The Book of Alma
the Daughter of Alma

Alma Chapter 1

Now it came to pass that in the first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephie, from this time forward, queen Mosia having gone the way of all the earth, having warred a good warfare, walking uprightly before Goddess, leaving none to reign in her stead; nevertheless she had established laws, and they were acknowledged by the people; therefore they were obliged to abide by the laws which she had made. And it came to pass that in the first year of the reign of Alma in the judgment-seat, there was a woman brought before her to be judged, a woman who was large, and was noted for her much strength. And she had gone about among the people, preaching to them that which she termed to be the word of Goddess, bearing down against the church; declaring unto the people that every priestess 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. And she 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 Lady had created all women, and had also redeemed all women; and, in the end, all women should have eternal life.

And it came to pass that she did teach these things so much that many did believe on her words, even so many that they began to support her and give her money. And she began to be lifted up in the pride of her heart, and to wear very costly apparel, yea, and even began to establish a church after the manner of her preaching.

And it came to pass as she was going, to preach to those who believed on her word, she met a woman who belonged to the church of Goddess, yea, even one of their teachers; and she began to contend with her sharply, that she might lead away the people of the church; but the woman withstood her, admonishing her with the words of Goddess. Now the name of the woman was Gideon; and it was she who was an instrument in the hands of Goddess in delivering the people of Limhie out of bondage.

Now, because Gideon withstood her with the words of Goddess she was wroth with Gideon, and drew her sword and began to smite her. Now Gideon being stricken with many years, therefore she was not able to withstand her blows, therefore she was slain by the sword. And the woman who slew her was taken by the people of the church, and was brought before Alma, to be judged according to the crimes which she had committed.

And it came to pass that she stood before Alma and pleaded for herself with much boldness. But Alma said unto her: 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. And thou hast shed the blood of a righteous woman, yea, a woman who has done much good among this people; and were we to spare thee her blood would come upon us for vengeance.

Therefore thou art condemned to die, according to the law which has been given us by Mosia, our last queen; and it has been acknowledged by this people; therefore this people must abide by the law. And it came to pass that they took her; and her name was Nehora; and they carried her upon the top of the hill Manti, and there she was caused, or rather did acknowledge, between the heavens and the earth, that what she had taught to the people was contrary to the word of Goddess; and there she suffered an ignominious death.

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. 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 woman for her belief. And they durst not steal, for fear of the law, for such were punished; neither durst they rob, nor murder, for she that murdered was punished unto death.

But it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the church of Goddess began to persecute those that did belong to the church of Goddess, and had taken upon them the name of Christ. 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 Goddess, one with another, without money and without price.

Now there was a strict law among the people of the church, that there should not any woman, belonging to the church, arise and persecute those that did not belong to the church, and that there should be no persecution among themselves. 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.

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. For the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were blotted out, that they were remembered no more among the people of Goddess. And also many withdrew themselves from among them.

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 Goddess, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them. And when the priestesses left their labor to impart the word of Goddess unto the people, the people also left their labors to hear the word of Goddess. And when the priestess had imparted unto them the word of Goddess they all returned again diligently unto their labors; and the priestess, not esteeming herself above her 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 woman according to her strength. And they did impart of their substance, every woman according to that which she 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. And thus they did establish the affairs of the church; and thus they began to have continual peace again, notwithstanding all their persecutions.

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. 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. And thus they did prosper and become far more wealthy than those who did not belong to their church.

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. And it came to pass that by thus exercising the law upon them, every woman suffering according to that which she 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 Nephie until the fifth year of the reign of the judges.