Sunday School 28 - Alma 30-31

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I wish to start by saying that I have heard a lot on the topic of Korihor and the Zoramites. One didn't want anything to do with God or our Christ and the other was so cought up in being religious that there was no room for the Spirit.

Several years ago Gary E Stevenson gave a talk about wanting something and hoping that changing the outside would change the inside. In this talk his innocent son wanted a change because he had seen a show and thought he could change his life also. Surprising his father, he had painted the family dog. He wanted what happened in a movie to be part of his life unaware that outward change does nothing for the inside. Being religious doesn't mean you are spiritual. When we take the Holy Ghost to be our companion, we strive to strengthen our beliefs through Christ and work with God to direct our behavior. 

The Antichrist Korihor wanted so much to change that path that the AntiNephiLehi people and the people of Gideon tied him and removed him. Remember what I said about the Egyptian word "Anti" and how it means to be like, close to, or about? Korihor was just that. His preachings said such things as...

If you need wisdom, I will be your guide. If you need direction, I will be your compass. If you are poor I will persuade others to give to you. This and many more like things did he teach, creepy Christ-like statements that led people away. Outwardly he mastered the mimicry of a good holy man. He then took it one step further with statements of needing no Christ because when you died it was the end. You got everything from strength and wits, and there was no sin because there was no right or wrong.

For a story of ancient time, it could not apply more to our times. Korihor and other Antichrists attack us because we want (and at times have) knowledge with proveable facts to coexist with unwavering truth that is our rock and foundation; the known to coexist with the unknown, the seen with the unseen. Korihor could not have this. He had seen an angel; a false one mind you, but one and he was going to smere the lie he was told. Alma 30:12-18 shows the following lies...

1. Christ is a myth and by extension no sin.

2. Prophecy is a scheme of old guys following the writings of older dead guys.

3. It's ridiculous to expect forgiveness when there is no sin from someone who will not come. 

4. Gospel is the product of a frenzy mind; a hoax again from old guys.

5. God doesn't care what we do, if there is a God (again erasing sin).

6. Each prospers to their own genius. 

7. Each prospers to their own strength. 

8. There is no crime, because there is no righteousness nor wickedness.

9. There is no resurrection (again because this prophecy of Christ is frenzy mind talk).

How sad that this fellow wanted so much to make others as miserable as himself. Sounds like someone else we know. How amazing that Satan got to this guy. He (Korihor) gave place that a seed of deceit could be planted and give root and grow sprouting fruit. That fruit was a lie that took over and choked any good the man could of done. This is why we need to weed out deception and lies from our minds, because the grow to words and actions. We entertained them and fed them with their talent and attention. That's why we are encouraged to seek the good, reach out for the things that build us. I cannot stress the primary fundamentals that we started learning at three; namely faith, prayer, scripture reading, fasting, and bearing your testimony. 

Now the Zoramites. Have you ever met someone who is insisting that their life is together; that heir sins do not bother them? When I was a teenager, we had youth that were at best Sunday saints. Other times they boasted their sainthood, drank, smoked, swore and were lacivious. Thankfully most teens in that time in my small town cleaned up and saw the error of their ways. Mom always said "the people you hang with are the people you want to become." She also said "the people you date are the people you will marry." Some of these saints blessed blasphemy?) the sacrament and bore testimony of a God that blessed them and cursed others. Now again, many repented. At the time I saw sin, but didn't fully understand it. Alma saw such things and was shocked by it. The idea of boating in our faith and, in essence, wishing damnation on others, was appalling. We should sorrow at sin and wish a righteous course for others. We should sorrow when others sorrow and celebrate good wholesome events. At times, it may be hard to separate the sinner from the sin, but when you see them attempting to do it, support them and praise God with them. Help others recognize sin like recognizing a skunk as not being only a striped cat as Elder Stevenson expressed in his talk. Brothers and sisters, the Savior is a teacher, a Redeemer, a builder, a shepherd and a fisherman, a Savior and Messiah. I hope we all make an effort to exhibit those qualities too, in the name of Christ, Amen.