Alma 1:1-5

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The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 1

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Questions

Verse 1

  • 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"?
  • The end of this verse greatly resembles the end of verse 14. Are Mormon and Alma both citing some constitutional document? (Perhaps Mosiah certified to the people's acknowledgement of the law after Mosiah 29:38?) Is Mormon just quoting Alma twice? (Why?)

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

Verses 1-2

The first verse begins setting the reader up to hear what will happen in the first year of the reign of the judges. We may expect that this introductory clause is to be answered within the first sentence, but instead it serves as an opening phrase for a large section of text. This construction (an opening phrase incomplete by the end of the sentence) is odd for readers but occurs elsewhere in the Book of Mormon as well [fill in other examples]. More unique is the use of the phrase "from this time forward" which though we expect it to lead to some explanation of what happens from this point forward, we realize after finding nothing in front to complete it's thought, must point backward to mean something like the judges reigned over the people of Nephi from this point in history forward.

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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