Lesson 31: Firm in
the Faith of Christ
Purpose
To help class members see how the Nephites’ attitudes and
actions in times of war can serve as a pattern for dealing with our earthly
conflicts and the battle against Satan.
Scriptures
Read, ponder, and pray about the following scriptures:
&
Alma 43–44. Led by Zerahemnah, the
Lamanites come to battle against the Nephites, seeking to bring them into
bondage. The Nephites, led by Moroni, fight to defend their families and their liberty.
The Nephites prevail because they are “inspired by a better cause” and because
they exercise faith in Jesus Christ.
&
Alma 45:20–24; 46. Amalickiah
desires to be king and causes dissension among the Nephites. Captain Moroni
raises the “title of liberty” to inspire the people, and they covenant to
follow God. Amalickiah and a few of his followers join the Lamanites.
&
Alma 47–48. Through treachery, Amalickiah
becomes king of the Lamanites. He incites the Lamanites to fight against the
Nephites. Captain Moroni prepares the Nephites to defend themselves righteously.
&
Alma 49–52. War continues between
the Nephites and the Lamanites. The king-men desire to set up a king over the
Nephites, but they are defeated. Teancum kills Amalickiah, who is succeeded as king
of the Lamanites by his brother Ammoron.
Recommendation for
Lesson
Here’s what I think should be discussed in this lesson:
Why Study the War Chapters? This is a common question asked by members. These chapters are very important to our
understanding of the Book of Mormon.
The Lord’s Law of War. When the Nephites were righteous, they
followed this and were delivered from their enemy. When they were wicked, they failed to follow
this and were defeated. A good
discussion question would be:
Should we follow this Law of War today?
Moroni1. He is the key character in the war
chapters. Without this great warrior and
man of God, the Nephites would have suffered defeat in these great wars. It will help to better understand the man and
see, how in spite of our faults, we can still be faithful and serve the Lord.
The War Chapters. Go through and pick, what you as the teacher
believe are the most important scriptures for your class to know and
understand.
Enjoy teaching these great chapters and learning about one
of the greatest men of God in the scriptures.
(Personal note: Alma2
is my hero in the Book of Mormon. Moroni1
is second only to him.)
Why Study the War
Chapters?
·
Why would Mormon include so much information
about war?
·
In the Book of Alma, war is a frequent
topic.
o
We have the War of Amlici in chapters 2-3.
o
The War of the Ammonite Secession is covered in
chapter 28.
o
Twenty of the last twenty-two chapters of Alma
involve three wars.
·
Some reasons:
o
In [Mormon’s] view, war was not to be explained
merely in terms of political, economic, or racial causes and effects, but was
rooted in moral, spiritual, and social problems and unrighteousness.[1]
§
And thus we see how merciful and just are
all the dealings of the Lord, to the fulfilling of all his words unto the
children of men; yea, we can behold that his words are verified, even at this
time, which he spake unto Lehi, saying:
Blessed art thou and thy children; and they shall be blessed, inasmuch
as they shall keep my commandments they shall prosper in the land. But remember, inasmuch as they will not keep
my commandments they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.
And we see that these promises have been verified to the people of
Nephi; for it has been their quarrelings and their contentions, yea, their
murderings, and their plunderings, their idolatry, their whoredoms, and their
abominations, which were among themselves, which brought upon them their wars
and their destructions.
And those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord
were delivered at all times, whilst thousands of their wicked brethren have
been consigned to bondage, or to perish by the sword, or to dwindle in
unbelief, and mingle with the Lamanites. (Alma 50:19 - 22)
o
The implications of Mormon's accounts of war are
clear: the people who occupy those lands today are under the same conditions as
the earlier inhabitants; they are subject to the same principles of divine
retribution, either deliverance or destruction by war. [4]
o
It is doubtful that any person can fully
understand the entire Book of Mormon without some knowledge of warfare.[5]
o
God commanded Nephi to keep not just one, but
two sets of records: one of his sacred revelations and ministry, the other
(recorded equally by way of commandment) of "the wars and contentions of
[his] people" (1 Nephi 9:4).[6]
o
The authors of the Book of Mormon took war and
its social and spiritual ramifications very seriously.[8]
o
In its emphasis on warfare, the Book of Mormon
accurately reflects the grim reality of history.[10]
The Lord’s Law of
War
·
War is acceptable to the Lord under certain
circumstances:
o
War can never be offensive (Alma 43:46).
o
There must be two offenses by the enemy (“Inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first
offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain by the
hands of your enemies”) (Alma 43:46).
o
War must be to defend themselves, their
families, their lands, their country, their rights, and their religion (Alma
43:47). (See also Alma 46:12 - And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and
he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion,
and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon
the end of a pole.)
o
War must end when enemy gives up their arms and
surrenders.
o
God would let them know when to go to war (48:16).
§
He will deliver them.
o
Taking of prisoners is acceptable.
§
Must be released at end of war.
o
Example – Nephite battle with the Gadianton
Robbers in 3 Nephi:
§
Now the
people said unto Gidgiddoni: Pray unto the Lord, and let us go up upon the mountains and into the wilderness, that we may
fall upon the robbers and destroy them in their own lands. But Gidgiddoni saith unto them: The Lord
forbid; for if we should go up against
them the Lord would deliver us into their hands; therefore we will prepare
ourselves in the center of our lands, and we will gather all our armies
together, and we will not go against them, but we will wait till they shall
come against us; therefore as the Lord liveth, if we do this he will
deliver them into our hands. (3 Nephi
3:20 – 21/Emphasis mine)
·
See Quote #1
·
See Quote #2
Moroni1
Moroni1 is an interesting and complex man.
He was made Chief Commander of the Nephites army at a young
age, 25 (43:16). He was almost
immediately thrown into a situation where the Nephites were at war. He was more than up to the challenge and
successfully defeated the Zoramite/Lamanite army.
The First and Second Amalickiahite Wars truly tested his
abilities. He would go from
extremes. He would have adequate
supplies and men; later he would not have adequate supplies (food, water, etc.)
and men. In spite of all the challenges
he faced, he is able to achieve victory.
He dies a young man, in his early 40’s (63:1-3; 57 B.C.; He
was appointed Chief Commander in 74 B.C.).
There is only one mention of his being injured in battle (53:35), but
it’s hard to believe that was the only time he was wounded in battle. His years of battle in these brutal wars had
to take a physical toll on him, leading to his early death.
There are eight epistles in included in the Book of
Mormon. Two are from Moroni1,
one to Ammoron (Amalickiah’s brother) and one to Pahoran, the chief judge.
