The first 19 verses of Alma 11 explain the monetary system of the Nephites. Why do we need to know that, though? I’m not sure. Maybe it is so we can know, that when
Zeezrom said unto [Amuek]: Behold, here are six onties of silver, and all these will I give thee if thou wilt deny the existence of a Supreme Being.
we would know that that is a lot of money. But Mormon could have just written
Zeezrom said unto Amulek: Behold, here are six onties of silver, and all these will I give thee if thou wilt deny the existence of a Supreme Being.
Now, an onti was the greatest of all their reckoning.
Maybe Mormon was just tired when he abbreviated this part and didn’t think to do that. Or maybe we will need to know all that later.