Alma 4

It took the Nephites only two years to go from being humbled because they believed "the judgments of God [were] sent upon them because of their wickedness... therefore they were awakened to a remembrance of their duty," to having their hearts set upon riches, lifted up in pride, and being persecutors of those who did not believe the same as them. There are so many of them that the church begins to fail. Mormon tells us that the "wickedness of the church was a great stumbling block to those who did not belong to the church." It is always sad when any member of the church can cause people to believe that their poor actions are typical of the church. You have to wonder how many people have been turned off to the church because of the poor example of some members. The church works hard to portray an example of a correct image of the fruits of a believing people, the great blessing of good families, and the good that can be done when people's hearts are in the right place. It offers so much security in an insecure world and so many are looking for that something to be able to belief and have faith in. What a shame when our own bad behavior, selfishness, chasing after things that have no ultimate value, or just plain being dumb, lead others to believe that what we are the kind of people who have nothing that would be of interest to them.

Alma realizes that he can't be high priest and chief judge at the same time so he gives up the political seat and assumes the role of solely being the religious leader. Then Mormon offers the insight that Alma realized that there was no way to save the people except in "bearing down in pure testimony against them." It would take great courage to go before a wicked people and point out and testify to them of their sins and the consequences of what they were doing. But it is no different today. We hear strong testimonies concerning the problems that plague us today like pornography, moral sins, pride, and all that we see taking place in the Book of Mormon. Who hasn't experienced the pride, the "one-up-manship" or attitude of superiority that comes from those who use position and wealth look down on those who have less? How refreshing it is when we meet those who have wealth and position but never allow it to influence their relationship with others.