AlmaChapter30

Behold, now it came to pass that after the people of Ammon were established in the land of Jershon, yea, and also after the Lamanites were driven out of the land, and their dead were buried by the people of the land—

The people of Ammon were settled in the land of Jershon, the Lamanites had been driven out of the land, and their dead had been buried by the people of the land.

Now their dead were not numbered because of the greatness of their numbers; neither were the dead of the Nephites numbered—but it came to pass after they had buried their dead, and also after the days of fasting, and mourning, and prayer, (and it was in the sixteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi) there began to be continual peace throughout all the land.

Their dead were too many to count, and the Nephite dead were not counted either. But after the burials, and after the days of fasting, mourning, and prayer, there was continual peace throughout the whole land. This was in the sixteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.

Yea, and the people did observe to keep the commandments of the Lord; and they were strict in observing the ordinances of God, according to the law of Moses; for they were taught to keep the law of Moses until it should be fulfilled.

The people were careful to keep the commandments of the Lord, and they were strict in keeping the ordinances of God according to the law of Moses, because they had been taught to keep it until it would be fulfilled.

And thus the people did have no disturbance in all the sixteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.

So there was no trouble among the people in all that sixteenth year.

And it came to pass that in the commencement of the seventeenth year of the reign of the judges, there was continual peace.

At the beginning of the seventeenth year of the reign of the judges, there was continual peace.

But it came to pass in the latter end of the seventeenth year, there came a man into the land of Zarahemla, and he was Anti-Christ, for he began to preach unto the people against the prophecies which had been spoken by the prophets, concerning the coming of Christ.

But late in the seventeenth year, a man came into the land of Zarahemla who was Anti-Christ because he began preaching to the people against what the prophets had prophesied about the coming of Christ.

Now there was no law against a man’s belief; for it was strictly contrary to the commands of God that there should be a law which should bring men on to unequal grounds.

Now there was no law against a person's belief, because it was strictly against the commands of God for there to be a law that put people on unequal ground.

For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve.

The scripture says: "Choose this day whom you will serve."

Now if a man desired to serve God, it was his privilege; or rather, if he believed in God it was his privilege to serve him; but if he did not believe in him there was no law to punish him.

Now if someone wanted to serve God, he was free to; or rather, if he believed in God, he was free to serve him; but if he didn't believe in him, there was no law to punish him.

But if he murdered he was punished unto death; and if he robbed he was also punished; and if he stole he was also punished; and if he committed adultery he was also punished; yea, for all this wickedness they were punished.

But if he murdered, he was put to death; if he robbed, he was punished; if he stole, he was punished; if he committed adultery, he was punished. They were punished for all this wickedness.

For there was a law that men should be judged according to their crimes. Nevertheless, there was no law against a man’s belief; therefore, a man was punished only for the crimes which he had done; therefore all men were on equal grounds.

There was a law that people were to be judged for their crimes. Even so, there was no law against a person's belief, so a person was punished only for the crimes he had actually committed, and everyone stood on equal ground.

And this Anti-Christ, whose name was Korihor, (and the law could have no hold upon him) began to preach unto the people that there should be no Christ. And after this manner did he preach, saying:

Now this Anti-Christ, whose name was Korihor (and the law could get no hold on him), began preaching to the people that there would be no Christ. This is how he preached:

O ye that are bound down under a foolish and a vain hope, why do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things? Why do ye look for a Christ? For no man can know of anything which is to come.

O you who are weighed down by a foolish and empty hope, why do you yoke yourselves to such foolish things? Why do you look for a Christ? No one can know anything about what is still to come.

Behold, these things which ye call prophecies, which ye say are handed down by holy prophets, behold, they are foolish traditions of your fathers.

These things you call prophecies, which you say were handed down by holy prophets, are nothing but the foolish traditions of your fathers.

How do ye know of their surety? Behold, ye cannot know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there shall be a Christ.

How do you know they are certain? You can't know things you don't see, so you can't know that there will be a Christ.

Ye look forward and say that ye see a remission of your sins. But behold, it is the effect of a frenzied mind; and this derangement of your minds comes because of the traditions of your fathers, which lead you away into a belief of things which are not so.

You look ahead and say you see forgiveness of your sins. But that's the effect of a frenzied mind, and this derangement of your minds comes from the traditions of your fathers, which lead you away into believing things that aren't so.

And many more such things did he say unto them, telling them that there could be no atonement made for the sins of men, but every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime.

He said many more things like this to them, telling them that no atonement could be made for people's sins; that everyone fared in this life according to how he managed himself; that everyone prospered according to his own genius, and everyone conquered by his own strength; and that whatever a person did was no crime.

