Alma
57 verses
At the beginning of the thirtieth year of the reign of the judges, on the second day of the first month, Moroni received a letter from Helaman explaining the situation of the people in that part of the land.
And now it came to pass in the commencement of the thirtieth year of the reign of the judges, on the second day in the first month, Moroni received an epistle from Helaman, stating the affairs of the people in that quarter of the land.
These are the words he wrote: My dearly beloved brother, Moroni, both in the Lord and in the trials of our war, my beloved brother, I have something to tell you about our battles in this part of the land.
And these are the words which he wrote, saying: My dearly beloved brother, Moroni, as well in the Lord as in the tribulations of our warfare; behold, my beloved brother, I have somewhat to tell you concerning our warfare in this part of the land.
Two thousand of the sons of those men whom Ammon brought out of the land of Nephi—these were descendants of Laman, who was the oldest son of our father Lehi—
Behold, two thousand of the sons of those men whom Ammon brought down out of the land of Nephi—now ye have known that these were descendants of Laman, who was the eldest son of our father Lehi;
I don’t need to go over their traditions or their unbelief with you, because you already know all these things.
Now I need not rehearse unto you concerning their traditions or their unbelief, for thou knowest concerning all these things—
So I’ll just tell you that two thousand of these young men have taken up their weapons of war and want me to be their leader, and we have come forward to defend our country.
Therefore it sufficeth me that I tell you that two thousand of these young men have taken their weapons of war, and would that I should be their leader; and we have come forth to defend our country.
You also know about the covenant their fathers made, that they would not take up weapons of war against their brothers to shed blood.
And now ye also know concerning the covenant which their fathers made, that they would not take up their weapons of war against their brethren to shed blood.
But in the twenty-sixth year, when they saw our suffering and troubles for their sake, they were about to break the covenant they had made and take up their weapons of war to defend us.
But in the twenty and sixth year, when they saw our afflictions and our tribulations for them, they were about to break the covenant which they had made and take up their weapons of war in our defence.
But I would not allow them to break the covenant they had made, believing that God would strengthen us so that we would not suffer more because of keeping the oath they had taken.
But I would not suffer them that they should break this covenant which they had made, supposing that God would strengthen us, insomuch that we should not suffer more because of the fulfilling the oath which they had taken.
However, there is one thing that brings us great joy. In the twenty-sixth year, I, Helaman, marched at the head of these two thousand young men to the city of Judea to help Antipus, whom you had appointed as leader over the people in that part of the land.
But behold, here is one thing in which we may have great joy. For behold, in the twenty and sixth year, I, Helaman, did march at the head of these two thousand young men to the city of Judea, to assist Antipus, whom ye had appointed a leader over the people of that part of the land.
I joined my two thousand sons (for they are worthy to be called sons) to the army of Antipus, and Antipus rejoiced greatly because of this strength. His army had been reduced by the Lamanites, since their forces had killed a large number of our men, which is why we have to mourn.
And I did join my two thousand sons, (for they are worthy to be called sons) to the army of Antipus, in which strength Antipus did rejoice exceedingly; for behold, his army had been reduced by the Lamanites because their forces had slain a vast number of our men, for which cause we have to mourn.
Still, we can find comfort in knowing that they died for their country and their God, and they are happy.
Nevertheless, we may console ourselves in this point, that they have died in the cause of their country and of their God, yea, and they are happy.
The Lamanites had also kept many prisoners, all of whom are chief captains, because they haven't spared anyone else alive. We believe that right now they are in the land of Nephi, unless they have been killed.
And the Lamanites had also retained many prisoners, all of whom are chief captains, for none other have they spared alive. And we suppose that they are now at this time in the land of Nephi; it is so if they are not slain.
These are the cities that the Lamanites have taken by shedding the blood of so many of our brave men:
And now these are the cities of which the Lamanites have obtained possession by the shedding of the blood of so many of our valiant men:
The land of Manti, or the city of Manti, and the city of Zeezrom, and the city of Cumeni, and the city of Antiparah.
