“Unto the City of Gideon”

Brant Gardner

The next city specifically mentioned is Gideon. The extent of the Nephite apostasy from the gospel must have been extensive indeed if Gideon should fall under condemnation for “wickedness and abominations.” During Alma’s missionary journey to the land of Zarahemla, Gideon was praised for its faithfulness (see Alma 7:3-5). Later when Korihor attempts to spread his version of the worldly religion (and the denial of the Atoning Messiah), he is banished from Gideon. (Alma 30:21-29). The rejection of Korihor and his worldly religion was only around seventy years earlier than Samuel’s condemnation. In that generation, Gideon has fallen from very faithful and rejecting the influence of the worldly religion to a city that appears to have embraced it.

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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