And thus he did preach unto them, leading away the hearts of many, causing them to lift up their heads in their wickedness, yea, leading away many women, and also men, to commit whoredoms—telling them that when a man was dead, that was the end thereof.

This is how he preached to them, leading away the hearts of many, making them lift up their heads in their wickedness, leading away many women, and men too, into sexual immorality. He told them that when a person died, that was the end of it.

Now this man went over to the land of Jershon also, to preach these things among the people of Ammon, who were once the people of the Lamanites.

Now this man went over to the land of Jershon as well, to preach these things among the people of Ammon, who had once been Lamanites.

But behold they were more wise than many of the Nephites; for they took him, and bound him, and carried him before Ammon, who was a high priest over that people.

But they were wiser than many of the Nephites, so they took him, tied him up, and carried him before Ammon, who was a high priest over that people.

And it came to pass that he caused that he should be carried out of the land. And he came over into the land of Gideon, and began to preach unto them also; and here he did not have much success, for he was taken and bound and carried before the high priest, and also the chief judge over the land.

Ammon had him carried out of the land. He went over into the land of Gideon and began preaching there too, but he didn't have much success, because he was seized, tied up, and carried before the high priest and the chief judge over the land.

And it came to pass that the high priest said unto him: Why do ye go about perverting the ways of the Lord? Why do ye teach this people that there shall be no Christ, to interrupt their rejoicings? Why do ye speak against all the prophecies of the holy prophets?

And the high priest said to him, "Why do you go around perverting the ways of the Lord? Why do you teach this nation that there will be no Christ, cutting short its rejoicing? Why do you speak against all the prophecies of the holy prophets?"

Now the high priest’s name was Giddonah. And Korihor said unto him: Because I do not teach the foolish traditions of your fathers, and because I do not teach this people to bind themselves down under the foolish ordinances and performances which are laid down by ancient priests, to usurp power and authority over them, to keep them in ignorance, that they may not lift up their heads, but be brought down according to thy words.

Now the high priest's name was Giddonah. And Korihor said to him, "Because I don't teach the foolish traditions of your fathers, and because I don't teach them to bind themselves down under the foolish ordinances and performances laid down by ancient priests to seize power and authority over them, to keep them ignorant, so that they can never lift up their heads but are brought down by your words.

Ye say that this people is a free people. Behold, I say they are in bondage. Ye say that those ancient prophecies are true. Behold, I say that ye do not know that they are true.

"You say this nation is free. I say it is in slavery. You say those ancient prophecies are true. I say you don't know that they are true.

Ye say that this people is a guilty and a fallen people, because of the transgression of a parent. Behold, I say that a child is not guilty because of its parents.

You say this nation is guilty and fallen because of the transgression of a parent. I say a child is not guilty because of its parents.

And ye also say that Christ shall come. But behold, I say that ye do not know that there shall be a Christ. And ye say also that he shall be slain for the sins of the world—

You also say that Christ will come. But I say you don't know that there will be a Christ. And you say that he will be slain for the sins of the world.

And thus ye lead away this people after the foolish traditions of your fathers, and according to your own desires; and ye keep them down, even as it were in bondage, that ye may glut yourselves with the labors of their hands, that they durst not look up with boldness, and that they durst not enjoy their rights and privileges.

"And so you lead this nation away after the foolish traditions of your fathers and after your own desires. You keep them down, as if in slavery, so you can gorge yourselves on the labor of their hands, so that they don't dare look up boldly and don't dare enjoy their rights and privileges.

Yea, they durst not make use of that which is their own lest they should offend their priests, who do yoke them according to their desires, and have brought them to believe, by their traditions and their dreams and their whims and their visions and their pretended mysteries, that they should, if they did not do according to their words, offend some unknown being, who they say is God—a being who never has been seen or known, who never was nor ever will be.

They don't dare use what is their own for fear of offending their priests, who yoke them however they please and have brought them to believe, through their traditions, dreams, whims, visions, and pretended mysteries, that if they don't do what the priests say, they will offend some unknown being who they say is God, a being who has never been seen or known, who never was and never will be."

Now when the high priest and the chief judge saw the hardness of his heart, yea, when they saw that he would revile even against God, they would not make any reply to his words; but they caused that he should be bound; and they delivered him up into the hands of the officers, and sent him to the land of Zarahemla, that he might be brought before Alma, and the chief judge who was governor over all the land.

Now when the high priest and the chief judge saw how hard his heart was, and saw that he would even revile God, they wouldn't answer his words at all. They had him tied up, handed him over to the officers, and sent him to the land of Zarahemla to be brought before Alma and the chief judge who was governor over all the land.

And it came to pass that when he was brought before Alma and the chief judge, he did go on in the same manner as he did in the land of Gideon; yea, he went on to blaspheme.

