The people of Morianton held the land of Morianton, which bordered the land of Lehi along the seashore. Around 68 B.C. they claimed part of the land of Lehi, and the contention grew until the people of Morianton, led by a man named Morianton, took up arms against the people of Lehi (Alma 50:26).
The people of Lehi fled to Moroni’s camp and appealed for help. Fearing that Moroni’s army would attack them, the people of Morianton planned to flee to the land northward and take possession of it (Alma 50:29-32). Before they could carry out the plan, Morianton beat one of his maidservants; she fled to Moroni’s camp and reported his intentions (Alma 50:30-31).
Moroni’s concern was not merely local: he feared the people of Morianton would unite with those in the land Bountiful and thus gain control of the land northward, a development that “would lead to the overthrow of their liberty” (Alma 50:32). He therefore sent an army under Teancum to stop their flight. Teancum headed them near the borders of the land Desolation, where a battle commenced. Teancum killed Morianton, defeated his army, and took them prisoner (Alma 50:33-36). On covenanting to keep the peace, the people of Morianton were restored to their land, and a union took place between them and the people of Lehi. Peace held into the commencement of the twenty and fifth year of the reign of the judges (Alma 50:35-36; Alma 51:1).