How do you respond when people challenge your faith?
Korihor attracted a large number of followers by criticizing the church. He claimed that the members were naive and the leaders were exploitative. Alma tried to help Korihor recognize the truth, but it was only when he was overcome by the power of God that Korihor finally admitted his errors (Alma 30).
The wealthy Zoramites also challenged Alma’s beliefs, claiming, as they prayed on a tower called the Rameumptom, they they had been elected to be saved while everyone else would be cast into hell. In response, Alma offered a heartfelt prayer on their behalf, that he and his fellow missionaries might “have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ” (Alma 31).
Lessons from Korihor
- Korihor accused Alma and the other church leaders of abusing the trust of the members and of artificially limiting their freedom. Alma refuted him by pointing out that he labored with his own hands for his support, and that the people found joy in obeying the commandments of God. How Can I Tell When Authority Is Being Used Improperly?
- When people criticize your beliefs, they may appear to have the upper hand. But their beliefs are also subject to scrutiny. What Evidence Have Ye That There Is No God? – Alma 30:40
Lessons from the mission to the Zoramites
- Teaching true principles is more effective than attempting to control behavior. Why? Because people like to make their own decisions, because principles can be applied to a variety of situations, and because people can learn to make wise decisions without constant guidance. The Preaching of the Word – Alma 31:5
- Our prayers should be humble and personal, respectful of other people, and truthful. What Lessons Can We Learn from the Prayer on the Rameumptom?
- We can learn a lot about prayer by contrasting the prayer the Zoramites offered on the Rameumptom with the humble prayer offered by Alma immediately afterward: The Preaching of the Word – Alma 31:5.
- Instead of asking God to take away our adversity, it may be better to ask Him for the strength to endure it. That I May Suffer with Patience – Alma 31:30-31
Blog Posts: July 7-12
“I Always Knew” – Alma 30:52
We know more than we realize. After Korihor was struck by the power of God, he began to see things differently. He acknowledged that he had been teaching falsehoods. He did so “because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind.” Over time, his mind was blinded by the approval he received from others: “I taught…
Korihor and the Closing of the Nephite Mind
When I think of a teacher, I think of someone who expands people’s knowledge, who helps them open their minds to new possibilities and new paradigms. But Korihor, a popular teacher among the Nephite people about 75 years before the birth of Christ, was entirely focused on debunking myths and questioning beliefs. His view of…
“I Have All Things as a Testimony” – Alma 30:41
I wrote yesterday about Korihor’s constricting worldview. His rejection of all knowledge that is not current and within our own experience led to very poor outcomes. Alma, in contrast, had a broad perspective. After asking Korihor what evidence he had that there is no God, Alma shared his own experience: “I have all things as…
“The Preaching of the Word”: Alma 31:5
Early in his ministry, when Alma was troubled by inequality among his people, he resigned his position of political authority and dedicated himself to his ecclesiastical role. “And this he did…that he might preach the word of God unto them…seeing no [other] way that he might reclaim them.” He had tremendous confidence in the power…
“Never Speaking of Their God Again” – Alma 31:23
What is the role of church meetings in discipleship? I’ve been thinking about that question today, as I’ve pondered the religious observance of the wealthy Zoramites. According to Mormon, the Zoramites would gather at their house of worship one day each week and offer thanks to God. But after participating in this collective worship, they…
“I Am Infirm” – Alma 31:30
Acknowledging our weakness may be a prerequisite to receiving the help we need from God. (See Ether 12:27, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10). After hearing the arrogant and exclusive prayer of the wealthy Zoramites, in which they congratulated themselves on being better than other people (Alma 31:15-18), Alma offered his own prayer, pleading that he and his…
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