Alma 28:1-14

We’ve previously looked at Alma 17-27 previously.  I want to pick up with Alma 28.

Chapter 28

The Lamanites are defeated in a tremendous battle—Tens of thousands are slain—The wicked are consigned to a state of endless woe; the righteous attain a never–ending happiness. About 77–76 B.C.

1  AND now it came to pass that after the people of Ammon were established in the land of Jershon, and a church also established in the land of Jershon, and the armies of the Nephites were set round about the land of Jershon, yea, in all the borders round about the land of Zarahemla; behold the armies of the Lamanites had followed their brethren into the wilderness.

2  And thus there was a tremendous battle; yea, even such an one as never had been known among all the people in the land from the time Lehi left Jerusalem; yea, and tens of thousands of the Lamanites were slain and scattered abroad.

3  Yea, and also there was a tremendous slaughter among the people of Nephi; nevertheless, the Lamanites were driven and scattered, and the people of Nephi returned again to their land.

4  And now this was a time that there was a great mourning and lamentation heard throughout all the land, among all the people of Nephi—

5  Yea, the cry of widows mourning for their husbands, and also of fathers mourning for their sons, and the daughter for the brother, yea, the brother for the father; and thus the cry of mourning was heard among all of them, mourning for their kindred who had been slain.

6  And now surely this was a sorrowful day; yea, a time of solemnity, and a time of much fasting and prayer.

7  And thus endeth the fifteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi;

Alma 28:1-7 (Emphasis mine)

A quick note.  Chapter 18 ended around 77 B.C.  This chapter picks up where Chapter 18 ends and with the settlement of the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi (hereafter referred to as Ammonites) in Jershon.

As the Ammonites settled in Jershon, the Nephites deployed the armies around the land to protect them.  This was a good thing because Lamanite armies had followed them. 

This led to a mighty battle.  Mormon informs us that this was the worst battle seen among the people in the land since Lehi had left Jerusalem.  This battle caused much death and suffering among both people.

The Nephites turned to the Lord for comfort.  It was a time of fasting and prayer in their time of tremendous suffering.

What does Mormon mean by discussing the deaths and “tens of thousands of Lamanites … slain and scattered…?” (verse 3)  A. Brent Merrill explains:

“The text does not specify how many soldiers took part in these battles and what the actual number of casualties were for each side. This is because the reference to ‘thousands’ and ‘tens of thousands’ being cut off is an imprecise indicator (compare to Alma 28:2; note the reference to ‘slain and scattered’). For example, it is unclear whether this refers to actual casualties, or whether it just indicates that units of ‘thousands’ and ‘tens of thousands’ were defeated. What is clear is that Nephite wars were gradually becoming larger and more destructive than those of the preceding six centuries.” [1] (Emphasis mine)

8  And this is the account of Ammon and his brethren, their journeyings in the land of Nephi, their sufferings in the land, their sorrows, and their afflictions, and their incomprehensible joy, and the reception and safety of the brethren in the land of Jershon.  And now may the Lord, the Redeemer of all men, bless their souls forever.

9  And this is the account of the wars and contentions among the Nephites, and also the wars between the Nephites and the Lamanites; and the fifteenth year [76 B.C.]  of the reign of the judges is ended.

10  And from the first year to the fifteenth has brought to pass the destruction of many thousand lives; yea, it has brought to pass an awful scene of bloodshed.

11  And the bodies of many thousands are laid low in the earth, while the bodies of many thousands are moldering in heaps upon the face of the earth; yea, and many thousands are mourning for the loss of their kindred, because they have reason to fear, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are consigned to a state of endless wo.

12  While many thousands of others truly mourn for the loss of their kindred, yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and even know, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are raised to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never–ending happiness.

Alma 28:8-12 (Emphasis mine)

We get a brief summary about what had been happening.  We learn about Ammon and his brethren, their sufferings and successes.  We learn about the wars that caused so much death and suffering.  We also learn that, while there is sorrow because of the deaths, there was joy knowing the promises of the Lord and that they are in a state of never-ending happiness.

Who wrote this summary?  John Tvedtnes believes Alma(2) wrote these words.

“These statements, in present rather than past tense, imply that the writer was Alma, not Mormon. Further evidence of contemporaneity is found in the wording of Alma 28:9, where we read ‘and the fifteenth year of the reign of the judges is ended,’  rather than simply ‘ended,’ as Mormon would write, and Alma 28:10, where it reads ‘has brought to pass,’ rather than ‘had.’ “ [2] (Emphasis mine)

As the chapter ends, Mormon shares his observations.

13  And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of men.

14  And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing—sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life.

Alma 28:13-14 (Emphasis mine)

Mormon’s final observations remind us that, because of the cunning plans of the devil, we suffer great inequality because of sin and transgression.

On the other hand, Mormon tells us that while we have sorrow because of death and destruction, we also have “joy because of the light of Christ unto life.”

A final observation about the light of Christ.

