Alma 50

Even after his victory, Moroni continued to build defensive fortifications around all of the Nephite cities. Earthen mounds were topped with a strong line of log pickets. Towers were constructed, that allowed protected defenders to rain down stones and arrows on attackers.

Moroni also directed his army to enter the wilderness to the east of Zarahemla and drove all the Lamanites back to their own lands. After clearing out the Lamanites to the eastern sea, Moroni asked the Nephites to settle this land clear down to the seashore. In so doing he eliminated the Lamanite strongholds in the eastern wilderness. To the west he fortified the border between the Nephites and the Lamanites. All of this was done to weaken and scatter the Lamanites who Moroni wanted to discourage from future attacks. New cities were built along the Lamanite boundary all the way to the eastern coastline.

During the 21st year of elected judges, the Nephites prospered, multiplied, and became rich. Centuries previously God had told Lehi1, “You and your descendants will be blessed as long as they keep my commandments. But remember, if they don’t, then they will be cut off from my blessings.” It was clear to all that the truth of God’s statement could be seen. When the Nephites had fought among themselves, worshipped idols, practiced fornication and other abominations, wars and destruction had come upon them. At the same time, those who honored God’s commandments were delivered from slavery and death. This period of Nephite prosperity and happiness was the greatest since the days of Nephi. These were very good years. [71 BC]

In the 24th year of elected judges, conflicts arose between the Nephites who lived in the new coastal lands of Lehi and Morianton. The people of Morianton laid claim to lands also claimed by the people of Lehi, and were willing to kill to maintain that claim. The people of Lehi appealed to Moroni because they knew they were in the right. Learning of this the people of Morianton became fearful that Moroni’s army would come to the Lehites’ defense, and destroy them. [68 BC]

So Morianton2, the leader after whom the city was named, inspired his people to move north and take possession of new lands. But just before this movement was set to happen, Morianton became angry with his maid, and beat her intensely. Afterwards the maid fled to Moroni, and told him of Morianton’s plans. Moroni was concerned that Morianton’s influence would grow, so he sent his army out to stop Morianton’s migration to the north. When Moroni’s army met up with Morianton, a great battle ensued in which Morianton was killed, his army was defeated, and the survivors were returned to Moroni as prisoners. Under Moroni’s leadership, the people of Morianton promised to keep the peace, and returned to their land as good neighbors to the people of Lehi.

Nephihah, the chief judge, died after many years of devoted service, and his son Pahoran1 was appointed as his successor. Pahoran made a sacred oath to judge righteously, protect the peace and freedom of the Nephite people, maintain the cause of God, and bring the wicked to justice in accordance with their crimes. [67 BC]