In Alma 3:25 Mormon notes that "all these wars and contentions were commenced and ended in the fifth year." Brant Gardner writes that in Mormon's writings, he often uses the terms "wars and contentions." In Mormon's usage these two terms are often placed together, which may lead the reader to believe that both these terms describe the same conditions. They do not. For Mormon, wars are against an external foe, and contentions are against an internal foe. Thus we have war because of the Lamanites, but contentions due to the Amlicites. Note Mormon's introduction to the Amlicite problem in Alma 2:1: "And it came to pass in the commencement of the fifth year of their reign there began to be a contention among the people: for a certain man, being called Amlici . . ." Mormon is consistent in making a distinction between wars and contentions, and when we see "contentions" we must understand that we are dealing with internal strife and divisions, not external problems with the Lamanites. [Brant Gardner, "Book of Mormon Commentary," Alma 3, p. 14 at [http://www.frontpage2k.nmia.com/~nahualli/LDStopics/Alma/] Alma3.htm]