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).
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.
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.
