Lesson 27 - All Things Denote
There Is a God
Purpose
To help class members learn how to recognize and refute
false teachings and stay true to their testimonies of Jesus Christ.
Preparation
1. Read, ponder, and pray about the following scriptures:
·
Alma 30:1-18. Korihor, an
anti-Christ, leads away the hearts of many in Zarahemla by preaching that
"there should be no Christ" and that "whatsoever a man did was
no crime."
·
Alma 30:19-60. Korihor attempts to
preach in the lands of Jershon and Gideon. The people refuse to listen, and
they take him before their leaders. Korihor is then taken before Alma, who
bears testimony of Christ's coming and the existence of God. Korihor demands a
sign and is struck dumb.
·
Alma 31. Alma leads a mission to
reclaim the apostate Zoramites, who have adopted false beliefs and a prideful
form of worship.
2. Ask one class member to prepare to read aloud Alma
31:15-18 and another class member to prepare to read aloud Alma
31:26-35.
Observations
·
The story of Korihor is a powerful story for
today. We see many of the philosophies
“taught” be Korihor in our society today.
(See The Teachings of Korihor chart.)
·
It is important that your class understands the
Zoramites and their society. This will
give your class the understanding they need to fully understand and appreciate
Alma2’s great sermon on faith in chapter 32.
Chapter
30
Aftermath of War (Alma 30:1-5)
·
Ammonites established in land of Jershon.
·
Both sides buried their dead.
o
So many died, they were not numbered.
·
A period of fasting, prayer, and mourning was
held.
o
May have been included as a part of a New Year’s
Festival (sixteenth year begins in v. 4).
·
People instructed to keep Law of Moses until it
had been fulfilled (v. 3).
Enter Korihor (Alma 30:6-11)
·
Korihor enters the picture as a preacher in the
land of Zarahemla.
o
He taught “against the prophecies which had been spoken
by the prophets, concerning the coming of Christ” (v. 6).
o
He was called “Anti-Christ” (v. 6).
§
See Quote #1
§
John adds:
·
And every spirit that confesseth not that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of
antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already
is it in the world. (1 John 4:3)
·
Nephites believed in freedom of religion among
the people.
·
“[T]here was no law against a man's belief”
(v. 7); “if
he did not believe in him there was no law to punish him” (v. 9).
The Teachings
of Korihor (Alma 30:12-18)
·
Korihor preached, “there should be no
Christ” (v.12).
o
Korihor’s teachings can be found in
verses 12-28.
§
See chart, The Teachings of Korihor.
·
He led many away from the truth (v.
18).
Korihor Teaches
the Ammonites (Alma 30:19-22)
·
Korihor next travels to the land of Jershon to
preach to the Ammonites.
o
“[T]hey were more wise than many of the
Nephites” (v. 19).
·
He was bound and taken before Ammon, the high
priest.
o
Ammon ordered him “carried out of the land” (v.
21).
·
Korihor went to the land of Gideon where “he did
not have much success” (v. 21).
o
The people of Gideon had him bound and taken
before the high priest and chief judge (Giddonah) over the land.
Giddonah
Questions Korihor (Alma 30:22-28)
·
Why, Giddonah asked, “do ye go about perverting the ways of the
Lord? Why do ye teach this people that there shall be no Christ, to
interrupt their rejoicings? Why do ye speak against all the
prophecies of the holy prophets?” (v. 22).
·
Korihor responds:
o
“I do not teach the foolish traditions of your fathers.”
(v. 23)
o
“I do not teach this people to bind themselves
down under the foolish ordinances and performances laid down by ancient
priests.” (v. 23)
o
Priests “usurp power and authority over them to
keep them in ignorance.” (v. 23)
o
The people “are in bondage.” (v. 24)
o
“Ye do not know that [those ancient prophecies]
are true.” (v. 24)
o
“Ye keep [the people] down, even as it were in
bondage.” (v. 27)
o
“Ye … glut yourselves with the labors of their
hands.” (v. 27)
Korihor and Alma2
(Alma 30:29-34)
·
Korihor is bound and delivered to Alma2,
the chief judge and high priest over all the land.
·
When he was brought before Alma2, he
“revile[d] against the priests and teachers, accusing them of leading away the people after the
silly traditions of their fathers, for the sake of glutting on the labors of
the people” (v. 31)
·
Alma2 responds:
·
“Thou knowest that we do not glut ourselves upon the labors
of this people; for behold I have labored even from the commencement of the
reign of the judges until now, with mine own hands for my support” (v. 32).
·
Alma2 is careful in his choice of
words. By stating “thou knowest,” Alma2
is making it clear to Korihor he knows he is lying.
·
Alma2 continues, explaining that if
no one in the church receives riches for their work, “what doth it profit us to
labor in the church save it were to declare the truth” (v. 34).
o
Paul taught:
§ And
now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is
able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my
necessities, and to them that were with me.
I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to
support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he
said, It
is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts
20:32-35
o
Quote #3
Alma2
Questions Korihor (Alma 30:35-42)
·
Alma2 - (Do you believe we deceive
the people teaching them what causes joy in their hearts?
o
Korihor – Yea.
·
A – Do you believe there is a God?
o
K – No.
§
THE fool hath said in his heart, There is
no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psalms
14:1 (Emphasis mine)
·
Will you deny there is a God? Will you deny Christ? I tell you, I know there is a God and Christ
will come. Where is your evidence there is
no God or Christ? By the way, I know you
believe these things, but “thou art possessed with a lying spirit” (v. 42).
o
The Lord warned us about false prophets and
antichrists like Korihor.
§
Beware of false prophets, which come to
you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes
of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree
bringeth forth evil fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt
tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast
into the fire.
Wherefore
by their fruits ye shall know them.
Matthew 7:15-20
·
Quote #4
Korihor Asks
for and Receives a Sign (Alma 30:43-50)
·
After being asked if he will deny God, Korihor
does something very stupid. He asks for
a sign.
o
“If thou wilt show me a sign, that I may be
convinced that there is a God, yea, show unto me that he hath
power, and then will I be convinced of the truth of thy words” (v. 43).
·
Alma2 tells him, “Thou has had signs
enough; will ye tempt your God?” (v. 44).
o
He has received the testimony of his brethren
and the holy prophets.
o
He has the scriptures which testify of God.
o
“[A]ll things denote there is a God” (v. 44).
§
Quote #5 (must us quote!)
§
In spite of this evidence, “ye go about, leading
away the hearts of this people” (v. 45).
·
Alma2 asks again, “will ye deny
against all these witnesses?” (v. 45)
o
Korihor responds that, without a sign, he will
deny God.
·
Alma2 grieves because of the hardness
of his heart.
o
By resisting the “spirit of the truth,” his soul
would be destroyed.
·
Alma2 had reached the point where it
as better Korihor’s soul be destroyed then he “shouldst be the means of
bringing many souls down to destruction” (v. 47).
·
Alma2 announces, “if thou shalt deny
again, behold God shall smite thee, that thou shalt become dumb, that thou shalt never
open thy mouth any more, that thou shalt not deceive this people any more” (v.
47).
·
Korihor equivocates.
o
“I do not deny the existence of a God, but I do not believe
that there is a God; and I say also, that ye do not know that there is a God; and
except ye show me a sign, I will not believe” (v. 48).
·
The Savior said this about signs:
o
They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest
thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them
bread from heaven to eat.
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not
that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God
is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
John 6:30-33
·
Alma2 gives him his sign.
·
“[T]hou shalt be struck dumb,
according to my words; and I say, that in the name of God, ye shall be struck
dumb, that ye shall no more have utterance” (v. 49).
·
No sooner did Alma2 say these words, and
then Korihor was struck dumb.
o
Korihor received his sign and lost his soul.
·
Quote #6
The Fate of Korihor
(Alma 30:51-60)
·
The chief judge wrote a note to him, asking him
if he is no convinced there is God.
Having received his sign, “will ye dispute more?” (v. 51)
·
Korihor confesses:
o
“I know that nothing save it were the power of God
could bring this upon me” (v. 52)
o
Then he tells us his story.
§
The devil appeared to him as an angel.
§
“Go and reclaim this people, for they have all
gone astray after an unknown God … There is no God and he taught me that which
I should say” (v. 53).
§
He believed these words were true and “for this
cause I withstood the truth, even until I have brought this great curse upon
me” (v. 53).
o
Paul warns:
§
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into the apostles of Christ.
And
no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2 Corinthians
11:13-14
·
Did justice prevail?
o
Quote #7
·
Having confessed, Korihor “he besought that
Alma should pray unto God, that the curse might be taken from him” (v. 54).
·
Alma2 refuses. Korihor’s spirit had not changed.
o
“If this curse should be taken from thee thou
wouldst again lead away the hearts of this people” (v. 55).
