Just as the Nephites feared, the Zoramites form an alliance with the Lamanites and prepare to attack. (See Alma 31:4, Alma 35:10-13.) The chief captain of the Nephite army, Moroni, prepares his soldiers with weapons and armor. When the Lamanites withdraw and attempt to attack another place, Moroni ambushes their army in the new location. The Lamanites fight hard, but the Nephites fight harder, because they are defending their families. When the Lamanites appear to be losing, Moroni halts the fighting.
Chapter Outline
- Alma and his sons continue to preach (v. 1-2)
- The Lamanites and the Zoramites prepare to attack the Nephites (v. 3-14)
- Moroni’s army is prepared, and the Lamanites don’t attack them in Jershon (v. 15-22)
- Moroni ambushes and surrounds them as they try to attack the land of Manti (v. 23-42)
- The Lamanites fight “like dragons,” but the Nephites are “inspired by a better cause.” When the Lamanites become terrified, Moroni pauses the fighting. (v. 43-54)
My Takeaways
- We should be anxious to share the gospel, and we should do it in the Lord’s way.
- We need to prepare early, work hard, and be innovative in our preparations.
- We can seek for guidance from God by hearing and following the words of prophets.
- We stand on solid ground when we do the right things for the right reasons. Inappropriate motives, in contrast, lead to instability and eventual defeat.
Featured Blog Posts
❖ Alma and his sons preach the word – Alma 43:1-2
Alma…Could Not Rest – Alma 43:1-2
1 And now it came to pass that the sons of Alma did go forth among the people, to declare the word unto them. And Alma, also, himself, could not rest, and he also went forth. 2 Now we shall say no more concerning their preaching, except that they preached the word, and the truth,…
After the Holy Order of God
Alma and his sons preached “after the holy order of God.” This conveys a sense of joint action, of collective effort. Jesus wants His disciples to be one because some needful things can only be accomplished through organized, collective effort.
❖ Moroni’s army is prepared to meet the Lamanites – Alma 43:15-22
Prepared – Alma 43:19, Alma 49:8
When the Lamanite armies, under the leadership of Zerahemnah, arrived at the land of Jershon, they were dismayed. Captain Moroni and the Nephite army were prepared in a way that they had not anticipated: Moroni had prepared his people with breastplates and with arm-shields, yea, and also shields to defend their heads, and also they…
❖ Moroni ambushes the Lamanite army – Alma 43:23-42
Follow the Prophet
Two different military leaders asked Alma for guidance on two different occasions. Notice how similar these two stories are: Now Zoram and his two sons, knowing that Alma was high priest over the church, and having heard that he had the spirit of prophecy, therefore they went unto him and desired of him to know…
He Thought It No Sin That He Should Defend Them by Stratagem – Alma 43:29-30
29 And now, as Moroni knew the intention of the Lamanites, that it was their intention to destroy their brethren, or to subject them and bring them into bondage that they might establish a kingdom unto themselves over all the land;30 And he also knowing that it was the only desire of the Nephites to…
❖ The Nephites are inspired by a better cause – Alma 43:43-54
A Better Cause
The first time that we hear about Captain Moroni is when he leads the Nephite armies to victory against Zerahemnah’s Lamanite army. As the narrator, Mormon makes it a point to contrast the motivations of these two armies: [Zerahemnah’s] designs were to stir up the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites; this he did that he might usurp great…
“Perceiving Their Intent” – Alma 43:48
Captain Moroni was a successful military leader partly because of his emotional intelligence. He made it a point to observe the “intent” of the enemy and the “intent” of his own troops. For example: As Moroni knew the intention of the Lamanites, that it was their intention to destroy their brethren, or to subject them…
When Is Violence Justified?
“Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). The sixth of the Ten Commandments which the Lord gave to Moses on Mount Sinai is clear and uncontroversial. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expanded the commandment: Not only is it wrong to kill. It’s wrong to be angry. It’s wrong to call people names. These small…
In That Selfsame Hour That They Cried unto the Lord – Alma 43:48-50
48 And it came to pass that when the men of Moroni saw the fierceness and the anger of the Lamanites, they were about to shrink and flee from them. And Moroni, perceiving their intent, sent forth and inspired their hearts with these thoughts—yea, the thoughts of their lands, their liberty, yea, their freedom from…
War and Peace
Some principles for dealing with conflict from the Book of Mormon: 1. Disciples of Christ promote peace. 2. We have a duty as citizens to uphold the law. 3. Some things are worth fighting for. 4. Comfort and bless those who are harmed by conflict.
New Testament Parallels
Passing Through the Midst of Them
What makes people respond to offenses with physical violence? How can we avoid overreacting when we feel attacked in some way? (1) Never instigate or escalate. (2) Be aware of your natural self. (3) Step away from the mob.
Church History Connections
“None Shall Slumber”
In 1837, Thomas B. Marsh was concerned about the state of the Church. In Missouri, church members had been driven from their homes. In Ohio, many members and even church leaders were becoming disaffected. As president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Thomas must have felt a deep desire to help curb the chaos…
If Ye Are Prepared…
When Nephi and his people “had prepared all things,” including “much fruit and meat from the wilderness, and honey in abundance,” and other provisions, they boarded the ship they had built to travel across the ocean (1 Nephi 18:6). The brother of Jared and his people did the same before embarking on their journey: When…
“Prepare Your Hearts”
Our success in facing challenges depends on our emotional and spiritual readiness. The words of prophets can help our hearts be more settled, courageous, connected, and committed. General conference this weekend provides a powerful opportunity to prepare our hearts for the challenges we will face in the future.
All Posts Referencing Alma 43
- So Great a Cause (11/9/2025)
- Principles of Peacemaking in Doctrine and Covenants 98 (9/10/2025)
- To Advance the Cause (7/18/2025)
- These Truths (7/4/2025)
- “They Will Not Open Their Mouths” (6/10/2025)
- “Prepare Your Hearts” (4/4/2025)
- Home (9/5/2024)
- Never Stop Preparing (8/16/2024)
- War and Peace (8/14/2024)
- After the Holy Order of God (8/13/2024)
- “He Caused That His Sons Should Be Gathered” (7/27/2024)
- Testimony of Jesus = Spirit of Prophecy (12/30/2023)
- Passing Through the Midst of Them (2/5/2023)
- “Open His Eyes” (7/10/2022)
- Joshua and the Book of Mormon (5/26/2022)
- A Better Cause (2/24/2022)
- The Raven, the Dove, and the Olive Leaf, or How Did Noah Know? (2/2/2022)
- “None Shall Slumber” (10/10/2021)
- If Ye Are Prepared… (4/16/2021)
- “The Armor of Righteousness” – 2 Nephi 1:23 (3/21/2021)
- “That Ye May Not Shrink” – 2 Nephi 9:46 (2/27/2021)
- King-Men and Freedom of Speech (1/14/2021)
- “Inquire of the Lord” (1/7/2021)
- Prepared – Alma 43:19, Alma 49:8 (8/8/2020)
- Follow the Prophet (8/5/2020)
- “Perceiving Their Intent” – Alma 43:48 (8/4/2020)
- When Is Violence Justified? (10/17/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Self-Reliance? (7/18/2019)
- What Was the Title of Liberty? (7/4/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Anger? (5/9/2019)
- How Should We Respond When Others Threaten or Attack Us? (4/28/2019)
- In That Selfsame Hour That They Cried unto the Lord – Alma 43:48-50 (4/6/2018)
- A Better Cause – Alma 43:45-47 (3/14/2017)
- Alma…Himself, Could Not Rest – Alma 43:1 (3/13/2017)
- Alma…Could Not Rest – Alma 43:1-2 (11/7/2016)
- Inspired by a Better Cause – Alma 43:45-46 (8/24/2016)
- Alma…Could Not Rest – Alma 43:1 (7/14/2016)
- He Thought It No Sin That He Should Defend Them by Stratagem – Alma 43:29-30 (8/1/2015)
- Moroni Had Prepared His People – Alma 43:19-21 (8/1/2015)
- Alma 43:45 Inspired by a Better Cause (11/19/2014)