Summary of Events:
The war begins! Amalekiah’s army of Lamanites marches to
the Nephite city of Ammonihah. They are decked out with armor (they learned
their lesson from the last battle), and they expect to easily conquer their target because they easily destroyed it in the past (see Alma 16).
8 But behold, to their total astonishment, [the Nephites] 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.
Under Moroni’s leadership, the Nephites have erected walls
and dug ditches around their entire city (like the picture), making it nearly
impossible to enter the city except by the narrow entrance gate. The Lamanites
have never seen anything like it! They are scared to attack (as they should
be), and decide to attack a different city first.
13 For they knew not that Moroni had fortified, or had built forts of security, for every city in all the land round about; therefore, they marched forward to the land of Noah with a firm determination; yea, their chief captains came forward and took an oath that they would destroy the people of that city.
14 But behold, to their astonishment, the city of Noah, which had hitherto been a weak place, had now, by the means of Moroni, become strong, yea, even to exceed the strength of the city Ammonihah.
15 And now, behold, this was wisdom in Moroni; for he had supposed that they would be frightened at the city Ammonihah; and as the city of Noah had hitherto been the weakest part of the land, therefore they would march thither to battle; and thus it was according to his desires.
Clever Moroni! He also placed Lehi in command at the city
of Noah, and the Lamanites are afraid of Lehi because he walloped them in the
last battle. But because the Lamanite commanders had promised each other to
attack at this next city, they give it a try. And they fail miserably! No one
succeeds in getting over the walls of the city or through the narrow passage.
Over 1000 Lamanites are killed, and not a single Nephite is killed.
Spiritual Insights:
The time to prepare to defend/protect yourself against
spiritually destructive forces is BEFORE they attack. Identify your biggest
weaknesses, and defend those the most, because you can count on them being
attacked first.
Summary of Events:
Moroni’s armies continue to strengthen the fortifications
of all their cities, and the Nephites build many new cities. These are happy
and prosperous times for the Nephites, even though they know the Lamanites
could come to war again any day.
The biggest conflict the Nephites deal with during this
time is internal. The people in the city Morianton claim land that
belongs to a new city named Lehi, and they are
ready to fight for it. “But behold, the people who possessed the land of Lehi
fled to the camp of Moroni, and appealed unto him for assistance; for behold
they were not in the wrong (v. 27).” Morianton’s army is obviously scared of
Moroni’s army because they are no competition for them, so they plan to take off and
possess the land northward. But before the plan occurs, Morianton loses his
temper with a maid and beats her, and she flees to Moroni and tells him all
about Morianton’s plans.
Moroni sends an army led by an awesome guy named Teancum
(we will hear more about him in future battles) to intersect Morianton’s people
in their flight, and of course Teancum’s army wins. Morianton is killed, and
the rest of the people return to the city of Morianton in peace.
Spiritual Insights:
One of the reoccurring themes of the Book of Mormon is that
you will prosper in life if you keep God’s commandments, and your life will
eventually fall apart if you don’t. This point is illustrated in the lives of
the Nephites and Lamanites throughout the Book of Mormon, and this is one time
in which the Nephites exhibit prosperity due to their righteousness and the
Lord’s blessings:
17 And in these prosperous circumstances were the people of Nephi in the commencement of the twenty and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.
18 And they did prosper exceedingly, and they became exceedingly rich; yea, and they did multiply and wax strong in the land.
19 And thus we see how merciful and just are all the dealings of the Lord, to the fulfilling of all his words unto the children of men; yea, we can behold that his words are verified, even at this time, which he spake unto Lehi, saying:
20 Blessed art thou and thy children; and they shall be blessed, inasmuch as they shall keep my commandments they shall prosper in the land. But remember, inasmuch as they will not keep my commandments they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.
21 And we see that these promises have been verified to the people of Nephi; for it has been their quarrelings and their contentions, yea, their murderings, and their plunderings, their idolatry, their whoredoms, and their abominations, which were among themselves, which brought upon them their wars and their destructions.
22 And those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord were delivered at all times, whilst thousands of their wicked brethren have been consigned to bondage, or to perish by the sword, or to dwindle in unbelief, and mingle with the Lamanites.
Another important point—if you are faithful in following
the Lord and keeping His commandments, it is possible to be happy and to thrive
in life even in non-ideal circumstances. The Nephites know that the Lamanites
are preparing for war and could attack at any time, and yet they seem to be the
happiest they have ever been.
23 But behold there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi, since the days of Nephi, than in the days of Moroni, yea, even at this time, in the twenty and first year of the reign of the judges.
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