Birth of Communism

Further into the book of Alma, is an account of the infamous anti-Christ, Korihor. Several modern anti-Christs may come to mind when we read his ideologies, for there have not been a shortage of secular humanists, materialists, and other godless philosophers in our day. Yet of all the pernicious think tanks--who pit man's wisdom against God's--Karl Marx has probably had the most widespread and lasting influence. Amazingly, Korihor and Karl Marx, both in their doctrine and as individuals, were quite similar.

One of the things Karl Marx is known for is his closing statement in the Communist Manifesto: "...Let the ruling classes tremble at a Communist revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. Working men of all countries, unite!" This is comparable to Korihor's statement: "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...." (Alma 30:23.)

Marx said "the history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles."⁽¹⁾ He identified essentially two great classes of people that seem always to emerge: the bourgeoisie, or the oppressors, and the proletarians, or the oppressed.⁽²⁾ Korihor hinted at a similar grouping when he accused the religious leadership: "...Ye keep [this people] down, even as it were in bondage, that ye may glut yourselves with the labors of their hands...." (Alma 30:27.)

Marx also claimed that the proletariat are deprived of that which they have worked for, and that the capitalists unjustly milk the worker for profit.⁽³⁾ Compare this with Korihor's assertion that the supposedly oppressed people "durst not make use of that which is their own lest they should offend their priests, who do yoke them according to their desires." (Alma 30:28.)

Korihor's above statements also ring familiar with Marx's philosophy that religion is merely "the opium of the people."⁽⁴⁾ Marx claimed that religion was merely a man-made tool used for exploitation.⁽⁵⁾

Both Korihor and Karl Marx bluntly renounced belief in Christ, reducing it to "a foolish and a vain hope." (Alma 30:13.) Bruno Bauer, a close associate of Marx, reflected Marx's sentiments, calling the Gospels forgeries and saying that Jesus had never existed, and therefore Christianity was a fraud.⁽⁶⁾ Korihor labeled the prophecies "foolish traditions" and said that the people's religious beliefs were "the effect of a frenzied mind" which lead them "away into a belief of things which are not so." (Alma 30:14,16.)

Both Korihor and Marx's reasoning was founded on certain false premises--perhaps because "the things of the Spirit...are foolishness" unto the natural man, for "they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor. 2:14.) This is made quite clear in the Nephites' record. There, Alma asked Korihor, "...Believest thou that we deceive this people [with `oppressive' religion], that causes such joy in their hearts?" (Alma 30:35.)

Marx and his right-hand man, Friedrich Engels, held distorted views about morals. Some of these are also reflected in Korihor's doctrines. Korihor's statement, "Whatsoever a man [does is] no crime" (Alma 30:17), matches Engel's "We therefore reject every attempt to impose on us any moral dogma whatever...."⁽⁷⁾ Both Korihor and Marx taught that "when a man was dead, that was the end thereof." (Alma 30:18.)⁽⁸⁾ Furthermore, Marx felt that "self-preservation is the supreme instinct in man, and therefore his whole pattern of human conduct must [be] governed by an attempt to wrest the necessities of life from nature."⁽⁹⁾ This resembles Korihor's philosophy that "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." (Alma 30:17.)

The comparisons between Marx and Korihor can be taken even as far as certain characteristics of their personal lives. Marx was always in debt,⁽¹⁰⁾ was plagued with terrible health problems, and his closing years were "sterile and lonely..., his words carrying little weight either at home or abroad."⁽¹¹⁾ Likewise, in the end, Korihor was cursed by God (he was struck dumb), "went about from house to house begging for his food," and finally "was run upon and trodden down, even until he was dead." (Alma 30:49,54,56,59.)⁽¹²⁾ The concluding verse of this chapter about Korihor seems applicable to Karl Marx too: "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." (30:60.)

Today, with all the Communist system's cosmetic make-overs, many have been inclined to believe that it is not the dangerous beast it used to be. The sheep's clothing has become so innocent-looking today that few are repulsed by it. The question we might ask ourselves, though, in this day of great paradoxes is how much has the hiding wolf underneath changed?⁽¹³⁾ We know that when Karl Marx, the celebrated father of Communism, was asked what his objective in life was, he professed, "To dethrone God...!"⁽¹⁴⁾ Similarly, when the Nephite account introduced Korihor, it condensed his entire deceitful message into this one statement: "There should be no Christ." (Alma 30:12.) Perhaps this is what prompted the official Church statement: "The position of this Church on the subject of Communism has never changed! We consider it the greatest satanical threat to peace, prosperity, and the spread of God's work among men that exists on the face of the earth!"⁽¹⁵⁾

The Communist philosophy and the so-called improvements upon it are not restricted to Communist countries. Its abundant disciples may be found in many nations. Usually they are not considered Communists. Preferable titles seem to be: Marxist, socialist, leftist, and humanists--to name a few. Some of the most important work done for the Communist cause is accomplished by these non-Communist hands. Apparently, the main reason they cling to the Marxist line or variations thereof is that its teachings, like those of Korihor's, are "pleasing unto the carnal mind." (Alma 30:53.) Nephi warned us, "...Wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God...." (2 Ne. 28:26.)

Seeing these correlations between Korihor's philosophy and Carl Marx's philosophy helps us to expose the true nature of this carnal ideology. In the end, Korihor acknowledged, "The devil hath deceived me..., and he taught me that which I should say." (Alma 30:53.) The Nephite record also braces us in our defense of truth so that we will not succumb to the sincerity of the modern advocates of this philosophy. Korihor, like many who embrace the leftist line, also "verily believed that [his teachings] were true; and for this cause [he] withstood the truth...." (Alma 30:53.)