Alma 30:30-38

30 And it came to pass that when he was brought before Alma and the chief judge, he did go on in the same manner as he did in the land of Gideon; yea, he went on to blaspheme.

31 And he did rise up in great swelling words before Alma, and did revile 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.

32 Now Alma said unto him: 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, notwithstanding my many travels round about the land to declare the word of God unto my people.

33 And notwithstanding the many labors which I have performed in the church, I have never received so much as even one senine for my labor; neither has any of my brethren, save it were in the judgment-seat; and then we have received only according to law for our time.

34 And now, if we do not receive anything for our labors in the church, what doth it profit us to labor in the church save it were to declare the truth, that we may have rejoicings in the joy of our brethren?

35 Then why sayest thou that we preach unto this people to get gain, when thou, of thyself, knowest that we receive no gain? And now, believest thou that we deceive this people, that causes such joy in their hearts?

36 And Korihor answered him, Yea.

37 And then Alma said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God?

38 And he answered, Nay. (Alma 30:30-38)

And it came to pass that when he was brought before Alma and the chief judge, he did go on in the same manner as he did in the land of Gideon; yea, he went on to blaspheme.

After facing local high priests and judges in the land of Gideon, Korihor was sent and brought before Alma and the chief judge. He continued to teach his false precepts.

He began to revile against Alma, the priests, and the teachers.

“For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth” (Psalm 10:3).

“Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain” (Proverbs 25:14).

“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1).

He accused them of leading the people to follow the silly traditions of their fathers. Their only desire was to have the people continue to provide for them.

Alma told him he knows the people do not support the religious leaders. “And [Alma₁] also commanded them that the priests whom he had ordained should labor with their own hands for their support” (Mosiah 18:24).

“For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee” (Psalm 128:2).

Alma reminded him, in spite of his service as High Priest, he had provided for his own needs.

None of the others received payment for their efforts in behalf of the church. The only compensation anyone receives is for their service in the judgment-seat, according to Nephite law.

Receiving no compensation, why do those who serve to so? They do so they “may have rejoicings in the joy of our brethren” (Alma 30:34). “And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation” (Psalm 35:9).

“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).”[1]

Why, Alma asked, does he accuse them of being supported by the people when he knows they receive nothing for their service in the church? Does he actually believe they are deceiving the people? If so, why do they have joy in their hearts?

“Ye shall know [GR recognize, detect] them by their fruits…

“[E]very 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” (Matthew 7:16-18).

Korihor responded he believed they did deceive the people.

Alma asked him if he believed there was a God? Korihor said he did not believe there was a God.

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[1] Economic Insights from the Book of Mormon, Lindon J. Robison, Maxwell Institute website.