“Among the Lamanites Who Were Slain Were Almost All the Seed of Amulon”

Alan C. Miner

Apparently after the destruction of Ammonihah by the Lamanites (Alma 25:2), there were "many battles with the Nephites, in the which [the Lamanites who had destroyed Ammonihah] were driven and slain" (Alma 25:3). In Alma 25:4 it states: "And among the Lamanites who were slain were almost all the seed of Amulon and his brethren, who were the priests of Noah, and they were slain by the hands of the Nephites." There are some questions here. First, one might wonder, Was there a particular reason that "the seed of Amulon" were targeted? In other words, was there a way to single them out from the Lamanites or Amalekites?

Second, if we refer to Alma's account after the destruction of Ammonihah (Alma 16:11) it says that "the people did not go in to possess the land of Ammonihah for many years. And it was called Desolation of Nehors; for they were of the profession of Nehor, who were slain; and their lands remained desolate. Alma 24:28 tells us that "the greatest number [of the Amalekites and Amulonites] were after the order of the Nehors" So the question is, Why would this group of Lamanites, who originally were led by Amalekites and Amulonites (Alma 24:28-29) who belonged to the order of the Nehors, go and destroy a city that was of the same profession or order? [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes]

Step by Step Through the Book of Mormon: A Cultural Commentary

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