Alma 30:19-28

19  Now this man went over to the land of Jershon also, to preach these things among the people of Ammon, who were once the people of the Lamanites.

20  But behold they were more wise than many of the Nephites; for they took him, and bound him, and carried him before Ammon, who was a high priest over that people.

21  And it came to pass that he caused that he should be carried out of the land.  And he came over into the land of Gideon, and began to preach unto them also; and here he did not have much success, for he was taken and bound and carried before the high priest, and also the chief judge over the land.

Alma 30:19-21 (Emphasis mine)

After his success among the Nephites, he went to preach to the Ammonites.  They saw through him and his teachings and took him before Ammon, the high priest.  He decided to kick him out of the land of Jershon.

Having failed among the Ammonites, he went to the land of Gideon.  This where Alma(2) had successfully established a church there about ten years earlier.  They were still faithful and committed to the gospel taught them by Alma(2).  They rejected Korihor and took him before the high priest and the chief judge.

22  And it came to pass that the high priest said unto him: Why 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?

23  Now the high priest's name was Giddonah.  And Korihor said unto him: Because I do not teach the foolish traditions of your fathers, and because I do not teach this people to bind themselves down under the foolish ordinances and performances which are laid down by ancient priests, to usurp power and authority over them, to keep them in ignorance, that they may not lift up their heads, but be brought down according to thy words.

24  Ye say that this people is a free people.  Behold, I say they are in bondage.  Ye say that those ancient prophecies are true.  Behold, I say that ye do not know that they are true.

25  Ye say that this people is a guilty and a fallen people, because of the transgression of a parent.  Behold, I say that a child is not guilty because of its parents.

26  And ye also say that Christ shall come.  But behold, I say that ye do not know that there shall be a Christ.  And ye say also that he shall be slain for the sins of the world—

27  And thus ye lead away this people after the foolish traditions of your fathers, and according to your own desires; and ye keep them down, even as it were in bondage, that ye may glut yourselves with the labors of their hands, that they durst not look up with boldness, and that they durst not enjoy their rights and privileges.

28  Yea, they durst not make use of that which is their own lest they should offend their priests, who do yoke them according to their desires, and have brought them to believe, by their traditions and their dreams and their whims and their visions and their pretended mysteries, that they should, if they did not do according to their words, offend some unknown being, who they say is God—a being who never has been seen or known, who never was nor ever will be.

Alma 30:22-28 (Emphasis mine)

The high priest challenges Korihor.  Why are your perverting the ways of the Lord?   Why do you teach there is no Christ?  Why do you speak against the prophets and their prophecies?

Korihor comes up with a laundry list of complaints.

The problem is I don’t teach the foolish traditions of your fathers.

I don’t teach the people to bind themselves under foolish ordinances.

The people are in bondage.

You don’t know the prophecies are true.

You don’t know that there shall be a Christ.

You keep the people down to glut yourselves with their labor.

The people are afraid of offending the priests.

This is quite a list.  And it would mean something if it were true.

Richard Rust puts Korihor’s efforts in proper perspective.

“With ‘great swelling words’ (Alma 30:31), Korihor depends on the power of rhetoric and word choice (diction) to cow the church leaders and win over the people. When Giddonah, the high priest of Gideon, asks him why he speaks ‘against all the prophecies of the holy prophets(Alma 30:22), Korihor says first it is because of what he does not do: ‘Because I do not teach the foolish traditions of your fathers, and because I do not teach this people to bind themselves down under the foolish ordinances and performances which are laid down by ancient priests, to usurp power and authority over them, to keep them in ignorance, that they may not lift up their heads, but be brought down according to thy words’ (Alma 30:23).

“Then he sets up the argument that it is the priest's word against his word. Sarcastically, he uses loaded language that puts down the position of the priests and makes them seem to be the oppressors of the people.” [1] (Emphasis mine)

Hugh Nibley adds:

“Korihor was out to free the human mind from ‘foolish traditions of your fathers’ and from the ‘foolish ordinances and performances which are laid down by ancient priests, to usurp power and authority over them, to keep them in ignorance’ (Alma 30:23). His method was to subject all the claims of prophetic religion to a rigorous examination based on his own experience of things: ‘I say that ye do not know that there shall be a Christ’ (Alma 30:26). The motive for this rule of ignorance, he says, is to keep people down, so that their leaders ‘may glut yourselves with the labors of [the people's] hands . . . and that they durst not enjoy their rights and privileges. Yea, they durst not make use of that which is their own,’ being kept in line by the priests with ‘their traditions and their dreams and their whims and their visions and their pretended mysteries, that they should, if they did not do according to their words, offend some unknown being . . . a being who never has been seen or known, who never was nor ever will be" (Alma 30:27—28).’ [2] (Emphasis mine)

---

[1] "To Show unto the Remnant of the House of Israel" - Narrators and Narratives, Richard Dilworth Rust, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 16, 2011.

[2] The Way of the "Intellectuals", Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 16, 2011.

