Anti-Christs in the Book of Mormon

All of the anti-Christs in the Book of Mormon have essentially the same goal: to get their listeners to not believe in Jesus Christ and get them off the path that leads back to God. Despite this, they certainly would not get along with each other if gathered in the same room. They each have different views regarding salvation and the nature of God. We must remember that Mormon, the editor of this book, saw our day (Mormon 8.34-35). Because of this fact, he edited this text for us, knowing that we would face many of the same types of arguments that the heroes in the Book of Mormon faced. President Ezra Taft Benson said this about the Book of Mormon’s ability to expose the enemies of truth:

The Book of Mormon was written for our day. Mormon, who compiled it, saw us in vision and was directed to put into the book those things God felt we would especially need in our time. We therefore should know the Book of Mormon better than any other book. Not only should we know what history and faith-promoting stories it contains, but we should understand its teachings. If we really do our homework and approach the Book of Mormon doctrinally, we can expose the errors and find the truths to combat many of the current false theories and philosophies of men.

I have noted within the Church a difference in discernment, insight, conviction, and spirit between those who know and love the Book of Mormon and those who do not. That book is a great sifter.^[1]President Ezra Taft Benson, “Jesus Christ—Gifts and Expectations,” Ensign, Dec. 1988, 4.

Earlier in his life he said:

The Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. (See 2 Ne. 3:12.) It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time.^[2]Elder Ezra Taft Benson, “The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God,” Ensign, May 1975, p.63.