Moroni next sent quite a few instructions to Teancum:
- Retain all the prisoners who fell into his hands to be used for ransom for Nephite prisoners (v. 8)
- Fortify the land Bountiful (v. 9)
- Secure the narrow pass which led into the land northward, lest the Lamanites should obtain that point and should have power to harass them on every side (v. 9)
- Be faithful in maintaining that quarter of the land, which he did, "as much as was in his power" (v. 10)
- Take again by stratagem or some other way those cities which had been taken out of their hands (v. 10)
- Fortify and strengthen the cities round about, which had not fallen into the hands of the Lamanites (v. 10)
The Lamanite captains had taken an oath to take the city of Noah or die in the attempt, and they did indeed die. In the fight at Mulek, Jacob, the Zoramite leader who had an “unconquerable spirit” also would die (Alma 52:35). Moroni had asked only for the best that Teancum could do. He went beyond those specific orders.
Further Reading
For more on the Israelite New Year, see Terrence L. Szink and John W. Welch, “King Benjamin’s Speech in the Context of Ancient Israelite Festivals,” in King Benjamin’s Speech: “That Ye May Learn Wisdom” (Provo, UT: FARMS, 1998), 160–73.
