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Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 23
KlNG-MEN FORCED TO DEFEND THEIR COUNTRY, VER. 1-26
Alma 23:5 And it came to pass that those who were desirous that Pahoran should be dethroned from the
judgment seat, were called king-men, for they were desirous that the law should be altered in a manner
to overthrow the free government, and to establish a king over the land.
Frequently two classes will be found in any large society. There are those who want a change
because of dissatisfaction with their opportunities in the present order or because of their
ambitions for achieving certain objectives. Then there are those who resist change and wish to
retain the status quo. In this Nephite period those wanting a change wished the laws altered so
they might have a monarchy. Pahoran, the chief judge, resisted this demand, and he became the
center of contention. His supporters were called free- men. The matter was submitted to a vote of
the people, and the freemen won (8).
The king-men “were those of high birth" who were supported “by those who sought power and
authority over the people" (9). (See Mosiah 1.1:7)
Alma 23:10 But behold, this was a critical time for such contentions to be among the people of Nephi;
for behold, Amalickiah had again stirred up the hearts of the people of the Lamanites, against the people
of the Nephites, and he was gathering together soldiers, from all parts of his land, and arming them, and
preparing for war, with all diligence, for he had sworn to drink the blood of Moroni.
While his army was not as large as formerly, because 0£ their losses in battle, yet it was a great
army which Amalickiah led down to the land 0£ Zarahemla.
When the king-men heard 0£ their coming, they were glad and "refused to take up arms" (16).
This angered Moroni who, "with the voice 0£ the people," petitioned the governor to grant him
"power to compel those dissenters to defend their country, or to put them to death" (18). His
petition was granted.
Alma 23:22 And it came to pass that the armies did march forth against them; and they did pull down
their pride and their nobility, insomuch, that as they did lift their weapons of war to fight against the
men of Moroni, they were hewn down, and leveled to the earth.
'From the number of dead (four thousand) it is evident that this was a real battle against very
stubborn men. The leaders who were not killed were put in prison without trial, because of the
imminent threat of war with the Lamanites. The other dissenters were compelled to hoist the title
of liberty "and to take up arms in defense of their country" (24). This was the end of the kingmen's
agitation, and this group thereafter did ”fight valiantly for their freedom from bondage” (25,
26).
AMALICKIAH Is KILLED IN HIS BED, VER. 27-44
Alma 23:28 And it came to pass that the Nephites were not sufficiently strong in the city of Moroni;
therefore Amalickiah did drive them, slaying many.