Amlici’s attempt to make the Nephites subject to him (v. 10) is another characteristic of priestcraft. He wanted the gain and praise of the world and was certainly not seeking the welfare of Zion. The Nephites being called the “people of God” (v. 11) shows they were still living the gospel. They were not pacifists but were organized and prepared for war. As the chief judge and governor of the land, Alma led his forces (v. 16). Remember that he was “also the high priest” of the church (Mosiah 29:42). The Nephites were following the law of war which is recorded later. They “were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives, and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church” (Alma 43:45). As a result “the Lord did strengthen the hand of the Nephites” and “[the Amlicites] began to flee before them” (Alma 2:18). The numbers of the slain (v. 19) shows the extensiveness of the war.