Recently, in a fit of insomnia, I scrolled through my social media feeds waiting for the return of sleep. A news article caught my attention. I read the article and then, in a lapse of judgment I can blame only on my fatigue, I read the comments as well.
The article detailed the decline of religious faith among youth and young adults. Most of the comments cheered for a demise of religion in general with a few repeated arguments. We don't need religion, some comments asserted, because it is just myths and magic now refuted by science. Surely we are smarter now than previous generations, some argued, and capable of spirituality without going to church. Others pointed out that many churches have not evolved with the times and preach doctrines that are unpopular, outmoded, or politically incorrect. Besides, a chorus of commenters cried, people at church, including some leaders, can be overly political, hypocritical or unkind. If we can be happy and successful without a church or faith, the commenters questioned, why waste time, effort and belief on religion?
As I scrolled the hundreds of comments like these, I noticed that those opposed to religion each had several "likes". The few brave souls willing to express faith or support for religion, however imperfectly at times, were quickly and aggressively opposed with dozens of comments attacking them and their position. At least online, the masses appeared to agree that religion is at least unnecessary and likely much worse.
Of course, this is hardly the first time religion has been called into question. The people in Noah's time took a hard pass on religion despite his preaching for one hundred years. Abraham negotiated with the Lord to save the city of Sodom if he could find ten righteous among them; yet, the city had abandoned all religious principle and was ultimately destroyed.
Perhaps most relevant to the arguments I encountered in the comment section of that online article are the three antichrists we study in the Book of Mormon. Although each lived thousands of years ago, they made the very same arguments in their time that I read online in ours.
Sherem was the first to be called an antichrist in the Book of Mormon. Jacob must have found his brief encounter with Sherem particularly valuable or compelling because it is included after Jacob had written his farewell at the end of the previous chapter.
Sherem was well educated and good with words. The scriptures say that Sherem "preached many things which were flattering to the people; and this he did that he might overthrow the doctrine of Christ" (Jacob 7:2). Sherem convinced many people that no one could actually know that Christ would come in the future and so it was unnecessary to keep the commandments or the law of Moses in the present. When he eventually met Jacob, Sherem demanded scientific evidence-- a sign of some sort-- to prove the reality of Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost by which Jacob testified he knew of the everlasting reality of Christ.
More than three hundred years later, Alma began his record with the account of a strong man named Nehor who "began bearing down against the church" (Alma 1:3). Nehor taught what was popular: that "all mankind should be saved... and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice, for the Lord had created all men, and... all men should have eternal life" (Alma 1:4). Many people believed Nehor and began to follow him, give him money, and attend the church he established.
On one occasion, while traveling, Nehor encountered a teacher of the church of Christ and "began to contend with him sharply, that he might lead away the people of the church" (Alma 1:7). The teacher was an elderly man, a war hero from decades earlier, whose name was Gideon. When Gideon withstood Nehor's teachings, "admonishing him with the words of God," Nehor became irate and murdered Gideon.
Nehor paved the way for many others "who loved the vain things of the world... [and] went forth preaching false doctrines... for the sake of riches and honor. Nevertheless, they durst not lie, if it were known, for fear of the law... therefore they pretended to preach according to their belief" (Alma 1:16-17). These false teachers lived what they might have termed a "high life" of indulgence with expensive clothing, whoredoms, and the appearance of happiness. They were also very proud, as Nehor was, "and began to contend warmly with their adversaries, even unto blows" (Alma 1:22).
Just as the spread of popular doctrines and philosophies in our day has led many people who had been faithful to be excommunicated, remove their records or stop their activity in the Church, Alma writes that false doctrines were "a cause of much affliction to the church" as "the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were blotted out, that they were remembered no more among the people of God. And also many withdrew themselves from among them" (Alma 1:24).
One of those anxious to follow in the steps of Nehor was a man named Korihor. Korihor taught that religion was foolish and vain. Like Sherem, Korihor taught that "no man can know of anything which is to come... ye cannot know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there shall be a Christ" (Alma 30:13-15). So-called prophecies were the foolish traditions of past generations. Remission of sin was the effect of a frenzied mind and the indoctrination of foolish traditions that led people away from reality. "Every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature," Korihor taught, "therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and... every man conquered according to his strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime" (Alma 30:17).
