Helaman 4:4-13

⁴ But it came to pass in the fifty and sixth year of the reign of the judges, there were dissenters who went up from the Nephites unto the Lamanites; and they succeeded with those others in stirring them up to anger against the Nephites; and they were all that year preparing for war. ⁵ And in the fifty and seventh year [35 B.C.] they did come down against the Nephites to battle, and they did commence the work of death; yea, insomuch that in the fifty and eighth year of the reign of the judges they succeeded in obtaining possession of the land of Zarahemla; yea, and also all the lands, even unto the land which was near the land Bountiful. ⁶ And the Nephites and the armies of Moronihah were driven even into the land of Bountiful;

⁷ And there they did fortify against the Lamanites, from the west sea, even unto the east; it being a day's journey for a Nephite, on the line which they had fortified and stationed their armies to defend their north country. ⁸ And thus those dissenters of the Nephites, with the help of a numerous army of the Lamanites, had obtained all the possession of the Nephites which was in the land southward.  And all this was done in the fifty and eighth and ninth years of the reign of the judges.

Helaman 4:4 – 8 (Emphasis mine)

As contention increased in the church and Nephite society, more dissenters left and went to the Lamanites.  They were eventually able to convince the Lamanites to go to war.  Lynn Wardle discusses the effect of dissension on Nephite history.

“Frequently, the Book of Mormon notes that dissension directly led to war. Often it was the dissenters from the Nephites who ‘stirred up to anger’ the Lamanites against the Nephites and caused them to ‘[commence] a war with their brethren.’ (Helaman 4:4; 11:24; see also Alma 46–47). The Gadianton robbers existed because of, and their success depended upon, ‘dissenters that went forth unto them’ (Helaman 11:25; 3 Nephi 2:18; 7:12). It is no wonder that Mormon declared that contention among the Nephites was ‘a cause of all their destruction’ during the great series of wars described in Alma (Alma 51:16).”[1]  (Emphasis mine)

War also caused significant disruption to the Nephite economy.  “Ancient economies were heavily beset by the ravages of war. Most ancient cities lived in constant fear of being overrun by invading armies or harassed by robber bands. Zarahemla was no exception: at one point, the city was easily conquered in a single invasion (see Helaman 4:5). Fighting for one’s very existence in sustained campaigns placed heavy strains on these already fragile economies. Besides costing time away from planting and harvesting crops, wars claimed the lives of scarce workers and leaders.”[2]

The war began and lasted two years.  The Nephites were defeated.  They lost the land of Zarahemla.  They lost “and also all the lands, even unto the land which was near the land Bountiful” (v. 5).  The people along, with the army under Moronihah, were forced to flee to the land of Bountiful.  Moronihah regrouped and began to fortify the land against the Lamanites.   

When the battle ended, the Lamanites controlled all of the Nephite land which was in the land southward.

⁹ And it came to pass in the sixtieth year of the reign of the judges, Moronihah did succeed with his armies in obtaining many parts of the land; yea, they regained many cities which had fallen into the hands of the Lamanites. ¹⁰ And it came to pass in the sixty and first year of the reign of the judges [31 B.C.] they succeeded in regaining even the half of all their possessions.

¹¹ Now this great loss of the Nephites, and the great slaughter which was among them, would not have happened had it not been for their wickedness and their abomination which was among them; yea, and it was among those also who professed to belong to the church of God. ¹² And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites—¹³ And because of this their great wickedness, and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites, until they had lost possession of almost all their lands.

Helaman 4:9 – 13 (Emphasis mine)

Why was there war?  Mormon tells us the answer.   “[T]he great slaughter which was among them, would not have happened had it not been for their wickedness and their abomination which was among them” (v.11).  The Lord had made promises to the Nephites.  A promise made to Joseph Smith would equally apply to the Nephites.  “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise” (D&C 82:10). 

What could overthrow the Lord’s church?  The angel who appeared to Alma₂ told him, “the Lord hath said: This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people” (Mosiah 27:13). 

The people who claimed to be members of the church were rich.  Paul, writing to Timothy, told him, “[c]harge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).  The people were proud.  Obadiah wrote, “[t]he pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?  Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD” (Obadiah 1:3-14). 

One the greatest sins they committed was “their oppression to the poor” (v. 12).  The Lord has commanded us it is our responsibility to provide for the poor.  King Benjamin said, “whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God” (Mosiah 4:18). 

Solomon tells us that, “[w]hoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished” (Proverbs 17:5); “[w]hoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard” (Proverbs 21:13). 

Why is taking care of the poor so important?  James wrote, “[h]earken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him” (James 2:5). 

Other sins included:  “making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites” (v. 12).

This destruction came upon the Nephites because of their wickedness.  They turned away from the Lord.  The committed sinned.  Pride spread throughout not only society but also the church.  They were ripe for destruction.  It came and they had no one else to blame but themselves.

---

[1] Dissent: Perspectives from the Book of Mormon, Lynn D. Wardle, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed June 21, 2012.

