# Alma 46

*Paraphrase*

### Amalickiah’s Rebellion

Those who wouldn’t listen to Helaman and his fellow church leaders began gathering together against their own people. They were furious—so angry they were ready to kill.

Their leader was a big, powerful man named Amalickiah. Amalickiah wanted to be king. And the angry people wanted him as their king too. Most of them were lower judges in the land, hungry for more power. Amalickiah had won them over with smooth talk, promising to make them rulers if they’d help him become king. So despite everything Helaman and the other high priests were doing to lead the church well, Amalickiah was pulling people away into rebellion. Even church members fell for Amalickiah’s flattery and left the church. The whole nation was suddenly in danger—and this after their great victory over the Lamanites, after all their celebrating about how God had delivered them.

It’s staggering how quickly people forget God. How fast they turn to evil and get led astray. And look at the damage one truly wicked man can do. Amalickiah was cunning and knew exactly what to say. He turned many hearts toward wickedness, convincing them to try to destroy God’s church and tear down the freedom God had given them—the blessing God had granted this land for the sake of the righteous.

### The Title of Liberty

When Moroni, the chief commander of the Nephite armies, heard about this rebellion, he was furious with Amalickiah. Moroni tore his coat, took a piece of it, and wrote on it: “In memory of our God, our faith, our freedom, our families.” Then he tied it to the end of a pole. He put on his helmet, his breastplate, and his shields, strapped on his armor, and lifted the pole with his torn coat on it—calling it the Title of Liberty. Then he knelt down and prayed with everything in him, asking God to bless his people with freedom for as long as any Christians remained to live in the land.

That’s what outsiders called the true believers in Christ who belonged to God’s church—Christians. And church members were faithful. All the true believers in Christ gladly took on the name of Christians because of their faith in the Christ who was coming. So Moroni prayed that God would favor the cause of the Christians and protect the freedom of the land. After pouring out his heart to God, he declared that all the land south of Desolation—in fact, all the land north and south—was a chosen land, a land of liberty. And he said, “Surely God won’t let us be trampled and destroyed just because we take on the name of Christ—not unless we bring it on ourselves through our own sins.”

After saying this, Moroni went out among the people, waving the torn piece of his coat so everyone could see what he’d written on it, shouting at the top of his lungs: “Anyone who wants to defend this cause in our land, come forward in the Lord’s strength and make a covenant that you’ll defend your rights and your faith, so that the Lord God can bless you.”

When Moroni made this declaration, people came running with their armor on, tearing their own clothes as a sign—as a covenant—that they would never forsake God. They were saying that if they ever broke God’s commandments or turned away in shame from the name of Christ, God could tear them apart just like they’d torn their clothes. That was their covenant. They threw their torn clothes at Moroni’s feet, saying: “We make this covenant with God: let us be destroyed like our brothers in the north were destroyed if we turn away from him. Let God throw us at our enemies’ feet to be trampled, just like we’re throwing our clothes at your feet, if we break this promise.”

Moroni said to them, “We’re descendants of Jacob. We’re descendants of Joseph, whose coat was torn to pieces by his brothers. Let’s remember to keep God’s commandments, or our people will be torn apart by enemies—we’ll be thrown in prison, or sold as slaves, or killed. Let’s protect our freedom as descendants of Joseph. Let’s remember what Jacob said before he died. He saw that part of Joseph’s torn coat had been preserved and hadn’t rotted away. And he said, ‘Just as this piece of my son’s coat has been preserved, so will some of Joseph’s descendants be preserved by God and brought to him, while the rest of Joseph’s line will be lost, just like the rest of his coat.’ “That breaks my heart. But I also find joy in my son, because some of his descendants will be brought to God.” Those were Jacob’s words. “And who knows? Maybe the descendants of Joseph who will be lost like his torn coat are those who’ve turned against us. It could even be us, if we don’t hold firm in our faith in Christ.”

### Moroni Confronts the Rebels

After Moroni said these things, he sent word throughout the land wherever there were rebels, gathering everyone who wanted to defend their freedom and stand against Amalickiah and his followers, who were now called Amalickiahites. When Amalickiah saw that Moroni’s supporters far outnumbered his own people, and saw that his followers were starting to doubt whether their cause was even right, he got scared. Afraid he’d lose, he took whoever would follow him and fled to Lamanite territory.

Moroni didn’t want the Lamanites getting any stronger. So he decided to cut off Amalickiah’s group—to capture them and bring them back, and execute Amalickiah. He knew Amalickiah would stir up the Lamanites to attack, and that was exactly what Amalickiah wanted so he could achieve his goals. So Moroni took his army—the one that had gathered and armed itself and made a covenant to keep the peace—and marched into the wilderness to cut off Amalickiah’s escape route. He did exactly what he set out to do. He marched into the wilderness and intercepted Amalickiah’s forces. Amalickiah escaped with a small group of men, but the rest were captured by Moroni and brought back to Zarahemla.

Since Moroni had been appointed by the chief judges and chosen by the people, he had full authority over the armies. Any Amalickiahite who refused to make a covenant to support freedom and maintain free government, Moroni had executed. Only a few refused. Moroni also had the Title of Liberty raised on every tower throughout Nephite territory. That’s how Moroni planted the banner of freedom among his people.

### Peace Returns

Peace returned to the land. They maintained that peace until almost the end of the nineteenth year of the judges’ reign. Helaman and the high priests kept order in the church as well. For four years they enjoyed peace and celebration.

During this time, many died with firm faith that Jesus Christ had saved their souls. They left this world with joy. Some died from fevers, which struck the land during certain seasons. But not many died from fevers, because God had provided plants and roots with powerful healing properties to treat the diseases brought on by the climate. But many died simply from old age. And we can be sure that those who died trusting in Christ are happy with him.

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*Source: [The Book of Mormon](https://bookofmormon.com/paraphrase/alma/46)*
