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Alma 43–52
Scripture Central Videos
Watch videos from Gospel scholars and teachers to learn more about these Book of Mormon passages.
Other Creator Videos
KnoWhys
Evidences
Commentary
Book of Mormon Minute is a commentary series made especially for the free ScripturePlus app, which features insights from Book of Mormon scholar Brant A. Gardner. John W. Welch's notes for Come, Follow Me are also available for free.
John W. Welch, General Editor
Reading Plan
Structure your personal scripture study by following a 15-minute, day-by-day plan. Each day's assignment includes the required scripture passages from the Come, Follow Me curriculum, as well as suggestions for additional resources to bring context and understanding to your study. For the best experience, use our Reading Plan in the free ScripturePlus app! You can track your progress and have access to the best resources.
Monday
- Scripture: Alma 43:1-54
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Additional Study
- Commentary: Introduction to the War Chapters
- Commentary: Questions for Alma 43
- Commentary: How Are the War Chapters Relevant Today?
- Commentary: What Must We Defend?
- Commentary: Alma 43:18-21
- Commentary: Alma 43:45-47
- KnoWhy: Why Was Moroni’s Young Age an Advantage?
- KnoWhy: How Can the Book of Mormon Provide Peace and Meaning to Those in Military Service?
- Evidence: Shields
Tuesday
- Scripture: Alma 44:1-24
- Commentary: Alma 44:8-9
- Commentary: Alma 44:10-11
- Commentary: Questions for Alma 44
- Commentary: Why Did Moroni Let Them Go with Only an Oath?
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Additional Study
- Commentary: Alma 44:1-4
- Commentary: Alma 44:12-15
- Commentary: Alma 44:21-24
- KnoWhy: Why Did God Support the Nephites in Battle?
- Evidence: Simile Curses
Wednesday
- Scripture: Alma 45:1-24
- Commentary: Questions for Alma 45
- Commentary: Alma Interviews Helaman
- Commentary: Alma 45:2-8
- Commentary: Alma 45:9-10
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Additional Study
- Commentary: Alma 45:15-17
- Commentary: Alma 45:18-19
- Commentary: Alma 45:20-24
- KnoWhy: How Did Seeking a King Get in the Way of Sustaining a Prophet?
- Evidence: Translated Beings
Thursday
- Scripture: Alma 46:1-41
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Additional Study
- Commentary: Introduction to Alma 46-48
- Commentary: The Significance of Tearing a Coat in Covenants
- Commentary: The Nephites Entered a Covenant with Moroni
- Commentary: Alma 46:13-16
- Commentary: Alma 46:21-22
- Evidence: War Banners in Mesoamerica
- Evidence: Joseph’s Garment
- Commentary: Why Did Moroni Refer to Joseph in Egypt?
- Commentary: Alma 46:9-10
Friday
- Scripture: Alma 47:1-36
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Scripture: Alma 48:1-25
- Video: Come, Follow Me with John Hilton III (Alma 47)
- Commentary: Alma 48:14-16
- Commentary: Why Were the Nephites Reluctant to Fight?
- Commentary: Why Did the Queen Ask Amalickiah to Spare the City?
- Commentary: Alma 48:17-18
- Commentary: Alma 48:22-25
- KnoWhy: How Did Democracy Help the Nephites Conquer Their Enemies?
- Evidence: Seasonal Warfare
Saturday
- Scripture: Alma 49:1-30
- Scripture: Alma 50:1-40
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Additional Study
- Commentary: Alma 50:1-3
- Commentary: Alma 50:7-11
- Commentary: Moroni Fortifies the Cities
- Commentary: Questions for Alma 50
- Commentary: Alma 50:32
- Commentary: Alma 50:37-40
- Evidence: Fortifications
- Evidence: Watch Towers
Sunday
- Scripture: Alma 51:1-37
- Scripture: Alma 52:1-40
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Additional Study
- Commentary: Who Were the King-Men?
- Commentary: Moroni Fights the King-men Regime
- Commentary: A New Year’s Day Surprise
- Commentary: The Nephite Leaders Work Together
- Commentary: Avoid Rash Decisions in Confusing Times
- Evidence: New Year's Eve Assassination
- KnoWhy: Why Did Teancum Slay Amalickiah on New Year’s Eve?
