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Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 16
Alma was not deceived by this subtility. "Thou hast had signs enough. ..when ye have the
testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets" (53). As further evidence, Alma
cited the testimony of the scriptures, the earth and its motion, the planets in their orbits (54, 55).
Korihor still demanded a sign, and was rebuked for the hardness of his heart (56, 57).
Alma 16:59 Therefore if thou shalt deny again, behold, God shall smite thee, that thou shalt become
dumb, that thou shalt never open thy mouth any more, that thou shalt not deceive this people any more.
Not yet convinced that Alma had authority to command any sign, Korihor said, "I do not believe
that there is a God" (60). "This will I give unto thee for a sign, that thou shalt be struck dumb,
...that ye shall no more have utterance" (61).
A visible change came over Korihor, and. Alma wrote, "Art thou convinced of the power of God?
...and now will ye dispute more?" (63, 65). He wrote his reply, "I know that I am dumb, for1 can
not speak; and I know that nothing, save it were the power of God, could bring this upon me; yea,
and I also knew that there was a God" (66). But instead of accepting his responsibility he, like
many others, blamed the devil, "for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel”, (67).
Alma 16:70 Now when he had said this, he besought that Alma should pray unto God, that the curse
might be taken from him.
The presiding high priest had .the discernment to know that this man had been convicted, not
converted: "If this curse Should be taken from thee, thou wouldest again lead away the hearts of
this people" (71). So Korihor was cast out and went from house to house begging food.
A proclamation was sent forth by the chief judge calling on the believers in the teachings of
Korihor to repent. Convinced of the wickedness of this man, "they were all converted again unto
the Lord" (74). But Korihor went among another group of dissenters called Zoramites, and
suffered a terrible end, being trodden to death. Thus the prophecy of Alma, "Ye shall be struck
dumb, that ye shall no more have utterance," was literally fulfilled.
Alma 16:77 And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord; and thus we see that
the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell.
After following the counsel of Satan, Adam and Eve lost their first estate. Satan entered into Judas
Iscariot (Luke 22:3), but after doing his bidding, Satan had no power to reward Judas with
happiness so he "went, and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:6).
ALMA. LABORS WITH ZORAMITES, VER. 78-120
Alma 16:82 And now, as the preaching of the word had had a greater tendency to lead the people to do
that which was just; yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword,
or anything else, which had happened unto them; therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they
should try the virtue of the word of God.