Alma 28

In the 15th year of elected judges, the Ammonites settled in the land of Jershon, where they established a church. While they were under the protection of a Nephite army, a Lamanite army came after them. The ensuing battle was bigger than any since Lehi1 left Jerusalem. Tens of thousands of Lamanites were killed and many Nephites died, too. In the end the Nephites prevailed and drove the Lamanite army from their lands, but not without a huge loss of life. It was a time of great sadness and mourning for the Nephite people when they returned to their lands. Husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons had been killed.

Since the time of Mosiah, thousands had been buried; many thousands more were piled up to rot; and many thousands wept for their loss of their dead relatives. Many of the survivors worried that their dead had been consigned to eternal torment. Other survivors mourned for their dead while rejoicing in the fact that their dead had found eternal happiness with God. These divergent responses to death showed them the importance of living without sin, beyond the reach of the devil. Sorrow and joy can also reside side by side — sorrow at death, and joy because of the light of Jesus Christ. [76 BC]