The land of Manti, or the city of Manti, and the city of Zeezrom, and the city of Cumeni, and the city of Antiparah.
These are the cities they controlled when I arrived at the city of Judea, and I found Antipus and his men working with all their strength to fortify the city.
And these are the cities which they possessed when I arrived at the city of Judea; and I found Antipus and his men toiling with their might to fortify the city.
They were exhausted both physically and spiritually, because they had fought bravely during the day and worked hard at night to defend their cities; they had suffered many kinds of hardships.
Yea, and they were depressed in body as well as in spirit, for they had fought valiantly by day and toiled by night to maintain their cities; and thus they had suffered great afflictions of every kind.
They were determined to win in this place or die trying, so you can imagine that this small group I brought with me—my sons—gave them a lot of hope and joy.
And now they were determined to conquer in this place or die; therefore you may well suppose that this little force which I brought with me, yea, those sons of mine, gave them great hopes and much joy.
When the Lamanites saw that Antipus had received greater strength in his army, they were ordered by Ammoron not to attack the city of Judea or come against us in battle.
And now it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that Antipus had received a greater strength to his army, they were compelled by the orders of Ammoron to not come against the city of Judea, or against us, to battle.
We were favored by the Lord, because if they had attacked us while we were weak, they might have destroyed our small army; but we were preserved.
And thus were we favored of the Lord; for had they come upon us in this our weakness they might have perhaps destroyed our little army; but thus were we preserved.
Ammoron ordered them to hold the cities they had captured. That was the end of the twenty-sixth year. At the beginning of the twenty-seventh year, we had prepared our city and ourselves for defense.
They were commanded by Ammoron to maintain those cities which they had taken. And thus ended the twenty and sixth year. And in the commencement of the twenty and seventh year we had prepared our city and ourselves for defence.
We wanted the Lamanites to come attack us, because we didn’t want to attack them in their strongholds.
Now we were desirous that the Lamanites should come upon us; for we were not desirous to make an attack upon them in their strongholds.
We kept spies all around to watch the movements of the Lamanites, so they couldn’t get past us by night or by day to attack our other cities to the north.
And it came to pass that we kept spies out round about, to watch the movements of the Lamanites, that they might not pass us by night nor by day to make an attack upon our other cities which were on the northward.
We knew that the people in those cities weren’t strong enough to face them, so we hoped that if the enemy passed by us, we could attack them from behind while they were being confronted in the front. We thought we could overpower them, but we were disappointed in this hope.
For we knew in those cities they were not sufficiently strong to meet them; therefore we were desirous, if they should pass by us, to fall upon them in their rear, and thus bring them up in the rear at the same time they were met in the front. We supposed that we could overpower them; but behold, we were disappointed in this our desire.
They didn’t dare pass by us with their whole army, and they didn’t dare try it with just a part of their forces either, because they were afraid they wouldn’t be strong enough and would be defeated.
They durst not pass by us with their whole army, neither durst they with a part, lest they should not be sufficiently strong and they should fall.
They didn’t dare march down against the city of Zarahemla, and they didn’t dare cross the head of Sidon to the city of Nephihah.
Neither durst they march down against the city of Zarahemla; neither durst they cross the head of Sidon, over to the city of Nephihah.
So, with their armies, they were determined to keep control of the cities they had captured.
And thus, with their forces, they were determined to maintain those cities which they had taken.
In the second month of this year, many provisions were brought to us from the fathers of my two thousand sons.
And now it came to pass in the second month of this year, there was brought unto us many provisions from the fathers of those my two thousand sons.
Two thousand men were also sent to us from the land of Zarahemla. So we were prepared with ten thousand men, along with provisions for them and for their wives and children.
And also there were sent two thousand men unto us from the land of Zarahemla. And thus we were prepared with ten thousand men, and provisions for them, and also for their wives and their children.
When the Lamanites saw our forces growing every day and supplies arriving to support us, they became afraid and started making attacks, hoping to stop us from getting more provisions and reinforcements.
