What would the response have been to Sherem if he had said he did not believe the scriptures? Jacob 7:10

What would the response have been to Sherem if he had said he did not believe the scriptures? Jacob 7:10

Jacob doesn't write much about the Nephite civilization after they reach the American continent - but he does include one story from those early days about an anti-Christ named Sherem.

Sherem was an extremely intelligent man. He spoke really well. He wanted to shake Jacob's faith, and went to great efforts to do so. But Jacob had the power of the Holy Ghost with him and was able to "confound him in all his words" (Jacob 7:8).

The way he starts is be cutting to the chase: "Do you believe in the Christ who will come?"

Sherem says, "There is no Christ - never has been, never will be."

Jacob says, "Do you believe the scriptures?"

Sherem says, "Sure do."

I don't think most modern anti-Christs these days go around saying, "I sure do believe the scriptures are true." I was, therefore, wondering what the response would be if he had said, "Nope."

My husband had a great answer. Jacob, the brother of Nephi, most likely would have responded like Nephi did to his brothers back in 1 Nephi 15:8-9.

"Have you asked God?"

I imagine the conversation with a modern anti-Christ would go something like this, "Um, no. God won't answer me." By the way, that's exactly how Laman and Lemuel answered Nephi.

Nephi's response is to preach to them both his own testimony and the testimony of prophets whose words he knew and understood, namely Isaiah. Remember, Isaiah is about as contemporary to Nephi as Joseph Smith is to us today in 2018. He spoke many words to his brothers. He must have been extremely patient.

I guess that is one of the acceptable ways to respond to an anti-Christ today: bear testimony. Be patient. Engage on their terms - I mean, answer their questions. Try to compel them to be humble. Be an example in your belief. Invite them to pray. Invite them to come to Christ.