Hugh Nibley
"'the lower judges of the land, and they were seeking for power' (3 Nephi 6:27; Alma 46:4).
"All these Amalickiah welded together with immense managerial skill to form a single ultraconservative coalition who agreed to 'support him and establish him to be their king,' expecting that 'he would make them rulers over the people' (Alma 46:5). Many in the church were won over by Amalickiah's skillful oratory, for he was a charming ('flattering' is the word used in the Book of Mormon) and persuasive communicator. He made war the cornerstone of his policy and power, using a systematic and carefully planned communications system of towers and trained speakers to stir up the people to fight for their rights, meaning Amalickiah's career. For while Moroni had kind feelings for the enemy, Amalickiah 'did care not for the blood of his [own] people' (Alma 49:10). His object in life was to become king of both the Nephites and Lamanites, using the one to subdue the other (Alma 46:4-5). He was a master of dirty tricks, to which he owed some of his most brilliant achievements as he maintained his upward mobility by clever murders, high-powered public relations, and great executive ability. His competitive spirit was such that he swore to drink the blood of Alma, who stood in his way. In short, he was 'one very wicked man' (Alma 46:9), who stood for everything that Moroni loathed."(Brother Brigham Challenges the Saints, p. 502)