According to Spencer Condie, an important element of the Lord’s counsel on exercising power and authority involves “reproving betimes with sharpness” (D&C 121:43). Many English-speaking people assume that the meaning of this archaic word, betimes, means “frequently” or “sometimes,” but this is not the case. Betimes means literally “before it is too late.” It is significant in this context that Pahoran responds to Moroni’s letter by saying, "I do joy in receiving your epistle, for I was somewhat worried concerning what we should do, whether it should be just in us to go against our brethren. (Alma 61:19; emphasis added.)
One gathers the impression that Pahoran, perhaps like the great high priest Eli of old, knew full well that remedial actions should be taken but lacked the motivation to follow through until the message was sent in an unmistakable fashion that could not be misunderstood. Not until he received Moroni’s sharp message did Pahoran make firm resolve to clean house on the home front in order to be unified against the Lamanite armies. [Spencer J. Condie, “Righteous Oaths, Reproof, and Reconciliation,” in Studies in Scripture: Book of Mormon, Part 2, pp. 88-89]
The Lord Confirms the Covenant Way
Alma 45 -- 3 Nephi 10