The doctrine of Nehor in opposition to what the true prophets have said is the prevailing mantra of most of the religious world today. Consider what Nephi, Jesus, Isaiah and other prophets have to say.

Nephi records “Enter ye in at the strait gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat; because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (3 Nephi 6:9RE)

Jesus is recorded in his visit to the Nephites. “And it came to pass that when Jesus had ended these sayings, he saith unto his disciples, Enter ye in at the strait gate, for strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it; but wide is the gate and broad the way which leads to death, and many there be who travel therein until the night cometh, wherein no man can work.” (3 Nephi 13:2RE)

Nephi repeats Isaiah’s prophecy of the last days.

They wear stiff necks and high heads, yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray, save it be a few who are the humble followers of Christ.” (2 Nephi 12:2RE)

We read and know that throughout all time there have been very few who have been saved. There was Noah and 8 souls, Moroni alone, Mormon and his 24 and Isaiah and his few to name a few.

What the Nehors believe

Nehor went about “declaring unto the people that every priest and teacher ought to become popular and they ought not to labor with their own hands, but that they ought to be supported by the people. And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice, for the Lord had created all men and had also redeemed all men; and in the end, all men should have eternal life. And it came to pass that he did teach these things so much that many did believe on his words, even so many that they began to support him and give him money. And he began to be lifted up in the pride of his heart and to wear very costly apparel, yea, and even began to establish a church after the manner of his preaching.” (Alma 1:1RE)

These were the false doctrines espoused by Nehor:

Priests should be sustained (paid) by the membership, priests should be popular and revered, they don’t need to fear the lord and could do as they wanted, all men should be saved regardless. These last two indicate that there is no right way according to their precepts but we have read “O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms and pervert the right way of the Lord, Woe, woe, woe be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell.” We must not pervert the right way of the lord! (2 Nephi 12:3)

Nephi said “Woe be unto him that crieth, All is well. Yea, woe be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God and the gift of the holy ghost. Yea, woe be unto him that saith, We have received and we need no more. And in fine, woe unto all those who tremble and are angry because of the truth of God.” (2 Nephi 12:5RE)

They also “rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor because of their fine clothing” (2 Nephi 12:2RE)

Nehor and those that espouse his doctrines say all is well, they say we can do what we please and follow our own precepts, and they are angry with the truth of God insomuch that it caused Nehor to kill Gideon. And the amlicites to invite the lamanites to go to war against the nephites. 

Nehor was (lawfully) quickly put to death for killing an old war hero name Gideon but not before his teachings caught on and others decided to abide in them and even while whole peoples adopted them as in the next example with the people of Amulon and the amlicites. They said the following to Ammon and his brethren when they came to restore truth among them. 

“Thou also sayest, except we repent we shall perish. How knowest thou the thought and intent of our heart? How knowest thou that we have cause to repent? How knowest thou that we are not a righteous people? Behold, we have built sanctuaries, and we do assemble ourselves together to worship God. We do believe that God will save all men.” (Alma 13:2RE)

They were harder than the Lamanites because of their belief they were spiritually superior because of their religion they even named their city Jerusalem. 

“Now the Lamanites, and the Amlicites, and the people of Amulon had built a great city which was called Jerusalem. Now the Lamanites, of themselves, were sufficiently hardened; but the Amlicites and the Amulonites were still harder. Therefore, they did cause the Lamanites that they should harden their hearts, that they should wax stronger in wickedness and their abominations.” (Alma 13:1 RE)

What is a Nehor? A Nehor is someone from any dispensation of gospel truth who claims to have truth but perverts it to satisfy their own wants and demands to soothe their itching ears and conform the word of the lord to themselves. 

Mankind through out time since adam; has always used religion, even in the dispensations with priesthood and true messengers who have walked and talked face to face with the lord, to co-opt institutions and teach for commandments the philosophies of men and to use great swelling words to attract great numbers of people to their cause so that they can be supported and sustained by the tithes of the people. This too is an extension of the order of Nehors in that “men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world, but they seek not the welfare of Zion. Behold, the Lord hath forbidden this thing; wherefore, the Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love. And except they should have charity, they were nothing; wherefore, if they should have charity, they would not suffer the laborer in Zion to perish. But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion, for if they labor for money, they shall perish” (2 Nephi 11:17RE) Nephi calls this priestcraft. 

