“Amlici, Enemy of Freedom”

Ed J. Pinegar, Richard J. Allen

Amlici (pronounced AM-li-sigh), a Nephite trouble maker, has a short-lived career during the early tenure of Alma the Younger. Before the rise of Amlici, Alma has already taken steps to purge from the social fabric of the people an insidious movement known as “priestcraft” (Alma 1:12), whereby cunning individuals with keen oratorical skills cultivate their own power-hungry group of followers for purposes of greed. Nephi had warned against this trend, saying that the Lord “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). Nehor, the first such practicer of priestcraft during the ministry of Alma, has been put to death for his mockery of truth and for murder (see Alma 1:15). But this does not stop the undercurrent of selfishness among the people. Amlici is the next in line to emerge as a champion of this evil scourge. He is a person after the order of Nehor, “being a very cunning man, yea, a wise man as to the wisdom of the world” (Alma 2:1). Amlici attracts a large and powerful following that endeavors to make him king over all the people around 87 b.c. But the voice of the people rejects this initiative, and Amlici, being enthroned by his followers and energized by his greed and lust for power, rises up in arms against the remainder of the people.

Commentaries and Insights on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

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