“Captain Moroni and Pahoran,” Liahona, June 1995, 2
Captain Moroni and Pahoran
Captain Moroni was happy to hear that Helaman and his army had taken back many of the Nephite lands from the Lamanites. Alma 59:1
But Helaman and his army needed help. They did not have enough men to defend so many cities. Alma 58:32
Captain Moroni wrote a letter to Pahoran, the chief judge and governor. He asked Pahoran to send more soldiers to help Helaman’s army. Alma 59:3
The Lamanite army attacked a Nephite city that Helaman had taken back. They killed many Nephites and chased the rest from the city. Alma 59:5–8
Angry with the Nephite government because they had not sent help, Moroni wrote another letter to Pahoran. Alma 59:13; Alma 60:1
Captain Moroni wrote that many had been killed because Pahoran had not sent more soldiers to help them. Alma 60:3–5
If Pahoran did not quickly send men and food, Moroni wrote, he would bring his army to Zarahemla and force Pahoran to help them. Alma 60:34–35
Soon Moroni received a letter from Pahoran, who wrote that he was very sad because of the suffering of Moroni and his armies. Alma 61:1–2
Pahoran told Moroni that some Nephites did not want him to be the chief judge. They had forced him and the freemen out of Zarahemla. Alma 61:3–5
Pahoran added that he was gathering an army to take back the city of Zarahemla. Alma 61:6–7
The wicked Nephites in Zarahemla had appointed a king and were joining with the Lamanites. Alma 61:8
Pahoran was not angry because of what Moroni had written. The chief judge also wanted freedom for the Nephites. Alma 61:9
He asked Moroni to bring a few men to help him, adding that if Moroni gathered more men along the way, they could take back Zarahemla. Alma 61:15–18
Captain Moroni was happy that Pahoran was still faithful to his country and that he still wanted freedom for his people. Alma 62:1
With a few of his men, Moroni went to meet Pahoran. They carried the title of liberty, and thousands of men along the way joined them. Alma 62:3–5
The armies of Moroni and Pahoran marched against Zarahemla, killed the king of the wicked Nephites, and captured his men. Alma 62:7–8
Moroni sent food and twelve thousand men to help the Nephite armies, who then drove the Lamanites out. There was peace again in the land. Alma 62:12–13, 38–39, 41–42
Illustrated by Jerry Thompson