In a different city, called Jershon, Korihor let forth a fury of words that left the people fluster to the point where the believers would not speak to him. Alma 30:23-28 follows with Korihor teaching his precepts and defending his right to hold his views as a citizen:

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.

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.

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.

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—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.

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. Alma 30:23-28

​Need anyone add more to his words?

Gospel of the Natural Man!

Korihor passionately spread his views and won men and women of varying levels of faith in the prophecies of prophets, living or dead, to his cause because "the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him." Mosiah 3:19

The quoted scripture above is a sermon on its own simply stated, but purposes here, humanity in its basic natural form fights against higher functions of its nature without guiding principles to give a reason to reach higher--true science, true seeking for knowledge. ​

​

The first thing Korihor is recorded to do is to insult the religious life of the people--having the effect of casting shame. Because what he said was so pointed, his words seem to have been recorded or paraphrased for future instruction. He delivers an entire sermon based on his intellectualist knowledge. Possibly these are actual words of Korihor, 
“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." Alma 30:14

So then, and so now, the first key for an intellectual argument against a belief in Christ, or religion in general is to denigrate the system.
Some would say the freedom with which atheists and agnostics persecute religions is retribution for the evil things performed in the name of one god or another. However, what most do not realize is that the freedoms they enjoy exist because God inspired His followers to allow free expression of faith in American and other free societies just like the Nephite societies.
​
Korihor went into a Messianic Judaism-based society, a known Christ-centered society, and began to preach against its cultural beliefs and religious practices--an anthropological nightmare to purists. Even intellectualism has missionaries.

I will forego using the true names of my bullies as a protection for them because Nashville is such a tiny town. Two White boys rode the same bus as my brother Reggie and I to school every morning. Of course, other kids who happened to be racially White rode the bus, but these boys were White first and kids last. The other kids on the bus just happened to be White. 

These two White boys were big kids and were two of a few older kids that rode the same bus with a crash of elementary kids every morning. Reggie and I were the only Black kids on the bus—it seemed that way from my experience. Every morning, these kids would sit next to us on the bus and spew vitriolic slurs abusing us. Having lived in the urban culture where people used the word in diverse ways, I did not truly know what a ni**er was—its true definition. When those two White boys used the word, I did not appreciate how it rolled off their tongues—as if Reggie and I were beneath them, sub-human. (Ironically, I nurtured a friendship with the ringleader’s younger brother. We lived houses away from each other making us neighbors!)

All the kids on the bus feared them. We endured daily the racial slurs until the ringleader—I say ringleader because it was a freak-show circus act in my estimation with us as the freaks—told us that he would take my brother and me, “grease ‘em up real good,” lay us end to end and slide down the bus seats using our bodies! That makes no sense to me now, but then I was terrified! I was so terrified it etched in my psyche a permanent scar! I did the only thing I could think of. I told my cousin Aaron!
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Aaron is my first cousin Johnny Lee’s (of whom I will speak later) youngest child who is a little above a year older than I am, but much, much larger. To illustrate, Aaron told me a story about his high school teacher telling him to stop acting his shoe size and start acting his age. He was 15 years old at the time. Guess what his shoe size was!

Aaron was nine or ten years old when I told him about my fear to get back on our school bus because two White boys wanted to make some type of play-ground slide out of Reggie and me. Aaron told his older sister Andrea, and one of his older brothers Johnny Junior our problem. The next day, the three of them walked to our house and rode the bus to school with us. Strangely, that day there was no name-calling. In fact, no more name-calling occurred thereafter. I assume greasin’ us up would have been harder to do with my three relatives strongly protesting it!​

Look, I wrote a book and it is amazing. I am trying to make money with it as well as help and encourage people who read it. It is the best book ever.
Why do I need to qualify my own book? I do think it is the best book ever. I wrote it and love it. It is something I made and it talks about my faith and my journey through life with a positive outcome. It is the best book ever. If you read it, you will feel that!
If everyone spends life comparing ourselves to others who we think are better, we will never rise. No, not better than others, but shine in our own way to our own audience. How can those who want to read my work read it if my shine is so dull it does not reflect light at all because I refuse to talk about it? So, I gonna let my light shine.

Following is an excerpt from  Moroni Saw Me. The days were no always bright in my life. God's hand in my making was always evident from the things I learned or thought I learned.