- KnoWhy: Why Did Moroni Speak of Pulling Down Pride?
Additional Resources
Explore art, charts, and more.
Images
Charts
- The Nephite Judges
- Alma as High Priest: Years 9–19 of the Reign of the Judges
- Nephihah as Chief Judge: Years 9–24 of the Reign of the Judges
- Pahoran as Chief Judge: Years 25–39 of the Reign of the Judges
- Women in the Book of Mormon
- Legal Cases and Procedures in the Book of Mormon
- Wars in the Book of Mormon
- Data on Wars Involving the Nephites
- Comparison of European and Mayan Armor
- Number of Months Involving Nephite Military Actions
- References to Nephite Fortifications Recorded in the Book of Mormon
- Mesoamerican Fortified and Defensive Sites by Period
- Nephite Cycles: Years 1–49 of the Reign of the Judges (90–40 B.C.)
- Whose Words Are Found in the Book of Mormon?
- Number of Pages in Books of the Book of Mormon
- Average Number of Pages Covering One Nephite Year
- Nephite Books Compared by Length and Years Covered
- Nephite Books Listed Chronologically
- Names Used for Christ by Major Book of Mormon Authors
- Names and Concepts Associated with Christ by Major Book of Mormon Authors
- Number of Names Used for Christ by Major Book of Mormon Authors
- Number of Names for Christ Used Exclusively by Individual Authors
- Ten Essential Features of Book of Mormon Geography
- Geographical Names Listed Alphabetically
- Geographical Names Listed by Scripture Reference
Bibliography
War Chapters
Book of Mormon Central. “Why are There So Many War Chapters in the Book of Mormon? (Alma 49:9).” KnoWhy 157 (August 3, 2016).
Book of Mormon Central. “What Was One of the Main Causes of Warfare in the Book of Mormon? (Alma 2:2).” KnoWhy 523 (July 5, 2019).
Book of Mormon Central. “How Can the Book of Mormon Provide Peace and Meaning to Those in Military Service? (Alma 43:47).” KnoWhy 496 (January 1, 2019).
Deane, Morgan. “Experiencing Battle in the Book of Mormon.” Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 23 (2017): 237–252.
Hamblin, William J. “Warfare in the Book of Mormon.” In Rediscovering the Book of Mormon, 241–248. Provo, UT: FARMS, 1991.
Honey, David B. “Paradigms and Pitfalls of Approach to Warfare in the Book of Mormon.” Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 3, no. 1 (1991): 118–140.
Jenkins, Ryan. “’Peaceable Followers of Christ’ in Days of War and Contention.” Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel 10, no. 3 (2009): 87–102.
Marsh, David Brent. “Peace Through Christ: The Book of Mormon's Divine Perspective on War.” In The Fulness of the Gospel: Foundational Teachings from the Book of Mormon, edited by Camille Fronk Olson, Brian M. Hauglid, Patty Smith and Thomas A. Wayment, 246–259. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2003.
McClendon, Richard. “Captain Moroni's Wartime Strategies: An Application for the Spiritual Battles of Our Day.” Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel 3, no. 3 (2002): 99–114.
Phillips, R. Douglas, “Why is so much of the Book of Mormon given over to military accounts? Do we know why this material is supposed to be important to us?” Ensign (January 1978)
Ricks, Stephen D. and William J. Hamblin. Warfare in the Book of Mormon. Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book and FARMS, 1990.
Weiland, Kurt. “Stephen D. Ricks, and William J. Hamblin, eds,. Warfare in the Book of Mormon.” Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 3, no. 1 (1991): 141–146.
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “Wars in the Book of Mormon.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 136.
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “Number of Months Involving Nephite Military Actions.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 141.
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “Data on Wars Involving the Nephites.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 137.
Alma 43
McClendon, Richard. “Captain Moroni's Wartime Strategies: An Application for the Spiritual Battles of Our Day.” Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel 3, no. 3 (2002): 99–114.
McMurtry, Benjamin. “The Amlicites and Amalekites: Are They the Same People?” Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 25 (2017): 269–281.
Valleta, Thomas R. “The Captain and the Covenant.” In The Book of Mormon: Alma, The Testimony of the Word, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 223–248. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1992.
