Alma 30

Korihor symbolizes those in the world who would deny that Jesus is the Christ and teach others to believe the same. This denial comes in many forms, that he was just a man, that he was a great teacher and the miracles, atonement and resurrection are myths. The Korihors of the world teach that to believe in Christ, to believe in the scriptures and the prophets is naive and foolish. Korihors are not always people who are obviously evil; they often appear to be important, influential, and the type of people others would want to emulate. Here are some of Korihor's arguments put in our time frame since he lived before Christ and we live after:

1. There is no evidence there is a God or that Christ performed miracles, atoned for people's sins and was resurrected and no one can know these things because there is no evidence. Therefore, no one can know there is a God because no one has seen God.
2. Religion is a tradition. People believe what they believe because that is what they were taught by their parents.
3. Anything we accomplish is based on our strength only. There is no such thing as divine help or intervention.
4. What a person chooses to do is his own business and since it's his own business, it is no sin unless he feels it is a sin.
5. Immorality is acceptable and desirable if it is acceptable to those committing it.
6. There is no life after death, therefore life should be lived to the fullest, fullest being defined as anything goes.
7. Religious belief causes a person to lose his personal freedom and puts church leaders in control of the people.
8. Church leaders use their control to get rich off of the people.

Alma skillfully retorts Korihor's claims and makes some important points. He teaches that everyone not only has the scriptures and the teachings of the prophets as evidence there is a God, but everything in all of creation is evidence there is a God. He points out that immoral freedom does not bring happiness, but those who find deep religious belief are those who experience the deep happiness and joy possible in life. And rather than religion being something that restricts a person, it gives a person more freedom. Finally, and I think this is one of the more important lessons in the chapter, those who are critical of religion like Korihor, know deep down that what they are teaching is not true. Korihor has the purpose of accomplishing exactly what he is accusing the religious leaders of. He wants to get gain, to have control and power, and to establish traditions that are not true and damaging to the people. That is what is so dangerous about Korihors. It is a wise thing to be able to recognize them for what they are when we confronted with them.

Korihor asks for a sign and receives one. He then pleads for it to be taken away and promises that he has changed and will no longer do what he was doing. Alma recognizes that he is like many who are trapped in their sins, once removed from their situation, they return to doing the same things.