Alma 2:16 shows that the military leaders were called the chief judge and governor’s captains and chief captains, and states that Alma, as “the chief judge and the governor of the people of Nephi,” led “his armies, against the Amlicites to battle” (emphasis added). Moroni had been “appointed to be the chief captain over the Nephites,” and “the chief captain took the command of all the armies of the Nephites” (Alma 43:16).
Moroni would have been appointed to his post under the authority of the chief judge, who in turn received his authority by election from the people. With his right as commander-in-chief of the armies, Pahoran issued orders to Moroni (see Alma 61:15–18, 21).