One of the Book of Mormon’s many cautionary tales for our day is contained in Alma chapter 1. This chapter tells the story of the demagogue Nehor. Nehor went about preaching that every priest and teacher should become popular and be supported financially by the people.
Nehor quickly became very popular because he taught that people could do whatever they wanted and that everyone would still be saved at the last day. His doctrine became so popular that people began to send him money. With his increasing support from the people, Nehor became so prideful that he established a “church” to help spread his lies.
Reinforcing lies with violence
One day, Nehor met a righteous man named Gideon who admonished him “with the words of God” (Alma 1:7). Despite his populist bluster, Nehor was really quite insecure and couldn’t take criticism. He got angry and killed Gideon with a sword (Alma 1:9).
I could stand in the middle of 6th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.
Donald J. Trump
Nehor was brought to Alma, the Chief Judge. Alma not only condemned him for the murder, but was very concerned about what Nehor had been preaching.
… 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.
Alma 1:12
Gain and praise of the world
Nephi gave us a good definition of priestcraft.
He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.
2 Nephi 26:29-30
Behold, the Lord hath forbidden this thing; wherefore, the Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love. And except they should have charity they were nothing.
Notice that priestcraft does not necessarily mean that the person sets up a church – like Nehor did. Priestcraft is about money and popularity. Clearly, many politicians and media personalities are involved in priestcraft.
How can one tell if a person is an honest teacher or is involved in priestcraft? Nephi makes the difference very clear. A person who is guilty of Priestcraft has no love or concern for the welfare of the people.
So, an honest politician (yes, they exist) is one who acts (not just talks) in the best interests of the general public – not just themselves and their wealthy friends. A politician practicing priestcraft seeks only praise and gain for themselves.
Once started, the problem just grows
After Nehor, the murderer, was executed according to the law, the Priestcraft problem among the Nephites did not go away. Once people learned that they could become rich and popular by simply telling people what they wanted to hear, and by preaching that people DON’T need to repent but could do whatever they wanted without consequences, many wanted to try it.
Nevertheless, this did not put an end to the spreading of priestcraft through the land; for there were many who loved the vain things of the world, and they went forth preaching false doctrines; and this they did for the sake of riches and honor.
Alma 1:16
Source
Jeremy Diamond, “Trump: I could ‘shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters’,” CNN, January 24, 2016.
This puts me in mind of Nibley’s classic essay, “Victoriosa Loquacitas: The Rise of Rhetoric and the Decline of Everything Else.” He notes the same kinds of things, the sophists who specialized in figuring our exactly what their audience wanted to hear, and giving it to them, and constantly flattering them, very much aware what might happen to them it they demonstrated any principle, integrity, or actual leadership, the trend to vulgarization, labeling and cliche smears for their opponents, flattery and unquestioning support for their allies.
There is a difference between those who are self-aware and intelligent enough to have at one point called Trump out for his lies and defects of character, who then mostly went to Mara Lago and kissed the ring for political expedience, (becoming the Profiles of Spinelessness and Accommodation that Kennedy’s famous book said nothing about, instead trying to inspire us with Profiles in Courage), and the mediocrities and True Believers who hang onto every Trumpian word as a means to rise to power, fame, and gain.
I am still concerned about the silence of Church media on Trump. We are on the cusp of a fascist dictatorship, yet the D-News is SILENT on this matter. I guess we will all find out together.