Alma 30

(Below is a list of questions and quotes that help me think about each verse as I read it. The numbers represent the verses in the chapter.)

Satan uses false doctrines to entice you to commit sin. All things testify of God. The devil will not support his children [his followers] at the last day.

5. What gift of the spirit did the people of Nephi enjoy at this time in their history?

6,12. What word is used to describe this man, Korihor? What is an antichrist? Was it legal for Korihor to express his beliefs? Is it legal for people to oppose the teachings of Jesus Christ today? What then, if anything, can you do to stop the work of wickedness in the world?

"An anti-Christ is an opponent of Christ; he is one who is in opposition to the true gospel, the true church, and the true plan of salvation. He is one who offer salvation two men on some other terms then those lay down by Christ.… Many deceivers are entered into the world, who confessed not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." – Bruce are McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 39-40

TEACHINGS OF KORIHOR THE ANTI-CHRIST

13-14. It is impossible to know about things that will happen in the future, so you should not believe in Christ or follow the words of people who say they are prophets. How does this false belief create an intolerance for any opposition to Korihor's beliefs?

15. You cannot know something is true unless you see it. Therefore, you cannot know that there will be a Christ. How does relying on a strictly rational or scientific approach to problems or questions limit an individual in their understanding and spiritual growth?

16. Forgiveness of sin is a crazy idea that comes from false traditions. How does this belief make it hard to trust others and God himself?

17. People prosper by their own efforts alone. There is no such thing as an atonement. How do these beliefs increase reliance upon material wealth rather than God? 

17. There is no such thing as sin. There is no universal standard of what is right or wrong. How do these beliefs encourage the growth of a laissez-faire (A man will prosper according to his own strength or knowledge and whatever a man does is no crime) way of thinking? How does such an idea cause a people, even a society, to shed their old inhibitions and call for a "new morality"? How detrimental is it to the spiritual health and well-being of mankind to abandon laws of morality? 

"Some of the selfish wrongly believe that there is no divine law anyway, so there is no sin. Situational ethics are thus made to order for the selfish. So in the management of self, one can conquer by his genius and strength, because there really is no crime whatsoever. Unsurprisingly, therefore, selfishness leads to terrible perceptual and behavioral blunders. For instance, Cain, corrupted by his seeking of power, said after slaying Able, 'I am free.' One of the worst consequences of severe selfishness, therefore, is this profound loss of proportionality, like straining at gnats while swallowing camels. Today there are, for example, those who strain over various gnats but swallow the practice of partial-birth abortion. Small wonder, therefore, that selfishness magnifies a mess of pottage into a banquet and makes 30 pieces of silver look like a treasure trove." – Neal A Maxwell, GC, April 1999

18. There is no life after death, so there is no need to worry about a judgment after this life. How does this false belief foster a lack of accountability and responsibility in ones life?

13-18. How do Korihor's teachings fit the arguments used to attack your faith in these days?

"The philosophy of Korihor with its naturalism, materialism, and moral relativism is the prevailing philosophy of our own day, as was forseen in the Book of Mormon… Enormously proud of their accomplishments, the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block. Their own expertise is the highest court of appeal, as they preach up unto themselves their own wisdom in their own learning, that they may get gain and grind upon the faces of the poor." – Hugh Nibley, Since Tomorrow, p.416-18

"Today, the world is permeated with philosophies similar to those taught by Korihor. We read them in books, see them championed in the movies and on television, and hear them taught in classrooms and sometimes in the churches of our time… We see clear evidence of Mormons inspiration to give us a full account of Korihor and his teachings. Korihor's teachings are old doctrine, and yet they are ideas as modern as today's hi – speed printing presses and satellite dishes." – Gerald N Lund, Ensign, July 1992

13-18. What teachings have you been exposed to that are similar to Korihor's teachings? How are Korihor's teachings similar to what atheists believe? According to verse 18, what did Korihor's teachings lead the people to do? Why do you think these teachings lead people to give into temptation? What can you learn from these verses about the dangers of false doctrines? Where and how can you find out about Satan's tactics?

"The book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time." – Ezra Taft Benson, GC, Ensign, May 1975

19-30. What was one of Korihor's major arguments against the church? How did he view religion?

20-23. Why did Korihor speak against the prophets and the reality of Jesus Christ?

"Korihor was arguing, as men and women have falsely argued from the beginning of time, that to take counsel from the servants of God is to surrender God-given rights of independence. But the argument is false because it misrepresents reality. When we reject the council which comes from God, we do not choose to be independent of outside influence. We choose another influence. We reject the protection of a perfectly loving, all-powerful, all-knowing Father in Heaven, who's whole purpose, as that of His Beloved  Son, is to give us eternal life, to give us all that He has, and to bring us home again in families to the arms of his love. In rejecting His counsel, we choose the influence of another power, whose purpose is to make us miserable and whose motive is hatred. We have moral agency as a gift of God. Rather than the right to choose to be free of influence, it is the inalienable right to submit ourselves to whichever of those powers we choose."Another fallacy is to believe that the choice to accept or not accept the counsel of prophets is no more then deciding whether to accept good advice and gain its benefits or to stay where we are. But the choice not to take prophetic counsel changes the very ground upon which we stand. It becomes more dangerous. The failure to take prophetic counsel lessens our power to take inspired counsel in the future. The best time to have decided to help Noah built the ark was the first time he asked. Each time he asked after that, each failure to respond would have lessened sensitivity to the spirit. And so each time his request would have seemed more foolish, until the rain came. And then it was too late." – Henry B Eyring, GC, April 1997

29. In what ways were the high priest and the chief judge peacemakers in this situation? What might have happened if they had contended with Korihor? What counsel have you been given today concerning contention?

