Korihor
Encyclopedia
Korihor is a skeptic mentioned in The Book of Mormon, in Alma
. Korihor preached ...that there could be no atonement made for the sins of men, but every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime.
Korihor is directly referred to in The Book of Mormon as an Anti-Christ
, because he claimed there will be no Christ
. Despite a freedom of religion, Korihor's views and teachings alarmed the clerical government in Zarahelma, who felt that his views were dangerous to their society. Under his teachings, people had begun to ignore the laws of the land (which were based on the religious beliefs of their society). He also attempted to preach to the people of Ammon, but the residents had kicked him out of Jershon. He also tried preaching in Gideon, thus being under arrest before a high priest, during a hearing for his apparent blasphemy
and for causing social discord, Korihor offers a speech in his own defense. Korihor is turned over to higher authority and later gets into an argument with the chief judge and governor, Alma
, about the existence of God. Alma refused to accept Korihor's arguments and Korihor finally demanded that Alma show him a sign from God or he, Korihor, would not believe in God. This culminated in Korihor being miraculously rendered deaf and mute, upon which Korihor confessed, in writing, ...I always knew that there was a God. But behold, the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God. And he said unto me: There is no God; yea, and he taught me that which I should say. Cast out, Korihor became a beggar and was later trampled to death by a group who had separated themselves from the main Nephite
society called the Zoramites.
Book of Alma
The Book of Alma is one of the books that make up the Book of Mormon. The full title is The Book of Alma: The Son of Alma. The title refers to Alma the Younger, a prophet and "chief judge" of the Nephites.-Historical Outline:...
. Korihor preached ...that there could be no atonement made for the sins of men, but every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime.
Korihor is directly referred to in The Book of Mormon as an Anti-Christ
Antichrist
The term or title antichrist, in Christian theology, refers to a leader who fulfills Biblical prophecies concerning an adversary of Christ, while resembling him in a deceptive manner...
, because he claimed there will be no Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
. Despite a freedom of religion, Korihor's views and teachings alarmed the clerical government in Zarahelma, who felt that his views were dangerous to their society. Under his teachings, people had begun to ignore the laws of the land (which were based on the religious beliefs of their society). He also attempted to preach to the people of Ammon, but the residents had kicked him out of Jershon. He also tried preaching in Gideon, thus being under arrest before a high priest, during a hearing for his apparent blasphemy
Blasphemy
Blasphemy is irreverence towards religious or holy persons or things. Some countries have laws to punish blasphemy, while others have laws to give recourse to those who are offended by blasphemy...
and for causing social discord, Korihor offers a speech in his own defense. Korihor is turned over to higher authority and later gets into an argument with the chief judge and governor, Alma
Alma the Younger
According to the Book of Mormon, Alma, the son of Alma was a Nephite prophet often referred to as "Alma the Younger" to distinguish him from his father, who is often referred to as "Alma the Elder"...
, about the existence of God. Alma refused to accept Korihor's arguments and Korihor finally demanded that Alma show him a sign from God or he, Korihor, would not believe in God. This culminated in Korihor being miraculously rendered deaf and mute, upon which Korihor confessed, in writing, ...I always knew that there was a God. But behold, the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God. And he said unto me: There is no God; yea, and he taught me that which I should say. Cast out, Korihor became a beggar and was later trampled to death by a group who had separated themselves from the main Nephite
Nephite
According to the Book of Mormon, a Nephite is a member of one of the four main groups of settlers of the ancient Americas. The other three groups are the Lamanites, Jaredites and Mulekites. In the Book of Mormon, the Nephites were a group of people descended from or associated with Nephi, the...
society called the Zoramites.