Alma Ch3

After breaking away from the Nephites, the Amlicies want to be identified as not a part of them anymore, so they mark themselves which is actually fulfilling a prophecy. The Lamanites are cursed because they have rebelled against God and all men who rebel will have the curse upon them. The Nephites are blessed and are able to defeat another Lamanite army that came against them.

There was a great number of Nephites slain, even women and children, from both battles in the previous chapter but those who were still alive returned home to pick up the pieces (v1-2). The Lamanites and Amlicites who had died were even greater, but those who lived were distinguished by red on their foreheads (v3-4). The Lamanites had shaved heads and were basically naked because they didn't wear much, and their skin was darker than the Nephites because of the curse their fathers brought upon them when they rebelled against The Lord (v5-7). The two nations did not mix or have communication because of their differences, but those Nephites who did turn away and join the Lamanites would bring the same curse upon their seed (v8-10).

The Nephites kept all the records of everything that has happened since Nephi which is why they remember the prophecy of the marking of people who will separate from the righteous (v11-14). The Lord had said he would mark the Lamanites and all those who mingle with them and fight against the people of the Lord because they will no longer be blessed with the same blessings as the seed of Nephi (v15-18). The Amlicites didn't know they were fulfilling that prophecy because they were the wicked who didn't know the scriptures. They brought the curse upon themselves because they rejected the blessings of the lord and their condemnation is their own fault (v19).

Not too long later, the Lamanites came against the Nephites in the same place the Amlicites had attacked before and was driven back by a numerous army which Alma couldn't be a part of this time (v20-23). Once the Lamanites were driven out, there was peace the rest of the year but sadness because of the lose of many ten thousands of lives that were ended to either eternal happiness or eternal misery (v24-26). When v27 talks about the wages we receive from who we listeth to obey, Alma is teaching us about the difference between how we are rewarded. Satan has no power to give eternal life and those who follow him are 'rewarded' with misery. On the other hand, if we follow our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ, they can reward us with eternal happiness with them.