Jeffersonian Book of Korihor and the Zoramites

--------------------Chapter 1--------------------

Traditionally composing of Alma 30

1 After the Ammonites were settled and the Lamanites were driven out of the Land of Jershon, all the dead were buried, and the people mourned, the Republic of Zarahemla saw peace.

2 They lived moral lives and cared for one another.

3 There were no disturbances in all of the 16th year of the reign of the judges.

4 The 17th year was almost entirely peaceful, except for the very end.

5 A man named Korihor, who was very immoral, came into the Land of Zarahemla.

6 There were no laws against the man’s belief, because what he taught was such a close imitation of morality.

7 The laws proscribed punishments for murder, robbery, and cheating, which Korihor did not directly condone.

8 Korihor taught that there was no such thing as morality.

9 He taught, saying:

	10 "You are bound by your foolish and vain hope that morality will bring happiness. Why do you burden yourself with such a belief?

	11 This is a false and foolish belief that has just been handed down from generation to generation.

	12 I see no reason to follow this belief.

	13 We've been conditioned from birth to follow this belief, but that doesn't make it right."

14 Korihor taught many more things. He taught that all men are moral in everything they do regardless of how they live their life.

15 Many people believed him, and many began to live immoral lives since they believed there was no true morality.

16 Korihor went to the land of Jershon to teach these things to the Ammonites.

17 They were a wise and moral people, and did not believe what he taught.

18 The Ammonites had him speak to Ammon.

19 Ammon told Korihor that his beliefs would not be received in the land of Jershon, and that he should leave.

20 Korihor went to the Land of Gideon and taught there, and also did not have success there.

21 The people there also had him speak to the Almakite leader of the Land of Gideon named Giddonah.

22 Giddonah also told Korihor that his beliefs would not be received in the land of Gideon, and that he should leave.

23 Giddonah also spoke to Korihor saying:

	24 "Why do you pervert the ways of morality?

	25 Why do you teach that there is no happiness in living a moral life?

	26 Why do you seek to destroy the teachings of our ancestors?"

27 Korihor responded by saying:

	28 "Because I do not believe in the foolish traditions and beliefs of our ancestors.

	29 I do not want people to be burdened by the belief that they will receive good if they give good.

	30 This was a method that our ancestors used to control our other ancestors into giving them what they wanted with the wrong expectation they'd be given something back.

	31 You say you are free, I say you are a slave.

	32 You say this is true, I say it is false.

	33 You keep these people in slavery so that you can take advantage of them instead of working for yourself, and have taught them not to question you."

34 Giddonah saw that Korihor firmly believed what he taught, and that it was useless to convince him otherwise.

35 Giddonah suggested that he meet with Alma the Younger and the chief judge over the Republic of Zarahemla named Nephihah over his beliefs.

36 Korihor went to Zarahemla and taught the same things there to Alma the Younger and the chief judge Nephihah.

37 Alma the Younger said to Korihor:

	38 "You know that we do not take advantage of the work of others. King Benjamin taught us this.

	39 Since the start of the reign of judges till now I have worked to support myself and my family.

	40 I have only accepted charity when it was willingly given to me.

	41 I never received a compensation for teaching morality, and neither has any other teacher of morality.

	42 The government officers are the only ones that relieve compensation.

	43 What other reward have I received other than helping others live happy lives?

	44 Why do you say that I and other teachers personally benefit financially from teaching when you know we don't?

	45 Do you think I am lying to them to make them happy?"

46 Korihor said:

	47 "That is exactly what I believe."

48 Alma the Younger asked Korihor:

	49 "Do you believe that there is such a thing as morality?"

50 Korihor answered by saying:

	51 "No, I do not."

52 Alma the Younger asked him:

	53 "Do you truly believe this?

	54 I have seen morality in my life and seen how it leads to living a happy life.

	55 Have you not seen this in your life?

	56 I think you have and are just lying to our people and to me."

57 Korihor said to Alma the Younger:

	58 "I have not seen it in my life, but if I did I would be willing to believe it."

59 Alma the Younger said:

	60 "There are many examples in life that will show you the simple truth that living a moral life is living a happy life.

	61 We have the people living today as well as the history of our ancestors that shows this fact over and over again.

	62 Do you deny these things?"

63 Korihor said:

	64 "I will deny except you shall show it to me now."

