Alma 30:19-21

Brant Gardner

At the beginning of this chapter, Mormon noted that the Ammonites were in the land of Jershon. Korihor goes to Jerson to preach among the people of Ammon. Mormon has already recounted their great faith, and now reiterates it: “they were more wise than many of the Nephites.” It may not have been a crime to believe what one wanted to believe, and even perhaps to preach it. It does not appear that there was any requirement that one must listen, and Mormon underscores the righteousness of these recently converted Lamanites. Once again, they are even more righteous than many Nephites. That is an important aspect to their conversion, and an important message Mormon wanted to demonstrate to his future Lamanite audience.

The Ammonites expel Korihor, who then travels to Gideon. As Mormon included Alma’s sermon to the people of Gideon, he made it clear to his readers that they, the people of Gideon, were righteous people. Significantly, although they were of Nephite heritage, they were most recently from Lamanite lands. It appears possible that Korihor thought that his message would be better received by those who had been most influenced by Lamanites. He was wrong.

Korihor is brought before the chief judge over the land of Gideon.

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