Alma 61:9-16

⁹ And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart.  I, Pahoran, do not seek for power, save only to retain my judgment–seat that I may preserve the rights and the liberty of my people.  My soul standeth fast in that liberty in the which God hath made us free. ¹⁰ And now, behold, we will resist wickedness even unto bloodshed.  We would not shed the blood of the Lamanites if they would stay in their own land. ¹¹ We would not shed the blood of our brethren if they would not rise up in rebellion and take the sword against us.

¹² We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage if it were requisite with the justice of God, or if he should command us so to do. ¹³ But behold he doth not command us that we shall subject ourselves to our enemies, but that we should put our trust in him, and he will deliver us.

Alma 61:9-13 (Emphasis mine)

Pahoran comments on Moroni₁’s accusations against him and the government.  Yes, you made some harsh accusations against me, “but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart.”  He chooses the high road in his response.  He reminds him that the only power he seeks is so he can retain the judgment-seat, “that I may preserve the rights and liberty of my people.” 

“We will resist wickedness even unto bloodshed.”  Like Moroni₁, he would prefer to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.  Had the Lamanites stayed in their own land and not attacked the Nephites, they would have left them alone.

Whatever the God requires, Pahoran says we will do.  “We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage if it were requisite with the justice of God, or if he should command us to do so.”  We trust in Him and He will deliver us. 

Pahoran is an interesting man.  Two scholars have differing views of Pahoran and his effectiveness.  First, Hugh Nibley.

“Fortunately the man thus wrongly accused was a governor worthy of his high office, as his wise, temperate, and constructive reply reveals. Instead of getting on his high horse, Pahoran reacted to Moroni's withering onslaught by telling him that he had a right to be upset, as he himself is (Alma 61:2), and that instead of resenting such language addressed to himself he understands Moroni's intention perfectly and rejoices in his greatness of heart (Alma 61:9).”[1] (Emphasis mine)

Richard Rust sees him in a different light.

“Though he means well, Pahoran, in contrast to Moroni, does not do much. In the first part of his letter he emphasizes the actions of others: the king-men have ‘have led away the hearts of many people ... They have driven me out before them ... They have got possession of the land’ (Alma 61:4, 5, 8). After affirming that he does not seek for power, Pahoran gives passive responses that reverse Moroni's formula of ‘Except ye ___, I will ___.’ Pahoran says what he would not do: ‘We would not shed the blood of the Lamanites if they would stay in their own land. We would not shed the blood of our brethren if they would not rise up in rebellion and take the sword against us. We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage if it were requisite with the justice of God’ (Alma 61:10–12).”[2] (Emphasis mine)

¹⁴ Therefore, my beloved brother, Moroni, let us resist evil, and whatsoever evil we cannot resist with our words, yea, such as rebellions and dissensions, let us resist them with our swords, that we may retain our freedom, that we may rejoice in the great privilege of our church, and in the cause of our Redeemer and our God.

¹⁵ Therefore, come unto me speedily with a few of your men, and leave the remainder in the charge of Lehi and Teancum; give unto them power to conduct the war in that part of the land, according to the Spirit of God, which is also the spirit of freedom which is in them. ¹⁶ Behold I have sent a few provisions unto them, that they may not perish until ye can come unto me.

Alma 61:14-16 (Emphasis mine)

He calls on all to “resist evil.”  If words don’t work, then we will use the sword to defend and support our freedoms. 

He tells Moroni₁ to place Lehi and Teancum in charge of the army and bring some of his men to Zarahemla under his leadership.  He has “sent a few provisions unto them.”

Richard Rust again expresses concerns about Pahoran’s actions.

“Rather than going forth to rally the people, as Moroni would have done, he sends forth a proclamation; his first resistance to evil is with words (Alma 61:14); and his advice to Moroni regarding the hardened and faithful warriors Lehi and Teancum is to ‘tell them to fear not, for God will deliver them’ (Alma 61:21)—again, an overreliance on words. Pahoran's hesitancy to act is revealed especially in his saying to Moroni, ‘I do joy in receiving your epistle, for I was somewhat worried concerning what we should do, whether it should be just in us to go against our brethren. But ye have said, except they repent the Lord hath commanded you that ye should go against them’ (Alma 61:19–20).

[Then he concludes by contrasting Moroni₁ and Pahoran.]

“As revealed in their letters, the sharp outlines of the personalities of these two quite different leaders are striking. Contrasting features of these two Nephite leaders subsequently appear in the differences between their sons. Moroni's son Moronihah is forceful, bold, and determined; Pahoran's sons are contentious, indecisive, and weak. His son Pacumeni, who becomes the ruler, ends up being killed against the wall of Zarahemla; Moronihah liberates the city.”[3] (Emphasis mine)

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[1] A Rigorous Test: Military History, Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed May 26, 2012.

[2] "Their Fathers" - Letters and Autobiography, Richard Dilworth Rust, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed May 26, 2012.

[3] Ibid.