Alma
60 verses
After the people of Ammon were settled in the land of Jershon, and after the Lamanites were driven out of the land and their dead were buried by the people there—
Behold, now it came to pass that after the people of Ammon were established in the land of Jershon, yea, and also after the Lamanites were driven out of the land, and their dead were buried by the people of the land—
Their dead were not counted because there were so many, and the Nephite dead were not counted either. After they had buried their dead and after the days of fasting, mourning, and prayer—in the sixteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi—there began to be continual peace throughout all the land.
Now their dead were not numbered because of the greatness of their numbers; neither were the dead of the Nephites numbered—but it came to pass after they had buried their dead, and also after the days of fasting, and mourning, and prayer, (and it was in the sixteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi) there began to be continual peace throughout all the land.
The people kept the commandments of the Lord and were strict in following the ordinances of God according to the law of Moses, because they were taught to keep the law of Moses until it was fulfilled.
Yea, and the people did observe to keep the commandments of the Lord; and they were strict in observing the ordinances of God, according to the law of Moses; for they were taught to keep the law of Moses until it should be fulfilled.
So the people had no disturbances during the entire sixteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.
And thus the people did have no disturbance in all the sixteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.
At the beginning of the seventeenth year of the reign of the judges, there was continual peace.
And it came to pass that in the commencement of the seventeenth year of the reign of the judges, there was continual peace.
At the end of the seventeenth year, a man came into the land of Zarahemla. He was an Anti-Christ, because he began to preach to the people against the prophecies that had been spoken by the prophets about the coming of Christ.
But it came to pass in the latter end of the seventeenth year, there came a man into the land of Zarahemla, and he was Anti-Christ, for he began to preach unto the people against the prophecies which had been spoken by the prophets, concerning the coming of Christ.
There was no law against a person's beliefs, because it was strictly against God's commandments to have a law that would put people on unequal footing.
Now there was no law against a man’s belief; for it was strictly contrary to the commands of God that there should be a law which should bring men on to unequal grounds.
The scripture says: Choose today whom you will serve.
For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve.
If someone wanted to serve God, they were allowed to; or if they believed in God, they had the right to serve Him. But if they didn't believe in Him, there was no law to punish them.
Now if a man desired to serve God, it was his privilege; or rather, if he believed in God it was his privilege to serve him; but if he did not believe in him there was no law to punish him.
If someone committed murder, they were punished with death. If they robbed or stole, they were punished as well. If they committed adultery, they were also punished. For all these wicked acts, they were punished.
But if he murdered he was punished unto death; and if he robbed he was also punished; and if he stole he was also punished; and if he committed adultery he was also punished; yea, for all this wickedness they were punished.
There was a law that people should be judged according to their crimes. However, there was no law against a person’s beliefs, so a person was punished only for the crimes they had committed. As a result, everyone was treated equally.
For there was a law that men should be judged according to their crimes. Nevertheless, there was no law against a man’s belief; therefore, a man was punished only for the crimes which he had done; therefore all men were on equal grounds.
This Anti-Christ, whose name was Korihor (and the law had no power over him), began to preach to the people that there would be no Christ. He preached in this way, saying:
And this Anti-Christ, whose name was Korihor, (and the law could have no hold upon him) began to preach unto the people that there should be no Christ. And after this manner did he preach, saying:
You who are held back by a foolish and empty hope, why do you burden yourselves with such nonsense? Why are you looking for a Christ? No one can know anything about the future.
O ye that are bound down under a foolish and a vain hope, why do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things? Why do ye look for a Christ? For no man can know of anything which is to come.
These things you call prophecies, which you say have been passed down by holy prophets, are foolish traditions of your fathers.
Behold, these things which ye call prophecies, which ye say are handed down by holy prophets, behold, they are foolish traditions of your fathers.
How do you know for sure? You can't know things you don't see; so you can't know that there will be a Christ.
How do ye know of their surety? Behold, ye cannot know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there shall be a Christ.
You look ahead and say that you see your sins forgiven. But this is just the result of a frenzied mind, and this confusion comes from the traditions of your fathers, which lead you to believe things that aren’t true.
Ye look forward and say that ye see a remission of your sins. But behold, it is the effect of a frenzied mind; and this derangement of your minds comes because of the traditions of your fathers, which lead you away into a belief of things which are not so.
He said many more things like this to them, telling them that there could be no atonement made for people's sins, but that everyone lived in this life according to their own abilities; so each person succeeded based on their intelligence, and each person overcame challenges according to their strength; and whatever someone did was not considered a crime.
And many more such things did he say unto them, telling them that there could be no atonement made for the sins of men, but every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime.
