References to "Nehorism" in the Book of Mormon

Here is where I will be keeping and updating my list of references to the doctrine of Nehor in the Book of Mormon, both direct and indirect, as promised in my last post:

• The aforementioned trial of Abinadi, starting with Noah's priests' attempt to trap him in his words in Mosiah 12:20-24. Note that the priests' descendants were later described as following Nehor's doctrine in Alma 21:4.


• Nehor himself, mentioned in Alma 1.


• The people of Ammonihah, attempting to trap Amulek in his words. This one isn't quite so obvious, but since Ammonihah is referred to as "Desolation of Nehors" (Alma 16:11) after its destruction, I think it's safe to include it. Zeezrom's little trap, in Alma 11:26-35, seems to consist of getting Amulek to say that God cannot save his people in their sins. Amulek seems to be anticipating the trap, since his answer contains an explanation "for it is impossible for him to deny his word." Undeterred, Zeezrom still points out that Amulek is imposing limits on God's power. The argument sticks-- his argument is prominently used against Alma and Amulek as they are accused and thrown into prison in Alma 14:5. When approaching theology from the doctrine of Nehor, which is that God has the power to save everyone regardless of what they do in life, this is indeed a contradiction to the omnipotence of God (and lying appears to have been a punishable offense during the reign of the judges).


• The Lamanites appear to have a tradition of Nehorism, as described in Alma 18:5: "Notwithstanding they believed in a Great Spirit, they supposed that whatsoever they did was right." (emphasis mine) Where did this idea come from? Lamoni's father (the king of the Lamanites), as it says earlier in the verse. Did he get it from his father too, or was there a more direct line to Nehor...? (See next paragraph)


• The Amalekites are also mentioned in Alma 21:4 as being after the order of Nehor. Incidentally, this is the first mention of this group of people in the Book of Mormon, however some (myself included) believe that these are the same people as the Amlicites, who deserted to the Lamanites in Alma 2-- and gee whiz, looky there, Amlici was described as being after the order of Nehor in Alma 2:1! (Perhaps this is where Lamoni got his tradition of Nehorism, but I digress.) Aaron, brother of Ammon and son of Mosiah, unsuccessfully argued with an Amalekite who challenged him over Aaron's calling people to repentance. "How knowest thou the thought and intent of our hearts? How knowest thou that we have cause to repent? How knowest thou that we are not a righteous people? Behold, we have built sanctuaries, and we do assemble ourselves together to worship God. We do believe that God will save all men." (emphasis mine)

• Samuel the Lamanite talks about priests becoming financially successful by adopting Nehorism in Helaman 13:27-28.

• ... more to come as I find them...