Jacob 7

There are so many Sherems in the world today. These are people who, as
Jacob points out, are intelligent, are very convincing speakers and use
their powers of logic and persuasiveness to convince others of the falsity
of their beliefs. Sounds like politicians could easily fit in this
category. Sherem's argument is typical of people who argue against
religion or more specifically, a belief in God. He says, "no man knoweth of
such things; for he cannot tell of things to come." This argument reveals a
person who has never been influenced by the Spirit, or when influenced by
the Spirit, denies the feelings in their heart. Most revelation comes as a
feeling and people who do not allow themselves to feel what is in their
heart (hard heartedness) can only rely on their own intelligence. Many
people like this deny Christ and do so for one reason, to avoid
accountability for their actions. It allows them to do what they wish
regardless of right or wrong. Apostates who fight against the church more
often than not are people who do not want to face their sins. If the church
is false, then the preaching is false so they are not accountable to a false
church. Anyone who tears down the church, or attempts to tear down your
beliefs, does so so they do not have to contend with changing their own
lives. Only when faced with death does Sherem confess his lying. It's
interesting that after his death, Jacob still refers to him as a wicked man.

I can really identify with Jacob when he says "our lives passed away like as
it were unto us a dream." Life is short and it does fly by.