“Leading the Hearts of the People to Bow Down to Dumb Idols”

Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet

There is no mention in the text of specific gods to which the Zoramites had devoted themselves, except that the people were lifted up in pride through their virtual worship of gold, silver, and fine goods (verses 24-25). We are guilty of idolatry whenever the object of our adoration, our devotion, or the ardent desires of our hearts is anything other than the true and living God.

Whenever a people have strayed from the ordinances of God and broken the everlasting covenant, it is not long before they become idolatrous: “They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall” (D&C 1:15-16; compare Isaiah 65:2).

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 3

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