Sunday, July 23, 2023

Roger Herard on Alma 43:44

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.)