Alma 49:1-9

Chapter 49

The invading Lamanites are unable to take the fortified cities of Ammonihah and Noah—Amalickiah curses God and swears to drink the blood of Moroni—Helaman and his brethren continue to strengthen the Church. About 72 B.C.

¹ AND now it came to pass in the eleventh month of the nineteenth year, on the tenth day of the month [72 B.C.], the armies of the Lamanites were seen approaching towards the land of Ammonihah. ² And behold, the city had been rebuilt, and Moroni had stationed an army by the borders of the city, and they had cast up dirt round about to shield them from the arrows and the stones of the Lamanites; for behold, they fought with stones and with arrows.  ³ Behold, I said that the city of Ammonihah had been rebuilt.  I say unto you, yea, that it was in part rebuilt; and because the Lamanites had destroyed it once because of the iniquity of the people, they supposed that it would again become an easy prey for them.

⁴ But behold, how great was their disappointment; for behold, the Nephites had dug up a ridge of earth round about them, which was so high that the Lamanites could not cast their stones and their arrows at them that they might take effect, neither could they come upon them save it was by their place of entrance.

Alma 49:1-4 (Emphasis mine)

The Lamanite armies were marching towards the city of Ammonihah in the land of Ammonihah.  Remember, the city had been destroyed earlier by the Lamanites.  “[T]he armies of the Lamanites had come in upon the wilderness side, into the borders of the land, even into the city of Ammonihah, and began to slay the people and destroy the city … before the Nephites could raise a sufficient army to drive them out of the land, they had destroyed the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, and also some around the borders of Noah, and taken others captive into the wilderness” (Alma 16:2-3).

The city had been rebuilt in the time since.  There were laws that governed a land and city that had been destroyed.  “[T]he law stated that the ruins ‘shall not be built again.’ In the case of Ammonihah: ‘the people did not go in to possess the land of Ammonihah for many years. . . . And their lands remained desolate’ (Alma 16:11). These lands were deemed untouchable for just over seven years, a ritual cleansing period (there are eight years, nine months, and five days between Alma 16:1 and Alma 49:1). Apparently, the prohibition against reinhabitation could expire or be revoked. “[1]

Moroni(1) then stationed an army and fortified the city against Lamanite attacks.  We read earlier that they fought with “only their swords and their cimeters, their bows and their arrows, their stones and their slings” (Alma 43:20).  The city had been shielded from “the arrows and the stones of the Lamanites.” 

It had been easily destroyed the first time, so that was their expectation.  “They supposed it would again become an easy prey for them.”  But the “ridge of earth … was so high that the Lamanites could not cast their stones and their arrows at them.” 

⁵ Now at this time the chief captains of the Lamanites were astonished exceedingly, because of the wisdom of the Nephites in preparing their places of security. ⁶ Now the leaders of the Lamanites had supposed, because of the greatness of their numbers, yea, they supposed that they should be privileged to come upon them as they had hitherto done; yea, and they had also prepared themselves with shields, and with breastplates; and they had also prepared themselves with garments of skins, yea, very thick garments to cover their nakedness.

⁷ And being thus prepared they supposed that they should easily overpower and subject their brethren to the yoke of bondage, or slay and massacre them according to their pleasure. ⁸ But behold, to their uttermost astonishment, they were prepared for them, in a manner which never had been known among the children of Lehi.  Now they were prepared for the Lamanites, to battle after the manner of the instructions of Moroni. ⁹ And it came to pass that the Lamanites, or the Amalickiahites, were exceedingly astonished at their manner of preparation for war.

Alma 49:5-9 (Emphasis mine)

Imagine you’re part of the Lamanite army.  You outnumber your enemy.  The last time you attacked this city, you destroyed it.  You’ve got experience leaders in the Zoramites.  You are prepared with shields and breastplates.  You are ready to go and conquer the Nephites.

Then you run into this new fortification. You are not prepared for this.

Moroni(1) knew the “intention of the Lamanites, that it was their intention to destroy their brethren, or to subject them and bring them into bondage that they might establish a kingdom unto themselves over all the land” (Alma 43:29).  This was not going to happen.

“We learn that Amalickiah appointed Zoramites as chief captains because they were ‘the most acquainted with the strength of the Nephites, and their places of resort, and the weakest parts of their cities’ (Alma 48:5). When they led the Lamanite armies against Nephite cities fortified by Moroni, they ‘were astonished exceedingly’ because of the changes (Alma 49:5). In the same account, we learn that it was the Zoramite chief captains who had introduced shields, breastplates, and armor (thick clothing) to the Lamanites. These implements had aided the Nephites during previous battles against the Lamanites (e.g., Alma 43:19-21).”[2] (Emphasis mine)

Hugh Nibley discussed the mistakes made by Amalickiah and the other military leaders.

“Turn to Alma 49:6. There's no better known maxim than that generals always plan the next war in terms of the last war. They always fight the last war because that's where their experience is … Notice this neat touch here in the verse 6: ‘. . . they supposed that they should be privileged to come upon them as they had hitherto done; yea, and they had also prepared themselves with shields, and with breastplates [they were getting ready for the other war, the war that they had hitherto been victorious in]; and they had also prepared themselves with garments of skins, yea, very thick garments to cover their nakedness.’ Notice, they had matched the Nephites' armor. All the things they had hitherto done they were doing now, but that wasn't enough because Moroni was ahead of them. Moroni was a real military genius.”[3] (Emphasis mine)

---

[1] The Destruction of Ammonihah and the Law of Apostate Cities, John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 10, 2012.

