Alma 44:5-7

Brant Gardner

Having declared that the Nephite God is the true God, and the reason for the Nephite victory, Moroni commands Zerahemnah, in God’s name, to make a decision. The decision to be made is contained in verse 6. Zerahemnah can choose to cease the war, or to continue and die. Each of the decisions has consequences. If he chooses to stop fighting, he and his army may leave, but must covenant not to make war upon the Nephites again. The alternative consequence is that they will be killed.

Moroni desires, and expects, the more forgiving alternative. Thus, he issues the command “by all the desires which ye have for life.” Humankind has a strong will to live, and Moroni assumes that those desires will cause Zerahemnah to accept the generous offer.

The final statement of verse 7 is Moroni turning the dagger just a little in the wound. Zerahemnah had declared that he wanted to bring the Nephites into subjugation. Moroni, with the obvious upper hand, notes that should they continue to fight, “we will see who shall be brought into bondage.” Ironically, he had no intention of bringing them to physical bondage. They were to be killed, perhaps consigning them to spiritual bondage.

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