SUBTLE DECEPTIONS OF ANTI-CHRISTS

I sat in the Gospel Doctrine class yesterday which focused mainly on Korihor, the anti-Christ, whose story is found in Alma 30. The teacher said a couple of times that this man taught and converted to his persuasion, the Zoramites. I didn’t correct him thinking at the time it was not such a big mistake…but it really is. It’s imperative that we see who exactly Korihor preached to.

Korihor did not preach to the Zoramites, whose story begins in chapater 31 of Alma. Korihor came to the vast land of Zarahemla, where the converted were (Alma 30:6). The Zoramites at that time were already on the path of spiritual destruction, they did not need an anti-Christ.

Mormon begins chapter 30 of Alma describing the prosperity and peace of the people in Zarahemla who lived with religious equality and free agency yet with stringent civil laws (v 1-4; 7-11). Enter Korihor claiming there ‘should be no Christ’, proclaiming that the prophecies by the prophets were nothing but ‘foolish traditions’ (v 12-14). The devastating thing is that this man obtained converts by convincing them there is nothing beyond death and led many to ‘commit whoredoms’ (v 18).

How could this happen to a converted people who lived in peace and prosperity? Could complacency have brought them to the slippery slope of inconsistent prayer, scripture study, exercising faith, strict observance of the commandments? Could all these things have weakened their shield of faith against false teachings and ideologies of the world? Can we relate to that? How many of us in the Church have been swayed by the anti-Mormon literature? How many have left the Church because of it despite many years of having the truth?

Deception comes steadily and subtly and complacency paves the way. We, of the last days, have been given this warning by Christ himself: “For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, IF POSSIBLE, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant” (JST-Matthew 1:22). We, the covenant people are the target and we are the ones that make it possible to be deceived. To those of the covenant people who are committed, determined, and ever vigilant, the deception is NOT possible. The committed are Christ’s and ever will be.

This is what makes me think that Korihor’s converts were spiritually weak and easily swayed. When Korihor was defeated by Alma and cast out of the land, the knowledge of his demise was published throughout the land. All who strayed came back and repented rather quickly. I wonder if the proclamation pointing out that if they did not ‘speedily repent’, the same demise would befall them too (v 57). It certainly sounds like they repented out of necessity rather than desire.

May we become a people that no evil force on the earth can move. May we heed the admonition of Lehi who said to his son Lemuel: “O that thou mightiest be like unto this valley, firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!” (1 Nephi 2:10). And not only immoveable but may we also take to heart his counsel to Laman: “O that thou mightiest be like unto this river, continually running into the fountain of all righteousness!” (v 9). 

 - CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Jesus Tranquil Grace by Ivan Guaderrama)