65 Alma the Younger said:

	66 "It makes me sad that you are so stubborn that you resist even this simple truth."

	67 I hope that you one day come to realize that morality and happiness are synonymous.

	68 If you do not, you will only lead yourself and those who follow you to destruction."

69 Korihor once again said:

	70 "I will deny these things except you shall show it to me now."

71 Alma the Younger had compassion on Korihor and gave a very passionate speech on morality, the value in understanding others, speaking well to others, and helping others.

72 Korihor was so astonished that he could not speak.

73 When the chief judge Nephihah saw this, he wrote to Korihor and asked him:

	74 "Are you convinced now that morality exists and it leads to a happy life?

	75 Did you truly think Alma the Younger was an immoral man?

	76 He has now shown these things to you.

	77 Will you still deny that morality exists and it leads to a happy life?"

78 Korihor responded by writing:

	79 "I am astonished by this plain and precious truth of morality.

	80 So astonished that I struggle to speak.

	81 I was taught by someone I trusted that there was no such thing as morality, and that the teachings that there was were used to enslave us.

	82 They taught me to question morality, but not to question them.

	83 I made me feel good believing there was no morality, so I went and taught this belief to others.

	84 Many others believed these words too, so I became convinced that they were true.

	85 I was unwilling to see the truth."

86 After Korihor wrote these things, he asked Alma the Younger if he could find forgiveness for the things he blindly taught.

87 Alma the Younger said to him:

	88 "I am skeptical that you have had a change of heart.

	89 You will gain forgiveness when you have earned it."

90 The conversation that had been taken place among Alma the Younger, Nephihah, and Korihor was published and sent throughout the Republic of Zarahemla.

91 Those that believed Korihor felt betrayed, and once again started living moral lives.

92 Korihor became an outcast and went from door-to-door begging for food.

93 Eventually, Korihor came to a group of people who called themselves Zoramites, who were led by a man named Zoram.

94 The Zoramites were Nephites, but were an immoral group of Nephites.

95 They didn't believe what Korihor had taught, but instead of ignoring him, they punished him by putting him to death.

--------------------Chapter 2--------------------

Traditionally composing of Alma 31

1 After Korihor was killed, Alma the Younger learned that the Zoramites were also perverting the ways of morality and that their leader Zoram was teaching his people to be liars, murderers, greedy, covetousness, corrupt, materialistic, and ritualistically abuse children.

2 Alma the Younger was very sorrowful when he learned that these Nephites were living such immoral lives.

3 The Zoramites gathered together in the Land of Antionum.

4 The Nephites were worried that the very many Zoramites would secede and align themselves with the Lamanites.

5 Alma the Younger believed that the pen was mightier than the sword, and wanted to try diplomacy rather than force them with arms to remain in the Republic of Zarahemla.

6 Alma the Younger took 2 of his sons, Shiblon and Corianton, as well as Ammon and left the Land of Zarahemla for the Land of Antionum.

7 Aaron, Omner, and Himni left the Land of Zarahemla to speak with Amulek and Zeezrom who were in the Land of Melek and have them join them in the Land of Antionum.

8 They all went to teach morality among the Zoramites, who were dissenting Nephites.

9 They refused to live moral lives or meditate on the things their ancestors taught.

10 They perverted the ways of morality. What they believed and practiced was an imitation of morality.

11 Alma the Younger and his fellow teachers were shocked to find that the Zoramites had built rameumptoms, which are places of meditation.

12 They gathered together once a week at the rameumptom nearest to them and had a person at a time speak at a podium and taught what they believed to be morality.

13 One by one, each Zoramite would go up to the podium and recite the same lessons over and over again.

14 They believed that what was right in one instance would be right for every similar instance for the rest of time.

15 They believed they were much more moral than the other Nephites who only believed foolish traditions.

16 They were full of pride because of their beliefs.

17 After they all taught the same things to each other, they returned to their homes and didn't give any thought to what morality might be until the next time they were to gather together.

18 They spent much of their time thinking about their gold, silver, and other expensive possessions.

19 Alma the Younger and his fellow teachers of morality were filled with sorrow when they saw all of this.

20 Alma the Younger spoke to himself, saying:

	21 "How long will we have to be here to help these people live moral lives?

