The commandments of
Alma to his son Corianton.
Comprising
chapters 39 through 42.
Chapter 39
Sexual sin is an
abomination—Corianton’s sins kept the Zoramites from receiving the
word—Christ’s redemption is retroactive in saving the faithful who preceded it.
About 74 B.C.
1 And now, my son, I
have somewhat more to say unto thee than what I said unto thy brother; for
behold, have ye not observed the steadiness of thy brother, his faithfulness,
and his diligence in keeping the commandments of God? Behold, has he not set a
good example for thee?
2 For thou didst not
give so much heed unto my words as did thy brother, among the people of the
Zoramites. Now this is what I have against thee; thou didst go on unto boasting
in thy strength and thy wisdom.
3 And this is not all,
my son. Thou didst do that which was grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake
the ministry, and did go over into the land of Siron among the borders of the
Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel.
4 Yea, she did steal
away the hearts of many; but this was no excuse for thee, my son. Thou shouldst
have tended to the ministry wherewith thou wast entrusted.
5 Know ye not, my son,
that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most
abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying
the Holy Ghost?
6 For behold, if ye
deny the Holy Ghost when it once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny
it, behold, this is a sin which is unpardonable; yea, and whosoever murdereth
against the light and knowledge of God, it is not easy for him to obtain
forgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my son, that it is not easy for him to obtain
a forgiveness. (Alma 39:1-6)
Alma now speaks to his son, Corianton.
He has more to say to him than he did his brother. He asked
him if he had “ye not observed the steadiness of thy brother, his faithfulness,
and his diligence in keeping the commandments of God” (Alma 39:1).
This implies he was referring to Shiblon. Why did Alma not
include Helaman in his comments. We have seen Helaman was not taken along on
the mission to the Zoramites. We learn Alma offered the plates to the chief
judge, Nephihah, before giving Helaman the plates (Alma 50:38).
Here we see another implication that, at this time, Helaman had
not been as dedicated to the work as had Shiblon.
Unlike Shiblon, who was humble, and desired to serve the
Lord, Corianton “didst go on unto boasting in [his]strength and [his] wisdom”
(Alma 39:2).
But, he caused Alma’s missionary efforts real problems.
While preaching to the Zoramites, he left and visited the “harlot Isabel.” This
caused real problems for the missionary effort.
“For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and
her mouth is smoother than oil:
“But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged
sword.
“Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell” (Proverbs
5:3-5).
There may be more to Alma’s concern than just Corianton’s sexual
sin.
Hugh Nibley suggest “the Isabel of Alma 39:3-4, rather than
being a simple prostitute, was a priestess. Nibley observes that ‘Isabel [is]
the name of the Patroness of Harlots in the religion of the Phoenicians,’ that
she had many followers, and that, to go to her, Corianton had to ‘forsake the
ministry, and .. , go over into the land of Siron among the borders of the
Lamanites’ (Alma 39:3). Corianton’s participation there is described as ‘an
abomination’ (Alma 39:5), precisely the same term that the Old World prophets
used to denounce the Canaanite practices. which often included ritual
prostitution and human sacrifice. It is reasonable to assume that some forms of
goddess worship were being practiced. Daniel Peterson’s suggestion that the
name Isabel corresponds to the name of Jezebel in I Kings may also be
significant here, because of the ties between Jezebel and some of these same
practices … [F]or whatever reason, Alma took a dim view of the particular form
of expression popular in Siron at the time.”[1]
Many went to her, but this was not an acceptable excuse for
his actions. He should have concentrated his efforts to fulfilling his
ministry.
He reminded him in the sight of the Lord, the seriousness of
this sin is the third most serious sin, only behind denial of the Holy Ghost
and murder.
“When it comes to morality, some adults believe that
adherence to a single, overriding humanitarian project or principle nullifies
the need to comply with the Savior’s teachings. They say to themselves that
sexual misconduct is ‘a small thing … [if I am] a kind and charitable person.’ Such
thinking is a gross self-deception. Some young people inform me that in our
current culture it is not ‘cool’ to try too hard in many areas, including
living strictly in accordance with righteous principles. Please do not fall
into this trap.”[2]
Alma warns him about the consequences of denying the Holy
Ghost, telling him it is the unpardonable sin.
“Concerning whom I have said there is no forgiveness in this
world nor in the world to come—
“Having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and
having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto
themselves and put him to an open shame” (D&C 76:34-35).
“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy
shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not
be forgiven unto men” (Matthew 12:31).[3]
[1] Nephite
Feminism Revisited: Thoughts on Carol Lynn Pearson’s View of Women in the Book
of Mormon, Kevin and Shauna Christensen, FARMS Review of Books 10/2 (1998): 33.
[3] “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and
blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men who receive me and repent; but the
blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men” (JST Matthew
12:31).
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