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Men of State: Moroni and Amalickiah

There are two powers battling for control of this world. They are the forces of good and evil; of God and Lucifer. As God has those on earth representing his principles, so too has Lucifer. This story is about two opposite champions; Moroni and Amalickiah.

It was the nineteenth year of the reign of the Judges when a group of men, led by Amalickiah, rose to prominence. Their desire was the overthrow of free government, the establishment of a monarchy, and the destruction of the Church of God. Amalickiah was a large and strong man and a consummate politician, promising all manner of perks and power to those who take up his cause. Moreover, he was a cunning orator and most persuasive—so much so that those who followed him also left the Church. Because of Amalickiah and his politics, the Nephites found themselves in circumstances “exceedingly precarious and dangerous.”

Moroni was a strong and mighty man of perfect understanding. He saw through Amalickiah’s smokescreen of lies and promises and understood what was really at stake. Angry with Amalickiah, Moroni took his coat and tore it to create a flag or banner. He wrote upon it, “In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children.” He fastened that upon a pole, and then strapped on his armor as though going into battle, for surely he was. He then knelt to pray, asking for the blessings of God upon his brethren.

And Moroni went forth, raising that symbolic banner; the title of liberty, for all to see. He cried the cause of freedom, rights, and liberty throughout the land and the people came running to his standard, vouching and covenanting as they ran; so many that Amalickiah and his followers were outnumbered. They fled, but Moroni and his armies headed them and brought them back. Amalickiah however, escaped and joined the Lamanites where he would prove an incalculable source of evil and human misery for years to come.

Please consider how opposite these two heads of state were. While Amalickiah sought the power of government to “destroy the Church of God and the foundations of liberty among his people” (Alma 46:10), Moroni had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country and religion, even to the loss of his blood” (Alma 48:13).

Amalickiah was “a man of cunning device; a man of many flattering words.” His intent was to lead “away the hearts of many people to do wickedly” Alma 46:10). Moroni too was a powerful speaker, but he persuaded his people to covenant with God and be obedient.

Amalickiah “did not care for the blood of his people” (Alma 49:10). They were expendable to his ends. Moroni’s heart, on the other hand, did “glory…in preserving his people” Alma 48:16).

Amalickiah “stirred [his people] up to anger,” teaching hate and contention. Moroni taught his people to be ‘faithful in keeping the commandments of God and never to give an offense” Alma 48:3, 14).

While Amalickiah’s passion was the power to bring men into bondage, Moroni did joy in the liberty and the freedom of…his brethren from bondage and slavery” Alma 48:4, 11).

Amalickiah was anti-Christ. He tried to destroy the cause of Christians. He would die an ignominious death on the beach at Bountiful at the end of Teancum’s lance. And of Moroni, he is remembered for all time thus, “if all men had been, and were, and ever would be like unto Moroni, behold the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever” (Alma 48:17).

Why was this one tiny moment in world history captured in so much detail and illustrated so vividly to so many? That we be not deceived again by such men as Amalickiah. The character and principles of Moroni are the standard by which all persons in power should be judged. And judged they must be—for our very survival!

Source: Alma 46