The Book of Alma Mormon views Alma as a prototype for preaching the Word of God. One of the best indications of this emphasis is Mormon’s use of leitmotif

The Book of AlmaThe Book of Alma

Mormon views Alma as a prototype Mormon views Alma as a prototype for preaching the Word of Godfor preaching the Word of God. One of . One of the best indications of this emphasis the best indications of this emphasis is Mormon’s use of is Mormon’s use of leitmotifleitmotif ((dominant or recurring themedominant or recurring theme). He ). He uses that phrase 47 times in the first uses that phrase 47 times in the first 42 chapters and also uses “the word,” 42 chapters and also uses “the word,” “his (God’s) word,” or “the word of “his (God’s) word,” or “the word of the Lord,” all meaning the word of the Lord,” all meaning the word of God, at least another 50 times.God, at least another 50 times.

A Review of the Book of AlmaA Review of the Book of AlmaAlma 1-16Alma 1-16

Alma sought to reform the Church by preaching the Word of God!Alma sought to reform the Church by preaching the Word of God!

Alma 17-29Alma 17-29

Sons of Mosiah convert the Anti-Nephi-Lehies.Sons of Mosiah convert the Anti-Nephi-Lehies.

Alma 30Alma 30

Alma and the Word of God silence Korihor and the word of the devil! Alma and the Word of God silence Korihor and the word of the devil!

It is at the half-way point of the Book of Alma and the Book of Mormon. It is at the half-way point of the Book of Alma and the Book of Mormon.

It is a scripture foilIt is a scripture foil. .

Conclusion: Conclusion: the Word of God trumps the word of the Word of God trumps the word of the devilthe devil!!


Alma and Amulek taught the Zoramite poor the Alma and Amulek taught the Zoramite poor the process of conversion through planting the process of conversion through planting the Word of God in their hearts.Word of God in their hearts.


Alma taught his sons, so they in turn could Alma taught his sons, so they in turn could teach others.teach others.


The wars dramatized the power of the Word of The wars dramatized the power of the Word of God! They were righteous enough to win the God! They were righteous enough to win the wars, but not righteous enough to avoid them.wars, but not righteous enough to avoid them.


““Good missionaries”Good missionaries”

Alma 30Alma 30

““An Evil missionary”An Evil missionary”

First First SheremSherem (Jacob 7:1-23), then (Jacob 7:1-23), then NehorNehor (Alma 1:2-16) and now (Alma 1:2-16) and now KorihorKorihor!!

Alma identifies people and ideas that Alma identifies people and ideas that oppose Jesus Christ. oppose Jesus Christ.

President Ezra Taft Benson said:President Ezra Taft Benson said:

““The Book of Mormon brings men to The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ through two basic meansChrist through two basic means:”:”

1. It tells in a plain manner of Christ and 1. It tells in a plain manner of Christ and his his gospel.gospel.

2.2. It exposes the enemies of Christ.It exposes the enemies of Christ.

The type of apostates in the The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and that we might see the error and know how to combat false know how to combat false educational, political, religious, educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of and philosophical concepts of our time” (C.R., Apr. 1975, 94-our time” (C.R., Apr. 1975, 94-95).95).

““Korihor’s teachings are old doctrine, and yet Korihor’s teachings are old doctrine, and yet they are ideas as modern as today’s high-speed they are ideas as modern as today’s high-speed printing presses and satellite dishes” printing presses and satellite dishes” (“Countering Korihor’s Philosophy,” (“Countering Korihor’s Philosophy,” EnsignEnsign, July , July 1992, 20).1992, 20).

Alma 30:6Alma 30:6 Anti-Christ’sAnti-Christ’s

The Bible Dictionary states that an anti-Christ is The Bible Dictionary states that an anti-Christ is “anyone or anything that counterfeits the true “anyone or anything that counterfeits the true gospel or plan of salvation and that openly or gospel or plan of salvation and that openly or secretly is set up in opposition to Christ. The secretly is set up in opposition to Christ. The great antichrist is Lucifer, but he has many great antichrist is Lucifer, but he has many assistants both as spirit beings and as mortals assistants both as spirit beings and as mortals (“(“AntichristAntichrist,” 609).,” 609).

