Alma 1
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 pleaded for himself
with much boldness.
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.
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.
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 death.
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.
17 Nevertheless, they durst not lie, 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.
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.
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.
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.
24 For the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were blotted out,
that they were remembered no more among the people of God. And also
many withdrew themselves from among them.
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.
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.
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.
28 And thus they did establish the affairs of the church; and thus they began
to have continual peace again, notwithstanding all their persecutions.
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.
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.
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; 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.
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.