Strengthened By The Lord

Alma hadn't been chief judge all that long before Amlici began to stir up the hearts of some of the Nephites to want a king. Specifically, he spent time convincing them that they wanted HIM to be their king. There were enough people that had been convinced of this that there was a vote among the people. Luckily, the majority of people wanted to stick with the judges being in charge rather than a king.

Not to be dissuaded from this endeavor, people that wanted Amlici to be king just separated themselves from the other Nephites, and made him their king, so they became Amlicites.

For his first order of business, Amlici convinced his people to go to war against the Nephites.

"18 Nevertheless the Lord did strengthen the hand of the Nephites, that they slew the Amlicites with great slaughter, that they began to flee before them." (Alma 2:18)

The Amlicites ran away, and the Nephites chased them. Unfortunately, the Amlicites joined forces with a very large army of Lamanites, so Alma's army went ahead and started to battle with this huge force of people, for the protection of their families and liberties.

At some point, Alma, who was leading his army, became pitted against Amlici.

"30 And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God, being exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people.

31 Now when Alma had said these words he contended again with Amlici; and he was strengthened, insomuch that he slew Amlici with the sword." (Alma 2:30-31)

In both verses, we show that the Lord blesses and strengthens his righteous people.

I believe this to be a very real example of the blessings that come from righteous living. The Lord will protect and strengthen them. We may not be in an actual physical battle with swords and armies, but we are always in a spiritual battle. I think one reason Mormon included this account in the Book of Mormon is to show us that though we may be fighting what appears to be a losing battle, the Lord will strengthen us and help us, if only we are righteous.