Antichrist

As I was listening to The Book of Mormon this morning, something struck me.  I was listening to Jacob -- the part where Sherem (the antichrist) was contending with Jacob.  What struck me was that this particular antichrist (Sherem) was telling people "that there should be no Christ" (Jacob 7:2). The chapter heading says this was written between 544-421 BC.  What struck me was that the antichrists in The Book of Mormon such as Sherem, Korihor, and Nehor were all preaching against Christ before He was born.

So, the thought crossed my mind that those antichrists actually had more credibility than the antichrists of today.  Sheerly because of their ignorance.  Because today we have many witnesses that Christ was here.  History proves that Christ was born and walked this earth, and taught His gospel to many people.  We have the New Testament as a witness of Christ and we have The Book of Mormon as a second witness of Christ.  We have many people who have actually seen our Savior and can describe what he looks like, and have. The antichrists before Christ's birth, as foolish as they were, didn't have the witnesses, history and testimonies of Christ actually being born.  All they had was prophecy.

So antichrists today are even more ridiculous and foolish than the antichrists in The Book of Mormon.  Especially those who have been taught the gospel and have had testimonies.  Then chose to follow Satan instead.  Seriously, how stupid are these people?

Interestingly, the arguments haven't changed through the millennia.  They are still just as unbelievably stupid as they were when Sherem was around.  I won't delve into their arguments.  I've done it in a past post. But they are utterly absurd.  If John McEnroe heard the absurd arguments of any antichrist throughout history, he would certainly reply, "you cannot be serious".

Just so we're all on the same page, I want to give the definition of antichrist. The following quotation is from a talk given by Elder Robert D. Hales, January 10, 1982.

"Now, to help you with this, I want to talk from the scriptures about antichrist. That’s a hard word. It may help you if I give you a couple of examples of what I mean. Basically what I’m asking is this: “How do you identify those around you who appear faithful but will lead you astray?” How does John describe these people? (I also use the Bible dictionary.) Antichrist was a word used by the apostle John to describe one who assumes the guise of a Christian but in reality is opposed to Christ. That would be including nonmembers as well as members or priesthood holders. In a broader sense it is anyone or anything that counterfeits the true gospel or plan of salvation. Therefore, it means anyone who will prevent you from obtaining eternal life and who openly or secretly is set in opposition to Jesus Christ. The great antichrist is Lucifer, but he has many assistants, both spirit beings and mortals.

"We sometimes think of Peter when he denied Christ, but he didn’t deny him as the Savior; he merely denied his association with him because of fear of what he thought was going to happen to him with his peer group. And that’s what happens with many of us. We are often afraid when we don’t know what is going to happen, and it has always puzzled me that anyone can have more fear of man than of God. We can learn from the scriptures as John recorded,

"Even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. [1 John 2:18]

"We will have many antichrists among us from within the Church. President Lee used to constantly tell us that the greatest danger to the Church was internal, not external."

So in a nutshell, an antichrist is anyone who is in opposition to Jesus Christ and anyone who counterfeits the true gospel or plan of salvation.  Like Elder Hales mentioned, there will be many antichrists among us from within the Church.  I personally know a few of them. My own brother being one of them, unfortunately.  And it was President Harold B. Lee who said that the greatest danger will be from within the Church. It is the former members of the Church who were once faithful servants of the Lord who served full-time missions and married in the temple who for whatever reason choose to follow Satan and willfully rebel against God and apostatize who become the biggest antichrists and can't seem to let the Church or its members alone.

I've always wondered why the apostate antichrists won't leave the Church or its members alone.  Is it not enough that they choose a different lifestyle and no longer believe in truth?  Why do they have to fight against truth?  Why must they persecute the faithful? Elder Hales gave a good explanation from the same talk in 1982:

"Jacob dealt with Sherem who preached among the people that there would be no Christ. Sherem flattered the people; he was learned. This is true of all such men who take these positions. He had perfect knowledge of the language and the people. He spoke with much power of speech according to the power of the devil. Sherem sought out Jacob. Isn’t it interesting how those who are faithful are always sought out? That’s the challenge. The adversary wants every one of us in this assembly more than anyone else in the world, and don’t ever forget it."

 So, according to Elder Hales in the quote above, Satan works harder on the faithful saints and those who try to follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  And who better to try to drag you down to hell with them than those who are your own family and friends and associates?  Very cunning mister devil.

Unfortunately the apostate antichrists who have already fallen for Satan's deceptions and lies don't realize they are just being used as pawns by the great antichrist himself, Lucifer.  He just laughs at them as they do his bidding.  In the end, Satan will not support his minions who blindly followed him. He will just laugh at how easily they were persuaded as he drags them speedily down to hell.

"And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell."  -- Alma 30:60

The take away here is don't be deceived in the first place.  Keep your defenses up and constantly work on strengthening your testimony.  The stronger we are, the harder Satan works on us.  To quote Elder Hales again, "Be careful of those who tell you there is no such thing as prophecy or revelation." Anyone who tells you that is certainly antichrist.  Whether deliberately or ignorantly.  If you do fall, pick yourself up and come back to the truth before it's too late.

All antichrist's arguments are absurdly stupid yet so many people fall for their flattering words. I'm constantly amazed at how many seemingly intelligent people are dropping like flies.  Falling for Satan's cunning lies.

Anyone who claims.there is no Christ, or that Christ is not our Savior and was just a regular man is a bald-faced liar.  Yes those are strong words but they are truth.  Christ was born on earth, he ministered to the people and taught them His gospel, he completed the atonement and yes he is our Savior and Redeemer. Anyone who says otherwise is a liar and Antichrist.  Don't fall for the deception.

To those of you who have already been deceived and are currently antichrist, you are more foolish than Nehor, Sherem, and Korihor.  And that's saying something.

That's my two cents