DAIRY QUEEN HEALS WOUNDS. During Mom’s hospitalization for some illness related to her heart (leaving us to the care of the husband) my stepfather showed his disdain for my personality. I gather my stepfather felt stress with the pressure of taking care of us while Mom recovered in the hospital. In a whirlwind of emotion, he paraded through our rental home going on about some item with which someone had tampered.
                 
Trying to show the seriousness of my not having tampered with that item, I said, "I didn't do it, and you could give me a lie detector test." 

It was clever to say, and an earnest expression of my innocence. He, however, had listened to my arrogant voice and condescending behavior for months I suppose—reaching his threshold for tolerance. Though I intended no condescension (at least that time) my stepdad understood it differently.

Charging into my room with a thick leather belt, he yelled, “You think you so smart? …always got something smart to say! Well, I’m tired of it!”

The man commenced beating me with the belt for old and new. Honestly, I thought he was mad, as in crazy, to attack me that way because he had never put his hands on me before that day to whup! He grabbed me once while he and Mom were dating, but he whupped me this time. I felt traumatized because it was my understanding that he did not have the right to whup me.

Crying, I tried to explain to him that I was not trying to be disrespectful. He did not want to hear it, and my kid-brain felt confused. My adult brain understands his frustration as I think back on the incident. Having children of my own, I understand wanting to discipline for old and new. I also understand that doing so is wrong. I am also my kids’ biological father who has been there from birth. He was not that to me.

The next day he bribed my brother and me with Dairy Queen food. Mom came home that day, which is why he wanted to butter us up. I remember telling my brother Reggie that it did not matter that he beat me because of that treat. It was a temporary balm to my wounded ego and body, but I did not in truth forgive or forget at that time. 

A fellow writer of mine issued a challenged on another platform we share to write 10 articles this month of January there to push ourselves. Hubpages is the platform. It is a place to make money if the rwiritn is good and the views are made.

There is more to it though. Following is a portion of what I wrote in that first responses to her challenge. The "her" to whom I refer is Karen Hellier. A link to the article I wrote is at the  end of this post.

With the challenge to write comes the challenge to remain relevant in a sea, a world of writers. Is it important to have many followers and viewers to write? This is not just a question for writers. This is a general sentiment when it comes to human existence.

There are so many talented people in the world of varying degrees and levels within those degrees and sections in those levels, and... You get the picture.

We tend to measure life based on the most influential events experienced. We have talked about 2020 ad nausem during that year and will do so until some other major thing boots it to the Annals of Defining Events.

Do I do enough to matter? That is the true sentiment. Another writer answered me for my specific worry, writing, instructing me that it does not matter if I am the best or the worst. What matters is that there is a need to fill and I fill that need for someone, even if I am that someone alone. 

I learned that I need to do what I do, writing, running, painting, singing, anything for the love of doing it.. I will reach my audience. There are enough consumers to go around, thankfully. I am not Stephen King, but I am Rodric! '

You may not be the best in your area of expertise or desire, but you always meet the sphere of YOUR influence. If that is only one person right now, it is a challenge to face--growth. Relevant enough is still relevant.

You know, I used to think everyone does not deserve a trophy. Now, I think that we all do. My spiritual leanings are based on Christianity. In my faith, God rewards everyone who tries with blessings. Everyone's attempts matter and receive an acknowledgment. I decided that we should get participation trophies while those who excel should get participation trophies and excellence trophies! We celebrate the fact that we tried, succeeded, or excelled. There is a reward in the ordinary. No, it is not celebrated but there is the reward of doing.

I made a few small changes in the test before putting it here, but the pointis we are relevant. My biggest fear is that i as grow older that I can no longer contribute. My solace is that no matter what, God sees me and acknowledges my relevance. "​I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." [Nisuah 2:17] We serve God when we remember that we are so relevant that serving others and allowing others to serve us IS serving God.

Courtesy of Author KAREN HELLIER, a Challenge!

In the middle of a society set on self-destruction, a father sent the most inspiring message to his son.
Do Not Give Up!

2020 has now become known as the "Year of Challenges." Every generation goes through a painful event that causes people to reflect on life, to reevaluate what is important in their lives. 911 scocked millions in the United States and the world when the Twin Towers fell at the  self-deleting intentions of terrorist.  Civil upheaval and claims of presidential voter fraud has upset the democratic trust of  US citizens and supporters of democracy around the globe who look to that nation as a standard of freedom. Most important is the COVID-19 pandemic that sweeps the globe resulting in fear, sickness,  contention, and death.

