From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.
Note: this page allows you to see all the commentary pages for Alma chapter 1 together. Click on the heading to go to a specific page.
Alma 1:1-5
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The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 1
Questions
Verse 1
- Why are we told that Mosiah went "the way of all the earth"?
- What does it mean to war "a good warfare"? Why are we told that Mosiah had warred a good warfare?
- What does it mean to walk "uprightly before God"?
- How significant is it that the Mosiah-Benjamin-Mosiah dynasty would no longer continue, but the laws would?
- Why were the people "obliged to abide by the laws which [Mosiah] had made"?
Verse 2
- This verse introduces Nehor as "a man brought before [Alma] to be judged." Why don't we learn Nehor's name until the end of the story, in verse 15, when Nehor is about to be killed?
- Why is it noted that Nehor "was Large" and "noted for his much strength"? In what ways might his size and strength have been evident? Is there a relationship here between how he is described and how the royal Mulekite Ammon and his brothers are described in Mosiah 7:3? Who else in the Book of Mormon is described as large and mighty?
Verse 3
- What does it mean for priests and teachers to "become popular"?
- This occurs just after political leadership among the Nephites is turned over to the voice of the people. Is Nehor now mainly arguing that leadership in the church should also be established by the voice of the people?
- Why would Nehor argue that the priests "ought to be supported by the people"? The Nephite kings Mosiah, Benjamin, and Mosiah had all labored with their hands for their own support, why would Nehor argue that priests and teachers shouldn't have to do this as well? Were the new judges supported by the people? Is this a reflection of the practices in King Noah's time, when the priests were supported in the court of the king through taxation?
Verse 4
- What are Nehor’s doctrines? For what appears to be more of them, see Alma 15:15 and 21:6-8.
- Where might Nehor have gotten these teachings? Do they reflect the teachings of the priests of Noah, who rather than seeing their own wickedness wanted to justify their position and status through an appeal to Isa 52:7?
Verse 5
- Is it likely that some of the many who "did believe on his words" were members of Christ's church? If so, how is it that they left the truth and believed in these false doctrines?
Lexical notes
Verse 3
Exegesis
Verse 4
- In this verse Alma is recounting what Nehor taught the people: the world's view of being saved vs being exhalted
Verse 5
- The Book of Mormon often makes a point of saying that false prophets are supported financially by the people. In this case, they give money to Nehor who preaches that salvation will come to everyone. It seems they are willing to sacrifice their money for an easy salvation rather than their sins for true salvation.
- We might be tempted to look with disdain at those in the past who appear so easily decieved. It seems the danger of our day is to think that the Former-day Saints were fools and we in the Latter-days are wise (see Related Links, Carlos E. Asay). Here we might apply Mormon's test for passing judgment (Moro 7:15-17).
Related links
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Alma 1:6-10
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The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 1
Questions
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Lexical notes
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Exegesis
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Related links
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Alma 1:11-15
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The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 1
Questions
- v. 12: To what group does “this people” refer? Is Alma saying that this is the first case of priestcraft since Lehi’s colony arrived? Why would priestcraft result in the destruction of the people? Do we have priestcraft among us today? Outside the Church? In it?
- vv. 13-14: What is Alma’s justification for the death penalty? What does the last part of v. 14 mean: “[the law] has been acknowledged by this people; therefore this people must abide by the law"? How do we acknowledge our laws?
- v. 15: Why do you think ancient peoples felt it was important for a criminal given the death penalty not only to die but to suffer an ignominious death?
Lexical notes
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Exegesis
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Related links
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Alma 1:16-20
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The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 1
Questions
- vv. 19-22: The non-members persecuted the members “with all manner of words.” On the other hand, there was a strict law that forbade the members from persecuting others or each other. What was the result? (Be sure also to look at v. 24.) What lesson is in this for us?
Lexical notes
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Exegesis
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Related links
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Alma 1:21-25
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The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 1
Questions
- vv. 25-27: What are the three things that distinguish this church?
Lexical notes
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Exegesis
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Related links
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Alma 1:26-30
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The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 1
Questions
- vv. 29-30: Why do you think the writer felt it so important to record these two verses?
Lexical notes
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Exegesis
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Alma 1:31-33
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The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 1
Questions
Verse 31
- Prosperity is here linked with wealth. Is this always the case when prosperity is mentioned in the Book of Mormon?
- What does it mean that the members of the church were "far more wealthy" than those around them? Did this cause any problems?
Verse 32
- What is meant here by "sorceries"?
- Is the idolatry mentioned here idol worship, or just "idleness"?
- What are babblings?
- What is the connection between "wearing costly apparel" and the other sins mentioned here?
- This verse makes it sound like a good portion of the Nephite society was very wicked. What proportion of the people were actually righteous at this time? How much of wars and destruction during this time are the result of this wickedness?
Verse 33
- What do we know about Nephite laws and penalties? Were these in any way related to what we consider to be the Laws of Moses?
Lexical notes
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Exegesis
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Related links
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