Thoughts: “I
bless you with increased discernment to judge between Christ and anti-Christ. I
bless you with increased power to do good and to resist evil. I bless you with
increased understanding of the Book of Mormon. I promise you that from this
moment forward if we will daily sup from its pages and abide by its precepts,
God will pour out upon each child of Zion and the Church a blessing hitherto
unknown.” (ETB Ensign, May, 86-Closing remarks of Conference.)
I feel certain that if, in our homes,
parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by
themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to
permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will
increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit
of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love
and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of
their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure
love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake
peace, joy, and happiness. … (Marion G. Romney, “The Book of Mormon,” Ensign,
Aug 2005, 8–11)
Book of the Week: The Book of Mormon verse by verse- II Ogden & Skinner
Gary's "GREEN VERSES"
|
1 Nephi 1:5
|
He prayed with all his heart in behalf of his
people
|
|
1 Nephi 2:12
|
They did murmur because they knew not the
dealings of God
|
|
1 Nephi 3:6
|
Nephi favored because he didn't murmur
|
|
1 Nephi 4:6
|
Led by the Spirit, not knowing
beforehand...nevertheless, I went forth
|
|
1 Nephi 5:10
|
After giving thanks Lehi searched the
scriptures
|
|
1 Nephi 6:4
|
Fulness of intent is to persuade men to come to
Christ
|
|
1 Nephi 7:12
|
God is able to do all things according to his
will, if they exercise faith
|
|
1 Nephi 8:12
|
Fruit filled Lehi with joy-wherefore he was
desirous that he family partake.
|
|
1 Nephi 9:6
|
Lord knoweth All things-accomplishes ALL his
works-All power to fulfill ALL his words.
|
|
1 Nephi 10:19
|
Mysteries of God UNFOLDED to them who SEEK
DILEGENTLY
|
|
1 Nephi 11:5
|
Thou knowest that I believe ALL the words of my
father.
|
|
1 Nephi 12:17
|
Temptations of devil BLINDETH eyes, HARDENETH
hearts, LEADETH into broad roads.
|
|
1 Nephi 13:37
|
Blessed are those in latter-days who seek to
bring forth Zion-they receive Holy Ghost.
|
|
1 Nephi 14:30
|
If all the things I saw are not written, all
the things I have written are true.
|
|
1 Nephi 15:11
|
Gain a testimony by; no hard hearts, ask in
faith, diligence in keeping commandments.
|
|
1 Nephi 16:28
|
Liahona worked according to faith, diligence
and heed.
|
|
1 Nephi 17:35
|
Lord esteemeth all flesh in one, but the
righteous are favored.
|
|
1 Nephi 18:3
|
Go to mount oft to pray, wherefore the Lord
showed great things.
|
|
1 Nephi 19:23
|
Liken scriptures unto us THAT they might be for
our profit and learning.
|
|
1 Nephi 20:10
|
I have chosen thee in the furnace of
affliction.
|
|
1 Nephi 21:25
|
The Lord will contend with those who contend
with us and will save our children.
|
|
1 Nephi 22:17
|
The righteous will be preserved in the latter
days.
|
|
1 Nephi 1:5
|
He prayed with all his heart in behalf of his
people
|
|
1 Nephi 2:12
|
They did murmur because they knew not the
dealings of God
|
|
1 Nephi 3:6
|
Nephi favored because he didn't murmur
|
|
1 Nephi 4:6
|
Led by the Spirit, not knowing
beforehand...nevertheless, I went forth
|
|
1 Nephi 5:10
|
After giving thanks Lehi searched the
scriptures
|
|
1 Nephi 6:4
|
Fulness of intent is to persuade men to come to
Christ
|
|
1 Nephi 7:12
|
God is able to do all things according to his
will, if they exercise faith
|
|
1 Nephi 8:12
|
Fruit filled Lehi with joy-wherefore he was
desirous that he family partake.
|
|
1 Nephi 9:6
|
Lord knoweth All things-accomplishes ALL his
works-All power to fulfill ALL his words.
|
|
1 Nephi 10:19
|
Mysteries of God UNFOLDED to them who SEEK
DILEGENTLY
|
|
1 Nephi 11:5
|
Thou knowest that I believe ALL the words of my
father.