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “Comparison of European and Mayan Armor.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 140.
Alma 43:17
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Was Moroni’s Young Age an Advantage? (Alma 43:17).” KnoWhy 151 (July 26, 2016).
Alma 43:47
Book of Mormon Central. “How Can the Book of Mormon Provide Peace and Meaning to Those in Military Service?” (Alma 43:47).” KnoWhy 496 (January 1, 2019).
Alma 44
Lewis, Dallin. “Finding the Prince of Peace in the War Chapters: An Analysis of Alma 44.” In The 2007 Brigham Young University Religious Education Student Symposium, 121–129. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, 2007.
McClendon, Richard. “Captain Moroni's Wartime Strategies: An Application for the Spiritual Battles of Our Day.” Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel 3, no. 3 (2002): 99–114.
Valleta, Thomas R. “The Captain and the Covenant.” In The Book of Mormon: Alma, The Testimony of the Word, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 223–248. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1992.
Alma 44:6
Roper, Matthew. “Moses, Captain Moroni, and Amalekites.” Insights: A Window on the Ancient World 32, no. 4 (2012): 1, 8.
Alma 44:8
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Would Zerahemnah Not Swear an Oath to Moroni? (Alma 44:8).” KnoWhy 152 (Jul 27, 2016).
Alma 44:14–18
Bowen, Matthew L. “The Scalp of Your Head: Polysemy in Alma 44:14–18.” Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 20 (2016): 39–45.
Alma 45
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “Alma as High Priest: Years 9–19 of the Reign of the Judges.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 35.
Alma 45:18–20
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “Who Kept the Records in the Book of Mormon? (By Lineages).” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 17.
Alma 45:23
Book of Mormon Central. “How Did Seeking a King Get in the Way of Sustaining a Prophet? (Alma 45:23).” KnoWhy 153 (July 28, 2016).
Alma 46
Benson, RoseAnn. “The Title of Liberty and Ancient Prophecy.” Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture 23 (2017): 299–307.
Hull, Kerry. “War Banners: A Mesoamerican Context for the Title of Liberty.” Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 24 (2015): 84–118.
Alma 46:21–23
Parry, Donald W. “Symbolic Action as Prophetic Curse.” In Reexploring the Book of Mormon, edited by John W. Welch, 206–208. Provo, UT/Salt Lake City: FARMS/Deseret Book, 1992.
Ricks, Stephen D. “’Holy War’ in the Book of Mormon and the Ancient Near East.” In Reexploring the Book of Mormon, edited by John W. Welch, 202–205. Provo, UT/Salt Lake City: FARMS/Deseret Book, 1992.
Roper, Matthew. “Joseph’s Coat and Moroni’s Covenant of Liberty.” Insights: A Window on the Ancient World 22, no. 10 (2002): 2.
Szink, Terrence L. “An Oath of Allegiance in the Book of Mormon.” In Warfare in the Book of Mormon. Edited by Stephen D. Ricks and William J. Hamblin. Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book and FARMS, 1990.
Valleta, Thomas R. “The Captain and the Covenant.” In The Book of Mormon: Alma, The Testimony of the Word, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 223–248. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1992.
Alma 46:23–24
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did Moroni Quote the Patriarch Jacob about a Piece of Joseph’s Coat? (Alma 46:24).” KnoWhy 154 (July 29, 2016).
Bokovoy, David E., and John A. Tvedtnes. “A Remnant of Joseph.” In Testaments: Links between the Book of Mormon and the Hebrew Bible, 181–183. Toelle, UT: Heritage Press, 2003.
Tvedtnes, John A. “The Remnant of Joseph.” Insights: A Window on the Ancient World 20, no. 8 (2000): 2.
Alma 47
McClendon, Richard. “Captain Moroni's Wartime Strategies: An Application for the Spiritual Battles of Our Day.” Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel 3, no. 3 (2002): 99–114.
Valleta, Thomas R. “The Captain and the Covenant.” In The Book of Mormon: Alma, The Testimony of the Word, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 223–248. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1992.
Alma 48
McClendon, Richard. “Captain Moroni's Wartime Strategies: An Application for the Spiritual Battles of Our Day.” Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel 3, no. 3 (2002): 99–114.
