In Alma 43:44 reads as follows:
And
they were inspired by the Zoramites and the Amalekites, who were their chief
captains and leaders, and by Zerahemnah, who was their chief captain, or their
chief leader and commander; yea, they did fight like dragons, and many of the
Nephites were slain by their hands, yea, for they did smite in two many of
their head-plates, and they did pierce many of their breastplates, and they did
smite off many of their arms; and thus the Lamanites did smite in their fierce
anger.
The verse’s description of armour
fits well with a Mesoamerican setting:
The
plates of Captain Moroni’s reinforcement might have not been made of metal
either, a reality reliable with archaeological discoveries in the Americas,
which shows the utilization of metal was uncommon. Shortage would forestall its
general issue to huge number of troops. Moroni’s uniform gave added protection,
but the armor was by no means invulnerable against the weapons of the day.
Covering isn’t by and large intended to quit everything tossed at all; all
things considered, it looks to adjust assurance and hostile mobility, so
Moroni’s reinforcement made entrance wounds and passing more troublesome.
Forfeiting outright insurance for economy and weight. That’s what accounts
shows assuming hit sufficiently, the head plates could be divided in two and the
breastplates punctured (Alma 43:44). Metal can be penetrated, however it isn’t
typically broken in two by a blow except if it’s made of bad quality material.
The recently referred to refrain makes explicit reference to the head plates,
recommending that they might have been made of something like wood—a material
that, assuming hit sufficiently, will break in two. The breastplates and arm
plates might have been made of a solitary layer of numerous layers of Rawhide,
which could be penetrated however not split in two. Rawhide, wood, and ceramics
will generally be lighter than metal and are additionally less expensive to
create. The utilization of rawhide and wood for protection is reliable with the
work to keep the reinforcement light and modest to successfully manage the
issues of heat and humidity and creation costs. (Roger Herard, The Book Of
Mormon: The Nephites’ Military Strategies [2022], n.p.)