[2] Rollercoaster Economics, The FARMS Updates of the 1990s by Melvin J. Thorne, and John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed June 21, 2012.

Alma 3:20-27

²⁰ Now it came to pass that not many days after the battle which was fought in the land of Zarahemla, by the Lamanites and the Amlicites, that there was another army of the Lamanites came in upon the people of Nephi, in the same place where the first army met the Amlicites. ²¹ And it came to pass that there was an army sent to drive them out of their land.

²² Now Alma himself being afflicted with a wound did not go up to battle at this time against the Lamanites; ²³ But he sent up a numerous army against them; and they went up and slew many of the Lamanites, and drove the remainder of them out of the borders of their land.

Alma 3:20-23 (Emphasis mine)

The main Amlicite/Lamanite army was defeated.  Amlici is dead.  But then, “not many days after the which was fought in the land of Zarahemla, another Lamanite army comes forward to battle the Nephites.”  They arrived at the same place as the first army.  The war was again located “in the land of Minon, above the land of Zarahemla, in the course of the land of Nephi” (Alma 2:24). 

Alma(2) was not able to lead the army this time.  Mormon tells us he was “afflicted with a wound” in his battle with Amlici.  While we don’t know anything about the wound he received, it was serious enough to keep him from leading the army.  Another was sent to lead the army in his place.  The battle was fought and many Lamanites died.  The remainder were drive from the land of Zarahemla.

²⁴ And then they returned again and began to establish peace in the land, being troubled no more for a time with their enemies.  ²⁵ Now all these things were done, yea, all these wars and contentions were commenced and ended in the fifth year of the reign of the judges [about 87 B.C.].

²⁶ And in one year were thousands and tens of thousands of souls sent to the eternal world, that they might reap their rewards according to their works, whether they were good or whether they were bad, to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery, according to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a good spirit or a bad one. ²⁷ For every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth to obey, and this according to the words of the spirit of prophecy; therefore let it be according to the truth.  And thus endeth the fifth year of the reign of the judges.

Alma 3:24-27 (Emphasis mine)

The wars have ended.  There was peace throughout the land. 

Mormon then summarizes the loss of life.  “In one year, there were thousands and tens of thousands of souls sent to the eternal world.”  This was a major loss of life.  The warrior prophet then explains that they would “reap their rewards according to their works.”  If they were good, they reaped eternal happiness.  If evil, they reaped eternal misery.  “Every man receiveth wages of who he listeth to obey.” 

These words echo King Benjamin.  He told the people to “beware lest there shall arise contentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil spirit … For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth to obey that spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own soul; for he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of God contrary to his own knowledge” (Mosiah 2:32-33).

Alma(2) would echo these words when he preached to the people of Zarahemla.  “[I]f a man bringeth forth good works he hearkeneth unto the voice of the good shepherd, and he doth follow him; but whosoever bringeth forth evil works, the same becometh a child of the devil, for he hearkeneth unto his voice, and doth follow him.  And whosoever doeth this must receive his wages of him; therefore, for his wages he receiveth death, as to things pertaining unto righteousness, being dead unto all good works” (Alma 51-42).  Again, we hear and echo of the words of King Benjamin.

When Samuel the Lamanite preached to the Nephites, he said, “that whosoever will not believe, a righteous judgment might come upon them; and also if they are condemned they bring upon themselves their own condemnation. And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free.  He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you (Helaman 14:29-31).

Whatever judgment comes upon us, it will be “a righteous judgment.”  The judgment is righteous because “God hath given [us] a knowledge and he hath made [us] free.”  We are allowed to make our own choices.  The judgment we receive will be based on those choices.  What can be fairer than that?

Barbara Cramer observes:

“Alma 3 contains a forceful indictment of the Amlicites, who had willfully chosen to mark themselves ‘with red in their foreheads after the manner of the Lamanites’ (v. 4). Benjamin's words from Mosiah 2 are echoed in Alma 3:18: ‘Now the Amlicites . . . had come out in open rebellion against God; therefore it was expedient that the curse [of God] should fall upon them’ (emphasis in original). Later, in a reflective commentary on the tens of thousands who had died in recent battles between the Nephites and their Lamanite and Amlicite enemies, we read that the dead will ‘reap eternal happiness or eternal misery, according to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a good spirit or a bad one. For every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth to obey’ (emphasis in original) (Alma 3:26—27). Benjamin had also spoken of wages in Mosiah 2:33: ‘for he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of God contrary to his own knowledge.’ These two passages teach that one can list to do right or wrong only with sufficient knowledge to make an informed choice.” [1] (Unless noted, emphasis mine)

---

[1] Which Path Do We List?, Barbara Cramer, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed February 27, 2012.

Alma 43:34-44

34 And it came to pass that the Lamanites came up on the north of the hill, where a part of the army of Moroni was concealed.

35  And as the Lamanites had passed the hill Riplah, and came into the valley, and began to cross the river Sidon, the army which was concealed on the south of the hill, which was led by a man whose name was Lehi, and he led his army forth and encircled the Lamanites about on the east in their rear.