[2] Book of Mormon Tribal Affiliation and Military Castes, John A. Tvedtnes, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 10, 2012.

[3] Lecture 68: Alma 49-50, Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 10, 2012.

Alma 48:20-25

²⁰ And thus they went forth, and the people did humble themselves because of their words, insomuch that they were highly favored of the Lord, and thus they were free from wars and contentions among themselves, yea, even for the space of four years.

²¹ But, as I have said, in the latter end of the nineteenth year, yea, notwithstanding their peace amongst themselves, they were compelled reluctantly to contend with their brethren, the Lamanites. ²² Yea, and in fine, their wars never did cease for the space of many years with the Lamanites, notwithstanding their much reluctance.

Alma 48:20-22 (Emphasis mine)

The Nephites had experienced a four-year period of peace because of their righteousness.  What changed was the fact that the Lamanites were attacking the Nephites, Reluctantly, they were force to fight “their brethren, the Lamanites.” 

“This was Moroni's own attitude, and like Alma he insists on designating the enemy as his ‘brethren,’ and he means it. This, then, would seem to be a case of ‘the good people against the bad people,’ until we remember that the Lamanites were equally reluctant to fight the Nephites, our story being a lesson in ‘the great wickedness one very wicked man can cause.’"[1] (Emphasis mine)

Because of the wickedness caused by Amalickiah, the “wars never did cease for the space of many years with the Lamanites, notwithstanding their much reluctance” on both sides.

“… [Moroni’s] magnanimous nature as a lover of peace and fair play always prevailed. He always calls the enemy his brothers, with whom he is loathe to contend. You cannot ask for a less warlike spirit than that of an army who ‘were compelled reluctantly to contend with their brethren, the Lamanites,’ who waged war ‘for the space of many years, . . . notwithstanding their much reluctance’; who were ‘sorry to take up arms against the Lamanites, because they did not delight in the shedding of blood; yea . . . they were sorry to be the means of sending so many of their brethren out of this world’ (Alma 48:21–23). “[2] (Emphasis mine)

²³ Now, they were sorry to take up arms against the Lamanites, because they did not delight in the shedding of blood; yea, and this was not all—they were sorry to be the means of sending so many of their brethren out of this world into an eternal world, unprepared to meet their God.  ²⁴ Nevertheless, they could not suffer to lay down their lives, that their wives and their children should be massacred by the barbarous cruelty of those who were once their brethren, yea, and had dissented from their church, and had left them and had gone to destroy them by joining the Lamanites.  ²⁵ Yea, they could not bear that their brethren should rejoice over the blood of the Nephites, so long as there were any who should keep the commandments of God, for the promise of the Lord was, if they should keep his commandments they should prosper in the land.

Alma 48:23-25 (Emphasis mine)

There was a religious component to their sorrow.  They “were sorry to be the means of sending so many of their brethren out of this world into an eternal world, unprepared to meet their God.”

In spite of this sorrow, they would not allow their families to “be massacred by the barbarous cruelty of those who were once their brethren, yea and had dissented from the church.”  They would not allow them to “rejoice over the blood of the Nephites.” Among whom would have been their families.  They were going to keep the commandments, knowing they would prosper as a people through their faith.

John Welch discusses the Nephites’ approach to war.

“In a heated and fair battle, Nephite military leaders had no qualms about pursuing and slaying the enemy, as when Alma led the Nephites, and they ‘did pursue the Amlicites all that day, and did slay them with much slaughter, insomuch that there were slain of the Amlicites twelve thousand five hundred thirty and two souls’ (Alma 2:19; cf. Alma 43:38-41; 44:7; 51:32; 52:25, 32). The Nephites understood well the need to ‘defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary’ (Alma 48:14); yet they did not delight in the shedding of blood’ (Alma 48:23) and would have preferred not to slay their enemies at all (see Alma 44:1).  Whenever they obtained reasonable advantage over their enemies, they were quick to disarm their enemies and cease the work of destruction (see Alma 43-44; 52:37­-39).”[3] (Emphasis mine)

---

[1] A Rigorous Test: Military History, Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 9, 2012.

[2] Freemen and King-men in the Book of Mormon, Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 9, 2012.

[3] Law and War in the Book of Mormon, John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 9, 2012.

The Atonement and the Book of Mormon

Two thousand years ago, “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary” arrived at Christ’s sepulcher. 

“And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it … And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Matthew 28:5-7 (Emphasis mine)

The sacrifice had been made.  Death had been conquered.  The demands of Justice had been met.  The atonement was completed. 

The message and teaching of Christ’s atonement is an essential part of the Book of Mormon.  When Nephi received his great vision, the angel “spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb of God going forth among the children of men …  looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record.  And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world” (1 Nephi 11:31-33).

Before Lehi gave his children their blessings, he taught:

Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.  Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.  Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.