|
|
1 Nephi 12:17
|
Temptations of devil BLINDETH eyes, HARDENETH
hearts, LEADETH into broad roads.
|
|
1 Nephi 13:37
|
Blessed are those in latter-days who seek to bring
forth Zion-they receive Holy Ghost.
|
|
1 Nephi 14:30
|
If all the things I saw are not written, all
the things I have written are true.
|
|
1 Nephi 15:11
|
Gain a testimony by; no hard hearts, ask in
faith, diligence in keeping commandments.
|
|
1 Nephi 16:28
|
Liahona worked according to faith, diligence
and heed.
|
Alma 30-33
Alma 30
“the Book of Mormon exposes the
enemies of Christ…It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil
designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of
apostates in the Book of Mormon is similar to the type we have today. God, with
infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the
error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and
philosophical concepts of our time. (ETB,
A Witness and a Warning, p. 3)
See
2 Nephi 28:4-5
"Out of the work of the great
men of the seventeenth century a new outlook on the world was developed, and it
was this outlook, not specific arguments, which brought about the decay of the belief
in portents, witchcraft, demoniacal possession, and so forth. I think there
were three ingredients in the scientific outlook of the eighteenth century that
were specially important.
- Statements of fact should be based on
observation, not on unsupported authority.
- The inanimate world is a self-acting,
self-perpetuating system, in which all changes conform to natural laws.
- The earth is not the center of the
universe, and probably Man is not its purpose (if any); moreover,
"purpose" is a concept which is scientifically useless.
We advocate the philosophy of naturalism (whether we realize it or not) when we no longer regard these statements as restricted outlooks to be taken only in scientific endeavors but shift to the following positions: knowledge cannot be gained by any other means than by the use of the natural senses, the universe is really an inanimate self-acting and self-perpetuating system, and there is no real purpose in the existence of the universe." (Garrard)
Alma
30:6 – What is an anti-Christ? “An
anti-Christ is an opponent of Christ. He is one who offers salvation to men on
some other terms than those laid down by Christ.” (BRM, Mormon Doctrine, p. 39)
What
motivates an Anti-Christ? Why did Korihor say that he did what he did? According to his statement in Alma 30:53b,
this is the path he followed:
1. I taught [these things] because they were pleasing to the carnal mind. 2. I had much success . . 3. Because of my success, I verily believed that they were true . . . 4. For this cause I withstood the truth . Korihor goes through the spectrum from atheist to believer. In Alma 30:28 Korihor takes an atheistic position; but when pressed by Alma in verse 37, he reverts to an agnostic position. Then in verse 52 he claims that he had always known there was a God.
1. I taught [these things] because they were pleasing to the carnal mind. 2. I had much success . . 3. Because of my success, I verily believed that they were true . . . 4. For this cause I withstood the truth . Korihor goes through the spectrum from atheist to believer. In Alma 30:28 Korihor takes an atheistic position; but when pressed by Alma in verse 37, he reverts to an agnostic position. Then in verse 52 he claims that he had always known there was a God.
False
Teachings of Korihor – Notice the words he uses to describe the practices of
religious people; bound, foolish, vain
hope, yoke, foolish traditions of your fathers, frenzied mind, derangement of
your mind
1.
There
will be no Christ. Vs. 12, 15
2.
No
man know of things to come. There is no such thing as revelation or prophecy . Vs.
13 (Jacob 7:7)
3.
Your
prophecies are only foolish traditions (Vs. 14)
4.
You
cannot know of things which you do no see. Vs. 15 (See Jacob 7:7) Albert
Einstein and Truman Madsen) Secular
Humanism "is a humanist philosophy that espouses reason, ethics and
justice, and specifically rejects the super natural and religious dogma as the
basis of morality and decision making." (Wikipedia)
5.
Every
man fares in this life according to the management of the creature, according
to his own genius. There can be no remission of your sins and therefore no
atonement Vs. 16-17
6.
Whatsoever
a man did was no crime. There will be no judgment Vs. 17 (If it feels ok to
you, do it)
7.
When a man is dead, that is the end. Vs. 18 (How would
your life be different if you fell for these teachings?) (How did it effect the
people he taught? Vs. 18)
8.
You should not feel guilty for your sins you can lift
up your heads in your wickedness (30:18) Not only lift up your head in your
wickedness-have a parade!