36  And it came to pass that the Lamanites, when they saw the Nephites coming upon them in their rear, turned them about and began to contend with the army of Lehi.

Alma 43:34-36 (Emphasis mine)

The Lamanites continued their march to Manti.  Their chose path took the past a part of the Nephite army.  This group was commanded by Lehi(2).  He had his army surround the Lamanites from the rear. 

The Lamanites saw then Nephite army coming towards them from their rear.  They turned around and the battle began.

37  And the work of death commenced on both sides, but it was more dreadful on the part of the Lamanites, for their nakedness was exposed to the heavy blows of the Nephites with their swords and their cimeters, which brought death almost at every stroke.

38  While on the other hand, there was now and then a man fell among the Nephites, by their swords and the loss of blood, they being shielded from the more vital parts of the body, or the more vital parts of the body being shielded from the strokes of the Lamanites, by their breastplates, and their armshields, and their head–plates; and thus the Nephites did carry on the work of death among the Lamanites.

39  And it came to pass that the Lamanites became frightened, because of the great destruction among them, even until they began to flee towards the river Sidon.

40  And they were pursued by Lehi and his men; and they were driven by Lehi into the waters of Sidon, and they crossed the waters of Sidon.  And Lehi retained his armies upon the bank of the river Sidon that they should not cross.

Alma 43:37-40 (Emphasis mine)

It was a bloody battle.  Mormon describes it as “the work of death.”  Not surprisingly, the Lamanites suffered the most casualties.  They had nothing to protect them from the blows of the Nephites swords and cimeters. 

The Nephite armor protected the soldiers in the Nephite army.  There were casualties, but far fewer than those suffered by the Lamanites. 

Seeing that things were not going well (they were losing), they retreated and feel back at the river Sidon.  Lehi(2)’s army drove them beyond the river Sidon.  He kept his armies there to prevent the Lamanites from returning.

41  And it came to pass that Moroni and his army met the Lamanites in the valley, on the other side of the river Sidon, and began to fall upon them and to slay them.

42  And the Lamanites did flee again before them, towards the land of Manti; and they were met again by the armies of Moroni.

43  Now in this case the Lamanites did fight exceedingly; yea, never had the Lamanites been known to fight with such exceedingly great strength and courage, no, not even from the beginning.

44  And they were inspired by the Zoramites and the Amalekites, who were their chief captains and leaders, and by Zerahemnah, who was their chief captain, or their chief leader and commander; yea, they did fight like dragons, and many of the Nephites were slain by their hands, yea, for they did smite in two many of their head–plates, and they did pierce many of their breastplates, and they did smite off many of their arms; and thus the Lamanites did smite in their fierce anger.

Alma 43:41-44 (Emphasis mine)

Moroni(1)’s army met the Lamanites in the valley.  The Lamanites continued the battle.  It was a ferocious battle.  The Lamanites fought as they had never fought before.  Many Nephites died during the battle.

45  Nevertheless, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church.

46  And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God; for the Lord had said unto them, and also unto their fathers, that: Inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain by the hands of your enemies.

47  And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed.  Therefore for this cause were the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion.

Alma 43:45-47 (Emphasis mine)

Mormon tells us that the Nephites had the advantage.  First, they were fighting a defensive war.  They didn’t start this.  They didn’t ask for war.  The Lamanites and Nephite dissenters were responsible for this war.

Next, they were fighting for things that matter – home, family, liberty, and religion. 

The Lord had set forth rules of water.  If you’re not guilty of the first or second offense, then war is justified.  It must be a defensive war.  And it must be fought for home, family, liberty, and religion.

The Nephites had the Lord on their side.

Here are two commentaries that explain the importance of the Nephite motivation.

“Not only is a preemptive strike out of the question, but Moroni's people have to let the enemy attack at least twice before responding, to guarantee that their own action is purely defensive (see Alma 43:46). The highest compliment that Alma can pay Moroni is: ‘Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon’ (Alma 48:18), who, as we have seen, renounced all military solutions to the Lamanite problem.” [1] (Emphasis mine)

William Hamblin adds:

“The Book of Mormon implicitly condemns wars of aggression. Until their final calamity, all Nephite military objectives were strictly defensive. It was a mandatory, sacred obligation of all able-bodied Nephite men to defend their families, country, and religious freedoms (Alma 43:47; 46:12), but only as God commanded them.” [2] (Emphasis mine)

Hugh Nibley observes:

“But the Nephites had the better cause, as Mormon explains, since they were fighting strictly on the defensive. This was no pious cant, for the Nephites in this case were really not the aggressors; they had observed the rule that God had given them, that ‘inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain’ (Alma 43:46). The Lamanites, on the other hand, were fighting for monarchy and power, and made no secret of their intention of subduing and ruling (Alma 43:45).” [3]    (Emphasis mine)

---

[1] Scriptural Perspectives on How to Survive the Calamities of the Last Days, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 16, 2011.

[2] Warfare in the Book of Mormon,  William J. Hamblin, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 16, 2011.

[3] A Rigorous Test: Military History, Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 16, 2011.

