of the land. After many years, one of these descendants, named Morianton, gathered an army of outcasts and invaded the Jaredite country. The war that followed was an exceedingly severe one and lasted a number of years. One by one the cities of the Jaredites fell into the hands of Morianton, until he had made himself master of the entire country. When established in power, he conciliated the people by lightening their burdens, so that they anointed him king. During his mild though energetic reign the people were greatly prospered, many new cities were built, and the nation grew exceedingly rich. He lived to a very great age, and when too old to hold the reins of government, he abdicated in favor of his son Kim, Morianton surviving this action eight years. His character is thus summarized in the Book of Ether: "he did do justice unto the people, but not unto himself, because of his many whoredoms; wherefore he was cut off from the presence of the Lord."
MORIANTON, CITY OF, The city built by Morianton in the land of the same name. After the settlement of the quarrel (B. C. 68), between its people and those of the land of Lehi, we next read that it was captured by the Lamanite armies under Amalickiah. (B. C. 67.) By B. C. 63 the Lamanites had made it a very strong place, and stationed a heavy garrison therein, with large quantities of provisions. In this year Moroni made preparations to recapture, it but whether he succeeded at that time, or not until later, is not clear from the record. We think it is probable that owing to the rebellion at Zarahemla, headed by Pachus, which demanded Moroni's presence there, that he did not retake Morianton until B. B. 61, when the neighboring city of Lehi was captured, and also all the other cities in the hands of the Lamanites, except Moroni. (Alma, chapter 62.)
