Page:A dictionary of the Book of Mormon.pdf/201

Rh ," or be put to death. But few refused to make this covenant. (B. C. 73.) When the elder Pahoran died (B. C. 68), great contentions arose between the king-men and the "free-men." The former thought this an opportune time to re-establish the royal power. They desired the new chief judge, Pahoran, the younger, to amend the laws, so that this end might be accomplished. Pahoran declined, considering he had no authority to so change the national constitution. At the demand of the royalists, the question was put to the popular vote, or "to the voice of the people." The majority voted in favor of the continuance of the existing form of government. The king-men, greatly angered at the result, broke out in open rebellion.

At this critical juncture, Amalickiah invaded the Nephite territory. The monarchists refused to assist in the defense of the fatherland. At his own request, full power was given to Moroni, the Nephite commander-in-chief, to deal with them. He was made, for the time being, military dictator; he occupied a position nearly analagous to the Pendragon of the ancient Britons. Moroni attacked the malcontents in their cities and forts, slew about 4,000 of them, and cast into prison those who would not take up arms in defense of their country. This outbreak, which was led by those claiming to be of noble birth, resulted disastrously for the Nephites; for while Moroni was engaged in putting it down, the Lamanites made rapid advances northward, capturing many cities on their route. (B. C. 67.) Four years later, another royalist uprising took place. As usual, it commenced at the capital, and for a time was quite successful. Pahoran was driven from the judgment seat and fled to the land of Gideon, while a man named Pachus was made king. He opened a treasonable correspondence with the Lamanites, in which he made a treaty with them,