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Difference between revisions of "Warfare in the Book of Mormon"
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==Fortifications== | ==Fortifications== | ||
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+ | :4 But behold, how great was their disappointment; for behold, the Nephites had dug up a ridge of earth round about them, which was so high that the Lamanites could not cast their stones and their arrows at them that they might take effect, neither could they come upon them save it was by their place of entrance. ([http://scriptures.lds.org/alma/49/4#4 Alma 49:4]).<BR><BR> | ||
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+ | :3 And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had finished burying their dead and also the dead of the Nephites, they were marched back into the land Bountiful; and Teancum, by the orders of Moroni, caused that they should commence laboring in digging a ditch round about the land, or the city, Bountiful. 4 And he caused that they should build a breastwork of timbers upon the inner bank of the ditch; and they cast up dirt out of the ditch against the breastwork of timbers; and thus they did cause the Lamanites to labor until they had encircled the city of Bountiful round about with a strong wall of timbers and earth, to an exceeding height. 5 And this city became an exceeding stronghold ever after; and in this city they did guard the prisoners of the Lamanites; yea, even within a wall which they had caused them to build with their own hands. Now Moroni was compelled to cause the Lamanites to labor, because it was easy to guard them while at their labor; and he desired all his forces when he should make an attack upon the Lamanites.([http://scriptures.lds.org/alma/53/3#5 Alma 53:3-5]).<BR><BR> | ||
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+ | The Book of Mormon's description of fortifications matches those in use in Mesoamerica. Multiple sites have been found; the city of Becan is well-known: | ||
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+ | [[Image:Becan_1.jpg|frame|thumb|100px|none|The moat at Bécan in the Yucatan is 16 meters wide, and covers a distance of 2 kilometers. The enclosed city covers 25 hectares (almost 62 acres). Reconstruction, on-line at http://mayaruins.com/becan.html]] | ||
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+ | [[Image:Becan_2.jpg|frame|thumb|100px|none|Artist’s rendering of Bécan fortifications [AD 100-250]; From John L. Sorenson, ''Images of Ancient America: Visualizing Book of Mormon Life'' (Provo, Utah: Research Press, 1998), 133 (Andrea Darais, artist).]] | ||
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+ | [[Image:Becan_3.jpg|frame|thumb|100px|none|“Bécan” earthworks, fortifications from Early Classic period (250-400 AD) | ||
+ | David L. Webster, ''Defensive Earthworks at Bécan, Campeche, Mexico: Implications for Mayan Warfare'' (Tulane University, Middle American Research Institute, Publication 41, 1976), 3.]] | ||
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+ | [[Image:Becan_4.jpg|frame|thumb|100px|none|Note the modern '''highway''' in the upper left corner! [Gives a sense of the scale.] | ||
+ | David L. Webster, ''Defensive Earthworks at Bécan, Campeche, Mexico: Implications for Mayan Warfare'' (Tulane University, Middle American Research Institute, Publication 41, 1976), 3. | ||
+ | ]] | ||
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+ | It should be noted too that the rise of Mesoamerican fortification in the archaelogic record matches the introduction of this form of warfare among the Nephites by Captain Moroni (See ). | ||
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+ | [[Image:NAME.jpg|frame|thumb|100px|none|John L. Sorenson, "Fortifications in the Book of Mormon Account Compared with Mesoamerican Fortifications" (Table 2, p. 429) in Stephen D. Ricks & William J. Hamblin, (eds), ''Warfare in the Book of Mormon'' (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1990), 425-444.]] | ||
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==Ritual warfare== | ==Ritual warfare== | ||
==Seasonality of Warfare== | ==Seasonality of Warfare== |
Revision as of 21:01, 16 October 2005
This article is a draft. FairMormon editors are currently editing it. We welcome your suggestions on improving the content.
Contents
Armor
Book of Mormon armor does not match the type of armor that Joseph Smith would have been familiar with, nor does it reflect European styles of armor:
19 And when the armies of the Lamanites saw that the people of Nephi, or that Moroni, had prepared his people with breastplates and with arm–shields, yea, and also shields to defend their heads, and also they were dressed with thick clothing—Alma 43:19
Quilted armor
This description matches Mesoamerican quilted armor:
Arm shields
Breastplates
Fortifications
- 4 But behold, how great was their disappointment; for behold, the Nephites had dug up a ridge of earth round about them, which was so high that the Lamanites could not cast their stones and their arrows at them that they might take effect, neither could they come upon them save it was by their place of entrance. (Alma 49:4).
- 3 And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had finished burying their dead and also the dead of the Nephites, they were marched back into the land Bountiful; and Teancum, by the orders of Moroni, caused that they should commence laboring in digging a ditch round about the land, or the city, Bountiful. 4 And he caused that they should build a breastwork of timbers upon the inner bank of the ditch; and they cast up dirt out of the ditch against the breastwork of timbers; and thus they did cause the Lamanites to labor until they had encircled the city of Bountiful round about with a strong wall of timbers and earth, to an exceeding height. 5 And this city became an exceeding stronghold ever after; and in this city they did guard the prisoners of the Lamanites; yea, even within a wall which they had caused them to build with their own hands. Now Moroni was compelled to cause the Lamanites to labor, because it was easy to guard them while at their labor; and he desired all his forces when he should make an attack upon the Lamanites.(Alma 53:3-5).
The Book of Mormon's description of fortifications matches those in use in Mesoamerica. Multiple sites have been found; the city of Becan is well-known:
It should be noted too that the rise of Mesoamerican fortification in the archaelogic record matches the introduction of this form of warfare among the Nephites by Captain Moroni (See ).
Ritual warfare
Seasonality of Warfare
Secret Combinations
Tactics
Weapons
Further reading
FAIR wiki articles
- Links to related articles in the wiki
FAIR web site
- Links to articles on the FAIR web site; Topical Guide entries go first
External links
- Links to external web pages
Printed material
- William Hamblin and Stephen D. Ricks (editors), Warfare in the Book of Mormon, (Provo: Utah: Deseret Book Co. and FARMS, 1990) ISBN 0875793002. On-line at: GospeLink