Lesson 27: All Things Denote There Is a God

Purpose: 
To help class members learn how to recognize and refute false teachings and stay true to their testimonies of Jesus Christ.

Reading Assignment:

• Alma 30-31
• Bible Dictionary, “Antichrist,”

Overview:

1. Alma 30:1–18. Korihor, an anti-Christ, leads away the hearts of many in Zarahemla by preaching that “there should be no Christ” and that “whatsoever a man did was no crime.”
    
2. Alma 30:19–60. Korihor attempts to preach in the lands of Jershon and Gideon. The people refuse to listen, and they take him before their leaders. Korihor is then taken before Alma, who bears testimony of Christ’s coming and the existence of God. Korihor demands a sign and is struck dumb.
    
3. Alma 31. Alma leads a mission to reclaim the apostate Zoramites, who have adopted false beliefs and a prideful form of worship.

Questions to Ponder:
a. 

• What were some of the false teachings Korihor spread among the people of Zarahemla? (see Alma 30:12–18)
• Why would these teachings lead people to sin? 
• In what ways are our daily choices influenced by our knowledge of Jesus Christ, the Atonement, and life after death?

b. 

• What did the people of Ammon do when Korihor tried to spread his false teachings among them? (See Alma 30:19–21.) 
  • How did their actions demonstrate that they were “more wise” than the Nephites in Zarahemla?
  • How can we be wise and use discernment in similar situations?
• What false accusations did Korihor make against the Church leaders? (See Alma 30:23–24, 27–28, 31.) 
  • Why do you think he did this? 
  • How does obeying our Church leaders actually help make us free rather than bring us into bondage, as Korihor claimed?
• How did Alma respond to Korihor’s accusations against Church leaders? (See Alma 30:32–35) 
  • How can knowing the truth help us when we are confronted with false teachings?
• How did Alma respond to Korihor’s claim that there is no God? (See Alma 30:39) 
  • How are we blessed when we bear testimony of Jesus Christ?
• What was Alma able to discern about Korihor? (See Alma 30:42) 
  • How can we discern between true and false teachings? (See Moroni 10:5)
• When Korihor asked for a sign of God’s existence, what signs did Alma put forth as evidence that God lives? (See Alma 30:44) 
  • How have these evidences helped strengthen your faith?
• Even after Alma’s testimony, Korihor continued to demand to be shown a sign (Alma 30:45)
  • What sign did Korihor receive? (See Alma 30:49–50) 
  • Why was this sign given? (See Alma 30:47) 
• After Korihor acknowledged that he had been deceived, what did he say was the reason he had followed the devil? (See Alma 30:53)
• What finally happened to Korihor? (See Alma 30:54–56, 58–59) 
• Why do you think Mormon included the account of Korihor in his abridgment of the plates? 
  • What does this account teach us about the fate of those who pervert the ways of the Lord? (See Alma 30:60)

c. 

• Why did Alma decide to go on a mission to reclaim the Zoramites? (See Alma 31:1–6) 
  • Why did Alma believe that he and his brethren should preach the word of God? (See Alma 31:5.) 
  • How have you seen the word of God bring about change in people’s lives?
• The Zoramites had been members of the Church, but they had “fallen into great errors” (Alma 31:8–9) 
  • Why did they fall into apostasy? (See Alma 31:9–11) 
  • What can we do to guard against individual apostasy?
• What did Alma and his brethren learn about the Zoramites’ manner of worship? (See Alma 31:12–23) 
  • How did Alma and his brethren respond when they witnessed this false worship? (See Alma 31:19, 24)
• Compare and contntrast the prayers of the Zoramites and Alma’s Prayer? (SeeAlma 31:15-18) and (Alma 31:30-35)
  • How was Alma’s prayer different from the Zoramites’ prayer?
• What attitudes of the Zoramites were the greatest barriers to their having faith in Christ? (See Alma 31:24–29) 
  • How does pride affect our worship? (See Alma 15:17; 34:38; D&C 59:21) 
  • Why is pride an obstacle to salvation?
• Alma’s “heart was grieved” because of the Zoramites’ wickedness. He prayed earnestly that he and his brethren might bring them “again unto … Christ” (Alma 31:24, 34) 
  • What responsibility do we have today to help those who have strayed from the teachings of Jesus Christ? (See 3 Nephi 18:32) 
  • How can prayer help us when we serve a mission or as we perform our various callings?
• How were Alma and his brethren blessed? (See Alma 31:38) 
  • How will the Lord help us if we pray in faith for that which is right?

Conclusion

The philosophies of Korihor and the Zoramites are prevalent today. From the classroom to the workplace, in the media, in books, and sometimes in the home, there are those who preach the false doctrines of Korihor to “interrupt [our] rejoicings” (Alma 30:22). Also, like the Zoramites, many today set their hearts on “the vain things of the world” (Alma 31:27). We all need to fortify ourselves through diligent study of the Book of Mormon, daily prayer, and continued obedience to the commandments of God.