Alma Chapter 1

Notes:

• Nehor was noted for his much strength. 
• In short, he was buff. 
• Dude, check out these abs.

• But let's not forget what he was doing... killing the righteous Gideon. 
• How often is somebody's influence measured by how they look? What a silly reason to trust somebody! And yet, we do it all the time. 
• Why would you support a priest who goes around with a suspiciously pro-priest message: "Support us! We ought not to labor!" 
• Well, it has certain advantages. A priest who is beholden to you for his livelihood will be unlikely to call you to repentance. 
• And indeed, this is what we see.
• No sooner does Nehor begin to preach this philosophy than we see him preaching universal, unconditional salvation. 

And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life.

~~Alma 1: 4~~ 

• And it worked! People started giving him money. Observe the next very interesting phenomenom.

And he began to be lifted up in the pride of his heart, and to wear very costly apparel, yea, and even began to establish a church after the manner of his preaching.

~~Alma 1:6~~

• Funny that I have so much in common with Nehor. am also frequently lifted up in the pride of my heart, convinced that I am the greatest thing on earth since George Washington. 
• I also have a hankering for costly apparel. 
• When somebody is seeking to lead away the children of Israel, you admonish them with the words of God. 
• SIDE NOTE: Perhaps my friend was more right than I. Aren't we taught that there will come among us wolves in sheep's clothing? 
• On that note, we are definitely given strict instructions on how to judge. 
• Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles? (3rd Nephi 14:16) 
• I had never thought about the grape/fig analogy before. 
• Do men seek grapes among thorns or figs among thistles? 
• In other words, is he seeking good things in bad places? No matter how good your motives are (tolerance seems pretty admirable to most) it's unwise to seek it in thorny places like condoning sin or allowing evil policies go unchallenged. 

Book of Mormon Fundamentalism: 

Do you actually believe what the Book of Mormon says? Do you actually trust the Brethren in their statements? Do you seek to apply the scriptures to your life and see parallels in the world at large?

Are you actually interested in religion? Is improving your spiritual standing actually a real goal of yours?  

I am thinking that there is much among them I need to accept. But the mainstream of the church will always provide my best refuge and safety. 

Another comic that actually impressed me quiet a bit was the following: 

Unfortunately, I'm often the sheep on the front row, kicking the poor guy in the rear. I don't like to think things are wrong. I'm an optimist by nature, but far more than that, I have a tendency to avoid problems. I like to ignore them until they are apparent and urgent. But by that time, it's probably far too late to stop evil in the hearts of men, right? 

So, Jarom. You need to drift a little more right-wards. There's a lot of good on the left, there's a lot of good in your tolerance and open-mindedness and flexibility, but you wouldn't hurt from some backbone, too!