Jacob’s efforts to persuade his people to come unto Christ became more difficult with the arrival of a charismatic leader named Sherem. But Sherem’s overconfidence led to his downfall, as he tried to destroy Jacob’s faith. Sherem demanded a sign and received one: he was smitten by God. Before his death, he confessed to the people that the things he had taught were not true.
Chapter Outline
- Sherem teaches Jacob’s people (v. 1-5)
- Sherem tries to shake Jacob’s faith, is smitten by the Lord, and dies (v. 6-20)
- Peace is restored among the Nephites; continued conflict with the Lamanites (v. 21-25)
- Jacob bids us farewell (v. 26-27)
My Takeaways
- Don’t prioritize rhetoric over reality.
- It is important to strengthen the foundations of our testimony to avoid being shaken.
- We can receive revelation regularly.
- A key to experiencing peace and the love of God is to search the scriptures consistently and earnestly.
Featured Blog Posts
Sherem – Rhetoric vs. Reality
Today, as I read the story of Sherem in Jacob 7, I was struck by Sherem’s reliance on his own persuasive abilities. In contrast Jacob was focused on “things as they really are and…as they really will be” (Jacob 4:13). Jacob introduces Sherem as a person who “had a perfect knowledge of the language of…
❖ Sherem teaches Jacob’s people – Jacob 7:1-5
“He Was Learned” – Jacob 7:4-5
4 And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil. 5 And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which…
“We Also Had Many Revelations” – Jacob 1:6
As I listened to the first chapter in the book of Jacob this morning, I was struck by how he talked about revelation. His brother Nephi had entrusted the sacred records to him and had instructed him to limit this record to spiritual things: sermons, revelations, and prophecies (Jacob 1:1-4). Jacob goes on to say that…
Becoming Unshakeable
God will shake the heavens and the earth so that only unshakeable things remain. His work is unshakeable, and we can become unshakeable with His help. Jacob explained that his faith became unshakeable through scripture study and personal revelation.
❖ Sherem tries to shake Jacob’s faith – Jacob 7:6-20
“The Lord God Poured in His Spirit” – Jacob 7:8
Last week, I wrote about Jacob’s recurring testimony that his faith was strong because of the many revelations he had received. Consistently receiving personal revelation strengthens our faith, because it gives us strong evidence of the hand of God in our lives which we can rely on in times of uncertainty. I think this is…
It Has Been Made Manifest Unto Me – Jacob 7:10-12
10 And I said unto him: Believest thou the scriptures? And he said, Yea. 11 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. 12 And…
❖ Peace is restored – Jacob 7:21-25
They Searched the Scriptures – Jacob 7:23
21 And when the multitude had witnessed that he spake these things as he was about to give up the ghost, they were astonished exceedingly; insomuch that the power of God came down upon them, and they were overcome that they fell to the earth. 22 Now, this thing was pleasing unto me, Jacob, for…
Old Testament Foundations
Sojourners
God led Abraham to the land of Canaan and promised that his descendants would live there (Genesis 12:5-7). Because of a famine, Abraham temporarily “went down into Egypt to sojourn there” (Genesis 12:10), presaging a much longer relocation to Egypt which his descendants would later experience. When he returned to Canaan, Abraham put down roots…
The Rock of Our Salvation
Based on: Psalm 89 Core message: When we focus more fully on Jesus Christ, we build on a secure foundation. Related Book of Mormon passages: 2 Nephi 4:30, 2 Nephi 9:45
New Testament Parallels
Paul Rebukes Elymas
Disciples of Jesus Christ are builders, not destroyers. They are healers, not wounders. They are advocates, not antagonists. Satan is our adversary, and his mission is defined by what he opposes. In contrast, we should pursue uplifting goals.
Unshaken
Haggai prophesied that all things will shake and that only unshakable things will remain. Several Book of Mormon prophets taught us that we can develop “unshaken” faith, which will enable us to endure significant turbulence.
All Scripture Is Profitable
Why do you study the scriptures? Paul told Timothy that scriptures are profitable for doctrine, for correction, and to for instruction. We should study with an open mind, eager to learn what God would have us do and what adjustments we need to make.
Church History Connections
Angels
An angel is a messenger. The Greek word aggelos (ἄγγελος) is probably derived from the verb agó (ἄγω) which means “to bring,” so an angel is someone who brings a message from God. Near the beginning of the Book of Mormon, Nephi sees an expansive vision narrated by an angel. (See 1 Nephi 11-14.) Jacob…
All Posts Referencing Jacob 7
- Enoch and the Savior’s Ministry and Atonement (2/7/2026)
- The Savior’s Instructions to Missionaries, Ancient and Modern (8/1/2025)
- New Testament References in Doctrine and Covenants 63 (6/13/2025)
- Old Testament Prophecies of the Second Coming (1/24/2025)
- Moroni’s Collaborative Conclusion (12/18/2024)
- “I…Will Not Deny the Christ” (12/3/2024)
- Becoming Unshakeable (4/13/2024)
- Unshaken (11/12/2023)
- All Scripture Is Profitable (10/25/2023)
- Paul Rebukes Elymas (7/20/2023)
- “Search the Prophets” (7/8/2023)
- What Is Truth? What Is True? (6/16/2023)
- How to Love a Samaritan (4/23/2023)
- Their Angels (4/21/2023)
- Sacrifice and Thanksgiving (11/24/2022)
- The Rock of Our Salvation (8/20/2022)
- Sojourners (3/29/2022)
- Spirit (11/10/2021)
- Angels (11/9/2021)
- Confounded (6/29/2021)
- Sherem – Rhetoric vs. Reality (3/22/2020)
- “The Lord God Poured in His Spirit” – Jacob 7:8 (3/21/2020)
- “We Also Had Many Revelations” – Jacob 1:6 (3/11/2020)
- What Is the Purpose of Suffering? (8/28/2019)
- What Is the Ministering of Angels? (8/4/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Obedience? (6/30/2019)
- What’s Wrong with Seeking Signs? (5/22/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Sadness? (5/7/2019)
- What Does It Mean to Search the Scriptures? (1/5/2019)
- They Searched the Scriptures – Jacob 7:23 (11/6/2018)
- It Has Been Made Manifest Unto Me – Jacob 7:10-12 (7/28/2018)
- I Could Not Be Shaken – Jacob 7:5 (9/3/2017)
- I Could Not Be Shaken – Jacob 7:4-5 (9/11/2016)
- “He Was Learned” – Jacob 7:4-5 (4/30/2016)
- He Was Learned – Jacob 7:4-5 (4/8/2015)