Moroni1 is a man of contrasts. He will do whatever it takes to defeat the
enemy, fighting many bloody wars that result in thousands of casualties. Yet, on the other hand, he does all he can to
avoid bloodshed. He told Zerahemnah that
he did not desire bloodshed when asking for his surrender. But, he made it
clear he would destroy him and his army if they refused his terms.
Ha is willing to take prisoners and kill the enemy. When the enemy was overwhelmed and willing to
accept his terms of surrender (turn over the arms to the Nephites and covenant never
to attack the Nephites again), he let them go in peace, releasing his
POWs.
He was a religious man who is shown praying to the Lord once
(46:13-14). We only have one account of
him going to the prophet and asking for his help (Alma2, 43:23-24). In his defense, it would have been …n hard to
send someone to consult with Helaman2 because of the distance and
nature of the war.
On the other hand, he does what he does in the name of the
Lord. His Title of Liberty mentions God
(“in memory of God, our religion” 46:12).
He makes it clear he does what he does in God’s name (44:3-5; 46:23-25; 48:11-16;
54:6, 9, 21).
Moroni1 was easy to anger and let his anger
control his responses (44:17; 46:11; 51:13-14; 54:13, 15; 55:1; 59:13).
In his two epistles, we have examples of him letting his
anger control what he writes.
·
To Ammoron: “But behold, it supposeth me that I
talk to you concerning these things in vain; or it supposeth me that thou art a
child of hell…” (Alma 54:11)
·
His response to Ammoron’s epistle, eventually
agreeing to his proposed prisoner exchange: “Now it came to pass that when
Moroni had received this epistle he was more angry, because he knew that
Ammoron had a perfect knowledge of his fraud; yea, he knew that Ammoron knew
that it was not a just cause that had caused him to wage a war against the
people of Nephi. And he said: Behold, I
will not exchange prisoners with Ammoron save he will withdraw his purpose, as
I have stated in my epistle; for I will not grant unto him that he shall have
any more power than what he hath got” (Alma 55:1 - 2).
·
To Pahoran, not knowing the king-men were in
rebellion against the government: He condemns the for not provide needed
supplies, accuses them of neglect and
asking what caused their thoughtless state,
the blood of thousands shall be on their heads, crying to God for vengeance,
for all we know, you’re traitors to your country, if we don’t get support, we
will overthrow the government and put in righteous leaders (Alma 60:2, 6-7, 10,
114, 18, 24-25, 29-30, 33).
Moroni1 was a complicated man. In spite of his failings, he was a man of
God. He was a military genius and a
great leader of men. Mormon respected
him so much, he named his son after him, Moroni2.
Mormon’s description of him helps us clearly to know what
type of man he was. (Note: This is the only place, outside of Christ’s
teaching to the Nephites, the phrase “yea, verily, verily I say unto you” is
used. This makes Mormon’s description
all that more powerful as he is using a term usually reserved for use by God.)
Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and
ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have
been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of
the children of men. Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah,
yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his sons, for
they were all men of God.” (v. 17-18).
The War Chapters
Chapters 43-44
Summary
The Zoramite War
Source: Alma 43-44.
Date: 18th Year of the
Reign of the Judges (74 B.C.).
Location: Between Antionum and
Jershon, northeast of Zarahemla.
Causes: After the Zoramites
separated from the Nephites, they entered into a correspondence with the
Lamanites. War was precipitated after many of the Zoramite working class
defected from the city of Antionum, having been converted by Alma and given
refuge in Jershon.
Tactics: Buildup of troops on the
border between the lands of Antionum and Jershon, followed by Lamanite attempt
to flee, Nephite pursuit, and battle at the river Sidon.
Results: Important use of innovative
armor; Zoramite men all took an oath of peace never to attack Nephites again.[11]
Cast of Characters
Amalekites – Nephite dissenters, the
same group as the Amlicites, whom Alma encountered earlier in his career (see
Alma 2–3), followers of Nehor (Alma 21:2).
Ammonites – Anti-Nephi-Lehies,
Lamanites converted by Ammon, covenanted with the Lord to never take up arms
(Alma 23:7, 17).
Helaman2 – Leader of the
church; high priest (45:20).
Lehi2 – A Nephite general
(43:35).
Moroni1 – Chief Captain
of the Nephite armies (43:16).
Zerahemnah (an Amalekite) – Leader
of the Lamanites (43:5).
Zoramites – Nephite dissenters;
became Lamanites (Alma 30:59).
Mormon Turns to An Account of Wars (1-3)
·
Alma2 and his sons continue to preach
the gospel.
·
Mormon tells he “shall say no more concerning
their preaching, except that they preached the word, and the truth, according
to the spirit of prophecy and revelation” (v. 2).
o
He will give us an account of the wars between
the Lamanites and Nephites.
The War Begins (4-14)
·
Lamanites begin the war with an army in the
thousands.
o
Leader was Zerahemnah, an Amalekite.
§
Amalekites had “a more wicked and murderous
disposition than the Lamanites,” so they were usually leaders of the Lamanite
armies.
o
Army was made up of Lamanites, Zoramites, and
Amalekites.
·
Nephites only wanted to live free, to support
and care for their families.
o
Their freedoms, rights, privileges, and liberty
was for what they were fighting.
·
Consequences of a Lamanite victory:
o
They wanted to destroy the Nephites.
o
They wanted to prevent them from being free to
worship God.
o
They wanted to kill the Ammonites.
·
The Nephites appointed a chief captain who “was
only twenty and five years old.”
o
This man’s name was Moroni1.
·
See Quote #3
·
Moroni1took his army and met the
Lamanite armies at Jershon.
o
His soldiers wore breastplates, shields, and
“shields to defend their heads” as well as wearing thick clothing.
·
See Quote #4
·
Lamanites had swords, cimeters, bows and arrows,
and slings.
·
They had no armor.
·
They were naked except for a loincloth.
The First Battle (15-42)
·
The Lamanites did not confront the Nephites at
Jershon.
o
The Lamanites departed into the wilderness.
·
Moroni1 sent spies to watch them.
·
He also followed Nephite custom and sent men to
Alma2.
o
He wanted him to inquire of the Lord about the
Lamanites and their plans.
- Alma2 inquired
of the Lord.
- He sent word back the
Lamanites were moving over to the land of Manti.
- They would attack a
“weaker part of the people.”
- Moroni1 took
part of his army to the land of Manti.
- He also got the people
in Manti to prepare to defend their lands, country, and liberties.
- Moroni1
concealed his army in a valley near the river Sidon.
- Spies were placed where
they might know when the Lamanites were close to his army.