2 Nephi 2:6-8 (Emphasis mine)

Jacob, the brother of Nephi, taught the people the importance of the resurrection.

Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him.  For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord.  Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption.  Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration.  And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.

2 Nephi 9:5-7 (Emphasis mine)

Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh.  And now, beloved, marvel not that I tell you these things; for why not speak of the atonement of Christ, and attain to a perfect knowledge of him, as to attain to the knowledge of a resurrection and the world to come?

Jacob 4:11-12 (Emphasis mine)

King Benjamin taught the people about the atonement. 

And even if it were possible that little children could sin they could not be saved; but I say unto you they are blessed; for behold, as in Adam, or by nature, they fall, even so the blood of Christ atoneth for their sins.  And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.

Mosiah 3:16-17 (Emphasis mine)

I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body—I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world.  And this is the means whereby salvation cometh.  And there is none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you.

Mosiah 4:6-8 (Emphasis mine)

When Abinadi stood before wicked King Noah and his priests, he explained the Law of Moses, which they claimed to teach.  After his explanation, he continued:

And now ye have said that salvation cometh by the Law of Moses.  I say unto you that it is expedient that ye should keep the law of Moses as yet; but I say unto you, that the time shall come when it shall no more be expedient to keep the law of Moses. And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the Law of Moses.

Mosiah 13:27-28 (Emphasis mine)

Abinadi tells them the Law of Moses in temporary; salvation does not come through the Law.  It comes through “the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people.” 

When Alma(2) taught the people of Gideon, he taught the atonement.

And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.  And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

Alma 7:11-12 (Emphasis mine)

Amulek taught the Zoramites the atonement.

And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true.  Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.  For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.  For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.  Now there is not any man that can sacrifice his own blood which will atone for the sins of another.

Alma 34:8-11 (Emphasis mine)

We have the great teachings of Alma(2) to his son Corianton.

The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to do evil all the day long even so shall he have his reward of evil when the night cometh.  And so it is on the other hand.  If he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness. These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil.

Alma 41:5-7 (Emphasis mine)

Therefore, as the soul could never die, and the fall had brought upon all mankind a spiritual death as well as a temporal, that is, they were cut off from the presence of the Lord, it was expedient that mankind should be reclaimed from this spiritual death … And now remember, my son, if it were not for the plan of redemption, (laying it aside) as soon as they were dead their souls were miserable, being cut off from the presence of the Lord … [A]ccording to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice.  Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; … the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also … [T]here is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed …  mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement … For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved.

Alma 42:9, 1, 13, 15, 22-24 (Emphasis mine)

When Christ appeared to the Nephites, one of the first thing He told them was to “[a]rise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world” (3 Nephi 11:14).

In the next to last verse in the Book of Mormon, Moroni(2) writes, “if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot” (Moroni 10:33).

Let us always remember the great sacrifice made by our Savior so that someday we can return to the presence of God.

Alma 48:14-19

¹⁴ Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives.  ¹⁵ And this was their faith, that by so doing God would prosper them in the land, or in other words, if they were faithful in keeping the commandments of God that he would prosper them in the land; yea, warn them to flee, or to prepare for war, according to their danger;

¹⁶ And also, that God would make it known unto them whither they should go to defend themselves against their enemies, and by so doing, the Lord would deliver them; and this was the faith of Moroni, and his heart did glory in it; not in the shedding of blood but in doing good, in preserving his people, yea, in keeping the commandments of God, yea, and resisting iniquity.

Alma 48:14-16 (Emphasis mine)

Mormon reminds us the Nephites have rules for battle.  War, “if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives.”  Offensive war was not acceptable.  War to avenge or take revenge for wrongs inflicted on them was prohibited. 

The only time war was acceptable in the eyes of the Lord was if they “are not guilty of the first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain by the hands of your enemies.  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 43:46-47).

We will read seven decades later the Nephites will ask their leader, Gidgiddoni, to “[p]ray unto the Lord, and let us go up upon the mountains and into the wilderness, that we may fall upon the robbers and destroy them in their own lands” (3 Nephi 3:20), He would respond, “[t]he Lord forbid; for if we should go up against them the Lord would deliver us into their hands; therefore we will prepare ourselves in the center of our lands, and we will gather all our armies together, and we will not go against them, but we will wait till they shall come against us; therefore as the Lord liveth, if we do this he will deliver them into our hands” (3 Nephi 3:21).

By following the Lord’s rules, Mormon tells us “that God would make it known unto them whither they should go to defend themselves against their enemies, and by so doing, the Lord would deliver them.”  In an earlier battle, the chief captain, Zoram, “knowing that Alma was high priest over the church, and having heard that he had the spirit of prophecy, therefore they went unto him and desired of him to know whither the Lord would that they should go into the wilderness in search of their brethren, who had been taken captive by the Lamanites. And it came to pass that Alma inquired of the Lord concerning the matter.  And Alma returned and said unto them: Behold, the Lamanites will cross the river Sidon in the south wilderness, away up beyond the borders of the land of Manti.  And behold there shall ye meet them, on the east of the river Sidon, and there the Lord will deliver unto thee thy brethren who have been taken captive by the Lamanites.  And it came to pass that Zoram and his sons crossed over the river Sidon, with their armies, and marched away beyond the borders of Manti into the south wilderness, which was on the east side of the river Sidon” (Alma 16:5-7).

