As I read Jacob 7 this morning, I was surprised how naturally it connected with President Oaks' October 2024 conference message. His talk was about following Christ, but it was equally about becoming peacemakers.
President Oaks reminds us that we are all alike unto God—brothers and sisters, beloved sons and daughters of Heavenly Parents. In a world filled with differing opinions, competing beliefs, and constant noise, that perspective matters.
How do we stay grounded?
The answer is simple, though not always easy. We follow the doctrine of Christ: faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. We study the scriptures and follow prophetic counsel. We submit ourselves to what the Lord asks of us, trusting that His commandments are given for our good.
President Oaks also taught that contention is not from Christ. That is worth pondering.
The opportunities to choose peace come dozens of times every day. They may seem small—a driver cutting in front of us, a slow clerk at the store, a difficult neighbor, or even a sharp exchange with someone we love. Yet contention is often a choice, just as peacemaking is a choice.
President Nelson once asked, "Are you willing to let God prevail in your life?" Perhaps one way we answer that question is by deciding, again and again, to be peacemakers.
Then we meet Sherem.
Oh, Sherem.
He was educated, persuasive, and confident. He taught flattering things and challenged Jacob's testimony of Christ. What strikes me is not merely that Sherem was wrong, but how Jacob responded.
Jacob never lost his cool.
He did not argue. He did not mock. He did not try to overpower Sherem. He simply testified of what he knew through the power of the Holy Ghost.
When Sherem demanded a sign, Jacob left the matter in the Lord's hands. Do we think to do that in the heat of the moment? We get plenty of practice at it.
The result was dramatic. Sherem received the sign. Did it end as he wished? Asking for signs is a dangerous thing. Eventually he confessed that he had denied the truth, and then died. But what interests me most is that Jacob did not overcome Sherem through contention. He overcame him through calm testimony and unwavering faith.
Sometimes we are tempted to prove our point, win an argument, or overwhelm someone with our intelligence of evidence. Some call this "Bible bashing." Once you enter that arena, the Spirit leaves. It rarely changes hearts.
Jacob's example is so instructive: Speak truth. Bear testimony. Trust God.
The people who witnessed these events were astonished, leading them to return to the scriptures. Peace was restored among them, but there were still enemies. There will always be enemies to truth!
Jacob records that the Nephites fortified themselves and trusted in "the rock of their salvation."
I love that image.
The lesson applies spiritually as well as physically. We cannot eliminate every danger, every false philosophy, or every voice that opposes Christ. We can only fortify ourselves. We can anchor our lives in the Savior, and trust that He didn't bring us this far to bring us this far.
For now, that is enough.
We prepare. We trust. We wait.
And with anxious but hopeful hearts, we look forward to the day when Christ returns and peace will be the order of the day. Oh, how I want to be there.
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