Alma 43:1-8

(Note:  Alma 36-42 consist of Alma(2)’s letter to his three sons.  I have discussed them in earlier posts.  We pick up  our story where we left off.)

Chapter 43

Alma and his sons preach the word—The Zoramites and other Nephite dissenters become Lamanites—The Lamanites come against the Nephites in war—Moroni arms the Nephites with defensive armor—The Lord reveals to Alma the strategy of the Lamanites—The Nephites defend their homes, liberties, families, and religion—The armies of Moroni and Lehi surround the Lamanites. About 74 B.C.

1  AND now it came to pass that the sons of Alma did go forth among the people, to declare the word unto them.  And Alma, also, himself, could not rest, and he also went forth.

2  Now we shall say no more concerning their preaching, except that they preached the word, and the truth, according to the spirit of prophecy and revelation; and they preached after the holy order of God by which they were called.

3  And now I return to an account of the wars between the Nephites and the Lamanites, in the eighteenth year [About 74 B.C.] of the reign of the judges.

Alma 43:1-3 (Emphasis mine)

Mormon tells us that Alma(2) and his sons continued to go forth and preach to the people.  He explains that they preached according to the spirit of prophecy and revelations.

But he tells us that he will no longer write about their preaching. He is going write about wars instead of things of a spiritual nature.

Steven Olsen discusses this change.

“Although [Mormon] had known of and alluded to extensive armed conflict in his earlier abridgment of the Nephite records (e.g., Mosiah 10; 20; Alma 2; 15), to this point in his narrative he had chosen not to detail even one battle. In further contrast, Mormon had just completed a detailed account of the remarkable spiritual conversions and relatively successful ministries of Alma the Elder, Alma the Younger, and the sons of Mosiah among both the Nephites and Lamanites (see Mosiah 17—Alma 35). He had also included the verbatim account of the final spiritual counsel of Alma the Younger to his sons Helaman, Shiblon, and Corianton (see Alma 36—42).

“After focusing on patently spiritual matters for over 100 pages of text, Mormon makes an abrupt shift in his narrative. He acknowledges that Alma and his sons continued their missions but then explicitly states, ‘Now we shall say no more concerning their preaching; (Alma 43:2). This shift in focus was not required by a lack of ecclesiastical data; throughout the war narrative, Mormon intermittently refers to their ongoing ministries (e.g., Alma 45:22—23; 46:6, 38; 50:23—25; 62:44—51). Yet instead of focusing on ecclesiology, theology, conversions, and spiritual epiphanies, Mormon chooses at this point to focus his account of the next century of Nephite history almost exclusively on military conflicts between Lamanites and Nephites, fractious internal Nephite politics, social disintegration, and natural catastrophes (Alma 43—3 Nephi 9). The preaching of Samuel the Lamanite is a notable exception (Helaman 13—15).” [1] (Emphasis mine)

4  For behold, it came to pass that the Zoramites became Lamanites; therefore, in the commencement of the eighteenth year the people of the Nephites saw that the Lamanites were coming upon them; therefore they made preparations for war; yea, they gathered together their armies in the land of Jershon.

5  And it came to pass that the Lamanites came with their thousands; and they came into the land of Antionum, which is the land of the Zoramites; and a man by the name of Zerahemnah was their leader.

6  And now, as the Amalekites were of a more wicked and murderous disposition than the Lamanites were, in and of themselves, therefore, Zerahemnah appointed chief captains over the Lamanites, and they were all Amalekites and Zoramites.

7  Now this he did that he might preserve their hatred towards the Nephites, that he might bring them into subjection to the accomplishment of his designs.

8  For behold, his designs were to stir up the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites; this he did that he might usurp great power over them, and also that he might gain power over the Nephites by bringing them into bondage.

Alma 43:4-8 (Emphasis mine)

War begins.  The Zoramites affiliate with the Lamanites.  Thousands of Lamanites arrived in the land of the Zoramites.  The leader, Zerahemnah, appointed captains over the Lamanites.  All these captains were Amalekites and Zoramites.  It seems they were much more bloodthirsty than the Lamanites.  He wanted to make sure he had leaders who would be as violent as he wanted them to be.  He ultimate goal was to bring the Nephites into bondage so he could develop his own power.

Hugh Nibley observes:

“The Zoramites now severed all connection with the Nephites and considered themselves as being officially Lamanite (Alma 43:4). They invited the Lamanite hordes to move in and occupy their country as the first major move against the Nephites (Alma 43:5). At their head came the Lamanite commander-in-chief, the Amalekite Zerahemnah. The Amalekites were Nephite dissenters of an earlier day, and like most dissenters were more bitter against the Nephites and ‘of a more wicked and murderous disposition than the Lamanites were’ (Alma 43:6). Zerahemnah had seen to it that all the key commands in the army had gone to Amalekites like himself or to equally ferocious Zoramites (Alma 43:6). So we see the Nephites being punished for their own wickedness in more ways than one; in fact the Lamanites appear at times as no more than the simpleminded tools of Nephite or ex-Nephite wickedness. Certainly Zerahemnah was using them as his cat's paw, ‘or behold, his designs were to stir up the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites; this he did that he might usurp great power’ (Alma 43:8).” [2] (Emphasis mine)

---

[1] Prophecy and History: Structuring the Abridgment of the Nephite Records, Steven L. Olsen, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 12, 2011.