“Thus, if we have the light of Christ then we know the power of God. We experience it even if we do not have [an intellectual] understanding of it. Implicit in our experience of life in the world is the knowledge that God has the power to do good and to persuade us to do good … To know he is the omnipotent ruler is to know we need not fear that Satan will win the confrontation between good and evil, for our Father has the eternal power to bring about good.” [3] (Emphasis mine)

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[1] Nephite Captains and Armies, A. Brent Merrill, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 12, 2011.

[2] The Voice of an Angel, John A. Tvedtnes, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 12, 2011.

[3] Romans 1: Notes and Reflections, Verses 18-23, Maxwell Institute, accessed November 12, 2011.

Alma 25:1-9

Chapter 25

Lamanite aggressions spread—The seed of the priests of Noah perish as Abinadi prophesied—Many Lamanites are converted and join the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi—They believe in Christ and keep the law of Moses. About 90–77 B.C.

1  AND behold, now it came to pass that those Lamanites were more angry because they had slain their brethren; therefore they swore vengeance upon the Nephites; and they did no more attempt to slay the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi at that time.

2  But they took their armies and went over into the borders of the land of Zarahemla, and fell upon the people who were in the land of Ammonihah and destroyed them.

3  And after that, they had many battles with the Nephites, in the which they were driven and slain.

Alma 25:1-3 (Emphasis mine)

Lamanite anger is now directed towards the Nephites.  The land of Ammonihah was attacked and the people were killed.  Battles continued with the Nephites. 

4  And among the Lamanites who were slain were almost all the seed of Amulon and his brethren, who were the priests of Noah, and they were slain by the hands of the Nephites;

5  And the remainder, having fled into the east wilderness, and having usurped the power and authority over the Lamanites, caused that many of the Lamanites should perish by fire because of their belief—

6  For many of them, after having suffered much loss and so many afflictions, began to be stirred up in remembrance of the words which Aaron and his brethren had preached to them in their land; therefore they began to disbelieve the traditions of their fathers, and to believe in the Lord, and that he gave great power unto the Nephites; and thus there were many of them converted in the wilderness.

7  And it came to pass that those rulers who were the remnant of the children of Amulon caused that they should be put to death, yea, all those that believed in these things.

8  Now this martyrdom caused that many of their brethren should be stirred up to anger; and there began to be contention in the wilderness; and the Lamanites began to hunt the seed of Amulon and his brethren and began to slay them; and they fled into the east wilderness.

9  And behold they are hunted at this day by the Lamanites.  Thus the words of Abinadi were brought to pass, which he said concerning the seed of the priests who caused that he should suffer death by fire.

Alma 25:4-9 (Emphasis mine)

Once again we see the wicked priests of Noah making an appearance.  They had been responsible for inciting the Lamanites to attack the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. 

The Lamanites are angered and attack them and almost destroy their seed.  A few did escape.  They promptly began to execute, by fire, some Anti-Nephi-Lehies.  As with the previous attack, while some righteous died for their beliefs (remember, Mormon tells us they returned to God). 

Finally, the Lamanites had it.  They began to hunt and kill them.  Mormon tells us that a few did escape.  They were still being hunted by the Lamanites in Mormon’s day, almost half a millennium later.

Hugh Nibley writes:

“After Amulon took a beating he moved into Lamanite country and oppressed the Lamanite nonresisters who had been converted by this general pacifistic trend … The Lamanites in general reacted against the arrogant Amulonites because of the way they had treated the non-resistant, gentle Lamanites. The other Lamanites got mad at the Amulonites and lit into them. So we find a perennial feud going on here, a terrible mess.  Verse 8: ‘Now this martyrdom caused that many of their brethren should be stirred up to anger; and there began to be contention in the wilderness; and the Lamanites began to hunt the seed of Amulon and his brethren [who had done so much mischief to their more faithful brethren] and began to slay them. . . . And behold they are hunted at this day by the Lamanites.’ So it was going on at the time this was written.” [1]   (Emphasis mine)

Todd Compton wrote:

“The wicked priests of King Noah intermarry with Lamanite women (Mosiah 20), and their leader, Amulon, becomes a satellite ‘king’ under a chief Lamanite king (Mosiah 23:39). These wicked priests become teachers among the Lamanites (Mosiah 24:1, 4). After the missionary successes of the sons of Mosiah, it is the Amulonites and the Amalekites (apparently other evil Nephites who lived among the Lamanites) who stir up the unconverted Lamanites to war against their converted brethren, and then against the Nephites (Alma 25:2).”  The Lamanites eventually see that they are being manipulated and hunt down the Amulonites and kill them (Alma 25:8–9). [2]  (Emphasis mine)

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[1] Lecture 53: Alma 23-27, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed September 28, 2011.

[2] The Spirituality of the Outcast in the Book of Mormon, Todd M. Compton, Maxwell Institute, accessed September 28, 2011.

Alma 17:10-17

10  And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his Spirit, and said unto them: Be comforted.  And they were comforted.

11  And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.

12  And it came to pass that the hearts of the sons of Mosiah, and also those who were with them, took courage to go forth unto the Lamanites to declare unto them the word of God.

