You can read the entire chapter at the following link: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/2?lang=eng.
History never forgets. If a practice or behavior emerges at one point in time, someone else will take note and look for ways to emulate or refine it for their advantage.
Even though Nehor was unable to overthrow society’s order and the church, his example was not forgotten. Others studied what worked and what didn’t, and instead of learning the real lesson, which is that evil destroys those who play with it, they tinkered to see if they could do it more subtly, more skillfully, in such a way where they could get away with what Nehor couldn’t. We see it with criminals, terrorists and even ambitious businesspeople or politicians.
Amlici is Nehor 2.0. Mormon doesn’t give us a lot of detail about how he operates, but says that his cunning draws many to follow him, giving him considerable power and influence. Whether he does any of his teaching or recruitment in the open, it seems as though he is careful about how he does it. At some point, the Nephites become aware that he has significant influence—to the delight of some and terror of others (verses 1-3).
Amlici’s first
plan is to see if he can take over using legal means. The law says that whoever
gains the voice of the people can lead them as chief judge. Of course, the
judge is supposed to uphold the laws already handed down to the Nephites by the
Lord through King Mosiah, but it is pretty clear that Amlici intends to use any
authority he gets to deprive church members of their rights of worship and
expression (verse 4). There’s a lot at stake, and the people appear to be in
great suspense as they hold their collective breath and wait to see what the
majority will say.
They separate into groups and engage in some kind of process of discussion and debate that Mormon describes as “wonderful contentions one with another.” It is not clear how the vote is taken, but their voices are “laid before the judges” and the result is that Amlici’s bid for power is rejected (verses 5-7).
But instead of accepting the outcome, Amlici maintains the hold he has over his supporters and turns them against those who oppose him. He has them call him their king and take up arms to enforce their claims (verses 8-10).
The first great battle is a tragedy simply because it happens (verse 15). Fellow citizens unwilling to submit to the law to resolve disputes. Resorting instead to the shedding of blood. And the primal emotions such fighting produces makes it difficult to ever reclaim that societal harmony.
That said, the Nephites are justified in defending themselves and their liberties. With Alma personally leading them, the Lord strengthens them so that they are able to prevail in the battle and force the Amlicites to flee. Not without thousands of deaths on both sides (verses 16-19).
As the Nephites take a momentary rest and consider the relief they feel from the initial repulsion of the threat from Amlici, spies who have followed the retreating Amlicite forces share a big surprise: The Amlicites have joined with the Lamanites and are already invading parts of Nephite territory near the capital of Zarahemla (verses 20-25).
This is where character and faith come into play. The Nephites have no time to reflect—they must simply act. They briskly march to intercept those who would take away their community, shared strength, and freedom to worship God. And, after praying mightily for deliverance, they thrust themselves into the battle despite the terrible risk to life and limb (verses 26-28). Alma personally leads out, facing both Amlici and the Lamanite king after praying for the Lord to spare him that he might be an instrument in the Lord’s hands to preserve the Nephites. Alma kills Amlici in combat, and battles the Lamanite king, who then retreats with his hosts and flees to a wilderness area with the remaining Amlicites, where many are attacked by wild animals and perish (verses 29-38).
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