Page:A dictionary of the Book of Mormon.pdf/53

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43
Alma, the younger.

Church, I have not so much as received 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.”

Korihor continued to withstand the prophet, until, in compliance with his impious importunities, a sign was given him — a most unwelcome and unexpected sign to him — he was struck dumb by the power of God. He was cast out from the face of society, a wanderer and a vagabond, begging from door to door for bread to sustain life. While thus dragging out a miserable existence, he was run over and trodden to death in a city of the Zoramites.

The Zoramites were a dangerous body of dissenters, who also taught that there should be no Christ. They deluded themselves with the idea that they were the peculiar objects of Heaven's favor, born to be saved, predestined to eternal glory, while the rest of the world were the rejected; the fore-ordained damned. This consoling creed, to the corrupt and crime-stained, was rapidly growing and gaining influence at the time of Korihor's death, and became the next object of Alma's ever- watchful care. Accompanied by Amulek, Zeezrom, three of the sons of king Mosiah, and two of his own sons, he went over to the regions inhabited by these apostates. This mission was one of the most important of his life, and, like that to Ammonihah, was but partially successful. As soon as Alma discovered the gross iniquity of this people, and the peculiarities of their forms of worship, he held a council meeting with his fellow-missionaries, and having prayed fervently to the Lord, “he clapped his hands upon all who were with him. And, behold, as he clapped his hands upon them, they were filled with the Holy Ghost. And after that, they did separate themselves one from another; taking no thought for