Moroni(1) had gone to Alma(2) in a previous battle.  Moroni(1) “sent certain men unto him, desiring him that he should inquire of the Lord whither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend themselves against the Lamanites.  And it came to pass that the word of the Lord came unto Alma, and Alma informed the messengers of Moroni, that the armies of the Lamanites were marching round about in the wilderness, that they might come over into the land of Manti, that they might commence an attack upon the weaker part of the people.  And those messengers went and delivered the message unto Moroni” (Alma 43:23-24). 

“The Nephites were additionally taught ‘never to give an offense’ (Alma 48:14; see 43:46). This teaching had practical, moral, and spiritual value. Note that the Nephites were always far fewer in number than the Lamanites. In about 120 B.C., the people of Nephi and the people of Zarahemla together were not half as numerous as the Lamanites (see Mosiah 25:3). If anything, this situation probably grew more severe over the years because of Nephite desertions.

“As a result, it was imprudent for the Nephites to initiate hostilities and to rely much on offensive operations. Instead, the Nephites became more adept at using fortifications to achieve local economy of forces and maintained a grand strategy of protecting the land north (of the narrow neck of land).”[1] (Emphasis mine) 

Mormon wants us to understand just what type of man Moroni(1) was.

¹⁷ Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men. ¹⁸ Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God.

¹⁹ Now behold, Helaman and his brethren were no less serviceable unto the people than was Moroni; for they did preach the word of God, and they did baptize unto repentance all men whosoever would hearken unto their words.

Alma 48:17-19 (Emphasis mine)

He begins his description of Moroni(1) using the words “verily, verily I say unto you.”  The use of “verily” is unusual in the Book of Mormon. Most of the uses of this term are by Christ when he teaches the Nephites.  In fact, there are only three uses of “verily” that are not spoken by Christ.  The first time, the Lord is speaking  He tell the people, “ye shall also forgive one another your trespasses; for verily I say unto you, he that forgiveth not his neighbor's trespasses when he says that he repents, the same hath brought himself under condemnation” (Emphasis mine) (Mosiah 26:31).

The second time is during Korihor’s confession to Alma(2) and the people.  “But behold, the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God … I taught them, even until I had much success, insomuch that I verily believed that they were true; and for this cause I withstood the truth, even until I have brought this great curse upon me” (Emphasis mine) (Alma 30:53).

The final time is when Alma(2) is teaching the poor among the Zoramites.  “For I do not mean that ye all of you have been compelled to humble yourselves; for I verily believe that there are some among you who would humble themselves, let them be in whatsoever circumstances they might” (Emphasis mine) (Alma 32:25).

“Verily” means “in truth” or “certainly.”  It comes from the Middle English word, verray, meaning "true, real."[2]  “Verily” is a powerful word.  Mormon is trying to get our attention, telling us what he is now saying is very important. 

What type of man is Moroni(1)?  He writes, “if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.”  Remember, what we know about Moroni(1) is what Mormon shares with us.  What he shares with us tells us he is a very unusual warrior; he is a warrior who avoids bloodshed whenever possible, who allows his defeated enemy to go free after they have given the Nephites their weapons, and relies on the guidance of the Lord as he leads his people into battle.  I can’t help but wonder what Mormon left out of his record.  It must be quite powerful and interesting!

He doesn’t stop there.  He tells us he was like Ammon(1), a great spiritual leader and warrior.  Ammon(1) is one of the most important people in the Book of Mormon record.  Not only was he like Ammon(1), he was also like “the other sons of Mosiah.” 

He continues telling us that he was also like “Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God.”  Mormon puts Moroni(1) in very good company, among the most spiritual, faithful, and great servants of the Lord in the Book of Mormon.  Moroni(1) was a great servant of the Lord.

---

[1] Nephite Captains and Armies, A. Brent Merrill, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 7, 2012.

[2] Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed April 7, 2012.

Alma 48:7-13

⁷ Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God.  ⁸ Yea, he had been strengthening the armies of the Nephites, and erecting small forts, or places of resort; throwing up banks of earth round about to enclose his armies, and also building walls of stone to encircle them about, round about their cities and the borders of their lands; yea, all round about the land.

⁹ And in their weakest fortifications he did place the greater number of men; and thus he did fortify and strengthen the land which was possessed by the Nephites. ¹⁰ And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians.

Alma 48:7-10 (Emphasis mine)

Amalickiah wasn’t the only one preparing for war.  Moroni(1) was “preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God.”  He was “strengthening the armies of the Nephites.”  He built small forts, threw up “banks of earth round about to enclose his armies, and built “walls of stone to encircle them about” (this is the only time we read of stone being used to build something in the Book of Mormon).

Moroni(1)’s preparations were unusual.  When the war actually beings, we will read that “to [the Laminates’] uttermost astonishment, they were prepared for them, in a manner which never had been known among the children of Lehi.  Now they were prepared for the Lamanites, to battle after the manner of the instructions of Moroni” (Alma 49:8).

William Hamblin expands on the Nephite preparations.

