Alma
54 verses
The sons of Alma went among the people to teach them the word. Alma himself couldn’t rest, so he also went out.
And now it came to pass that the sons of Alma did go forth among the people, to declare the word unto them. And Alma, also, himself, could not rest, and he also went forth.
We won’t say anything more about their preaching, except that they taught the word and the truth according to the spirit of prophecy and revelation. They preached according to the holy order of God by which they were called.
Now we shall say no more concerning their preaching, except that they preached the word, and the truth, according to the spirit of prophecy and revelation; and they preached after the holy order of God by which they were called.
Now I return to the account of the wars between the Nephites and the Lamanites in the eighteenth year of the reign of the judges.
And now I return to an account of the wars between the Nephites and the Lamanites, in the eighteenth year of the reign of the judges.
The Zoramites joined the Lamanites, so at the beginning of the eighteenth year, the Nephites saw that the Lamanites were coming against them. They prepared for war and gathered their armies in the land of Jershon.
For behold, it came to pass that the Zoramites became Lamanites; therefore, in the commencement of the eighteenth year the people of the Nephites saw that the Lamanites were coming upon them; therefore they made preparations for war; yea, they gathered together their armies in the land of Jershon.
The Lamanites came with their thousands into the land of Antionum, which is the land of the Zoramites, and a man named Zerahemnah was their leader.
And it came to pass that the Lamanites came with their thousands; and they came into the land of Antionum, which is the land of the Zoramites; and a man by the name of Zerahemnah was their leader.
Since the Amalekites were even more wicked and murderous than the Lamanites themselves, Zerahemnah appointed chief captains over the Lamanites, and all of these captains were Amalekites and Zoramites.
And now, as the Amalekites were of a more wicked and murderous disposition than the Lamanites were, in and of themselves, therefore, Zerahemnah appointed chief captains over the Lamanites, and they were all Amalekites and Zoramites.
He did this to keep their hatred toward the Nephites alive so he could bring them under his control and carry out his plans.
Now this he did that he might preserve their hatred towards the Nephites, that he might bring them into subjection to the accomplishment of his designs.
His plan was to stir up the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites; he did this so he could take great power over them, and also so he could gain power over the Nephites by bringing them into bondage.
For behold, his designs were to stir up the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites; this he did that he might usurp great power over them, and also that he might gain power over the Nephites by bringing them into bondage.
The Nephites’ goal was to defend their lands, their homes, their wives, and their children so they could keep them safe from their enemies. They also wanted to protect their rights, their privileges, and their freedom, so they could worship God as they chose.
And now the design of the Nephites was to support their lands, and their houses, and their wives, and their children, that they might preserve them from the hands of their enemies; and also that they might preserve their rights and their privileges, yea, and also their liberty, that they might worship God according to their desires.
They knew that if they fell into the hands of the Lamanites, anyone who worshiped God in spirit and in truth—the true and living God—would be destroyed by the Lamanites.
For they knew that if they should fall into the hands of the Lamanites, that whosoever should worship God in spirit and in truth, the true and the living God, the Lamanites would destroy.
They also knew the intense hatred the Lamanites had for their brothers, the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, who were called the people of Ammon. The people of Ammon would not take up arms because they had made a covenant and would not break it, so if they fell into the hands of the Lamanites, they would be destroyed.
Yea, and they also knew the extreme hatred of the Lamanites towards their brethren, who were the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, who were called the people of Ammon—and they would not take up arms, yea, they had entered into a covenant and they would not break it—therefore, if they should fall into the hands of the Lamanites they would be destroyed.
The Nephites would not allow them to be destroyed, so they gave them lands for their inheritance.
And the Nephites would not suffer that they should be destroyed; therefore they gave them lands for their inheritance.
The people of Ammon gave the Nephites a large part of their possessions to support their armies. So the Nephites had to stand alone against the Lamanites, who were made up of the descendants of Laman and Lemuel, the sons of Ishmael, and all those who had left the Nephites, including the Amalekites, Zoramites, and the descendants of the priests of Noah.
And the people of Ammon did give unto the Nephites a large portion of their substance to support their armies; and thus the Nephites were compelled, alone, to withstand against the Lamanites, who were a compound of Laman and Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael, and all those who had dissented from the Nephites, who were Amalekites and Zoramites, and the descendants of the priests of Noah.
