– Post by Morianton’s Maid Servant
It’s been twenty-four years since King Mosiah’s sons declined their rightful claim for one of them to become our next king. The Reign of Judges started then. I of course was not part of any of that. In my young life, I have suffered the consequences of evil and enjoyed the blessings of righteousness. In the 24 years of the Reign of Judges, four major wars have inflicted our people. Each time the spirit of hate, greed, and lust for power has caused the destruction of thousands of people. I can only imagine that is the cause of most wars.
In the fifth year of the Reign of Judges, a man named Amlici sought to be king. He rallied the people and forced a vote. He and his followers failed. His followers anointed Amlici king anyway. They tried to force the people to accept Amlici as king. A serious battle took place. The free people defeated Amlici’s people. They fled and united with a Lamanite army. Despite their great numbers our Nephites defeated them. Alma killed Amlici.
Following only a few years of peace and prosperity, the Lamanites came against us to battle led by dissenting Nephites. Again the armies of the Lamanites were defeated.
Following only a few more years of peace and prosperity, the wicked Zoramites and other dissenting Nephites joined with the Lamanites and came against us again in battle. Each of these wars leaves families destroyed, fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters murdered, taken captive, and left to live shattered lives.
Then Amalickiah, another dissenter conspires to be king, through treachery, he becomes king among the Lamanites. Soon he leads an army to destroy us. Once again thousands of lives are sacrificed to the lusts of evil men.
We began to enjoy peace for a short season. I am a maidservant to a leading man and his household in the land of Morianton. His name is Morianton. He is a violent and angry man. There became a contention between the people of Morianton and the people in the land of Lehi. The people of Morianton claimed part of the land of Lehi as their own. The contention became so violent, that many of the people of Lehi feared being destroyed by Morianton and his people who took up weapons and readied to seize and destroy the people of Lehi.
I watched all this happen in disgust. I knew of Amlici, the Zoramites, Amalickiah, and others who sought to be kings. They always run to the Lamanites, stir them up to anger and then cities are destroyed, people are slaughtered, and slowly we return in humility to God for His forgiveness.
When Morianton heard the people of the Land of Lehi fled to Moroni’s camp, Morianton feared Moroni would come and destroy him and his people. Morianton knows he is wrong. I could no longer hold my peace. Morianton was so angry he beat me so viciously I could do nothing but flee. I made my way to Moroni’s camp and told Moroni all that was happening.
Just as I saw the danger of one more dissenter uniting with the Lamanites, Moroni sent an army led by Teancum. Morianton was so stubborn and his followers so filled with hate and anger, that a battle commenced and ended with Teancum killing Morianton. The rest of the people were taken captive and brought back.
I feel as insufficient as I am, I feel secure in the knowledge that I did a good thing.
