A profound lesson is offered by a figure in the Book of Mormon who made just a brief appearance but whose influence reverberated over generations. His life is a warning about the deadly combination of pride and misdirection.

That figure was Nehor, who introduced priestcraft in the first year of the reign of the judges. Nehor's life is recorded in a mere 14 verses (Alma 1:2-15) as this man "large and noted for his much strength" went about "bearing down against the church" declaring that priests and teachers ought to be popular and supported by the people. Worse, he taught that "the Lord had created , and also had redeemed; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life" (v. 40).

Nehor's pervasive arrogance and philosophy that sin had no consequence quickly led to a following similar to those of the Old Testament who worshipped idols. Idol worshipping was popular for the simple fact that idols don't care what their followers do. The unembodied idols of Nehor and his followers were riches, costly apparel and independence from the wise constraints of God's commandments — familiar and narcotic themes that have laced and enslaved through the ages of the world.

Nehor quickly met his end, executed after slaying a righteous, though aged man, Gideon. But "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" (v.16).

Indeed, some who once had been righteous Nephites now turned from the Lord and became followers of Nehor, putting his example to action as they persecuted those who belonged to the church of God.

They traded what Paul, in a different place and another time, called "the peaceable fruit of righteousness" (Hebrews 12:11) for the unquenchable appetites and agitations of wickedness.

"This was the cause of much trial with the church. For the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were blotted out, that they were remembered no more among the people of God. And also many withdrew themselves from among them" (Alma 1:23-24).

The order of the Nehors spread to a man named Amlici, who started an insurrection to be king, and through his followers to the people of the city of Ammonihah, to Amulonites, who were the priests of the wicked King Noah, and to the Amalekites, who may have been followers of Amlici. Because of their contentions, thousands perished by the sword.

Those following the order of Nehor became a hardened, angry people quick to persecute. When the prophet Alma attempted in the city of Ammonihah to call them to repentance, the people "reviled him, and spit upon him, and caused that he should be cast out" (Alma 8:13). Later, he and Amulek were imprisoned, smitten and forced by Nehor followers to witness the immolation of their converts, a truly barbaric act of a demented, conscience-seared people. "And thus we can plainly discern that after a people have been once enlighted by the Spirit of God, and . . . have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things" (Alma 24:30).

The Nehor followers were later annihilated "every living soul" (Alma 16:9) by the Lamanites and their city became known as the "Desolation of Nehors" (Alma 16:11).

The lesson of Nehor remains relevant. How far the unchecked appetites of wickedness — swollen by pride — had driven the once-believing Nephites. How distant were they now from their former state of inner peace. How opposite they were to Alma's counsel given in the believing, sister city of Gideon: "And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle, easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times. . ." (Alma 7:23).

"The central feature of pride is enmity — enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen," said President Ezra Taft Benson in the 1989 April conference. "Enmity means 'hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.' It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us."

The power of Satan was extensive over followers of the order of Nehor. In the words of Isaiah, "hell hath enlarged herself, and openeth her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it" (Isaiah 5:14).

The fate of the Nehors is to remain desolate, for eternity. They paid a terrible price for their deadly combination of misdirection and pride.