“The Lamanites Did Come Down to the City of Desolation to Battle Against Us”

Brant Gardner

Although a year marker appears between the delivery of the Lamanites’ letter and the actual beginning of hostilities, probably an entire year has not passed. Probably the Lamanites sent the letter at the end of 360 and attacked early in the next. It also seems reasonable that the Lamanites would have attacked early enough to besiege the Nephites and prevent them from planting crops. Even if the current attack fails, which it did, the attackers have succeeded in diminishing the available food stores. The Lamanites had a larger land with greater supply capabilities than the more concentrated Nephites. Therefore, they could afford to keep their fighting men out of the agricultural fields, while the same condition would eventually weaken the Nephites.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 6

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