Alma begins by asking Korihor if he believes that there is a God. He says no. He will later clarify this to indicate that he believes in a god, but not in the Nephite God (see verse 48). Korihor may have responded similarly to how King Lamoni and Lamoni’s father responded to a similar question asked by the sons of Mosiah. They were not atheists, but did not recognize Jehovah as God.
The case now revolves around proof. Alma declares that Alma knows that there is a God, just as Korihor declares that Korihor does not believe there is one. Only one of the two can be correct. Alma testifies that he knows that “these things are true,” that “there is a God, and also that Christ shall come.” The problem is that we still have only Alma’s word against Korihor’s word. Although the scriptures should have been the standard upon which truth was judged, Korihor has declared that the scriptures themselves are not true and that, therefore, it is simply a matter of what two different people believe, with no way of proof.
Korihor suggests that there is a way to prove truth. He suggests that Alma create a sign that will cause belief. That is a wonderful way to end the argument because it suggests that truth is dependent upon Alma’s ability to invoke God to a specific action. Most understand that such things do not happen often. Korihor certainly appears to be in a strong position.