Page:A dictionary of the Book of Mormon.pdf/170

Jacob. strength and prowess against the well-ordered ranks of the Nephites in the one-absorbing endeavor to force their way through. While the Nephites, in the heroic courage which religion and patriotism inspire, stood cool and undismayed. In this desperate encounter Moroni was wounded and Jacob slain.

While Jacob was thus impetuously charging on Moroni's corps, Lehi with his "strong men" was as furiously driving in the Lamanite rear. At last the soldiers of Jacob in that part of the field surrendered. Their leader being slain, the remainder of the troops hesitated between throwing down their arms and continuing the hopeless strife. Moroni, with his intense hatred of unnecessary bloodshed, when he noticed that they wavered, cried out that if they would lay down their weapons and deliver themselves up he would spare their lives. His offer was accepted. The chief captains, who remained, came forward and placed their weapons at his feet and commanded their men to do the same. Most of the warriors obeyed, yet numbers would not. They preferred death to surrender, and force had to be used to wrest their weapons from them. The Lamanite prisoners were then sent under an escort to the city of Bountiful, and when counted were found to exceed in numbers the slain on both sides in the late battle.  JACOB. In the years just previous to the fall of the Nephite commonwealth, (A. C. 30) a relentless persecution was waged against the followers of Christ, when many of the believers, under the color of the law, were unjustly put to death. But though executed by order of the corrupt courts, the proceedings were in the highest degree illegal, as it was contrary to the Nephite law for any prisoner to be put to death unless the warrant therefor had first been signed by the chief governor of all the land. Contrary to the provision of this statute, 