Alma 4

In the sixth year of judges, the people were still sad for their killed brothers, husbands and fathers. They believed war was a punishment sent from God because of their sins. Many people repented and were baptized in the river Sidon.

In the eighth year of judges, the people of the church began to grow proud because of their riches. They had fine clothes, many herds and much gold and silver. They began to wear fancy clothes.

This made Alma and many of the church leaders worry. They were sad about the sins they saw.

Church members began to put their hearts on riches. They began to be mean to each other. They began to beat people who did not believe. Their envy and pride was even more than the people who did not belong to the church. The Church began to fail.

The members’ bad example began to lead nonmembers to sin. Alma saw great inequality among the people. Some turned their backs on the needy and the hungry and the thirsty and the sick.

This was cause for great shame and sadness among the people. Some people were humble and helped others. Alma saw the hardships that were put on the humble followers of God by the rest of his people.

He selected a wise man, named Nephihah to take Alma’s place as chief judge. Alma could then go to his people and remind them of their duties. Alma used God’s word to pull them down from their pride.