Around 68 B.C., the people of Morianton, a Nephite group, became embroiled in a land dispute with the neighboring people of Lehi. The contention escalated until the people of Morianton, under the leadership of a man named Morianton, took up arms and were determined to resolve the dispute by force (Alma 50:26). Upon realizing their leader had informed Captain Moroni of their intentions, Morianton and his followers planned to flee northward to escape potential retribution and to claim new territories (Alma 50:29-32).
However, within their ranks, Morianton’s passionate and violent nature precipitated a series of events that derailed their plans. After abusing one of his servant women, she escaped and relayed details of Morianton’s intentions to Moroni (Alma 50:30-31). Moroni, concerned about the implications of their migration for Nephite security and liberty, dispatched an army led by Teancum to intercept Morianton’s people. Near the land Desolation, Teancum’s forces engaged in battle with the people of Morianton, resulting in Morianton’s death, the defeat of his forces, and their subsequent capture (Alma 50:33-36).
As a result, the people of Morianton were restored to their lands following their agreement to maintain peace. This resolution paved the way for a union between them and their former rivals, the people of Lehi, marking the end of their hostilities and the establishment of peace in the region at the commencement of the twenty and fifth year of the reign of the judges (Alma 50:35-36; Alma 51:1).