Korihor’s argument and justification for his preaching was again related to the learning of the world. In these circles, it is known as academic freedom, the right to teach anything that is written or advocated by a school of thought regardless of its truth. In the Church, academic freedom ends where the gospel of Jesus Christ has clearly revealed the truth. Jesus taught: “ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
The second argument used by Korihor was that the church was putting the people under bondage (Alma 30:24). To the contrary, bondage comes from the cultures of the world and is overcome by following the revelations of God given to the world (see D&C 113:9–10).
One of Satan’s ploys is to mix truth and error. Korihor is an example of this mixture. He denies the doctrine of the fall of man on the basis that a child is not guilty because of the acts of its parents (Alma 30:25). Although all men are born into a fallen world because of the transgression of Adam (2 Nephi 2:21), all are born “in their infant state, innocent before God” (D&C 93:38). Because of the fallen condition into which they are born, they become carnal, sensual, and devilish (see Mosiah 16:3–4; Moses 6:49–50). The truth that was taught by Korihor is that a child is not guilty because of its parents. “We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression”(A of F, 2), but Satan mixes the error of there having been no fall with that truth. Wherefore, Christ must come to be “slain for the sins of the world” (Alma 30:26). This was another truth that Korihor denied.
Korihor’s final defense of his teachings was an accusation that the priests were usurping power and authority over the people in order to benefit themselves. The priests were accused of basing their authority on traditions and pretended mysteries, and on a God who has never been seen (vv. 27–28). Although the chief judge and the high priest would not reply to these accusations (v. 29), Korihor’s charges were answered later. These good men recognized that Korihor’s actions were serious enough to have him taken before Alma and the chief judge over all the land (v. 29).