Amlici Rebels, Fights Nephites

In this same year, a very cunning man named Amlici began to cause contention. He acted according to Nehor’s order (doctrine), and he was wise as to the wisdom of the world. He gained many followers, so many that they became very powerful and wanted Amlici to become the king over all the people. This was alarming to the people of the church, and to all who had not been persuaded by Amlici, for they knew that according to their law, a man could only become king if the majority of the people voted for him. They knew that if Amlici were elected king, he would take away their right to worship God, for Amlici was a wicked man and wanted to destroy the church of God.

The people came from all parts of the land and assembled into separate groups. Some were for Amlici and some were against him. They argued and disputed with each other as they assembled to vote. The results of their voting were brought to their judges, and the majority of the people had voted against Amlici becoming king.

When the results of the election were announced, those who were against Amlici celebrated, but those who were for Amlici were incited by him to become very angry. They gathered together and consecrated Amlici to be their king.

As soon as these rebellious people had made Amlici their king, he commanded them to take up arms against their brethren, for he wanted power over all the people. The people who followed Amlici were called Amlicites, and the rest were called Nephites, or the people of God. Aware of the Amlicites’ intentions, the Nephites prepared to fight them. They armed themselves with swords, scimitars, bows, arrows, stones, slings, and with every other kind of weapon. They were organized, and appointed captains, higher captains, and chief captains, according to their numbers.

Amlici also armed his men with all types of weapons, and he also appointed rulers and leaders over his people to lead them to war against their brethren.

The Amlicites came upon Amnihu Hill, east of the Sidon River, which ran along the land of Zarahemla. On the hill, the Amlicites began to fight the Nephites. As chief judge and governor of the people of Nephi, Alma went up on the hill with his captains and chief captains, leading his armies to battle against the Amlicites. They began to kill the Amlicites upon the hill, but the Amlicites fought the Nephites with great strength killing many of them. The Lord strengthened the Nephites so that they became mighty in battle. They killed so many Amlicites so quickly that they began to run away. The Nephites went after the Amlicites all that day and killed 12,532 of them. That day 6,562 Nephites were also killed.

When night came, Alma stopped his chase. He and his army camped in the valley of Gideon (named after Gideon who had been killed by Nehor).

Alma sent spies to follow the surviving Amlicites, to learn of their plans and plots, so that he might guard himself against them and keep his people from being destroyed. Alma sent out Zeram, Amnor, Manti, and Limher with their men to spy on the Amlicite camp.

The next morning these men came running back to the Nephite camp, very surprised and fearful, and reported, “We followed the Amlicites outside of Zarahemla, to the land of Minon. We discovered that they have joined a very large Lamanite army. Our brethren in Minon are running from them with their flocks, wives, and children toward our city! Unless we hurry back to our city, our enemies will obtain it, and our families will be killed!”

Alma quickly led the Nephite army back to their own city, Zarahemla. As they were crossing the Sidon River, the Lamanites and the Amlicites, who seemed to be as numerous as the sands of the sea, came upon them. But the Nephites were again made strong by the hand of the Lord, having prayed mightily to Him that He would deliver them out of the hands of their enemies. The Lord heard their cries, for the Lamanites and Amlicites fell before them in battle.

Then Alma fought Amlici face to face. They fought mightily with their swords. Alma, being a man of God, and having practiced great faith, cried out, “Oh Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in Thy hands to save and preserve this people.” Then Alma continued the fight with Amlici. He was strengthened and killed Amlici with his sword.

Then the Lamanite king fought with Alma, but the king soon ran from him and sent his guards to fight instead. Alma and his guards killed and drove back the Lamanite king’s guards. Alma and his men cleared the west bank of the Sidon River by throwing the dead Lamanites into the river so that the rest of the Nephite army could cross. When they had all crossed the river, the Lamanites and Amlicites ran with terror from Alma, even though they were so numerous they could not be counted. They ran from the Nephites toward the wilderness in the west and the north. The Nephites chased them with their might, killing many. The Lamanites and Amlicites were surrounded and killed, or chased into the wilderness called Hermounts, which was inhabited by wild animals.

Amlici Rebels, Fights Nephites

Many died of their wounds in this wilderness and were eaten by wild animals and vultures. Later their bones were found and piled in heaps.