Alma 17:10-12 (Emphasis mine)

The group prayed to the Lord and received an answer.  I can’t help but think it wasn’t quite what they hoped.

They were told that they had to be “…patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me…” (verse 11).  In answer to their prayer, they were told there would be “afflictions” as they went forward.  Even so, they were to be patient during these times so they would be good examples.  Through the examples they set, they would be “… instrument[s] … my hands unto the salvation of many souls.”  (verse 11).

Successful preaching could have the added benefit of fewer wars. (see previous post), Let us further explore the writings of John Tvedtnes.

“The Book of Mormon stresses that they were going to ‘a people who delighted in murdering the Nephites, and robbing and plundering them’ (Alma 17:14). Many long years of war had taken their toll on the Nephites. Taking young men away from agricultural and other pursuits for military service undoubtedly had an adverse effect on the economy, in addition to the loss of life. If the sons of Mosiah could somehow change the hatred of the Lamanites for the Nephites to an acceptance of the Nephites as brothers in the gospel, this would certainly improve the lot of both peoples.”

The Sons of Mosiah: Emissaries of Peace, John A. Tvedtnes, Maxwell Institute, accessed September 1, 2011

3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Romans 5:3-4 (Emphasis mine)

4  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

2 Corinthians 6:4 (Emphasis mine)

22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23 (Emphasis mine)

2  We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

3  Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (Emphasis mine)

24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

2 Timothy 2:24 (Emphasis mine)

2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

2 Timothy 4:2 (Emphasis mine)

2  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

James 1:2-4 (Emphasis mine)

19  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20  For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

James 1:19-20 (Emphasis mine)

Even knowing there would be afflictions and suffering, they moved forward.  They went forth with courage and faith, ready to preach the word to the Lamanites. 

13  And it came to pass when they had arrived in the borders of the land of the Lamanites, that they separated themselves and departed one from another, trusting in the Lord that they should meet again at the close of their harvest; for they supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken.

Alma 17:13 (Emphasis mine)

The point-of-no-return had been reached.  There were ready to enter into the land of the Lamanites.  At this time, the group separated and went their own way, being guided by the Spirit (see verse 10).

37  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

38  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Matthew 9:37-38 (Emphasis mine)

14  And assuredly it was great, for they had undertaken to preach the word of God to a wild and a hardened and a ferocious people; a people who delighted in murdering the Nephites, and robbing and plundering them; and their hearts were set upon riches, or upon gold and silver, and precious stones; yet they sought to obtain these things by murdering and plundering, that they might not labor for them with their own hands.

15  Thus they were a very indolent people, many of whom did worship idols, and the curse of God had fallen upon them because of the traditions of their fathers; notwithstanding the promises of the Lord were extended unto them on the conditions of repentance.

16  Therefore, this was the cause for which the sons of Mosiah had undertaken the work, that perhaps they might bring them unto repentance; that perhaps they might bring them to know of the plan of redemption.

17  Therefore they separated themselves one from another, and went forth among them, every man alone, according to the word and power of God which was given unto him.

Alma 17:14-17 (Emphasis mine)

These verses seem to break the narrative.  We have the account that they each went their way (verse 13).  Then we read a description of the Lamanites, portraying them in a very poor light (verses 14-15).  The next two verses repeat what we have already been told.  These verses are most likely “editorial comments” by Mormon. 

While the Nephites tended to have this negative image of the Lamanites as a ferocious people, from the Lamanite perspective, they believed they were justified for their wars and hatred of the Nephites.  The problems go back the hatred of Laman and Lemuel for Nephi.

“The Nephite record gives a further explanation for those wars, in words directly quoted from Lamanite documents. In 63 B.C., Ammoron the Lamanite king wrote to Moroni about a prisoner exchange and explained why they fought: ‘For behold, your fathers did wrong their brethren, insomuch that they did rob them of their right to the government when it rightly belonged unto them’ (Alma 54:17). The war would stop, Ammoron said to Moroni, if you ‘lay down your arms, and subject yourselves to be governed by those to whom the government doth rightly belong’ (Alma 54:18). Ammoron referred, of course, to Laman's complaint that Nephi ‘thinks to rule over us,’ when Laman himself claimed the right of rulership.

“…the Lamanite response followed the line of the ancient story. How were the Nephites to be stopped from their habitual robbery of their brethren? Bind them, smite them, kill them. The father of Lamoni turned on Ammon with a sword, and that was always the way. Nephi said his brothers' hearts were like flint, and the most common Nephite characterization of the Lamanites described them as ferocious. They were a ‘wild and a hardened and a ferocious people; a people who delighted in murdering the Nephites, and robbing and plundering them’ (Alma 17:14). It was nearly impossible for many of the Nephites to see anything gentle or loving in Lamanite life, because the boundary between the two peoples was defined by the founding saga as one of perpetual war.”  (Emphasis mine)

The Lamanite View of Book of Mormon History, Richard L. Bushman, Maxwell Institute, accessed September 1, 2011

The next post will begin to deal with the missionary activities of Ammon.