- The intention of the
Lamanites was to bring the Nephites into bondage.
- The only desire of the
Nephites was to “preserve their lands, and their liberty, and their
church” (v. 30).
- The Lamanite army marched
where the army was concealed.
- Lehi2 was in
command of this army.
- The army came up from the
rear and attacked the Lamanites.
- The battle was bloody.
- “[T]he work of death
commenced on both sides” (v. 37).
- The Lamanites suffered
more because “their nakedness was exposed to the heavy blows of the
Nephites” (v. 38).
- Eventually the Lamanite
became frightened and began to flee towards the river Sidon.
- Lehi2 was
waiting there and they could not cross.
- Moroni1’s army
met them in the valley.
- The Lamanites had never
fought with such strength and courage.
- Many Nephites died in
the battle.
- The fierceness of battle
caused fear among the Nephites.
- They were about to flee.
- Moroni1 was
inspired to remind them why they were fighting.
- “[T]he Nephites were inspired by a
better cause” (v. 45).
- ”[T]hey were not
fighting for monarchy nor power” (v. 45).
- “[T]hey were fighting
for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and
their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church. And they
were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their
God” (v. 45-46).
- See Quote #5
o
“[T]hey cried with one voice unto the Lord their
God, for their liberty and their freedom from bondage” (v. 49).
o
The Lord heard their pleas and the tide of war
changed.
·
“[T]he Lamanites began to flee before them; and
they fled even to the waters of Sidon” (v.50).
o
The Lamanites were surrounded by Moroni1‘s
and Lehi2’s army.
o
“[The Lamanites] were struck with terror” (v.
53).
o
Seeing their terror, Moroni1 commanded
the fighting cease.
Chapter
44
Moroni1 Presents His Terms of
Surrender (1-7)
§
Moroni1 withdrew and contacted
Zerahemnah.
o
“[W]e do not desire to be men of blood. Ye know that ye are in our hands, yet we do
not desire to slay you” (v. 1).
o
“[T]he Lord is with us; and ye behold that he has
delivered you into our hands” (v.3).
o
“[T]his is the true faith of God; yea, ye see that
God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto
him, and unto our faith, and our religion” (v. 4)
o
See Quote #6
§
Moroni1 commands Zerahemnah to
surrender and lay downs his arms.
o
“I command you by all the desires which ye have for
life, that ye deliver up your weapons of war unto us, and we will seek not your
blood, but we will spare your lives, if ye will go your way and come not again
to war against us” (v. 6).
o
“[I]f if ye do not this, behold, ye are in our hands, and
I will command my men that they shall fall upon you, and inflict the wounds of
death in your bodies, that ye may become extinct” (v. 7).
Zerahemnah Rejects Moroni1‘s
Terms (8-11)
§
Zerahemnah’s response was short and to the
point.
o
We will surrender and lay down their arms.
o
“[W]e will not suffer ourselves to take an oath
unto you, which we know that we shall break, and also our children” (v. 8).
o
He rejected that God delivered them.
o
The only reason they were defeated was the
breastplates and shields the Nephites used.
§
You have to give him credit for honesty, if not
common sense.
§
Moroni1 rejected his terms, telling
him, “we will end the conflict” (v. 10).
o
One last warning, “Now as ye are in our hands we will spill your
blood upon the ground, or ye shall submit to the conditions which I have
proposed” (v. 11).
A Battle Ensues, Zerahemnah Accepts Moroni1‘s
Terms (12-24)
§
Zerahemnah was angered by Moroni1’s
words.
o
He took his sword and attempted to strike Moroni1.
§
One of Moroni1’s soldiers “smote” the
sword, breaking it.
o
He also “took off his scalp” (v. 12).
o
He cried:
§
“Even as this scalp has fallen to the earth,
which is the scalp of your chief, so shall ye fall to the earth except ye will
deliver up your weapons of war and depart with a covenant of peace” (v. 14).
§
This caused many of the Lamanites to surrender
their weapons and accepted Moroni1’s terms of surrender.
o
Zerahemnah was even more angry and he encouraged
the rest of his troops to continue fighting.
§
Moroni1 was fed up and he commanded
his troops to attack.
o
The Lamanites were “swept down, even as the
soldier of Moroni had prophesied” (v. 18).
§
Seeing he was facing annihilation, Zerahemnah
cried he would surrender and accept Moroni1’s terms.
o
Moroni1 accepted his surrender and
let them depart in peace.
o
See Quote #7
§
The slaughter was great.
§
The bodies were thrown into the river Sidon.
§
“And thus ended the record of Alma, which was
written upon the plates of Nephi” (v. 24).
The account of the people of Nephi, and
their wars and dissensions, in the days of Helaman, according to the record of
Helaman, which he kept in his days. Comprising chapters 45 to 62 inclusive.
Chapter
45
The Manual only mentions verses 20-24, but I want to do a quick
overview of the chapter.
·
Alma2 questions his son, Helaman2,
about his faith and beliefs (v. 1-8).
·
Helaman2 responds, “Yea, I will keep
thy commandments with all my heart” (v. 7).
o Incident
is reminiscent of Nephi1’s questioning of the angel when questioned him at the
beginning of his great vision.
§ And
the Spirit said unto me: Believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which
he hath spoken?
And I said: Yea, thou knowest that I believe
all the words of my father.
1
Nephi 11:4 - 5
·
Alma2 then shares a prophesy with Helaman2
telling him to make this known until the prophesy is fulfilled.
·
Four hundred years after Christ to the
Nephites, they will “dwindle in unbelief.”
o They will
“see wars and pestilences, yea famines and bloodshed” (v. 10).
o This will
lead to their destruction.
o
Samuel the Lamanite would warn the Nephites
that, after the coming of Christ, “four hundred years shall not pass away
before I will cause that they shall be smitten; yea, I will visit them with the
sword and with famine and with pestilence” (Helaman 13:9).
·
Their destruction will come because “they shall
sin against so great light and knowledge” (v. 12).
·
Alma2 “departed out of the land of
Zarahemla … And it came to pass that he was never heard of more; as to his
death or burial we know not of” (v. 18).
o
Mormon mentions Moses being taken up by the
Spirit and speculates “he has also received Alma in the spirit, unto himself;
therefore, for this cause we know nothing concerning his death and burial” (v.
19).
Helaman2 and His Brethren
Teach the Gospel (20-24)
·
Helaman2 becomes the high priest.
·
Helaman2 and his brethren teach the
gospel to the people.
·
Dissensions grew among the people.
o
The Nephite Disease – pride – enters society.
o
They had many riches.