When he was brought before Alma and the chief judge, he went on just as he had in Gideon; he went on blaspheming.

And he did rise up in great swelling words before Alma, and did revile against the priests and teachers, accusing them of leading away the people after the silly traditions of their fathers, for the sake of glutting on the labors of the people.

He rose up with great swelling words in front of Alma and reviled the priests and teachers, accusing them of leading the people away after the silly traditions of their fathers so they could gorge on their labor.

Now Alma said unto him: Thou knowest that we do not glut ourselves upon the labors of this people; for behold I have labored even from the commencement of the reign of the judges until now, with mine own hands for my support, notwithstanding my many travels round about the land to declare the word of God unto my people.

Now Alma said to him, "You know that we don't gorge ourselves on the labors of this nation. I have worked with my own hands for my support from the beginning of the reign of the judges until now, in spite of all my travels around the land to declare the word of God to my people.

And notwithstanding the many labors which I have performed in the church, I have never received so much as even one senine for my labor; neither has any of my brethren, save it were in the judgment-seat; and then we have received only according to law for our time.

And in spite of all the work I have done in the church, I've never received so much as one senine for my labor, and neither has any of my brothers, except in the judgment seat, and there we have received only what the law allows for our time.

And now, if we do not receive anything for our labors in the church, what doth it profit us to labor in the church save it were to declare the truth, that we may have rejoicings in the joy of our brethren?

"Now if we don't receive anything for our work in the church, what do we gain by working in it except the chance to declare the truth, so that we can rejoice in our brothers' joy?

Then why sayest thou that we preach unto this people to get gain, when thou, of thyself, knowest that we receive no gain? And now, believest thou that we deceive this people, that causes such joy in their hearts?

"Then why do you say that we preach to this nation to get rich, when you yourself know that we get nothing? And do you believe that we deceive them, and that this is what causes such joy in their hearts?"

And Korihor answered him, Yea.

And Korihor answered him, "Yes."

And then Alma said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God?

Then Alma said to him, "Do you believe there is a God?"

And he answered, Nay.

And he answered, "No."

Now Alma said unto him: Will ye deny again that there is a God, and also deny the Christ? For behold, I say unto you, I know there is a God, and also that Christ shall come.

Now Alma said to him, "Will you deny again that there is a God, and deny the Christ too? I say to you, I know there is a God, and I know that Christ will come.

And now what evidence have ye that there is no God, or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only.

And what evidence do you have that there is no God, or that Christ isn't coming? I say to you that you have none, except your word only.

But, behold, I have all things as a testimony that these things are true; and ye also have all things as a testimony unto you that they are true; and will ye deny them? Believest thou that these things are true?

"But I have all things as a testimony that these things are true, and you have all things as a testimony to you that they are true. And will you deny them? Do you believe these things are true?

Behold, I know that thou believest, but thou art possessed with a lying spirit, and ye have put off the Spirit of God that it may have no place in you; but the devil has power over you, and he doth carry you about, working devices that he may destroy the children of God.

"I know that you believe, but you are possessed by a lying spirit, and you have pushed away the Spirit of God so that it has no place in you. The devil has power over you, and he carries you around, working his schemes to destroy the children of God."

And now Korihor said unto Alma: If thou wilt show me a sign, that I may be convinced that there is a God, yea, show unto me that he hath power, and then will I be convinced of the truth of thy words.

Now Korihor said to Alma, "If you will show me a sign so that I can be convinced there is a God, show me that he has power, and then I'll be convinced of the truth of your words."

But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.

But Alma said to him, "You have had signs enough. Will you test your God? Will you say, 'Show me a sign,' when you have the testimony of all these brothers of yours, and of all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid out before you, and all things show that there is a God. The earth and everything on the face of it, its motion, and all the planets moving in their regular course all testify that there is a Supreme Creator.

And yet do ye go about, leading away the hearts of this people, testifying unto them there is no God? And yet will ye deny against all these witnesses? And he said: Yea, I will deny, except ye shall show me a sign.

And still you go around leading away the hearts of this nation, testifying to them that there is no God? And still you will deny all these witnesses?" And he said, "Yes, I will deny, unless you show me a sign."

And now it came to pass that Alma said unto him: Behold, I am grieved because of the hardness of your heart, yea, that ye will still resist the spirit of the truth, that thy soul may be destroyed.

Then Alma said to him, "I am grieved because of the hardness of your heart, that you will still resist the spirit of truth, so that your soul may be destroyed.

