Lesson
17: Beware of the Dwarf!
Alma
30-31
Okay, that’s
an old “Foul Play” quote from the 70’s. I’m really dating myself here. And our
lesson, of course, had nothing to do with dwarfs… but it had everything to do
with false doctrines
which will absolutely dwarf us spiritually.
One of the Young Single Adults in our ward asked “What is
your, as our leaders, greatest concern for us, the next generation?”
How would you
answer that question?
Our Institute class had an interesting discussion and mostly
came to the same conclusion. We worry about the young people (& old) being ensnared
by the false philosophies of men. The liberal agenda seems to be leading many
members away from the Church. Voices whisper, and many shout, ideas &
philosophies that are contrary to the Gospel. So, how are we to know what is
really right?
President Ezra Taft Benson: “The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ
through two basic means: First, it tells
in a plain manner of Christ and His gospel. Second, the Book of Mormon exposes
the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contentions.
It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs,
strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon
are similar to the type we have today.
God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that
we might see the error and know
how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical
concepts of our time.” (A Witness and A Warning)
Korihor helps us plainly see the wicked
philosophies of men. We made a list of Korihor’s philosophies and a list of
matching modern-day versions of those philosophies. It is remarkable to read
the Book of Mormon and recognize the Theory of Humanism, the Theory of
Relativism, even Darwinism and others.
Hugh Nibley: “Amazing that Joseph Smith would write such
strange types of philosophies. No such lucid statements resembling neo-Darwinism
came forth until 1859 - 30 years after the Book of Mormon was published.”
Elder D. Todd Christofferson:
“Relativism means each
person is his or her own highest authority. Of course, it is not just those who
deny God that subscribe to this philosophy. Some who believe in God still
believe that they themselves, individually, decide what is right and wrong. One
young adult expressed it this way: “I don’t think I could say Hinduism is
wrong, or Catholicism is wrong, or being Episcopalian is wrong - I think it
just depends on what you believe… I don’t think that there’s a right or a
wrong.” Another, asked about the basis for his religious beliefs, replied,
“Myself. It really comes down to that. I mean, how could there be authority to
what you believe?” (General Conference, Oct 2014)
Elder Christofferson continued…
“To those who believe anything or
everything could be true, the declaration of objective, fixed, and universal
truths feels like coercion- ‘I shouldn’t be forced to believe something is true
that I don’t like.’ But that does not change reality. Resenting the law of
gravity won’t keep a person from falling if he steps off a cliff.” (General
Conference, Oct 2014)
Elder Russell M. Nelson: “What God says is right is
right! And what He says is wrong is
wrong!” (YSA Devotional, 1/2017)
Korihor was brought before Alma and demanded a sign. Alma passionately
pointed out that Korihor had many signs already. (30:44)
What signs do you
see in your life that testify of God? Are we sometimes so distracted that we miss
them?
We found some
interesting symbolism in the sign Korihor ultimately received:
1.
Struck
Dumb: Represents God’s ability to silence His enemies.
2.
Struck
Deaf: Represents Korihor’s refusal to listen & hear the teaching of Alma
and other prophets.
Korihor’s story
teaches a sad yet powerful lesson. “… the devil will not support his children… but doth speedily drag
them down to hell.” (30:60)
One that we would do well to remember. Satan abandons those he ensnares. The
Savior, on the other hand, loves & embraces us always. “For,
lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.” (D&C 24:8)
We also noted
some interesting and seemingly significant & purposeful similarities between
Korihor & Alma. Did you notice them? What can you find? Mormon does a
fantastic job of juxtaposing these two figures to illustrate good vs evil.
So how does one
get so far off track like Korihor?
President George Albert
Smith: "If you cross to
the devil's side of the line one inch, you are in the tempter's power, and if
he is successful, you will not be able to think or even reason properly,
because you will have lost the spirit of the Lord.” (Conference, 10/1945)
I shared with class our experience at Iguazu Falls on the border of Argentina & Brazil. Every
few minutes, millions & millions of gallons of water crash into the chasm
below. One part of the falls, where the water flow is the heaviest, and the
cliffs are the steepest, is called the Devil’s Throat. It is stunning &
majestic. And very dangerous! I explained how we went on two boat rides; one
below the falls where the water crashed down and soaked us. Another, on the
upper river where the ride is calm and deceivingly safe. We were thankful for
our experienced guides and many large warning signs of danger! Many have
crossed the line, ignored the signs & guides, and have lost their lives at
Iguazu!
President James E. Faust: “I recognize that some of you think of
yourselves as daredevils, ready to take on almost any challenge. But some of
these excursions for excitement will inevitably take you down into the Devil’s
Throat. The only safe course is to stay well away from the dangers of
the Devil’s Throat…I warn you that such enticements as these are slippery and
dangerous like the rocks by the Devil’s Throat, and they will only lead you
into Satan’s territory.” (General Conference, 4/2003)
In Alma 31, Alma
and others head south to the land of Antionum to
try and recover the apostate Zoramites.
Alonzo Gaskill called Alma & his missionary group “The Nephite
Nine.” John Welch called them an “All-Star team of missionaries.” Hugh Nibley
said, “Alma got together his famous SWAT team of all the powerful missionaries…
that’s quite a crowd… great missionary task force.”
We noted some significant details in Alma’s beautiful
missionary prayer.
·
Acting in his role as High Priest, Alma invoked the
Lord’s name ten times in this missionary prayer. Interestingly, for ancient Israelites there is ONLY ONE time a year
when the High Priest speaks the holy name of the Lord and that is on the Day of Atonement… and, he speaks it ten times. Was
this a Day of Atonement? Perhaps. Or perhaps, Alma simply wanted to stir in the
hearts of his missionaries the peace & joy of that sacred festival day and
the power of the atonement.
·
“clapped
his hands” An interesting phrase and probably does not mean clapping as we
might think, but simply placing his hands. Ancient scripture scholars explain
this was a standard symbol for the transferring of authority & blessings.
Surely Alma was setting apart his missionaries & blessing them for the
adventures that lay ahead.
We found Mighty Miracles and Powerful
Promises.
· * The “Lord
provided for them” Surely, He will provide for us as well if we are
righteous & faithful. We had a great discussion about how the Lord can
provide for us physically, in our everyday life, and spiritually as we face challenges.
How have you seen the Lord provide for you?
· * Their trials were “swallowed up in the joy of Christ.” This is a mighty miracle and
powerful promise!! Think of the times this has happened for you. How thankful I
am for the power of the Atonement that even in our trials, afflictions, and
heartache we can find hope and joy.
Elder Russell M. Nelson: “Saints can be happy under every circumstance. We
can feel joy even while having a bad day, a bad week, or even a bad year! My
dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the
circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. When
the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation, which President
Thomas S. Monson just taught us, and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can
feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy
comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy. We feel it at
Christmastime when we sing, ‘Joy to the world, the Lord is come.’ And we can
feel it all year round. For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy!” (General Conference, 10/2016)
So, “beware of the dwarf!” Beware of those false doctrines
& philosophies that pull you away from the Savior and His Gospel. Don’t
step over that line. Don’t go over the edge of the Devil’s Throat!
