27 Now it came to pass that many of the Lamanites that were prisoners were desirous to join the people of Ammon and become a free people.28 And it came to pass that as many as were desirous, unto them it was granted according to their desires.

This is one of the moments where the culture of the Book of Mormon people is utterly foreign to us as modern readers. It is nearly impossible to imagine a modern army instantly pardoning traitors and letting them join the fight. It is nearly impossible to imagine a modern army instantly allowing prisoners of war to defect and eventually gain citizenship. 

This magnamity required a great deal of trust in the word of one’s foes. One’s word truly had to be one’s bond. In such a culture it was possible to trust that one would actually follow through. It is somewhat tragic that we have lost this level of trust in modern society.



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