KnoWhy #108 - Why did Nehor Suffer an “Ignominious” Death? (Alma 1:15)

The account of Nehor’s life and death is deeply embedded in the context of Nephite law. John W. Welch has explored at length how Nehor’s trial and execution are illuminated by looking at both biblical law in general and Nephite law in particular. A number of factors contributed to Nehor ultimately being given an “ignominious death.” These include the recent social reforms of Mosiah and the establishment of the Nephite judgeship at the end of the book of Mosiah, all of which Nehor sought to undermine with violence. That Mormon would call Nehor’s death “ignominious” shows the prophet-historian’s complete disdain for one of the Nephites’ worst dissenters.