·
The people ignored Helaman2 and his
brethren.
Chapters 46-50
Summary
The First
Amalickiahite War
Source: Alma 46:1-50:11.
Date: 20th Year of the Reign of
the Judges (72 B.C.).
Locations: Ammonihah, Noah, and the east
seacoast near the narrow neck of land.
Causes: Political ambitions of Amalickiah, a
Zoramite in Zarahemla, who dissented from the Nephites. He seized an opportune
moment to rebel at the time of Alma's departure and Helaman's succession (see
Alma 46:1). Amalickiah defected with a few Nephite leaders and, after becoming
king of the Lamanites, recruited large armies from the land of Nephi.
Tactics: Strike against what were thought
to be the weakest parts of the land of Zarahemla.
Results: Amalickiah defeated, but he swore to
return and kill Moroni. Never was there a happier time than the brief period
immediately following the war (see Alma 50:23).[12]
Cast of Characters
Amalickiah - Leader of the
dissenters; wants to be king (46:3-4).
Helaman2 – Leader of the
church; high priest (45:20).
King of the Lamanites – Manipulated
by Amalickiah to fight the Nephites (47:1).
Lamanite Queen – Amalickiah lies to
the queen about the death of the king; she marries Amalickiah (47:33-35).
Lehi2 – A Nephite general
(43:35).
Lehonti – Leader of Lamanites on the
mount Antipas (47:10).
Morianton – Leader of the army of
the people of Morianton (50:28).
Moroni1 – Chief Commander
of the Nephite armies (43:16).
Nephihah – The chief judge (50:37).
Pahoran – Replaced his father,
Nephihah as the chief judge when he died (50:39).
People of Morianton – Claimed a part
of the land of Lehi as theirs (50:26).
Teancum - A Nephite general (50:35).
Chapter
46
·
Amalickiah wants to be king.
o
He was able to convince many of the lower judges
to support him.
o
He would make them rulers over the people.
§
Many in the church believed his flattering
words.
·
The situation was “exceedingly precarious and
dangerous” (v. 7).
·
Mormon wants to make sure we understand the
situation (v. 8-10):
o
The children of men quickly forget the Lord
their God.
o
They are quick to do iniquity.
o
They are quick to be led away by the devil.
o
One wicked man can cause great wickedness to
take place.
·
Amalickiah’s goal was to destroy the church and
destroy the foundation of liberty.
·
Moroni1 is angered with Amalickiah.
o
He responds with his title of liberty.
§
“[H]e rent his coat; and he took a piece
thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and
our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a
pole” (v. 12).
o
“[H]e he bowed himself to the earth, and he
prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his
brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the
land—For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church
of God, called by those who did not belong to the church” (v. 13-14).
·
See Quote #8
·
Moroni1 went among the people, waving
the Title of Liberty.
·
He cried:
o
Behold, whosoever will maintain
this title upon the land,
let them come forth
in the strength of the
Lord,
and enter into a covenant
that they will
maintain their rights,
and their religion,
that the Lord God may bless
them. (v. 20)
·
The people came running with their armor on.
o
They rent their garments as a covenant they would
not forsake God.
·
See Quote #9
·
See Quote #10
·
Moroni1 continued travelling through
the land.
o
He gathered those who were willing to stand
against Amalickiah.
·
Amalickiah, seeing the people were willing to
fight against, ran.
o
Amalickiah “took those of his people who would
and departed into the land of Nephi” (v. 29).
·
Moroni1 didn’t want Amalickiah and
his supporters to join up and incite the Lamanites.
·
He took an army to cut them off.
·
When his army met them, a few were still able to
flee.
o
The prisoners were given a choice – “support the
cause of freedom” or be put to death.
§
Most agreed to “support the cause of freedom.”
·
The Title of Liberty was hoisted on every tower
throughout the Nephite lands.
·
Peace began to reign in the land.
·
See Quote #11
·
Helaman and the high priests maintained order
among the church for four years.
·
Many died of fevers during certain seasons of
the year.
Chapter
47
·
The dissenters who escaped stirred up the
Lamanites against the Nephites.
·
War was declared by the king of the Lamanites.
o
Many feared the Nephites and they refused to
become a part of the army.
·
Amalickiah convinced the king to make him head
of the army.
o
He planned to overthrow the king.
·
His first task was to convince those who fled to
rejoin the army.
o
They fled to the top of mount Antipas.
·
Thrice he asked their leader, Lehonti, to meet
with him.
o
Thrice he refused.
·
The fourth time, he went up to outside their
camp.
o
He requested Lehonti meet with him along with
his guards.
·
Amalickiah had Lehonti come down at night and
surround his army.
o
He would surrender his army if Lehonti made him
his second-in-command.
o
Lehonti did this.
·
Why would Amalickiah agree to be second?
o
If the chief leader were killed, the second
would become the chief leader.
·
Amalickiah had Lehonti slowly poisoned.
o
When Lehonti died, Amalickiah took over.
o
He now had his army.
·
The king of the Lamanites came out to meet with
Amalickiah to see his fully manned army.
o
When the king came to meet Amalickiah, a servant
of Amalickiah stabbed and killed the king.
·
The servants of the king fled.
o
Amalickiah called out “the servants of the king
have stabbed him to the heart, and he has fallen and they have fled; behold,
come and see” (v. 25).
o
He commanded his army they should find and kill
these servants.
·
The servants fled to the land of Zarahemla and
joined the Ammonites.
o
We will see this happen again in the future.
·
Amalickiah was able to “[gain] the hearts of the
people” (v. 30).
o
He took the army to the city of Nephi and took
possession of the city.
·
The queen, hearing what had happened, “desired
[Amalickiah] should come in unto her; and she also desired him that he should
bring witnesses with him to testify concerning the death of the king” (v. 33).
o
Amalickiah, along with the servant who killed
the king, testified the king’s servants killed him.
§
They confessed their guilt by fleeing.
·
Amalickiah was able to win the queen’s love and
marry her. He now had his kingdom.
·
The kingdom was composed of Lamanites,
Lemuelites, Ishmaelites, and Nephite dissenters from “the reign of Nephi down
to the present time” (v. 35).
o
The Nephite dissenters “became more hardened and
impenitent, and more wild, wicked and ferocious than the Lamanites—drinking in
with the traditions of the Lamanites; giving way to indolence, and all manner
of lasciviousness; yea, entirely forgetting the Lord their God” (v. 36).
Chapter
48
·
Amalickiah immediately began to turn the
Lamanites against the Nephites.
o
His goal was to rule over the entire land, both
Nephites and Lamanites.
