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Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 1
This mark was chosen by the Amlicites, no doubt, after they had joined with the Lamanite army.
Thus they would not be slain by the Lamanites because of confusing them with the Nephites
whom they had lately deserted.
The historian calls attention to the rebellion of Lehi's two older sons against the four born later,
who were "just and holy men" (104). Because of the wickedness of the Lamanites "the Lord God
set a mark upon them" (105). They were cursed with a dark skin that "the Lord God might
preserve his people, that they might not mix and believe in incorrect traditions which would prove
their destruction" (106).
It would seem that even in the five hundred years since the curse was placed upon the Lamanites,
their features had not changed enough to distinguish them as a different race of people. However,
as long as they remained wicked, their skins were to be dark. According to Nephi's prophecy, the
time will come that when the gospel of Christ becomes effective in their lives "they shall be a
white and a delightsome people" (II Nephi 12:84; III Nephi 1:52). (See also comments on II Nephi
4:35.) These Lamanites had also shorn their heads, and were naked save for their loincloths (103).
Alma 1:117 Now the Amlicites knew not that they were fulfilling the words of God, when they began to
mark themselves in their foreheads;
Nephi had given the word of the lord that "I will set a mark upon him that mingleth his seed with
thy brethren, that they may be cursed also" (114). The same curse was pronounced "upon him that
fighteth against thee and thy seed" (115) .While the Amlicites may have acted in ignorance of this
prophecy, they were "in open rebellion against God" and had brought about their own
condemnation (118-120).
Alma 1:121 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.
Plunder and revenge motivated the Lamanites to try conquering Alma's army again, even after
their sore defeats in previous attempts. This time many of them were slain, and the rest were
driven from the land. The Nephites then were "troubled no more for a time" (125).