Seminary
Alma 30:30–60: “There Is a Supreme Creator”

“Alma 30:30–60: ‘There Is a Supreme Creator,’” Book of Mormon Student Manual (2024)

“Alma 30:30–60,” Book of Mormon Student Manual

Alma 30:30–60

“There Is a Supreme Creator”

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person looking at the night sky

Alma testified that “all things denote there is a God” (Alma 30:44). But why does not everyone recognize or confess that there is evidence that God is real? Korihor denied the existence of God until he was struck dumb by God’s power. This lesson can help you recognize evidence that God exists and choose to believe in Him.

The existence of God

  • In your school or community, how common does it seem to be for people to see evidence of God’s existence in the world around them (for example, while looking at a sunset or the stars)?

  • Why do you think people can look at the same things and draw different conclusions about God?

  • What might influence someone’s ability to recognize God’s involvement in their life?

Reflect on how you would be blessed if you could see God and His involvement more clearly in your life. As you study today, seek to increase your ability to see evidence of God in what you see and experience.

Korihor accuses Church leaders

Korihor, an anti-Christ, had a lot of success spreading his flattering messages in the land of Zarahemla (see Alma 30:12, 17–18). He also tried to teach the people in Jershon and Gideon. There, believers in God opposed Korihor and brought him to see the chief judge and Alma, the high priest.

Read Alma 30:30–36, looking for how Alma responded to Korihor’s attacks on God and the Church. You could also watch the video “All Things Denote There Is a God” from time code 3:22 to 5:16, available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

It might be helpful to know that blaspheme in verse 30 means to mock God or speak “disrespectfully or irreverently of God or sacred things” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Blaspheme, Blasphemy,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). The word glut in these verses implies to get rich from.

  • What was Korihor accusing Church leaders of doing? (See Alma 30:31.)

Alma’s testimony of God

When Alma asked Korihor if he believed in God, Korihor said he did not (see Alma 30:37–38).

Read Alma 30:39–44, looking for how Alma responded to Korihor. You could also watch the video “All Things Denote There Is a God” from time code 5:23 to 7:13, available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

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  1. Answer the following questions:

    • What stands out to you from Alma’s response?

    • What truths about God can you identify in Alma 30:41, 44?

  1. Complete the following activity:

    1. Make a list of what Alma said provides evidence of God’s existence.

    2. Add any additional evidence you can think of.

    3. Look for items on your list that have helped you personally see evidence of God. You might write down some details from your experiences.

    4. You could also choose one or more items on your list and share how these might help you increase your ability to see evidence of God.

President Russell M. Nelson gave the following counsel about knowing that God exists.

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President Russell M. Nelson

Understand that in the absence of experiences with God, one can doubt the existence of God. So, put yourself in a position to begin having experiences with Him. Humble yourself. Pray to have eyes to see God’s hand in your life and in the world around you. Ask Him to tell you if He is really there—if He knows you. Ask Him how He feels about you. And then listen. (Russell M. Nelson, “Come, Follow Me,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 90)

  • According to President Nelson, what could you do to strengthen your knowledge that God is real and involved in your life?

Instead of exercising faith to have an experience with God, Korihor wanted Alma to convince him of God’s power and repeatedly challenged Alma to show him a sign (see Alma 30:43, 45, 48).

  • What do you think is different about someone following President Nelson’s invitation and someone demanding a sign?

Read Alma 30:48–53, 59–60, looking for how Korihor became convinced of the power of God. You could also watch the rest of the video “All Things Denote There Is a God” from time code 7:13 to 11:16, available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

  • What can we learn from Korihor’s experience?

Notice what lessons Mormon pointed out with the phrase “thus we see” in verse 60. Think about how the devil still deceives people today and tries to convince them to deny what they know to be true.