Those descendants were almost as numerous as the Nephites, so the Nephites were forced to fight against their own brothers, even to the point of bloodshed.
Now those descendants were as numerous, nearly, as were the Nephites; and thus the Nephites were obliged to contend with their brethren, even unto bloodshed.
As the armies of the Lamanites gathered in the land of Antionum, the armies of the Nephites were ready to meet them in the land of Jershon.
And it came to pass as the armies of the Lamanites had gathered together in the land of Antionum, behold, the armies of the Nephites were prepared to meet them in the land of Jershon.
The leader of the Nephites, the man appointed as their chief captain, took command of all the Nephite armies, and his name was Moroni.
Now, the leader of the Nephites, or the man who had been appointed to be the chief captain over the Nephites—now the chief captain took the command of all the armies of the Nephites—and his name was Moroni;
Moroni took full command and leadership of their wars. He was only twenty-five years old when he was appointed chief captain over the armies of the Nephites.
And Moroni took all the command, and the government of their wars. And he was only twenty and five years old when he was appointed chief captain over the armies of the Nephites.
He met the Lamanites at the borders of Jershon, and his people were armed with swords, cimeters, and all kinds of weapons of war.
And it came to pass that he met the Lamanites in the borders of Jershon, and his people were armed with swords, and with cimeters, and all manner of weapons of war.
When the armies of the Lamanites saw that the people of Nephi, or Moroni, had equipped his people with breastplates, arm-shields, shields to protect their heads, and that they were also dressed in thick clothing—
And when the armies of the Lamanites saw that the people of Nephi, or that Moroni, had prepared his people with breastplates and with arm-shields, yea, and also shields to defend their heads, and also they were dressed with thick clothing—
The army of Zerahemnah wasn’t prepared with anything like that; they only had their swords and cimeters, their bows and arrows, their stones and slings. They were naked except for a skin wrapped around their waists; all of them were naked except for the Zoramites and the Amalekites.
Now the army of Zerahemnah was not prepared with any such thing; they had only their swords and their cimeters, their bows and their arrows, their stones and their slings; and they were naked, save it were a skin which was girded about their loins; yea, all were naked, save it were the Zoramites and the Amalekites;
But they didn’t have breastplates or shields, so they were extremely afraid of the Nephite armies because of their armor, even though there were so many more of them than the Nephites.
But they were not armed with breastplates, nor shields—therefore, they were exceedingly afraid of the armies of the Nephites because of their armor, notwithstanding their number being so much greater than the Nephites.
They didn’t dare attack the Nephites near the borders of Jershon, so they left the land of Antionum and traveled through the wilderness, going around by the head of the river Sidon, hoping to enter the land of Manti and take control of it. They didn’t think Moroni’s armies would know where they had gone.
Behold, now it came to pass that they durst not come against the Nephites in the borders of Jershon; therefore they departed out of the land of Antionum into the wilderness, and took their journey round about in the wilderness, away by the head of the river Sidon, that they might come into the land of Manti and take possession of the land; for they did not suppose that the armies of Moroni would know whither they had gone.
As soon as they left for the wilderness, Moroni sent spies to watch their camp. Moroni also, knowing about Alma’s prophecies, sent men to ask him to inquire of the Lord where the Nephite armies should go to defend themselves against the Lamanites.
But it came to pass, as soon as they had departed into the wilderness Moroni sent spies into the wilderness to watch their camp; and Moroni, also, knowing of the prophecies of Alma, sent certain men unto him, desiring him that he should inquire of the Lord whither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend themselves against the Lamanites.
The word of the Lord came to Alma, and Alma told Moroni’s messengers that the Lamanite armies were moving through the wilderness to enter the land of Manti, planning to attack the weaker part of the people. The messengers then went and gave this message to Moroni.
And it came to pass that the word of the Lord came unto Alma, and Alma informed the messengers of Moroni, that the armies of the Lamanites were marching round about in the wilderness, that they might come over into the land of Manti, that they might commence an attack upon the weaker part of the people. And those messengers went and delivered the message unto Moroni.
Moroni left part of his army in the land of Jershon to prevent any of the Lamanites from entering and taking over the city, and he took the rest of his army and marched into the land of Manti.
Now Moroni, leaving a part of his army in the land of Jershon, lest by any means a part of the Lamanites should come into that land and take possession of the city, took the remaining part of his army and marched over into the land of Manti.