	22 They believe they are moral, but their hearts are swallowed up in pride.

	23 They believe they speak morality, but they are very vain and greedy.

	24 They have expensive clothes, earrings, bracelets, and decorations of gold, but don't help their poor.

	25 They believe they are better than everyone else because of what they believe.

	26 I hope that I and my fellow teachers of morality have the strength to perform the difficult and painful task of teaching these immoral people morality.

	27 We are filled with sorrow because of these people.

	28 However, each one of these people are precious. They are our brothers and sisters.

	29 With wisdom, we can help them."

30 Alma the Younger clapped his hands and was ready to teach morality to the Zoramites!

31 He high fived each of his fellow teachers, who were also ready to go teach the Zoramites morality.

32 They split up in the Land of Antionum so they could teach as many people as possible.

33 They would rather work for their own food and shelter or accept the charity that was given to them.

--------------------Chapter 3--------------------

Traditionally composing of Alma 32

1 The teachers went and taught morality to the people. Entering their rameumptoms, homes, and everywhere else people would listen to them.

2 After they worked for the people of this land, they began to see that the poor were willing to hear the teachings of morality.

3 These are the people who were thrown out of their rameumptoms because of the clothes they were wearing.

4 These people were banned from the rameumptoms and hearing the lessons given inside them.

5 They were considered filthy and worthless by the wealthy people.

6 This hurt them deeply, and they were willing to listen to those who treated them with respect.

7 Alma the Younger taught many people who came to listen to his lessons at Hill Onidah.

8 One of them and said to Alma the Younger:

	9 "What should we do?

	10 We are hated because we are poor, especially by the Zoramite teachers.

	11 They threw us out of the rameumptoms, which we built for them, because we are so poor.

	12 We have no place to hear lessons of morality. Where will we go?"

13 Alma the Younger heard the man, and saw that these people were eager to live truly moral lives, and not the imitation morality that the Zoramites taught.

14 He spoke no more to the rich, but only to the poor.

15 Alma the Younger said:

	6 "I can see that you are humble.

	7 You have wanted to hear lessons of morality, but were denied.

	8 Do you believe that you can only hear lessons of morality in rameumptoms?

	9 Do you believe that you must only do this once a week?

	10 I would say that it is a good thing you were banned from the Zoramite rameumptoms for not having expensive clothing.

	11 It has made you humble and eager to gain wisdom.

	12 Those who now seek a moral life will find it.

	13 You have been denied morality and know what its value is.

	14 Knowing this value is a blessing that those who were never denied may never have.

	15 There are many who say they want proof that morality leads to a happy life.

	16 If a man knows a thing, he has no reason to have faith, because he knows it is true.

	17 Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things.

	18 If you have faith, you hope for things which are not seen, but hope are true.

	17 How sad of a life would you live if you knew morality but chose not to live it?

	18 However, those who lived immoral lives and now live moral lives will have mercy shown to them by those who did the same.

	19 This mercy and lessons of morality should be given to everyone; black or white, slave or free, male or female, young or old.

	20 Everyone's opinion should be considered. Children often say very profound things.

	21 You have come to me to know what you should do after you've been thrown out of the rameumptoms.

	22 I want you to understand that I don't look down on you.

	23 We are all in different places in life, but that doesn't change our value as brothers and sisters.

	24 I don't know everything, but I know this: If you work towards living a moral and happy life, you will find it.

	25 This teaching is like a seed.

	26 If you plant this seed of morality in your mind, and help it grow instead of killing it with immorality or neglect, it will grow until it becomes a mighty tree inside of you.

	27 When this happens, you will know that it is a good seed, because it helps you grow and understand others.

	28 If you plant a seed of immorality in your mind, and help it grow instead of killing it with morality, it will grow until it becomes a thicket of weeds inside of you.

	29 When this happens, you will know that it is a bad seed, because it keeps you from growing and understanding others.

	30 Try this experiment and know for yourself which feels better.

	31 You will come to know that morality is better than immorality.

	32 morality is like light. It helps you discern right and wrong.

	33 When you shine this light on others, they will never forget it, and will remember you even after you pass away."

	--------------------Chapter 4--------------------

Traditionally composing of Alma 33

1 After Alma the Younger had spoken these things to those he taught, they wanted to know how to plant this seed of morality.

2 Alma the Younger said to them:

	3 "You say you cannot learn morality because you were banned from your rameumptoms.

