We have previously stated that flattery, as used in the Book of Mormon, is to preach what is pleasing to the carnal mind. Let‘s look at Nehor’s doctrine on salvation. Every carnally minded soul loves this doctrine. In effect, it says whatever sin you commit, whatever whoredoms you are guilty of do not matter. The sinner and the righteous can expect the same reward. What does this doctrine say about the atonement? It mysteriously states that the Lord has redeemed all men. This doctrine single-handedly negates the entire plan of salvation. It negates the importance of faith in Christ, repentance, baptism, and good works. None of these are really necessary if the train headed to the celestial kingdom is really a free ride. But what a great doctrine for the free-riders of the world!
Hugh Nibley
“What is wrong with this upbeat, cheerful religion-this popular message? … It says, ’In the end, all men shall have eternal life’-and that’s the whole story. Everyone is saved, and that is that. This short circuits and bypasses the whole plan of salvation, which is that this is a time of probation here, accepting salvation the hard way…Should we lower our standards to gain converts? Well, that’s the great thing. The great Catholic Church historian-not only of our time, but I think the greatest of them all-was Duchesne. He said that’s exactly what happened. The church was able to expand and conquer after the fourth century because it just kept lowering its standards, lower and lower. Every time it lowered them, it could get more people in. Finally, everybody was willing to join because they didn’t have any standards at all as far as morals were concerned. This is the thing that happened here with Nehor; he made himself very popular. He was like a popular evangelist, and this is what people want to hear.” (Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Lecture 42, p. 216-7)