Alma 50:26 - 50:30

Alma 50: 26 For behold, the people who possessed the land of Morianton did claim a part of the land of Lehi; therefore there began to be a warm contention between them, insomuch that the people of Morianton took up arms against their brethren, and they were determined by the sword to slay them.

The Nephites who live in the land or Morianton claimed that part of the land of Lehi belonged to them and they were willing to back up their claim with the sword.

Alma 50: 27 But behold, the people who possessed the land of Lehi fled to the camp of Moroni, and appealed unto him for assistance; for behold they were not in the wrong.

However, the people of the land of Lehi fled to Moroni’s camp to appeal for help. Their claim to their lands was ligament.

Alma 50: 28 And it came to pass that when the people of Morianton, who were led by a man whose name was Morianton, found that the people of Lehi had fled to the camp of Moroni, they were exceedingly fearful lest the army of Moroni should come upon them and destroy them.

A man named Morianton was the leader of the people of Morianton. When they found that the people of Lehi had fled to Moroni they knew that Moroni would bring an army against them to reinstate the claims by the people of Lehi.

Alma 50: 29 Therefore, Morianton put it into their hearts that they should flee to the land which was northward, which was covered with large bodies of water, and take possession of the land which was northward.

Morianton therefore thought the best thing was to abandon Morianton the head north and resettle there which was a land covered with many bodies of water.

Alma 50: 30 And behold, they would have carried this plan into effect, (which would have been a cause to have been lamented) but behold, Morianton being a man of much passion, therefore he was angry with one of his maid servants, and he fell upon her and beat her much.

If Morianton would have carried out this plan of abandoning the land of Morianton, it would have been a great loss to the Nephites in regards to their plans of defense. However, Morianton got mad at one of his maid servants and beat her up.