--"The written testimony of many of the prophets from the beginning of the world to the time our fathers left Jerusalem, as recorded upon the brass plates they brought with them into this land, prove his existence; the testimony of all the holy prophets that God hath raised up to minister to this people declare it; and back of these witnesses stands all nature--the earth with its wealth of fruits and flowers and vegetation and animal life; the rains which make it fruitful, the glorious sun, which kisses its fruits and grains to ripeness; day and night, seed-time and harvest--all proclaim the Creator and his goodness and wisdom and love! The existence and harmonious movement through space of many other worlds than ours in such exact order and regularity, proclaim his power and glory; and more than all, the still small voice of the Spirit of God, testifying to the secret soul of man of the being of God and man's accountability to him--all these things united give ample proof of God's existence and power and majesty. Yet there stands a man," and he pointed his finger at Korihor, and addressed himself to the audience, "who denies there is any proof; turns from all this and impiously demands a sign!" The scoffer stood awed before the awful form of the priest; and well indeed he might, for he had risen in delivering the above; his face shone with intelligence, his eyes reflected the light of heaven, his voice trembled with the power of God; and the form drawn up to its fall height was magnificently grand. "I--I do not say--there is--no God," faltered Korihor in subdued, husky tones, and trembling from fear--"I do not believe there is,--I will not believe"--recovering some of his boldness--"except ye show me a sign!" "Then this shall be thy sign--I tell thee, in the name of God, thou shalt be dumb and never speak again!" The voice was trumpet toned now, and seemed to shake the building and the whole audience had started to its feet. There was a half stifled exclamation from the scoffer, and he wildly clutched the air; his eyes seemed bursting from their sockets and his face was purple with his effort to speak. Those who had stood with him drew back as if by instinct, and he stood alone writhing under his curse. Exhausted at last by violent contortions of his whole frame, he became more calm; and in answer to the question by the Chief Judge-- "Art thou now convinced of the existence of God?" He wrote an answer, saying that he was; that he knew there was a God, but the devil had deceived him by appearing to him as an angel of light, that he had taught his words because they were pleasing to the carnal mind, and his success made him believe, finally, that they were true. He pleaded piteously that the High Priest would remove the curse, but Alma replied: "If this curse should be taken from thee, thou wouldst again lead away the hearts of this people; therefore it shall be unto thee, even as the Lord will."