Post by Alma – First Chief Judge
Both my father Alma and King Mosiah are gone. My father lived to fulfill the commandments of God. At age eighty-two, he lived to see his people delivered and established in a land of laws and order. After reigning thirty-three years, King Mosiah our last king and at the age of sixty-three died in the knowledge the people are governing themselves with just laws and judges they elect.
It’s been five hundred nine years since our first parents Lehi and Sariah left Jerusalem and established us here in the promised land.
As the first Chief Judge, I recognize there will be many firsts as we establish this new form of government—a government chosen by the people—a government where individuals are able to exercise agency, yet be subject to laws they acknowledge to be just laws.
We as a people are now facing the first case where priestcraft led to the killing of one of the people’s revered servants.
Nehor, a large man, noted to be a strong man, went among our people preaching what he claimed to be the word of God, contrary to the teachings of the true church. He declared that every teacher and priest should become popular and be supported by the people. Those teachings are in direct opposition to the teachings of King Benjamin and every other prophet of God. This man taught that church leaders should not labor with their hands. Appealing to the natural man, he testified that all mankind will be saved at the last day, that we need not fear or tremble. He taught that all will have eternal life.
So many people believed these false teachings, he became popular and people gave him money for his preaching. Lifted up in the pride of his heart he wore expensive clothing and began to establish a church according to his teaching. While he was out and about teaching, he encountered a valiant teacher of the Church of God, even our cherished Gideon. He contended sharply with Gideon trying to lead more people away from the Church of God.
Gideon was too strong in testimony and zeal, even in his old age. When those who are in the wrong face truth, they face few choices—accept truth or fight it. The fight typically leads to silencing truth. Silencing truth often requires violence, in this case it did.
Nehor drew his sword. Remember, this very Gideon was the Gideon who was an instrument in the hands of God in delivering the people of Lemhi out of bondage. We all knew and loved Gideon. Now he gave his life defending the truths revealed to his prophets.
The people of the church brought Nehor before me to be judged. I was sickened by his pleading.
I didn’t waver whatsoever. Boldly I declared, “This is the first time priestcraft has been introduced among our people. But you sought to enforce it by the sword. That is so contrary even to your own false preaching. If we let priestcraft be enforced it would mean our very destruction. You shed innocent blood, the blood of a beloved and righteous man. If we were to spare you, his blood would come upon us for vengeance. We will abide by the law given us by King Mosiah, a law acknowledged by the people. You are condemned to die.”
We took Nehor to the top of Manti Hill. Before his ignominious death, he declared that what he taught to the people was indeed contrary to the word of God.
Sadly, Nehor’s execution did not stop the spreading of priestcraft through the land. Too many people love the vain things of the world. False doctrines taught for riches and honor continue. They don’t lie, they just pretend to preach according to their belief. Since there is no law against a man’s belief, there is nothing we can do with the exception of teaching truth to battle the false doctrines.
One of the fruits of the false doctrines, is the intolerance of truth. Those who do not belong to the Church of God persecute those who belong to the Church of God who have taken upon themselves the name of Christ.
The true followers of Christ teach the word of God without price. They are humble, kind and suffer at the hands of the false teachers.
Such kindness and meekness is a hard thing. Sadly at times the true followers of Christ wavered in their meekness and came to blows with their adversaries. Pride inched its way into even the heart of the Church of God. Some have even withdrawn their names from the church. This has become a great trial to those who stand fast in the faith. They are steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God. They are bearing with patience the persecution heaped on them.
Unlike the false teachers who glut themselves on the riches they receive for preaching, the true followers fo Christ, once they impart the word of God, they return to the labors to provide for their families. They do not esteem themselves above the hearers. They do not wear costly apparel, yet they are clean and neat. They share their substance with those in need. They care for the poor, the needy and the sick.
With such dedication to God, the followers of Christ began to become rich with abundance of flocks and herds, grain, gold and silver, even other precious things such as silks, linens and other cloth. Even in this prosperity they failed not to care for the hungry and the ill and they shared freely, no respect to persons. The Lord continues to bless this people.
In sharp contrast, those who do not belong to the Church of God seem to revel in their wickedness. They don’t seem to realize their sorceries, idolatry, idleness, envying and strife, their pride and wickedness leads them into persecutions, lying, thieving, robbing, whoredoms, murder and all manner of wickedness.
When the law can lay hold on those breaking the laws we do as we can, yet wickedness is blind to its own consequences. If only they could see.