Alma 30:7Alma 30:7

““There is no law against a man’s There is no law against a man’s beliefbelief””

Brigham Young taught that even in the Millennium, Brigham Young taught that even in the Millennium, when all shall bow before Christ and accept him as when all shall bow before Christ and accept him as King, people will still be allowed to have agency King, people will still be allowed to have agency and choose how they wish to worship: and choose how they wish to worship:

““They will ask, ‘If I bow the knee and confess that They will ask, ‘If I bow the knee and confess that he is that Savior, the Christ, to the glory of the he is that Savior, the Christ, to the glory of the Father, will you let me go home and be a Father, will you let me go home and be a Presbyterian?” ‘Yes,’ ‘And not persecute me?’ Presbyterian?” ‘Yes,’ ‘And not persecute me?’ ‘Never.’ ‘Won’t you let me go home and belong to ‘Never.’ ‘Won’t you let me go home and belong to the Greek Church?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Will you allow me to be the Greek Church?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Will you allow me to be a Friend Quaker, or a Shaking Quaker?’ ‘O yes, a Friend Quaker, or a Shaking Quaker?’ ‘O yes, anything you wish to be, but remember that you anything you wish to be, but remember that you must not persecute your neighbors….must not persecute your neighbors….

“…“…..but must mind your own business, but must mind your own business, and let your neighbors alone, and let and let your neighbors alone, and let them worship the sun, moon, a white them worship the sun, moon, a white dog, or anything else they pleasedog, or anything else they please, , being mindful that every knee has got being mindful that every knee has got to bow and every tongue confess. to bow and every tongue confess. When you have paid this tribute to the When you have paid this tribute to the Most High, who created you and Most High, who created you and preserved you, you may then go and preserved you, you may then go and worship what you please, or do what worship what you please, or do what you please, if you do not infringe upon you please, if you do not infringe upon your neighbors” (your neighbors” (JDJD, 2:317)., 2:317).

Alma 30:12-18Alma 30:12-18

How do Korihor’s How do Korihor’s teachings fit the teachings fit the arguments used to arguments used to attack our faith in these attack our faith in these days?days?

Alma 30:17Alma 30:17

Korihor taught that “whatsoever a man did” was Korihor taught that “whatsoever a man did” was not a sin.not a sin.

Selfishness leads to terrible perceptual and Selfishness leads to terrible perceptual and behavioral blunders. For instance, Cain, behavioral blunders. For instance, Cain, corrupted by his seeking of power, said after corrupted by his seeking of power, said after slaying Abel, I am free.slaying Abel, I am free.

““Selfishness magnifies a mess of pottage into a Selfishness magnifies a mess of pottage into a banquet and makes 30 pieces of silver look like banquet and makes 30 pieces of silver look like a treasure trove (something that is found that is a treasure trove (something that is found that is valuable)” (Neal A. Maxwell, C.R., Apr. 1999, 29).valuable)” (Neal A. Maxwell, C.R., Apr. 1999, 29).


““Don’t mess with converts!”Don’t mess with converts!”


Korihor is tenacious!Korihor is tenacious!


Anti-Christ often use half truths.Anti-Christ often use half truths.

The “straw man” argumentThe “straw man” argument

A common tactic used by those who are A common tactic used by those who are trying to destroy faith is called a “straw trying to destroy faith is called a “straw man” argument. This is done by setting up man” argument. This is done by setting up a false image --- a straw man --- of the truth a false image --- a straw man --- of the truth and then attacking the false image in order and then attacking the false image in order to convince others the true image is false.to convince others the true image is false.

Example: A child accusing parents who Example: A child accusing parents who won’t let him play until he gets his work won’t let him play until he gets his work done of not wanting to have any fun. done of not wanting to have any fun. Faulty reasoning, but used to deceive Faulty reasoning, but used to deceive others.others.


Atheist do not go to God for the same reason Atheist do not go to God for the same reason thieves do not go to policemen (Marion D. thieves do not go to policemen (Marion D. Hanks).Hanks).

Alma 30:29Alma 30:29 Avoid arguments and contentionAvoid arguments and contention

Avoid contentions and vain disputes with men Avoid contentions and vain disputes with men of corrupt minds, who do not desire to know the of corrupt minds, who do not desire to know the truth.truth.


Sign seekers (D&C 63:7-12, Elder Bradley’s Sign seekers (D&C 63:7-12, Elder Bradley’s story!)story!)

The prophet Joseph Smith taught The prophet Joseph Smith taught the following about seeking signs:the following about seeking signs:

““I will give you one of the Keys of the I will give you one of the Keys of the mysteries of the Kingdom. It is an eternal mysteries of the Kingdom. It is an eternal principle, that has existed with God from all principle, that has existed with God from all eternity: That a man who rises up to condemn eternity: That a man who rises up to condemn others, finding fault with the Church, others, finding fault with the Church, saying saying that they are out of the way, while he himself that they are out of the way, while he himself is righteousis righteous, then know assuredly, that man is , then know assuredly, that man is in the high road to apostasy; and if he does not in the high road to apostasy; and if he does not repent, will apostatize, as God lives. The repent, will apostatize, as God lives. The principle is as correct as the one that Jesus put principle is as correct as the one that Jesus put forth in saying that forth in saying that he who seeketh a sign is an he who seeketh a sign is an adulterous personadulterous person……

“…“…and that principle is eternal, and that principle is eternal, undeviating, and firm as the pillars of undeviating, and firm as the pillars of heaven; for heaven; for whenever you see a man whenever you see a man seeking after you a sign, you may set it seeking after you a sign, you may set it down that he is an adulterous mandown that he is an adulterous man” ” ((TeachingsTeachings, 156-57)., 156-57).

Was Korihor an adultererWas Korihor an adulterer??


““Leading them to commit whoredoms”Leading them to commit whoredoms”

Joseph Smith while preaching in Philadelphia, Joseph Smith while preaching in Philadelphia, heard a Quaker who called out for a sign. heard a Quaker who called out for a sign.

I told him to be still. After the sermon, he I told him to be still. After the sermon, he again asked for a sign. I told the again asked for a sign. I told the congregation the man was an adulterer; that congregation the man was an adulterer; that a wicked and adulterous generation seeketh a wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and that the Lord had said to me after a sign; and that the Lord had said to me in a revelation, that any man who wanted a in a revelation, that any man who wanted a sign was an adulterous person. “sign was an adulterous person. “It is true,” It is true,” cried one, “for I caught him in the very act,” cried one, “for I caught him in the very act,” which the man afterwards confessed when he which the man afterwards confessed when he was baptizedwas baptized ( (Teachings, Teachings, 278).278).

Three Keys in dealing with non-Three Keys in dealing with non-believersbelievers::

1.1. Share your testimony (v. 39).Share your testimony (v. 39).

2.2. Shift the burden of proof to the unbeliever, where Shift the burden of proof to the unbeliever, where it belongs (v. 40).it belongs (v. 40).

3.3. Explain that all things testify that there is a God Explain that all things testify that there is a God (v.44).(v.44).

Elder Boyd K. Packer’s story of the missionary Elder Boyd K. Packer’s story of the missionary (actually a young Elder Packer) who was (actually a young Elder Packer) who was challenged by a young attorney saying that he challenged by a young attorney saying that he couldn’t know God lives.couldn’t know God lives.

““All knowledge is not conveyed in words alone,’ he said. All knowledge is not conveyed in words alone,’ he said. And then he asked the attorney, ‘Do you know what And then he asked the attorney, ‘Do you know what salt tastes like?’salt tastes like?’““Of course I do,” was the reply.Of course I do,” was the reply.““When did you taste salt last?”When did you taste salt last?”““Why, just as we had dinner on the plane.”Why, just as we had dinner on the plane.”““You just think you know what salt tastes like,” said the You just think you know what salt tastes like,” said the Elder.Elder.““I know what salt tastes like as well as I know I know what salt tastes like as well as I know anything,” said the attorney.anything,” said the attorney.““If I gave you a cup of salt and a cup of sugar and let If I gave you a cup of salt and a cup of sugar and let you taste them both, could you tell the salt from the you taste them both, could you tell the salt from the sugar?”sugar?”“Now you are getting juvenile,” was his reply. “Of “Now you are getting juvenile,” was his reply. “Of course I could tell the difference. I know what salt course I could tell the difference. I know what salt tastes like. It is an every day experience; I know it as tastes like. It is an every day experience; I know it as well as I know anything...”well as I know anything...”

“…“…Assuming that I had never tasted salt, Assuming that I had never tasted salt, could you explain to me in words, just could you explain to me in words, just what it tastes like?”what it tastes like?”

After some thought the attorney ventured, After some thought the attorney ventured, “Well…I…it is not sweet, and it is not “Well…I…it is not sweet, and it is not sour.”sour.”

““You have told me what it isn’t,” was the You have told me what it isn’t,” was the answer, “not what it is.”answer, “not what it is.”

““After several attempts he admitted failure After several attempts he admitted failure in the little exercise of conveying in words in the little exercise of conveying in words knowledge so commonplace as that. He knowledge so commonplace as that. He found himself quite helpless as the elder found himself quite helpless as the elder had been to answer his question.had been to answer his question.

““As they parted in the terminal the Elder bore As they parted in the terminal the Elder bore testimony once again, saying, ‘I claim to know testimony once again, saying, ‘I claim to know there is a God. You ridiculed that testimony and there is a God. You ridiculed that testimony and said that if I did know I would be able to tell you said that if I did know I would be able to tell you exactly how I know.’exactly how I know.’

