Alma 60

Moroni soon wrote again to Pahoran, the chief judge and governor of the land:

“I have some criticism for you to listen to. As you know, you and your staff have been appointed to gather and arm men to defend our lands against the Lamanite invasion. Helaman and his men, along with me and my men, have suffered great hardships in defending our country. If this were all, we’d have no room to complain. But when I learn of the slaughter of thousands of our people because of your neglect to send us troops and supplies I protest your neglect of us.

“We want to know the reason for this neglect and thoughtlessness. Do you sit on your throne in stupor while your enemies spread death all around you? The Lamanites are murdering thousands of your people. We look to you for protection and help from destruction. You withhold provisions that weaken us with hunger. Do you want to face revenge from God for the thousands who died because you failed to extend yourselves when they cried out in need of help? Do you think you can sit on your throne, do nothing, and expect God’s goodness and deliverance? Do you think that our people are being killed because of their wickedness? If these are you thoughts, you are deeply mistaken. Our dead condemn you. I am deeply afraid that the judgment of God will fall upon all of us because of the negligence of a government that is supposed to be protecting them.

“If we had not been fighting among ourselves we could have withstood our enemies in the first place. If it hadn’t been for the kingmen who caused so much bloodshed among us, we would never have gotten into these wars in the beginning. Now the Lamanites overrun our lands, murder our people, and take them away as slaves. All of this because some wanted more power and authority.

“Why do I bring all of this up? Because now you behave as if it were you who seek power and authority. How can we be certain that you aren’t traitors to your country? Or have you neglected those of us who fight because you are in the heart of our country, and surrounded by security? What possible reason could you have for failing to send us food and support? Have you forgotten the commandments of God? Have you forgotten the slavery of our ancestors? Have you forgotten the many times we’ve been delivered from the hands of our enemies? Or do you think that God will somehow save us again while you sit on your thrones and fail to use the means that God has provided us with?

“How long will you stand by surrounded by your idle thousands while thousands of others are dying? Do you think God will see you as guiltless in this massacre? I say no, he will not. God has said that the inside needs to cleaned first, and after that the outside will be cleaned also. Unless you repent for what you have done, and begin sending Helaman and me the supplies and reinforcements we need, it will become unnecessary to fight the Lamanites any longer. We will need to clean the inside, or the head of our great government, first.

“Unless you grant my requests to show me the true spirit of freedom and help to strengthen our armies I will leave them with the blessing of God, and come make trouble for you. I will stir up protests until any thoughts of holding personal power and authority are vanquished. I’m certainly not afraid of your power and authority. It is God who I fear. It is by his commandments that I fight to defend our country. It is because of your neglect that we suffer so much loss. Unless you join in defending the country, the sword of justice will hang over your head until it falls and brings you to complete destruction. If you don’t send the assistance that I ask for I will come for you with my sword. God will not permit you to live long if you persist in your sinful neglect of his righteous people.

“How can you imagine that God will spare you while he condemns the Lamanites? Your sin is the love of glory and vain things. You well know that you violate God’s laws. God has said to me, ‘If those who have been appointed as governors do not repent their sins, you must go do battle with them.’ I demand that you quickly comply with God’s commands and send Helaman and me provisions and men. God will not let us perish from hunger when you have food to give. If you don’t quickly send what we need, I will come to take it by force.

“As your chief commander, I do not seek power. I want to pull power down. I don’t care about the honor of the world, but for the glory of God, the freedom, and welfare of my country.” [62 BC]