Introduction to the Book of Alma IV

A Lamanite army attacked the Nephites. Noah ordered the people to flee the approaching army. The Lamanites pursued those fleeing the army.

As the army gained on them, Noah ordered the men to leave their families behind and flee for their own safety. “Now there were many that would not leave them, but had rather stay and perish with them. And the rest left their wives and their children and fled” (Mosiah 19:12). Noah’s priests were among those who left their families and fled to save their sorry lives.

Those staying behind “caused that their fair daughters should stand forth and plead with the Lamanites that they would not slay them. And it came to pass that the Lamanites had compassion on them, for they were charmed with the beauty of their women. Therefore the Lamanites did spare their lives, and took them captives and carried them back to the land of Nephi, and granted unto them that they might possess the land, under the conditions that they would deliver up king Noah into the hands of the Lamanites, and deliver up their property, even one half of all they possessed, one half of their gold, and their silver, and all their precious things, and thus they should pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites from year to year” (Mosiah 19:13-15).

The priests who fled remained in the wilderness. They “discovered the daughters of the Lamanites, they laid and watched them; And when there were but few of them gathered together to dance, they came forth out of their secret places and took them and carried them into the wilderness; yea, twenty and four of the daughters of the Lamanites they carried into the wilderness” (Mosiah 20:4-5). The priests of Noah had eventually made peace with the Lamanites for kidnapping their daughters and they became part of the Lamanites.

A Lamanite army eventually found Alma and his people. They were taken captive. One of Noah’s priests, Amulon, was made king over Alma and his people.

Amulon hated Alma. He ruled as a tyrant, making the slaves with no rights. He would kill those who attempted to practice their faith, including for saying prayers. Eventually they would escape and returned to Zarahemla. They were welcomed by the people.

King Mosiah authorized Alma to organize the church throughout the land. And, it is here where the story of Alma₂ begins.