Alma is the First Judge

In 91 BC, when King Mosiah died, there was no king left to rule over the Nephites. Mosiah, who had been righteous before God, had established laws that the people had accepted and were bound to live by. So the people were ruled by judges rather than by a king.

Alma was the first judge. During his first year as judge, a man named Nehor was brought before him. Nehor was a large, strong man. He had been preaching what he said was the word of God, yet he spoke against the church. He told the people that every priest and teacher should become popular and be supported by the people, and should not have to work with his own hands. He had also testified to the people that everyone would be saved at the last day, so they did not need to fear God’s judgment. He told them to lift up their heads and rejoice, for the Lord had created and redeemed everyone, and that in the end, everyone would have eternal life.

Many people believed what Nehor taught, and they began to support him by giving him money. He began to be lifted up in the pride of his heart, wearing very expensive clothes. He even started his own church according to his own preaching.

Before Nehor had been brought to Alma for judgment, he had been on his way to preach to his believers. He had met Gideon, one of the teachers who belonged to the church of God—the same man who many years earlier had been an instrument in God’s hands in delivering Limhi’s people out of bondage.

Nehor began to criticize Gideon in order to lead more people of the church away. Gideon responded to Nehor boldly, defending the church with the true word of God. Now Gideon was strong in the word of God. Because Gideon had exposed Nehor’s lies with the true word of God, Nehor became very angry. He drew his sword and killed Gideon, who was too old to defend himself. Because of this, the people of the church had brought Nehor before Alma to be judged for the crime he had committed.

Nehor stood before Alma and boldly pled for himself. But Alma said to Nehor, “This is the first time that priestcraft has been practiced among this people. You are not only guilty of priestcraft, but guilty of enforcing it with the sword. If priestcraft were allowed to be enforced among this people, it would bring about their entire destruction. You have killed a righteous man! He was a man who has done much good among this people. If we spared you, his blood would come upon us for vengeance. Therefore you are condemned to die according to the laws that have been given to us by Mosiah, our last king, for our people have agreed to live by these laws.”

And so, Nehor was taken to the top of Manti Hill. There he confessed before heaven and earth that what he had taught was contrary to the word of God. Then he suffered a disgraceful death. But this event did not put an end to the spreading of priestcraft throughout the land. Many people loved the vain things of the world. They went around preaching false doctrines for money and fame. They pretended to believe what they preached to cover their lies, for liars were punished. By doing this, the law had no power over them. The people dared not steal or murder for fear of the law, for whoever murdered was punished by death.

As time passed, those who did not belong to the church of God began to persecute those who had taken the name of Christ upon themselves. They persecuted and criticized the Christians for humbly preaching God’s word without payment. A strict law prevented church members from persecuting non-members and members alike. But in spite of this strict law, many church members began to be proud, arguing with those who persecuted them, even to the point of having fist fights with them. In 90 BC, this pride and contention caused many afflictions and trials to come upon the church. Many proud church members were excommunicated, and many others decided to leave the church on their own.

All this was very hard on the faithful, but they stayed firm in keeping God’s commandments, patiently bearing the heavy persecution. When the righteous priests left their work to preach, the people left their work to hear God’s word. Then they would all return to their work, for the priests did not feel that they were above working. They were all equal, and every man worked according to his own strength. The righteous saints gave to the poor, the needy, and the sick and afflicted. If a man had more, he gave more, for they all gave according to what they had. None of them wore expensive clothing, but their clothes were neat and attractive. This is how the church worked. It was a system that brought continual peace to its members in spite of all the persecution.

Because of the righteousness of the church, its members all became very rich. They had an abundance of everything they needed—flocks, herds, grain, gold, silver, silk, fine linen, and precious things. Yet even with all their riches, they did not turn away anyone who was hungry or who needed clothing, for their hearts were not set upon their riches. They were generous to all people. The righteous gave to the elderly as well as to the young. They gave to those who were in debt as well as to those who were free. They gave to members and non-members alike. The righteous gave to anyone in need, and this is how they all prospered together.

The righteous saints became much more wealthy than those who did not belong to their church, or than those who did not practice charity.

Those who did not take the name of Christ upon themselves indulged in sorcery, idolatry, spiritualism, envying, and arguing. They wore expensive clothing and were vain and proud. They participated in persecuting, lying, robbing, committing sexual sins, and murder. For doing all this, they were brought to justice as much as possible according to the laws established by Mosiah.

Because the righteous brought sinners to the law to be judged and punished according to their crimes, the wicked became more secretive and did not dare sin openly. So there was still peace among the Nephites until the year 87 BC.