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lssue62 .|992 July/August The Powerof the Word by Shirl"y R. Heater T A I hile I was working on connected them with the original And now, as the preaching of the V V textual researchfor First wording of First Nephi 3:179: word had had a greater tendency u Y NephiStudy Book of to lead the peopleto do that Mormon, one particular instance And it supposethme that they have which was just; initiated a personalquest for under- come up hither to hear the Yea, it had had more powerful effect standing that is still continuing. The pleasingword of God, upon the minds of the people than wording on both the Original and Yea,the word ushichhealeth the utounded the sword or anything eise which Printer's manuscriptsfor First Nephi sor.rl[emphasis added]. had happened un.tothem, 3:779reads: Therefore,Alma thought it was This scripture describesthe expedientthat theyshould try the Neitherwill the Lord God sufferthat solution for the condition of the virtueof theword of God. the Gentilesshall for everremain Gentiles in the passageof First in thatstate of awful woundedness, Nephi. Their state of awful Three phrasesin this verse- Whichthou beholdestthat theyare in woundednesswas brought about " greatertend.ency to lead," "more becauseof the plain and most "becauseof the plain and most powerful effect" and "the virtue of preciousparts of the gospelof the preciousparts of the gospelof the the vvord"-ssspsd to convey the Lamb Lamb which hath been" taken away sameidea, i.e.,it was the powerof the Which hath been kept back by that (v. 168). Verses184-1,86 contain the word itself which would bring about abominable church, whose prophecy that thesetruths will come the change. (Sayingsomething three formation thou hast seen[empha- forth in the . I saw times is a Hebraism which expresses sizedwords are restoredl. in Jacob2:8 that healing of "the the highestdegree of importance.) wounded soul" was accomplished This becameeven clearer to me The phrase "state of awful of by receiving the word of God. when I checked the definition of woundedness" was changed to Thesethoughts reminded me of "virtue": "authority, goodness, "awful state of blindness" in all two versesin Alma 16. efficacy, or power to produce effect" editions since the 1837 when the The first one is verse82. Leading (WorldBook Dictionary), as well as original wording was marked out on up to this point, Alma's heart was "miraculous power, ability, the Printer's manuscript and the sickenedbecause of the spiritual strength" etc. accordingto Strong's change written boldly above it. condition of the Zoramites who had concordance.Dunamis, the Greek My method for analyzing such separatedthemselves from the word for virtue, is the origin of our changes is to compare the original . They were not only word "dynamite," and carries the wording with the altered wording, perverting the ways of the Lord, but same meaning as the Hebrew word pondering over if and how the there was also concern that they chnyil. This is the samevirtue or meaning may have altered. About would join with the Lamanites. Alma power which went out of jesus when that time I was listening to audio determinedthat the greatestpower to people were healed (Mark 5:21,-23; tapes of the book of Jacob in my produce changewas to preachthe Luke 6:19;8:44-47). daily scripture time. When I heard word of God among the Zoramites With this understanding in mind, the words of |acob 2:8,I immediately rather than to use the sword: I was reminded of a secondverse in Cont'd on pg, 4 . , thof fhey (the remnont of the house of lsroel) moy know the covenonts of the Lord , , , Satanbhctics by Mary Lee Treat

Sinceall scripture is given for our reproof and learn- We observeseveral things: ing (2 Timothy 3:1.6)the accountsof the three antichrists -|acob's accuseris a brother in the faith in the Book of Mormon-Sherem, Nehor and Korihor- -the accuseruses scripture give us valuable insights for living in today's world. -facob's defenseis a first-hand testimony: he has According to the purpose principle (everything written heard the voice of the Lord in the Book of Mormon is there for a purpose), these -by faithlacob haspower to "smite" Sherem accountsare included in the Book of Mormon by design, There is yet another "purpose" for jacob's added for our benefit, and not as "filler." account. The book of jacob is from the unabridged small plates of Nephi. Unabridged means they are the exact Sherem (Iacob 5) words of the original writers-in this case,Jacob. The puryose principle is obviousinJacoo'-s account of the Mormon added the small platesto his abridgment antidrrist, Sherem.Jacob grto a final farewell at the end of "for awise purpose" (WM 1:10)and Nephi tells us that chapter4, then adds the accountof Sheremin chapter5 with a he made this secondset of platesfor wise "purposes" secondfarewell. The purposeprinciple indicatesthatlacob (1 N 5:223-224).It seemslogical that another purpose added the accountofSherem for a purpose. for Nephi's small plates (besidesreplacing the 116pages Sheremtaught: of manuscript lost by Martin Harris) is to be a first-hand -no Christ to come witness to Jewstoday. His record is the most "|ewish" in -no Holy Spirit all the Book of