And the Lamanites, thus seeing our forces increase daily, and provisions arrive for our support, they began to be fearful, and began to sally forth, if it were possible to put an end to our receiving provisions and strength.
When we saw that the Lamanites were starting to get uneasy like this, we wanted to use a strategy against them. So Antipus ordered me to march with my young men to a nearby city, pretending that we were carrying provisions there.
Now when we saw that the Lamanites began to grow uneasy on this wise, we were desirous to bring a stratagem into effect upon them; therefore Antipus ordered that I should march forth with my little sons to a neighboring city, as if we were carrying provisions to a neighboring city.
We marched near the city of Antiparah, pretending we were heading to the city beyond, along the borders by the seashore.
And we were to march near the city of Antiparah, as if we were going to the city beyond, in the borders by the seashore.
We marched forward with our supplies, as if we were going to that city.
And it came to pass that we did march forth, as if with our provisions, to go to that city.
Antipus marched out with part of his army, leaving the rest to defend the city. But he didn’t leave until I had gone ahead with my small army and approached the city Antiparah.
And it came to pass that Antipus did march forth with a part of his army, leaving the remainder to maintain the city. But he did not march forth until I had gone forth with my little army, and came near the city Antiparah.
The strongest and largest army of the Lamanites was stationed in the city of Antiparah.
And now, in the city Antiparah were stationed the strongest army of the Lamanites; yea, the most numerous.
When they were informed by their spies, they came out with their army and marched against us.
And it came to pass that when they had been informed by their spies, they came forth with their army and marched against us.
We fled northward from them, leading away the most powerful army of the Lamanites.
And it came to pass that we did flee before them, northward. And thus we did lead away the most powerful army of the Lamanites;
They chased us for a long distance, and when they saw Antipus’s army coming after them with all their strength, they didn’t turn to the right or the left, but kept coming straight after us. We believe their plan was to kill us before Antipus could catch up to them, so they wouldn’t be trapped by our people.
Yea, even to a considerable distance, insomuch that when they saw the army of Antipus pursuing them, with their might, they did not turn to the right nor to the left, but pursued their march in a straight course after us; and, as we suppose, it was their intent to slay us before Antipus should overtake them, and this that they might not be surrounded by our people.
When Antipus saw the danger we were in, he hurried his army’s march. But it was night, so they didn’t catch up to us, and Antipus didn’t catch up to them either. So we set up camp for the night.
And now Antipus, beholding our danger, did speed the march of his army. But behold, it was night; therefore they did not overtake us, neither did Antipus overtake them; therefore we did camp for the night.
Before dawn, the Lamanites were pursuing us. We were not strong enough to fight them, and I would not allow my young sons to fall into their hands. So we kept marching and went into the wilderness.
And it came to pass that before the dawn of the morning, behold, the Lamanites were pursuing us. Now we were not sufficiently strong to contend with them; yea, I would not suffer that my little sons should fall into their hands; therefore we did continue our march, and we took our march into the wilderness.
They didn’t dare turn to the right or the left because they might be surrounded; I also wouldn’t turn to the right or left because they might catch up to me, and we couldn’t stand against them—we would be killed, and they would escape. So we kept fleeing into the wilderness all day, until it was dark.
Now they durst not turn to the right nor to the left lest they should be surrounded; neither would I turn to the right nor to the left lest they should overtake me, and we could not stand against them, but be slain, and they would make their escape; and thus we did flee all that day into the wilderness, even until it was dark.
When morning came, we saw the Lamanites approaching us, and we fled from them.
And it came to pass that again, when the light of the morning came we saw the Lamanites upon us, and we did flee before them.
They did not pursue us for long before they stopped; and this happened in the morning of the third day of the seventh month.
But it came to pass that they did not pursue us far before they halted; and it was in the morning of the third day of the seventh month.
We didn’t know if Antipus had caught up with them, but I told my men, “We don’t know; maybe they’ve stopped on purpose so we’ll attack them and they can trap us. ”
And now, whether they were overtaken by Antipus we knew not, but I said unto my men: Behold, we know not but they have halted for the purpose that we should come against them, that they might catch us in their snare;
So, what do you say, my sons? Will you go fight them in battle?
