“Every Priest and Teacher Ought to Become Popular”

Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet

Here is priestcraft at its best. Nephi had declared centuries earlier: “Priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion” (2 Nephi 26:29).

One possessed of the spirit of priestcraft is eager to gain attention, eager to receive the applause of the crowd, eager for recognition and reward. He or she seeks a following, and does so for all the wrong reasons.

He or she preaches- in some cases even preaches the truth- for money or for fame, not for the establishment of Zion. Such persons are motivated by mammon, driven by desire, impelled by impulse, and prompted by the quest for prominence.

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 3

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