Alma 11:1-4

Brant Gardner

Mormon’s insertion begins with an explanation of the wages of the judges. Mormon notes, in verse 4, that this system was not inherited from Jerusalem, but was more specific to the Nephites. Nevertheless, scholars have found that it is similar to the system of weights and measures that was used in Egypt.

Mormon introduced this insertion by noting that “the object of these lawyers was to get gain; and they got gain according to their employ” (Alma 10:32). These three verses describe the nature of their employ. The most important part of the nature of their employ is that they were to receive wages according to time, not according to the crime, nor the ability of the defendant to pay. The intent is to separate their wages from the temptation to make money from their position as judges or by the nature of their judgments.

There is nothing in this insertion that is making a judgment on the people of Ammonihah. This is simply an explanation of how the various weights and measures work together.

Book of Mormon Minute

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