He preached to them, leading many people astray and causing them to become proud in their wickedness. He led many women and men to commit sexual immorality, telling them that when a person dies, that is the end.
And thus he did preach unto them, leading away the hearts of many, causing them to lift up their heads in their wickedness, yea, leading away many women, and also men, to commit whoredoms—telling them that when a man was dead, that was the end thereof.
This man also went to the land of Jershon to preach these things to the people of Ammon, who were once Lamanites.
Now this man went over to the land of Jershon also, to preach these things among the people of Ammon, who were once the people of the Lamanites.
They were wiser than many of the Nephites, because they took him, tied him up, and brought him to Ammon, who was the high priest over that people.
But behold they were more wise than many of the Nephites; for they took him, and bound him, and carried him before Ammon, who was a high priest over that people.
He had himself carried out of the land and went to the land of Gideon, where he began to preach to the people there as well. He didn't have much success, because he was taken, bound, and brought before the high priest and the chief judge of the land.
And it came to pass that he caused that he should be carried out of the land. And he came over into the land of Gideon, and began to preach unto them also; and here he did not have much success, for he was taken and bound and carried before the high priest, and also the chief judge over the land.
The high priest said to him, "Why are you trying to pervert the ways of the Lord? Why are you teaching these people that there will be no Christ, disrupting their joy? Why are you speaking against all the prophecies of the holy prophets?
And it came to pass that the high priest said unto him: Why do ye go about perverting the ways of the Lord? Why do ye teach this people that there shall be no Christ, to interrupt their rejoicings? Why do ye speak against all the prophecies of the holy prophets?
The high priest’s name was Giddonah. Korihor said to him, “I do not teach the foolish traditions of your fathers, and I do not teach people to bind themselves under the foolish ordinances and practices established by ancient priests to take power and authority over them, to keep them ignorant so they can’t lift up their heads, but are brought down according to your words. ”
Now the high priest’s name was Giddonah. And Korihor said unto him: Because I do not teach the foolish traditions of your fathers, and because I do not teach this people to bind themselves down under the foolish ordinances and performances which are laid down by ancient priests, to usurp power and authority over them, to keep them in ignorance, that they may not lift up their heads, but be brought down according to thy words.
You say that these people are free, but I say they are in bondage. You say that those ancient prophecies are true, but I say you don’t know that they are true.
Ye say that this people is a free people. Behold, I say they are in bondage. Ye say that those ancient prophecies are true. Behold, I say that ye do not know that they are true.
You say that these people are guilty and fallen because of the transgression of a parent. I say that a child is not guilty because of its parents.
Ye say that this people is a guilty and a fallen people, because of the transgression of a parent. Behold, I say that a child is not guilty because of its parents.
You also say that Christ will come. But I say that you do not know there will be a Christ. And you also say that he will be killed for the sins of the world—
And ye also say that Christ shall come. But behold, I say that ye do not know that there shall be a Christ. And ye say also that he shall be slain for the sins of the world—
You lead these people away with the foolish traditions of your fathers and according to your own desires. You keep them down, almost like they’re in bondage, so you can satisfy yourselves with the work of their hands, making them afraid to look up with confidence or enjoy their rights and privileges.
And thus ye lead away this people after the foolish traditions of your fathers, and according to your own desires; and ye keep them down, even as it were in bondage, that ye may glut yourselves with the labors of their hands, that they durst not look up with boldness, and that they durst not enjoy their rights and privileges.
They don’t dare use what belongs to them because they’re afraid of offending their priests, who control them as they wish. The priests have convinced them, through traditions, dreams, whims, visions, and supposed mysteries, that if they don’t do what the priests say, they’ll offend some unknown being they call God—a being who has never been seen or known, who never was and never will be.
Yea, they durst not make use of that which is their own lest they should offend their priests, who do yoke them according to their desires, and have brought them to believe, by their traditions and their dreams and their whims and their visions and their pretended mysteries, that they should, if they did not do according to their words, offend some unknown being, who they say is God—a being who never has been seen or known, who never was nor ever will be.
When the high priest and the chief judge saw how hard his heart was, and saw that he would even speak against God, they didn’t respond to his words. Instead, they had him bound, handed him over to the officers, and sent him to the land of Zarahemla to be brought before Alma and the chief judge, who was governor over all the land.
Now when the high priest and the chief judge saw the hardness of his heart, yea, when they saw that he would revile even against God, they would not make any reply to his words; but they caused that he should be bound; and they delivered him up into the hands of the officers, and sent him to the land of Zarahemla, that he might be brought before Alma, and the chief judge who was governor over all the land.
When he was brought before Alma and the chief judge, he continued acting the same way he had in the land of Gideon; he kept on blaspheming.
