Alma 1

(All of my own thoughts are in red type 6/20 Green 4/21 orange 7/22 Brown 2023)

The Book of Alma the Son of Alma

The account of Alma, who was the son of Alma, the first and chief judge over the people of Nephi, and also the high priest over the Church. An account of the reign of the judges, and the wars and contentions among the people. And also an account of a war between the Nephites and the Lamanites, according to the record of Alma, the first and chief judge.

Chapter 1

Nehor teaches false doctrines, establishes a church, introduces priestcraft, and slays Gideon—Nehor is executed for his crimes—Priestcrafts and persecutions spread among the people—The priests support themselves, the people care for the poor, and the Church prospers. About 91–88 B.C.

  1 Now it came to pass that in the first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, from this time forward, king Mosiah having gone the way of all the earth, having warred a good warfare, against evil walking uprightly before God, leaving none to reign in his stead; nevertheless he had established laws, and they were acknowledged by the people; therefore they were obliged to abide by the laws which he had made. People ruled by kings are not accountable for the unjust things the kings demand? Is that correct? At least they are on record has having NOT acknowledged the kings laws as they have no voice in the matter. Whether they are accountable for following those unjust things when perhaps they had the agency to leave and go live somewhere else, I don't know...
  2 And it came to pass that in the first year of the reign of Alma in the judgment-seat, there was a man brought before him to be judged, a man who was large, and was noted for his much strength. Did he persuade people by intimidation because of his large stature and strength? 
  3 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; declaring unto the people that every priest and teacher ought to become popular; and they ought not to labor with their hands, but that they ought to be supported by the people. What is the attraction of "popular" teachers? We have those in the church and at Ed Week, their classes are attended in greater numbers. They are not paid more, though, but in the church there could be the "attraction" that if we paid the "good" teachers, we wouldn't have to suffer through the "bad" ones...lol Also, some apostate groups claim to believe in God, Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, so they claim to have the word of God, but bear down against the church and it’s leaders. 
  4 And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life .Is this the half-truth tactic of Satan? Yes, the Lord created all men and redeemed all men so they can have eternal life, but only IF they repent and keep His commandments. We DO need to fear and tremble because justice will claim all those who DON'T repent! I could see this false teaching making a reappearance from the springboard of the LGBTQ agenda. "God loves everyone the same; He created us 'as we are' and He only creates good and perfection; All we have to do is love each other 'as we are' and not judge and we will be saved; God is the only judge of right and wrong so we just need to let people do whatever they feel is right and love them and we'll all be saved" etc....
  5 And it came to pass that he did teach these things so much that many did believe on his words, even so many that they began to support him and give him money. Why? Why support him with their money so he doesn’t have to work, just preach? Maybe they had to pay to hear him, like we pay to hear lectures.
  6 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. Why costly apparel? Do we really give more attention to the words of those who speak to us in nicer clothes? There are some "businesses" out there that claim it matters what color we wear and style and people relate to us differently based on our clothes. It feels like manipulation to wear things to attract a certain form of acceptance. And if the people would not have supported him with their money, would he have been able to sway as many people? 
  7 And it came to pass as he was going, to preach to those who believed on his word, he met a man who belonged to the church of God, yea, even one of their teachers; and he began to contend with him sharply, that he might lead away the people of the church; but the man withstood him, admonishing him with the words of God. The words of God are more powerful than the flattery of man. This is why we must first "obtain the word of God". Is this just scripture knowledge or something more? (Baptism by Fire; More Sure Word of Prophecy, etc) There may be significance in the wording here. The one preaching against the word of God is the one who "contended" because he's the one Satan is "stirring up". The true man of God isn't "contending" but "admonishing with the words of God". Admonishing means: "criticism to correct". 
 8 Now the name of the man was Gideon; and it was he who was an instrument in the hands of God in delivering the people of Limhi out of bondage. He isn't given "prophet" status in this record, but he sure is in tune with the Spirit and receives many revelations or inspirations.
 9 Now, because Gideon withstood him with the words of God he was wroth with Gideon, and drew his sword and began to smite him. Now Gideon being stricken with many years, therefore he was not able to withstand his blows, therefore he was slain by the sword. This is a hard one. A man that was so righteous and had done so much good was not delivered from the hands of an evil man. Why? We just have no idea if we will die as a martyr or be saved by divine intervention. We have to be willing to stand for truth no matter what the outcome. Do what is right....let the consequence follow. Sigh. That is so hard. Also, this is another crazy example of someone who is so powerful with words and has been free to say them, but when he meets someone who's words are different than his, that person wants to kill him? That is sooooo extreme for only the words someone speaks!
 10 And the man who slew him was taken by the people of the church, and was brought before Alma, to be judged according to the crimes which he had committed.
 11 And it came to pass that he stood before Alma and pled for himself with much boldness. pride what could he possible have said to defend his murdering Gideon over a difference in belief?
 12 But Alma said unto him: Behold, this is the first time that priestcraft has been introduced among this people. 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. Truly the agendas of the Left today are a religion to them and they want to be paid by their supporters and enforce their beliefs by the law or even the sword. And it will also "prove our entire destruction" if it continues unchecked. 
 13 And thou hast shed the blood of a righteous man, yea, a man who has done much good among this people; and were we to spare thee his blood would come upon us for vengeance.
 14 Therefore thou art condemned to die, according to the law which has been given us by Mosiah, our last king; and it has been acknowledged by this people; therefore this people must abide by the law. Capital punishment is in the scriptures.