§
His people were convinced to go to war.
·
He gathered a “numerous host to go to battle
against the Nephites” (v. 3).
·
He appointed Zoramites chief captains because
they were familiar with the Nephites.
·
Mormon contrasts Amalickiah and Moroni1.
o
Amalickiah obtained power through fraud and
deceit (v 7).
o
Moroni1 prepared the minds of the
people to be faithful to the Lord (vs. 7-11).
§
He also had been strengthening the armies of the
Nephites.
·
He erected small forts, threw up “banks of earth
round about to enclose his armies,” built stonewalls to surround the forts, cities,
and borders of the land (v. 8).
·
Where he was weakest, he placed the largest
number of men.
·
See Quote #12
·
Mormon describes Moroni1 (vs. 11-14)
o
He was a strong and mighty man.
o
He was a man of perfect understanding.
o
He did not delight in bloodshed.
o
His soul did joy in the liberty and freedom of
his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery.
o
His heart did swell with thanksgiving to God.
o
He labored exceedingly for the welfare and
safety of his people.
o
He was firm in the faith of Christ.
o
He was willing to die to defend his people, his
rights, his country, and his religion.
·
The Nephites were to (v. 14):
o
Defend themselves against their enemies, even to
the shedding of blood.
o
They were never to give an offense.
o
They were never to raise the sword except it
were against an enemy to preserve their lives.
o
God would let them know when they should go to
war.
§
He will deliver them.
·
The Nephite army has a unique attitude about
battling the Lamanites.
o
“They were sorry to take up arms”, “they did not
delight in the shedding of blood”, “they were sorry to be the means of sending
so many of their brethren out of this world into the eternal world, unprepared
to meet their God” (v. 23).
§
See Quote #13
§
See Quote #14
- Nevertheless, they still
had to fight to protect themselves.
·
The Lamanites were coming to attack in the land
of Ammonihah.
·
Ammonihah had been rebuilt.
·
The Lamanites felt it would be an easy city to
take.
·
They were “astonished exceedingly” by how well
the city was protected.
·
Their goal was to either “subject their brethren
to the yoke of bondage, or slay and massacre them” (v. 7).
·
Amalickiah did not come at the head of his army
at this time.
o
Had he been there, he would have had his army
attack Ammonihah.
o
It would have been a bloody battle with many
Lamanites dead.
§
This wouldn’t have bothered Amalickiah because
he didn’t care about those in his army.
·
The leaders of the Lamanite chose not to attack.
o
They retreated into the wilderness and head
towards the land of Noah.
§
They didn’t know Moroni1 had reinforced
all his cities.
·
As the army headed towards Noah, the chief
captains took an oath they would destroy the people and the city.
·
Lehi2 was the general in Noah.
o
The Lamanites feared Lehi2 and didn’t
want to attack.
o
Their chief captains paid for their arrogance.
§
Because of their oath, they had to attack the
city.
·
Because of security measures, the only way to
enter the city was through the main entrance.
o
The Nephites would be able to stop the invading
army using rocks and arrows.
o
The Lamanites attacked and were constantly
driven back.
·
Over a thousand Lamanites died, including all
their chief captains.
o
Not one Nephite was killed, only fifty were
injured.
·
Having lost their chief captains, the remaining
army retreated.
·
Amalickiah was notified of the defeat.
·
He was angry because his efforts to take over
the Nephites were thwarted.
o
He cursed God and Moroni1.
o
Amalickiah then swore an oath he would drink Moroni1’s
blood.
§
See Quote #15
§
See Quote #16 (highly recommended)
·
The Nephites, on the other hand, thanked God for
delivering them from their enemy.
·
For a time, there was peace and prosperity in
the church.
Chapter
50
·
Even with a time of peace, Moroni1 continued
his war preparations.
o
He didn’t trust Amalickiah.
·
He continued his approach to protecting cities.
o
They began to dig “up heaps of earth round about
all the cities” (v. 1).
o
On the top of these mounds, he placed timbers
and used them to make “a frame of pickets … and they were strong and high” (v. 3).
o
Towers were then erected to “overlook those
works of pickets” (v. 4).
·
Lamanites were living in the east part of
Nephite lands.
o
Moroni1 had the army drive them
into Lamanites lands.
·
He then moved people in the land of Zarahemla
and in lands surrounding Zarahemla to the east wilderness.
o
Armies were placed on the south border.
o
Fortifications were built to protect the army
and the people.
·
The armies increased daily to ensure protection
of the people.
·
Moroni1 wanted to cut off the
Lamanites from their lands.
·
A new city, Nephihah, was built.
·
See Quote #17
·
Mormon breaks in with his observations.
o
“[W]e see how merciful and just are all the
dealings of the Lord, to the fulfilling of all his words unto the children of
men” (v. 19)
o
He reminds us of the Lords promise to Lehi1.
§
“[Thy children] shall be blessed, inasmuch as
they shall keep my commandments they shall prosper in the land. But remember, inasmuch as they will not keep
my commandments they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord” (v. 20).
o
These promises have been verified to the people
of Nephi.
·
Mormon tells us “there never was a happier time
among the people of Nephi, since the days of Nephi, than in the days of Moroni”
(v. 23).
·
Contention in the land occurred two years later.
o
The people of Morianton claimed a part of the
land of Lehi.
·
Contentions led the people of Morianton to take
the land by force.
o
People from the land of Lehi asked for help from
Moroni1.
·
Morianton, the leader of the army, was concerned
that Moroni1 and his army would get involved and defeat them.
o
They decided to flee to the land northward.
o
Morianton makes a huge mistake.
§
He got angry with a servant and beat her.
§
She went to the camp of Moroni1 and
told him of their plans.
·
Moroni1 sent his army to stop
Morianton’s flight.
·
Teancum led this army.
·
The people of Morianton were stubborn.
o
They were inspired by Morianton’s flattering
words.
·
A battle began.
o
Teancum killed Morianton and defeated his army.
o
The people of Morianton were allowed to go free
“upon their covenanting to keep the peace. [T]hey were restored to the land of
Morianton, and a union took place between them and the people of Lehi” (v. 36).
·
Back home, the chief judge, Nephihah, died.
o
His son Pahoran filled the judgment-seat.
Chapters 51-52
Summary
The Second
Amalickiahite War (Seven Years' War)
Source: Alma 51-62.
Dates: 25th-31st Year of
the Reign of the Judges (67-61 B.C.).
Location: Throughout the land of Zarahemla.
