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Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 21
Alma 21:73 And Helaman and the high priests did also maintain order in the church; yea, even for the
space of four years, did they have much peace and rejoicing in the church.
It is supposed that Helaman was high priest over all the Nephites, but that there were other high
priests over various cities or lands. While the land or government had peace for only a year (until
nearly the end of the nineteenth year of the Judges) (72), the unity of the church lasted four years.
Many who died had a strong faith in the redeeming power of Christ.
They were in a land which at certain seasons had fever epidemics. However, they had found
“many plants and roots which God had prepared, to remove the cause of diseases" (76). This is a
significant passage, showing that the people practiced medicine, and helped themselves all they
could with natural remedies (See D. and C. 42:12c)
AMALICKIAH BECAME KING OF THE LAMANITES, VER. 78-122
Alma 21:78 Now we will return in our record, to Amalickiah and those who had fled with him into the
wilderness: for behold, he had taken those who went with him, and went up into the land of Nephi,
among the Lamanites, and did stir up the Lamanites to anger against the people of Nephi, insomuch that
the king of the Lamanites, sent a proclamation throughout all his land, among all his people, that they
should gather themselves together again, to go to battle against the Nephites.
The king sent out a proclamation of war "to go to battle against the Nephites." However, the larger
part of them would not go (80). Amalickiah was given command of those who were willing to
fight, and he was commanded to compel the others to take up arms. By treachery and murder he
succeeded in uniting the two groups and becoming their leader (87-99). After Amalickiah had
been made second in command, he had Lehonti, leader of the rebels, poisoned by degrees.
Alma 21:100 Now when Lehonti was dead, the Lamanites appointed Amalickiah to be their leader and
chief commander.
When he returned to the capital city of Nephi, the king, with his guards, came out to meet him.
Amalickiah had his servants bow reverently before the king, but as the king put forth his hand to
raise them, the first one stabbed him to the heart. The king's guard fled in fright, and "Amalickiah
raised a cry" that they had stabbed the king and had fled. He pretended he was angry, and said,
"Whosoever loved the king, let him. ..pursue his servants, that they may be slain" (109).
Amalickiah ' s treachery was not ended until he met, courted the queen, and married her (119).
Thus “he was acknowledged king throughout all the land" (120). Because the dissenters were
sinning against a greater light, .they became more hardened and impenitent, and more wild,
wicked and ferocious, than the Lamanites" (121).
THE LAMANITES WERE DEFEATED, VER. 123-186
Alma 21:124 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, he having accomplished his designs thus far; yea,
having been made king over the Lamanites, he sought also to reign over all the land;