War in the Book of Mormon

Mormon places two extremes in immediate juxtaposition in the Book of Mormon. In the previous episode, I discussed the Consolidated Settlement – a period of unique and nearly complete physical, organizational, and social unity. In this episode we discuss the collapse of that unity, the near perfect unity resulting from the instruction of Jesus Christ, and the gradual and consistent decline and loss of that unity.

Mormon places two extremes in immediate juxtaposition in the Book of Mormon. In the previous episode, I discussed the Consolidated Settlement – a period of unique and nearly complete physical, organizational, and social unity. In this episode we discuss the collapse of that unity, the near perfect unity resulting from the instruction of Jesus Christ, and the gradual and consistent decline and loss of that unity.

The Nephites and Lamanites unite in a single body to fight a poetically equally united group of Gadianton Robbers. This is the giant showdown where united good fights united evil. Mormon teaches about the power of good the comes from unity and how, for some of us, that may be the best ways that we can survive in the battles that we face. This is the biggest clash of arms in the Book of Mormon record to this point.

The Nephites and Lamanites unite in a single body to fight a poetically equally united group of Gadianton Robbers. This is the giant showdown where united good fights united evil. Mormon teaches about the power of good the comes from unity and how, for some of us, that may be the best ways that we can survive in the battles that we face. This is the biggest clash of arms in the Book of Mormon record to this point.

The two brothers – Nephi and Lehi – did more as missionaries to the Lamanites to end war, return lost lands, and transform a seemingly intractable opponent than did all of the Nephite armies even though they were led by a prophet-warrior like Moronihah. This is a significant and important story to understand the nature of what I call narrative war.

The two brothers – Nephi and Lehi – did more as missionaries to the Lamanites to end war, return lost lands, and transform a seemingly intractable opponent than did all of the Nephite armies even though they were led by a prophet-warrior like Moronihah. This is a significant and important story to understand the nature of what I call narrative war.

The single biggest Nephite military loss takes place under the command of Moronihah and the leadership of Nephi IV during the 58th and 59th year of the reign of the judges when the Nephites lose everything south of the land Bountiful. Mormon gives us a compelling story of defeat caused by disunity in the form of two major dissensions occurring two years apart and the struggle to regain that which was lost. This is the first part of a discussion on this war.

The single biggest Nephite military loss takes place under the command of Moronihah and the leadership of Nephi IV during the 58th and 59th year of the reign of the judges when the Nephites lose everything south of the land Bountiful. Mormon gives us a compelling story of defeat caused by disunity in the form of two major dissensions occurring two years apart and the struggle to regain that which was lost. This is the first part of a discussion on this war.

Helaman chapter one introduces the reader to the sea change that is coming in a form of foreshadowing. The chapter begins with a story of the creation of the first band of Gadianton Robbers and then ends with fighting between Nephites and a Lamanite army commanded by a man named Coriantumr. As the Book of Mormon moves forward from here, Gadianton Robbers become more and more important to the point that their efforts lead to the near complete destruction of the Nephite state. This chapter is where it all begins.

Helaman chapter one introduces the reader to the sea change that is coming in a form of foreshadowing. The chapter begins with a story of the creation of the first band of Gadianton Robbers and then ends with fighting between Nephites and a Lamanite army commanded by a man named Coriantumr. As the Book of Mormon moves forward from here, Gadianton Robbers become more and more important to the point that their efforts lead to the near complete destruction of the Nephite state. This chapter is where it all begins.