He had all the people in that part of the land gather together to fight against the Lamanites, to defend their lands, their country, their rights, and their freedoms. They were prepared for when the Lamanites would come.
And he caused that all the people in that quarter of the land should gather themselves together to battle against the Lamanites, to defend their lands and their country, their rights and their liberties; therefore they were prepared against the time of the coming of the Lamanites.
Moroni had his army hidden in the valley near the bank of the river Sidon, which was on the west side of the river in the wilderness.
And it came to pass that Moroni caused that his army should be secreted in the valley which was near the bank of the river Sidon, which was on the west of the river Sidon in the wilderness.
Moroni sent spies around so he would know when the Lamanite camp was approaching.
And Moroni placed spies round about, that he might know when the camp of the Lamanites should come.
Now, since Moroni knew the Lamanites intended to destroy their brothers, or to conquer them and bring them into slavery so they could establish a kingdom for themselves over all the land;
And now, as Moroni knew the intention of the Lamanites, that it was their intention to destroy their brethren, or to subject them and bring them into bondage that they might establish a kingdom unto themselves over all the land;
He also knew that the Nephites only wanted to protect their lands, their freedom, and their church, so he didn’t think it was wrong to defend them with strategy. He used his spies to find out which direction the Lamanites were planning to take.
And he also knowing that it was the only desire of the Nephites to preserve their lands, and their liberty, and their church, therefore he thought it no sin that he should defend them by stratagem; therefore, he found by his spies which course the Lamanites were to take.
So he divided his army and took a group into the valley, hiding them on the east and south sides of the hill Riplah.
Therefore, he divided his army and brought a part over into the valley, and concealed them on the east, and on the south of the hill Riplah;
He hid the rest in the west valley, on the west side of the river Sidon, and down into the borders of the land of Manti.
And the remainder he concealed in the west valley, on the west of the river Sidon, and so down into the borders of the land Manti.
After arranging his army the way he wanted, he was ready to face them.
And thus having placed his army according to his desire, he was prepared to meet them.
The Lamanites approached from the north side of the hill, where part of Moroni’s army was hidden.
And it came to pass that the Lamanites came up on the north of the hill, where a part of the army of Moroni was concealed.
After the Lamanites passed the hill Riplah and entered the valley to cross the river Sidon, the army hidden on the south side of the hill—led by a man named Lehi—came out and surrounded the Lamanites from the east, attacking them from behind.
And as the Lamanites had passed the hill Riplah, and came into the valley, and began to cross the river Sidon, the army which was concealed on the south of the hill, which was led by a man whose name was Lehi, and he led his army forth and encircled the Lamanites about on the east in their rear.
When the Lamanites saw the Nephites coming up behind them, they turned around and started to fight against Lehi’s army.
And it came to pass that the Lamanites, when they saw the Nephites coming upon them in their rear, turned them about and began to contend with the army of Lehi.
Death began on both sides, but it was worse for the Lamanites because their lack of armor left them exposed to the strong attacks of the Nephites with their swords and scimitars, causing death almost every time they struck.
And the work of death commenced on both sides, but it was more dreadful on the part of the Lamanites, for their nakedness was exposed to the heavy blows of the Nephites with their swords and their cimeters, which brought death almost at every stroke.
On the other hand, occasionally a man among the Nephites was killed by swords and loss of blood, but their breastplates, arm-shields, and head-plates protected the most vital parts of their bodies from the Lamanites’ attacks. In this way, the Nephites continued to defeat the Lamanites.
While on the other hand, there was now and then a man fell among the Nephites, by their swords and the loss of blood, they being shielded from the more vital parts of the body, or the more vital parts of the body being shielded from the strokes of the Lamanites, by their breastplates, and their arm-shields, and their head-plates; and thus the Nephites did carry on the work of death among the Lamanites.
The Lamanites became frightened because of the great destruction among them, and they began to flee toward the river Sidon.
And it came to pass that the Lamanites became frightened, because of the great destruction among them, even until they began to flee towards the river Sidon.
Lehi and his men chased them and drove them into the waters of Sidon, and they crossed the river. Lehi kept his armies on the bank of the Sidon River to prevent them from crossing back.
And they were pursued by Lehi and his men; and they were driven by Lehi into the waters of Sidon, and they crossed the waters of Sidon. And Lehi retained his armies upon the bank of the river Sidon that they should not cross.
