Alma 30:6 - 30:10

Alma 30:6 But it came to pass in the latter end of the seventeenth year, there came a man into the land of Zarahemla, and he was Anti-Christ, for he began to preach unto the people against the prophecies which had been spoken by the prophets, concerning the coming of Christ.

The peace was not to last. Near the end of the 17th year a man came to Zarahemla and began to dispute the prophecies made about the coming of Christ.

Alma 30:7 Now there was no law against a man’s belief; for it was strictly contrary to the commands of God that there should be a law which should bring men on to unequal grounds.

The man said it was he belief that the prophecies were false. Because he said it was his belief, he could not be prosecuted by the law for preaching false doctrine. A person was free to say his opinion without fear of the law. However, lying was punishable.

Alma 30:8 For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve.

This freedom to speak or believe as one wanted was part of the test of mortality. You are free to chose whatever course you wanted in your life.

Alma 30:9 Now if a man desired to serve God, it was his privilege; or rather, if he believed in God it was his privilege to serve him; but if he did not believe in him there was no law to punish him.

The society was free to worship and serve God with out fear of the law if they choose not too. Their were no laws requiring a person to be religious or attend church services.

Alma 30:10 But if he murdered he was punished unto death; and if he robbed he was also punished; and if he stole he was also punished; and if he committed adultery he was also punished; yea, for all this wickedness they were punished.

However, a person did stand in judgement if they committed murder, robbery, thief or adultery. There were punishments for each of these crimes.

Can you see laws against adultery getting traction in today's society. It looks like the Nephites had the death penalty as well.