Nehor
Encyclopedia
Nehor was the name of the Nephite
founder of an apostate sect mentioned in the Book of Mormon
, around 90 BC . In opposition to the Church of God headed by Alma the Younger
, Nehor zealously preached the following doctrines:
Nehor's style of evangelizing was confrontational and led to violence. He began arguing with a man named Gideon, who was a member of the 'Church of God'. During the exchange, Nehor became angry and killed Gideon with a sword . Nehor was then taken to face murder charges before Alma the Younger
, High Priest of the 'Church of God', but also Chief Judge of the land. Alma condemns Nehor to death for the murder of Gideon and accuses him of priestcraft . Before his execution, Nehor was taken to the top of hill Manti and "caused" to recant his teachings before suffering an "ignominious death" .
Later groups of Nehor adherents built synagogues and formed the cities of Ammonihah
and Jerusalem . The Amalekites
, for example, lived among the Lamanites and were granted freedom of religion from the Lamanite king .
The followers of Nehor have a far reaching impact on events during the life of Alma the Younger and his children. The divisions created by Nehor's sect deepened after his execution and lead to his followers violently persecuting the Church of God. These divisions were later used by Amlici
to gain power and force a popular election to anoint himself king. After losing the election he rallied his followers called "Amlicites", allied with the Lamanites, and started a civil war resulting in the death of tens of thousands. The Amlicites join with Amulonites
and Zoramites
, who were other renegade Nephites, in an effort to destroy the Nephite nation—but they ultimately fail.
Another group of Nehor adherents, who remained loyal to the Nephite government, lived in the city of Ammonihah
where the Chief Judge of the city ordered the burning of sacred books and the massacre of women and children who believed in their words . The city was subsequently destroyed by the Lamanites.
Nephite
According to the Book of Mormon, a Nephite is a member of one of the four main groups of settlers of the ancient Americas. The other three groups are the Lamanites, Jaredites and Mulekites. In the Book of Mormon, the Nephites were a group of people descended from or associated with Nephi, the...
founder of an apostate sect mentioned in the Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
, around 90 BC . In opposition to the Church of God headed by Alma the Younger
Alma the Younger
According to the Book of Mormon, Alma, the son of Alma was a Nephite prophet often referred to as "Alma the Younger" to distinguish him from his father, who is often referred to as "Alma the Elder"...
, Nehor zealously preached the following doctrines:
- Priests and teachers should be paid for their preaching and hold a privileged status .
- There will be a universal salvation for all mankind. .
- There is no need for repentance.
Nehor's style of evangelizing was confrontational and led to violence. He began arguing with a man named Gideon, who was a member of the 'Church of God'. During the exchange, Nehor became angry and killed Gideon with a sword . Nehor was then taken to face murder charges before Alma the Younger
Alma the Younger
According to the Book of Mormon, Alma, the son of Alma was a Nephite prophet often referred to as "Alma the Younger" to distinguish him from his father, who is often referred to as "Alma the Elder"...
, High Priest of the 'Church of God', but also Chief Judge of the land. Alma condemns Nehor to death for the murder of Gideon and accuses him of priestcraft . Before his execution, Nehor was taken to the top of hill Manti and "caused" to recant his teachings before suffering an "ignominious death" .
Later groups of Nehor adherents built synagogues and formed the cities of Ammonihah
Ammonihah
Ammonihah is a city mentioned in the Book of Mormon. According to the book, the city was founded by an otherwise unknown man named Ammonihah. The inhabitants of Ammonihah were followers of the religion of Nehor.Ammonihah was a city with a diverse population...
and Jerusalem . The Amalekites
Amalekites (Book of Mormon)
First mentioned in the missionary chapters of the sons of Mosiah, the Amalekites of The Book of Mormon are described as a group of Nephite apostates...
, for example, lived among the Lamanites and were granted freedom of religion from the Lamanite king .
The followers of Nehor have a far reaching impact on events during the life of Alma the Younger and his children. The divisions created by Nehor's sect deepened after his execution and lead to his followers violently persecuting the Church of God. These divisions were later used by Amlici
Amlici
According to the Book of Mormon, Amlici was a Nephite rebel that lived in the 1st century BC on the American continent. The narrative of Amlici's life and interaction with the Book of Mormon people is detailed in chapter 2 of the Book of Alma....
to gain power and force a popular election to anoint himself king. After losing the election he rallied his followers called "Amlicites", allied with the Lamanites, and started a civil war resulting in the death of tens of thousands. The Amlicites join with Amulonites
Amulonites
According to the Book of Mormon, the people commonly referred to as the Amulonites were composed of the priests of king Noah and the daughters of the Lamanites, whom the Amulonites took to wife by force...
and Zoramites
Zoramites
In the Book of Mormon, the Zoramites were one of three major Nephite sects, existing during the administration of Alma the Younger as the High Priest over the Church of God...
, who were other renegade Nephites, in an effort to destroy the Nephite nation—but they ultimately fail.
Another group of Nehor adherents, who remained loyal to the Nephite government, lived in the city of Ammonihah
Ammonihah
Ammonihah is a city mentioned in the Book of Mormon. According to the book, the city was founded by an otherwise unknown man named Ammonihah. The inhabitants of Ammonihah were followers of the religion of Nehor.Ammonihah was a city with a diverse population...
where the Chief Judge of the city ordered the burning of sacred books and the massacre of women and children who believed in their words . The city was subsequently destroyed by the Lamanites.