Confronting Korihor
Can you imagine doing what Alma did? In this week’s lesson, he calls someone possessed and led by the devil, then curses them by taking away their voice. These don’t seem like strategies we can emulate when confronting false prophets today.
It may never be our place to publicly denounce an anti-Christ. Alma was a prophet, likely acting within his role. However, he showed us how to recognize and confront deception to protect our own testimonies (Alma 30:31-54).
• He met false accusations with truth.
• He bore testimony, strengthening his own and others’ by doing so.
• He didn’t allow himself to be drawn into “proving” something that only the Spirit can reveal.
• He showed sincere concern and sorrow for Korihor’s position. Alma may have been passionate in his defense, but he was not operating from a place of anger.
Elder Stevenson reminds us (“Deceive Me Not”) that the Lord, who knows “the end from the beginning,” understands the unique difficulties of our day. Therefore, He has provided a way for us to resist deceitful influences all around us.
“The way is simple. Through His servants, God speaks to us, His children, and gives us commandments. … I marvel at the goodness and compassion of a loving Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, who restored the Savior’s Church to earth once again and have called a prophet in our day. The Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ offsets perilous times with the fulness of times.”