“Whomsoever of the Amalickiahites That Would Not Enter into a Covenant Moroni Caused to Be Put to Death”

Alan C. Miner

In Alma 46:35 it states that "whomsoever of the Amalickiahites that would not enter into a covenant to support the cause of freedom, that they might maintain a free government, he [Moroni] caused to be put to death; and there were but few who denied the covenant of freedom."

Hugh Nibley notes that Amalickiah's own people were "doubtful concerning the justice of the cause in which they had undertaken" (Alma 46:29). They were going to surrender willingly. They did because they had doubts all along. Only a few held out. They were still the enemy under arms. They refused to make any concession at all, so the battle went on as far as they were concerned. They continued fighting. Moroni wasn't executing prisoners of war or anything like that. He was just continuing the battle, as he does later with Zerahemnah. The battle would continue until the opposition was stopped. Whoever wanted to stop was free to do so [on the other hand, if you don't sign the surrender you were still at war]. [Hugh W. Nibley, Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Semester 3, p. 64]

Alma 46:36 Moroni caused the title of liberty to be hoisted upon every high tower in all the land ([Illustration]): Moroni caused the title of liberty to be hoisted upon every high tower in all the land. [W. Cleon Skousen, Treasures from the Book of Mormon, Vol. 3, p. 3109]

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

References