[2] A Rigorous Test: Military History, Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 12, 2011.

Alma 35:8-16

8  Now the people of the Zoramites were angry with the people of Ammon who were in Jershon, and the chief ruler of the Zoramites, being a very wicked man, sent over unto the people of Ammon desiring them that they should cast out of their land all those who came over from them into their land.

9  And he breathed out many threatenings against them.  And now the people of Ammon did not fear their words; therefore they did not cast them out, but they did receive all the poor of the Zoramites that came over unto them; and they did nourish them, and did clothe them, and did give unto them lands for their inheritance; and they did administer unto them according to their wants.

10  Now this did stir up the Zoramites to anger against the people of Ammon, and they began to mix with the Lamanites and to stir them up also to anger against them.

11  And thus the Zoramites and the Lamanites began to make preparations for war against the people of Ammon, and also against the Nephites.

12  And thus ended the seventeenth year [74 B.C.] of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.

Alma 35:8-12 (Emphasis mine)

Not only were the Zoramites angry that they had lost a source of income, they were upset that the Ammonites were welcoming the Zoramites cast out.  This angered the leader of the Zoramites to the point where he threatened the Ammonites if they didn’t give in to his demand.  Of course, they ignored him and continued to provide a place for the Zoramite poor and faithful.

The leader of the Zoramites then turned to the Lamanites and began to stir them up to anger against the Ammonites and Nephites.  They began to make preparations for war.

Hugh Nibley reviews the current situation.

“You have the Nephites being willing to support these renegade Zoramites who had left and joined the Ammonites. The Ammonites were renegade enough; that shocked them. The Lamanites called those Ammonites traitors, we find out a little later on. On the other hand, the Nephites were giving them support, while the Lamanites were supporting the Zoramites, who were Nephite dissenters. They had gone over from the Nephites, and the Lamanites were supporting them. Then more Zoramites break off and go back to the Nephites, and the Nephites support them. You have two factions fighting each other; Nephites support one and [Lamanites] support the other. They tear everything apart, and this leads unto into fourteen years of gory war…” [1] (Emphasis mine)

13  And the people of Ammon departed out of the land of Jershon, and came over into the land of Melek, and gave place in the land of Jershon for the armies of the Nephites, that they might contend with the armies of the Lamanites and the armies of the Zoramites; and thus commenced a war betwixt the Lamanites and the Nephites, in the eighteenth year of the reign of the judges; and an account shall be given of their wars hereafter.

14  And Alma, and Ammon, and their brethren, and also the two sons of Alma returned to the land of Zarahemla, after having been instruments in the hands of God of bringing many of the Zoramites to repentance; and as many as were brought to repentance were driven out of their land; but they have lands for their inheritance in the land of Jershon, and they have taken up arms to defend themselves, and their wives, and children, and their lands.

Alma 35:13-14 (Emphasis mine)

With war imminent, the Ammonites left Jershon and moved to Melek.  Jershon was to be a key location in the defense of the land of Zarahemla. 

Alma and his brethren had returned to Zarahemla having been successful in their missionary efforts.  The Zoramites driven out of their land affiliated with the Nephites.  This affiliation was so strong that they were willing to take up arms to defend their wives, children, and lands.

Hugh Nibley observes:

“The Ammonites, being pacifists, moved out of the war-zone, but the recent Zoramite refugees stayed on there and armed themselves for the event (Alma 35:14). The Nephites felt as insecure as the Lamanites, and with good reason: this is not going to be a war of ‘the good guys against the bad guys.’ What was worrying Alma was the decline of Nephite morality; when Nephites and Lamanites lock horns there is little to choose between them in the matter of good and bad. What grieved Alma at this time was ‘the wars, and the bloodsheds, and the contentions which were among them’—the Nephites themselves (Alma 35:15). He had visited every city in the land and found the country in a deplorable state as ‘the hearts of the people began to wax hard’(Alma 35:15) and they refused to listen to his preaching.” [2] (Emphasis mine)

15  Now Alma, being grieved for the iniquity of his people, yea for the wars, and the bloodsheds, and the contentions which were among them; and having been to declare the word, or sent to declare the word, among all the people in every city; and seeing that the hearts of the people began to wax hard, and that they began to be offended because of the strictness of the word, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.

16  Therefore, he caused that his sons should be gathered together, that he might give unto them every one his charge, separately, concerning the things pertaining unto righteousness.  And we have an account of his commandments, which he gave unto them according to his own record.

Alma 35:15-16 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) sees that the people are turning away from the church.  With the wars and contentions going on, the people became more wicked.  They were also offended by the strictness of his teachings. 

This is a problem we see today.  People don’t want to follow a stricter standard of life.  They want things to be less strict.  The cliché from the 60’s – “If it feels good, do it!” – seems to be a popular part of our society.  It becomes harder and harder to live a life following the teachings of Christ.  Things today are, in many ways, similar to what Alma(2) faced with his society.

