“Alma 30:1–29: Korihor’s Teachings Lead Many Away from the Savior,” Book of Mormon Student Manual (2024)
“Alma 30:1–29,” Book of Mormon Student Manual
Alma 30:1–29
Korihor’s Teachings Lead Many Away from the Savior
A wicked man named Korihor came among the Nephites. He preached against the prophecies about Jesus Christ and led many people’s hearts away from God. In our day there are many voices that seek to lead us away from Jesus Christ. This lesson can help you recognize and reject teachings that could lead you away from Jesus Christ.
The deception of Satan
A maka-feke is an octopus lure. Octopus lures are designed to look so similar to a real meal that a deceived octopus will refuse to give it up once grasped. When this happens, the fisherman can easily toss the octopus onto his boat.
President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) used the example of a maka-feke to teach how Satan works.
Today we are surrounded by the maka-fekes which the evil one dangles before us and with which he attempts to entice us and then to ensnare us. Once grasped, such maka-fekes are ever so difficult—and sometimes nearly impossible—to relinquish. To be safe, we must recognize them for what they are and then be unwavering in our determination to avoid them. (Thomas S. Monson, “True to the Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2006, 18)
-
How confident do you feel in your ability to recognize Satan’s false teachings that could “entice” and “ensnare” you?
Avoiding things that draw us away from the Savior
Following a great battle between the Nephites and the Lamanites, peace settled over the land. About two years later, a man named Korihor began to preach among the people in Zarahemla. Satan told Korihor what to say (see Alma 30:53). As you study today, notice how Korihor used his words and false teachings as a maka-feke to entrap the people.
Read Alma 30:6, 12, looking for words and phrases that describe the message and mission of Korihor.
-
What do you think it means that he was “Anti-Christ”? (Alma 30:6).
The word anti-Christ refers to “anyone or anything that counterfeits the true gospel plan of salvation and that openly or secretly opposes Christ” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Antichrist,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). One truth we can learn from the account of Korihor is that Satan uses false teachings to draw us away from Jesus Christ.
Korihor’s anti-Christ teachings
Read Alma 30:12–18, looking for Korihor’s false teachings. Consider marking Korihor’s teachings in a way to set them apart (for example, with a unique color or symbol) or writing them in your study journal.
-
What were some of Korihor’s false teachings?
-
Answer the following questions.
Choose two or three specific teachings of Korihor to use as you answer the first two questions:
-
How might you restate Korihor’s teachings using language more common in our day?
-
Using a scale from 1 to 10 (with 10 being the strongest), how strongly do you see Korihor’s teachings being promoted today?
-
What is it about these teachings that would lead people away from Jesus Christ? Why are these dangerous ideas?
-
Seek the guidance of the Spirit and reflect on the impact of Korihor’s teachings in your own life. Consider ways any of these false teachings may influence you personally.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke about Korihor and his teachings. You might want to watch the video “The Divine Gift of Repentance” from time code 2:08 to 2:40, available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
[People such as] Korihor … deny the very existence of Christ and any such thing as sin. Their doctrine is that values, standards, and even truth are all relative. Thus, whatever one feels is right for him or her cannot be judged by others to be wrong or sinful.
On the surface such philosophies seem appealing because they give us license to indulge any appetite or desire without concern for consequences. (D. Todd Christofferson, “The Divine Gift of Repentance,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 38)
-
How do you think these teachings could lead people to commit sin? (See verse 18.)
Read Alma 30:19–21, looking for how the people of Jershon and Gideon responded to Korihor’s teachings.
-
Answer the following questions:
Why do you think their response was “more wise” (Alma 30:20) than that of the people of Zarahemla? (see Alma 30:18).
-
How can we be “more wise” and reject anti-Christ messages?
-
How could your knowledge of and relationship with the Savior affect how much influence these anti-Christ teachings have on you?
-
Reflect on what you have learned and felt from your study. Seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost to help you focus on Jesus Christ and reject teachings that would lead you away from Him.