Mosiah 11:16-25

16  And it came to pass that the Lamanites began to come in upon his people, upon small numbers, and to slay them in their fields, and while they were tending their flocks.
17  And king Noah sent guards round about the land to keep them off; but he did not send a sufficient number, and the Lamanites came upon them and killed them, and drove many of their flocks out of the land; thus the Lamanites began to destroy them, and to exercise their hatred upon them.
18  And it came to pass that king Noah sent his armies against them, and they were driven back, or they drove them back for a time; therefore, they returned rejoicing in their spoil.
19  And now, because of this great victory they were lifted up in the pride of their hearts; they did boast in their own strength, saying that their fifty could stand against thousands of the Lamanites; and thus they did boast, and did delight in blood, and the shedding of the blood of their brethren, and this because of the wickedness of their king and priests.

Mosiah 11:16-19 (Emphasis mine)

The Lamanites, having lost in battle in the past, still wanted the land.  They sent an army, fought and won a temporary victory because Noah, no doubt in his arrogance, felt his armies could not be beat.  

When they were, he sent more troops and was able to win a victory.  Compare Zeniff's response to Noah's.  Zeniff acknowledged the hand of the Lord in his victory.  He was humble in his victory.  There were no celebrations.

Noah, on the other hand, boasted in his strength.  They couldn't be beat.  It didn't matter how large an army was sent against his, his army would prevail.  

Arrogance is a dangerous sin.  As we turn from the Lord, and start boasting about our success, we lose the Spirit.  We lose our guidance; we stand a serious chance of losing eternity.  We need to remember that the Spirit is our anchor and compass.  It helps us receive inspiration and guidance in our lives.  When we have great challenges, the Lord will guide us and help  us through.  This doesn't mean we will always succeed; it doesn't mean we will have things easy.  It just means we will ultimately benefit from the challenges in life.  We will become stronger and more faithful servants of the Lord by turning from arrogance.

The scriptures warn us about arrogance and boasting in our arrogance.

2  The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
3  For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
4  The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

Psalms 10:2-4 (Emphasis mine)

16  ¶ These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Proverbs 6:16-19 (Emphasis mine)

18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19  Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Proverbs 16:18-19 (Emphasis mine)

14  Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

Proverbs 25:14 (Emphasis mine)

12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Matthew 23:12 (Emphasis mine)

16  But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
17  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

James 4:16-17 (Emphasis mine)

In the October 2006 General Conference, Bishop Richard C. Edgely said:

"Sadly, some of the greatest missing values in today’s world are honesty and integrity. In the past few years an increasing number of business leaders have been exposed for dishonesty and other forms of bad behavior. As a result, tens of thousands of loyal, long-term employees have lost their livelihoods and pensions. For some this has resulted in loss of homes, change of education and other life plans. We read and hear of widespread cheating in our schools, with more concern about receiving a grade or degree than learning and preparation. We hear of students who have cheated their way through medical school and are now performing complicated procedures on their patients. The elderly and others are victims of scam artists, often resulting in the loss of homes or life savings. Always this dishonesty and lack of integrity are based on greed, arrogance, and disrespect."  (Emphasis mine)

In the April 2005 General Conference, Elder Neil  L. Andersen related the following story.

He was smiling at me.  His eyes and disarming smile gave me the impression that he was harmless, so I quickly left him and started to move toward the table. The suspect was now behind me. At that instant, I had the distinct, powerful impression come into my mind: "Beware of the evil behind the smiling eyes." I immediately turned back toward the suspect. His hand was in his large front pocket. Instinctively I grabbed his hand and pulled it from his pocket. Only then did I see, clutched in his hand, the semiautomatic pistol ready to fire. A flurry of activity followed, and I disarmed the man. Later, in another case, the drug dealer was convicted of murder and boasted that he would have also killed my friend had he not turned around at that very moment.' I have often thought of the communication that came into his mind: 'Beware of the evil behind the smiling eyes.' ”  (Emphasis mine) 

20  And it came to pass that there was a man among them whose name was Abinadi; [about 150 B.C.] and he went forth among them, and began to prophesy, saying: Behold, thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me, saying, Go forth, and say unto this people, thus saith the Lord—Wo be unto this people, for I have seen their abominations, and their wickedness, and their whoredoms; and except they repent I will visit them in mine anger.
21  And except they repent and turn to the Lord their God, behold, I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies; yea, and they shall be brought into bondage; and they shall be afflicted by the hand of their enemies.
22  And it shall come to pass that they shall know that I am the Lord their God, and am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of my people.
23  And it shall come to pass that except this people repent and turn unto the Lord their God, they shall be brought into bondage; and none shall deliver them, except it be the Lord the Almighty God.
24  Yea, and it shall come to pass that when they shall cry unto me I will be slow to hear their cries; yea, and I will suffer them that they be smitten by their enemies.
25  And except they repent in sackcloth and ashes, and cry mightily to the Lord their God, I will not hear their prayers, neither will I deliver them out of their afflictions; and thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me.