9.
30:24 (Moses 5:33)
10.
30:28
Korihor’s teachings continued in Jershon
(more wise) and Gideon, (see vs. 23-28)
In
his earliest statement, Korihor tried to convince his hearers that he had a
passionate love for freedom and truth. Most of those who attack the work do so
with similar declarations. What he is
really saying is, “I do not believe in anything which might curtail the totally
free expression of my inclinations and appetites.”
There is no divine injunction requiring us to listen to every apostate who wants our attention. We are not expected to defend ourselves or give our undivided attention to people who want to destroy our way of life. Deuteronomy 13:6-8.
Ammon and his people refused to hearken to him or to pity him or to conceal him. They tied him up and tossed him out. He got the same treatment, more or less, in Gideon (Alma 30:21), where he was delivered to the high priest and the chief judge. They asked him why he was teaching this strange new doctrine. His answer came in three parts: 1. Academic freedom I can teach what I want (see Alma 30:23) 2. Your only purpose is to get power over the people (see Alma 30:23, 24) 3. Your doctrines are stupid (see Alma 30:27, 31)
They listened to him enough to discover his stubbornness and sent him to Alma (Alma 30:29) in Zarahemla.
(Alma 30:19-60)
vs. 31-32- GLUT--Watch your bishop this week. Follow him around and make a note of all that he does for the members of the ward.. Can anyone with eyes and a heart really believe that he is glutting on the labors of ward members?
(Alma 30:34)
Korihor’s early preaching contained this concept: No man can know of anything which is to come. (30:13) Later, however, Korihor declared that God was a being who never has been seen or known, who never was nor ever will be. (30:28) He sounds very much like someone who knows of things to come.
But the teaching is ridiculous for another reason, and Alma points it out: (Alma 30:40) If you admit we can’t peer behind the curtain, how can you be sure there’s nothing there?
Evidence? Of course Korihor has none. But Alma has some. (Alma 30:41-42)
And Korihor himself, after he lost the ability to speak, confessed, I always knew that there is a God. (Alma 30:52)
What evidence exists of the reality of God? 44
Korihor’s insistence on seeing a sign (see 30:43,45) suggests that Korihor’s intellectual dishonesty was accompanied by at least one other problem.
When I was preaching in Philadelphia, a Quaker called out for a sign. I told him to be still. After the sermon, he again asked for a sign. I told the congregation the man was an adulterer; that a wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and that the Lord had said to me in a revelation, that any man who wanted a sign was an adulterous person. “It is true,” cried one, “for I caught him in the very act,” which the man afterwards confessed when he was baptized. (TPJS, p.278) In relation to this subject, notice the content of Alma 30:18.
Korihor teaches us one more important lesson: a man can become so much the prisoner of his passions that it is impossible for him to repent regardless of the motivation. When Korihor begged for a reversal of the curse,, Alma replied, vs. 55
And then Mormon gives us the final lesson of the story as he recounts the end of Korihor.. (Alma 30:60)
President Benson said that the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 56) The ignominious death of Korihor shows a side of sinning that we never see in the movies or on television, and Mormon’s final observation contains an insight well worth absorbing.
There is no divine injunction requiring us to listen to every apostate who wants our attention. We are not expected to defend ourselves or give our undivided attention to people who want to destroy our way of life. Deuteronomy 13:6-8.
Ammon and his people refused to hearken to him or to pity him or to conceal him. They tied him up and tossed him out. He got the same treatment, more or less, in Gideon (Alma 30:21), where he was delivered to the high priest and the chief judge. They asked him why he was teaching this strange new doctrine. His answer came in three parts: 1. Academic freedom I can teach what I want (see Alma 30:23) 2. Your only purpose is to get power over the people (see Alma 30:23, 24) 3. Your doctrines are stupid (see Alma 30:27, 31)
They listened to him enough to discover his stubbornness and sent him to Alma (Alma 30:29) in Zarahemla.
(Alma 30:19-60)
vs. 31-32- GLUT--Watch your bishop this week. Follow him around and make a note of all that he does for the members of the ward.. Can anyone with eyes and a heart really believe that he is glutting on the labors of ward members?
