“The essence of the Book of Alma is captured when Mormon writes ‘And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which is just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else’ (Alma 31:5). The first two-thirds of the book of Alma illustrates the power of the word. The last third of the book portrays the great wars and the effect of the sword upon the Nephites. The two ways are masterfully contrasted. The word is taught and then comes the sword. … The word of the gospel must be preached in all the world before the final sword of destruction” (Donaldson, “‘After the Manner of Their Language’”).