Valleta, Thomas R. “The Captain and the Covenant.” In The Book of Mormon: Alma, The Testimony of the Word, edited by Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate, Jr., 223–248. Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1992.
Alma 48:10
Book of Mormon Central. “How Did Democracy Help the Nephites Conquer Their Enemies? (Alma 48:10).” KnoWhy 156 (August 2, 2016).
Alma 48:17
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did Mormon See Captain Moroni as a Hero? (Alma 48:17).” KnoWhy 155 (August 1, 2016).
Alma 49
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “References to Nephite Fortifications Recorded in the Book of Mormon.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 142.
Alma 49:9
Book of Mormon Central. “Why are There So Many War Chapters in the Book of Mormon? (Alma 49:9).” KnoWhy 157 (August 3, 2016).
Alma 49:13
Sorenson, John L. Fortifications in the Book of Mormon and in Mesoamerica. Provo, UT: FARMS, 1989.
Alma 50
Andersen, Joe V., and Ted Dee Stoddard. Interpreting “Mormon’s Geographical Map” via Alma 22:27–35 and Alma 50:1–36., 2015.
Alma 50:1–11
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “References to Nephite Fortifications Recorded in the Book of Mormon.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 142.
Alma 50:4
Bokovoy, David E., and John A. Tvedtnes. “Cities and Lands in the Book of Mormon.” In Testaments: Links between the Book of Mormon and the Hebrew Bible, 184–188. Toelle, UT: Heritage Press, 2003.
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “The Nephite Judges.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 33.
Alma 50:6
Book of Mormon Central. “What Was the Nature of Nephite Fortifications? (Alma 50:6).” KnoWhy 158 (August 4, 2016).
Alma 50:14
Bokovoy, David E., and John A. Tvedtnes. “Cities and Lands in the Book of Mormon.” In Testaments: Links between the Book of Mormon and the Hebrew Bible, 184–188. Toelle, UT: Heritage Press, 2003.
Tvedtnes, John A. “Cities and Lands in the Book of Mormon.” In Pressing Forward with the Book of Mormon: The FARMS Updates of the 1990s, edited by John W. Welch and Melvin J. Thorne, 164–168. Provo, UT: FARMS, 1999.
Alma 50:30–31
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “Women in the Book of Mormon.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 108.
Alma 50:37
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “Nephihah as Chief Judge: Years 9–24 of the Reign of the Judges.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 36.
Alma 50:40
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “Pahoran as Chief Judge: Years 25–39 of the Reign of the Judges.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 37.
Alma 51
Andersen, Joe V. Book of Mormon Objective Geographic Standard No. 2: Relationships of City Bountiful, Mulek, the East Sea, and Zarahemla., 2015.
Alma 51:3
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Would Pahoran Not Allow the Law to Be Amended? (Alma 51:3).” KnoWhy 159 (August 5, 2016).
Alma 51:17
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did Moroni Speak of Pulling Down Pride? (Alma 51:17).” KnoWhy 430 (May 3, 2018).
Alma 51:19
Welch, John W., and Greg Welch. “Legal Cases and Procedures in the Book of Mormon.” In Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching. Provo, UT: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1999, chart 121.
Alma 51:37
Book of Mormon Central. “Why Did Teancum Slay Amalickiah on New Year’s Eve? (Alma 51:37).” KnoWhy 160 (August 8, 2016).
Alma 52
Andersen, Joe V. Book of Mormon Objective Geographic Standard No. 2: Relationships of City Bountiful, Mulek, the East Sea, and Zarahemla., 2015.
Alma 52:1
Christenson, Allen J. “Maya Harvest Festivals and the Book of Mormon: Annual FARMS Lecture.” Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 3, no. 1 (1991): 1–31.
Merrill, A. Brent. “Nephite Captains and Armies.” In Warfare in the Book of Mormon. Edited by Stephen D. Ricks and William J. Hamblin. Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book and FARMS, 1990.
Smith, Robert F., and Stephen D. Ricks. “New Year's Celebrations.” In Reexploring the Book of Mormon, edited by John W. Welch, 209–211. Provo, UT/Salt Lake City: FARMS/Deseret Book, 1992.