"Avoid contentions and vein disputes with men of corrupt minds, who do not desire to know the truth." – Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 1:468

31. What accusations were made by Korihor against Alma and other church leaders?

32-33. How did Alma respond to the accusations against him? How have you seen the truthfulness of Alma's response in the lives of church leaders today?

37-45. What evidences did Alma give for the existence of God? Of these evidences, which are especially powerful to you? Why? How do these evidences influence you? In what ways might they strengthen your faith and testimony? How difficult would it be to believe in the plan of salvation, or any other true doctrine, if you do not believe in God?

"It is not our responsibility as members of Christ's church to prove the truth of the gospel to other people. Our duty as to explain the gospel and bear testimony of the truth we have received. It is then their responsibility to find out for themselves that it is true. It is the responsibility of the Holy Ghost to answer their prayers and give them a testimony." Book of Mormon – Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families, Dennis H Leavitt and Richard O Christensen, p. 197

43-50. What kind of sign might Korihor have been looking for? What time did he get? What kind of people demand signs? Why do people seek signs?

"I told the congregation that ...A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and that the Lord has said to me in a revelation, that any man who wanted a sign it was an adulterous person." – Joseph Smith, teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 278

"That man who rises up to condemn others, finding fault with the church, saying that they are out of the way, while he himself is righteous, then know assuredly, that that man is in the high road to apostasy; and if he does not repent, will apostatize, as God lives. The principal is as correct as the one that Jesus put forth in saying that he who seeketh a sign is an adulterous person; and that principle is eternal, undeviating, and firm as the pillars of heaven; for whenever you see a man seeking after a sign, you may set it down that he is an adulterous man." – Joseph Smith, teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 156-57

46-53. Why is it that when a belief in God is taken away, morality and other virtues often no longer seem important?

51-53. What do you think Korihor meant when he said that he taught things that were pleasing unto the carnal mind?

"If we do not yield to the gentle influence of the Holy Ghost, we stand in jeopardy of becoming like Korihor... Not only did Korihor disbelieve in God, but he also ridiculed the Savior, the Atonement, and the spirit of prophecy, falsely teaching that there is no God and know Christ. Korihor was not content nearly to reject God and what we go down his own way, he mocked the believers and demanded that the prophet Alma convince him with a sign of God's existence and power. Alma's response is as meaningful today as it was then: '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 by brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before the, 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, yay, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Ssupreme Creator.' [Alma 30:44] Eventually Korihor was given a sign. He was struck dumb. 'And Korihor put forth his hand and wrote, saying:… I know that nothing save it were the power of God could bring this up on me; yea, and I always knew that there was a God.' [Alma 30:52] Brothers and sisters, you may already know, deep in your soul, that God lives. You may not know all about Him yet and do not understand all His ways, but the light of belief is within you, waiting to be awakened and intensified by the Spirit of God and the light of Christ, which you are born with." – Robert D Hales, GC, October 2009

52. Who do lies hurt the most?

"The seriousness of lying is not measured only in injury or pain inflicted on the one deceived. Lying has a devastating effect also on the perpetrator. It rubs the liar of self-respect, and deadens his ability to recognize the difference between truth and error. When allies told often enough, even the one who knowingly spread it may begin to believe it. This was the case with the antichrist whore whore in the book of Mormon." – Robert J Matthews, Ensign, October 1994

53. Can Satan give revelation?

"All inspiration does not come from God. [D&C 46:7]. The evil one has the power to tap into those channels of revelation and send conflicting signals which can mislead and confuse us. There are promptings from evil sources which are so carefully counterfeited us to deceive even the very elect." – Boyd K Packer, GC, October 1989

"A man must have the discerning of spirits before he can drag into daylight [the] hellish influence and unfold it unto the world in all its soul-destroying, diabolical, and horrid colors; for nothing is a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a faulse spirit when they think they have the Spirit of God." – Joseph Smith, Teachings, page 205

53-60. Would a true friend support you during difficult times? Why or why not? What are some characteristics of someone who was only pretending to be your friend? Would a false friend support you in difficult times? Why or why not? Why do you think that Satan will not support those who follow him? What does that teach you about the rewards or blessings that Satan promises? Why do people choose to believe Satan's lies rather than the Savior's truth? How can you emulate the Savior in your relationships?

60. What principle does Mormon teach in this verse? How is this different from the way Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ care for you?