“Every Priest and Teacher Ought to Become Popular”

Alan C. Miner

According to the philosophy of Nehor, "every priest and teacher ought to become popular" (Alma 1:3). It is interesting that Nephi warned of what might happen to any church that might uphold this philosophy. In 1 Nephi 22:23, the "popular" preaching and teaching is accompanied by some parallel attributes which might help the reader understand why such a philosophy as Nehor's was so potentially destructive:

For the time speedily shall come that

[1] all churches which are built up to get gain, and

[2] all those who are built up to get power over the flesh, and

[3] those who are built up to become popular in the eyes of the world, and

[4] those who seek the lusts of the flesh and the things of the world, and to do all manner

of iniquity;

yea, in fine, all those who belong to the kingdom of the devil are they who need fear, and tremble, and quake; they are those who must be brought low in the dust; they are those who must be consumed as stubble; and this is according to the words of the prophet.

Another parallel to the term "popular" is found in Luke 6:26, "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets." [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes] [See the commentary on 1 Nephi 22:23]

Step by Step Through the Book of Mormon: A Cultural Commentary

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