BOOK OF MORMON

Book of Alma

CHAPTERS 22-23

   [Alma 22:1] And now it came to pass that Moroni did not stop making preparations for war, or to defend his people against the Lamanites; for he caused that his armies should commence in the commencement of the twentieth year of the reign of the Judges, that they should commence in digging up heaps of earth round about all the cities, throughout all the land which was possessed by the Nephites; [2] And upon the top of these ridges of earth he caused that there should be timbers; yea, works of timbers built up to the height of a man, round about the cities.
   [Alma 22:3] And he caused that upon those works of timbers, there should be a frame of pickets built upon the timbers, round about; and they were strong and high; and he caused towers to be erected that overlooked those works of pickets; [4] And he caused places of security to be built upon those towers, that the stones and the arrows of the Lamanites could not hurt them.
   [Alma 22:5] And they were prepared, that they could cast stones from the top thereof, according to their pleasure and their strength, and slay him who should attempt to approach near the walls of the city.
   [Alma 22:6] Thus Moroni did prepare strongholds against the coming of their enemies, round about every city in all the land.
   [Alma 22:7] And it came to pass that Moroni caused that his armies should go forth into the east wilderness; yea, and they went forth, and drove all the Lamanites who were in the east wilderness into their own lands, which were south of the land of Zarahemla; [8] And the land of Nephi did run in a straight course from the east sea to the west.
   [Alma 22:9] And it came to pass that when Moroni had driven all the Lamanites out of the east wilderness, which was north of the lands of their own possessions, he caused that the inhabitants who were in the land of Zarahemla, and in the land round about, should go forth into the east wilderness, even to the borders, by the sea-shore, and possess the land.
   [Alma 22:10] And he also placed armies on the south, in the borders of their possessions, and caused them to erect fortifications that they might secure their armies and their people from the hands of their enemies.
   [Alma 22:11] And thus he cut off all the strongholds of the Lamanites, in the east wilderness: yea, and also on the west, fortifying the line between the Nephites and the Lamanites, between the land of Zarahemla and the land of Nephi; from the west sea, running by the head of the river Sidon; [12] The Nephites possessing all the land northward; yea, even all the land which was northward of the land Bountiful, according to their pleasure.
   [Alma 22:13] Thus Moroni, with his armies, which did increase daily, because of the assurance of protection which his works did bring forth unto them; therefore they did seek to cut off the strength and the power of the Lamanites, from off the lands of their possessions, that they should have no power upon the lands of their possessions.
   [Alma 22:14] And it came to pass that the Nephites began the foundation of a city; and they called the name of the city Moroni; and it was by the east sea; and it was on the south by the line of the possessions of the Lamanites.
   [Alma 22:15] And they also began a foundation for a city between the city of Moroni and the city of Aaron, joining the borders of Aaron and Moroni; and they called the name of the city, or the land, Nephihah.
   [Alma 22:16] And they also began, in that same year, to build many cities on the north; one in a particular manner which they called Lehi, which was in the north, by the borders of the sea-shore. And thus ended the twentieth year.
   [Alma 22:17] 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.
   [Alma 22:18] And they did prosper exceedingly, and they became exceeding rich; yea, and they did multiply, and wax strong in the land.
   [Alma 22:19] 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; [20] Yea, we can behold that his words are verified, even at this time, which he spake unto Lehi saying, Blessed art thou and thy children; and they shall be blessed; inasmuch as they shall keep my commandments, they shall prosper in the land.
   [Alma 22:21] But remember, inasmuch as they will not keep my commandments, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.
   [Alma 22:22] 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.
   [Alma 22:23] 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.
   [Alma 22:24] 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.
