Alma 43:6 - 43:10

Alma 43: 6 And now, as the Amalekites were of a more wicked and murderous disposition than the Lamanites were, in and of themselves, therefore, Zerahemnah appointed chief captains over the Lamanites, and they were all Amalekites and Zoramites.

Zarahemnah realized that he needed army officers that had great hatred for the Nephites and were of murderous disposition towards them. These were the Amalikites and Zoramites. Therefore, they were appointed chief captains.

Alma 43: 7 Now this he did that he might preserve their hatred towards the Nephites, that he might bring them into subjection to the accomplishment of his designs.

Zerahemnah purposely appointed the Amalekites and Zoramites as chief captains as he knew they would keep the men under them continuously fired up to fight the Nephites which in the end would allow Zerahemnah to eventually conquer the Nephites and make them his subjects.

I often wonder why this over powering desire to bring people under domination. What is it that causes a person to have such feelings that they are willing to kill for it. It never seems to satisfy. The more they conquer that more they want to conquer. Their appetite is never satisfied. That is why the gospel is so different. We do not want to conquer only serve. That is satisfying to the soul. However, we do find that the more we serve the more we want to serve. Interesting.

Alma 43: 8 For behold, his designs were to stir up the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites; this he did that he might usurp great power over them, and also that he might gain power over the Nephites by bringing them into bondage.

The ultimate goal of Zerahemnah was to eventually bring the Nephites under his total domination. And this he would try to accomplish by war using the Amalekites and Zoramites who hated the Nephites with great passion.

Alma 43: 9 And now the design of the Nephites was to support their lands, and their houses, and their wives, and their children, that they might preserve them from the hands of their enemies; and also that they might preserve their rights and their privileges, yea, and also their liberty, that they might worship God according to their desires.

On the other hand, the goal of the Nephites was not to conquer or control anyone. Their aim was to preserve their freedoms and civil rights along with the freedom to worship as they pleased. They only wanted to keep their families safe and secure from evil influences.

Alma 43: 10 For they knew that if they should fall into the hands of the Lamanites, that whosoever should worship God in spirit and in truth, the true and the living God, the Lamanites would destroy.

The Nephites knew that if the Lamanites did conquer them, that all their precious freedoms would be lost. We especially afraid that they would lose the freedom to worship and be killed if they did.