Mormon becausehe had lived among -]acob was "perverting" the law of Moses fews in the Old World. |acob tells us that Sheremhad away with words (v. 6). With that in mind, Jacob'saccount of Sheremwho did It is significant that he gives us the exact words of Sherem not believe in Christ, who said it was a perversion of the in their encounter(vv.9-37). Sherembegins by flattering law of Moses,that no atonementwas needed,that there |acob, calling him "Brother |acob" and then proceedsto was no Holy Ghost power, etc.,speaks directly to jews accusehim of perverting the law of Moses and leading the today. facob is giving a powerful messageto all who do people astray. He accuses|acob of blasphemy. not believein Christ but especiallyto Jewswho believe jacob's responseis sure. He has a first-hand testimony, in the law of Moses. His messageand testimony are that becausehe has heard the voice of the Lord on more than all the prophets testified of Christ to come. one occasion. Sheremcannot sway him. The fact that |acob added this accountafter he had \{hen Jacobasks him bluntly if he denies Christ, who "finished" his record in chapter4 gives added emphasis will come, Sheremequivocates by saymg "lf there should to his message. be a Christ, I would not deny him . . ." and then goeson to say that there never has been nor will there ever be a Christ. Nehor (Alma 1:3-24) This evasive responseis typical of one who "bends" In the first chapterof the we learn of an the word of God. jacob goeson to challengeSherem's antichrist named Nehor. Alma's brief accounttells us supposed belief in the scriptures: that Nehor taught: -because God createdall men, all would be . . . noneof the prophetshave written, nor prophesied,save redeemedto eternallife they havespoken concerning this Christ. -priests and teachersshould be supportedbythe people Wherefore,I know if there should be no atonement made, His teachingsbecame so popular that he establisheda all mankind must be lost. |acob5:'1,9,21 church. However, a man named Gideon contendedfor the word of God againstNehor; Nehor becameangry Sheremcounters by asking for a sign "by the power of and killed Gideon. When Nehor was brought before the Holy Ghost in the which ye know so much." Alma II, the chief judge of the land, he was sentencedto jacob's responseis to say that if God should smite him it die by the laws establishedby Mosiah II. Alma said to would be a sign that he has power in heaven and earth and him in sentencinghim: a testimony that Christ would come. Immediately Sherem is struck down by the power of God. Beforehe dies Behold,this is thefirst timethat priestcraft has been introduced severaldays later, he deniesthe things he has taught and among this people . . . [and if it were] enforced among this confessesthe realitv of Christ and the Holv Ghost. people, it would prove their entire destruction. Alma 1,:17-18 The record then tells us that Nehor suffered an "ignomini- Korihor denied God, he would be struck dumb. ous death" after acknowledging that what he had taught was Like Sherem,Korihor equivocated, "I do not deny the contrary to the word of God. existenceof a God, but I do not believe there is a God . . . Mormon, the abridger, comments that Nehor's death and exceptye show me a sign, I will not believe." did not put an end to priestcraft in the land. Nephi Alma said he would have his sign: defines "priestcraft" in Second Nephi 1"1.:'1.06-'1,07: I saythat in the nameof God that ye shallbe struckdumb, . . . priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselvesup that ye shall no more have utterance. Alma 16:61 for a light unto the world, That they may get gain and praise of the world, When Alma finished thosewords, Korihor could not But they seeknot the welfare of Zion. 2 Nephi 11:106 speak. Alma wrote a note to him asking if he was convincedof the power of God. What can we learn from this incident? Korihor respondedthat he knew it was the power of -Nehor's insidious philosophy that all will be saved God; he knew there was a God, but Satanappeared to is very much alive today. This comfortable philoso- him as an angel of light and persuadedhim to deceive phy allows one to do anything without being people. He asked Alma to pray for the curse to be accountable.The conceptof sin and judgment is removed,but Alma refusedbecause he said that he eliminated. would return to deceiving the people. -Alma rebukesthe conceptof a "priest class." The Korihor turned into a beggar and ended rp being priests and teacherswere not to becomea separate trampled to death by the Zoramites. classof people, supported by the people. The priest In summary: classdepicted in the murals and art of Mesoamerica -Korhior repeatsa common accusationstill used by bear mute testimony that his prediction of destruc- atheists today: religion is bondage by clerics for the tion came true. purpose of control and financial gain. -As a people we must be vigilant in guarding against -Satan literally converted Korihor to be his disciple both of thesephilosophies. for the purpose of destroying belief in God. -Alma was merciful (asGod is with us) and gave Korihor (Alma 1,6:7-77) Korihor three opportunities to repent. Korihor's The accountof the antichrist Korihor is more in-depth willful