“Captain Moroni,” sculpture by Josh Cotton
After becoming king of the Lamanites, Amalackiah busies himself with persuading his people to attack the Nephites. Meanwhile, Moroni prepares his people physically and spiritually to defend themselves. Mormon describes Moroni as strong, knowledgeable, compassionate, freedom-loving, thankful, and faithful. His people followed his lead, not delighting in shedding blood, but willing to defend themselves and their families against an unprovoked attack.
Chapter Outline
- Amalackiah stirs up the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites (v. 1-6)
- Moroni fortifies cities and minds (v. 7-10)
- Mormon praises Moroni (v. 11-20)
- The Nephites reluctantly defend themselves (v. 21-25)
My Takeaways
- Be careful not to be “stirred up” by the impassioned arguments of other people.
- Prepare your mind for future challenges by making small fortifying decisions.
- Follow Moroni’s example: Act with strength and wisdom, be kind, be thankful, and be hard-working and dependable.
- The people you love and serve can and will change. Help them.
Featured Blog Posts
❖ Amalackiah stirs up the Lamanites – Alma 48:1-6
Stirred Up
What would possess a group of people to invade and occupy their own Capitol Building while their elected representatives were conducting official government business on their behalf? How could they convince themselves that this action was morally acceptable, or that it was even helpful to their cause? The troubling events this week in the United…
❖ Moroni fortifies cities – Alma 48:7-10
Moroni…Had Been Preparing the Minds of the People – Alma 48:7-9
7 Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God. 8 Yea, he had been strengthening the armies of the Nephites, and erecting small forts, or…
Thus He Was Preparing – Alma 48:7-10
7 Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God.8 Yea, he had been strengthening the armies of the Nephites, and erecting small forts, or places…
❖ Moroni’s character – Alma 48:11-20
Moroni Was a Strong and a Mighty Man – Alma 48:11-13
11 And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery; 12 Yea, a man whose heart…
If All Men Had Been…Like Unto Moroni – Alma 48:11-13, 17
11 And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;12 Yea, a man whose heart did…
“No Less Serviceable” – Alma 48:19
As we’ve studied about Alma’s words to Corianton this week, I’ve wondered about Corianton’s subsequent activities. Alma is clearly concerned about him, not only because of his behavior but because of misunderstandings which have thus far held him back from repenting. Were Alma’s words effective in helping Corianton to change? We don’t hear much more…
“Never to Give an Offense”
The Nephites were taught to defend themselves but “never to give an offense.” We all know how difficult that is. Often, people take offense where none is intended. But we can often frame our words and actions in ways that are conducive to peace.
Old Testament Foundations
The Sanctity of Life
A disciple of Jesus Christ has a reverence and respect for living things. “Thou shalt not kill,” God commanded on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17, Mosiah 13:21). And Jesus extended that commandment to less violent offenses: don’t get angry; don’t say unkind things. (See Matthew 5:21, 3 Nephi 12:21.) When we recognize that all…
New Testament Parallels
Why Did Mormon Say That Captain Moroni Had a “Perfect Understanding?”
Mormon admired Captain Moroni, a military leader who had successfully defended his people against a major invasion by their enemies. When Mormon described Moroni, he spoke of his physical abilities (“a strong and a mighty man”), his intellectual abilities (“a man of a perfect understanding”), his love for others (“a man who did labor exceedingly for…
For the Welfare and Safety of His People – Alma 48:11-13
11 And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery; 12 Yea, a man whose heart…
Church History Connections
“Prepare Ye, Prepare Ye”
In the first section of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord speaks of “the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth,” and He foretells a time when “peace shall be taken from the earth” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:17, 35). But in the same chapter, He provides the following counsel: “Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is…
All Posts Referencing Alma 48
- Principles of Peacemaking in Doctrine and Covenants 98 (9/10/2025)
- To Advance the Cause (7/18/2025)
- “Prepare Your Hearts” (4/4/2025)
- How to Recognize the Holy Ghost (2/5/2025)
- What Do You Delight In? (11/3/2024)
- “Never to Give an Offense” (8/15/2024)
- War and Peace (8/14/2024)
- A Better Cause (2/24/2022)
- Glory (12/28/2021)
- The Sanctity of Life (12/15/2021)
- Stirred Up (1/9/2021)
- “Prepare Ye, Prepare Ye” (12/29/2020)
- “No Less Serviceable” – Alma 48:19 (8/2/2020)
- What Should I Be Thankful For? (11/28/2019)
- How Much Power Does the Devil Have? (10/22/2019)
- Why Did Mormon Say That Captain Moroni Had a “Perfect Understanding?” (10/21/2019)
- When Is Violence Justified? (10/17/2019)
- What Is the Significance of God’s Promise to Nephi? (7/19/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Self-Reliance? (7/18/2019)
- How Can I Be More Humble? (5/13/2019)
- How Should We Respond When Others Threaten or Attack Us? (4/28/2019)
- What Does It Mean to Be “Baptized Unto Repentance?” (2/22/2019)
- Moroni Was a Strong and a Mighty Man – Alma 48:11-13 (4/9/2018)
- Moroni…Had Been Preparing the Minds of the People – Alma 48:7-9 (4/8/2018)
- If All Men Had Been…Like Unto Moroni – Alma 48:11-13, 17 (3/22/2017)
- This Was Their Faith – Alma 48:14-15 (3/20/2017)
- Preparing the Minds of the People – Alma 48:7 (3/18/2017)
- Amalickiah vs. Moroni – Alma 48:7 (7/28/2016)
- For the Welfare and Safety of His People – Alma 48:11-13 (7/27/2016)
- To Be Faithful – Alma 48:7 (5/26/2016)
- Thus He Was Preparing – Alma 48:7-10 (8/11/2015)