	4 However, if you think you can only learn morality in your rameumptoms, you are mistaken.

	5 You can learn morality from the writings of our ancestors.

	6 Our ancestor Zenos reminded us that you can learn how to and live a moral life anywhere - even in the wilderness.

	7 Do you believe our ancestors have wisdom that is worthy of being passed down?

	8 If you do, you should consider this teaching of Zenos.

	9 Other ancestors have taught this as well, such as Zenock and Moses.

	10 Our ancestors were rejected by many because those they taught were stubborn like the Zoramites.

	11 I want you to plant the seeds of morality in your hearts without rameumptoms and help it grow into a might tree of life.”

	--------------------Chapter 5--------------------

Traditionally composing of Alma 34

1 After Alma the Younger had said these things, he sat down and Amulek began to teach, and said:

	2 "My brothers and sisters I think that it is impossible that you should be ignorant of the things which have been spoken.

	3 These things were taught to you before the Zoramites dissented from the Nephites.

	4 Like Alma the Younger, I encourage you to remember these things and prepare your minds and strengthen it so you can handle the hard times that you will go through.

	5 He has shown you many times that morality is the way to happiness.

	6 He reminded you of the words of Zenos, Zenock, and Moses so you can know where you can learn these things.

	7 I know that what he taught is true.

	8 All of us will make mistakes, but with morality and forgiveness we can move past these mistakes.

	9 However, we must balance mercy with justice.

	10 Ponder where this balance is in your hearts and minds.

	11 Ponder at work and at home.

	12 Ponder at morning and night.

	13 Ponder alone and when with friends.

	14 I also encourage you to help the needy, clothe the naked, visit the sick, console those going through hard times, and donate as much as you can to others.

	15 I encourage you to turn away from immoral lives, and live moral ones instead.

	16 It is what we do today that we will be remembered for tomorrow.

	17 If you wait till the end of your life to live a moral one, your legacy may already be made.

	18 You may be remembered for the immorality that you lived for the majority of your life.

	19 Don't procrastinate living a moral live; live it today.

	20 I also recommend that you celebrate all the things you have in your life.

	21 Have patience with all the things in your life, including the Zoramites.

	22 Do not hate the Zoramites just because they hate you.

	23 Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

	--------------------Chapter 6--------------------

Traditionally composing of Alma 35

1 After Amulek had spoken these things, the teachers left the Land of Antionum and went to the Land of Jershon.

2 The rich Zoramites talked with one another about what the teachers had taught and were angry because of it.

3 The true morality exposed the imitation morality as a fake.

4 The rich Zoramites interrogated every Zoramite to see if they believed in the Almakite morality or the Zoramite morality.

5 Those who were partial to the Almakites were exiled out of the Land of Antionum.

6 Those many exiles came to the Land of Jershon and became Ammonites.

7 Alma the Younger, the Ammonites, and many others helped them get settled in their new homes.

8 The Zoramites were angry with the Ammonites in Jershon.

9 Zoram, the chief leader of the Zoramites, was a very immoral man.

10 He went to the Ammonites and demanded they also exile those who had been Zoramites and threatened them if they didn't comply.

11 The Ammonites did not fear the Zoramites and did not exile the new Ammonites, and continued to take in these refugees.

12 The Ammonites fed them, clothed them, and housed them. Everything they needed it was given to them, just as it was with any other Ammonite.

13 This angered the Zoramites to the point where they aligned themselves with the Lamanites and prepared for war against the Nephites.

14 This ended the 17th year of the reign of judges.

15 The Ammonites fled the Land of Jershon into the Land of Melek, so that the Nephite army could have a civilian-free battleground against the Lamanites.

16 This started a war between the Nephites and the Lamanites.

17 Alma the Younger, Ammon, Aaron, Omner, Himni, Amulek, Zeezrom, Shiblon, and Corianton returned to the Land of Zarahemla.

18 They helped many who were unwanted by their own people find moral and happy lives among a good and moral people.

19 These people now fought for their homes, wives, and children in the Land of Jershon.

20 Alma the Younger was heartbroken because of the immorality of the disaffected Nephites known as Zoramites and the wars and deaths they caused.

21 He gathered his sons and asked each one of them to help teach morality, despite these events.

22 He gave each of his sons these charges: