The Cause of Amalickiah's Dissension - Part 1

What was the cause of Amalikiah's dissension?

Amalickiah was a leader of group of dissenters that sought for governing power over the Nephites (Alma 46:4).  But, what led up to this rift that produced a new war between the Nephites and the Lamanites?


The Nephites had successfully repulsed the Lamanites in 73 B.C.  They fasted and prayed, rejoicing of their deliverance from the hands of the Lamanites.  Alma confers the preaching of the word to his son, Helaman and departs ((Alma 45:19).  Helaman realizes that regulations (corrections) needed to be made in the church and goes forth to establish the church again throughout all the land (v.21).

After appointing priests and teachers over the churches, dissensions begin to occur.  Some members wouldn't give heed to their words (v.23).  What were the words that these members rejected?  It has to do with growing proud, having exceedingly great riches and growing rich in their own eyes (v.24).  This pride (growing rich in their own eyes) caused these members not to give heed to their words.  What were the rich all upset about?  


The church in Alma's time had adopted a tradition (a doctrinal tenant) that had been passed down from the beginning of the Nephite civilization.  Jacob taught it ( Jacob 2:17-19). King Benjamin taught it (Mosiah 4:26); Alma the Elder taught it (Mosiah 18:27-29) and Alma required obedience to it (Alma 4:12,13,15, Alma 5.53-55,59-60) or have their names blotted out (Alma 6:3).  The tradition goes something like this: We as Christians, having good desires towards God and towards our fellowman, choose to walk humbly before God, manifesting our faith in Christ by giving our surplus riches to the poor in order to help them and maintain a temporal equality among the members of the church.


The rich that grew proud in their own eyes did not like this doctrine.


We will see in Part 2 of this discussion that Amaliciah was part of this group of dissenters and became their leader.

Modern Day 'Scientific' Views Toward Religion Nothing New - Part 2

After using a kind of empiricism (since I can't see it, it doesn't exist) to debunk any sort of faith in Christ, prophecies and any internal manifestation that anybody has had that has brought them joy, peace, testimony or a witness from God, Korihor goes on telling his listeners that, with all these 'foolish things' removed, man is free to do whatever he wants. His doctrine is so common in the world that we don't see it for what it really is: a doctrine resulting from pure unbelief.

And here it is:

1. Every man fares in this life according the management of the creature.
2. Therefore, every man prospered according to his genius.
3 Every man conquered according to his strength.
4. Whatsoever a man did was no crime.

The resulting effects of Korihor's preaching leads many to lift up their heads in their wickedness. They have received license from Korihor to so anything they want. Along with the economic doctrine stated above, many people fall into sexual transgression. You might as well do whatever to want because when a man was dead, that was the end there of.

I see the affects of Korihor's doctrine across America and the world. Do you see it? Instead of trying to further ascertain what the Korihorian traditions are in our our world today, why not establish some principles that correct these false ideas? Mormon and Alma were decrying these false doctrines, so why don't we? Perhaps the following adjustments could be made to Korihor'steachings stated previously:

1. We all collectively fare in this life according to the management of each individuals unique gifts and talents.
2. Therefore, we all prosper collectively according to each of our God-given geniuses.
3. No man need conquer because of the love of God spreading forth into the hearts of man.
4. Having a good desire toward God and man, giving freely, believing that all temporal and spiritual gifts are to be used for the betterment of society as a whole is The Way. Perhaps it's a crime to do otherwise.

Korihor's 'there is no crime' dog eat dog, 'it's mine' doctrine, stirs up the carnal, natural parts of the human psyche. Instead, we ought to be teaching mankind how to attain to a higher plain of existence. The gospel of Jesus Christ, if followed, does exactly that.

Modern Day 'Scientific' Views Toward Religion Nothing New - Part 1

Introduction

As in America, during the reign of judges in the Book of Mormon, everyone was on equal grounds with respect to the law.  A man could believe what he wanted.  Korihor, an unbeliever, began to preach  to the people.  He reminds me of conversations I have had with those that no longer believe.   Based on science, evidence and empiricism they preach almost exactly the same thing regarding those who have faith.  After the unbelieving empiricist establishes the apparent foolishness of faith, they then begin to teach an amoral, carnal way of life (since a higher faith is out of the picture).  A basic tenant of their doctrine is that it is obvious that there is no God since God has not revealed Himself unto THEM.  Their logic is, since God hasn't revealed Himself to them, he hasn't revealed Himself unto anybody, past, present or future.

