For My Profit and Learning

After making the initial proposal, Moroni later refused to exchange prisoners with Ammoron. This puzzling change of events left me wondering about Moroni's motivations, and whether or not his decision was inspired. Upon first reading, it seemed like Moroni was motivated by anger or arrogance without regard for the welfare of his imprisoned peopled. "Now it came to pass that when Moroni had received this epistle he was more angry, because he knew that Ammoron had a perfect knowledge of his fraud; yea, he knew that Ammoron knew that it was not a just cause that had caused him to wage a war against the people of Nephi. And he said: Behold, I will not exchange prisoners with Ammoron save he will withdraw his purpose, as I have stated in my epistle; for I will not grant unto him that he shall have any more power than what he hath got" (Alma 55:1-2). Why would Moroni concern himself with Ammoron's motivations and forego the opportunity to save a significant number of his...

Moroni, the leader of the Nephite army, and Ammoron, kind of the Lamanites, wrote letters to each other and agree to exchange prisoners, but not without exchanging barbs. Both sides strongly expressed long-held and deep-seeded beliefs that their opponent was in the wrong. The Nephites saw Lamanite attacks as unwarranted and unjustified aggression, and claimed territorial rights to the land settle by Lehi and his son Nephi when they first arrived on the American continent.  Moroni wrote, " Behold, I am in my anger, and also my people; ye have sought to  murder  us, and we have only sought to defend ourselves. But behold, if ye seek to destroy us more we will seek to destroy you; yea, and we will seek our land, the land of our first inheritance" (Alma 54:13).  Ammoron states his case that he is avenging the death of his brother, and that Nephite territorial claims are illegitimate (since Nephi's older brothers, Laman and Lemuel, would have inherited the right...

As the 53rd chapter of Alma opens we read of a reunion between Lehi and fellow fighter Moroni: "Now behold, this Lehi was a man who had been with Moroni in the more part of all his battles; and he was a man like unto Moroni, and they rejoiced in each other’s safety; yea, they were beloved by each other" (Alma 53:2). Reading this account of Moroni’s reunion with Lehi reminds me of the strength and enrichment I get from wonderful friends who inspire and support me. Very rarely are we able to be in the same place at the same time, but I watch this cohort from a distance through the lens of social media and find encouragement in the idea that we are all running similar courses in parallel. In the rare moments where we are privileged to be together to talk, laugh, reminisce, and dream about the future, I imagine what Lehi and Moroni must have felt as they enjoyed a brief reprieve from the personal battles they were each embroiled in to connect and uplift each other. At this p...

There are different models in the scriptures for meeting a military adversary. In Alma chapter 52 we read that a Nephite general avoided direct conflict with the Lamanites: “Seeing the enormity of their number, Teancum thought it was not expedient that he should attempt to attack [the Lamanites] in their forts” (Alma 52:5). He saw that it was impossible that he could overpower them while they were in their fortifications; therefore he abandoned his designs and returned again to the city Bountiful, to wait for the coming of Moroni, that he might receive strength to his army (Alma 52:17). Teancum made a strategic military decision based on his judgment of the relative strength of his army, and decided to wait for reinforcements before attacking the Lamanites. Eventually, Teancum and Morni succeeded through their use of decoys and stratagem. While they were surely inspired and aided in their actions, the story of this battle does not describe the revelations or protections from God...

Internal political divisions left the Nephites vulnerable to external attack. A group of monarchists sought to overthrow the chief judge Pahoran after a failed bid to change Nephite law to allow for a monarchy.  "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.  And those who were desirous that Pahoran should remain chief judge over the land took upon them the name of   freemen; and thus was the   division   among them, for the freemen had sworn or   covenanted  to maintain their rights and the privileges of their religion by a free government" (Alma 51:5-6). From this verse it seems that the freemen's primary consideration in opposing monarchy was to maintain religious freedom and basic rights. While not specifically addressed in the script...

Moroni continued his work of fortification, built new cities, and consolidate the territory of the Nephites. Because of his industry, he brought security and peace to his country: "Thus Moroni, with his armies, which did increase daily because of the assurance of protection which his works did bring forth unto them" (Alma 50:12). Similarly, when we live good lives and demonstrate the confidence and contentment that can come from righteousness, we give others permission to join in doing the same. People naturally want to associate with things that are successful, stable, and safe; goodness is mutually reinforcing.  Because of their efforts, the Lord blessed them "a nd they did prosper exceedingly, and they became exceedingly rich; yea, and they did multiply and wax strong in the land"  (Alma 50:18). An important caveat to this verse is that living the gospel is not a get rich quick scheme, the reward for righteousness is not always monetary, and the ete...

Knowing that the armies of the Lamanites would return to destroy the Nephites, Moroni understood major construction and fortification projects to project his people. Moroni rebuilt cities, instructed his people to build walls of dirt around their cities, and deployed his strongest troops to the weakest cities. Because of their numbers and their armor, the Lamanites assumed they would easily crush the Nephites, "but behold, to their uttermost astonishment, they were prepared for them, in a manner which never had been known among the children of Lehi . Now they were prepared for the Lamanites, to battle after the manner of the instructions of Moroni. In defending and sustaining his chosen people, the Lord has a habit of using unconventional means that require faith and participation. I'm reminded of how Noah built an ark (Genesis 6:14-15), and Joshua conquered Jericho (Deuteronomy 6:2-5). In the Book of Mormon we read about how Nephi built a ship:  "we did work ti...