Alma 59

Chapter Overview

What happens in Alma 59

After reading Helaman's epistle, Moroni rejoices but his joy is quickly turned to sorrow. The city of Nephihah falls to the Lamanites, and the lack of government support fills Moroni with anger and doubt. This brief chapter sets the stage for one of the most famous exchanges in the Book of Mormon.

Scripture

Moroni's joy and appeal for reinforcements

Study note

Moroni is overjoyed at the success and faithfulness of Helaman's forces. He shares the news with his people and immediately writes to Pahoran, the chief judge, requesting that men be gathered and sent to strengthen Helaman's armies so they can regain the remaining lost territories.

1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, after Moroni had received and had read Helaman's epistle, he was exceedingly rejoiced because of the welfare, yea, the exceeding success which Helaman had had, in obtaining those lands which were lost.

2 Yea, and he did make it known unto all his people, in all the land round about in that part where he was, that they might rejoice also.

3 And it came to pass that he immediately sent an epistle to Pahoran, desiring that he should cause men to be gathered together to strengthen Helaman, or the armies of Helaman, insomuch that he might with ease maintain that part of the land which he had been so miraculously prospered in regaining.

4 And it came to pass when Moroni had sent this epistle to the land of Zarahemla, he began again to lay a plan that he might obtain the remainder of those possessions and cities which the Lamanites had taken from them.

The fall of Nephihah and Moroni's growing frustration

Study note

While Moroni prepares his own campaign, the heavily populated city of Nephihah falls to a massive Lamanite force. The refugees flee to join Moroni's army. Moroni, who had expected reinforcements for this very situation, realizes the government has failed to send aid. He and his captains begin to doubt whether they can prevail, and Moroni becomes angry at the government's indifference to the nation's freedom.

5 And it came to pass that while Moroni was thus making preparations to go against the Lamanites to battle, behold, the people of Nephihah, who were gathered together from the city of Moroni and the city of Lehi and the city of Morianton, were attacked by the Lamanites.

6 Yea, even those who had been compelled to flee from the land of Manti, and from the land round about, had come over and joined the Lamanites in this part of the land.

7 And thus being exceedingly numerous, yea, and receiving strength from day to day, by the command of Ammoron they came forth against the people of Nephihah, and they did begin to slay them with an exceedingly great slaughter.

8 And their armies were so numerous that the remainder of the people of Nephihah were obliged to flee before them; and they came even and joined the army of Moroni.

9 And now as Moroni had supposed that there should be men sent to the city of Nephihah, to the assistance of the people to maintain that city, and knowing that it was easier to keep the city from falling into the hands of the Lamanites than to retake it from them, he supposed that they would easily maintain that city.

10 Therefore he retained all his force to maintain those places which he had recovered.

11 And now, when Moroni saw that the city of Nephihah was lost he was exceedingly sorrowful, and began to doubt, because of the wickedness of the people, whether they should not fall into the hands of their brethren.

12 Now this was the case with all his chief captains. They doubted and marveled also because of the wickedness of the people, and this because of the success of the Lamanites over them.

13 And it came to pass that Moroni was angry with the government, because of their indifference concerning the freedom of their country.

Key Themes

Themes in Alma 59

Joy and sorrow can follow each other swiftlyThe frustration of unmet expectations in crisisEven righteous leaders struggle with doubtThe heavy responsibility of leadership in wartimeRighteous anger at institutional neglect

Prophetic Connections

How this chapter points to Christ

Alma 59:11-12 Psalm 13:1-2

Moroni's doubt and frustration echo David's lament in the Psalms: 'How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? For ever? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily?'

Apply This Today

Living Alma 59

Moroni's raw emotional journey in this chapter, from joy to sorrow to anger to doubt, is deeply human. Even the man about whom Mormon said 'if all men had been like Moroni, the powers of hell would be shaken' struggled with frustration and uncertainty. This is an important reminder that faith does not mean the absence of difficult emotions. What matters is what we do with them. Moroni's frustration led him to action, not to despair.

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