Here's a summary of Korihor's faith-based attack:

1. You are bound down by a foolish and vain hope.
2. No man can know that Christ really came (or that he will come again).
3. Prophecies are foolish traditions handed down from older people.
4. No one can know with surety anything about the future.
5. This is because you cannot know the things you cannot see.
6. Therefore, no one can know that there be a Christ.
7. Looking forward for a remission of your sins is the effect of a frenzied mind.
8. A believer has a deranged mind because he believes in the 'traditions of the fathers'.
9. This faith leads the believer into a belief of things which are not so.
10.  Thus, there is not atonement made for the sins of men.

I have been told that everyone who has received internal and external manifestations from the unseen world is having a hallucination.  Korihor used frenzied and deranged to describe the same thing.  The unbeliever says that since the scientific process 'can't' measure these phenomenas they really don't exist except as figments of our imagination.  They call this freedom.  They can now do anything they want.  They surmise that following their natural impulses is right.  No more higher faith-based laws to live by!

This isn't freedom!  It is captivity of the worst kind.  The Book of Mormon describes this condition as the chains of hell.  The chains of hell connote a state in which a person knows nothing of the things of God and considers all things related to faith, hope and righteousness as foolishness.  A person who knew the truth always falls into this condition by degrees.  They give into their natural proclivities (vices, sin, cynicism), the Spirit which they previously felt dims until one day this light is completely extinguished.  People around them can see the decline but the individual, for some reason, can't.

The Answer

Plant the seed of believing back into your heart.  It will begin to grow.  When you feel these swelling motions inside, know that the seed is good.  If you can only hope to believe, that is the place to start. Start doing (changing) something that you know you need to do (change).  You will get the witness from God once again in you life.  Let this grow and soon all the light and truth will return.

The Amazing Nephite Monetary System

After looking at blogs that show the merits of the Nephite money systems, I went and did my own analysis. What I found was even more amazing than what I remember reading. In a way, it reinforced my testimony of the divine origin of the Book of Mormon. For a man to come up with a unique (and possibly the best ever devised) monetary system that has very minor overall significance to the book would be ludicrous. Why take the time to think the system through? Unless, it was a known fact by the author that could be easily put forth to enhance the overall understanding of Amulek's legal hearing.

On the blogs I have read, I am told that the Nephite system of 1, 2, 4, and 7 and the Egyption system of 1,2, 4 and 8 are the best for making a purchase since they require the least amount of coins (units of measure) to make any number. For example, to make 14 you would need two 7's in Nephite money, and 8, 4 and 2 in Egyptian money and dime and four pennies in American money. So, it take 2 units of money for Nephites to make the purchase, three units for Egyptians and five units for Americans.

I have run the numbers here for myself. Price is the first column. It represents the amount of money asked for. 'N' is for Nephite, 'E' is for Egyption and 'A' is for American. These columns show how many 'coins' of each monetary system it takes to pay the price in the first column.

Price N E A (NSC)
1 1 1 1
2 1 1 2
3 2 2 3
4 1 1 4
5 2 2 1
6 2 2 2
7 1 3 3
8 2 1 3
9 2 2 4
10 3 2 1
11 2 3 2
12 3 2 3
13 3 3 4

Tot 25 25 32

14 2 3 4
15 3 4 2
16 3 2 3
17 4 3 4
18 3 2 5
19 4 3 6
20 4 3 2
21 3 4 3
22 4 4 4
23 3 5 5
24 5 3 6
25 4 4 1

Tot 42 41 47
GTot 67 66 79

Up to 13, the Nephites and Egyptians are neck and neck. The Americans lag behind. Up to 25, if I did my numbers right, the Nephites lag behind the Egyptians by one coin. But, there is more to the story! We aren't using the Nephite small coins here.

So, here's what I found. The units used above are more like dollar bills, two dollar bills, four dollar bills and seven dollar bills. In the text, the author, after showing the denominations, the author starts into the small coinage. Everything is based on a senum of silver which equates to a measure of barley. Let's call a senum a 1 unit. This would make the smaller units as follows:

1.0 = 1 senum
.50 = 1 shibon
.25 = 1 shiblum
.125 = 1 leah
1.5 = 1 antion

So, let's say these were coins (no coins are mentioned in this chapter).

a leah would be take the 1 coin position
a shiblum would take the 2 coin value position (it is twice the value of a leah)
a shiblon would tkae the 4 coin value position (it is four times the value of a leah)
the senum would take the 8 coin value position (it is eight times the value of a leah)
and the antion would take the 12 coin position (it is three times the value of a shiblon)
a seon (of the large coin system) would take the 16 position (it is twice a senum)
a shum would take the the 32 positon (four times a senum)

Because the Nephites added an antion which is three shiblons, they have created a twelve coin denomonation for making small change. With this new coin, it takes only one coin to pay for something that cost 12 and two coins to get to 13. The Nephite psuedo Egyptian small coin system beats the Egyption regular system by 2 coins!