(Alma 30:34)
Korihor’s early preaching contained this concept: No man can know of anything which is to come. (30:13) Later, however, Korihor declared that God was a being who never has been seen or known, who never was nor ever will be. (30:28) He sounds very much like someone who knows of things to come.
But the teaching is ridiculous for another reason, and Alma points it out: (Alma 30:40) If you admit we can’t peer behind the curtain, how can you be sure there’s nothing there?
Evidence? Of course Korihor has none. But Alma has some. (Alma 30:41-42)
And Korihor himself, after he lost the ability to speak, confessed, I always knew that there is a God. (Alma 30:52)
What evidence exists of the reality of God? 44
Korihor’s insistence on seeing a sign (see 30:43,45) suggests that Korihor’s intellectual dishonesty was accompanied by at least one other problem.
When I was preaching in Philadelphia, a Quaker called out for a sign. I told him to be still. After the sermon, he again asked for a sign. I told the congregation the man was an adulterer; that a wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and that the Lord had said to me in a revelation, that any man who wanted a sign was an adulterous person. “It is true,” cried one, “for I caught him in the very act,” which the man afterwards confessed when he was baptized. (TPJS, p.278) In relation to this subject, notice the content of Alma 30:18.
Korihor teaches us one more important lesson: a man can become so much the prisoner of his passions that it is impossible for him to repent regardless of the motivation. When Korihor begged for a reversal of the curse,, Alma replied, vs. 55
And then Mormon gives us the final lesson of the story as he recounts the end of Korihor.. (Alma 30:60)
President Benson said that the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 56) The ignominious death of Korihor shows a side of sinning that we never see in the movies or on television, and Mormon’s final observation contains an insight well worth absorbing.
The Teachings of
Korihor in Alma 30- (Charting
the Book of Mormon-chart 78)
|
Modern
Counterpart
|
Korihorism
|
Verse
|
|
Anti-Christian
|
There
should be no Christ
|
12
|
|
Negativism
|
Bound
down under a foolish and vain hope
|
13
|
|
Agnosticism
|
No
man can know of anything which is to come
|
13
|
|
Empiricism
|
Ye
cannot know of things which ye do not see
|
15
|
|
Psychological
explanation
|
It
is the effect of a frenzied mind
|
16
|
|
Positivism
|
A
belief of things which are not so
|
16
|
|
Sophism
|
Every
man fares in this life according to the management of the creature
|
17
|
|
Naturalism
|
Every
man prospers according to his genius
|
17
|
|
Egoism
|
Every
man conquers according to his strength
|
17
|
|
Relativism
|
Whatsoever
a man does is no crime
|
17
|
|
Hedonism
|
Lift
up their heads in wickedness
|
18
|
|
Nihilism
|
When
a man dies, that is the end thereof
|
18
|
|
Anti-religion
|
Priests
usurp power and authority over people
|
23
|
|
Skepticism
|
Ye
do not know that they are true
|
24
|
|
Atheism
|
A
being who never has been seen or known, who never was nor ever will be
|
28
|
Gerald N. Lund, “An Anti-Christ in the
Book of Mormon—The Face May Be Strange, but the Voice is Familiar,” The Book
of Mormon: Alma, The Testimony of the Word. Chauncey C.
Riddle.Korihor: The
Arguments of Apostasy - Ensign Sept. 1977
LaMar
Garrard- "Korihor the Anti-Christ" Studies in Scripture vol. 8 (all 3
available on-line)
If you ever wonder what angry atheists think about you and
your faith, then feast your eyes on these billboards they're planning to put up
in Charlotte during the Democratic National Convention. By directly slamming
"Mormonism" and "Christianity" in the most inflammatory
terms possible, atheists aren't trying to persuade - they're trying to shame.
