The Boldness of Moroni and Ammoron

Today I read Alma 54, where Moroni and Ammoron exchange letters for the intent to do a prisoner exchange. Everytime I read this chapter I wonder at the record keeping of the Nephites. I understand that they kept records of all the happenings of their people but it really intrigues me that they would record, word for word, two letters talking about prisoner exchange. I suspect they did it because of Moroni's words to Ammoron and how he goes into detail about the consequences of the Lamanite's actions.

The other part of this chapter that stands out to me, is the boldness of Ammoron. I have often marveled at the audacity of leaders of men who impose their ideals onto their people. Just a few years earlier, and a few chapters earlier in the Book of Mormon, the Lamanite people were terrified to go to war against the Nephites. And now suddenly they are angy at the fact that something happened 500 years ago and want to avenge their wrongs!

No, not even close. This war was all about the fact that Amalickiah and his brother wanted to be king and have power of the Nephites and when they couldn't have it, they went to the Lamanites to obtain their goals. Yet Ammoron seems to think that his goals are the goals of the Lamanites too. I wonder if he even thought to ask him? I'm 99% sure he did not. But this is the same with all leaders. Some are more charismatic than others and can convince their people that this is what they have always wanted and just didn't know it. Mao Ze Dong in China was such a leader. Perhaps Ammoron was also, I'm not sure.

Now, good leaders, the right kind of leaders, can embolden his/her people into action and accomplishing their designs so that their goals become the people's goals. This is not what seems to have happened in the case of Ammoron and the Lamanites though. Ammoron seems to be one of those charismatic men that can somehow convince people that this is what they have always wanted, they just never knew it, somewhat akin to the Music Man.

This would not be so bad if he were to use his charisma for good. Unfortunately, such is not the case. He only cares about himself and does not care for the lives of the Lamanites at all. They are means to an end, nothing else. And that is the difference between Moroni and Ammoron. Moroni would happily give his life for anyone of his men. Ammoron would seem his men slaughtered to a man to protect his life.

We don't need to spend time convincing the world who is right and who was wrong in this war between the Nephites and the Lamanites. Suffice to say, if one could take only the good qualities of Ammoron, he was a brilliant leader, and combine them with the qualitites of Moroni, one could be a powerful force for good, perhaps even akin to the Savior in terms of influence for good. Until tomorrow.