I have added the Nephite Small Coin (NSC) system to the chart below.

Price N E A (NSC)
1 1 1 1 1
2 1 1 2 2
3 2 2 3 2
4 1 1 4 1
5 2 2 1 2
6 2 2 2 2
7 1 3 3 2
8 2 1 3 1
9 2 2 4 2
10 3 2 1 2
11 2 3 2 3
12 3 2 3 1
13 3 3 4 2

Tot 25 25 32 23

14 2 3 4 2
15 3 4 2 3
16 3 2 3 1
17 4 3 4 2
18 3 2 5 2
19 4 4 6 3
20 4 3 2 2
21 3 4 3 3
22 4 4 4 3
23 3 5 5 4
24 5 3 6 2
25 4 4 1 3

Tot 42 41 47 30
GTot 67 66 79 55

The Nephite Small Coin system far surpasses all past systems by 11 coins! The Nephite system is far better at making change then our American system (by 24 coins).

So, there's my (partial) analysis of the Nephite small denomonation monetary system.

By the way, when Zeesrom offers Amulek six onties, he was offering him 42 measures of barley, perhaps (depending of the size of a measure of barley) a month's labor or for a common man (if a measure of barley can feed a man for a day). If it feeds him for one meal, than Amulek was offered enough food for eight days.

True Christion Discipleship - Revile Not

The Book of Mormon teaches us that true believers in Christ manifest their belief by certain actions. It teaches us that without certain works, that our faith is for all intents and purposes, dead. One of these behaviors is to revile not.

Revile is defined as 'To assail with abusive language; vituperate.' Viturperate is 'to rebuke or critize harshly or abusively.'

To revile is verbally attack someone or something. It starts with that feeling of what is being done to you is unfair. Since what is being said or done to you is unjust, you defend yourself by going on the offence (usually with words but not always).

The Zoromite poor had been treated very contempuously by their rich Zoromite bothers. They wouldn't let them in the synogogues which they had helped build. Alma teaches them the following:

And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions; that ye do not revile against those who do cast you out because of your exceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them;

But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions. Alma 34:40-41

After Alma and Amulek teach the Zoramites in the previous chapters the key doctrines (faith, Christ, the atonement, mercy, prayer, etc.), they immediately teach them a way to demonstrate their new found faith - 'do not revile against those who [did something aggregious against you]... lest ye become sinners like unto them'. You know what's funny? I, as a believer in Christ, revile even when I preceive a possible infraction from another! It doesn't even have to a bonified, real offense! So, I can become a sinner without the preceived offender even being a sinner.

We are exercising faith in our God when we patiently bear the persecution of others and revile not. There are many examples of this Christian quality throughout the Book of Moron.

As Alma the Younger is establishing the order of the church the unbelievers would persecute the believers 'with all manner of words'. The believers were to demonstrate their faith by staying humble (Alma 1:20) not reviling back (ibid, v.21). But some that belonged to the church couldn't do it. Their pride got in the way. Or, in other word, their logic kicked in. Why should I listen to these verbal attacks and not respond? The strict law of the church isn't fair! Because of this tenent in Alma's church, many hearts were hardened. (Ibid, v.24). This idea of reviling not was a great trial for everyone (Ibid, v. 25) causing a seperation to occur. Some bore persecution patiently while others withdrew themselves from the church.

We can easily measure our christen discipleship by comparing our own behaviors with the tenets of the gospel found in the Book of Mormon. To revile not is similar to not getting defensive. As we bare patiently hurtful words of others, we become steadfast and immovable (Ibid, v.25). Our strength of character has increased. We have reached a milestone in our christian discipleship.

Why do we Impart of our Substance?

I think about what motivates people to do what they do. I listen to what people have to say about what brings about about the greatest prosperity. And I conclude that man must have the inherent right to own what he produces. Nobody has the right to take away another's substance. Now these fundamental beliefs will always create inequality. Some become rich while others remain poor. What is to be done? Some will say that there's nothing to be done, that this is the way of our natural dog eat dog world. Others will want to break the cardinal law above and force others to involuntarily give (government enforced redistribution). If one believes that substance ought to be shared, the only honest answer to the problem is what the Lord teaches in the following story.

