311 The Anti-Nephi-Lehies Burying Their Swords

Alma 2324
They took their swords, and all the weapons which were used for the shedding of man's blood, and they did bury them up deep in the earth. Alma 24:17

The four sons of King Mosiah—Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni—went among the Lamanites as missionaries. Many Lamanites believed their teachings and were converted, including the king. He told his people not to hurt or imprison the missionaries. They were free to preach the gospel throughout the land. (See Alma 23:13.)

Thousands of Lamanites joined the Church of God and became a righteous people. These converts laid down their weapons of war and refused to fight against God or anyone else anymore. (See Alma 23:57.) These people no longer wanted to be called Lamanites, so they named themselves Anti-Nephi-Lehies. They became a hardworking people and friends of the Nephites. (See Alma 23:1618.)

Many Lamanites, however, had not been converted to the truth. These Lamanites became angry, rebelled against the king, and decided to fight the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. (See Alma 24:12.) At this time, having conferred the kingdom upon his son Anti-Nephi-Lehi, the old king died. When the sons of Mosiah saw the Lamanites preparing for war, they met with the new king to decide what could be done to defend the people. (See Alma 24:35.)

The Anti-Nephi-Lehies would not take up weapons to fight the Lamanites. The people had repented of their past sins and murders, and God had forgiven them. If they were to kill again, they would not be forgiven. (See Alma 24:613.)

As a testimony to God, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies buried their swords and all their weapons of war deep in the earth. They covenanted that they would never kill again. Rather than shed the blood of others, they would give up their own lives. They also promised they would give to others rather than take, and instead of being idle, they would work hard. (See Alma 24:1718.)

When the Lamanite warriors came to fight, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies went out to meet them. They knelt on the ground and began to pray. The Lamanites fell upon them and began killing them with their swords. They killed a total of 1,005 Anti-Nephi-Lehies. When the attacking Lamanites saw that the Anti-Nephi-Lehies would not fight back, they stopped killing them. Their hearts began to swell with sorrow for what they had done. Many of these Lamanites also repented, threw down their weapons, and joined the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. (See Alma 24:2125.)

That day the number of Lamanites who repented and joined the people of God exceeded the number of Anti-Nephi-Lehies who had been killed. The Anti-Nephi-Lehies knew that those who died were righteous and would be saved in the kingdom of God. They also knew that they had given their lives to bring more people to the truth. (See Alma 24:2627.)

Summary

Many Lamanites believed the teachings of the sons of Mosiah. They repented of their past sins and murders and were forgiven. These converts did not want to be known as Lamanites anymore and chose to be called Anti-Nephi-Lehies. The Lamanites who were not converted became angry and prepared to attack the believers. The Anti-Nephi-Lehies, however, buried their weapons of war and promised to never kill again. When the Lamanite army attacked, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies bowed to the ground and prayed. Over a thousand were killed. The Lamanites stopped killing them when they realized the Anti-Nephi-Lehies would not fight back. Many of the attacking Lamanites repented, threw down their weapons, and joined with the Anti-Nephi-Lehies.

Artist, Del Parson

© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA