Sunday, December 30, 2018

Alma 32:1-5


Chapter 32

Alma teaches the poor whose afflictions had humbled them—Faith is a hope in that which is not seen which is true—Alma testifies that angels minister to men, women, and children—Alma compares the word unto a seed—It must be planted and nourished—Then it grows into a tree from which the fruit of eternal life is picked. About 74 B.C.

1 And it came to pass that they did go forth, and began to preach the word of God unto the people, entering into their synagogues, and into their houses; yea, and even they did preach the word in their streets.
2 And it came to pass that after much labor among them, they began to have success among the poor class of people; for behold, they were cast out of the synagogues because of the coarseness of their apparel—
3 Therefore they were not permitted to enter into their synagogues to worship God, being esteemed as filthiness; therefore they were poor; yea, they were esteemed by their brethren as dross; therefore they were poor as to things of the world; and also they were poor in heart.
4 Now, as Alma was teaching and speaking unto the people upon the hill Onidah, there came a great multitude unto him, who were those of whom we have been speaking, of whom were poor in heart, because of their poverty as to the things of the world.
5 And they came unto Alma; and the one who was the foremost among them said unto him: Behold, what shall these my brethren do, for they are despised of all men because of their poverty, yea, and more especially by our priests; for they have cast us out of our synagogues which we have labored abundantly to build with our own hands; and they have cast us out because of our exceeding poverty; and we have no place to worship our God; and behold, what shall we do? (Alma 32:1-5)

Alma’s mission to the Zoramites began. They preached in the synagogues, streets, and in homes.

They began to have success in their efforts among the poor. The poor had been cast out of the synagogues because of their appearance. Their clothing did not meet the standards of those who were well off. They were considered filthy. “The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor” (Psalm 10:2). They were considered as nothing more than trash. “Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool” (Proverbs 19:1).

“The apostate Zoramites first separated themselves spiritually from Christ by denying his existence and then created social and religious divisions among themselves based on riches … Exclusion and separations among the Zoramites created a large group who were poor (see Alma 32:2). Even though these had ‘labored abundantly’ to build synagogues, they were despised because of their poverty and were excluded from places of worship (Alma 32:5).”[1]

While Alma was teaching the people on hill Onidah, a group of people came to him. Mormon describes them as those who “poor in heart, because of their poverty as to the things of the world” (Alma 32:4).

They asked him what they should do, because of their poverty. “The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth roughly” (Proverbs 18:23).

They were hated by the people because of their poverty. “He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker” (Proverbs 14:31).

The attitude of the Zoramites to their poor would eventually lead to the Lamanites defeating the Nephites. “And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, [and] rising up in great contentions” (Helaman 4:12).

The priests detested them even more, casting them out of their synagogues, synagogues which had been built through the labor of the poor. They have no place to worship. So, they asked, what should they do? Peter was asked this question.

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:37-38).

“[T]he poor Zoramites originally ‘labored abundantly’ (Alma 32:5) to build the synagogue, apparently anticipating their participation in the worship of the community. After the completion of the synagogue, however, the poor Zoramites found that their labors did not merit their inclusion in the community’s central religious ritual. Since the form of that ritual was uniquely designed to emphasize appearances, it became clear that the poor Zoramites were not appropriately prepared. Given the Zoramites’ love of fine adornments, it would have been difficult to justify their central doctrine of superiority if those who were poorly attired were allowed to be seen in the influential position atop the Rameumptom.”[2]

[1]No Poor Among Them,” Lindon J. Robison, Maxwell Institute website.
[2] The Zoramites and Costly Apparel: Symbolism and Irony, Parrish Brady and Shon Hopkin, Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture, pg. 44.

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Alma 31:31-38


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.
36 Now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words, that he clapped his hands upon all them who were with him. And behold, as he clapped his hands upon them, they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
37 And after that they did separate themselves one from another, taking no thought for themselves what they should eat, or what they should drink, or what they should put on.
38 And the Lord provided 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. (Alma 31:31-38)

Alma’s prayer continues.

Alma asked the Lord to comfort his soul in Christ. He has promised comfort to those who serve him.

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

He asked for strength so he may suffer his afflictions with patience.

 “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).

“Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
“This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me” (Psalm 119:49-50).

He suffers these afflictions because of the sins of the Zoramites.

“Much of our suffering is not necessarily our fault. Unexpected events, contradicting or disappointing circumstances, interrupting illness, and even death surround us and penetrate our mortal experience. Additionally, we may suffer afflictions because of the actions of others.3 Lehi noted that Jacob had ‘suffered … much sorrow, because of the rudeness of [his] brethren.’ Opposition is part of Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. We all encounter enough to bring us to an awareness of our Father’s love and of our need for the Savior’s help.”[1]

After asking for comfort for himself, he prayed for success for himself and his “fellow laborers.” He asked for their souls to be comforted in Christ.

He also asked for them to be strengthened to bear their afflictions which they would be faced with the sins of the people.

“We then that are strong ought to bear [GR removed, endure, bear with] the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1).

He prayed the will have success to bring them again to Christ.

“For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile” (2 Nephi 26:33).

He knows all souls are precious to Him. “I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10).

“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (D&C 18:10).

He asked the Lord to grant them power and wisdom so they “may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee” (Alma 31:35)

“True undershepherds help others to partake of the bread of life and the living water through selfless service. They know that service solves the seeming paradox of the scriptures: one has to lose his or her life to find it. Service, wise undershepherds understand, is the golden key which unlocks the doors to celestial halls. For many, Christ is found through serving Him. With King Benjamin, inspired undershepherds proclaim, ‘When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.’ (Mosiah 2:17.) Armed with that understanding, they are ‘willing to mourn with those that mourn … and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and … stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places’ (Mosiah 18:9).”[2]

We see another example where the writers are referring to people who were here when Lehi’s party arrived. “There are statements in the Nephite record that positively inform us that ‘others’ were on the scene and further passages that hint at the same thing. One of these statements occurs during the visit by Alma and his seven companions to the Zoramites. ‘Now the Zoramites were dissenters from the Nephites’ (Alma 31:8). As Alma prayed about this group, he said, ‘O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren" (Alma 31:35). We may wonder about those whom they considered not their "brethren.’ Apparently he was speaking of those who were neither Nephites, Lamanites, nor ‘Mulekites.’ People in all those three categories are referred to in the text by Nephites as ‘brethren’ (see, for example, Mosiah 1:5 and 7:2, 13 and Alma 24:7–8).”[3]

Having said these words, Alma clapped his hands on all who were with him. As he did this, they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

They went their separate ways. They took “no thought for themselves what they should eat, or what they should drink, or what they should put on” (Alma 31:37).

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought [GR anxious concern] for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment…
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself” (Matthew 6:25, 34).

The Lord provided for their needs. They did not experience any afflictions.

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake [GR on account of me].
“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12).

As they served, they “were swallowed up in the of Christ. . Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith” (Alma 31:37-38).

“Life may get hard, confusing, painful, and discouraging. I bear you my witness that through the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ will cut through the confusion, the pain, and the darkness. Whether it comes in a remarkable burst or in a gentle flow, that glorious spiritual power will infuse healing love and comfort into the repentant, wounded soul; dispel darkness with the light of truth; and cast out discouragement with hope in Christ. We will see these blessings come, and we will know by the witness of the Spirit that it is the Lord Jesus Christ working in our lives. Our burdens truly will be ‘swallowed up in the joy of [our Redeemer].’”[4]


[1] The Atonement Covers All Pain, Elder Kent F. Richards, April 2011 General Conference.
[2] Nourish the Flock of Christ, Elder Alexander B. Morrison, April 1992 General Conference.
[3] When Lehi's Party Arrived in the Land, Did They Find Others There?, John L. Sorenson, Maxwell Institute website.
[4] Eyes to See and Ears to Hear, Elder Kim B. Clark, October 2015 General Conference.

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Alma 31:24-30


24 Now when Alma saw this his heart was grieved; for he saw that they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods.
25 Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride.
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. (Alma 31:24-30)

Alma was saddened by what he saw. The Zoramites were a wicked people. They desired precious metals and all types of fine goods. They were also a prideful people.

Jacob could have been speaking to the Zoramites. “And the hand of providence hath smiled upon you most pleasingly, that you have obtained many riches; and because some of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your brethren ye are lifted up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness of your apparel, and persecute your brethren because ye suppose that ye are better than they” (Jacob 2:13).

“For those who did not belong to their church did indulge themselves in sorceries, and in idolatry or idleness, and in babblings, and in envyings and strife; wearing costly apparel; being lifted up in the pride of their own eyes; persecuting, lying, thieving, robbing, committing whoredoms, and murdering, and all manner of wickedness; nevertheless, the law was put in force upon all those who did transgress it, inasmuch as it was possible” (Alma 1:32).

“In particular, [the Zoramites] rejected the redemption by the Messiah as naive and unnecessary (Alma 31:16—18, 29), for they considered themselves very advanced, very superior as they strutted amidst the almost comically exaggerated splendor of their Mesoamerican dress and architecture (Alma 31:25—27).”[1]

Seeing this, Alma cried to the Lord.

How long, he asked the Lord, would they have to dwell in the flesh and “behold such gross wickedness” (Alma 31:26). They cry to the Lord, but they are filled with pride. They pray words while being a puffed up and vain people.

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate [GR unfit, worthless]” (Titus 1:16).

We see the term costly apparel being a sign of apostacy. They are also adorned with jewelry made with precious things. While their hearts are set upon their precious worldly possessions, they pray,
thanking God they are his chosen people.

“In contrast to the equality of income and benefits among the righteous Nephites was the concentration of income among the wicked Lamanites and apostate Nephites. On his mission to the Zoramites, Alma was distressed to find among them a wealthy class whose hearts were upon their riches, their costly apparel, ringlets, and ornaments of gold. They tried to justify such ostentatious living by ascending their prayer tower to thank God for saving them, the chosen people, while all the others would perish (Alma 31:28). Earlier, Alma saw that inequality among the Zoramites and among the wicked in general was a result of sin and transgression (Alma 28:13).”[2]

They also claim God had told them there would be no Christ.

He asked God how long he would allow this wickedness to continue among the people.

Like, Moses, he felt he could not bear this alone. “I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me” (Numbers 11:14). He asked for strength to bear his infirmities.

“What amazes Alma is not the denial of Christ—everywhere Nephite intellectuals were teaching that—but the strange actions these people were up to, having departed from the ‘performances of the church’ (Alma 3l:10). The change had been abrupt and spectacular—Alma and his brethren were astonished by it ‘beyond measure’ (Alma 31:12, 19). The brethren were horribly depressed by what they found; they could hardly stand it (Alma 31:30—33).”[3]


[1] The Book of Mormon: Forty Years After, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute website.
[2] Economic Insights from the Book of Mormon, Lindon J. Robison, Maxwell Institute website.
[3] The Book of Mormon: Forty Years After, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute website.

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Alma 31:12-23


12 Now, when they had come into the land, behold, to their astonishment they found that the Zoramites had built synagogues, and that they did gather themselves together on one day of the week, which day they did call the day of the Lord; and they did worship after a manner which Alma and his brethren had never beheld;
13 For they had a place built up in the center of their synagogue, a place for standing, which was high above the head; and the top thereof would only admit one person.
14 Therefore, whosoever desired to worship must go forth and stand upon the top thereof, and stretch forth his hands towards heaven, and cry with a loud voice, saying:
15 Holy, holy God; we believe that thou art God, and we believe that thou art holy, and that thou wast a spirit, and that thou art a spirit, and that thou wilt be a spirit forever.
16 Holy God, we believe that thou hast separated us from our brethren; and we do not believe in the tradition of our brethren, which was handed down to them by the childishness of their fathers; but we believe that thou hast elected us to be thy holy children; and also thou hast made it known unto us that there shall be no Christ.
17 But thou art the same yesterday, today, and forever; and thou hast elected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around us are elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell; for the which holiness, O God, we thank thee; and we also thank thee that thou hast elected us, that we may not be led away after the foolish traditions of our brethren, which doth bind them down to a belief of Christ, which doth lead their hearts to wander far from thee, our God.
18 And again we thank thee, O God, that we are a chosen and a holy people. Amen.
19 Now it came to pass that after Alma and his brethren and his sons had heard these prayers, they were astonished beyond all measure.
20 For behold, every man did go forth and offer up these same prayers.
21 Now the place was called by them Rameumptom, which, being interpreted, is the holy stand.
22 Now, from this stand they did offer up, every man, the selfsame prayer unto God, thanking their God that they were chosen of him, and that he did not lead them away after the tradition of their brethren, and that their hearts were not stolen away to believe in things to come, which they knew nothing about.
23 Now, after the people had all offered up thanks after this manner, they returned to their homes, never speaking of their God again until they had assembled themselves together again to the holy stand, to offer up thanks after their manner.
24 Now when Alma saw this his heart was grieved; for he saw that they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods.
25 Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride.
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.

(Alma 31:12-31)

Alma and his party have arrived in Antionum. They were surprised to find they had built synagogues and met once a week, called the day of the Lord. They worshiped in a strange manner.

“By noticing the way the Zoramites established their new culture, we find more clues indicating that the Zoramites were a marginalized group seeking to establish a society where they were favored …  In forming their society, the Zoramites constructed distinctions that were built not on new ideals but on a foundation of anything anti-Nephite. In other words, their primary motivation seems to have centered on disallowing anything distinctively Nephite rather than on establishing something idealistic.

Even the Zoramites’ perversion of religious practices demonstrated an attempt to place themselves in a polarized position to the Nephites. This perversion was so thorough that Alma and his brethren were astonished upon seeing it. The observation that these people did ‘worship after a manner which Alma and his brethren had never beheld’ (Alma 31:12) indicates that the Zoramites did not simply elaborate on Mulekite practices or revive differing religious traditions they were aware of from the past. Instead they invented new practices, and most of this inventing seems to have been an attempt to do what would most distinguish them from the Nephites or establish themselves as different and thus ‘better’ than the Nephites.”[1]

In the center of their synagogue, their was a tall stand on which only one person could stand.

Anyone who wanted to worship had to go to the top of the stand and stretch his arms towards heaven before he began to pray in a loud voice. All could see and hear the prayer.

This goes against what Christ would teach during His ministry.

“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).
                           
This was their strange “prayer.”

“Holy, holy God; we believe that thou art God, and we believe that thou art holy, and that thou wast a spirit, and that thou art a spirit, and that thou wilt be a spirit forever.
“Holy God, we believe that thou hast separated us from our brethren; and we do not believe in the tradition of our brethren, which was handed down to them by the childishness of their fathers; but we believe that thou hast elected us to be thy holy children; and also thou hast made it known unto us that there shall be no Christ.
“But thou art the same yesterday, today, and forever; and thou hast elected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around us are elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell; for the which holiness, O God, we thank thee; and we also thank thee that thou hast elected us, that we may not be led away after the foolish traditions of our brethren, which doth bind them down to a belief of Christ, which doth lead their hearts to wander far from thee, our God.
“And again we thank thee, O God, that we are a chosen and a holy people. Amen.” (Alma 31:15-18).

“More than words of praising God, these are anti-Nephite sentiments uttered in the form of a prayer. The expressions center on the ‘foolish’ Nephites and claim that the Nephite traditions are corrupt, that the Nephite beliefs are childish, that the Zoramites rather than the Nephites are the chosen people, and that the Nephites will be cast down to hell. The people then thank their god for electing them over the Nephites.”[2]

“[A]fter Alma and his brethren and his sons had heard these prayers, they were astonished beyond all measure” (Alma 31:19).

Every man offered the same rote prayer.

They called their stand Rameumptom, meaning holy stand.

“Mormon provides a translation for the Rameumptom as a ‘holy stand’ (Alma 31:21). If the word was originally derived from Hebrew, the first part of the word Ram- would coincide with the Hebrew רמה (rāmâ), meaning ‘height, high place,’ with ramê- likely corresponding to the masculine plural construct form important feature of the Zoramite apostasy.”[3]

They thanked God they were His chosen people; that they didn’t believe in the traditions of the Nephites; they also didn’t believe they did not believe in things to come.

After they finished their “prayer,” they went home and never spoke about God and their “religion” until the next week.

James counseled us to be doer’s of the word.

“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness [GR overabundance of malice, trouble, evil], and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
“For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
“For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (James 1:21-25).


[1] The Zoramite Separation: A Sociological Perspective, Sherrie Mills Johnson, Maxwell Institute website.
[3] The Zoramites and Costly Apparel: Symbolism and Irony, Parrish Brady and Shon Hopkin, Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 22/1 (2013): Footnote 7, 51-52.

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Alma 31:8-11

8 Now the Zoramites were dissenters from the Nephites; therefore they had had the word of God preached unto them.
9 But they had fallen into great errors, for they would not observe to keep the commandments of God, and his statutes, according to the law of Moses.
10 Neither would they observe the performances of the church, to continue in prayer and supplication to God daily, that they might not enter into temptation.
11 Yea, in fine, they did pervert the ways of the Lord in very many instances; therefore, for this cause, Alma and his brethren went into the land to preach the word unto them. (Alma 31:8-11)

We learn the Zoramites were Nephite dissenters. They had the gospel preached to them and they rejected it.

Mormon has made it clear the fate of the dissenter. “And thus we can plainly discern, that after a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things” (Alma 24:30).

Were there people here when Lehi’s party arrived in the new world. There are indications in the Book of Mormon there were others here. “There are statements in the Nephite record that positively inform us that ‘others’ were on the scene and further passages that hint at the same thing. One of these statements occurs during the visit by Alma and his seven companions to the Zoramites. ‘Now the Zoramites were dissenters from the Nephites" (Alma 31:8). As Alma prayed about this group, he said, ‘O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren’ (Alma 31:35). We may wonder about those whom they considered not their ‘brethren.’ Apparently he was speaking of those who were neither Nephites, Lamanites, nor ‘Mulekites.’ People in all those three categories are referred to in the text by Nephites as "brethren" (see, for example, Mosiah 1:5 and 7:2, 13 and Alma 24:7–8).”[1]

“Throughout the Book of Mormon, there are from time to time massive migrations toward the north and east, the equivalent of the American frontier and the Western movement. These found extensive evidence of previous inhabitants in the land—not all of them Jaredites, though the Jaredites were swarming by the millions while Zarahemla flourished as a great city to the south. Though Zarahemla is the center of the action in the Book of Mormon, it was not a Nephite city at all, but one of the Mulekites’; and the Mulekites brought no records with them from Jerusalem—they were apparently more numerous and heterogenous than Lehi’s company.”[2]

They had apostatized from the true gospel. Paul faced this with the Galatians. “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel” (Galatians 1:6).

The Zoramites were people Lehi saw in the Tree of Life vision.

“And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost…
“And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost” (1 Nephi 8:23, 28).

Hugh Nibley observed, “I think we have also in the Zoramites a clear example of the contamination of Nephite religion by older cults that may have been found in the land or transplanted from the Old World. The Zoramites were dissenters from the Nephites (Alma 31:8). Under a charismatic leader they went off by themselves and started ‘perverting the ways of the Lord’ (Alma 31:1). These were no minor changes but ‘great errors,’ which effectively nullified ‘the commandments of God and his statutes according to the Law of Moses’ (Alma 31:9). Under the new system they would not ‘observe or keep them’ (Alma 31:9).”[3]

The ignored church ordinances. They did not pray daily, asking God to help them so they would not be led into temptation.

In many instances, they perverted the ways of the Lord. This is what caused Alma and his brethren to preach to the Zoramites.


[1] When Lehi's Party Arrived in the Land, Did They Find Others There, John L. Sorenson, Maxwell Institute website.
[2] The Book of Mormon: Forty Years After, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute website.

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Alma 31:1-7


Chapter 31

Alma heads a mission to reclaim the apostate Zoramites—The Zoramites deny Christ, believe in a false concept of election, and worship with set prayers—The missionaries are filled with the Holy Spirit—Their afflictions are swallowed up in the joy of Christ. About 74 B.C.

1 Now it came to pass that after the end of Korihor, Alma having received tidings that the Zoramites were perverting the ways of the Lord, and that Zoram, who was their leader, was leading the hearts of the people to bow down to dumb idols, his heart again began to sicken because of the iniquity of the people.
2 For it was the cause of great sorrow to Alma to know of iniquity among his people; therefore his heart was exceedingly sorrowful because of the separation of the Zoramites from the Nephites.
3 Now the Zoramites had gathered themselves together in a land which they called Antionum, which was east of the land of Zarahemla, which lay nearly bordering upon the seashore, which was south of the land of Jershon, which also bordered upon the wilderness south, which wilderness was full of the Lamanites.
4 Now the Nephites greatly feared that 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.
5 And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.
6 Therefore he took Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner; and Himni he did leave in the church in Zarahemla; but the former three he took with him, and also Amulek and Zeezrom, who were at Melek; and he also took two of his sons.
7 Now the eldest of his sons he took not with him, and his name was Helaman; but the names of those whom he took with him were Shiblon and Corianton; and these are the names of those who went with him among the Zoramites, to preach unto them the word. (Alma 31:1-7)

After dealing with Korihor, Alma learned the Zoramites were twisting the ways of the Lord. Their leader, Zoram, was responsible for this, leading them to bow before dumb idols.

“Thou shalt not bow down thyself to [a graven image], nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God [HEB qannah, “possessing sensitive and deep feelings”], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children [IE insofar as the children learn and do the sinful things the parents do; but see v. 6 concerning those who repent and serve the Lord. D&C 98:47 (46–47)] unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me” (Exodus 20:5).

“And again: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generations of them that hate me” (Mosiah 13:13).

Yea, wo unto those that worship idols, for the devil of all devils delighteth in them” (2 Nephi 9:37).

“Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image [OR pillar], neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 26:1).

“Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:4).

Alma was appalled at their wickedness.

“From the first mention of the Zoramite people, Mormon indicates that they displayed an adoring regard for tangible objects, possibly referring to the worship of items that they had created with their own hands. Mormon never overtly describes the nature of the ‘dumb idols’ purportedly being worshipped by the Zoramites.” [1]

Hugh Nibley observed, “I think we have also in the Zoramites a clear example of the contamination of Nephite religion by older cults that may have been found in the land or transplanted from the Old World. The Zoramites were dissenters from the Nephites (Alma 31:8). Under a charismatic leader they went off by themselves and started ‘perverting the ways of the Lord’ (Alma 31:1). These were no minor changes but ‘great errors,’ which effectively nullified ‘the commandments of God and his statutes according to the Law of Moses’ (Alma 31:9).”[2]

Alma experienced “great sorrow” because of the wickedness of his people.

Others in the Book of Mormon felt this sorrow as well. Sorrow for the wickedness of the Lamanites was responsible for the sons of Mosiah’s desire to preach to them. “Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble” (Mosiah 28:3).

During a prayer with the Nephites, the Savior expressed sorrow. “And it came to pass that when they had knelt upon the ground, Jesus groaned within himself, and said: Father, I am troubled because of the wickedness of the people of the house of Israel” (3 Nephi 17:14).

The Zoramites had settled in the land of Antionum, east of Zarahemla. They bordered a seashore south of the land of Jershon. It also bordered on wilderness which was populated by Lamanites.

The Nephites feared the Zoramites would form an alliance with the Lamanites.

Alma knew the effect of preaching the word.

“So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them” (Jonah 3:5),

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

“And there was nothing save it was exceeding harshness, preaching and prophesying of wars, and contentions, and destructions, and continually reminding them of death, and the duration of eternity, and the judgments and the power of God, and all these things—stirring them up continually to keep them in the fear of the Lord. I say there was nothing short of these things, and exceedingly great plainness of speech, would keep them from going down speedily to destruction” (Enos 1:23).

“And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them” (Alma 4:19).

“For the word of God is quick [GR living], and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).[3]

“For because of the word which he has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God” (Alma 36:26).

It tended to lead the people to do what is right. It was more effective than the sword or anything else which had been tried. Alma felt they should try preaching them in the hopes they will find success.

“The word of God is the doctrine taught by Jesus Christ and by His prophets. Alma knew that words of doctrine had great power. They can open the minds of people to see spiritual things not visible to the natural eye. And they can open the heart to feelings of the love of God and a love for truth.”[4]

“It is more apparent to me now than ever that, as Alma of old declared, the word of the Lord and the preaching of his word has a greater tendency to lead the people to do that which is just. It has a more powerful effect than even the sword or anything else. (See Alma 31:5.) This I have seen in the lives of those choice missionaries that I have had the privilege the past almost-three years to serve with—additional sons and daughters added to our family circle, sons and daughters that Sister Cutler and I love with all our hearts. I have seen that miracle happen over and over again as the word of the Lord is taught to his children and those of his flock who hear his voice and have a change of heart and come unto him.”[5]

Alma took Ammon, Aaron, and Omner. Himni was left behind to watch over the church in Zarahemla. He also took Amulek and Zeezrom.

In addition, he took his younger sons, Shiblon and Corianton. He left his son, Helaman, behind, “apparently to manage domestic and ecclesiastic affairs in Alma’s absence.”[6]


[1] The Zoramites and Costly Apparel: Symbolism and Irony, Parrish Brady and Shon Hopkin, Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 22/1 (2013): 42.
[2] The Book of Mormon: Forty Years After, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute.
[3]“For the word of God is quick [GR living], and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of body and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (JST Hebrews 4:12).
[4] The Power of Teaching Doctrine, President Henry B. Eyring, April 1999 General Conference.
[5] The Greatest Joy, Elder Clinton L. Cutler, April 1990 General Conference.
[6] Helaman2, Paul R. Cheesman, Maxwell Institute website.

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Alma 30:49-60


49 Now Alma said unto him: This will I give unto thee for a sign, that thou 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.
50 Now when Alma had said these words, Korihor was struck dumb, that he could not have utterance, according to the words of Alma.
51 And now when the chief judge saw this, he put forth his hand and wrote unto Korihor, saying: Art thou convinced of the power of God? In whom did ye desire that Alma should show forth his sign? Would ye that he should afflict others, to show unto thee a sign? Behold, he has showed unto you a sign; and now will ye dispute more?
52 And Korihor put forth his hand and wrote, saying: 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.
53 But behold, the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God. And he said unto me: There is no God; yea, and he taught me that which I should say. And I have taught his words; and I taught them because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind; and I taught them, even until I had much success, insomuch that I verily believed that they were true; and for this cause I withstood the truth, even until I have brought this great curse upon me.
54 Now when he had said this, he besought that Alma should pray unto God, that the curse might be taken from him.
55 But Alma said unto him: If this curse should be taken from thee thou wouldst again lead away the hearts of this people; therefore, it shall be unto thee even as the Lord will.
56 And it came to pass that the curse was not taken off of Korihor; but he was cast out, and went about from house to house begging for his food.
57 Now the knowledge of what had happened unto Korihor was immediately published throughout all the land; yea, the proclamation was sent forth by the chief judge to all the people in the land, declaring unto those who had believed in the words of Korihor that they must speedily repent, lest the same judgments would come unto them.
58 And it came to pass that they were all convinced of the wickedness of Korihor; therefore they were all converted again unto the Lord; and this put an end to the iniquity after the manner of Korihor. And Korihor did go about from house to house, begging food for his support.
59 And it came to pass that as he went forth among the people, yea, among a people who had separated themselves from the Nephites and called themselves Zoramites, being led by a man whose name was Zoram—and as he went forth amongst them, behold, he was run upon and trodden down, even until he was dead.
60 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.
(Alma 30:49-60)

Korihor demanded Alma give him a sign that God exists. We see a classic example of be careful what you wish for. You might get it.

Alma agreed to give him his sign. Calling upon the name of God, Alma told him he would be struck dumb and would no longer be able to speak.

No sooner had Alma said these things, Korihor was struck dumb.

Seeing he had been struck dumb, the chief judge wrote Korihor. “Art thou convinced of the power of God? In whom did ye desire that Alma should show forth his sign? Would ye that he should afflict others, to show unto thee a sign? Behold, he has showed unto you a sign; and now will ye dispute more” (Alma 30:51).

Korihor responded in writing. He agreed he was dumb. He confessed nothing but the power of God could have done this. He then tells the chief judge he always knew there was a God.