The wicked of finding the word of God strict is a common response of the wicked throughout the Book of Mormon.  Leslie Taylor writes:

“Just as the word of God can be comforting to those who accept it, it can be discomforting—‘hard,’ ‘sharp,’ or ‘strict’—to those who reject it. This dichotomy is a prevalent theme in the Book of Mormon…

“Nephi's speech (1 Nephi 16:2) contains a reference to the Logos-tomeus metaphor in which the truth of the word of God acts as a ‘cutter’ (‘it cutteth them’) and causes pain to the guilty. Abinadi expresses the same idea when he challenges King Noah and his wicked priests: ‘I perceive that it [his message] cuts you to your hearts because I tell you the truth concerning your iniquities’ (Mosiah 13:7).

“The characterization of the word of God as ‘sharp’ also applies to the dichotomy of how the righteous and the unrighteous receive the word of God. An early example of this is recorded in Lehi's speech to Laman and Lemuel, wherein he rebukes them for their treatment of Nephi… (see 2 Nephi 1:26)

“The word of God also offends the wicked because of its strictness, as seen in Alma's reflections at the end of his mission to the Zoramites (See Alma 35:15).” [3] (Emphasis mine)

---

[1] Lecture 55: Alma 32-35, Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 11, 2011.

[2] A Rigorous Test: Military History, Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 11, 2011.

[3] The Word of God, Leslie A. Taylor,  Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 11, 2011.

Mosiah 20:1-26

 Chapter 20

Lamanite daughters are abducted by the priests of Noah—The Lamanites wage war upon Limhi and his people—They are repulsed and pacified. About 145–123 B.C.

1  NOW there was a place in Shemlon where the daughters of the Lamanites did gather themselves together to sing, and to dance, and to make themselves merry.
2  And it came to pass that there was one day a small number of them gathered together to sing and to dance.
3  And now the priests of king Noah, being ashamed to return to the city of Nephi, yea, and also fearing that the people would slay them, therefore they durst not return to their wives and their children.
4  And having tarried in the wilderness, and having discovered the daughters of the Lamanites, they laid and watched them;
5  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 20:1-5 (Emphasis mine) 

The priests took off, saving their lives.  They were afraid to go back because they knew that they would probably die for their actions.  I have to think that at least some of them had to be ashamed that the left their wife and children behind and saved their own lives instead.

One day they saw some of the "daughters of the Lamanites" out together having a good time.  They hid, and when they had the chance, they kidnapped 24 of the young women.

As we read this account, it appears that the place where the young women went was outside of a city, but not in the wilderness (see verse 5).  Verse 4 tells us that they had discovered them there, and that they watched them.  John Welch, Robert F. Smith, and Gordon C. Thomasson (click here for source) wrote about this event. "There the priests found the young women, hid themselves and watched, and sprang out of their hiding places, taking the young women into the wilderness (see Mosiah 20:2-5). The Hebrew idiom translated "lying in wait" usually connotes premeditation and planning, implying that the priests may well have known of this place and the custom for young women to be there." (Emphasis mine)

6  And it came to pass that when the Lamanites found that their daughters had been missing, they were angry with the people of Limhi, for they thought it was the people of Limhi.
7  Therefore they sent their armies forth; yea, even the king himself went before his people; and they went up to the land of Nephi to destroy the people of Limhi.
8  And now Limhi had discovered them from the tower, even all their preparations for war did he discover; therefore he gathered his people together, and laid wait for them in the fields and in the forests.
9  And it came to pass that when the Lamanites had come up, that the people of Limhi began to fall upon them from their waiting places, and began to slay them.
10  And it came to pass that the battle became exceedingly sore, for they fought like lions for their prey.
11  And it came to pass that the people of Limhi began to drive the Lamanites before them; yet they were not half so numerous as the Lamanites.  But they fought for their lives, and for their wives, and for their children; therefore they exerted themselves and like dragons did they fight.

Mosiah 20:6-11 (Emphasis mine)

 

It's not too surprising that the Lamanites would be upset over the kidnapping of 24 of their young women.  They blamed the people of Limhi for breaking the treaty they had made with them.  In a case like that, war is not an unheard of response.

 

Fortunately, Limhi was on the tower and saw the Lamanites preparing for war.  He was able to get his people prepared for war. 

 

They waited and ambushed the Lamanites as they came towards the Nephite land.  Mormon tells us that it was quite a battle because they fought for their lives and their families.  We will see this motivation (their lives and families) praised by Mormon as a reason to fight later in the Book of Mormon.

12  And it came to pass that they found the king of the Lamanites among the number of their dead; yet he was not dead, having been wounded and left upon the ground, so speedy was the flight of his people.
13  And they took him and bound up his wounds, and brought him before Limhi, and said: Behold, here is the king of the Lamanites; he having received a wound has fallen among their dead, and they have left him; and behold, we have brought him before you; and now let us slay him.
14  But Limhi said unto them: Ye shall not slay him, but bring him hither that I may see him.  And they brought him.  And Limhi said unto him: What cause have ye to come up to war against my people?  Behold, my people have not broken the oath that I made unto you; therefore, why should ye break the oath which ye made unto my people?
15  And now the king said: I have broken the oath because thy people did carry away the daughters of my people; therefore, in my anger I did cause my people to come up to war against thy people.
16  And now Limhi.  Therefore he caused a search to be made among his people.