“The Nephites expanded this system of fortifications to protect their cities from Lamanite incursions (see Alma 48:8; 49:13-20; 50:1-6, 10). lf the Lamanites attempted to assault a city, the Nephites planned to ‘destroy all such as should attempt to climb up to enter the fort by any other way, by casting over stones and arrows at them (Alma 49:19). Such fortifications, ‘which never had been known among the children of Lehi’ (Alma 49:8), confounded the Lamanite strategy, forcing them to retreat into the wilderness (see Alma 49:12).”[1]

The purposes of war were different.  Amalickiah’s preparations were for an offensive war of conquest.  He was searching for power.  Moroni(1)’s “military preparations are strictly defensive, and he is careful to do nothing that will seem to threaten the Lamanites; all of his battles are fought on Nephite soil (see Alma 48:8–10).”[2]  Matthew Hilton and Neil Flinders explain: “[t]he marked difference between Amalickiah's preparation of armed forces and that of Moroni seems to have been obvious to Mormon … The Nephite forces under Moroni's command had a different motivation than simple obedience to governmental edicts. The loyalty of the forces rose beyond defense of liberty and families. In the final analysis, it was premised on their faith in the fulfillment of divine promises.”[3]

¹¹ And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery; ¹² Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.

¹³ Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.

Alma 48:11-13 (Emphasis mine)

Mormon introduced us to Amalickiah.  He wanted us to know what type of a man he was, what motivated him, what he wanted.  He now tells us more about Moroni(1).

He is a powerful man “whose soul did joy in the liberty and freedom of his country.”  Unlike his counterpart in the upcoming war, he “did not delight in bloodshed.”  “He was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ.” 

R. Douglas Phillips explains why Mormon wanted us to know and understand Moroni(1).

“Inevitably, Mormon should have been attracted to Moroni — the brilliant, energetic, selfless, patriotic, and God-fearing hero who had been instrumental in preserving the Nephite nation. So great was Mormon's admiration for him that he named his son after him. In Mormon's eyes, the peaceful days under Moroni were a golden age in Nephite history (see Alma 50:23). But the military exploits of Moroni seem to have interested Mormon particularly. With great care, he recounted Moroni s courage and patriotism in the desperate military and political state of affairs arising from Lamanite invasion from without and sedition from within, his efforts in mobilization and defense, his own and his lieutenants' brilliant tactics, their sharply fought battles with frightful losses, and their miraculous victories. But throughout his account, we perceive the hand of God making use of devout and just military leaders and statesmen to preserve the righteous and punish the wicked (see Alma 48:11-13, Mormon's eulogy of Moroni).

“If, in his account of Moroni, Mormon saw war as a means of divine deliverance for the Nephites, he shows us that the final war fulfilled prophecies of destruction of the nation. With terrifying clarity, we witness with Mormon the tragedy of a people who had passed the point of no return spiritually, who were bent irreversibly on their own destruction.”[4]  (Emphasis mine)

---

[1] The Bow and Arrow in the Book of Mormon, William J. Hamblin, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 6, 2012.

[2] Scriptural Perspectives on How to Survive the Calamities of the Last Days, Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 6, 2012.

[3] The Impact of Shifting Cultural Assumptions on the Military Policies Directing Armed Conflict Reported in the Book of Alma, Matthew M. F. Hilton, and Neil J. Flinders,
Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 6, 2012.

[4] Why Is So Much of the Book of Mormon Given Over to Military Accounts? R. Douglas Phillips, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 6, 2012.

Alma 48:1-6

Chapter 48

Amalickiah incites the Lamanites against the Nephites—Moroni prepares his people to defend the cause of the Christians—He rejoiced in liberty and freedom and was a mighty man of God. About 72 B.C.

¹ AND now it came to pass that, as soon as Amalickiah had obtained the kingdom he began to inspire the hearts of the Lamanites against the people of Nephi; yea, he did appoint men to speak unto the Lamanites from their towers, against the Nephites. ² And thus he did inspire their hearts against the Nephites, insomuch that in the latter end of the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges [72 B.C.], he having accomplished his designs thus far, yea, having been made king over the Lamanites, he sought also to reign over all the land, yea, and all the people who were in the land, the Nephites as well as the Lamanites.  ³ Therefore he had accomplished his design, for he had hardened the hearts of the Lamanites and blinded their minds, and stirred them up to anger, insomuch that he had gathered together a numerous host to go to battle against the Nephites. ⁴ For he was determined, because of the greatness of the number of his people, to overpower the Nephites and to bring them into bondage.

Alma 48:1-4 (Emphasis mine)

Having obtained a kingdom and army, Amalickiah “began to inspire the hearts of the Lamanites against the people of Nephi.”  He developed his propaganda line, and had selected men preach from the towers to the people.  Towers were an important part of a society.  “In addition to affording strategic views of potential enemy attack (see Mosiah 11:12–13), towers among both Nephites and Lamanites were marks of an influential community. They served as rallying points for local governments (see Alma 48:1), and like European cathedrals, they asserted the renown and political power of the community.”[1]

This “accomplished his design, for he hardened the hearts of the Lamanites” against the Nephites. 