““My friend, spiritually speaking, I have tasted My friend, spiritually speaking, I have tasted salt. salt. But I say to you again, there is a God. But I say to you again, there is a God. He does live. And just because you don’t He does live. And just because you don’t know, don’t try to tell me that I don’t know, know, don’t try to tell me that I don’t know, for I dofor I do.’.’

““Young people, do not apologize or be Young people, do not apologize or be ashamed because you cannot frame into ashamed because you cannot frame into words that which you know in your heart to words that which you know in your heart to be truebe true” ” (C.R., Oct. 1964, 128-29).(C.R., Oct. 1964, 128-29).

““All things denote that there is a All things denote that there is a GodGod” (Alma 30:44)” (Alma 30:44)

A believing British scientist has observed the A believing British scientist has observed the following of our especially situated planet:following of our especially situated planet:

Just a bit nearer to the sun, and Planet Earth’s Just a bit nearer to the sun, and Planet Earth’s seas would soon be boiling; just a little farther seas would soon be boiling; just a little farther out, and the whole world would become a frozen out, and the whole world would become a frozen wilderness.wilderness.

……If our orbit happened to be the wrong shape…If our orbit happened to be the wrong shape…then we would alternately freeze like Mars and then we would alternately freeze like Mars and fry like Venus once a year. Fortunately for us, fry like Venus once a year. Fortunately for us, our planet’s orbit is very nearly a circle.our planet’s orbit is very nearly a circle.

The 21% of oxygen is another critical figure. The 21% of oxygen is another critical figure. Animals would have difficulty breathing if the Animals would have difficulty breathing if the oxygen content fell very far below that value. oxygen content fell very far below that value. But an oxygen level much higher than this But an oxygen level much higher than this would also be disastrous, since the extra would also be disastrous, since the extra oxygen would act as a fire raising material. oxygen would act as a fire raising material. Forests and grasslands would flare up every Forests and grasslands would flare up every time lightning struck during a dry spell, and life time lightning struck during a dry spell, and life on earth would become extremely hazardous on earth would become extremely hazardous (Alan Hayword, (Alan Hayword, God isGod is, 1980, 62-63, 68)., 1980, 62-63, 68).

““All of beauty in the earth bears the fingerprint All of beauty in the earth bears the fingerprint of the Master Creator” (Gordon B. Hinckley, of the Master Creator” (Gordon B. Hinckley, C.R., Apr. 1978, 90).C.R., Apr. 1978, 90).


““God Shall Smite TheeGod Shall Smite Thee!”!”

Clearly, Alma had once faced the Clearly, Alma had once faced the possibility that his own life might have possibility that his own life might have been taken to preserve others, and his been taken to preserve others, and his own experience of coming face to face own experience of coming face to face with this reality seems to underlie his with this reality seems to underlie his appeal to Korihor not to resist the spirit of appeal to Korihor not to resist the spirit of truth!truth!


““Korihor diesKorihor dies””

The Zoramites represent the end of The Zoramites represent the end of Korihor’s philosophy. Korihor’s philosophy.

This was where his doctrine lead people. This was where his doctrine lead people.

What an irony that Korihor should come What an irony that Korihor should come to his end by the hands of the very to his end by the hands of the very people that practiced what he preachedpeople that practiced what he preached..

Korihor was a political agitator who was seized by Korihor was a political agitator who was seized by the people of Ammon. Kherihor (also written the people of Ammon. Kherihor (also written Khurhor, etc.) was a great high priest of Ammon Khurhor, etc.) was a great high priest of Ammon who seized the throne of Egypt at Thebes, cir. who seized the throne of Egypt at Thebes, cir. 1085 B.C. “[Nibley: Lehi in the Desert] The 1085 B.C. “[Nibley: Lehi in the Desert] The twenty-first [Egyptian] dynasty was founded by a twenty-first [Egyptian] dynasty was founded by a person called Korihor whose son was Piankhi. person called Korihor whose son was Piankhi. Hugh Nibley wrote, “That’s a very funny name; Hugh Nibley wrote, “That’s a very funny name; you don’t invent a thing like that. It wasn’t you don’t invent a thing like that. It wasn’t discovered until the 1870’s that Piankhi is a name discovered until the 1870’s that Piankhi is a name that we have in the Book of Mormon. Korihor was that we have in the Book of Mormon. Korihor was a priest of Amon who usurped the power of the a priest of Amon who usurped the power of the state. His son Pianki became king” (Hugh Nibley, state. His son Pianki became king” (Hugh Nibley, Ancient Documents and the Pearl of Great Price, Ancient Documents and the Pearl of Great Price, edited by Robert Smith and Robert Smythe (n.p., edited by Robert Smith and Robert Smythe (n.p., n.d.), 11.).n.d.), 11.).