We may sometimes wonder why the latter part of the book of Alma seems to emphasize wars between the Nephites and Lamanites, devoting so much scarce space on the gold plates to their detailed description. On the other hand, many other, sometimes costlier wars in the Book of Mormon are almost passed over or described in just a verse or two. Thus, Alma 43–62 records four major wars in great detail, in which Moroni leads the Nephites against the combined armies of the Lamanites and Nephite dissenters. Another such detailed description of a war between the Nephites and a combined force of Lamanites and Nephite dissenters occurs in Alma 2.
Examples of major wars in the Book of Mormon mentioned only briefly include a conflict between the Nephites and Lamanites in King Benjamin’s day, when there occurred “a serious war and much bloodshed” (Omni 1:24). Another minimal account describes “a tremendous battle,” unlike any known before, that took place when the people of Ammon, the converted Lamanites, joined the Nephites. That war caused “a tremendous slaughter” among the Nephites and the deaths of “tens of thousands” of Lamanites (Alma 28:2–3).
At the other end of the spectrum, Mormon’s successes as the Nephites’ general compare favorably with those of captain Moroni. But his great victories over the Lamanites and Gadianton robbers, “until we had again taken possession of the lands of our inheritance,” are barely mentioned in just one verse (Mormon 2:27). Why these disproportionate descriptions?
The answer surely lies in certain points these five major wars in the book of Alma have in common. As mentioned, the Nephites here faced the combined forces of the Lamanites and Nephite dissenters. Other commonalities appear as well, which I will outline below. From their data emerges what we might call a War Pattern, a classic or archetypal conflict that isn’t measured by how great the numbers of casualties or how tremendous the victory, but by what happens in Nephite history—and what could happen, by extension, in any history—when people act in a certain way.
Even more importantly, because Nephite prophets saw our day, do these wars present a type here for futurity? Is the War Pattern they provide a shadow of things to come, particularly among those who will live in this land in the last days? Not surprisingly, the wars that receive only brief mention in the Book of Mormon are those that don’t follow this prophetic pattern.
For lack of space, I will list the common elements that make up the War Pattern in the book of Alma: First, “it has been their quarrelings and their contentions, yea, their murderings, and their plunderings, their idolatry, their whoredoms, and their abominations, which were among themselves, which brought upon them their wars and their destructions” (Alma 50:21; cf. 50:25–26; 59:11–12; 60:15–17; 62:40). This wickedness and contention led to dissensions in the church and in the nation (Alma 45:23–24; 53:8–9; 61:3–8). Evil men trying to usurp power sought to overthrow the freedom of the land and put the Nephites into bondage (Alma 2:1–4, 9–14; 43:8, 29; 44:2; 46:1–10; 51:5–8; 60:16; 62:6).
After their only partial success among the Nephites, these dissenters took sides with the Lamanites and became enemies to their own people (Alma 2:24–25; 43:4; 47:1, 36; 51:13; 61:8). They stirred up the Lamanites to make war against the Nephites, invaded their land and caused much destruction of life and property (Alma 2:25; 43:4–5; 48:3–6; 49:1; 51:9–12, 22-28; 52:11-13; 63:14). At such a time, the Lord raised up a lawfully appointed military commander, a man of God (Alma, Moroni, Moronihah), who supported the laws and freedoms of the land (Alma 2:16; 43:16–17; 48:11-13, 17–18; 62:43).
This commander saw it his first duty to “cleanse the inner vessel” and deal with the anarchist or “kingmen” in their midst (Alma 2:12, 16; 60:23–24, 27; 61:14–17). He raised the “title of liberty” throughout the land and rallied the “Christians” to his cause (Alma 46:11–21, 36; 48:10; 62:4–5). Those he rallied covenanted to defend their freedoms, families, rights, and religion, even to the shedding of blood (Alma 43:9–10, 30, 45–48; 44:5; 46:21–24; 48:7, 10, 14, 23–24; 54:10; 60:30; 61:9–14). They called upon God to strengthen them and put their trust in his providence (Alma 2:28–31; 43:49–50; 44:3–5; 48:15–16, 25; 58:10–11; 60:26; 61:13, 18).
Together, the covenanters put down the Nephites’ internal rebellions and executed all who refused to defend their liberty (Alma 2:17–19; 51:15–21; 62:7–10). They fought their enemies the Lamanites and Nephite dissenters who had invaded their land (Alma 2:24, 31–37; 43:4–6; 47:1; 48:1–6; 61:8; 62:6–8; 63:14–15). They fought armies far greater in numbers than they were, but in their righteous cause they received strength from the Lord (Alma 2:27, 35; 43:14, 51; 51:11; 58:2, 8; 59:7–8; 61:3). They had access to a prophet or seer to help them discern their enemies’ movements and devise military strategies (Alma 43:23–24; 48:16). They designed technologies superior to their enemies and used brilliant tactics to defeat them (Alma 43:19, 30–33; 48:8; 49:2–4, 11–20; 50:1–6, 10–12; 52:21–31; 53:4; 55:4–24; 56:30; 58:16–28; 62:20–26).
After much bloody fighting and a huge loss of lives on both sides, they ousted their enemies from the land and restored peace (Alma 2:31–3:3; 43:37–38; 44:17–20; 46:32–38; 48:20; 49:22–23; 51:31–32; 52:32–39; 56:13, 49–54; 57:23; 58:33; 59:7; 60:5, 7–9, 22; 62:38, 42, 50). Former enemies who wished to live peaceably among them, they accepted and gave lands of inheritance (Alma 47:29; 62:15–17, 27–29). They humbled themselves and gave thanks to God for their victories over their enemies and devoted themselves to much prayer and fasting (Alma 45:1; 48:20; 49:28; 62:49–51). Prophets among them reestablished the church and appointed priests and teachers (Alma 45:21–22; 62:44–46). Laws and government were restored and new judges were chosen (Alma 62:47).
A happy time followed such as had not been known before for a long time (Alma 50:23). Though many righteous had died and entered the “rest of the Lord” (Alma 57:36; 60:13), on the whole “those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord were delivered at all times, whilst thousands of their wicked brethren [were] consigned to bondage, or to perish by the sword, or to dwindle in unbelief, and mingle with the Lamanites” (Alma 50:22).