“The Nephite military leaders were not bloodthirsty. They hated war and hated the thought of shedding the blood of their brethren. They utilized clever strategy regularly, not only to win the war more rapidly but also to save lives on both sides (see Alma 43:29–30). Later in the story Mormon points out that ‘it was the custom among all the Nephites to appoint for their chief captains, (save it were in their times of wickedness) some one that had the spirit of revelation and also prophecy’ (3 Nephi 3:19)” (McConkie and Millet, Doctrinal Commentary, 3:322–23).
| Reference | Lamanite Leader | Was He a Lamanite? |
| Alma 43:5–8 | Zerahemnah (chief captain) | Probably Zoramite |
| Alma 46:3–7 | Amalickiah (king) | Zoramite, Nephite dissenter |
| Alma 52:3 | Ammoron (king) | Zoramite, Nephite dissenter |
| Helaman 1:15 | Coriantumr (chief captain) | Nephite dissenter |
| Helaman 1:16 | Tubaloth (king) | Zoramite, son of Nephite dissenter |