The devil deceived him. Sherem made the same claim to Jacob. “And he spake plainly unto them, that he had been deceived by the power of the devil. And he spake of hell, and of eternity, and of eternal punishment” (Jacob 7:18).

He appeared to him in the form of an angel. “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). He told him to reclaim the people. They are following an unknown God.

He also told him there is no God and taught him what to say. “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts” (Psalm 10:4).

It seems strange he would accept the claim there is no God, taught to him by an “angel.” Where did he think the “angel” came from?

He taught the people the things the “angel” told him to teach them. He appealed to their carnal mind. “For to be carnally minded is death” (Romans 8:6).

“But remember that he that persists in his own carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God, remaineth in his fallen state and the devil hath all power over him. Therefore he is as though there was no redemption made, being an enemy to God; and also is the devil an enemy to God” (Mosiah 16:5).

“For although a man may have many revelations, and have power to do many mighty works, yet if he boasts in his own strength, and sets at naught the counsels of God, and follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God upon him”
(D&C 3:4).

until I had much success, insomuch that I verily believed that they were true; and for this cause I withstood the truth, even until I have brought this great curse upon me.

He claimed the more successful he was with the people, he even began to believe his own words. He confessed he brought this curse upon himself.

“Prophets through the ages have always come under attack by the finger of scorn. Why? According to the scriptures, it is because ‘the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center’ (1 Nephi 16:2), or as President Harold B. Lee observed, ‘The hit bird flutters!’ Their scornful reaction is, in reality, guilt trying to reassure itself, just as with Korihor, who finally admitted, ‘I always knew that there was a God’ (Alma 30:52). Korihor was so convincing in his deception that he came to believe his own lie (see Alma 30:53).”[1]

Having written this “confession,” he asked Alma to pray and ask God the curse be lifted. Alma knew better. He told him should the curse be lifted, he would continue to attempt to lead the people away from gospel truth. The curse would not be lifted. He was cast out and ended up begging for his food.

The story of Korihor’s fate spread throughout the land. The chief judge sent a proclamation among the people telling those who believed Korihor, they just repent or face the same judgements.

The people rejected Korihor’s teachings and returned to the true gospel. This ended the sin caused by Korihor.

Korihor travelled throughout the land. He ended up among the Zoramites, a Nephite separatist group. Eventually, “he was run upon and trodden down, even until he was dead” (Alma 30:59).

“When Korihor by his vicious and subversive teachings sinned grievously against God, Alma left it entirely up to God to punish him, and it was not the Nephites but the wicked and intolerant Zoramites who put him to death by mob action (Alma 30:59).”[2]

“For they love darkness rather than light, and their deeds are evil, and they receive their wages of whom they list to obey” (D&C 29:45).

“Therefore, if a man bringeth forth good works he hearkeneth unto the voice of the good shepherd, and he doth follow him; but whosoever bringeth forth evil works, the same becometh a child of the devil, for he hearkeneth unto his voice, and doth follow him.
“And whosoever doeth this must receive his wages of him; therefore, for his wages he receiveth death, as to things pertaining unto righteousness, being dead unto all good works” (Alma 5:41-42).

Mormon concludes, “[a]nd 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” (Alma 30:60).

“Notably, at the last day the adversary ‘will not support’ those who followed him anyway (see Alma 30:60). He cannot. Jesus will triumph majestically, and the adversary’s clever constructs, ‘pleasing to the carnal mind,’ will also collapse, and ‘the fall thereof will be exceedingly great’ (see Alma 30:53; 1 Ne. 11:36). Even now, one can see in the lives of those prodigals who come to themselves the devil’s doctrines dripping in early meltdown (see Luke 15:17). Many, having experienced the utter emptiness of the lower ways, are ‘in a preparation to hear the word’ and now await being informed of the rescuing revelations and translations (see Alma 32:6).”[3]


[1] Which Way Do You Face, Elder Lynn G. Robbins, October 2014 General Conference.
[2] Chapter 12: Good People and Bad People, Since Cumorah, Hugh Nibley, Maxwell Institute website.
[3] How Choice a Seer, Elder Neal A. Maxwell, 2003 General Conference.