

And I said unto him: What am I that I should tempt God to show unto thee a sign in the thing which thou knowest to be true? Yet thou wilt deny it, because thou art of the devil. Nevertheless, not my will be done; but if God shall smite thee, let that be a sign unto thee that he has power, both in heaven and in earth; and also, that Christ shall come. And thy will, O Lord, be done, and not mine. Jacob 7:14

Jacob asks that the sign, if God gives it, testify that Christ shall come. His submissive 'thy will... be done, and not mine' also echoes the spirit of the Savior's own prayer in Gethsemane.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Christ

And it came to pass that on the morrow the multitude were gathered together; and he spake plainly unto them and denied the things which he had taught them, and confessed the Christ, and the power of the Holy Ghost, and the ministering of angels. Jacob 7:17

The man who preached there was no Christ ends by confessing Him before the people. Every knee will eventually confess Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Christ

And he said: I fear lest I have committed the unpardonable sin, for I have lied unto God; for I denied the Christ, and said that I believed the scriptures; and they truly testify of him. And because I have thus lied unto God I greatly fear lest my case shall be awful; but I confess unto God. Jacob 7:19

Sherem repeats Jacob's own testimony that the scriptures truly testify of Christ, admitting that denying Christ while claiming the scriptures was a lie.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Jacob 7:11 — Sherem repeats Jacob's words 'they truly testify of Christ.'

Rock

Rock of salvation — the sure foundation who saves

Wherefore, the people of Nephi did fortify against them with their arms, and with all their might, trusting in the God and rock of their salvation; wherefore, they became as yet, conquerors of their enemies. Jacob 7:25

The 'rock of their salvation' is an Old Testament title of Jehovah. The Book of Mormon teaches that the rock on which we must build is Christ, our Redeemer.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him

• alludes to Deuteronomy 32:15 — Jeshurun 'lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.'
• the same title in Helaman 5:12 — 'The rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God.'