Moroni and his army met the Lamanites in the valley on the other side of the river Sidon, and began to attack and kill them.
And it came to pass that Moroni and his army met the Lamanites in the valley, on the other side of the river Sidon, and began to fall upon them and to slay them.
The Lamanites fled from them again toward the land of Manti, but the armies of Moroni met them once more.
And the Lamanites did flee again before them, towards the land of Manti; and they were met again by the armies of Moroni.
In this situation, the Lamanites fought with incredible strength; the Lamanites had never been known to fight with such great strength and courage, not even from the beginning.
Now in this case the Lamanites did fight exceedingly; yea, never had the Lamanites been known to fight with such exceedingly great strength and courage, no, not even from the beginning.
They were inspired by the Zoramites and the Amalekites, who were their main captains and leaders, and by Zerahemnah, who was their chief captain and commander. They fought fiercely like dragons, and many of the Nephites were killed by them, for they broke through many of their head-plates, pierced many of their breastplates, and cut off many of their arms. In this way, the Lamanites attacked in their fierce anger.
And they were inspired by the Zoramites and the Amalekites, who were their chief captains and leaders, and by Zerahemnah, who was their chief captain, or their chief leader and commander; yea, they did fight like dragons, and many of the Nephites were slain by their hands, yea, for they did smite in two many of their head-plates, and they did pierce many of their breastplates, and they did smite off many of their arms; and thus the Lamanites did smite in their fierce anger.
However, the Nephites were motivated by a better cause, because they were not fighting for monarchy or power, but for their homes and their freedom, their wives and their children, and everything they had—for their right to worship and for their church.
Nevertheless, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church.
They were doing what they believed was their duty to God, because the Lord had told them and their fathers that if they were not guilty of the first or second offense, they should not allow themselves to be killed by their enemies.
And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God; for the Lord had said unto them, and also unto their fathers, that: Inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain by the hands of your enemies.
The Lord has said that you should defend your families even to the point of bloodshed. For this reason, the Nephites were fighting against the Lamanites—to defend themselves, their families, their lands, their country, their rights, and their religion.
And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed. Therefore for this cause were the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion.
When the men of Moroni saw how fierce and angry the Lamanites were, they were about to retreat and run away from them. Moroni saw what they intended to do and sent out to encourage them, reminding them of their lands, their liberty, and their freedom from bondage.
And it came to pass that when the men of Moroni saw the fierceness and the anger of the Lamanites, they were about to shrink and flee from them. And Moroni, perceiving their intent, sent forth and inspired their hearts with these thoughts—yea, the thoughts of their lands, their liberty, yea, their freedom from bondage.
They turned on the Lamanites and cried out together to the Lord their God for their liberty and freedom from bondage.
And it came to pass that they turned upon the Lamanites, and they cried with one voice unto the Lord their God, for their liberty and their freedom from bondage.
They began to stand against the Lamanites with power, and at the very moment they prayed to the Lord for their freedom, the Lamanites started to flee from them. They ran all the way to the waters of Sidon.
And they began to stand against the Lamanites with power; and in that selfsame hour that they cried unto the Lord for their freedom, the Lamanites began to flee before them; and they fled even to the waters of Sidon.
The Lamanites outnumbered the Nephites by more than double, but they were driven back until they were gathered together in one group in the valley, on the bank by the river Sidon.
Now, the Lamanites were more numerous, yea, by more than double the number of the Nephites; nevertheless, they were driven insomuch that they were gathered together in one body in the valley, upon the bank by the river Sidon.
So the armies of Moroni surrounded them, even on both sides of the river, because on the east side were the men of Lehi.
Therefore the armies of Moroni encircled them about, yea, even on both sides of the river, for behold, on the east were the men of Lehi.
When Zerahemnah saw Lehi’s men on the east side of the river Sidon, and Moroni’s armies on the west side, and realized that the Nephites had surrounded them, they were filled with terror.
Therefore when Zerahemnah saw the men of Lehi on the east of the river Sidon, and the armies of Moroni on the west of the river Sidon, that they were encircled about by the Nephites, they were struck with terror.
When Moroni saw how terrified they were, he ordered his men to stop killing them.
Now Moroni, when he saw their terror, commanded his men that they should stop shedding their blood.