In Alma 30, we encounter Korihor, portrayed as an atheist but arguably more agnostic—or even deceitful, as he later admits to knowing God exists. When he denies God, Alma warns that he will be struck dumb, which then occurs.

An anomaly appears in verse 51: after Korihor loses speech, Alma writes him a note, yet there’s no mention of deafness. Was this an assumption based on the common phrase “deaf and dumb,” or did Joseph Smith misunderstand the distinction? Alternatively, should we accept that Korihor’s deafness is implied? This seems unlikely given the emphasis on him being struck “dumb” and the later parallel to the “dumb idol” in Alma 31:1.