Causes: Return of Amalickiah, coinciding
with the armed revolt of the king-men and his brother Ammoron's assumption of
Lamanite kingship. Initial Lamanite successes in the east and west were partly
attributable to the king-men issue at home.
Tactics: Protracted warfare; full-scale attempts
to conquer cities and occupy lands surrounding Zarahemla on the west, south,
and north; concurrent campaigns on several fronts, including Nephite efforts to
control internal insurrection. This time, commanders who personally knew the
Nephite lands and cities led the Lamanite forces.
Results: A very costly Nephite victory. These
wars were evidently hard on the Nephite rulers, for Helaman, Moroni, Pahoran,
Shiblon, Corianton, and others were all dead or gone by Alma 63.[13]
Cast of Characters
Amalickiah - Leader of the
dissenters; wants to be king (46:3-4).
Ammoron – Brother of Amalickiah;
becomes king after Teancum slays Amalickiah (52:3).
Helaman2 – Leader of the
church; high priest (45:20).
Jacob the Lamanite – A Zoramite
captain; refused Nephite request to fight on fair grounds; killed in battle
(50:20, 35).
Lehi2 – A Nephite general
(43:35).
Moroni1 – Chief Commander
of the Nephite armies (43:16).
Pahoran – Chief judge (50:39).
Teancum - A Nephite general (50:35).
Chapter
51
·
A new conflict arises.
o
Some felt the law should be altered.
·
They petitioned Pahoran to change the law.
o
Pahoran refused their petitions to change the law.
·
They were angry and wanted him removed as chief
judge.
o
Those opposing Pahoran were called king-men
because they wanted a king.
·
Those supporting Pahoran were called freeman.
o
Freeman covenanted “to maintain their rights and
the privileges of their religion by a free government” (v. 6).
·
The matter was put to the people.
o
The result was in favor of the freeman.
o
Pahoran remained on the judgment seat.
·
Those in favor of a king were “those of high
birth” (v. 8).
o
People who wanted power and authority supported
the king-men.
·
While this was going on, Amalickiah was
preparing for war.
·
See Quote #17
·
His army was not as large as before, but it was
still large.
o
This time, Amalickiah came at the head of the
army.
·
The king-men refused to take up arm and defend
their country.
·
Moroni1 was “exceedingly wroth”
with those who refused to defend their country.
o
Pahoran sent out a petition that gave Moroni1 the
power to force the dissenters to serve in the army or be put to death.
·
Moroni1 commanded his army to go
against the king-men.
o
Four thousand king-men died by the sword.
o
The leaders who survived were put into prison.
o
The remainder of the king-men surrendered and
agreed to defend their country.
·
This put an end to the king-men.
·
While Moroni1 was putting down
the king-men rebellion, the Lamanites confronted the Nephites.
o
The Nephites were not able to defeat the
Lamanites at the city of Moroni.
o
The Lamanites took possession of Moroni.
·
Those who fled from Moroni came to Nephihah.
o
The people of Nephihah and Lehi began to prepare
for battle.
·
Amalickiah successfully took many Nephite
cities.
·
As the Lamanites were marching forward to the
land Bountiful, they met Teancum and his army.
o
Teancum repulsed Amalickiah.
·
Teancum continued to harass Amalickiah’s army.
·
In the evening, they pitched their tents on the
borders.
o
Teancum and his servant went to the camp of
Amalickiah at night.
o
He entered the tent of Amalickiah.
o
While he was sleeping, Teancum “put a javelin to
his heart” (v. 34).
§
Amalickiah died immediately.
·
Teancum returned and woke his army, telling them
what happened.
o
He had his army ready should the Lamanites
attack.
Chapter
52
·
In the morning, the body of Amalickiah was
discovered.
o
The Lamanites retreated to the city Mulek.
·
Ammoron, Amalickiah’s brother, was appointed
king.
o
His first act was to make sure the Lamanites
held the cities they had taken.
·
Teancum decided it was not wise to attempt to
attack the Lamanites in the fortified cities.
o
He had his men work as if preparing for war.
o
He was preparing his men to defend themselves.
·
He continued his preparations until Moroni1 sent
a large number of men to support his army.
·
Teancum was told to retain all prisoners.
o
The Lamanites had many prisoners.
o
There could be a possible trade of prisoners.
·
He was also told to continue to harass the
Lamanites.
o
He should do as much damage as possible.
·
Ammoron departed and let the queen know what had
happened to the king.
o
He also gathered a large number of men.
o
He marched the troops along the Nephite borders,
harassing the Nephites.
o
He also wanted to pull troops away from their
encampments, weakening the Nephite army.
·
The war was not going well for the Nephites.
·
Moroni1 commanded Teancum to
attack the city of Mulek and retake it if it were possible.
o
He marched forward, preparing to attack.
o
He discovered it would be impossible to take
back the city.
o
He retreated and waited for Moroni1 to
come and strengthen the army.
·
Moroni1 arrived at the land of
Bountiful.
o
Moroni1, Teancum, and chief captains
held a war council.
o
They discussed what they could do to cause the
Lamanites to come out of the city.
·
Messages were sent to the leader, Jacob.
o
He was challenged to meet Moroni1 on
fair ground.
·
Jacob the Lamanite refused.
·
Moroni1’s next strategy was to decoy
the Lamanites and get them to come out of their cities.
o
Teancum took a small number of men and marched
towards the seashore.
o
At night, Moroni1’s army marched into
the wilderness.
·
In the morning, Lamanite guards saw Teancum’s
army.
·
Jacob the Lamanite was told.
o
Armies of the Lamanites marched against Teancum.
o
The Lamanites had a larger army than Teancum.
·
When Teancum saw the Lamanites, he retreated
down to the seashore.
o
Seeing the retreat, the Lamanites were pleased
and pursued them.
·
Moroni1 took his army into the
city and took possession of it.
o
Anyone who would not surrender and give up their
weapons was killed.
·
Moroni1 marched some of his army
towards the Lamanites chasing after Teancum.
o
The Lamanites pursued Teancum to the city
Bountiful.
·
Teancum met with Lehi2 and his small
army.
·
The Lamanites, seeing this, “fled in much
confusion” (v. 28).
o
They did not know Moroni1 was
following them.
·
The Lamanites were surrounded by the Nephites.
o
The Lamanites were tired from their march.
·
Moroni1 commanded his army to “fall
upon them until they had given up their weapons of war” (v. 32).
o
Jacob the Lamanite led the Lamanites to battle
against Moroni1.
·
Moroni1’s army was more powerful than
the Lamanite army.
o
Both sides fought with fury.
o
Moroni1 was wounded and Jacob
the Lamanite was killed.
