Helaman 1-14-34

The Lamanites had been preparing for war and it came. A huge army came to attack the Nephites at Zarahemla. Here again, we see a Nephite dissenter who is responsible for the Lamanites going to war. “[T]he Nephites did not consider the Lamanites to be peaceful neighbors, and these unrighteous Lamanites did send armies from time to time to attack the Nephites, but there is no mistaking that the record emphasizes that the majority of the time, it was the Nephite dissenters who were the true ‘hard hearts’ who continually stirred up, recruited, and inspired the reluctant Lamanites to go into battle.”^[1]

The Lamanite army was led by a man named Coriantumr. “Hugh Nibley has argued for some kind of interaction and influence between the Jaredite and Lehite groups because of the continuance of such Jaredite names as Korihor (see Alma 30; Ether 7:3) and Coriantumr (see Helaman 1:15) in Nephite times.”^[2]

The Lamanite king was a son of Ammoron. He believed Coriantumr was the right choice to lead the army. He admired his strength and “wisdom.” He was confident he could defeat the Lamanites.

Because of the problems within Nephite society, they were not able to keep an adequate guard to protect the land of Zarahemla. They were confident the Lamanites would not attack the city of Zarahemla.

Coriantumr led the march against the Nephites. The army came upon the Nephites so quickly, they were not able to increase the troops guarding the city. The Lamanites were able to defeat all those who were protecting the land. They easily took possession of Zarahemla.

The chief judge, Pacumeni, attempted to flee Zarahemla. Coriantumr caught with him and killed him. The Nephites who survived were put in prison. He was confident to the point he was going to continue throughout the land.

Having taken the city, Coriantumr marched his army towards the city of Bountiful. He wanted to take control of the northern parts of the land. He assumed the Nephites were strongest in the center of the land. He wanted to move forward, preventing the Nephites from strengthening the armies.

General Moronihah, son of the great General Moroni, believed they would attack the cities near the borders. Moronihah had strengthened these armies.

The Lamanites did not fear the Nephite army. They arrived in the center of the land, leaving death and slaughter along the way. Many cities were taken.

Learning of the Lamanite slaughter, Moronihah ordered Lehi’s army to meet the invading army head-on. Lehi was successful in preventing them from coming into the land of Bountiful. The Lamanites were forced to retreat back towards Zarahemla.

Moronihah met the army as they retreated. A bloody battle ensued. Many were slain, including Coriantumr. There was no placed for the Lamanites to retreat as they were surrounded by Nephite armies.

Moronihah retook Zarahemla. He released Lamanite prisoners and they left the land in peace, having been thoroughly defeated.

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[1] Alma’s Enemies – The Case of the Lamanites, Amlicites, and Mysterious Amalekites, J. Christopher Conkling, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, Volume 14, Number 1, 2005: 116.

[2] A Few Thoughts from a Believing DNA Scientist, John M. Butler, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 12/1 (2003): 37.