Alma 25

These newly converted Lamanites seethed at how they’d been duped into nationalized mass murder of their own kin. They swore vengeance on the soured Nephites who had coaxed them into it. They took their swords, headed for Zarahemla and, once there, wiped out most of the populace of Ammonihah.

That began a crusade of anti-Nephite revenge. Top avengers: most of the family of Amulon and his brothers (Noah’s priests), who’d been killed by Nephites, except for a few who ran off into the wilds of the east and killed off believers. The latter had recanted their upbringings and signed on with Aaron’s doctrines and implicit power. So they were obvious targets for the avengers.

This mass slaughter generated in-fighting. Soon the Amulon faction became the prey of other Lamanite groups. They remain so, even now, which validated Abinadi’s forecast of their fate. (You’ll recall that he said, before they torched him, “This is a symbol of things to come.” Now it was happening to the descendants of Noah’s priests.)

Ultimately, though, the Lamanites who were bent on conquering the Nephites couldn’t do it. Dejected, they went back to Ishmaelland and Nephiland. Many joined the church, ritually buried their swords, and lived like saints. They kept Moses’ law, believing it signaled the Anointed One’s eventual appearance and reign.

Obviously, all this made Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni ecstatic.

Prayers answered. It seemed nothing could stop their progress.