   [Alma 22:25] And it came to pass that the twenty and second year of the reign of the Judges, also ended in peace; yea, and also the twenty and third year.
   [Alma 22:26] And it came to pass that in the commencement of the twenty and fourth year of the reign of the Judges, there would also have been peace among the people of Nephi, had it not been for a contention which took place among them concerning the land of Lehi, and the land of Morianton, which joined upon the borders of Lehi; both of which were on the borders by the sea-shore.
   [Alma 22:27] For behold, the people who possessed the land of Morianton did claim a part of the land of Lehi; therefore there began to be a warm contention between them, insomuch that the people of Morianton took up arms against their brethren, and they were determined by the sword to slay them.
   [Alma 22:28] 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.
   [Alma 22:29] And it came to pass that when the people of Morianton, who were led by a man whose name was Morianton, found that the people of Lehi had fled to the camp of Moroni, they were exceeding fearful lest the army of Moroni should come upon them, and destroy them; [30] Therefore, Morianton put it into their hearts that they should flee to the land which was northward, which was covered with large bodies of water, and take possession of the land which was northward.
   [Alma 22:31] And behold, they would have carried this plan into effect, (which would have been a cause to have been lamented,) but behold, Morianton, being a man of much passion, therefore he was angry with one of his maid-servants, and he fell upon her, and beat her much.
   [Alma 22:32] And it came to pass that she fled, and came over to the camp of Moroni, and told Moroni all things concerning the matter; and also concerning their intentions to flee into the land northward.
   [Alma 22:33] Now behold, the people who were in the land Bountiful, or rather Moroni, feared that they would hearken to the words of Morianton, and unite with his people, and thus he would obtain possession of those parts of the land, which would lay a foundation for serious consequences among the people of Nephi; yea, which consequences would lead to the overthrow of their liberty; [34] Therefore Moroni sent an army, with their camp, to head the people of Morianton, to stop their flight into the land northward.
   [Alma 22:35] And it came to pass that they did not head them, until they had come to the borders of the land Desolation: and there they did head them, by the narrow pass which led by the sea into the land northward; yea, by the sea, on the west, and on the east.
   [Alma 22:36] And it came to pass that the army which was sent by Moroni, which was led by a man whose name was Teancum, did meet the people of Morianton; [37] And so stubborn were the people of Morianton, (being inspired by his wickedness and his flattering words,) that a battle commenced between them, in which Teancum did slay Morianton, and defeat his army, and took them prisoners, and returned to the camp of Moroni.
   [Alma 22:38] And thus ended the twenty and fourth year of the reign of the Judges over the people of Nephi. And thus were the people of Morianton brought back.
   [Alma 22:39] And upon their covenanting to keep the peace, they were restored to the land of Morianton, and a union took place between them and the people of Lehi; and they were also restored to their lands.
   [Alma 22:40] And it came to pass that in the same year that the people of Nephi had peace restored unto them, that Nephihah, the second chief judge, died, having filled the judgment seat with perfect uprightness before God; [41] Nevertheless, he had refused Alma to take possession of those records and those things which were esteemed by Alma and his fathers to be most sacred; therefore Alma had conferred them upon his son Helaman.
   [Alma 22:42] Behold, it came to pass that the son of Nephihah was appointed to fill the judgment seat, in the stead of his father; yea, he was appointed chief judge, and governor over the people, with an oath, and sacred ordinance to judge righteously, and to keep the peace, and the freedom of the people, and to grant unto them their sacred privileges to worship the Lord their God; [43] Yea, to support and maintain the cause of God all his days, and to bring the wicked to justice, according to their crime. Now behold, his name was Pahoran.
   [Alma 22:44] And Pahoran did fill the seat of his father, and did commence his reign in the end of the twenty and fourth year, over the people of Nephi.

