First church after transgression

[laronius]

3 Nephi 5:12 And behold, I am called Mormon, being called after the land of Mormon, the land in which Alma did establish the church among the people, yea, the first church which was established among them after their transgression.

Is anyone familiar with what Mormon is referencing here regarding their transgression? At first I thought it referenced the people under King Noah falling into wickedness and Alma preaching after being converted by Abinidi. The scriptures state he established a church among them. And maybe that is what he is referencing concerning their transgression. But I find it curious that after leading his people back to Zarahemla King Mosiah authorizes him to establish churches their as well. So it would seem that a formal church organization did not exist there nor did it likely exist when Limhi took people back to the land of Nephi. If that is true then the transgression Mormon is referring to likely took place before Limhi ever left Zarahemla.

My line of reasoning is based on the premise that the transgression referred to was the reason an official organized church had stopped functioning in the first place. But of course that could be incorrect.

 

Edited September 18, 2024 by laronius

[zil2]

If you're right, perhaps it's from the time we don't know much about, when a portion of the Nephites fled the Lamanites yet again and first met with the people of Zarahemla.  But then, I'm not entirely certain Nephi, Jacob, Joseph and descendants actually had a church as opposed to just preaching...

[mikbone]

14 hours ago, laronius said:

At first I thought it referenced the people under King Noah falling into wickedness and Alma preaching after being converted by Abinidi.

I agree.

3 Ne 5 could be labeled Words of Mormon chapter 2.

Mormon stops the history and inserts personal commentaries.

I like to imagine what was going through Alma the Elder’s mind and heart while he was listening to Abinadi.  On review of his actions and beliefs it is obvious that Alma the Elder knew that he had made a huge mistake by uniting himself with King Noah and the remainder of his priests.

In Mosiah 18:12-14 we see that Alma the Elder knew that he still had the priesthood even though his prior actions and beliefs had been wrong (possibly thought that he deserved disfellowship at some point). Anyway when Alma baptizes Helam, he is overcome by the spirit and recognizes that he is forgiven.  He also modifies the baptismal ordinance and buries himself which is curious.  He likely had been baptized previously but felt the need to re-perform the ordinance.

Kind of like what we do now with members that have been excommunicated and then receive restoration of blessings.

It was not a true apostasy but darn close.  The priesthood remained although the vessels was partially corrupt.  

Still happens today.  If you look at many of the members Priesthood line of Authority you can see that some of the lines contain people that were apostate and later ex-communicated.  It’s probable that that member was unworthy while confirming the priesthood - doesn't matter.  

Edited September 19, 2024 by mikbone

[Just_A_Guy]

13 hours ago, zil2 said:

If you're right, perhaps it's from the time we don't know much about, when a portion of the Nephites fled the Lamanites yet again and first met with the people of Zarahemla.  

I believe Don Bradley suggests as much in his book on the 116 lost pages.  As I recall Bradley suggests that there was a massive apostasy during the reign of Mosiah I, and that the experience of Aminadi in interpreting writing on the wall of the temple (Alma 10:2) had something to do with it.

Edited September 19, 2024 by Just_A_Guy