 15 And it came to pass that they took him; and his name was Nehor; and they carried him upon the top of the hill Manti, and there he was caused, or rather did acknowledge, between the heavens and the earth, that what he had taught to the people was contrary to the word of God; and there he suffered an ignominious (shameful; dishonorable) death. At first it says he was 'caused' which sounds like 'forced against is will' to disavow his teachings. But then it says 'or rather did acknowledge between the heavens and the earth' which sounds like he confessed (on his deathbed, which may have the the 'cause' of the confession).
 16 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. The death sentence is partly to be a deterrent for future crime. Not so in this case...They just made sure they didn't enforce their "teachings" by the sword. So I guess to that degree it worked.
 17 Nevertheless, they durst not lie, These people knew they were lying  if it were known, for fear of the law, for liars were punished; therefore they pretended to preach according to their belief; and now the law could have no power on any man for his belief.  As it should be. We live in a time when they are starting to censure people for their beliefs. Saying it is “misinformation; disinformation; or mal-information” and so people don’t have a right to share it because it’s wrong or harmful in some way. We have to defend the right to free speech no matter which way it leans. But one sure sign you are on the wrong side of the issue is if you get upset with those who disagree with you and want their voice to be silenced. This is a powerful statement of truth by the Supreme Court in a recent case regarding freedom of religion:
"The opportunity to think for ourselves and to express those thoughts freely is among our most cherished liberties and part of what keeps our Republic strong. Of course, abiding the Constitution's commitment to the freedom of speech means all of us will encounter ideas we consider…'misguided, or even hurtful'….But tolerance, not coercion, is our Nation's answer."
 18 And they durst not steal, for fear of the law, for such were punished; neither durst they rob, nor murder, for he that murdered was punished unto death.
 19 But it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the church of God began to persecute those that did belong to the church of God, and had taken upon them the name of Christ.
 20 Yea, they did persecute them, and afflict them with all manner of words, and this because of their humility; because they were not proud in their own eyes, and because they did impart the word of God, one with another, without money and without price. Seems like the "affliction" part may have been because they did not argue with the persecutors but let them speak.
 21 Now there was a strict law among the people of the church, that there should not any man, belonging to the church, arise and persecute those that did not belong to the church, and that there should be no persecution among themselves.
 22 Nevertheless, there were many among them who began to be proud, and began to contend warmly with their adversaries, even unto blows; yea, they would smite one another with their fists. Warning! You can be right. But if you take to yelling at others and physically fighting with them...you are guilty of pride! 
 23 Now this was in the second year of the reign of Alma, and it was a cause of much affliction to the church; yea, it was the cause of much trial with the church. This could have been really discouraging and frustrating to Alma. Here is the first year he is in charge after a wonderful peaceful reign by King Mosiah. I think he'd be tempted to feel like he was no match for filling King Mosiah's shoes and maybe even wondering if the new form of government was going to work!!
 24 For the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were blotted out, is this coming? that they were remembered no more among the people of God. And also many withdrew themselves from among them. They were “moving or being removed” 
 25 Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them. How does this look? Did they not speak up to defend truth? Or did they speak up, but just "bear" what came back? If they spoke up, did they do it calmly and without personalizing the attacks? This is coming/here...
 26 And when the priests left their labor to impart the word of God unto the people, the people also left their labors to hear the word of God. And when the priest had imparted unto them the word of God they all returned again diligently unto their labors; 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. This is Zion. All equal. by choice and with love. No force.
 27 And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely. You can dress neatly and nicely without it being costly. Why? Because the excess that makes it “costly” apparel could easily be given to those in need. Just read one though on the use of tithing to help the poor. They said the scriptures don't teach the use of tithing for the poor, but that the poor should be cared for out of our "offerings" which are not dictated as a percentage of income. Did these people pay a tithe in addition to "imparting of their substance" to others? I'll have to study this more...
 28 And thus they did establish the affairs of the church; and thus they began to have continual peace again, notwithstanding all their persecutions. Can you have peace in the middle of persecutions? Yes!
 29 And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need—an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth. We have to learn to trust God on this. If you give, humbly, that which is above what you need, God will multiply your gain. You are never in debt because of God or being righteous. 
 30 And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need. I love that they did not "persecute" back those who were not of the church.
 31 And thus they did prosper and become far more wealthy than those who did not belong to their church.
 32 For those who did not belong to their church did indulge themselves in sorceries, and in idolatry or idleness, and in babblings, and in envyings and strife; I wonder what these things looked like in their day? wearing costly apparel; being lifted up in the pride of their own eyes; persecuting, lying, thieving, robbing, committing whoredoms, and murdering, and all manner of wickedness; nevertheless, the law was put in force upon all those who did transgress it, inasmuch as it was possible. Some people got away with things...
 33 And it came to pass that by thus exercising the law upon them, every man suffering according to that which he had done, they became more still, and durst not commit any wickedness if it were known; therefore, there was much peace among the people of Nephi until the fifth year of the reign of the judges. It is not just having laws that keep peace, but enforcing them. We can see in these past few weeks that if the law is not enforced, people become more bold in their crimes. You have to have honest judges and police for the law to be enforced correctly.