Riches, Power, and Knowledge

In Alma 45:24 we read of the genesis of Amalickiah’s group who revolted against the Nephites.  They “grew proud, being lifted up in their hearts, because of their exceedingly great riches; therefore they grew rich in their own eyes, and would not give heed to” the words of Helaman and the teachers of the church.  So here we see that riches led to pride and ultimately for Amalickiah led to an insatiable desire for power.  The statement that this group “grew rich in their own eyes” reminds me of Joseph Smith’s statement concerning unrighteous leaders. 

He said, “We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion” (D&C 121:39).  The key phrase here is “as they suppose”—those who possess some earthly power to rule over others don’t have real power from God’s perspective.  As Bruce R. McConkie put it, those called of God through the Priesthood have authority “above that of the kings of the earth” (from the famous Missionary Commission, apparently given in an address while serving as a mission president in Australia).  The way the world defines power is much different from the way that God does.  Likewise, those who have riches according to the world’s definition are only “rich in their own eyes” and not rich according to God’s perspective.  The Savior put it this way, “He that hath eternal life is rich” (D&C 11:7).  A similar idea goes for wisdom: the world’s definition does not match the Lord’s.  Jacob spoke of those who “when they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not” (2 Nephi 9:28).  The world judges wisdom and knowledge based on diplomas and certificates and earthly experience, and those who have those things often “think they are wise.”  But the Psalmist write, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments” (Psalms 111:10).  So true wisdom is to reverence God and keep His commandments.  I think that these scriptural references showing the difference between the way the Lord and the world see us should act as a warning against putting our trust in the judgments of man.  We must resist the constant temptation to seek for riches, power, and worldly wisdom in order to be seen of men.  Amalickiah’s Nephite counterpart, Moroni, gave us an excellent example to follow.  He was a man of “perfect understanding” who “[sought] not for power” and “labor[ed] exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people,” not for riches (Alma 48:11-12, 60:36).  Worldly riches, power, and knowledge were not his aim, but he gloried in “keeping the commandments of God” (Alma 48:16).  That should be our quest as well.