“They Had Many Battles with the Nephites”

Brant Gardner

Redaction: This is Mormon’s summary of the battle at Ammonihah, clearly given from his later perspective as a Nephite general. Mormon does not mention the Lamanites’ political motivation because he never displays interest in Lamanite politics. It would be fair to assume that he understood the political situation, but he simply treats the attack as one of several rebuffed Lamanite attempts. From Mormon’s perspective, it is important to add that the Nephites won many battles and only briefly mention their spectacular loss. Mormon doesn’t want to leave the impression of Lamanite dominance at this point.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 4

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