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Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 1
Alma 1:47 And thus they did prosper and become far more wealthy than those who did not belong to
their church.
One of the most subtile of man's temptations is the seeming success of the wicked. The Psalmist
confessed, ''I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked" (Psalm 73:3). It
is an old fallacy that the righteous need to be poor. Lincoln once observed that "God must have
loved the poor, for he made so many of them." Jacob prophesied to his Nephite brethren," And
after ye have obtained a hope in Christ, ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them, ...for the intent to
do good" (Jacob 2:24, see comments).
Success is not alone in having, but in being; in a conscience which commends one to the favor of
God and esteem of his fellowmen. It should be noted that Alma's people "did not set their hearts
upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all” (Alma 1:46).
Paul reflected that "those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many
senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is
the root of all evils" (I Tim. 6:9,10, R.S.V.).
Alma 1:51 And it came to pass that by thus exercising the law upon them, every man suffering
according to that which he had done, they become more still, and durst not commit any wickedness, if it
were known:
The price of good government is social vigilance. Wickedness does not usually prevail because of
weak laws, but because of poor enforcement. Society can have just as many liars, thieves, and
murderers as it is willing to tolerate. Because the Nephites of the church kept the laws and brought
the offenders to justice, "there was much peace among" them "until the fifth year of the reign of
the Judges" (52).
THE HERESY AND REBELLION OF THE AMLICITES, VER. 53-78
Alma 1:54 Now this Amlici had, by his cunning, drawn away much people after him; even so much that
they began to be very powerful; and they began to endeavor to establish Amlici to be a king over the
people.
While the new republic had acted vigorously to put down the teaching of heresies and had
punished the transgressors of their laws, a new and more dangerous erosion of their safety and
welfare threatened the rise of a monarchy with a corrupt and ambitious man to sit on the throne.
The people were alarmed at this possibility, and gathered in many separate bodies to discuss the
situation. They had "much dispute and wonderful contentions”, (58). Then a vote was taken, and
"the voice of the people came against Amlici” (60).
The followers of Amlici would not accept the decision. Under his agitation, they "did consecrate
Amlici to be their king" (62). Immediately "he commanded them that they should take up arms
against their brethren" (63). Knowing the plan of the Amlicites, the Nephites prepared to meet
them (65). Weapons were readied, and fighting units with "captains, and higher captains, and chief
captains" were placed in command (68).
The Amlicites took the initiative at the hill Amnihu. Alma went with his captains "at the head of
his armies" (71). There was great slaughter on both sides. The Amlicites weakened and fled,