Nehor Is Taken before Alma, Convicted of Murder, and Put to Death
Alma 1:10–15
10 And the man who slew him was taken by the people of the church, and was brought before Alma, to be judged according to the crimes which he had committed.
11 And it came to pass that he stood before Alma and pleaded for himself with much boldness.
12 But Alma said unto him: Behold, this is the first time that priestcraft has been introduced among this people. And behold, thou art not only guilty of priestcraft, but hast endeavored to enforce it by the sword; and were priestcraft to be enforced among this people it would prove their entire destruction.
13 And thou hast shed the blood of a righteous man, yea, a man who has done much good among this people; and were we to spare thee his blood would come upon us for vengeance.
14 Therefore thou art condemned to die, according to the law which has been given us by Mosiah, our last king; and it has been acknowledged by this people; therefore this people must abide by the law.
15 And it came to pass that they took him; and his name was Nehor; and they carried him upon the top of the hill Manti, and there he was caused, or rather did acknowledge, between the heavens and the earth, that what he had taught to the people was contrary to the word of God; and there he suffered an ignominious death.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote:
“Priesthood and priestcraft are two opposites; one is of God, the other of the devil. . . . Apostasy is born of priestcrafts, . . . for those who engage in them follow vain things, teach false doctrines, love riches, and aspire to personal honors.”
(Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 593.)
