The first chapter of the book of Alma sets the stage for things that will come shortly after. Alma has taken the office of chief judge and is administering the affairs of the Nephite nation. We don't really hear about the establishment of the office, or of the pains of defining the roles of the state administrators. We aren't given the details of taxation, law enforcement, military provisions, or other details of the country's new government. I think these details would be interesting, but in the context of the purpose of the Book of Mormon, these details are irrevelant. I'm sure they weren't irrelevant to Alma, though; while he was overseeing the myriad problems of setting up the new governmental system, he also was serving as the high priest over the church.
We learn of an event that occurred during the first four years of Alma's term in office. A man by the name of Nehor begins preaching what would become a very popular set of beliefs. In a nutshell, this is what he taught the people:
-- Every priest and teacher should be popular
-- Priests and teachers shouldn't labor for the own support; they should be supported by the people
-- Everyone would be saved at the last day, no matter what. The Lord had created all and had redeemed all, so all would receive eternal life
-- People don't have to humble themselves, all can rejoice (as an extrapolation, this would mean that it didn't matter what you did, you would be saved in the end; humility, kindness, service, etc. was unnecessary)
Let me say that these doctrinal points, like all of Satan's lies, have a grain of truth.
-- Several Gospel Doctrine class teachers I have known were immensely popular. People would crowd themselves into the classroom so that they could participate in the lesson. This, however, was usually because of the spirit of learning and the Spirit of God that accompanied the teacher - brought on by loving the Gospel, careful Gospel study, and by spiritually preparing for the lesson.
-- All people can be saved: "We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel" (Pearl of Great Price, Articles of Faith, #3)
-- What you do in life does matter ; consider these scriptures: "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts." (Psalms 10:4). "For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence" (Alma 12:14).
As a contrast, consider this: "And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (Matthew 25:20-21). Godly traits can only be obtained by Godly behavior. There are no shortcuts - indeed there is no other way.
Needless to say, Nehor's teachings were popular among some of the people. But among the faithful people there was a man who Nehor couldn't convince; in fact, Nehor became so irritated with the man who withstood him that he drew his sword and began to smite the man. This faithful man was Gideon, who escaped with the people of Limhi from the land of Nephi - Lehi. Gideon was aged now, and could not withstand Nehor's blows; Gideon was slain. This became Nehor's undoing. He was taken to the chief judge. Alma condemned Nehor to die for Gideon's murder. Moreover, Alma declared that Nehor's attempt to enforce priestcraft by violence was an example of what could become the new nation's undoing.
Nehor must have done some major soul-searching, for just prior to his execution, he acknowledged to all present that the things he had taught were contrary to God's law. Sadly, this was overlooked by his followers, who pursued these popular points of doctrine and the lifestyle they supported. As we read on in the book of Alma, we hear more of Nehors followers and their separation from the people of God.
My observation of our times, with the lens of Alma chapter 1 is this: People everywhere, in all walks of life and in all religions, tend to interpret what is right or wrong by adapting their tenets of faith to what they desire. This sounds pessimistic, I know. There is a formula, however that can be both a remedy and an ounce of prevention. This the formula:
-- Read the scriptures regularly; try to understand what they mean to your betterment as a spiritual being.
-- Pray regularly and often. Seek to know that the scriptures are true. Ask how they can benefit your life. Ask for blessings upon others. Ask for guidance in your life.
-- Listen to the guidance the Lord gives you and act upon it. Do what you are led by God's whisperings to do.
These are simple steps, but they are powerful. They will bring us unity with our Heavenly Father and peace to our lives.
Don
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