“When ambitious Nephite dissenters began to influence the Lamanites, the aims of combat became more complicated. Not only did the descendants of Laman and Lemuel still want to gain the overall governing power, they also sought material benefits—wealth (for their rulers at least). While the psychology of blood feud continued in the dissenters' propaganda, which they used to whip up the feelings of the reluctant Lamanite masses (see Alma 48:1–4; Amalickiah ‘began to inspire the hearts of the Lamanites against the people of Nephi … He … hardened the hearts of the Lamanites and blinded their minds, and stirred them up to anger’), that extreme aim was tempered by those ambitious men's desire to milk the Nephite masses as a subject population rendering tribute. The prospect of obtaining Nephite property and people as a source of wealth rose to form a major basis for carrying on war.”[2] (Emphasis mine)

Richard L. Bushman adds:

“A national heritage, whether benign or malign, can fade from time to time, and must be revived if leaders are to use it to their advantage. After an especially disastrous defeat, a large group of Lamanites refused to go into battle again, exhausted and fearful for their lives (Alma 47:2). The response of the king was to undertake a campaign to ‘inspire the hearts of the Lamanites against the people of Nephi.’ And how did he accomplish that? ‘He did appoint men to speak unto the Lamanites from their towers, against the Nephites’ (Alma 48:1). We can easily guess at the message spoken from the towers, and the results were predictable. He ‘hardened the hearts of the Lamanites and blinded their minds, and stirred them up to anger’ (Alma 48:3).”[3] (Emphasis mine)

His propaganda efforts paid off.  He was able to gather “together a numerous host to go to battle against the Nephites.” 

⁵ And thus he did appoint chief captains of the Zoramites, they being the most acquainted with the strength of the Nephites, and their places of resort, and the weakest parts of their cities; therefore he appointed them to be chief captains over his armies. ⁶ And it came to pass that they took their camp, and moved forth toward the land of Zarahemla in the wilderness.

Alma 48:5-6 (Emphasis mine)

Amalickiah organized his armies.  He appointed Zoramites to key positions.  “For many years to come, the Zoramites continued to be a terrible threat to the Nephites—not only because of their extreme hatred but also because the Zoramites knew ‘the strength of the Nephites, and their places of resort, and the weakest parts of their cities’ (Alma 48:5).”[4]

The armies began to move “toward the land of Zarahemla in the wilderness.”

---

[1] Towers in the Book of Mormon, Insights Volume - 21, Issue – 2, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 4, 2012.

[2] Last-Ditch Warfare in Ancient Mesoamerica Recalls the Book of Mormon, John L. Sorenson, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 4, 2012.

[3] The Lamanite View of Book of Mormon History, Richard L. Bushman, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 4, 2012.

[4] The Zoramite Separation: A Sociological Perspective, Sherrie Mills Johnson. Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 4, 2012.

Alma 47:21-36

²¹ And the king came out to meet him with his guards, for he supposed that Amalickiah had fulfilled his commands, and that Amalickiah had gathered together so great an army to go against the Nephites to battle.

²² But behold, as the king came out to meet him Amalickiah caused that his servants should go forth to meet the king.  And they went and bowed themselves before the king, as if to reverence him because of his greatness. ²³ And it came to pass that the king put forth his hand to raise them, as was the custom with the Lamanites, as a token of peace, which custom they had taken from the Nephites. ²⁴ And it came to pass that when he had raised the first from the ground, behold he stabbed the king to the heart; and he fell to the earth.

Alma 47:21-24 (Emphasis mine)

Having organized the army, Amalickiah marches to meet King Lehonti.  The king is pleased to see the army united.  He is ready to battle the Nephites. 

As the king approached, Amalickiah sent his servants to meet the king.  When they entered his presence, they bowed before, a custom they had taken from the Nephites.   For example, when Ammon(1) met King Limhi, “he went forth and bowed himself before the king; and rising again” before he spoke to the king (Mosiah 7:12).  The “king put forth his hand to raise” the first servant.  “When he had raised the first from the ground, behold he stabbed the king to the heart.”  The king was dead.

²⁵ Now the servants of the king fled; and the servants of Amalickiah raised a cry, saying: ²⁶ Behold, the servants of the king have stabbed him to the heart, and he has fallen and they have fled; behold, come and see.

²⁷ And it came to pass that Amalickiah commanded that his armies should march forth and see what had happened to the king; and when they had come to the spot, and found the king lying in his gore, Amalickiah pretended to be wroth, and said: Whosoever loved the king, let him go forth, and pursue his servants that they may be slain.

²⁸ And it came to pass that all they who loved the king, when they heard these words, came forth and pursued after the servants of the king. ²⁹ Now when the servants of the king saw an army pursuing after them, they were frightened again, and fled into the wilderness, and came over into the land of Zarahemla and joined the people of Ammon.

Alma 47:25–29 (Emphasis mine)

The servants of the king fled.  I would think that, seeing the king murdered, they feared for their lives.  The servant who murdered the king called out “the servants of the king have stabbed him to the heart, and he has fallen and they have fled.”

Amalickiah, leading the army, marched to see what had happened to the king.  When they saw “the king lying in his gore,” Amalickiah’s act continued.  He “pretended to be wroth and said: Whosoever loved the king, let him go forth and pursue his servants that they may be slain.”

