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)
