Alma 2

Amlici’s Conspiracy

In the fifth year of the judges, a man named Amlici started stirring up trouble. He was clever and shrewd in the ways of the world. He followed the same path as Nehor—the man who’d killed Gideon and been executed for it. Amlici used his cunning to win over a large following. His supporters grew so powerful that they began pushing to make him king. This alarmed everyone in the Church, and everyone else who hadn’t fallen for Amlici’s persuasion. They knew the law required such decisions to be made by the voice of the people. If Amlici somehow gained the people’s vote, he would strip away their rights and freedoms—especially the Church’s. His real goal was to destroy the Church of God.

People gathered throughout the land, dividing into separate groups—for Amlici or against him. Heated debates and fierce arguments broke out on every side. When they finally assembled to vote, they brought their voices to the judges. The vote came back against Amlici. He would not be made king. Those who had opposed him celebrated, but Amlici stirred up his followers into a rage against everyone who had voted against him.

Rebellion and War

His supporters gathered together and crowned Amlici as their king anyway. Once Amlici was made their king, he ordered them to take up weapons against their own people. He wanted to force everyone under his rule. Amlici’s followers became known as Amlicites. The rest were called Nephites, or the people of God.

The Nephites knew what the Amlicites were planning, so they prepared for battle. They armed themselves with swords, scimitars, bows, arrows, stones, slings—every kind of weapon they had. They organized themselves under captains, senior captains, and chief captains, ready to meet the Amlicites when they came. Amlici armed his men with every kind of weapon, too. He appointed rulers and leaders to command his forces in battle against their own people.

The Battle Begins

The Amlicites marched up to the hill of Amnihu, east of the Sidon River near Zarahemla. There they launched their attack on the Nephites.

Alma—who was both chief judge and governor—led his people into battle. He went at the head of his armies, with his captains and commanders beside him. They clashed with the Amlicites on the hill east of Sidon. The Amlicites fought with brutal strength, and many Nephites fell. But the Lord strengthened the Nephites, and they struck down the Amlicites with great force. The Amlicites began to retreat. The Nephites chased them all day, cutting them down as they fled. By the end of the battle, twelve thousand five hundred and thirty-two Amlicites lay dead. The Nephites lost six thousand five hundred and sixty-two.

When Alma could pursue them no farther, he ordered his people to camp for the night in the valley of Gideon—the valley named after Gideon, the man Nehor had murdered.

A Terrifying Discovery

Alma sent out scouts to track what was left of the Amlicites. He needed to know their plans so he could protect his people from destruction. The scouts he sent were named Zeram, Amnor, Manti, and Limher. They took their men to watch the Amlicite camp.

The next morning they came racing back to the Nephite camp, terrified and astonished. 'We followed the Amlicites to the land of Minon, north of Zarahemla, in the direction of Nephi. What we saw shocked us—a massive army of Lamanites. And the Amlicites have joined forces with them. They’re attacking our people up there. Families are fleeing toward our city with their children and livestock. If we don’t move fast, they’ll take Zarahemla, and our fathers, wives, and children will be slaughtered.'

The Nephites broke camp immediately and headed back toward Zarahemla.

Crossing the Sidon

As they were crossing the Sidon River, the Lamanites and Amlicites—countless as the sand of the sea—attacked them. But the Nephites had been praying hard, begging the Lord to save them from their enemies. The Lord heard their cries and gave them strength. The Lamanites and Amlicites fell before them.

Alma’s Duel with Amlici

Alma came face to face with Amlici, and they fought hand to hand—a fierce, brutal duel. Alma, a man of deep faith, cried out: 'Lord, have mercy! Spare my life so I can be your instrument to save and protect this people.' After praying, Alma fought Amlici again. This time he was strengthened, and he struck Amlici down with his sword.

Then he went after the Lamanite king. The king retreated and sent his guards to fight Alma instead. Alma and his guards fought the king’s guards, killing and driving them back. He cleared the west bank of the Sidon River, throwing the Lamanite bodies into the water to make room for his people to cross and engage the enemy on the other side.

The Enemy Scatters

Once all the Nephites had crossed, the Lamanites and Amlicites—though too many to count—began to flee. They ran northwest toward the wilderness, beyond the borders of the land. The Nephites chased them hard, cutting them down as they ran. They were struck down on every side, scattered west and north until they reached the wilderness of Hermounts—a wild, dangerous region infested with ravenous beasts. Many died in the wilderness from their wounds. Others were torn apart by wild animals or picked clean by vultures. Their bones were later found, piled up across the earth.