And it came to pass that when he was brought before Alma and the chief judge, he did go on in the same manner as he did in the land of Gideon; yea, he went on to blaspheme.
He stood up with grand, boastful words before Alma and spoke against the priests and teachers, accusing them of leading the people away with the foolish traditions of their fathers so they could take advantage of the people's hard work.
And he did rise up in great swelling words before Alma, and did revile against the priests and teachers, accusing them of leading away the people after the silly traditions of their fathers, for the sake of glutting on the labors of the people.
Alma said to him, "You know that we do not take advantage of the labors of this people. I have worked with my own hands to support myself from the beginning of the reign of the judges until now, even though I have traveled throughout the land to declare the word of God to my people.
Now Alma said unto him: Thou knowest that we do not glut ourselves upon the labors of this people; for behold I have labored even from the commencement of the reign of the judges until now, with mine own hands for my support, notwithstanding my many travels round about the land to declare the word of God unto my people.
Despite all the work I have done in the church, I have never received even a single senine for my efforts; nor have any of my brothers, except when serving as judges, and even then we only received what the law allowed for our time.
And notwithstanding the many labors which I have performed in the church, I have never received so much as even one senine for my labor; neither has any of my brethren, save it were in the judgment-seat; and then we have received only according to law for our time.
If we don’t receive anything for our work in the church, what benefit is there for us to serve except to share the truth, so we can find joy in the happiness of our brothers and sisters?
And now, if we do not receive anything for our labors in the church, what doth it profit us to labor in the church save it were to declare the truth, that we may have rejoicings in the joy of our brethren?
So why do you say that we preach to these people to get money, when you yourself know that we don’t receive any? Now, do you believe that we’re deceiving these people when what we teach brings them so much joy?
Then why sayest thou that we preach unto this people to get gain, when thou, of thyself, knowest that we receive no gain? And now, believest thou that we deceive this people, that causes such joy in their hearts?
And Korihor answered him, "Yes.
And Korihor answered him, Yea.
Then Alma said to him, "Do you believe that there is a God?
And then Alma said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God?
And he answered, No.
And he answered, Nay.
Alma said to him, “Will you deny again that there is a God, and also deny Christ? I tell you, I know there is a God, and that Christ will come. ”
Now Alma said unto him: Will ye deny again that there is a God, and also deny the Christ? For behold, I say unto you, I know there is a God, and also that Christ shall come.
And now, what evidence do you have that there is no God, or that Christ will not come? I tell you, you have none, except for your own word.
And now what evidence have ye that there is no God, or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only.
I have everything as evidence that these things are true, and you also have everything as evidence for yourself that they are true. Will you deny them? Do you believe that these things are true?
But, behold, I have all things as a testimony that these things are true; and ye also have all things as a testimony unto you that they are true; and will ye deny them? Believest thou that these things are true?
I know that you believe, but you are possessed by a lying spirit, and you have rejected the Spirit of God so it has no place in you. The devil has power over you and leads you, working schemes to destroy the children of God.
Behold, I know that thou believest, but thou art possessed with a lying spirit, and ye have put off the Spirit of God that it may have no place in you; but the devil has power over you, and he doth carry you about, working devices that he may destroy the children of God.
Korihor said to Alma, "If you show me a sign so I can be convinced that there is a God—show me that he has power—then I will be convinced that your words are true.
And now Korihor said unto Alma: If thou wilt show me a sign, that I may be convinced that there is a God, yea, show unto me that he hath power, and then will I be convinced of the truth of thy words.
But Alma said to him: You have had enough signs; will you test your God? Will you say, "Show me a sign, " when you have the testimony of all your brothers, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before you, and everything shows that there is a God—even the earth, and everything on it, its movement, and all the planets moving in their regular paths all testify that there is a Supreme Creator.
But Alma said unto him: 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 thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, 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, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.
Are you really trying to lead these people away by telling them there is no God? Will you still deny all these witnesses? And he said, Yes, I will deny it unless you show me a sign.
And yet do ye go about, leading away the hearts of this people, testifying unto them there is no God? And yet will ye deny against all these witnesses? And he said: Yea, I will deny, except ye shall show me a sign.
Alma said to him, I am grieved because of the hardness of your heart, and that you still resist the spirit of truth, which could lead to the destruction of your soul.
And now it came to pass that Alma said unto him: Behold, I am grieved because of the hardness of your heart, yea, that ye will still resist the spirit of the truth, that thy soul may be destroyed.
It is better for your soul to be lost than for you to lead many others to destruction through your lies and flattering words. So if you deny it again, God will strike you, and you will become unable to speak, so you will never open your mouth again or deceive these people anymore.
