18 And it came to pass that he met the Lamanites in the borders of Jershon, and his people were armed with swords, and with cimeters, and all manner of weapons of war.
19 And when the armies of the Lamanites saw that the people of Nephi, or that Moroni, had prepared his people with breastplates and with arm–shields, yea, and also shields to defend their heads, and also they were dressed with thick clothing—
Alma 43:18-19 (Emphasis mine)
Moroni(1) took his army and met the Lamanite armies at Jershon. Mormon tells us that they were well armed, had breastplates, shields, and “shields to defend their heads” as well as wearing thick clothing.
William Hamblin describes the “uniform” worn by the Nephites.
“The Nephites, on the other hand, are described as using special ‘thick clothing’ as part of their armor (Alma 43:19). Generally speaking, however, we are left with little evidence as to the other materials used to make Nephite armor. The frequent use of the word ‘plate’ in head-plates and breastplates implies some type of rigid armor, such as wood, horn, treated leather, stone, or metal. Indeed, the head-plates are said to have been ‘smit[ten] in two’ by Lamanite blows (Alma 43:44). Archaeological evidence from Mesoamerica suggests that metals were not extensively used for armor, and it is therefore likely that most Nephite head-plates and breastplates were for the most part nonmetallic.” [1] (Emphasis mine)
John Tvedtnes writes about Mormon’s emphasis on war.
“Not only did Mormon spend more time describing battles than any other topic, but he also dwelt on such things as the physical stature and prowess of various Nephites and Lamanites. If Mormon's military profession was the result of a longstanding family tradition, then we can better understand his ‘blood-and-guts’ approach to the history of his people. Ammon's slaying of the Lamanite sheep raiders (see Alma 17:25-39), the lengthy and detailed account of the war led by Moroni (see Alma 43-62) … attest to Mormon's special interest in the subject of warfare and physical strength. When describing the battle scene, he was usually very careful to specify exactly what kinds of weapons were used by each of the armies and the kinds of armor they wore (e.g., Alma 43:18-21).” [2] (Emphasis mine)
20 Now the army of Zerahemnah was not prepared with any such thing; they had only their swords and their cimeters, their bows and their arrows, their stones and their slings; and they were naked, save it were a skin which was girded about their loins; yea, all were naked, save it were the Zoramites and the Amalekites;
21 But they were not armed with breastplates, nor shields—therefore, they were exceedingly afraid of the armies of the Nephites because of their armor, notwithstanding their number being so much greater than the Nephites.
22 Behold, now it came to pass that they durst not come against the Nephites in the borders of Jershon; therefore they departed out of the land of Antionum into the wilderness, and took their journey round about in the wilderness, away by the head of the river Sidon, that they might come into the land of Manti and take possession of the land; for they did not suppose that the armies of Moroni would know whither they had gone.
Alma 43:20-22 (Emphasis mine)
The Lamanites were not very well armed for war. They had swords, cimeters, and bows and arrows as well as slings. They had no form of “armor.” They were naked except for a loin cloth.
They saw the armies of the Nephites and didn’t fight the Nephites at Jershon. They left and went to Manti to take possession of the land. They assumed Moroni(1) did not know what they were doing.
23 But it came to pass, as soon as they had departed into the wilderness Moroni sent spies into the wilderness to watch their camp; and Moroni, also, knowing of the prophecies of Alma, sent certain men unto him, desiring him that he should inquire of the Lord whither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend themselves against the Lamanites.
24 And it came to pass that the word of the Lord came unto Alma, and Alma informed the messengers of Moroni, that the armies of the Lamanites were marching round about in the wilderness, that they might come over into the land of Manti, that they might commence an attack upon the weaker part of the people. And those messengers went and delivered the message unto Moroni.
Alma 43:23-24 (Emphasis mine)
When Moroni(1) saw the Lamanites were leaving Jershon, he sent spies to keep an eye on what they were doing. He also sent men to Alma(2) asking him to inquire of the Lord. The word of the Lord came to Alma(2) telling him where the Lamanites were going. This information was sent back to Moroni(1), giving him much needed information.
John Welch writes:
“Captain Moroni was sure to consult with Alma the prophet and high priest before going into battle in the land of Manti, and the word of the Lord delivered by Alma told Moroni when and where to meet and defeat the enemy (see Alma 43:22-24). Later, chief captains were appointed who "had the spirit of revelation and also prophecy" (3 Nephi 3:19).” [3] (Emphasis mine)
A. Brent Merrill also writes about Moroni(1).
“But Moroni's greatness in Nephite society goes beyond the fact that he was a brilliant strategic thinker, organizer, and leader; it also stems from his faith and trust in the Lord. For this reason, he did not rely on spies and armies alone to assist him. As with his predecessor Captain Zoram, Moroni willingly sought advice and spiritual insight from the Nephite high priest (see Alma 43:23). This pattern was characteristic of most great Nephite captains until the demise of their civilization in approximately A.D. 385.” [4] (Emphasis mine)
[1] Armor in the Book of Mormon, William J. Hamblin, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 14, 2011.
[2] Book of Mormon Tribal Affiliation and Military Castes, John A. Tvedtnes, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 14, 2011.
[3] Law and War in the Book of Mormon, John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 14, 2011.
[4] Nephite Captains and Armies, A. Brent Merrill, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 14, 2011.
No comments:
Post a Comment