After a few years of peace, contentions arose over land in
Lehi and Morianton. “These cities would
have to have been in close proximity to be fighting over land, which had to
have been close enough to each city that it could be worked effectively from
each (compare Alma 50:36).”[1]
Contention is divisive.
Solomon gave us numerous warnings about contentions. “Hatred stirreth up
strifes” (Proverbs 10:12). “Only by pride cometh contention” (Proverbs 13:10). “A
wrathful man stirreth up strife” (Proverbs 15:18). “A fool's lips enter into contention”
(Proverbs 18:6). “As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire;
so is a contentious man to kindle
strife” (Proverbs 26:21).
When the Savior was preaching to the Nephites, he warned
them, “he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil,
who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend
with anger, one with another” (3 Nephi 11:29).
Morianton claimed a part of the land Lehi as their own. Those living in the land of Lehi
disagreed. The situation escalated to
the point the people of Morianton took up their arms and vowed to kill those
who challenged their claim to parts of the land of Lehi.
The people of Lehi fled from the army from Morianton and
went to Moroni’s camp. They asked for
his assistance as they were not in the wrong.
The people of Morianton, led by Morianton, realized there was a distinct
possibility they would have to face Moroni’s army. They fled to the land northward with the
intent of taking possession of that land.
The land is described as being covered with “large bodies of water”
(Alma 50:29). This very well could have
been the land of the Jaredites, which was discovered by Limhi’s people.[2]
As they were preparing to depart, Morianton become angry
with a maid servant and gave her a severe beating. This would be a fatal mistake.
The servant fled from Morianton’s camp. She went to Moroni’s camp and told him about
Morianton’s plans.
Moroni was concerned the people in the land of Bountiful
might have been persuaded by Morianton and join with him. He feared this could lead to a loss of their
liberty. Moroni sent an army to stop
Morianton’s flight to the land northward.
They caught up with Morianton’s army on the borders of the
land of Desolation.
The army which met Morianton’s was led by Teancum. The people of Morianton were inspired by his “wickedness
and his flattering words” (Alma 50:35). It
is interesting to note how frequently Nephites were led into wickedness by
words. Wicked men using flattering words
were one of the reasons the Nephites had problems throughout their history.
Teancum’s army defeated Morianton’s army, and he killed
Morianton as well. He took prisoners and
returned them to Moroni’s camp. Prisoners who covenanted to keep the peace were
allowed to return to the land of Morianton.
They eventually united with the people of Lehi.
Peace had been restored.
Nephihah, the second chief judge, died.
He had filled his office “with perfect uprightness before God” (Alma
50:37). We first learn Alma offered the records and “those things … which were
esteemed … to be most sacred.” (Alma 50:38). “‘Those things’ most likely
included the Liahona and the sword of Laban.”[3]
When we discussed Helaman, son of Alma, we had looked at the
possibility Helaman was not Alma’s preferred choice to give the plates. “The rest of Alma’s lecture to Helaman is a
charge to receive, safeguard, and update the sacred records in his possession
(Alma 37), so it comes a s something of a surprise when we learn after some
fourteen chapters later, after Alma’s death, that Helaman had not been his
first choice to be the next keeper of the records … [Helaman] seems to have
failed in his most important responsibility as record keeper—to ensure the
smooth transmission of the plates in his possession … Helaman dies before he
makes the traditional and proper arrangements (presumably because he still had
more work to do): ‘And Helaman died in the thirty and fifth year of the reign
of the judges over the people of Nephi.
And it came to pass in the commencement of the thirty and sixth year …
that Shiblon took possession of those sacred things which has been delivered
unto Helaman by Alma’ (Alma 62:52-63:1).”[4]
Nephihah’s son, Pahoran, took over the judgement seat. He took an oath to “judge righteously, and
keep the peace and the freedom of the people, and to grant unto them their
sacred privileges to worship the Lord their God, yea, to support and maintain
the cause of God all his days, and to bring the wicked to justice according to
their crime” (Alma 50:39).
[1] Revisiting
“A Key for Evaluating Book of Mormon Geographies,” John E. Clark, Mormon
Studies Review 23/1 (2011): 19.
[2] “And
they were lost in the wilderness for the space of many days, yet they were
diligent, and found not the land of Zarahemla but returned to this land, having
traveled in a land among many waters, having discovered a land which was
covered with bones of men, and of beasts, and was also covered with ruins of
buildings of every kind, having discovered a land which had been peopled with a
people who were as numerous as the hosts of Israel” (Mosiah 8:8).
[3] The
Sword of Laban as a Symbol of Divine Authority and Kingship, Brett L.
Holbrook, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 2/1 (1993): 58.
[4] Understanding the Book of Mormon, Grant
Hardy, Kindle Edition, Location 3169 to 3212.
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