Understanding the Scriptures
Alma 30
| Contrary to (v. 7) | Against, opposed |
| Yoke (vv. 13, 28) | Connect |
| Frenzied (v. 16) | Excited and confused |
| Derangement (v. 16) | Insane or mixed-up condition |
| Fared (v. 17) | Survived, succeeded |
| Management of the creature (v. 17) | Control used over one’s actions |
| Lift up their heads (vv. 18, 23) | Not feel guilt, be proud |
| Perverting, perverteth (vv. 22, 60) | Changing, corrupting |
| Usurp (v. 23) | Unjustly or violently take |
| Glut, glutting (vv. 27, 31–32) | Get far more than is needed, live in excessive luxury |
| Whims (v. 28) | Sudden thoughtless desires |
| Revile (vv. 29, 31) | Insult, criticize |
| Blaspheme (v. 30) | Speak disrespectfully about sacred things |
| Swelling (v. 31) | Becoming louder and more intense |
| Devices (v. 42) | Plans, schemes |
| Denote (v. 44) | Show evidence, indicate |
| Dumb (vv. 47, 49, 52) | Unable to speak |
| Utterance (vv. 49–50) | Ability to speak |
| Carnal (v. 53) | Worldly, not spiritual |
Alma 30:12–50—Criticizing the Church and Sign Seeking
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “That man who rises up to condemn others, finding fault with the Church, saying that they are out of the way, while he himself is righteous, then know assuredly, that that man is in the high road to apostasy; and if he does not repent, will apostatize, as God lives. The principle is as correct as the one that Jesus put forth in saying that he who seeketh a sign is an adulterous person; and that [principle] is eternal, undeviating, and firm as the pillars of heaven; for whenever you see a man seeking after a sign, you may set it down that he is an adulterous man” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 156–57). The truth of his last statement can be seen in Alma 30:18, 53.
Studying the Scriptures
Do activity A or B and then do activity C or D as you study Alma 30.
Explain the Effects
Elder Boyd K. Packer, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught, “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 20; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 17). It might also be said that believing false doctrines will change one’s attitude and behavior. We can see this in the account of Korihor.
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1.
Make a chart with four columns, like the one below. In the first column, list at least five doctrines or teachings Korihor proclaimed as truth in Alma 30:13–18. In the second column, write what effect you think believing that doctrine would have on a person’s attitude or behavior. In the third column, write the true doctrine. Then, in the last column, write the effect this true doctrine would likely have on a person’s attitude and behavior.
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Effects of True and False Doctrine | |||
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Korihor’s False Doctrine |
Effects on Attitude and Behavior |
True Doctrine |
Effects on Attitude and Behavior |
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2.
According to Alma 30:17–18, how was Korihor influencing or hoping to influence the people’s attitudes and behavior?
Expose the Problems in Logic
When people argue, they often try to use logic to show how reasonable their position is. A logical argument, however, begins with certain ideas that a person believes or assumes to be true. Korihor was no exception. He made two “logical” conclusions in Alma 30:12–18. They can be identified as the result of his logic and argument when he said “therefore,” or in other words, “we must logically conclude that.”
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1.
Identify Korihor’s conclusion in verse 15. Then identify what he assumed to be true in order to come to that conclusion.
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2.
Identify Korihor’s conclusion in verse 17. Then identify what he assumed to be true in order to come to that conclusion.
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3.
What is the problem with Korihor’s assumptions of what is true?
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4.
Korihor asked believers how they knew for sure what they believed was true. We might ask the same of Korihor. Notice what Alma asked him in verse 40. What evidences did Alma then give in verses 41 and 44 that what he, Alma, believed was true?
How Is It Said Today?
List five statements Korihor made in Alma 30:12–18, 23–28 that people still use as arguments against the true gospel of Jesus Christ today. Next to each statement from Korihor, write how people use the same argument today.
Give Support to This Conclusion
In Alma 30:60, Mormon explained what he wanted us to learn from the example of Korihor. Use what you learned in Alma 30 to make a list of what would support the truth of Mormon’s statement.
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