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Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 1
Alma was not only the chief judge but also the high priest over the church. Thus the Nephites were
living under a state-church type of government at this time. It was significantly recorded that "the
people 0£ the church" took action to bring the criminal to justice. With boldness and conceit
Nehor pleaded his own case.
Alma 1:18 And behold, thou art not only guilty of priestcraft, but hast endeavored to enforce it by the
sword; and were priestcraft to be enforced among this people, it would prove their entire destruction.
Alma declared that this was the first time that priestcraft had been practiced among this people.
Jacob had been shown that priestcraft would cause the death of Christ (II Nephi 7:9). Nephi
defined it as preaching to get gain and for the "praise of the world'. (See definition of priestcraft in
2 Nephi 11:106. See also comments on II N. 7:9.) Nehor had compounded his sin with the crime
of murder. " And were we to spare thee, his (Gideon's) blood would come upon us for vengeance,'.
declared Alma (19) .
Nehor was condemned to die, and was carried "to the top 0£ the hill Manti" (22) .Here he
acknowledged "that what he had taught to the people was contrary to the word of God; and there
he suffered an ignominious death" (23). We are not told the method used in his execution.
MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH ARE PERSECUTED BUT ALSO BLESSED, VER. 24-52
Alma 1:24 Nevertheless this did not put an end to the spreading of priestcraft through the land; for there
were many who loved the vain things of the world, and they went forth preaching false doctrines, and
this they did for the sake of riches and honor.
Taking an "eye for an eye" or even a life for a life has never been an absolute preventive to crime
or wrongdoing. Nehor's disciples rationalized that since the law punished only forbidden acts (27),
their right to teach their beliefs (26) would not put them in jeopardy. However this was only the
first step. Soon they became so proud and selfish that they began to persecute those who taught
and kept the laws 0£ God. This led to fighting and "much affliction. ..and was the cause of much
trial with the church" (32,33). This resulted in many being cut off from the church, and many
withdrew (34,35). However, the faith-full "bore with patience the persecution which was heaped
upon them" (36).
Alma 1:39 And the priest, not esteeming himself above his hearers; for the preacher was no better than
the hearer, neither was the teacher any better than the learner: and thus they were all equal, and they did
all labor, every man according to his strength;
People will not long tolerate a good preacher who is not also a good man. He should be without
guile, a leader and example to the flock. Alma was saying that the minister did not exalt himself
above his brethren. All of them worked for their own support and gave of their substance to the
sick and needy (40). They did not indulge in costly apparel. As a result of their righteous and
industrious lives, "they began to be exceeding rich; having abundance of all things whatsoever
they stood in need"- flocks, herds, grain, gold, "silk and fine twined linen, and all manner of good
homely Cloth" (43,44).