Mosiah 11:20-25 (Emphasis mine)

The people are wicked; they have turned from the Lord.  Another principle Mormon wants us to know and understand is that the Lord will punish us for our sins; however, he will warn us of the consequences of not repenting and returning to him.  Mormon now introduces Abinadi.  He has been called of the Lord to preach to the people and call them to repentance.  Abinadi preaches to the people telling them:

• They are wicked and have turned from the Lord.
• They must repent.
• If they don't repent, the Lamanites will defeat them in war and take them into bondage.
• If they are taken into bondage, and then return to Him, He will be slow to hear them.
• He tells them that these are the words he was commanded to tell them.

As we will see, this is a pattern most Nephite prophets will follow in the future.  

The Lord is a loving Father.  He cares for His children.  A loving and caring Father, at times, has to discipline His children.  The severity of the discipline depends on what the child did.  The Nephites have become undisciplined, disobedient children.  They are warned that, if they don't get their act together, there will be more serious consequence.  We will learn that, because of their arrogance and boasting, they will suffer more severe punishments. 

 

Alma 39:1-11

After I finished discussing Alma 42, I thought it would be nice to look at the entire epistle of Alma(2) to his son.  So, starting with this post, I'll look at Alma 39-41.

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?

Alma 39:1-5 (Emphasis mine)

As I discussed in previous posts, Corianton "didst forsake the ministry" (v3) and consorted with a Lamanite harlot.  His actions were detrimental to the missionary efforts to the Zoramites. This is why Alma(2) had much more to say to Corianton than he did his other sons.

Corianton was a proud and arrogant man.  He "didst go on unto boasting in [his] strength and [his] wisdom." (v2)  Alma(2) felt his word had to leave no doubt in Corianton's mind the seriousness of his offenses.  This is obvious in Alma(2)'s harsh  words.

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.
7  And now, my son, I would to God that ye had not been guilty of so great a crime.  I would not dwell upon your crimes, to harrow up your soul, if it were not for your good.
8  But behold, ye cannot hide your crimes from God; and except ye repent they will stand as a testimony against you at the last day.

Alma 39:6-8 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) wanted Corianton to understand just how serious his offense was.  He did this by letting him know that his sins were almost as serious as knowingly denying the Holy Ghost (the unpardonable sin) or murder.  Why does he do this?  He did this to "cultivate" a sense of sorrow and regret for his own good.

I really like verse 8 - "...ye cannot hide your crimes from God ... they will stand as a testimony  against you ..."  Alma(2) likens sin to crimes.  This lets Corianton (and us as well) know just how serious God views sin.  Crimes is a far stronger word than sin.  Crimes emphasizes the true seriousness of sin in the eyes  of God.

It is also just that our own actions will "stand as a testimony against" us when the day comes we stand for Christ.  Our actions are the only things will will  testify  against.  No one else is to blame but ourselves.

9  Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.  Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things.
10  And I command you to take it upon you to counsel with your elder brothers in your undertakings; for behold, thou art in thy youth, and ye stand in need to be nourished by your brothers.  And give heed to their counsel.
11  Suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain or foolish thing; suffer not the devil to lead away your heart again after those wicked harlots.   Behold, O my son, how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites; for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words.

Alma 39:9-11 (Emphasis mine)

I had not noticed the words "cross yourself in all things" in previous readings.  I had no idea what Alma(2) meant by this phrase.  As I looked at footnotes, I found an explanation.  The footnote for the second reference that Corinaton should "cross [himself] in all things..." I found the following scriptural reference:

30  For it is better that ye should deny yourselves of these things, wherein ye will take up your cross, than that ye should be cast into hell.

3 Nephi 12:30 (Emphasis mine)

There was a footnote for "cross"  in verse 30.  Here we have even further clarifications.

38  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Matthew 10:38 (Emphasis mine)

24  ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

Matthew 16:24 (See also Luke 9:23) (Emphasis mine)

27  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:27 (Emphasis mine)

18  But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever.

2 Nephi 9:18 (see January 18, 2011 post) (Emphasis mine)

So we see that Alma(2) was telling his son to repent of his sins and to overcome the challenges of the world by following Christ.  Through the atonement, Christ suffered for all sins that had been committed and would be committed in the future.  We are expected to overcome our own sins by following Christ and repenting of our sins. 

He also told him to talk to his older brothers.  (It seems Corianton was probably that annoying younger brother at times!)  I like how Alma(2) said that he needed to be "nourished" (v10) by his brothers.  He obviously needed the spiritual and personal maturity Helman and Shiblon would offer him.  We should remember that the Lord has blessed and surrounded us with people who can give us "nourishment" we need as we travel along the path of life.  We can all benefit from these people.  I 've been blessed to have a brother I can turn to in my times of need.  He's helped me when I've had to make major life decisions as well as times when there have been challenges in my life.  Not only do I love him as a brother, I consider him my best friend.  I fully understand why Alma(2) advised his son to turn to his brothers. 

Corianton needed to understand that there were significant consequences above and beyond what he would face because of his sins.  His sins significantly hampered the work of the Lord among the Zoramites.  If his son didn't accept his words, why should they?  He had to understand the full and complete consequences of his sins.

I'm grateful Mormon elected to include the actual epistles instead of summarizing them.  Alma(2)'s words are every bit as important to us today as they were when he wrote them to Corianton.