Alma 2:1 - 2:5

Alma 2:1 And it came to pass in the commencement of the fifth year of their reign there began to be a contention among the people; for a certain man, being called Amlici, he being a very cunning man, yea, a wise man as to the wisdom of the world, he being after the order of the man that slew Gideon by the sword, who was executed according to the law—

In the 5th year of the judges, another man came forth to cause more problems for the Nephites. His name was Amlici. He was an ambitious, slick talker and wanted to get the people to treat him like Nehor was trying to get the people to do. He was very “street wise” and knew what to say to get people to support him in his ambitions.

Alma 2:2 Now this Amlici had, by his cunning, drawn away much people after him; even so much that they began to be very powerful; and they began to endeavor to establish Amlici to be a king over the people.

After a while, he had a rather large following. Large enough and politically power enough so that his followers wanting to create a kingship with him as the king.
Again we see that it is the people themselves who are the problem not this Amlici. Amlici and others like him are a symptom of the people being corrupt. When an “Amlici” comes along, who sees an opening to him to come to power, they support him as it is an advantage to those who follow him. They see that they can get in on the “goodies” if they will support a wicked man. Again I say that wicked men comes to power because they are supported by wicked people. It is not wicked men to come to power in spite of good people. Good people can ignore and even throw off wicked men any time they want. Revelations have taken place all through history when the people have had enough. And even in this, I think Angeles go about whispering in the ears of people that things are amiss and it is time to get rid of their wicked rules.

Alma 2:3 Now this was alarming to the people of the church, and also to all those who had not been drawn away after the persuasions of Amlici; for they knew that according to their law that such things must be established by the voice of the people.

The members of the church became very concerned about the power and support this Amlici was graining very day. They knew that his followers wanted to establish him as king over the Nephites. However, the church members knew that it would only be by the voice of the people that their form of government could be changed.

Alma 2:4 Therefore, if it were possible that Amlici should gain the voice of the people, he, being a wicked man, would deprive them of their rights and privileges of the church; for it was his intent to destroy the church of God.

The church members were particularly concerned that if Amlici did come to power that he would do all he could to destroy the church and deprive the people of the freedom of worship. This was one of Amlici’s goals if he were to become king.

Alma 2:5 And it came to pass that the people assembled themselves together throughout all the land, every man according to his mind, whether it were for or against Amlici, in separate bodies, having much dispute and wonderful contentions one with another.

To settle the issue the people came together in small groups to volt whether to have a kingship with Amlici as king or keep the system of judges that had been established just five years previous. The debate among the adherents of both sides was most interesting to listen too. The logic for each system was talked and argued with many interesting confrontations taking place between completing parties.