But behold, it is better that thy soul should be lost than that thou shouldst be the means of bringing many souls down to destruction, by thy lying and by thy flattering words; therefore if thou shalt deny again, behold God shall smite thee, that thou shalt become dumb, that thou shalt never open thy mouth any more, that thou shalt not deceive this people any more.

But it is better that your soul should be lost than that you should be the means of bringing many souls down to destruction by your lying and flattering words. So if you deny again, God will strike you, and you will be struck mute; you will never open your mouth again, and you will never again deceive this nation."

Now Korihor said unto him: I do not deny the existence of a God, but I do not believe that there is a God; and I say also, that ye do not know that there is a God; and except ye show me a sign, I will not believe.

Now Korihor said to him, "I don't deny the existence of a God, but I don't believe that there is a God. And I say too that you don't know there is a God. And unless you show me a sign, I won't believe."

Now Alma said unto him: This will I give unto thee for a sign, that thou shalt be struck dumb, according to my words; and I say, that in the name of God, ye shall be struck dumb, that ye shall no more have utterance.

Now Alma said to him, "This is the sign I will give you: you will be struck mute, according to my words. And I say, in the name of God, you will be struck mute, and you will speak no more."

Now when Alma had said these words, Korihor was struck dumb, that he could not have utterance, according to the words of Alma.

After Alma had said this, Korihor was struck mute and couldn't speak, exactly according to Alma's words.

And now when the chief judge saw this, he put forth his hand and wrote unto Korihor, saying: Art thou convinced of the power of God? In whom did ye desire that Alma should show forth his sign? Would ye that he should afflict others, to show unto thee a sign? Behold, he has showed unto you a sign; and now will ye dispute more?

When the chief judge saw this, he reached out his hand and wrote to Korihor, "Are you convinced of the power of God? In whom did you want Alma to show his sign? Did you want him to afflict others just to show you a sign? He has shown you a sign. Will you still dispute?"

And Korihor put forth his hand and wrote, saying: I know that I am dumb, for I cannot speak; and I know that nothing save it were the power of God could bring this upon me; yea, and I always knew that there was a God.

And Korihor reached out his hand and wrote, "I know that I am mute because I can't speak, and I know that nothing but the power of God could bring this on me. And I always knew that there was a God.

But behold, the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God. And he said unto me: There is no God; yea, and he taught me that which I should say. And I have taught his words; and I taught them because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind; and I taught them, even until I had much success, insomuch that I verily believed that they were true; and for this cause I withstood the truth, even until I have brought this great curse upon me.

But the devil has deceived me. He appeared to me in the form of an angel and said to me, 'Go and reclaim this nation, because they have all gone astray after an unknown God.' And he said to me, 'There is no God.' He taught me what to say, and I have taught his words. I taught them because they were pleasing to the carnal mind, and I taught them until I had so much success that I truly believed they were true. That is why I resisted the truth, until I have brought this great curse on myself."

Now when he had said this, he besought that Alma should pray unto God, that the curse might be taken from him.

After this, he begged Alma to pray to God that the curse might be taken from him.

But Alma said unto him: If this curse should be taken from thee thou wouldst again lead away the hearts of this people; therefore, it shall be unto thee even as the Lord will.

But Alma said to him, "If this curse were taken from you, you would lead away the hearts of this nation again. So it will be done to you as the Lord wills."

And it came to pass that the curse was not taken off of Korihor; but he was cast out, and went about from house to house begging for his food.

The curse wasn't taken off Korihor. He was driven out, and he went from house to house begging for his food.

Now the knowledge of what had happened unto Korihor was immediately published throughout all the land; yea, the proclamation was sent forth by the chief judge to all the people in the land, declaring unto those who had believed in the words of Korihor that they must speedily repent, lest the same judgments would come unto them.

Now word of what had happened to Korihor was published immediately throughout the whole land. The chief judge sent out a proclamation to all the people in the land, telling those who had believed his words that they must repent quickly, or the same judgments would come on them.

And it came to pass that they were all convinced of the wickedness of Korihor; therefore they were all converted again unto the Lord; and this put an end to the iniquity after the manner of Korihor. And Korihor did go about from house to house, begging food for his support.

They were all convinced of how wicked Korihor was, so they were all converted again to the Lord. This put an end to the wickedness he had spread. And Korihor went from house to house, begging for food to live on.

And it came to pass that as he went forth among the people, yea, among a people who had separated themselves from the Nephites and called themselves Zoramites, being led by a man whose name was Zoram—and as he went forth amongst them, behold, he was run upon and trodden down, even until he was dead.

And as he went out among a people who had separated themselves from the Nephites and called themselves Zoramites, led by a man named Zoram, he was run over and trampled down until he was dead.

And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell.

So we see the end of the one who perverts the ways of the Lord. So we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but swiftly drags them down to hell.