Mosiah 20:12-16 (Emphasis mine)

The Lamanite king was seriously wounded in the battle; he appeared to have died and was left behind as the Lamanites retreated.

When it was realized that he was alive, his wounds were treated.  They informed Limhi and wanted him executed.  Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed and Limhi had him brought to him for questioning.

The Lamanite king explained why they attacked.  He believed that Limhi's people were responsible for the kidnapping.  This was the first Limhi had heard of this.  He promised the king that, if any of his people were responsible, he would find them and have them executed.

17  Now when Gideon had heard these things, he being the king's captain, he went forth and said unto the king: I pray thee forbear, and do not search this people, and lay not this thing to their charge.
18  For do ye not remember the priests of thy father, whom this people sought to destroy?  And are they not in the wilderness?  And are not they the ones who have stolen the daughters of the Lamanites?
19  And now, behold, and tell the king of these things, that he may tell his people that they may be pacified towards us; for behold they are already preparing to come against us; and behold also there are but few of us.
20  And behold, they come with their numerous hosts; and except the king doth pacify them towards us we must perish.
21  For are not the words of Abinadi fulfilled, which he prophesied against us—and all this because we would not hearken unto the words of the Lord, and turn from our iniquities?
22  And now let us pacify the king, and we fulfil the oath which we have made unto him; for it is better that we should be in bondage than that we should lose our lives; therefore, let us put a stop to the shedding of so much blood.

Mosiah 20:17-22 (Emphasis mine)

Gideon is now the King's captain.  When he heard what had happened, he went to the  King and said, "Our people wouldn't do this.  Do you remember your father's priests?  They're wandering in the wilderness.  They were most likely the ones who did this."

Then he told Limhi that the words of Abinadi had been fulfilled - "... Thus saith the Lord, it shall come to pass that this generation, because of their iniquities, shall be brought into bondage, and shall be smitten on the cheek; yea, and shall be driven by men, and shall be slain..." Mosiah 12:2

23  And now Limhi told the king all the things concerning his father, and the priests that had fled into the wilderness, and attributed the carrying away of their daughters to them.
24  And it came to pass that the king was pacified towards his people; and he said unto them: Let us go forth to meet my people, without arms; and I swear unto you with an oath that my people shall not slay thy people.
25  And it came to pass that they followed the king, and went forth without arms to meet the Lamanites.  And it came to pass that they did meet the Lamanites; and the king of the Lamanites did bow himself down before them, and did plead in behalf of the people of Limhi.
26  And when the Lamanites saw the people of Limhi, that they were without arms, they had compassion on them and were pacified towards them, and returned with their king in peace to their own land.

Mosiah 20:23-26 (Emphasis mine)

Limhi followed Gideon's  advice.  He went to the king, explained what had happened and that his people will no longer slay the Lamanites.

They went forth and the king pleaded on behalf of the people of Limhi.  When they heard their kings words, and saw that the Nephites were not armed, they had compassion towards them, and that ended the war and peach came into the land.

We see how the people were still paying for the wickedness of the people as well as King Noah and his priests.  All the problems were caused by the priests.  Abinadi's words were again fulfilled.  

Gideon is an interesting man.  Here was a man of war counseling peace.  Hugh Nibley wrote:

"Gideon is the last man you would expect to do this. But he had the experience of these things, and he knew. It's the old commander that knows. The most passionate talks I've ever heard against war in the Army have been by generals, without any exception. They know what it is, and boy do they light in! There were some wonderful ones by Omar Bradley, Max Taylor, and others. Eisenhower said some pretty strong things, too. 'Therefore, let us put a stop to the shedding of so much blood,' Gideon said, with his rush of excitement. This is the Gideon who chased the king up the tower with a sword, and all that sort of thing. He is the one who is making a plea to put an end to all this bloodshed, whatever they do." (Emphasis mine)

Lecture 38: Mosiah 20-23, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed August 4, 2011.

Both sides showed wisdom.  "Limhi explained that the priests in the wilderness were the most likely kidnappers. Notice that Limhi took the blame for his father's behavior, and the king was pacified. Everybody did the sensible thing, and Limhi was a realist ... [I]nstead of standing tall the king humiliated himself. The Lamanite king humiliated himself before his own people to plead for the enemy. Can we imagine doing such a thing today as that? Both sides were being very reasonable, and they solved their problem that way." (Emphasis mine)  (See reference above for source article)

Mosiah 18:32-35; Mosiah 19:1-12

32  But behold, it came to pass that the king, having discovered a movement among the people, sent his servants to watch them.  Therefore on the day that they were assembling themselves together to hear the word of the Lord they were discovered unto the king.
33  And now the king said that Alma was stirring up the people to rebellion against him; therefore he sent his army to destroy them.
34  And it came to pass that Alma and the people of the Lord were apprised of the coming of the king's army; therefore they took their tents and their families and departed into the wilderness.
35  And they were in number about four hundred and fifty souls.

