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Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 24
Moroni then marched out to meet the Lamanites as they returned to Mulek. However, they
pursued Teancum to "near the city Bountiful," where Lehi's army surprised them, and "they fled in
much confusion" toward Mulek (36).
Lehi did not try to overtake them until they should meet the army of Moroni. Thus two fresh
armies were ready to give battle against the tired Lamanites. Seeing that they were trapped, Jacob,
"a Zoramite, and having an unconquerable spirit" fought "with exceeding fury against Moroni"
(41).
Alma 24:44 And it came to pass that they fought on both hands with exceeding fury; and there were
many slain on both sides; yea, and Moroni was wounded, and Jacob was killed.
Lehi pressed them with such fury from the rear that that part of Jacob's army "delivered up their
weapons of war," and the rest hesitated. Moroni, observing their confusion, said that if they would
deliver up their weapons the bloodshed would cease (46). The chief captains did this, and
commanded their men to do the same. However, many would not, so they were taken as prisoners
to the land Bountiful. "The number of prisoners. ..exceeded. ..the number. ..slain; yea, more than
those who had been slain on both sides" (49).
INTRIGUE AMONG NEPHITES CAUSED REVERSES, VER. 50-79
Alma 24:50 And it came to pass that they did set guards over the prisoners of the Lamanites, and did
compel them to go forth and bury their dead; yea, and also the dead of the Nephites who were slain; and
Moroni placed men over them to guard them while they should perform their labor.
When the prisoners finished these tasks, they were marched back to the land Bountiful and set to
work building "a breastwork of timbers upon the inner bank of the ditch" they had dug around the
city Bountiful (54, 55).
Moroni felt compelled to work the prisoners, since it was easier to guard them while they were
laboring and all his men were needed for war. Thus they were busied making fortifications and
providing food for the armies and their families (60) While Moroni was absent from "the west
sea, south" (see Helaman 2:8), the Lamanites took advantage of some division among the Nephites
and took "possession of a number of their cities in that part of the land." Thus "because of
dissension and intrigue among themselves," the Nephites "were placed in the most dangerous
circumstances" (62).
Alma 24:63 And now behold, I have somewhat to say concerning the people of Ammon, who, in the
beginning were Lamanites; but by Ammon and his brethren, or rather by the power and word of God,
they had been converted unto the Lord;
They had taken an oath never to take up arms again. Therefore "they were brought down into the
land of Zarahemla," where they were "protected by the Nephites" (66). When they saw the
tribulations of the Nephites at this time, "they were moved with compassion, and were desirous to
take up arms in defense of their country" (67). However, Helaman persuaded them not to break
their oath, "lest by so doing, they should lose their souls” (68, 69).