The Book of Alma

Alma 1

In the first year of the judges, a large, strong man, named Nehor, taught the people not to fear God. Many people believed Nehor and gave him money. He was proud and wore fancy clothes.

Gideon was an older man. He had helped free Limhi’s people from slavery. One day Nehor argued with Gideon. Then Nehor killed Gideon with his sword.

Nehor was taken to Alma to be judged for murder. Nehor begged to live. Alma said: You have killed a man who did much good for the people. If we spare you, your guilt will come on us.

They took Nehor to the top of the hill Manti to be killed. Before he died, Nehor told the people he had been teaching lies.

But many people loved fancy things. They taught religion for money. They wanted riches. The true followers of Christ taught God’s word for free.

In the Church of God, the teacher is no better than the learner. All are equal and both the teacher and hearer do work. They shared with the poor and the needy and the sick. They dressed neat and pleasing, but did not wear fancy clothes.

God blessed them to become rich. They had plenty of flocks and herds, grain, gold and silver and silk and fine fabric. They did not send away anyone that was poor, or hungry, or thirsty, or sick.

They did not put their hearts on riches. They were generous to old and young, male and female, church members and nonmembers.

They become more wealthy than people who did not belong to their church. Many who did not belong to the church were lazy. They were lifted up in pride, lying, stealing, robbing and murdering.

People who broke the law were punished. This helped keep the wicked quiet. There was peace among the people of Nephi until the fifth year of the judges.