They deceive themselves in that they think they are doing something good because they can soothe something that pulls at their heart strings. They believe themselves righteous for pursuing a cause because of wind of doctrine or science of man but they refuse to accept sound doctrine and are men of weak mind. (Moroni has something to say about that but I’ll not get into that here.)

Those that lived in the time of Noah and Adam had nearly all gone astray. This is the nature of all dispensations and all institutions. We cannot expect an institution to save wherein false doctrines are preached. Nehor advocated for this as well as the Jews and those descendants in the time of Adam and Enoch who rebelled against those teachings.

The Jews were the high priests of God and in their arrogance destroyed their God because well… they were the high priests and what they said was the law. 

In both cases they were, in their estimation saved peoples and that because they belonged to the group and had the priesthood they didn’t need more instruction. 

Salvation comes because of faith and that because of a correct idea of God 

“Let us here observe that three things are necessary in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation.

First, the idea that he actually exists.

Secondly, a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes.

Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to his will. For without an acquaintance with these three important facts, the faith of every rational being must be imperfect and unproductive, but with this understanding it can become perfect and fruitful, abounding in righteousness unto the praise and glory of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Lectures on Faith lecture third 2-5)

Not many men have an idea of Christs character, perfections and attributes, an idea that he actually exists and thirdly, even fewer know that the their course of life is actually in accordance with his will. Why? One because they do not keep the commandments or adhere to prophecy that has been given. And two, because they do not consult him and many who do, do not get answers. True modern prophecy always agrees with prior prophecy. It explains develops, reinforces and brings to light additional meaning and detail. It never countermands, reduces or disregards what has been given in previous dispensation. When this happens you end up with false priests such as Nehor. 

The lives of previous prophets when understood correctly, show us how to ascend for ourselves and obtain salvation for this life is when it is obtained. They teach us how to ask and get answers from God and set our lives on a true course of righteousness. 

Many mention that God intended to save all men. It is true that the atonement is a free gift, but the scriptures clearly teach that few there be that find salvation. It is obtained through repentance and obedience to God. You had also mentioned that you thought scriptures were written by men. 

These men had an accurate idea of the fore mentioned qualities and had made the ascent of the fiery ladder in this life and all met God face to face. 

These men wrote scripture but did so at the express request of God himself as true messengers of the the lord. Anyone else who assumes to write scripture without a message commissioned of the Lord himself is an imposter as Joseph Smith has proclaimed. He said: “They are high and lifted up, and would trample upon the humble, and the meek, and the unassuming, and are not afraid to teach for the commandment of God, their own corrupt, and devilish doctrines, and principles; let no man therefore, be deceived by them, let no man harbor them, nor bid them God speed; don’t be partakers of their evil deeds. If any man writes to you, or preaches to you, doctrines contrary to the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or the book of Doctrine and Covenants, set him down as an imposter, -Try them by the principles contained in the acknowledged word of God; if they preach, or teach, or practice contrary to that, disfellowship them; cut them off from among you as useless and dangerous branches” (times and seasons)

The word of God from his mouth to His messengers to paper or gold and brass plates counsels us to put down any doctrines contrary to what is written and put them down as imposters. Even those modern day Nehors who claim that they are righteous because they meet, build edifices unto their God and preach that God has done his work (completed the atonement or given authority) and has saved all men. 

We must avoid men who arrogantly claim that what they say is scripture and who teach without being sent. 

We must avoid the broad paths that so many go down and come unto Jesus that He may be permitted to save us. 

In fine, we may hope and wish for things to be true but that doesn’t make them true or right. We must adhere to the word of God and walk in the right way to see salvation. Anything else is an invention of man whereby it becomes a law unto itself. Customs of man will never be approved by God but repentance and conformity to Gods law and His right way brings joy and eternal lives.