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Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 21
His next challenge was to subdue the Nephites. He made the Zoramites chief captains, since they
would know the strength and weakness of the Nephite lands and cities.
Moroni had not been idle but "preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their
God" (128). He erected small forts and places of resort, throwing up earth banks and walls of stone
to encircle their cities and protect the borders of their lands (129).
Alma 21:135 Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the
shedding of blood, if it were necessary;
Only in self-defense were they justified in raising the sword (20:50-52). Moroni was not only a
good general, he was also a good man who was likened to Ammon and Alma (141).
"Helaman and his brethren were no less serviceable unto the people than was Moroni." They
preached and baptized unto repentance. "They were highly favored of the Lord" (143).
Alma 21:155 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.
They had taken a lesson from the Nephites in their last war. Now they were sure "that they should
easily overpower and subject their brethren to the yoke of bondage, or slay and massacre" them as
they chose (156).
They first chose the city of Ammonihah as "an easy prey." But when they saw its high ridge of
earthworks, they withdrew to the wilderness and "marched towards the land 0£ Noah. ..with a firm
determination. ..and took an oath that they would destroy the people 0£ that city" (163, 165).
However, they found its strength "even to exceed the strength of the city of Ammonihah" (166).
The only way they could get into the city was by its entrance, where the Nephite forces were
concentrated. The Lamanites were desperate, and so attacked at the entrance. They were driven
back time after time "with an immense slaughter" (174).
Next they tried to gain entrance by digging down the banks of earth, but the Nephite stones and
arrows caused their ditches to be filled with the dead and wounded (176). The Lamanites did not
give up until "their chief captains were all slain." Then they fled into the wilderness (180).
Alma 21:183 Yea, he was exceeding wroth, and he did curse God, and also Moroni, and swearing with
an oath that he would drink his blood; and this because Moroni had kept the commandments of God in
preparing for the safety of his people.
The cause of his frustration was that his armies had failed miserably in their attempts to bring the
Nephites into bondage. Amalickiah was still thinking 0£ his own ambitions. No remorse for the
slain of his people was in evidence.
Among the Nephites "there was continual peace, ..and exceeding great prosperity in the church"
(185).