Graduating classes cancelled, social interactions limited, Holidays alone, political contention, confusion about the truth, sickness, job loss, and death constantly haunting the minds of people around the world can easily cause despair!  This father of which I wrote, Mormon, told his son not to fear and allow what is going on around him to cause him to lose HOPE.

Moroni, the last person known to have handled the record that became what we call The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, included in the record the last letters his father Mormon wrote to him before he interred the record. On those gold plated pages, Moroni transcribed the words of debauchery and turmoil happening in his lands. He described a world of rapine, cannibalism, and war.
He informed Mornoi, 
Behold, I am laboring with them continually; and when I speak the word of God with sharpness they tremble and anger against me; and when I use no sharpness they harden their hearts against it; wherefore, I fear lest the Spirit of the Lord hath ceased striving with them. For so exceedingly do they anger that it seemeth me that they have no fear of death; and they have lost their love, one towards another; and they thirst after blood and revenge continually. [Moroni 8:4-5]

Jesus Christ, of whom many of us are followers, taught that we should love one another as we love ourselves.
This seems to mean that as we do not allow ourselves to go without care and love if we have the power to do it we do not allow another person to go without care and love. Fulfilling that demand of being a true follower of the teachings of Jesus Christ applies to our ability and means to do so.

Mormon told his son, "And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God." [Moroni 8:6]

As followers of Jesus Christ, Christians, we have the opportunity to show the love of Christ by diligently serving them no matter if they listen to our message of salvation through Christ or not. We can still serve as Jesus served and love as He loved. 
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. [John 3:16]
Jesus willingly gave up His life to honor God by paying the price for our sins, suffering them! Imagine if all followers of Christ loved both enemies and friends with enough love to give up their lives if called to do so.
Mormon wrote, "My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever." [Mormon 8:25]

HAVE HOPE is the understanding it gives. Do not allow the political unrest to disturb your faith and hope n the goodness of God and His plan for humanity. Do not let despair pull you down when you know, in the end, you will win the day if you remain filled with hope. Your people may seem lost and fallen now, but the mercy of God is one that will be fully fair and full of love. Hope that Christ's grace is sufficient to heal all wounds still apply in the worst of times as well in the best of times.

We get to be the candle that Jesus taught about that gives light to the whole room by the way we conduct our lives. We #LightTheWorld with our good works so that all people can experience Christ vicariously through us. We get to share in the joy and power of Christ to heal the hearts of people by being His hands. We get to be a portion of his light. As He declared, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.." [John 8:12] 
Let us us His light to #LifhrTheWorld around us this Christmas and henceforth.

​Everything is about relationships—with God and with each other. Looking at the commandments in the scriptures, the two most important commandments according to Jesus Christ describe relationships: love of God and love of each other. [Matthew 22:37–40]

Speaking generally about love, Robert Orton of the Quorum of the Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said in his talk entitled “The First and Great Commandment”:

"Our eternal progression leans heavily on the degree to which we love. Webster defines love as the “unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another; an affection based on admiration, benevolence or common interests” (Longman Webster English College Dictionary, overseas edition).

And Moroni treats as synonymous the terms “pure love of Christ” and “charity” (see Moro. 7:47). We can best demonstrate our love to God by keeping His commandments. And we can show our love to God and neighbor by charitable acts of service."

The most charitable act that parents can do for their loved ones is by keeping the commandments, which is to honor family relationships. ​

I have developed my own hierarchical interpretation of relationship importance. Three relationships in my estimation are the most important:

1. A relationship with God (The most important of the three significant relationships.) 
2. A relationship with  spouse—husbands and wives. 
3. A relationship with children. 

Those three pillars of emotional attachment stand as eternal beacons of necessity for happiness to reign supreme in life. However, there is a caveat to the three pillars. Relationships evolve and are meant to change.

The relationships between parents and children change over time as they find their spouses with whom they will link in their own triad of connections. At that point, parental relationship with them becomes extended family (which is number four, though it is not listed). Until that point, it is parental privilege to foster strong connections of love, trust, and respect. 

"There is no other relationship quite like that which can and should exist between a boy and his dad. It can be one of the most nurturing, joyful relationships in life, one that can have a profound impact on who boys become and also on who dads become."
Fathers and Sons: A Remarkable Relationship
M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Young women, your mothers adore you. They see in you the promise of future generations. Everything you accomplish, every challenge you overcome brings them pure joy. And likewise your worries and heartaches are their worries and heartaches.
Mothers and Daughters
M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles