Alma 61

Chapter Overview

What happens in Alma 61

Pahoran's response to Moroni's angry letter is one of the most gracious and mature communications in all of scripture. Rather than returning anger for anger, Pahoran reveals that he himself has been driven from the capital by rebels and yet responds to Moroni's accusations with patience, humility, and an invitation to join forces. His answer is a masterclass in responding to unjust criticism with grace.

Scripture

Pahoran's revelation of the rebellion

Study note

Pahoran reveals that king-men have risen in rebellion, driven him from the judgment seat, and taken control of Zarahemla. They have appointed a king and allied with the Lamanites. Far from sitting in thoughtless stupor, Pahoran has been fighting for his political life and rallying freemen in the land of Gideon. The very reinforcements Moroni demanded could not be sent because the government itself was under siege.

1 Behold, now it came to pass that soon after Moroni had sent his epistle unto the chief governor, he received an epistle from Pahoran, the chief governor. And these are the words which he received:

2 I, Pahoran, who am the chief governor of this land, do send these words unto Moroni, the chief captain over the army. Behold, I say unto you, Moroni, that I do not joy in your great afflictions, yea, it grieves my soul.

3 But behold, there are those who do joy in your afflictions, yea, insomuch that they have risen up in rebellion against me, and also those of my people who are freemen, yea, and those who have risen up are exceedingly numerous.

4 And it is those who have sought to take away the judgment-seat from me that have been the cause of this great iniquity; for they have used great flattery, and they have led away the hearts of many people, which will be the cause of sore affliction among us; they have withheld our provisions, and have daunted our freemen that they have not come unto you.

5 And behold, they have driven me out before them, and I have fled to the land of Gideon, with as many men as it were possible that I could get.

6 And behold, I have sent a proclamation throughout this part of the land; and behold, they are flocking to us daily, to their arms, in the defence of their country and their freedom, and to avenge our wrongs.

7 And they have come unto us, insomuch that those who have risen up in rebellion against us are set at defiance, yea, insomuch that they do fear us and durst not come out against us to battle.

8 They have got possession of the land, or the city, of Zarahemla; they have appointed a king over them, and he hath written unto the king of the Lamanites, in the which he hath joined an alliance with him; in the which alliance he hath agreed to maintain the city of Zarahemla, which maintenance he supposeth will enable the Lamanites to conquer the remainder of the land, and he shall be placed king over this people when they shall be conquered under the Lamanites.

'I am not angry, but do rejoice'

Study note

In one of the most remarkable statements in scripture, Pahoran says, 'In your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart.' He does not match accusation with accusation. He does not defend his honor or demand an apology. He sees past the harsh words to the righteous heart behind them. He then calls for united resistance against wickedness, putting the mission above personal offense.

9 And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart. I, Pahoran, do not seek for power, save only to retain my judgment-seat that I may preserve the rights and the liberty of my people. My soul standeth fast in that liberty in the which God hath made us free.

10 And now, behold, we will resist wickedness even unto bloodshed. We would not shed the blood of the Lamanites if they would stay in their own land.

11 We would not shed the blood of our brethren if they would not rise up in rebellion and take the sword against us.

12 We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage if it were requisite with the justice of God, or if he should command us so to do.

13 But behold he doth not command us that we shall subject ourselves to our enemies, but that we should put our trust in him, and he will deliver us.

14 Therefore, my beloved brother, Moroni, let us resist evil, and whatsoever evil we cannot resist with our words, yea, such as rebellions and dissensions, let us resist them with our swords, that we may retain our freedom, that we may rejoice in the great privilege of our church, and in the cause of our Redeemer and our God.

Pahoran's plan and invitation

Study note

Pahoran asks Moroni to come with a few men, leaving Lehi and Teancum in charge of the eastern front. Together they will retake Zarahemla, secure the food supply, and then strengthen the armies fighting the Lamanites. He closes with words of faith and encouragement, telling Moroni to strengthen Lehi and Teancum in the Lord and to fear not, for God will deliver all who stand fast in the liberty He has given them.

15 Therefore, come unto me speedily with a few of your men, and leave the remainder in the charge of Lehi and Teancum; give unto them power to conduct the war in that part of the land, according to the Spirit of God, which is also the spirit of freedom which is in them.

16 Behold I have sent a few provisions unto them, that they may not perish until ye can come unto me.

17 Gather together whatsoever force ye can upon your march hither, and we will go speedily against those dissenters, in the strength of our God according to the faith which is in us.

18 And we will take possession of the city of Zarahemla, that we may obtain more food to send forth unto Lehi and Teancum; yea, we will go forth against them in the strength of the Lord, and we will put an end to this great iniquity.

19 And now, Moroni, I do joy in receiving your epistle, for I was somewhat worried concerning what we should do, whether it should be just in us to go against our brethren.

20 But ye have said, except they repent the Lord hath commanded you that ye should go against them.

21 See that ye strengthen Lehi and Teancum in the Lord; tell them to fear not, for God will deliver them, yea, and also all those who stand fast in that liberty wherewith God hath made them free. And now I close mine epistle to my beloved brother, Moroni.

Key Themes

Themes in Alma 61

Responding to accusation with grace and patienceThe power of a soft answer to defuse conflictChoosing mission over personal offenseUnity in the face of internal and external threatsTrusting in God during political and spiritual crisis

Prophetic Connections

How this chapter points to Christ

Alma 61:9 Proverbs 15:1

Pahoran's gentle, non-defensive response to Moroni's angry letter is a perfect embodiment of Solomon's proverb: 'A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.'

Alma 61:9 Romans 12:17-21

Pahoran's refusal to repay anger with anger reflects Paul's counsel to 'recompense to no man evil for evil' and to overcome evil with good.

Alma 61:13-14 Ephesians 6:10-13

Pahoran's call to resist evil and put trust in God echoes Paul's exhortation to put on the whole armor of God and stand against the forces of wickedness, trusting in the Lord's strength.

Apply This Today

Living Alma 61

Pahoran's response is among the most applicable passages in scripture. When accused unjustly, our instinct is to defend and attack back. Pahoran chose differently. He saw Moroni's heart, not just his words, and refused to let pride fracture a critical alliance. His words 'I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart' model a maturity that transforms conflict into partnership. When criticized, can we look past words to see the heart behind them?

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