Antichrists in the Book of Mormon

“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.” (1 John 2:23)

“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” (2 John 1:7)

John uses the word antichrist to describe anyone who would assume of guise of Christ, but in reality would be opposed to Christ. The Book of Mormon tells of a few antichrists.

Jacob 7 tells of an antichrist named Sherem. We read that Sherem declared that there should be no Christ (verse 2), and that he was learned, used flattery, and much power of speech (verse 4). Sherem taught that there was no Christ (verse 9), and he believed in but didn’t understand the scriptures (verses 10 and 11). In the end, the power of God came upon him and he fell to the earth, and finally confessed his deceit and lies to the people just before giving up the ghost.

Alma 1 tells of Nehor, who was large and strong (verse 2), and declared that every priest “ought to become popular” (verse 3). He convinced many to pay and support him for his teachings (verse 5) to the point where he was prideful, wore expensive clothing, and started his own church (verse 6). In the end, Nehor murdered Gideon, a man of God, and before suffering and ignominious death, acknowledged that he taught words contrary to God.

Alma 30 illustrates another antichrist in the story of Korihor. Korihor taught that there would be no Christ (verse 12) and called belief in Christ “foolish traditions” (verse 14). He lead the people way into wickedness and sin (verse 18) and taught that there was no sin (verse 17). Korihor brought “many souls down to destruction” by lying and flattering words (verse 47). In the end, Korihor was struck dumb and could not talk (verse 50), but admitted that the devil deceived him (verse 53), and went from house to house begging for food (verse 56).