Alma 60:1-23

Chapter 60

Moroni complains to Pahoran of the government's neglect of the armies—The Lord suffers the righteous to be slain—The Nephites must use all of their power and means to deliver themselves from their enemies—Moroni threatens to fight against the government unless help is supplied to his armies. About 62 B.C.

In Chapter 60, we see the rash side of General Moroni. He writes a very blunt and direct epistle to the chief judge Pahoran.

He begins by condemning the chief judge and government. It is their responsibility to provide proper weapons of war to the armies. They are needed to battle the Lamanites.

He reminded them his army as well as Helaman’s army, have suffered by this neglect. They do not have proper provisions. If this was all they had suffer, he would not have complained; however, the government ignores the fact thousands have died in battle who might have lived had they provided adequate weapons and provisions. “Murmuring seems to come so naturally to the natural man. It crosses the scriptural spectrum of recorded complaints. We need bread. We need water. The needed military reinforcements did not arrive.”[1]

Murmuring seems to come so naturally to the natural man. It crosses the scriptural spectrum of recorded complaints. We need bread. We need water. (See Num. 21:5.) The needed military reinforcements did not arrive. (See Alma 60.)

 And now behold, we desire to know the cause of this exceedingly great neglect; yea, we desire to know the cause of your thoughtless state.

What possible reason, Moroni asks, could they have for neglecting the troops. They sit on their thrones, apathetic to the death around them. These men had looked to them for protection.

They have looked to them for protection. Additional armies could have been sent and saved many of those who died. They have withheld provisions. They died because they were concerned for the welfare of our people; yet, they are about to die from hunger because of their neglect

Moroni addresses those reading his epistle as “my beloved brethren” (Alma 60:10). Then he throws in a taunt, “for ye ought to be beloved.” He tells them they should have been more concerned for the welfare of the people, but they have neglected them. The blood of thousands will “come upon your heads for vengeance; yea, for known unto God[2] were all their cries, and all their sufferings” (Alma 60:10).

Moroni accused them of believing they could sit on their thrones because of the goodness of God, and they could get away with doing nothing and be delivered. If they do, they believe this in vain.

Do they believe those who have died because of their wickedness? They are wrong. Their deaths are to their condemnation. The Lord allows the righteous to die so his judgement can come down upon the wicked. They shouldn’t believe they are lost, but they have entered into the presence of the Lord.

Some challenges result from the agency of others. Agency is essential for individual spiritual growth and development. Evil conduct is an element of agency. Captain Moroni explained this very important doctrine: “The Lord suffereth the righteous to be slain that his justice and judgment may come upon the wicked.” He made it clear that the righteous are not lost but “enter into the rest of the Lord their God.” The wicked will be held accountable for the atrocities they perpetrate.[3]

God’s judgements will come upon the people because of the government’s laziness and neglect of those who have died.

Had it not been for the civil war caused by the king-men, we would have been able to unite our strength. Had the king-men not desired power and authority, and had worked for our freedom, we would have taken up our swords against our enemies rather than each other. We should be dispersed the Lamanites, the Lord fulfilling His word.

Instead, the Lamanites are taking possession of our lands. They are murdering our people. They take our women and children as prisoners, causing them to suffer. All this came about because of the king-men.

Why does he worry about this matter? For all we know, you are seeking authority. For all we know, you are traitors to their country.

Have they been neglected because they are surrounded by security? Is this why no food is being sent to our people?

Have they forgotten the Lord’s commandments? Have you ignored the captivity of our fathers? Have you forgotten how often we have been delivered out of the hands of our enemies? Do you suppose the Lord will deliver our people if you sit on your thrones?

The government sits idly; the people sit idly while thousands are dying, wounded, and bleed. God will not hold them guiltless. Remember, “God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also” (Alma 60:23).[4]

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[1] “Murmur Not,” Elder Neal A. Maxwell, October 1989 General Conference

[2] “Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them” (Exodus 3:9).

[3] The Songs They Could Not Sing, Elder Quentin L. Cook, October 2011 General Conference.

[4] “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion [GR greediness] and excess [lack of self-control]. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also” (Matthew 23:25-26).