Posted by:
baura
(
)
Date: March 12, 2014 04:06PM
(I posted this under Crookedletter's thread on "Korihor - the victim of bullying," But I thought I'd upgrade it to its own thread.)
The Korihor story is jaw-droppingly awful.
First it mentions that they HAD A LAW that you couldn't arrest someone for their religious beliefs or preaching:
7 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.
8 For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day, whom ye
will serve.
9 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.
10 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.
11 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.
12 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 bno Christ. . . .
--Alma 30:7-12
So we have it established that the Nephites had total freedom of religion, just like in Joseph Smith's time. We also have it established that to have it otherwise is "strictly contrary to the commands of God."
Let's see how much the Book of Mormon account respects the law based on the "commands of God."
Korihor is preaching--nothing else. Not murdering, not , not robbing, not assaulting anyone, not committing adultery--just presenting his views in the marketplace of ideas.
So what happens?
19 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.
20 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.
21 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.
--Alma 30:19-21 (emphasis added)
So much for freedom of religion. I guess the "commands of God" are good to give lip service to but not actually to be followed. The message here is that Mormons don't really have to follow the law where their religion is involved--something that all the "prophets" from Joseph Smith to Joseph F. Smith actually stated.
So Korihor's rights are trampled on, he's arrested and "bound" and brought before Alma who starts debating him. Korihor mentions the leaders "glutting on the labors of the people," (Alma 30:31). In righteous indignation Alma replies:
32 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.
33 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.
34 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?
35 Then why sayest thou that we preach unto this people to get
gain, when thou, of thyself, knowest that we receive no gain?
--Alma 30:32-35
Let's take some time out and fast-forward to the Church today:
Thomas S. Monson has been a GA for over half a century. Before that he was employed by the Church. Today he is a millionaire.
Boyd K. Packer has been a GA for half a century. Before that he was employed by the Church. Today he is a millionaire.
Please tell me what "labor" they do with their "own hands" for their "support?"
OK, back to Korihor:
So the "debate" between Alma and the bound prisoner continues and Korihor gives a cartoonish version of typical early 19th century, post-Enlightenment "free thought" and Alma counters with typical early 19th century arguments about the orderliness of the planets in their orbits, etc. Then Korihor mentions "a sign:"
43 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.
--Alma 30:43
So Korihor asks for actual evidence--what a concept. What is Alma's reply:
44 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.
Wait a minute. Does Alma believe because of these things--the regularity of the planets, the scriptures, the prophets etc. was that enough for Alma? OR DID ALMA, HIMSELF, NEED A SIGN? Let's back up and look into Alma's background:
8 Now the sons of Mosiah were numbered among the unbelievers;
and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he
being called Alma, after his father; nevertheless, he became a
very wicked and an idolatrous man. And he was a man of many
words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he
led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities.
9 And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the
church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing
much dissension among the people; giving a chance for the enemy
of God to exercise his power over them.
10 And now it came to pass that while he was going about to
destroy the church of God, for he did go about secretly with
the sons of Mosiah seeking to destroy the church, and to lead
astray the people of the Lord, contrary to the commandments of
God, or even the king—
--Mosiah 27:8-10
So Alma was at least as "bad" as Korihor. Alma went around "secretly . . . seeking to destroy the church, and to lead astray the people of the Lord, . . ." Korihor is doing his preaching openly, not secretly.
So how did Alma, former evil anti-Christ end up as the leader of the church himself? Let's read on:
11 And as I said unto you, as they were going about rebelling
against God, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto them;
and he descended as it were in a cloud; and he spake as it were
with a voice of thunder, which caused the earth to shake upon
which they stood;
12 And so great was their astonishment, that they fell to the
earth, and understood not the words which he spake unto them.
13 Nevertheless he cried again, saying: Alma, arise and stand
forth, for why persecutest thou the church of God? For the Lord
hath said: This is my church, and I will establish it; and
nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my
people.
14 And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the
prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant,
Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith
concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge
of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to
convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the
prayers of his servants might be answered according to their
faith.
15 And now behold, can ye dispute the power of God? For
behold, doth not my voice shake the earth? And can ye not also
behold me before you? And I am sent from God.
16 Now I say unto thee: Go, and remember the captivity of thy
fathers in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and
remember how great things he has done for them; for they were
in bondage, and he has delivered them. And now I say unto thee,
Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that
their prayers may be answered, and this even if thou wilt of
thyself be cast off.
17 And now it came to pass that these were the last words
which the angel spake unto Alma, and he departed.
18 And now Alma and those that were with him fell again to the
earth, for great was their astonishment; for with their own
eyes they had beheld an angel of the Lord; and his voice was as
thunder, which shook the earth; and they knew that there was
nothing save the power of God that could shake the earth and
cause it to tremble as though it would part asunder.
19 And now the astonishment of Alma was so great that he
became dumb, that he could not open his mouth; yea, and he
became weak, even that he could not move his hands; therefore
he was taken by those that were with him, and carried helpless,
even until he was laid before his father.
--Mosiah 27:11-19
Wow, so Alma was worse than Korihor and Alma got a sign. Alma needed a sign before he'd believe, but now he's scolding Korihor for asking for a sign. Now he's telling Korihor that the same things that were not enough for Alma, himself, should be enough for Korihor--the arrogance and hypocrisy are astounding.
So Alma uses his mojo to give Korihor a sign; Korihor is struck dumb--the exact same sign that Alma himself had, minus the angel. But he won't allow Korihor to repent. Korihor, unlike Alma, must remain dumb and beg for his food and finally be trampled to death. The chapter concludes with:
60 And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord; . . .
--Alma 30:60
That's the end of Korihor, but I guess this doesn't apply to Alma who, although he "perverted the ways of the Lord" got a reprieve and was able act like a dick with Korihor.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/12/2014 04:10PM by baura.