Alma
31
Vs. 2-5
If you have time, you might wish to review the following scriptures on the power of the word: A. D&C 35:18-20 B. Hel. 6:37 C. Alma 37:8 D. 2 Tim. 3:13-17 E. D&C 6:2
F. Hel. 3:27-29 G. Alma 5:6-13 H. Hel. 15:7,8 I. D&C 11:21 J. D&C 18:34-36
Alma assembled what might be the most powerful missionary district of all time to go and deal with this problem. Vs.6
The Zoramites seem to have at least six problems. 1. Idol worship (31:1) 2. Pride 31:15,18) 3. Rejection of Christ (31:16,17) 4. Hearts set on riches (31:24,28) 5. Despising the poor (32:2,3)
If you have time, you might wish to review the following scriptures on the power of the word: A. D&C 35:18-20 B. Hel. 6:37 C. Alma 37:8 D. 2 Tim. 3:13-17 E. D&C 6:2
F. Hel. 3:27-29 G. Alma 5:6-13 H. Hel. 15:7,8 I. D&C 11:21 J. D&C 18:34-36
Alma assembled what might be the most powerful missionary district of all time to go and deal with this problem. Vs.6
The Zoramites seem to have at least six problems. 1. Idol worship (31:1) 2. Pride 31:15,18) 3. Rejection of Christ (31:16,17) 4. Hearts set on riches (31:24,28) 5. Despising the poor (32:2,3)
6. They did worship after a manner which Alma
and his brethren had never seen. (31:12)
Notice that the prayer of the Zoramites is followed almost at once by the prayer of Alma. In the Zoramite invocation (31:15-18) we see vain repetitions, pride, an absence of real intent, insincerity of heart, and a desire to be seen of men. In Alma’s prayer (31:28-35) we see an outpouring of love and pain and sorrow a great cry for comfort and a plea for success among these people. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ. (31:34) The Lord and Mormon must have wanted us to note the contrast between these two prayers and to compare them to our own supplications. The aftermath and the result of his prayer are wonderful: (Alma 31:36-38)
Notice that the prayer of the Zoramites is followed almost at once by the prayer of Alma. In the Zoramite invocation (31:15-18) we see vain repetitions, pride, an absence of real intent, insincerity of heart, and a desire to be seen of men. In Alma’s prayer (31:28-35) we see an outpouring of love and pain and sorrow a great cry for comfort and a plea for success among these people. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ. (31:34) The Lord and Mormon must have wanted us to note the contrast between these two prayers and to compare them to our own supplications. The aftermath and the result of his prayer are wonderful: (Alma 31:36-38)
Our communities are filled with Zoramites,
millions of men and women who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men,
whereby they lie in wait to deceive by the Korihors and the Zorams, and who are
only “kept from the truth because they know not where to find it” (D&C
123:12). And what Alma said of the Zoramites we might say of them: (Alma 31:35)
We ought to be as anxious and willing as Alma, in our own stewardships and
neighborhoods, to try and reclaim them by the virtue of the word of God.
Alma 32
Why
I Still Choose to Believe - John Lynch (Meridian Magazine, Aug. 12, 2012)
Articles
About Faith from Alma 32
1.
Vs. 18: Knowledge is not = to faith.
2.
Vs. 19: Knowledge is = to accountability.
3.
Vs. 21: Faith=hope.
4.
Vs. 21: Faith is not = to seeing.
5.
Vs. 21: You can't have faith in something that is not true.
6.
Vs. 22: God wants us to believe.
7.
Vs. 23: Faith is for ALL.
8.
Vs. 26: Faith can grow.
9.
Vs. 27: No faith to the drowsy.
10.
Vs. 27: Try it-you'll like it.
11.
Vs. 27: You gotta wanna.
12.
Vs. 27: Start with a portion of the whole thing.
13.
Vs. 28: We have to make room for the seed.
14.
Vs. 28: We shouldn't fight faith with disbelief.
15.
Vs. 28: Good seeds enlarge, enlighten and taste good.
16.
Vs. 30: Good seeds grow.
17.
Vs. 34: Knowledge makes faith dormant.
18.
Vs. 34: Faith can come 1 seed at a time.
19.
Vs. 35: Faith is mind expanding.
20.
Vs. 37: Young trees need careful care.
21.
Vs. 38: Neglect =death of faith.
22.
Vs. 40: No effort=No fruit.
23.
Vs. 42: Patience and Diligence are necessary.
24.
Vs. 42: IT IS WORTH IT!
Alma 33 - How do you plant the seed?
vs. 1
1. Prayer
vs. 2- field, near home, in home, in closet=where can you pray? (merciful=
because of thy son) note the repetition.
2. vs.
12-14 - Read Scriptures
3. Act of
Faith- like Moses asked the people to look to the Savior. The Bible tells us
what happened, the Book of Mormon tells us why.
4. Vs. 22 -
summarizes the highlights of chapter 32.