CHAPTER 23

   [Alma 23:1] And now it came to pass in the commencement of the twenty and fifth year of the reign of the Judges over the people of Nephi, they having established peace between the people of Lehi and the people of Morianton concerning their lands, and having commenced the twenty and fifth year in peace; [2] Nevertheless, they did not long maintain an entire peace in the land, for there began to be a contention among the people concerning the chief judge, Pahoran; for behold, there were a part of the people who desired that a few particular points of the law should be altered.
   [Alma 23:3] But behold, Pahoran would not alter, nor suffer the law to be altered; therefore he did not hearken to those who had sent in their voices with their petitions, concerning the altering of the law; [4] Therefore those who were desirous that the law should be altered, were angry with him, and desired that he should no longer be chief judge over the land; therefore there arose a warm dispute concerning the matter; but not unto bloodshed.
   [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.
   [Alma 23:6] 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 23:7] And it came to pass that this matter of their contention was settled, by the voice of the people.
   [Alma 23:8] And it came to pass that the voice of the people came in favor of the freemen, and Pahoran retained the judgment seat, which caused much rejoicing among the brethren of Pahoran, and also many of the people of liberty; who also put the king-men to silence, that they durst not oppose, but were obliged to maintain the cause of freedom.
   [Alma 23:9] Now those who were in favor of kings, were those of high birth; and they sought to be kings; and they were supported by those who sought power and authority over the people.
   [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.
   [Alma 23:11] But behold, we shall see that his promise which he made, was rash; nevertheless, he did prepare himself and his armies, to come to battle against the Nephites.
   [Alma 23:12] Now his armies were not so great as they had hitherto been, because of the many thousands who had been slain by the hand of the Nephites; [13] But notwithstanding their great loss, Amalickiah had gathered together a wonderful great army, insomuch that he feared not to come down to the land of Zarahemla.
   [Alma 23:14] Yea, even Amalickiah did himself come down, at the head of the Lamanites.
   [Alma 23:15] And it was in the twenty and fifth year of the reign of the Judges; and it was at the same time that they had begun to settle the affairs of their contentions concerning the chief judge, Pahoran.
   [Alma 23:16] And it came to pass that when the men who were called king-men, had heard that the Lamanites were coming down to battle against them, they were glad in their hearts, and they refused to take up arms; for they were so wroth with the chief judge, and also with the people of liberty, that they would not take up arms to defend their country.
   [Alma 23:17] And it came to pass that when Moroni saw this, and also saw that the Lamanites were coming into the borders of the land, he was exceeding wroth, because of the stubbornness of those people, whom he had labored with so much diligence to preserve; yea, he was exceeding wroth; his soul was filled with anger against them.
   [Alma 23:18] And it came to pass that he sent a petition, with the voice of the people, unto the governor of the land, desiring that he should read it, and give him (Moroni) power to compel those dissenters to defend their country, or to put them to death; [19] For it was his first care to put an end to such contentions and dissensions among the people; for behold, this had been hitherto a cause of all their destruction.
   [Alma 23:20] And it came to pass that it was granted, according to the voice of the people.
   [Alma 23:21] And it came to pass that Moroni commanded that his army should go against those king-men, to pull down their pride and their nobility, and level them with the earth, or they should take up arms and support the cause of liberty.
   [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.
   [Alma 23:23] And it came to pass that there were four thousand of those dissenters, who were hewn down by the sword; and those of their leaders who were not slain in battle, were taken and cast into prison, for there was no time for their trials at this period; [24] And the remainder of those dissenters, rather than to be smote down to the earth by the sword, yielded to the standard of liberty, and were compelled to hoist the title of liberty upon their towers, and in their cities, and to take up arms in defense of their country.
   [Alma 23:25] And thus Moroni put an end to those king-men, that there were not any known by the appellation of king-men; and thus he put an end to the stubbornness, and the pride of those people who professed the blood of nobility; [26] But they were brought down to humble themselves like unto their brethren, and to fight valiantly for their freedom from bondage.
   [Alma 23:27] Behold, it came to pass that while Moroni was thus breaking down the wars and contentions among his own people, and subjecting them to peace and civilization, and making regulations to prepare for war against the Lamanites, behold, the Lamanites had come into the land of Moroni, which was in the borders by the sea-shore.
   [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.
   [Alma 23:29] And it came to pass that Amalickiah took possession of the city; yea, possession of all their fortifications.
   [Alma 23:30] And those who fled out of the city of Moroni, came to the city of Nephihah; and also the people of the city of Lehi gathered themselves together, and made preparations, and were ready to receive the Lamanites to battle.
   [Alma 23:31] But it came to pass that Amalickiah would not suffer the Lamanites to go against the city of Nephihah to battle, but kept them down by the sea-shore, leaving men in every city to maintain and defend it; [32] And thus he went on, taking possession of many cities: the city of Nephihah, and the city of Lehi, and the city of Morianton, and the city of Omner, and the city of Gid, and the city of Mulek, all of which were on the east borders, by the sea-shore.
   [Alma 23:33] And thus had the Lamanites obtained, by the cunning of Amalickiah, so many cities, by their numberless hosts, all of which were strongly fortified, after the manner of the fortifications of Moroni; all of which afforded strongholds for the Lamanites.
   [Alma 23:34] And it came to pass that they marched to the borders of the land Bountiful, driving the Nephites before them, and slaying many.
   [Alma 23:35] But it came to pass that they were met by Teancum, who had slain Morianton, and had headed his people in his flight.
   [Alma 23:36] And it came to pass that he headed Amalickiah also, as he was marching forth with his numerous army, that he might take possession of the land Bountiful, and also the land northward.
   [Alma 23:37] But behold, he met with a disappointment, by being repulsed by Teancum and his men, for they were great warriors: for every man of Teancum did exceed the Lamanites in their strength, and in their skill of war, insomuch that they did gain advantage over the Lamanites.
   [Alma 23:38] And it came to pass that they did harass them, insomuch that they did slay them even until it was dark.
   [Alma 23:39] And it came to pass that Teancum and his men did pitch their tents in the borders of the land Bountiful; and Amalickiah did pitch his tents in the borders on the beach by the sea-shore, and after this manner were they driven.
   [Alma 23:40] And it came to pass that when the night had come, Teancum and his servant stole forth and went out by night, and went into the camp of Amalickiah; and behold, sleep had overpowered them, because of their much fatigue, which was caused by the labors and heat of the day.
   [Alma 23:41] And it came to pass that Teancum stole privily into the tent of the king, and put a javelin to his heart; and he did cause the death of the king immediately, that he did not awake his servants.
   [Alma 23:42] And he returned again privily to his own camp, and behold, his men were asleep; and he awoke them, and told them all the things that he had done.
   [Alma 23:43] And he caused that his armies should stand in readiness, lest the Lamanites had awakened, and should come upon them.
   [Alma 23:44] And thus ended the twenty and fifth year of the reign of the Judges over the people of Nephi; and thus ended the days of Amalickiah.