Therefore what say ye, my sons, will ye go against them to battle?
Now I tell you, my dear brother Moroni, I have never seen such great courage—not even among all the Nephites.
And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never had I seen so great courage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites.
Since I had always called them my sons (because they were all very young), they said to me, "Father, our God is with us, and he will not let us fall. Let’s go forward; we wouldn’t kill our brothers if they would leave us alone. So let’s go, or they might overpower Antipus’s army.
For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus.
They had never fought before, but they were not afraid of death. They cared more about their fathers’ freedom than their own lives. Their mothers had taught them that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.
Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.
They repeated to me what their mothers had taught them, saying, “We do not doubt that our mothers knew it. ”
And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.
I returned with my two thousand against the Lamanites who had pursued us. Now the armies of Antipus had caught up with them, and a terrible battle had begun.
And it came to pass that I did return with my two thousand against these Lamanites who had pursued us. And now behold, the armies of Antipus had overtaken them, and a terrible battle had commenced.
Antipus’s army was exhausted from their long march in such a short time and was about to fall into the hands of the Lamanites. If I hadn’t returned with my two thousand, the Lamanites would have accomplished their goal.
The army of Antipus being weary, because of their long march in so short a space of time, were about to fall into the hands of the Lamanites; and had I not returned with my two thousand they would have obtained their purpose.
Antipus had been killed by the sword, along with many of his leaders, because they were exhausted from marching so quickly. The men of Antipus, confused by the loss of their leaders, began to retreat before the Lamanites.
For Antipus had fallen by the sword, and many of his leaders, because of their weariness, which was occasioned by the speed of their march—therefore the men of Antipus, being confused because of the fall of their leaders, began to give way before the Lamanites.
The Lamanites gained courage and started to chase them. While the Lamanites were pursuing them with great energy, Helaman came up behind them with his two thousand and began to kill them so effectively that the entire Lamanite army stopped and turned to face Helaman.
And it came to pass that the Lamanites took courage, and began to pursue them; and thus were the Lamanites pursuing them with great vigor when Helaman came upon their rear with his two thousand, and began to slay them exceedingly, insomuch that the whole army of the Lamanites halted and turned upon Helaman.
When the people of Antipus saw that the Lamanites had turned around, they gathered their men and attacked the rear of the Lamanites again.
Now when the people of Antipus saw that the Lamanites had turned them about, they gathered together their men and came again upon the rear of the Lamanites.
We, the people of Nephi, the people of Antipus, and I with my two thousand surrounded the Lamanites and killed them, until they were forced to give up their weapons of war and surrender themselves as prisoners of war.
And now it came to pass that we, the people of Nephi, the people of Antipus, and I with my two thousand, did surround the Lamanites, and did slay them; yea, insomuch that they were compelled to deliver up their weapons of war and also themselves as prisoners of war.
After they surrendered to us, I counted the young men who had fought with me, afraid that many of them had been killed.
And now it came to pass that when they had surrendered themselves up unto us, behold, I numbered those young men who had fought with me, fearing lest there were many of them slain.
To my great joy, not one of them had been killed; and they had fought as if with the strength of God. Never had men been known to fight with such miraculous strength. With such mighty power they attacked the Lamanites that they frightened them, and because of this, the Lamanites surrendered themselves as prisoners of war.
But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war.
Since we had no place to keep our prisoners safe from the Lamanite armies, we sent them to the land of Zarahemla, along with some of the men from Antipus’s army who had survived. I took the rest and joined them with my young Ammonite soldiers, and we marched back to the city of Judea.
And as we had no place for our prisoners, that we could guard them to keep them from the armies of the Lamanites, therefore we sent them to the land of Zarahemla, and a part of those men who were not slain of Antipus, with them; and the remainder I took and joined them to my stripling Ammonites, and took our march back to the city of Judea.