Have you ever wished to be more than you are? Have you ever
been frustrated at how weak and limited you are in accomplishing good
goals and desires? That’s how Alma feels, and he wishes to be a mighty
angel from heaven to preach repentance to the earth with a voice of thunder:
1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.
I
don’t know that I fully understand all the lessons I should be learning from
Alma here, but I think the big one is that God gives us and makes us enough to accomplish what He wants us to
accomplish. So on one hand I can’t use
my personal limitations as an excuse to not do good. And on the other hand, I
shouldn’t pine away for different circumstances, abilities, or responsibilities
than what God has given me. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts about what
this chapter means.
New
trouble comes to town—an “anti-Christ” named Korihor. He travels around the
Nephites and the People of Ammon preaching there is no God, no Christ, and no
consequence for sin so people should do whatever they want (vs. 13-18). People
like to be told they can do whatever they want, so Korihor is successful in
getting many to follow and support him.
The
People of Ammon are the smartest. They don’t listen to Korihor, and take him to
speak to the high priest of the church and the chief judge of the city.
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?
I
like the line, “why do ye teach this people that there shall be no Christ, to
interrupt their rejoicings?” That’s what I want to ask people who dedicate
their lives and precious time to tearing down faith—to tearing down something I
love that brings me joy?
Korihor
responds with a tirade of ridiculous and inaccurate accusations, full of
arrogance, pride, and disrespect toward God. These leaders don't know what to do with him, so they send Korihor to Zarahemla to talk to the head honchos: the chief judge over all the land, and Alma,
the head of all the church. Korihor continues to make nonsensical accusations against the church. For
example, he accuses Alma and the other church leaders of “glutting on the
labors of the people (v31)” or preaching for the sake of getting rich. Alma
reminds him that none of the brethren are paid for their service in the
church, so that argument doesn't make sense.
Alma counter-argues Korihor’s challenge of “what evidence do
you have that there is a God,” with this great insight:
40 And now what evidence have ye that there is no God, or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only.41 But, behold, I have all things as a testimony that these things are true;
43 And now Korihor said unto Alma: 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.
44 But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.
The question of the day is—Are you like Korihor? Do you require a “sign” from heaven
to believe that God exists? Or will you accept the signs, witnesses, and
evidences all around you that there is a God?
Korihor
pushes Alma for a sign, and Alma says the only sign he will get is to be struck deaf and dumb. Korihor continues pushing, and finally God
grants the sign—and Korihor is struck deaf and dumb. At this point he confesses
he really believes in God, and asks Alma to remove the curse.
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.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.
