Alma Ch. 52

Read it HERE.

Summary: Ammoron succeeds Amalickiah as king of the Lamanites—Moroni, Teancum, and Lehi lead the Nephites in a victorious war against the Lamanites—The city of Mulek is retaken, and Jacob the Lamanite is slain. About 66—64 B.C.

Sometimes it is interesting to read these warring chapters because of the strategies the leaders employ to win the wars. Moroni, Teancum, and the others are very clever but they also rely on the Lord. This doesn't mean that they always win but it does mean they know how to do the right thing.

In verses 21-26 we learn about how they won back the city of Mulek, which had been occupied by the Lamanites. They sent a small decoy army (led by Teancum) past the city and drew out the Lamanites, who thought they could easily overtake such a small group of soldiers. Meanwhile, Moroni led a larger group of soldiers to reclaim the city from the few Lamanites left to guard it.

The following thought is taken from the Institute Manual for the Book of Mormon:

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) observed, “From the Book of Mormon we learn how disciples of Christ live in times of war” (in Conference Report, Oct.1986, 5; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 7). Mormon included several accounts of war in the Book of Mormon for a purpose. These accounts teach about the need to preserve freedom in order to maintain religious rights, the damage traitors inflict, the value of even a few righteous youth, the moral justification for war, and strategies to combat evil while relying upon God’s power to intervene.


Moroni embodied this. He was a righteous, intelligent leader and I wish we could have a leader like him in our country today.


Led by wicked and apostate Nephites (Ammoron and others), the Lamanites sought to violently capture and maintain Nephite cities. Each city was taken at a high price, however: "They had not taken any cities save they had lost much blood" (vs. 4). Captain Moroni was always reluctant to take up the sword and far more eager to lay it down for peace (vs. 37). He knew that even when the Nephites were victorious, it cost thousands of lives on both sides. War would never occur if all people were living the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is the Prince of Peace, and those who follow Him are emissaries of peace.


We will eventually experience this in the time of the Milennium. It will be beautiful to live in a time when all are following Christ and are "emissaries of peace."


Elise