Moroni's Wisdom and Amalickiah's Rage
Book of Mormon Notes - Wednesday, October 25, 2023, Alma 49
One of the benefits of studying the war chapters in the Book of Mormon is that we catch a closer glimpse into Mormon’s heart and mind because we read more of his abridgment and commentary. Unlike the small plates of Nephi, with the exception of the Words of Mormon, or the direct quotations of many sermons, speeches, proclamations, and teachings, the war chapters are filled with action that Mormon could only abridge and describe for us. Mormon’s review of and reflections on the war-torn conditions of the Nephite nation bring Mormon’s voice and lessons to the foreground, foremost of which is Mormon’s praise and admiration for the great Chief Captain Moroni.
Why did Mormon include such a detailed abridgment of the conflict between Moroni and the Nephites on the one hand and Amalickiah and the Lamanites on the other hand? Why did Mormon want us to remember and look up to Moroni?
One obvious reason is that Mormon and his son Moroni lived in the midst of an evil, violent, and war-torn nation themselves. Mormon mused that if all men had been, were, and ever would be like unto aMoroni, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever and the bdevil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men. Certainly Mormon would have liked to have more Moronis on his side during his own battles against the Lamanites.
Another obvious reason is that Mormon knew that the last days would also be riddled with wars, rumors of wars, and violence. Mormon’s messages about Moroni fill us with hope, courage, strength, and peace in the face of conflict.
There are certainly many other wise purposes for which the Lord inspired Mormon to write so glowingly of Captain Moroni and to depict the battles between the Nephites and the Lamanites in such minute detail.
Mormon praises the defensive warfare and the preparations of the Nephites and shows how such strong defensive measures actually frightened their enemies. Moroni had prepared the Nephites so well that they feared to go up against them, even in the cities that had previously been weak points. Moroni wasn’t just exceedingly brave. He was a wise leader. Just imagine what such preparations and defensive measures would do for the United States if such were the domestic and foreign policy today. Unfortunately, as things are right now, a foreign invasion on American soil would make the Lamanite invasions against the Nephites look like child’s play. And how many Amalickiahs, thirsty for American blood, are out there?
The Lamanites were astonished at the Nephite preparations. The Nephites had made great mounds of earth to encircle their cities, and they had also dug deep motes. The Lamanites had copied the Nephites in their use of defensive armor this time, but they were sorely disappointed to discover that there was no way to attack the Nephite cities except at the entrance - which proved impossible because the Nephites simply attacked them and slew them from above.
In the Lamanite invasion against Ammonihah, Amalickiah wasn’t even there. Amalickiah had sent his armies to battle without him. When Amalickiah discovered that his armies had been defeated, like the tyrant that he was, Amalickiah was livid.
Moroni had anticipated the Lamanite tactics. He knew that the Lamanites would try to attack the places that were formerly weak, including the cities of Ammonihah and Noah. Therefore, Moroni wisely fortified and prepared these two cities in particular. Moroni also wisely placed one of his greatest, and bravest military leaders at the head of the Nephite armies in the city of Noah. The Lamanites feared this great Nephite hero named Lehi because he and his troops had fought so valiantly against the Lamanites in the valley on the east of the river Sidon. Lehi and his men had once encircled and defeated the Lamanites who were lead by the wicked bZerahemnah.
The Nephites were victorious once again, some of them receiving serious wounds upon their legs, but suffering no casualties while more than a thousand Lamanites were slain. Mormon reminds us that Amalickiah was a Nephite by birth. Amalickiah was not only a tyrant, but he was also a traitor. As is always the case with tyrants when they don’t get what they want, Amalickiah flew into a terrible rage and went completely berserk. I’ve seen grown men fly into a terrible rage like this (and so too has President Nelson), but Amalickiah’s rage was so intense that he cursed God, and also Moroni, and swore with an oath to drink Moroni’s blood. Talk about savage.
The Nephites thanked God for their victories, and they were also more obedient to the teachings of the prophet Helaman. Perhaps because of their terrible experiences in war, the Nephites had been humbled and they began to have more peace and prosperity, in spite of the external threats to their liberty. But Amalickiah wasn’t done yet, and the internal struggles of the Nephites were just beginning.