Sherem, Nehor and Korihor all had many followers. They became wealthy and did whatever wickedness they desired. Each had an opportunity to validate their philosophies by their own lives. Yet, none of these ancient antichrists could withstand the power of the word of God.
Jacob writes that Sherem sought to shake his 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 does not say that he was very unlikely to be shaken or probably not going to be shaken-- he knew the truth and could not be shaken.
As Sherem confronted Jacob, "the Lord God poured in his Spirit into [Jacob's] soul, insomuch that [he] did confound [Sherem] in all his words" (Jacob 7:8). Jacob turned Sherem to the scriptures to refute the claim there would be no Christ and testified of the things he had learned through the Holy Ghost. Sherem changed the subject, pressing instead for physical evidence.
Finally, Jacob left it in the hands of God to show Sherem a sign. Immediately, Sherem was overwhelmed by the power of God and fell to the earth. Jacob states that Sherem was "nourished for the space of many days," denied all he had taught in front of the people, confessed his own deception and knowledge of Christ, and then "gave up the ghost." A multitude observing this deathbed confession were then overcome themselves, in answer to Jacob's prayer, and the "peace and the love of God was restored again among the people; and they searched the scriptures, and hearkened no more to the words of this wicked man" (Jacob 7:23).
Gideon admonished Nehor with the words of God. Though Gideon was killed by Nehor's wrath, Nehor was also sentenced to die for his crime. On top of the hill Manti, Nehor acknowledged that what he taught was contrary to the word of God and then died in disgrace (Alma 1:15). Nehor's followers persisted in apostasy and persecuting the faithful, but the righteous, who did not set their hearts upon riches, began to be very wealthy and dramatically increased their ability to care for those need.
Korihor, it turns out, was also only pretending to preach according to his belief. Like Sherem, Korihor ultimately confronted Alma, the prophet of his time, and demanded to see a sign. Alma testified: "The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form to witness that there is a Supreme Creator" (Alma 30:44).
Alma told Korihor that he had signs enough between the testimonies of his brethren and the evidence of the natural world, but Korihor continued to press for a miraculous sign. Finally, Alma consented and Korihor was overwhelmed by the power of God and became unable to speak. Asked if he would continue to dispute the reality of God, Korihor confessed in writing that he had known there was a God all along. He had taught doctrines that were "pleasing to the carnal mind" and began to think they were true when he saw how many others believed what he was teaching. Whatever wealth Korihor achieved by priestcraft, the last we read of this third antichrist is of him being trampled while begging for food.
In a social media world, there are many deceptive and seductive voices in the world today. Many of the most popular voices make sinful choices appear glamourous and desirable. As in ancient times, the living prophet of our day has warned us about these voices and admonished us to become as unshakeable as Jacob:
If most of the information you get comes from social or other media, your ability to hear the whisperings of the Spirit will be diminished. If you are not also seeking the Lord through daily prayer and gospel study, you leave yourself vulnerable to philosophies that may be intriguing but are not true. Even Saints who are otherwise faithful can be derailed by the steady beat of Babylon's band.
My brothers and sisters, I plead with you to make time for the Lord! Make your own spiritual foundation firm and able to stand the test of time by doing those things that allow the Holy Ghost to be with you always.
Never underestimate the profound truth that "the Spirit speaketh... of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be." It will show unto you all things what ye should do.
Even more directly, President Nelson has warned that "in the coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting and constant influence of the Holy Ghost". That constant influence is a result of our faithful and consistent study of the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, and the divine communion that comes with sincere prayer.
It is true that members and leaders of the Church are imperfect and must continue striving to be better. You and I may also have legitimate questions or concerns about Church doctrines or historical figures and events. In these moments, when the Lord may feel far away, it is even more important to make time for the Lord! As we seek Him through gospel study and prayer, He will bless us with His spirit and the revelations we need to avoid the intriguing but false philosophies promoted by modern antichrists on social media and in the comments that you already know you really shouldn't read.