Jacob and Sherem

Before Nephi died, he gave the plates to his younger brother Jacob. Jacob was a righteous man. Jacob 1:1–2, 8

Nephi told Jacob to write those things that would help the people believe in Jesus Christ. Jacob 1:4–6

Nephi gave Jacob the power to be a priest in the Church and to teach the word of God to the Nephites. Jacob 1:18–19

After the death of Nephi, many of the Nephites became wicked. Jacob told the people what bad things they were doing and told them to repent. Jacob 1:12, 15–17

A wicked man named Sherem went among the Nephites and told them to not believe in Jesus Christ. Jacob 7:1–2

Sherem taught the people that Jesus would not come and be our Savior. Sherem persuaded many of them to believe him. Jacob 7:3–4

Jacob taught the people to believe in Christ. Sherem wanted to argue with Jacob and try to convince him that there would be no Christ. Jacob 7:6

Jacob’s faith in Jesus Christ could not be shaken. He had seen angels and had heard the voice of the Lord. He knew that Jesus would come. Jacob 7:5

The Holy Ghost was with Jacob. Jacob bore his testimony of Jesus Christ to Sherem. Jacob 7:8–12

Sherem said, “Show me a sign.” He wanted Jacob to prove that there is a God. He wanted to see a miracle. Jacob 7:13

Jacob said that he would not ask for a sign. He also said that Sherem already knew that there was a God. Jacob 7:14

Jacob said that if God wanted to cause Sherem to fall to the ground, that would be Sherem’s sign from God. Jacob 7:14

As soon as Jacob had spoken these words, Sherem fell to the ground. He could not get up for many days. Jacob 7:15

Sherem was weak, and he knew that he was going to die. He called the people together. Jacob 7:16

He told them that he had lied. He told them to believe in Jesus Christ. Jacob 7:17–19

After Sherem had talked to the people, he died. The people could feel God’s power, and they fell to the earth. Jacob 7:20–21

Jacob was happy; he knew that God had answered his prayers. The people began to repent. They read the scriptures and lived in peace and love. Jacob 7:22–23

Illustrated by Jerry Thompson