Alma has been teaching a group of people the gospel. They believe in Alma's words and want to unite in living the way believers would live. Their actions are a result of this love they feel in their hearts toward God and each other. They know where happiness is found.

Where is happiness found? The people already expressed their willingness to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. They have made a covenant with God through baptism to follow Jesus Christ. They desired this way of life more than anything else.

After the people were baptized, the Lord has Alma organize His church. As part of this organizing, Alma does the following in Mosiah 18: 27-29:

And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of
their substance, every one according to that which he had; if he have more
abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but
little should be required; and to him that had not should be given.

And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good
desires towards God, and to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul.

And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants. (italics added)

So, what is the answer to the rich and poor question? How does the wealth get redistributed? Of our own free will and good desires towards God. Do we desire the same thing that Alma's people desired? If these doctrines of Christ feel foreign to us, why do they? Mormon asks a question along the same lines:

Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the
hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by
you, and notice them not? (Mormon 8:39)

Mormon answers his question:

37For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted

Mormon ask another question:

38 ...Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world?

Isn't it interesting that Mormon ties being ashamed to take upon ourselves the name of Christ and endless happiness to using our substance (our prosperity) for our enjoyment as we walk by the needy and the poor and notice them not? This may have been what Alma meant when he said, " ...can ye lay aside these things, and trample the Holy One under your feet...?"(Alma 5:53).This tenet of Christian faith is everywhere in the scriptures yet we want to avoid it. I think it makes us feel uncomfortable. Or, perhaps its too disruptive to our prosperous lives. It really is an inconvenient doctrine.

If we don't have these good desires in our hearts, what hangs us up? Jacob says that we first need to obtain a hope in Christ. (Jacob 2:19) We need to believe that these teachings are true and work on ourselves (faith, repentance, service, etc.) until we have the same desires that the true believers in all ages had - from Adam to the present. When we unite this way, we walk uprightly before God (Mosiah 18:29).

Can One Contend Righteously?

In Mosiah 2:32-33, King Benjamin warns his people of a specific sin to beware of: contention. Since he is talking to his people, he may be referring particularly to political and religious contention. He pronounces a wo upon those who contend and tells them that they are following the evil spirit.

32But, O my people, beware lest there shall arise contentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil spirit, which was spoken of by my father Mosiah.

33For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth to obey that spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own soul; for he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of God contrary to his own knowledge.

I wonder how we as American measure up individually as well as in politics with our American way of contending with each other about everything. Is being contentious really listing to obey the evil spirit?

I guess I should define the word, contention before I get too far:

1. Strife; struggle; a violent effort to obtain something, or to resist a person, claim or injury; contest; quarrel.
2. Strife in words or debate; quarrel; angry contest; controversy.
3. Strife or endeavor to excel; emulation.
4. Eagerness; zeal; ardor; vehemence of endeavor.

Is there healthy contention or is it always bad? Alma 2:5 speaks of "wonderful contentions" one with anther to vote whether or not to have a king once again. Can one debate politically without contention? Since strife is used often in the above definition of contention, let's look that up:

Strife: 1. Exertion or contention for superiority; contest of emulation, either by intellectual or physical efforts. 2. Contention in anger or enmity; contest; struggle for victory; quarrel or war.

I believe one can discuss or debate politics or religion without contending. But, I don't think it is easy. Human nature seems to cause us to slip in strife and contention.

A 'discussion' (in 1828 Webster's Dictionary) is defined as follows:

2. Debate; disquisition; the agitation of a point or subject with a view to elicit truth; the treating of a subject by argument, to clear it of difficulties, and separate truth from falsehood.

I like the idea of clearing truth from falsehood. It must take a person of sufficient character to choose not to contend with others. It takes discerning listeners to realize when a discussion has turned to contention and strife. Is it better to fight with words to the end or find points of compromise? It seems like the American political and religious fronts are full strive and contention. We get caught up in our 'rightness' and fall into temptation. What is the temptation? To contend. When we contend or agree with the contention at hand (mobs do this), we fall into the hands of the devil. To conclude, let's look at one last scripture. Jesus says the following in 3 Nephi 11:29:

For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is
not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth
up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

Casting Away the Law of the Lord - What Happens Next

All sorts of ideas flow into my mind and heart when I read this Isaiah chapter (2 Nephi 15). Isaiah brings up a time when the laws of God are rejected the people. The same thing happens through out history. The Jews were destroyed when they rejected their Messiah and were fully ripe. The Nephites, the Jaredites, the Canaanites all had similar total destruction of their civilizations. These nations all have one thing in common: the people have no interest in the Lord and his statutes. And it is happening again. Our great gentile nation seems to ripening in iniquity. We see the symptoms all around us. What is this ripening nation like and what will inevitably happen? Let see what Isaiah has to say.