·
Korihor “was cast out, and went about from house to house
begging for his food” (v. 56).
·
What happened to Korihor was published
throughout the land.
o
Those that believed in Korihor were commanded to
speedily repent, “lest the same judgments would come to them” (v. 57).
o
All who believed became convinced and “they were
all converted again unto the Lord” (v. 58).
·
Korihor found himself among the Zoramites and
“as he went forth amongst them, behold, he was run upon and trodden down, even
until he was dead” (v. 59).
·
Mormon makes sure we don’t miss why this was
included in his record.
o
And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways
of the Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at
the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell. (v. 60).
Chapter
31
Mission to the
Zoramites (Alma 31:1-10)
·
Word comes to Alma2 that the
Zoramites were “perverting the ways of the Lord” (v. 1).
·
The Zoramites had separated themselves from the
main body of the Nephites.
·
The Nephites feared the “Zoramites would enter into a correspondence
with the Lamanites, and that it would be the means of great loss on the part of
the Nephites” (v. 4).
·
Who were these Zoramites? Here’s an
overview.
o
The story of the Zoramites may also indicate the
tribal structure of Nephite society. The sect known as the Zoramites was,
indeed, led by a man named Zoram (see Alma 30:59) … The fact that the
Zoramites all lived in the same geographical area (where Alma and his sons went
to preach to them) indicates that they may have been a tribe with religious
customs that differed from those of the Nephites. While it is true
that they “were dissenters from the Nephites” and “had had the word of God
preached unto them” but had fallen away (Alma 31:8-9), one wonders at
their sudden reversion to idolatry(see Alma 31:1). It seems more
reasonable that an undercurrent of idolatry already existed in the tribe and
that Zoram emphasized it to widen the rift between the Zoramites and the
Nephites. Indeed, the group may have been practicing idolatry in secret…
That they were not merely a distinct religious group is indicated by the
fact that the
Zoramites lived on the border with the Lamanites (see Alma
31:3) and
separated themselves politically and religiously from the Nephites (see
Alma 31:2, 10). This made the Nephites fear that they would ally themselves with the
Lamanites, and was, in fact, the reason Alma decided to organize a mission
among them (see Alma 31:4-5).
·
Alma2 put together a missionary
“dream team.”
o
He took Ammon, Aaron, Omner, Shiblon, Corianton,
Amulek, and Zeezrom with him.
o
Himni was left behind in Zarahemla and Helaman3
was also left behind.
§
They were probably left behind to run the church
in Alma2’s absence.
The State of
the Zoramites (Alma 31:11-25)
·
The Zoramites were Nephite dissenters.
·
They knew the word of God.
·
They had fallen into grave errors and perverted
“the ways of the Lord in very many instances” (v. 11).
o
They did not keep the commandments and statutes
of God.
o
They did not accept the Law of Moses.
o
They did not pray daily asking they not enter
into temptation.
·
When they arrived, they found a high place in
the center of their synagogue.
·
Each person would offer a rote prayer.
·
The prayer consisted of:
- They are praying to
their “holy, holy God” who is “holy.”
- God is a spirit, was a
spirit, and will always be a spirit.
- God separated them from
their brethren.
- They don’t believe in
the foolish traditions of the Nephites.
- They were elected to be
holy children.
- He had made it known
there would be no Christ.
- God is the same
yesterday, today, and forever.
- They have been elected
to be saved.
- All others were elected
will be cast down to hell.
- They thank God for his
holiness in saving them and sending everyone else to hell.
·
The Savior warned against this type of a prayer.
o
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be
as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in
the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily
I say unto you, They have their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast
shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which
seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they
think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Matthew
6:5–7
o
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with
himself, God,
I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust,
adulterers, or even as this publican.
I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote
upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
I
tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that
exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be
exalted.
Luke 18:11-14
·
Quote #8
·
The stand was named Rameumptom.
o
Means “holy stand” (v. 21).
§
Rameumptom is probably a word not commonly known
among the Nephites.
·
After their day of worship, they did not speak
of God again until the next week.
·
Alma2 grieves that “they were a
wicked and a perverse people … their hearts were set upon gold and upon silver,
and upon all manner of fine goods” (v. 24).
·
The Zoramite belief was similar to Korihor’s.
o
See Quote #9
The Prayer of
Alma2 (Alma 31:26-35)
(In poetic form)
26 And he lifted up his voice to heaven, and cried,
saying:
O, how long, O Lord,
wilt thou suffer that thy servants shall
dwell here below in the flesh,
to behold such gross wickedness among the
children of men?
