Pahoran's Reply to Moroni

Soon after Moroni had sent his letter to Pahoran, he received this reply:

“Moroni, I have no joy in your great afflictions, for they grieve my soul. But a great number of people here do rejoice in your afflictions, for they have risen up in rebellion against me and my people, the Freemen. Your great suffering has been caused by those who have taken the judgment-seat from me. By using great flattery, they have led away the hearts of many people, which will be the cause of sore affliction among us. They have withheld our provisions and have prevented our Freemen from coming to you. They have driven me out, and I have escaped to the land of Gideon with as many men as I could get.

“I have sent a proclamation, calling people to arms throughout this part of the land. They are coming to us daily, armed to defend their country and freedom, and to avenge our wrongs. Because of this, those who have risen up in rebellion against us are afraid to come out of Zarahemla and fight us. They have taken over the city and have appointed Pachus to be their own king.

“Pachus has written to the Lamanite king, making an alliance with him. He has agreed with the Lamanite king to maintain Zarahemla, making it easier for the Lamanites to conquer the rest of our lands. In return, Pachus will be made king over our people if we are conquered by the Lamanites. You rebuked me in your letter, but I am not angry. I rejoice in the greatness of your heart. I, Pahoran, also do not seek for power. I desire to regain my judgment-seat to preserve the rights and liberty of my people. My soul stands fast in that liberty with which God has made us free. We will resist wickedness even if we must shed blood. We would not kill the Lamanites if they would stay in their own land, nor would we kill our own brethren if they would not rise up in rebellion against us with swords.

“We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage if God’s justice required us to do so. But He does not require us to subject ourselves to our enemies. He requires that we trust in Him to deliver us.

“My beloved brother, Moroni, let us resist evil, and whatever evil we cannot resist with our words, such as rebellions and dissensions, let us resist them with our swords, that we may retain our freedom, that we may rejoice in the great privilege of our church and in the cause of our Redeemer and God. Come to us quickly with a few of your men. Leave the rest under the command of Lehi and Teancum. Let them fight in that part of the land according to the Spirit of God in them—the Spirit of freedom. I have sent a few provisions so that your men will not starve before you can come to me.

“As you come, gather more men along the way. Then according to our faith, in the strength of our God we will go quickly against those dissenters. We will take back the city of Zarahemla, obtain more food to send to Lehi and Teancum, and put an end to this great iniquity.

“After reading your letter, Moroni, I was very happy, for I was not sure if my plans to go against our brethren was a just cause. But now I know it is a just cause, for as you said, unless they repent, the Lord has commanded you to go against them. Be sure to strengthen Lehi and Teancum in the Lord. Tell them, and all those who stand firm for their liberty, that God will deliver them. This is the end of my letter to you, my beloved brother, Moroni.”