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Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 11
CITY OF AMMONIHAH DESTROYED, VER. 1-18
Alma 11:3 And now it came to pass 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 taking others captive into the wilderness.
In the fifth year of the Judges (1:130) the last battle had been fought, ending with the defeat of the
Lamanites and Amlicites on the west of the river Sidon (1:92-94). In the be- ginning of the
eleventh year, by a surprise attack, the Lamanites destroyed the city and wicked people of
Ammonihah, in accordance with the prophecy of Alma (7:4, 24-27).
The Nephites appointed Zoram as chief captain, and raised an army to drive the Lamanites out and
to bring back their brethren who had been taken captive (11:4,5). Zoram and his sons, Lehi and
Aha, went first to Alma, as the high priest over the church, and asked him to inquire of the Lord if
it were his will that they go into the wilderness (6,7). It was shown to Alma that the Lamanites
would cross the river Sidon in the south wilderness above the borders of Manti.
Alma 11:17 Nevertheless, after many days, their dead bodies were heaped up upon the face of the earth,
and they were covered with a shallow covering.
Zoram did. as directed and was successful in scattering the Lamanites and driving them farther
into the wilderness. They must have been surprised and disorganized, for they left behind their
captives, " And there was not one soul of them who had been lost" (12).
Alma 11:19 And it was called Desolation of Nehors; for they were of the profession of Nehor, who
were slain; and their lands remained desolate.
This is the sad epitaph on the grave of a proud people who ridiculed the idea that they and their
city could be destroyed in one day or ever (7:4). Men build their towers of Babel in all ages, and
say, "See what we have done. It is so great, even God will not and cannot destroy it" (15). But so
complete was the destruction wrought by the Lamanites that "every living soul” died, and in one
day the city was left desolate. The carcasses were left for many days in the streets to be mangled
by dogs and wild beasts" (15,16). At last the bodies were heaped up, and "a shallow covering" of
earth was put over them. So great was the stench that the place was deserted for years (18).
THE CHURCH BUILT UP IN ALL THE LAND, VER. 19-33
Alma 11:22 And Alma and Amulek went forth preaching repentance to the people in their temples, and
in their sanctuaries, and also in their synagogues, which were built after the manner of the Jews.
The three types of houses of worship mentioned here are interesting, particularly the synagogue.
Webster analyzes the word as Greek, from syn, meaning together or with; and again, to lead.
Hence as assembly, or a gathering place.
Critics of the Book of Mormon say that the synagogue was not in use till after the exile. The
Babylonian captivity and Jewish exile took place about 587 B.C., just after Lehi left Jerusalem. In