The servants of the king “saw an army pursuing them … and [they] fled … and came over into the land of Zarahemla and joined the people of Ammon.”

³⁰ And the army which pursued after them returned, having pursued after them in vain; and thus Amalickiah, by his fraud, gained the hearts of the people. ³¹ And it came to pass on the morrow he entered the city Nephi with his armies, and took possession of the city.

³² And now it came to pass that the queen, when she had heard that the king was slain—for Amalickiah had sent an embassy to the queen informing her that the king had been slain by his servants, that he had pursued them with his army, but it was in vain, and they had made their escape—³³ Therefore, when the queen had received this message she sent unto Amalickiah, desiring him that he would spare the people of the city; and she also desired him that he should come in unto her; and she also desired him that he should bring witnesses with him to testify concerning the death of the king.

Alma 47:30-33 (Emphasis mine)

Having been unsuccessful in their attempt to slay the king’s servants, Amalickiah marched the army into “the city Nephi … and took possession of the city.”

The queen, having learned the king had been slain, was now the ruler.  “Politically, women had rights of succession to the Lamanite throne, for when Amalickiah murdered a Lamanite king, rule passed to the queen, whom Amalickiah then married to gain the throne (Alma 47:32—35).”[1]

The queen sent a message to Amalickiah “desiring him that he would spare the people of the city.”  She also wanted him to “bring witnesses with him to testify concerning the death of the king.”

³⁴ And it came to pass that Amalickiah took the same servant that slew the king, and all them who were with him, and went in unto the queen, unto the place where she sat; and they all testified unto her that the king was slain by his own servants; and they said also: They have fled; does not this testify against them?   And thus they satisfied the queen concerning the death of the king.

³⁵ And it came to pass that Amalickiah sought the favor of the queen, and took her unto him to wife; and thus by his fraud, and by the assistance of his cunning servants, he obtained the kingdom; yea, he was acknowledged king throughout all the land, among all the people of the Lamanites, who were composed of the Lamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites, and all the dissenters of the Nephites, from the reign of Nephi down to the present time. ³⁶ Now these dissenters, having the same instruction and the same information of the Nephites, yea, having been instructed in the same knowledge of the Lord, nevertheless, it is strange to relate, not long after their dissensions they became more hardened and impenitent, and more wild, wicked and ferocious than the Lamanites—drinking in with the traditions of the Lamanites; giving way to indolence, and all manner of lasciviousness; yea, entirely forgetting the Lord their God.

Alma 47:34-36 (Emphasis mine)

Amalickiah was able to eventually to marry the queen and “by his fraud … he obtained the kingdom.”  Kevin and Shauna Christensen observe:

“This is a thoroughly disturbing story, the more so because the queen is sympathetically portrayed. She quite clearly feels an obligation to her people and a distrust of Amalickiah. Whether she is taken in completely is not clear. Perhaps she accepts him as a suitor out of respect or fear or because she wants to avoid destructive conflicts. The sadness of the story lies in her powerlessness despite her high office.”[2] (Emphasis mine)

The kingdom consisted of “the Lamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites, and all the dissenters of the Nephites, from the reign of Nephi down to the present time.”  Many of these dissenters had “been instructed in the same knowledge of the Lord.”  Yet, they became “hardened and impenitent [not feeling shame or regret about one's actions or attitudes], and more wild, wicked, and ferocious than the Lamanites.”  The “entirely [forgot] the Lord their God.” 

There are serious consequences to forgetting “the Lord their God.”  In the New Testament we read “[f]or if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26-27). 

Mormon warned that “we can plainly discern, that after a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things” (Alma 24:30).

The “apostate Nephites under the Satanic influence of Amalickiah as more hardened and impenitent and more wild, wicked, and ferocious than even the Lamanites, entirely forgetting the Lord their God (Alma 47:36). In this state of mind, their only goal was to get power for themselves, which they eventually achieved.”[3]

---

[1] Women in the Book of Mormon, Camille Williams, and Donna Lee Bowen, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 3, 2012.

[2] Nephite Feminism Revisited: Thoughts on Carol Lynn Pearson's View of Women in the Book of Mormon, Kevin Christensen, and Shauna Christensen, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 3, 2012.

[3] Economic Insights from the Book of Mormon, Lindon J. Robison, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 3, 2012.

Alma 47:5-19

⁵ And now he had got the command of those parts of the Lamanites who were in favor of the king; and he sought to gain favor of those who were not obedient; therefore he went forward to the place which was called Onidah, for thither had all the Lamanites fled; for they discovered the army coming, and, supposing that they were coming to destroy them, therefore they fled to Onidah, to the place of arms. ⁶ And they had appointed a man to be a king and a leader over them, being fixed in their minds with a determined resolution that they would not be subjected to go against the Nephites. ⁷ And it came to pass that they had gathered themselves together upon the top of the mount which was called Antipas, in preparation to battle.

⁸ Now it was not Amalickiah's intention to give them battle according to the commandments of the king; but behold, it was his intention to gain favor with the armies of the Lamanites, that he might place himself at their head and dethrone the king and take possession of the kingdom.  ⁹ And behold, it came to pass that he caused his army to pitch their tents in the valley which was near the mount Antipas.

