“They Did Watch Over Their People”

Brant Gardner

It is too easy to see Alma’s priests and teachers in the same light as our modern priesthood offices. We probably read into “they did watch over their people” some view of modern home and visiting teaching programs. For Alma’s people, however, this “watching over” would have been much more literal. These priests and teachers were the government and, as the ruling organization, literally watched over the people. There is no indication of any other type of political organization; therefore, all aspects of community life are being directed by a group of men who have primary religious responsibilities and only secondarily political ones. This situation parallels the secular functions of the Aaronic Priesthood in the Salt Lake Valley when the Saints were both the political and religious authorities.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 3

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