The single biggest Nephite military loss takes place under the command of Moronihah and the leadership of Nephi IV during the 58^th and 59^th year of the reign of the judges when the Nephites lose everything south of the land Bountiful. Mormon gives us a compelling story of defeat caused by disunity in the form of two major dissensions occurring two years apart and the struggle to regain that which was lost. This is the first part of a discussion on this war.