But behold, it is better that thy soul should be lost than that thou shouldst be the means of bringing many souls down to destruction, by thy lying and by thy flattering words; therefore if thou shalt deny again, behold God shall smite thee, that thou shalt become dumb, that thou shalt never open thy mouth any more, that thou shalt not deceive this people any more.
Korihor said to him, “I don’t deny the existence of a God, but I don’t believe there is a God. I also say that you don’t know that there is a God, and unless you show me a sign, I won’t believe. ”
Now Korihor said unto him: I do not deny the existence of a God, but I do not believe that there is a God; and I say also, that ye do not know that there is a God; and except ye show me a sign, I will not believe.
Alma said to him, "I will give you this as a sign: you will be struck dumb, just as I have said. In the name of God, you will be unable to speak anymore.
Now Alma said unto him: This will I give unto thee for a sign, that thou shalt be struck dumb, according to my words; and I say, that in the name of God, ye shall be struck dumb, that ye shall no more have utterance.
When Alma said these words, Korihor was struck dumb and couldn't speak, just as Alma had said.
Now when Alma had said these words, Korihor was struck dumb, that he could not have utterance, according to the words of Alma.
When the chief judge saw this, he reached out his hand and wrote to Korihor, saying: Are you convinced of the power of God? Who did you want Alma to show a sign to? Did you want him to afflict others to show you a sign? He has shown you a sign; will you argue any more?
And now when the chief judge saw this, he put forth his hand and wrote unto Korihor, saying: Art thou convinced of the power of God? In whom did ye desire that Alma should show forth his sign? Would ye that he should afflict others, to show unto thee a sign? Behold, he has showed unto you a sign; and now will ye dispute more?
Korihor reached out his hand and wrote, saying: I know that I am mute, because I cannot speak; and I know that nothing except the power of God could have done this to me; and I have always known that there is a God.
And Korihor put forth his hand and wrote, saying: I know that I am dumb, for I cannot speak; and I know that nothing save it were the power of God could bring this upon me; yea, and I always knew that there was a God.
The devil has deceived me; he appeared to me as an angel and told me to go and reclaim this people, saying they had all gone astray after an unknown God. He told me there is no God, and he taught me what to say. I taught his words because they were pleasing to the carnal mind, and I kept teaching them until I had so much success that I truly believed they were true. Because of this, I resisted the truth until I brought this great curse upon myself.
But behold, the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God. And he said unto me: There is no God; yea, and he taught me that which I should say. And I have taught his words; and I taught them because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind; and I taught them, even until I had much success, insomuch that I verily believed that they were true; and for this cause I withstood the truth, even until I have brought this great curse upon me.
After he said this, he begged Alma to pray to God so the curse could be taken from him.
Now when he had said this, he besought that Alma should pray unto God, that the curse might be taken from him.
But Alma said to him, “If this curse were taken from you, you would lead the hearts of these people away again; so it will be for you just as the Lord wills. ”
But Alma said unto him: If this curse should be taken from thee thou wouldst again lead away the hearts of this people; therefore, it shall be unto thee even as the Lord will.
The curse was not removed from Korihor; he was cast out and went from house to house begging for food.
And it came to pass that the curse was not taken off of Korihor; but he was cast out, and went about from house to house begging for his food.
News of what had happened to Korihor was immediately spread throughout the land. The chief judge sent out a proclamation to all the people, telling those who had believed Korihor’s words that they needed to quickly repent, or the same judgments would come upon them.
Now the knowledge of what had happened unto Korihor was immediately published throughout all the land; yea, the proclamation was sent forth by the chief judge to all the people in the land, declaring unto those who had believed in the words of Korihor that they must speedily repent, lest the same judgments would come unto them.
They were all convinced of Korihor’s wickedness, so they were all converted again to the Lord, and this ended the iniquity that was like Korihor’s. Korihor went from house to house, begging for food to support himself.
And it came to pass that they were all convinced of the wickedness of Korihor; therefore they were all converted again unto the Lord; and this put an end to the iniquity after the manner of Korihor. And Korihor did go about from house to house, begging food for his support.
As he went among the people who had separated themselves from the Nephites and called themselves Zoramites, led by a man named Zoram, he was attacked and trampled until he was dead.
And it came to pass that as he went forth among the people, yea, among a people who had separated themselves from the Nephites and called themselves Zoramites, being led by a man whose name was Zoram—and as he went forth amongst them, behold, he was run upon and trodden down, even until he was dead.
This shows the end of someone who twists the ways of the Lord; the devil will not support his followers in the end, but quickly drags them down to hell.
And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell.