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Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 1
NEHOR GUILTY OF PRIESTCRAFT AND MURDER, VER. 1-23
Alma 1:4 And he had gone about among the people, preaching to them that which he termed to be the
word of God, bearing down against the church;
Not only had Mosiah left his people a good name and a good example, but he had established laws
which the people by their voice and vote had obliged themselves to observe.
Alma had not finished his first year in the judgment seat when a serious problem arose. A large,
strong, and persuasive man named Nehor was brought before him for heresy and murder. Nehor
was teaching "that every priest and teacher ought to become popular." The people should support
them so they would not need to labor with their hands (5).
He also taught that the Lord who created men had also redeemed them, and "all mankind should
be saved at the last day" and have eternal life (6,7).
Many of the people believed his preaching and "began to support him and give him money" (8).
Alma 1:9 And he began to be lifted up in the pride of his heart, and to wear very costly apparel; yea,
and even began to establish a church, after the manner of his preaching.
Nehor appealed to the vanity of mankind when he advocated that the priests and teachers should
be looked up to as worthy of adulation. The desire to be liked and praised is strong in all men.
There is no sin in cultivating friends, but there is some danger in the process. Jesus warned that
"whosoever exaltheth himself shall be abased; and he who humbleth himself shall be exalted'.
(Luke 14:11). Seeking popularity causes one to conform to
the ways of the world, whereas a minister for Christ should seek to transform his mind to the will
of God.
Paul had some good advice £or the people of his day. They were not to be subservient "with eyeservice,
as men-pleasers ; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with
good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men" (Eph. 6:6,7; Rom. 12:3). Nehor was off to
a false start in an attempt to establish a church. His idea of a paid ministry seems to have been
based on the dignity of the calling of priests and teachers rather than on their worthiness as
servants for Christ and their love of their fellowmen. Jesus called his ministers to be shepherds of
the flock. " And the shepherd is not as a hireling, whose own the sheep are not, who seeth the wolf
coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth" (John 10:12).
Another aspect of Nehor's philosophy was manifested in his wearing of costly apparel. This was
evidence of his pride and self-exultation.
Alma 1:13 Now because Gideon withstood him with the words of God, he was wroth with Gideon, and
drew his sword and began to smite him.
Gideon was now old and enfeebled. He was no match for Nehor in physical combat, so he was
slain. Nehor was taken by the people of the church and brought before Alma to be judged
according to the crime (15).