The Lord talks about a very fruitful hill (v.1). This sounds to me like a chosen land, perhaps, America as we apply the scriptures to our day and age. The land is a choice vine and has a tower (v.2). This is a knowledge of Christ and having a prophet among them. The gentiles (including the saints) have been given the gospel. But this nation brings forth (generally) wild grapes. Their fruits or works are not good. The Lord then asks what more could he do? (v.4) He then says that he will take away this nation's defences (hedge) and trodden it down! (v.5) He will lay it waste. (v.6). Isaiah then clarifies that the vineyard is the house of Israel (v.6) but when he looks for judgment (justice) all he finds is oppression. The righteous are crying.

Isaiah then pronounces a woe to those who force everyone to live in houses so close to each other (v.8). There needs to be space to be alone. He then says the houses will be empty (v.9). This is another portend of total destruction. The land will not produce an increase (v.10).

Isaiah talks of people who drink from morning to night. This could be a metaphor of a people who take no thought of the Lord from morning to night. It could depict a people who never has time to slow down and seek the Lord. (v.11)

These same people are constantly going from one pleasure to the next, enjoying music, and partying (v.12). With this attitude about life, they don't regard the work of the Lord nor consider the operation of His hands. They don't see the big picture, that theirs more to life than working and pleasure day after day. These people have gone into captivity (v.13) because they have no knowledge (of God and His work). It's like everyone is famished and dried up with thirst. Spiritual things don't even cross their mind! They are unaware that their is another way, another choice than the one they are living!

Because of state of affairs among men, knowing nothing of the things of God, hell has enlarged herself and opened her mouth without measure. The culture is completely corrupt. Those that glory in this culture are descending into hell. (v.14)

Because of this state of affairs, those in power will be brought down. They will be humbled (v.15). The Lord will rule this land (v.16). The land will be given to others (v.17).

Isaiah pronounces another woe on those who influence others to do iniquity (v.19). They tempt the Lord wanting to see with their eyes, this supposed destruction that will come because of their supposed wickedness. They call evil good and good evil (v.20). They purport their dark ways as light and their sinful (bitter)lives as real living and the sweet wholesome life as foolish and boring.

Another woe is pronounced on those that are wise on their own eyes and prudent in their own sight. Don't we all want be wise and prudent? But, coupled with pride brings a curse from the Lord. (v.21) A lot more could be said on this subject. What we perceive as normal in our culture could really be pride from a spiritual stand point.

Isaiah pronounces a woe unto men who use alcohol. (v.22)

When I read this verse, I think of lawyers that justify the wicked for reward. Through sophistry they are able to take from the righteous that which was given them through righteous living.(v.23)

This verse (v.24) reminds of new age gurus, masters, speakers, teachers that purport their doctrine mingled with scripture as the way to happiness. They are rewarded with money for their Korihorian doctrine. They then surmise that they have found the truth because people keep on giving them money. But they teach a false doctrine where righteous work isn't required to get anything in this life. Isaiah says that they will be destroyed "because they have cast away the law of the Lord of Hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel." (v.24)

After this verse Isaiah describes terrible destruction. Once everybody in the society is in the chains of hell, the society is ripe for destruction. They no longer worship the God of the land, Jesus Christ. The people have succumbed to false doctrines. The laws set by God are universally not obeyed. The great plan of happiness is void among this people.

When this general wickedness is the norm, a abomination of desolation is pronounced on the nation. Isaiah says that an ensign to the nations will rise up from afar (v.26) and move swiftly and have sharp arrows (v.28) and roar like a young lion (v.29), and lay hold on their prey... and none shall deliver. After this there will be darkness and sorrow in the land (v. 30)


These last verses seem to tie to the young lion in 3 Nephi 20, 21 and Mormon 5 which comes to the gentile nations and tears them apart like sheep. I believe all these verses are describing a time when the West (especially America) is ripened in iniquity and is destroyed (scourged, whipped)  by what the Lord calls the remnant of Jacob.