·
Lehi2 fought from the rear with much
fury.
·
The Lamanites in the rear surrendered and gave
up their weapons of war.
·
Moroni1 made it clear, “If ye
will bring forth your weapons of war and deliver them up, behold we will
forbear shedding your blood” (v. 37).
·
The chief captains who were still alive
commanded their men to accept Moroni1’s terms.
o
Many would not.
o
They were bound and taken prisoner.
·
The number of prisoners taken was more than the
number slain on both sides.
Quote #1
Not only is a preemptive strike out of the question, but
Moroni's people have to let the enemy attack at least twice before responding,
to guarantee that their own action is purely defensive (see Alma 43:46). The
highest compliment that Alma can pay Moroni is: “Behold, he was a man like unto
Ammon” (Alma 48:18), who, as we have seen, renounced all military solutions to
the Lamanite problem.[14]
Quote #2
William Hamblin writes:
The Book of Mormon implicitly condemns wars of aggression.
Until their final calamity, all Nephite military objectives were strictly
defensive. It was a mandatory, sacred obligation of all able-bodied Nephite men
to defend their families, country, and religious freedoms (Alma 43:47; 46:12),
but only as God commanded them.[15]
Quote #3
Chief Captain Moroni was appointed to command all of the
Nephite armies when he was “only twenty and five years old” (Alma
43:16-17). The use of the term “only” indicates he was considered a young
commander, even by Nephite standards. No information is given regarding his
early years, but few leaders have ranked with him in terms of devotion,
courage, and strength of character. The later Prophet Mormon was
undoubtedly so impressed with Captain Moroni's example that he gave his own son
the same name. Moroni took command
of the Nephite armies in approximately 74 B.C. This marked the beginning of a
new era in Book of Mormon warfare. Apparently many of the practices
introduced at this time continued throughout the remainder of Nephite history,
and even up to the time of the Spanish conquest.[16]
Quote #4
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.[17]
Quote #5
Hugh Nibley observes:
[T]he Nephites had the better cause, as Mormon explains,
since they were fighting strictly on the defensive. This was no pious cant, for
the Nephites in this case were really not the aggressors; they had observed the
rule that God had given them, that “inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first
offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain” (Alma
43:46). The Lamanites, on the other hand, were fighting for monarchy and power,
and made no secret of their intention of subduing and ruling (Alma 43:45).[18]
Quote #6
Hugh Nibley comments:
The sorely pressed Lamanites, by flocking together for protection,
as beaten armies usually do, made it all the easier for Moroni with his
carefully hoarded reserves to surround them. Then he immediately called a halt
to the fighting … [H]e went out to meet Zerahemnah … Here was Moroni's chance
to settle the Lamanite problem once and for all on the spot; a vastly superior
force had entered and ravaged a large part of his country, bent on subduing it
entirely, and now he had them, as he says, completely in his power. Well might
he have said, “Kill or be killed. It is either you or us!” and finished them
off. But instead of that type of total victory he did not even ask for
unconditional surrender … All he asked of his bloodthirsty foe was that they
deliver up their weapons and promise not to fight the Nephites anymore…[19]
Quote #7
John Welch explains the importance of an oath in Nephite
society.
The case of Moroni and Zerahemnah demonstrates in
considerable detail how the Nephites and Lamanites often used oaths to
consummate a legal treaty at the end of a war. Upon gaining a position of clear
advantage in battle, Moroni proposed a negative covenant— something a conqueror
commonly imposed in the Near East on a defeated army—requiring the Lamanites to
surrender their weapons of war and covenant never to return to fight against
the Nephites. The oath of peace was obviously an important part of Moroni's
proposal because he refused Zerahemnah's counteroffer, which simply involved
the Lamanites delivering up their weapons of war (see Alma 44:6-10). After
further conflict, Zerahemnah and his soldiers eventually yielded up their
weapons, and “after they had entered into a covenant with [Moroni] of peace
they were suffered to depart into the wilderness” (Alma 44:20). The Nephites
required similar covenants of peace of the Lamanites in later battles (see Alma
62:16), of the people of Morianton (see Alma 50:36), and of the captured
soldiers of Zemnarihah (see 3 Nephi 5:4).[20]
Quote #8
John Welch writes:
No one saw more clearly than Moroni where this was
leading—all that he had achieved with great toil and danger was going to be
thrown away if he did not act quickly. “Angry with Amalickiah,” (Alma 46:11),
he reacted with that speed and decision which is the mark of the great leader
in the field. Raising his “Title of Liberty” according to the ancient custom
and as the type of the torn garment of the outcast Joseph, and the symbol of
the poor and outcast of Israel, he announced to the people, “Surely God shall
not suffer that we, who are despised because we take upon us the name of
Christ, shall be trodden down … until we bring it upon [ourselves]” (Alma
46:18).[21]
Quote #9
Matthew M. F. Hilton
and Neil J. Flinders wrote:
The covenant of the Nephite people, then, was not allegiance
to a man, such as Moroni, nor to a government position, such as the office of
chief judge, held by Nephihah and Pahoran. Instead, the covenants and
commitments were made directly to God, to whom the people believed they were
personally accountable. Again, this allegiance reflected a deep-seated commitment
to … tradition based on individual or institutional allegiance.[22]
See Quote #10
William Hamblin explains:
Nephite armies consulted prophets before going to battle
(Alma 16:5; 43:23—24; 3 Ne. 3:19) and entered into covenants with God before
battle. On one occasion, the Nephite soldiers swore a solemn oath, covenanting
to obey God's commandments and to fight valiantly for the cause of
righteousness, casting their garments on the ground at the feet of their leader
and inviting God to cast themselves likewise at the feet of their enemies if
they should violate their oath (Alma 46:22; cf. 53:17).[23]
See Quote #11
John Welch explains the legal matters the Nephites were
facing.
Captain Moroni exercised legal authority over the dissenters
who had taken up arms and left with Amalickiah to join the Lamanites but who
were soon captured (see Alma 46:29-35). Though no trials were held for these
king-men dissenters, Moroni was not usurping legal authority in acting as he
did. The record is careful to state that the chief judges and the voice of the
people had expressly given Moroni plenary power “to exercise authority over
[the armies of the Nephites]” (Alma 46:34). The dissenting soldiers were
clearly guilty of disloyalty or treason against the state. The chief captain's
handling of the matter was expedient, simple, fair, and within his
jurisdiction. He gave the rebel soldiers the choice of either entering “into a
covenant to support the cause of freedom” or of being put to death (Alma
46:35).[24]
Quote #12
William Hamblin expands on the Nephite preparations.