rejection of mercy shows there will be some than the other two accounts. who will ultimately reject God no matter how many We would call Korihor an atheist. He taught: opportunities for repentancethey are given. -no God; the coming of Christ was not prophecy, but a foolish tradition imposed upon the people by Application the priests and teachers What can be gained from studying these three -no atonement; everyone was responsiblefor their antichrists? Satanis using the samearguments and own destiny in this life methodstoday. Thereforeit must be profitable to our -no life after death, therefore, they could "lift up understandingto study the argumentsthese antichrists their heads" now in their wickedness used, even though they were hundreds of years apart. After futile attempts to preach in the lands of |ershon It is important to realizethat all three of these and Gideon, Korinor was d'elivered to Alma, the chief antichristswere former believers. They not only held judge and governor of all the land of . thesebeliefs personally, they actively proselytedothers. Korihor accusedAlma and the priests and teachersof Their argumentscan be grouped in two ways: keeping the people in bondageand living off their labors. Alma reminded him that he had not received Satan'sdeception within the church: even "one senine" for his ministry. His only salary was for time in the judgment seat,which was prescribed by law. look for coming of Christ Alma askedhim if he believed there was a God, and -God made all people and will saveall people he answered,"no." Alma askedhim if he would deny again that there was a God and also Christ. Satan'sdeception outside the church: As with the previous antichrists,Korihor askedfor a -no Cod; religion puts people in bondage sign that there was a God. Alma told him he had enough signs. He had the testimony of his brethren and the holy For the clearestdescription in all scripture of how prophets as found in the scriptures. Alma reminded him Satanoperates, see Nephi's summary of thesethree phil- that the earth and the planetsall testified to a Creator. osophiesin SecondNephi 12:24-28. Korihor again denied the existenceof God. Satanis not creative. He deceivesby employing the Alma said it grieved him, but it was better for one soul samemethods throughout all ages. Theseclear and to be lost than many. So he said a third time that if direct examplesin the Book of Mormon of how Satan Cont'd on pg.4 3 which Alma makesa profound -brings great knowledge and -stands as a testimony to the world, statementin the courseof preaching understanding,2N 14:9 Eth 2:3 to the Zoramites: -heals, Iac2:8; Prov 76:24; After consideringthese marvelous Ps 1,07:20;Matt 8:7 l8l;Luke 7:7 promises,I was brought full circle, And now,behold, I sayunto you, -created man, worlds, heaven, back to the original wording of First And I would thatye shouldremem- earth,lac 3:72;Mn 4:78;Heb 11 :3 Nephi 3:779. It seemedclear to me ber that God is merciful unto all -establishes peace,WM 1.:26-27 that we are all in a "state of awful who believe on his name; -brings answeredprayer, John 15:7 woundedness"in any areaof our Therefore, he desireth in the first -produces faith, Alma 76:1,51,-757; lives in which we are not living in place that ye should believe, yea, Rom 10:16 the fullnessof the power of God's even on his word. Alma 16:1.44 -cleanses and sanctifies,john 15:3; word. I have determined to put the 77:17; Eph 5:25-27 word of God first-placein my life. 6q -pulls God's first-placedesire is given in down pride, craftiness, this verse! I had read it many times contentions,Alma 2:26-27 before,but this time I saw these -converts, Alma 72:773;74:77; 24:63 words as the key to understanding -delivers, Alma 3:6;73:20; the parable of the seedwhich Alma 3N13:32;4N1:33 was about to relate. The parableis -brings mighty change,humility, the blueprint for planting the seedor Alma 3:25 deceives and operates give us much the word of God. The underlying -brings many before altar to to ponder. Truly, clinging to the rod principle-the reasonwhy Cod confesssins, Alma 72:6-7 of iron-the word of God-will take placessuch extremeemphasis on his -brings repentance,Alma 13:45-53; us through the mist of darkness and word-is that residentwithin the 27:742 deception to Jesus, the tree of life. word itself is the power to produce -brings redemption, Alma 1,4:93 Alma's counsel to his son change. -enlightens our understanding, is profitable for us today: Other scripturesran through my Alma 1.6:767,Eph 7:77-79 mind, one after another. Eachrang -renews our mind, Alma 1,6:1,61; For just as suredly as this director did with the power of God's word, his Rom 12:2 bring our fathers, by following its "first-place" desirefor us and the -brings happiness,Alma 20:70 course,to the promised land, resultshe promiseswhen we put -divides, Hel 2:26;Heb 4:72 Shall the word of Christ, if we follow believing his word above everything -keeps us from sinning, Ps 779:9-1,6 its course,carry us beyond this else. A sampling follows: -prisons tumbled to the earth, vale of sorrow into a far better -tells us all things we should Mn 4:30 land of promise. Alma 17;80 do,2N 11:59;14:4 -protects, Mn 4:31 l_z?q

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