Alma 47:5-9 (Emphasis mine)

Having assumed command of the Lamanite army, he began the second phase of his plan.  He was sent to Onidah to deal with the rebellious Lamanites who refused to take up arms.  What the king didn’t know was Amalickiah intended to “gain favor of those who were not obedient.” 

By doing this, he would “gain favor with the armies of the Lamanites, that he might place himself at their heat and dethrone the king and take possession of the kingdom.” 

¹⁰ And it came to pass that when it was night he sent a secret embassy into the mount Antipas, desiring that the leader of those who were upon the mount, whose name was Lehonti, that he should come down to the foot of the mount, for he desired to speak with him.  ¹¹ And it came to pass that when Lehonti received the message he durst not go down to the foot of the mount.  And it came to pass that Amalickiah sent again the second time, desiring him to come down.  And it came to pass that Lehonti would not; and he sent again the third time.

¹² And it came to pass that when Amalickiah found that he could not get Lehonti to come down off from the mount, he went up into the mount, nearly to Lehonti's camp; and he sent again the fourth time his message unto Lehonti, desiring that he would come down, and that he would bring his guards with him.

Alma 47:10-12 (Emphasis mine)

The king of the dissidents, Lehonti, had established their camp at the top of mount Antipas.  Amalickiah sent “a secret embassy” asking him to come down and meet with him.   Lehonti wisely refused.

Amalickiah wouldn’t take no for answer.  Two more times he asked Lehonti to meet with him and he refused.  The fourth time, he went up the mountain, “nearly to Lehonti’s camp.”  The fourth request included the condition that, if he came down, “he would bring his guards with him.”

¹³ And it came to pass that when Lehonti had come down with his guards to Amalickiah, that Amalickiah desired him to come down with his army in the night–time, and surround those men in their camps over whom the king had given him command, and that he would deliver them up into Lehonti's hands, if he would make him (Amalickiah) a second leader over the whole army.  ¹⁴ And it came to pass that Lehonti came down with his men and surrounded the men of Amalickiah, so that before they awoke at the dawn of day they were surrounded by the armies of Lehonti. 

¹⁵ And it came to pass that when they saw that they were surrounded, they plead with Amalickiah that he would suffer them to fall in with their brethren, that they might not be destroyed.  Now this was the very thing which Amalickiah desired.  ¹⁶ And it came to pass that he delivered his men, contrary to the commands of the king.  Now this was the thing that Amalickiah desired, that he might accomplish his designs in dethroning the king.

Alma 47:13-16 (Emphasis mine)

We see just how detailed Amalickiah’s plan was.  When Lehonti finally agreed to meet with him, he “desired him to come down with his army in the night–time, and surround those men in their camps over whom the king had given him command, and that he would deliver them up into Lehonti's hands, if he would make him (Amalickiah) a second leader over the whole army.”  If he were the second in command, this would put him in the perfect position to continue to implement his plans.

Lehonti agreed.  When Amalickiah’s army awoke, “they saw that they were surrounded, they plead with Amalickiah that he would suffer them to fall in with their brethren, that they might not be destroyed.”  He agreed and delivered his army.  This was contrary to his orders.  His orders were to go forth and force the dissidents to take arms and rejoin the army (Alma 47:3).

I find it somewhat surprising that none of these leaders paused and looked at the situation.  Here they have this guy who wanted to be king over the Nephites.  He was willing to use force to do this.  When the time came, most of his supporters ran.

He then went to the Lamanites and convinced the Lamanites to go to war against the Nephites.  When a part of the army deserted, he was sent to bring them back.  Instead, he made an agreement with those who deserted that sold out his army if he was made second in command.

Every step along the way, Amalickiah was cunning and deceitful.  He sold out anyone and everyone when they had given him what he wanted.  I would expect someone to stop at some point and question him and his motives. 

No one did and many would pay with their lives for their support of Amalickiah.

¹⁷ Now it was the custom among the Lamanites, if their chief leader was killed, to appoint the second leader to be their chief leader.  ¹⁸ And it came to pass that Amalickiah caused that one of his servants should administer poison by degrees to Lehonti, that he died.  ¹⁹ Now, when Lehonti was dead, the Lamanites appointed Amalickiah to be their leader and their chief commander.

Alma 47:17-19 (Emphasis mine)

His next step was to get rid of Lehonti and take over the entire army.  There was a structure to the Lamanite army.

“The first references to Lamanite captains and chief captains (see Alma 43:6, 44) with a ‘second leader’ (see Alma 47:17) to the ‘chief leader’ are found during this time, although these positions almost certainly existed much earlier (as with the Nephites). Interestingly, these references indicate that Nephite dissenters were often appointed to be captains over the Lamanites. Evidently the Lamanite armies were not as dependent on actual lineage leaders at this time as were the Nephites. This could imply that ‘Lamanites’ included populations other than those solely related to Lehi, Ishmael, or Zoram, although these three groups were apparently the most dominant.”[1] (Emphasis mine)

Amalickiah had a servant “administer poison by degrees to Lehonti.”  The poison did its job and Amalickiah is now the “chief leader” of a huge Lamanite army.

---

[1] Nephite Captains and Armies, A. Brent Merrill, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed April 1, 2012.