The Nephites expanded this system of fortifications to
protect their cities from Lamanite incursions (see Alma 48:8; 49:13-20; 50:1-6,
10). lf the Lamanites attempted to assault a city, the Nephites planned to “destroy
all such as should attempt to climb up to enter the fort by any other way, by
casting over stones and arrows at them” (Alma 49:19). Such fortifications, “which
never had been known among the children of Lehi” (Alma 49:8), confounded the Lamanite
strategy, forcing them to retreat into the wilderness (see Alma 49:12).[25]
Quote #13
Hugh Nibley observes:
[L]ike Alma [Moroni] insists on designating the enemy as his
“brethren,” and he means it. This, then, would seem to be a case of “the good people
against the bad people,” until we remember that the Lamanites were equally
reluctant to fight the Nephites, our story being a lesson in “the great
wickedness one very wicked man can cause."[26]
Quote #14
Hugh Nibley observes:
[Moroni’s] magnanimous nature as a lover of peace and fair
play always prevailed. He always calls the enemy his brothers, with whom he is
loathe to contend. You cannot ask for a less warlike spirit than that of an
army who “were compelled reluctantly to contend with their brethren, the
Lamanites,” who waged war “for the space of many years, . . .
notwithstanding their much reluctance”; who were “sorry to take up arms against
the Lamanites, because they did not delight in the shedding of blood; yea
. . . they were sorry to be the means of sending so many of their
brethren out of this world” (Alma 48:21–23). “[27]
Quote #15
Hugh Nibley observes:
So the great and carefully planned offensive with all its
high hopes for a quick victory fizzled out, and a beaten army went back to
report to the infuriated “FĂĽhrer” (Alma 49:25—26). In a towering rage, “exceedingly
wroth ... he did curse God, and also Moroni, swearing with an oath that he
would drink his blood” (Alma 49:27). At every step in his career he had found
that man Moroni barring the way; at every step in the campaign his own army had
played into the hands of that Moroni. No wonder Moroni began to be an obsession
with him.[28]
Quote #16
Ehab Abunuwara wrote an article about the Book of Mormon
from an Arab perspective. He wrote about
this incident with Amalickiah and his oath.
Recently, as I was reading in the Book of Mormon, I came
across the story of Amalickiah, a king of the Lamanites who was a Nephite by
origin. When Amalickiah heard of his army's defeat at the hands of the
Nephites, he was “exceedingly wroth, and he did curse God, and also Moroni,
swearing with an oath that he would drink his blood” (Alma 49:27). As I read, I
found myself translating the words into Arabic as if that were how they were
intended to be written. I have known English for many years now, but still I am
not sure that I know how to curse God in English or that I have ever heard
anybody do that. Nor have I heard anyone make an oath to drink someone's blood.
But in Arabic both expressions are common, and, unfortunately, I have heard
both. On a preconscious level, that verse was more meaningful to me in Arabic
than in English.”[29]
Quote #17
John L. Sorenson explains these “instant cities.”
A type of city that was sometimes small was the military
garrison city that was established quickly. Antiparah, Zeezrom, and Cumeni,
which all lay between Manti and the west sea, were of this sort (see Alma
50:10–11; 56:9–10, 13–16). More of these “instant cities” were installed near
the east sea coast (see Alma 50:13–15). (They are reminiscent of the small
fortified settlements, or even isolated fortresses, that existed in Old
Testament times in the land of Israel but were labeled cities in the Bible
because they were surrounded by defensive walls.)”[30]
Quote #18
[T]he royalists had not played all their cards; their
agitation had been timed to coincide with a move from the direction of their
banished leader Amalickiah, who “had again stirred up the … Lamanites … and
[was] preparing for war with all diligence” (Alma 51:9). Counting on
Amalickiah's aid, the beaten party “were glad in their hearts” of his approach,
and ‘refused to take up arms” to resist it, being “wroth with the chief judge,
and also with the people of liberty” who had given them a setback (Alma 51:13).[31]
[1] Why Is So Much of the Book of Mormon Given
Over to Military Accounts?
R. Douglas Phillips, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed July
23, 2012.
[5] Why Study Warfare in the Book of Mormon? John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell
Institute, accessed July 22, 2012.
[7] The Importance of Warfare in Book of Mormon
Studies, William J. Hamblin,
Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed July 22, 2012.
[11] Why Study Warfare in the Book of Mormon? John W. Welch, Provo, Utah:
Maxwell Institute, accessed July 22, 2012.
[12] Why Study Warfare in the Book of Mormon? John W. Welch, Provo, Utah:
Maxwell Institute, accessed July 22, 2012.
[13] Why Study Warfare in the Book of Mormon? John W. Welch, Provo, Utah:
Maxwell Institute, accessed July 22, 2012.
[14] Scriptural
Perspectives on How to Survive the Calamities of the Last Days, Provo,
Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 16, 2011.
[15] Warfare
in the Book of Mormon, William J.
Hamblin, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 16, 2011.
[16] Nephite
Captains and Armies, A. Brent Merrill, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute,
accessed December 13, 2011.
[17] Armor
in the Book of Mormon, William J. Hamblin, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed
December 14, 2011.
[18] A
Rigorous Test: Military History, Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell
Institute, accessed December 16, 2011.
[19] A Rigorous Test: Military History,
Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 17, 2011.
[20] Law and War in the Book of Mormon, John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell
Institute, accessed December 20, 2011.
[21] A Rigorous Test: Military History, Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell
Institute, accessed March 27, 2012.
[22] The Impact of Shifting Cultural Assumptions
on the Military Policies Directing Armed Conflict Reported in the Book of Alma, Matthew M. F. Hilton, and Neil J.
Flinders, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed March 28, 2012.
[23] Warfare in the Book of Mormon, William J. Hamblin, Provo, Utah:
Maxwell Institute, accessed March 28, 2012.
[24] Law and War in the Book of Mormon, John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell
Institute, accessed March 30, 2012.
[25] The Bow and Arrow in the Book of Mormon, William J. Hamblin, Provo, Utah:
Maxwell Institute, accessed April 6, 2012.
[26] A Rigorous Test: Military History, Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell
Institute, accessed April 9, 2012.
[27] Freemen and King-men in the Book of Mormon, Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell
Institute, accessed April 9, 2012.
[28] A Rigorous Test: Military History, Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute,
accessed April 13, 2012.
[29] Into the Desert: An Arab View of the Book of
Mormon, Ehab Abunuwara, Provo,
Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 13, 2012.
[31] A Rigorous Test: Military History, Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell
Institute, accessed April 18, 2012.
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