Mosiah 18:32-35 (Emphasis mine)

Things were going well for Alma(1) and his followers.  Then, they were discovered by the King.

After everything that happened, Noah knew he had to get rid of Alma(1) and his followers.  They were converted either by Abinadi or his teachings through Alma(1).  Having felt the words of Abinadi were a major threat to him, he knew he had to get rid of these people to be secure.  His response was to send an army and have the army remove the problem.

Somehow, they were warned the King's army was coming.  As a result, they departed and went into the wilderness to escape the King. 

Chapter 19

Gideon seeks to slay King Noah—The Lamanites invade the land—King Noah suffers death by fire—Limhi rules as a tributary monarch. About 145–121 B.C.

1  AND it came to pass that the army of the king returned, having searched in vain for the people of the Lord.
2  And now behold, the forces of the king were small, having been reduced, and there began to be a division among the remainder of the people.
3  And the lesser part began to breathe out threatenings against the king, and there began to be a great contention among them.

Mosiah 19:1-3 (Emphasis mine) 

We return to the kingdom of Noah in Chapter 19.  The (small) army returned having failed to find Alma(1)'s group.  The forces of Noah were diminished.  Mormon doesn't tells us why it's smaller.  Could it have been the loss of people to Alma(1)?  I would think it didn't help Noah's situation.

After the return of the army, we are told the people are unhappy.  It's getting so bad, that Noah's status as king is being threatened.  Things are not going very well. 

4  And now there was a man among them whose name was Gideon, and he being a strong man and an enemy to the king, therefore he drew his sword, and swore in his wrath that he would slay the king.
5  And it came to pass that he fought with the king; and when the king saw that he was about to overpower him, he fled and ran and got upon the tower which was near the temple.

6  And Gideon pursued after him and was about to get upon the tower to slay the king, and the king cast his eyes round about towards the land of Shemlon, and behold, the army of the Lamanites were within the borders of the land.
7  And now the king cried out in the anguish of his soul, saying: Gideon, spare me, for the Lamanites are upon us, and they will destroy us; yea, they will destroy my people.
8  And now the king was not so much concerned about his people as he was about his own life; nevertheless, Gideon did spare his life.

Mosiah 19:4-8 (Emphasis mine) 

Things were so bad, Gideon decided the king must die.  He fights with the king, begins to win, and Noah ran to a tower to save his life.  Gideon followed and was about to kill him, when Noah saw a Lamanite army had entered the land of his kingdom.

Noah pleaded for his life and the lives of his people.  Gideon spared him.

We see exactly what type of person Noah was.  When he was sitting safely on his throne, surrounded by his court and supporters, he was a very brave man.  But, when he stood alone, Noah was a coward.  He didn't care about anything but saving himself. 

25  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Matthew 16:25-26 (Emphasis mine)

9  And the king commanded the people that they should flee before the Lamanites, and he himself did go before them, and they did flee into the wilderness, with their women and their children.
10  And it came to pass that the Lamanites did pursue them, and did overtake them, and began to slay them.
11  Now it came to pass that the king commanded them that all the men should leave their wives and their children, and flee before the Lamanites.
12  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 19:9-12 (Emphasis mine)

We read earlier that Noah didn't have much of an army (19:2). A weak army, faced with an overwhelming Lamanite army, would be of little use to protect the people.  So, Noah told his people to run, and he was gone before them.  

There were actually men who ran and left their families behind to face whatever fate awaited them.  I can't even imagine what manner of man would do this.  

Hugh Nibley talks about Noah and the type of man he was.

"Here's a comment on the character of [Noah] (sic) in verse 8. The king wasn't really interested in his people—it was his own life he wanted to save. That reflects on his character. You notice [Noah's] (sic) greatest sin was not lechery or luxury; it was his meanness. He was a mean, petty person. He had no feelings for anybody else but a great deal for himself. It's characteristic here of people with great power ... These are interesting human relationships that go on in the Book of Mormon. And then what did he do? He said the king was concerned about his own life; that was what really concerned him. He had no appetite for fighting, notice. He had lost his nerve along with most of the army. He panicked and said, we'll clear out of town. He ordered a general evacuation—a silly thing to do. It shows again that he's not really a strong character at all. He did it again when they go a little further on. He ordered his soldiers with himself to leave the women and children and hightail it to save themselves. Then when he got out with them, he fled with just a company of priests to get away from them. This is the kind of man he was, and we're going to see this all through here. Nice reflection on King Noah ... He went out with his court, and especially with his priests, his immediate accomplices. They accompanied him deeper and deeper into the woods while he left more and more of the others farther and farther behind." (Emphasis mine)

Lecture 37: Mosiah 19-20, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed July 31, 2011.

There were many who stayed with their families and ignored the king.  They were ready to face the Lamanites and whatever would happen to them.