27 Behold, O God, they cry unto thee,
and
yet their hearts are swallowed up in their pride.
Behold, O God, they cry unto thee
with their mouths,
while they are puffed up,
even to greatness,
with the
vain things of the world.
28 Behold, O my God, their costly apparel,
and
their ringlets,
and
their bracelets,
and
their ornaments of gold,
and
all their precious things which they are ornamented with;
and behold,
their hearts are
set upon them,
and yet they cry unto thee and say—
We thank
thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee,
while others shall perish.
29 Yea, and they say
that thou hast made it known
unto
them
that
there shall be no Christ.
30 O Lord God,
how long wilt
thou suffer
that such
wickedness and infidelity
shall be
among this people?
O Lord,
wilt thou give me strength,
that I may bear
with mine infirmities.
For I am infirm,
and such
wickedness
among this people
doth pain my soul.
31 O Lord,
my heart is exceedingly sorrowful;
wilt thou
comfort
my soul in
Christ.
O Lord,
wilt thou grant unto me
that I may have strength,
that I may suffer
with patience
these afflictions
which shall come upon me,
because of the iniquity of this people.
32 O Lord,
wilt thou comfort my soul,
and give unto me
success,
and also my fellow
laborers
who are with me—
yea, Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner,
and also Amulek and Zeezrom
and also my two sons—
yea, even all
these
wilt thou comfort,
O Lord.
Yea, wilt thou comfort
their souls in
Christ.
33 Wilt thou grant
unto them
that they may have
strength,
that they may
bear their afflictions
which shall come upon them
because of the iniquities of this people.
34 O Lord,
wilt thou grant unto us
that we may have success
in
bringing them again
unto
thee in Christ.
35 Behold, O Lord,
their souls are
precious,
and many of them
are our brethren;
therefore, give unto us, O
Lord,
power and wisdom
that
we may bring these,
our brethren,
again
unto thee.
The Mission
Begins (Alma 31:36-38)
·
Alma2‘s prayer concluded, he claps
his hands upon his group and they are filled with the Spirit.
·
They each went their way.
·
They took no thought as to what they should eat,
drink, or put on.
·
They had faith the Lord would provide “for them
that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength,
that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in
the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma;
and this because he prayed in faith” (v. 38).
Quote #1
What is meant by Anti-Christ? Here is a
good definition.
The word ‘
antichrist’ in the Book of Mormon is
also a translation. In the oldest definition of the word, Polycarp writes, “For any one who
does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is Antichrist.” Such a
title fits Korihor perfectly, since the whole burden of his
teaching was that the Messiah, being nothing but a myth, would not and could
not come in the flesh (Alma 30:6).
Quote #2
John Clark observes:
The Book of Mormon preserves statements from three
apostates—Sherem, an Amalekite follower of Nehor, and Korihor—who denied the
revelations foretelling the coming of Christ because they did not believe that
people could know of future events (see Jacob 7:7; Alma 21:8;
30:15). Through much of his dialogue with Alma, Korihor played the role of an agnostic, or one
who does not deny the existence of God but believes it is not possible to come
to an ultimate certainty about him. He argued that since the future is
outside the realm of human experience, it is unknowable, and to believe in
something that cannot be tested empirically is to embrace a vain and foolish
hope (see Alma 30:13).
[3]
Quote #3
Lindon Robison reminds us that the only compensation many of
the Lord’s servants received were spiritual.
The sons of Mosiah were motivated to do missionary work among the
Lamanites because they could not bear that any human soul should perish and
endure endless torment (Mosiah 28:3). Alma declared that his joy was
in being an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance. He
added that his joy was more full because of the success of his brethren (Alma
29:9, 14). Later, Alma declared that his reward for his service to the Church was
the happiness he felt because of the joy of his brethren (Alma
30:34).
Quote #4
Hugh Nibley writes:
Alma then shows Korihor that he’s on to him. He
says that he knows
he believes, but that he had a lying
spirit and allowed the devil have power over him. Will he deny these
things. He showed that Korihor was deliberately misinterpreting
everything, being “possessed with a lying spirit” (Alma 30:42). He answered him
patiently, point by point, but it was his exemplary restraint that gave Korihor
the lie.
Quote #5
Richard Rust shared an experience where he experience the
testimony by looking at the “Earth and all things on it.”
One evening I was admiring the beautiful sunset-touched clouds in the
sky, when in a way I had not emotionally realized before, I saw the hand of God
in this glorious scene before me. Intellectually, I had known since
I was a child that Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ created the world, and
I was well familiar with Alma's affirmation to Korihor that ‘all things denote
there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of
it’ (Alma 30:44), but at that moment there was something more. An inner voice spoke to my
soul, confirming that the Creator acknowledged his artistry.
Quote #6
Hugh Nibley comments:
And Korihor was struck dumb. Was it a stroke? Was he so wrought up? Would
that be the effect of this sort of thing if he had actually been putting it on?
He got himself in so deep that he had to put on this big show. We
find out he really was scared here, and this was all it took to push him over.
He was struck dumb, and deaf also because Alma had to write for him.
Quote #7
Richard Rust comments on the justice in Korihor’s
punishment.
There is poetic justice in this consequence: a man whose unrighteous
influence depended on his skillful use of words is struck dumb at his own proud
insistence. The power of Korihor's language is overcome by the power of God
through Alma. To the chief judge's query, “Art thou convinced of
the power of God?” (Alma 30:51), Korihor in his extremity writes the truth. In
its simplicity and in its emphasis on knowing, Korihor's subdued statement contrasts sharply
with his earlier taunting disbelief: “I know that I am dumb, for I
cannot speak; and I know that nothing save it were the power of God could bring
this upon me; yea, and I always knew that there was a God” (Alma 30:52).
Quote #8
In the need to rationalize their ways, it is not enough for the guilty
to justify their position; it must be sanctified. There is a wonderful
account in the Book of Mormon that shows how that is done. It is Alma's
report on the Zoramites, which tells us how the vilest people he had ever known
managed to project an image of extreme righteousness, loudly
proclaiming themselves as ‘a holy people’ (Alma 31:18), while their
thoughts “were on their riches” (Alma 31:24—28).
Quote #9
Richard Williams compares the Zoramites and
Korihor. He also explains why Alma2 would teach his great
sermon of faith.
Interestingly, chapter 31 introduces us to the Zoramites,
who espoused religious doctrines similar to Korihor's. They, too,
believed that the words of the prophets were foolish traditions, and they were
proud “that their hearts were not stolen away to believe in things to come,
which they knew nothing about” (Alma 31:22).
Korihor and the Zoramites so persuasively presented their view of
faith, knowledge, and truth that Alma, as well as [Mormon], sensed that it
needed a powerful response. It is no coincidence, then, that what follows in
chapter 32 is perhaps the most profound exposition on faith in all of
scripture.
The Teachings of
Korihor
Alma 30
(source: Charting
the Book of Mormon, John W. Welch and J. Gregory Welch, Chart 78)
Korihor, an antichrist
preaching at the time when Alma2 was high priest over the land,
convinced many Nephites that they should not believe in Jesus Christ or his
coming atonement. He taught them instead
various philosophies. In Korihor’s
phrases and arguments, modern readers can find parallels to many schools of
thought, such as atheism, nihilism, and relativism, which have long dominated
much of secular philosophy. This highly
intelligent opponent’s tactics were persuasive, but Alma2 retaliated
with pure testimony and the power of God, eliminating Korihor’s influence in
the land.
|
Modern Counterpart
|
Korihorism
|
Verse
|
|
Anti-Christian
|
“there should be no Christ”
|
12
|
|
Negativism
|
“bound down under a foolish
and vain hope”
|
13
|
|
Agnosticism
|
“no man can know of
anything which is to come”
|
13
|
|
Empiricism
|
“ye cannot know of things
which ye do not see”
|
15
|
|
Psychological explanation
|
“it is the effect of a
frenzied mind”
|
16
|
|
Positivism
|
“a belief of things which
are not so”
|
16
|
|
Sophism
|
“every man fares in this
life according to the management of the creature”
|
17
|
|
Naturalism
|
“every man prospers
according to his genius”
|
17
|
|
Egoism
|
“every man conquers
according to his strength”
|
17
|
|
Relativism
|
“whatsoever a man does is
not crime”
|
17
|
|
Hedonism
|
“lift up their heads in
wickedness”
|
18
|
|
Nihilism
|
“when a man dies, that is the
end thereof”
|
18
|
|
Anti-Religion
|
“priests usurp power and
authority over the people”
|
23
|
|
Skepticism
|
“ye do not know that they
are true”
|
24
|
|
Atheism
|
“a being who never has been
seen or known, who never was nor ever will be”
|
28
|
