Alma
52 verses
When Moroni received this letter, his heart was encouraged and filled with great joy because of Pahoran’s faithfulness, knowing that he was not a traitor to the freedom and cause of his country.
And now it came to pass that when Moroni had received this epistle his heart did take courage, and was filled with exceedingly great joy because of the faithfulness of Pahoran, that he was not also a traitor to the freedom and cause of his country.
But he also mourned deeply because of the wickedness of those who had driven Pahoran from the judgment seat, and especially because of those who had rebelled against their country and their God.
But he did also mourn exceedingly because of the iniquity of those who had driven Pahoran from the judgment-seat, yea, in fine because of those who had rebelled against their country and also their God.
Moroni took a small number of men, as Pahoran wanted, and put Lehi and Teancum in charge of the rest of his army, then marched toward the land of Gideon.
And it came to pass that Moroni took a small number of men, according to the desire of Pahoran, and gave Lehi and Teancum command over the remainder of his army, and took his march towards the land of Gideon.
He raised the standard of liberty everywhere he went and gathered whatever forces he could as he marched toward the land of Gideon.
And he did raise the standard of liberty in whatsoever place he did enter, and gained whatsoever force he could in all his march towards the land of Gideon.
Thousands gathered to his banner and took up their swords to defend their freedom, so they would not be brought into bondage.
And it came to pass that thousands did flock unto his standard, and did take up their swords in the defence of their freedom, that they might not come into bondage.
When Moroni had gathered all the men he could during his march, he came to the land of Gideon. He joined his forces with Pahoran’s, and together they became extremely strong—stronger than the men of Pachus, who was the king of the dissenters that had driven the freemen out of Zarahemla and taken control of the land.
And thus, when Moroni had gathered together whatsoever men he could in all his march, he came to the land of Gideon; and uniting his forces with those of Pahoran they became exceedingly strong, even stronger than the men of Pachus, who was the king of those dissenters who had driven the freemen out of the land of Zarahemla and had taken possession of the land.
Moroni and Pahoran went with their armies into the land of Zarahemla and marched against the city, where they met the men of Pachus and engaged in battle.
And it came to pass that Moroni and Pahoran went down with their armies into the land of Zarahemla, and went forth against the city, and did meet the men of Pachus, insomuch that they did come to battle.
Pachus was killed, his men were taken as prisoners, and Pahoran was restored to his judgment seat.
And behold, Pachus was slain and his men were taken prisoners, and Pahoran was restored to his judgment-seat.
The men of Pachus were put on trial according to the law, along with the king-men who had been captured and imprisoned. They were executed according to the law. Anyone from the men of Pachus or the king-men who refused to take up arms to defend their country, and instead fought against it, was put to death.
And the men of Pachus received their trial, according to the law, and also those king-men who had been taken and cast into prison; and they were executed according to the law; yea, those men of Pachus and those king-men, whosoever would not take up arms in the defence of their country, but would fight against it, were put to death.
So it was necessary for this law to be strictly followed for the safety of their country, and anyone who was found denying their freedom was quickly executed according to the law.
And thus it became expedient that this law should be strictly observed for the safety of their country; yea, and whosoever was found denying their freedom was speedily executed according to the law.
This is how the thirtieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi ended. Moroni and Pahoran restored peace to the land of Zarahemla among their own people, putting to death all those who were not loyal to the cause of freedom.
And thus ended the thirtieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi; Moroni and Pahoran having restored peace to the land of Zarahemla, among their own people, having inflicted death upon all those who were not true to the cause of freedom.
At the beginning of the thirty-first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, Moroni immediately arranged for provisions and an army of six thousand men to be sent to Helaman to help him protect that part of the land.
And it came to pass in the commencement of the thirty and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, Moroni immediately caused that provisions should be sent, and also an army of six thousand men should be sent unto Helaman, to assist him in preserving that part of the land.
He also ordered that an army of six thousand men, with enough food, be sent to support the armies of Lehi and Teancum. This was done to strengthen the land against the Lamanites.
And he also caused that an army of six thousand men, with a sufficient quantity of food, should be sent to the armies of Lehi and Teancum. And it came to pass that this was done to fortify the land against the Lamanites.
Moroni and Pahoran, leaving a large group of men in the land of Zarahemla, marched with another large group toward the land of Nephihah, determined to defeat the Lamanites in that city.
And it came to pass that Moroni and Pahoran, leaving a large body of men in the land of Zarahemla, took their march with a large body of men towards the land of Nephihah, being determined to overthrow the Lamanites in that city.
As they were marching toward the land, they captured a large group of Lamanite men, killed many of them, and took their supplies and weapons of war.
And it came to pass that as they were marching towards the land, they took a large body of men of the Lamanites, and slew many of them, and took their provisions and their weapons of war.
After they captured them, they made them promise that they would never again take up weapons of war against the Nephites.
And it came to pass after they had taken them, they caused them to enter into a covenant that they would no more take up their weapons of war against the Nephites.
After they made this covenant, they sent them to live with the people of Ammon. There were about four thousand of them who had not been killed.
And when they had entered into this covenant they sent them to dwell with the people of Ammon, and they were in number about four thousand who had not been slain.
After they sent them away, they continued their march toward the land of Nephihah. When they arrived at the city of Nephihah, they set up their tents in the plains of Nephihah, which are near the city.
And it came to pass that when they had sent them away they pursued their march towards the land of Nephihah. And it came to pass that when they had come to the city of Nephihah, they did pitch their tents in the plains of Nephihah, which is near the city of Nephihah.
Moroni wanted the Lamanites to come out and fight them on the plains, but the Lamanites, seeing how courageous they were and how many there were, didn’t dare come out to fight. So they didn’t go to battle that day.
Now Moroni was desirous that the Lamanites should come out to battle against them, upon the plains; but the Lamanites, knowing of their exceedingly great courage, and beholding the greatness of their numbers, therefore they durst not come out against them; therefore they did not come to battle in that day.
When night came, Moroni went out in the darkness and climbed to the top of the wall to find out where in the city the Lamanites had set up camp with their army.
And when the night came, Moroni went forth in the darkness of the night, and came upon the top of the wall to spy out in what part of the city the Lamanites did camp with their army.
They were on the east, by the entrance, and all of them were asleep. Moroni returned to his army and had them quickly prepare strong cords and ladders to be lowered from the top of the wall into the inner part of the wall.
And it came to pass that they were on the east, by the entrance; and they were all asleep. And now Moroni returned to his army, and caused that they should prepare in haste strong cords and ladders, to be let down from the top of the wall into the inner part of the wall.
Moroni ordered his men to march forward, climb to the top of the wall, and lower themselves into that part of the city on the west, where the Lamanites had not set up their armies.
And it came to pass that Moroni caused that his men should march forth and come upon the top of the wall, and let themselves down into that part of the city, yea, even on the west, where the Lamanites did not camp with their armies.
They were all let down into the city at night using their strong cords and ladders. When morning came, they were all inside the city walls.
And it came to pass that they were all let down into the city by night, by the means of their strong cords and their ladders; thus when the morning came they were all within the walls of the city.
When the Lamanites woke up and saw that Moroni’s armies were inside the walls, they were extremely frightened and fled out through the pass.
And now, when the Lamanites awoke and saw that the armies of Moroni were within the walls, they were affrighted exceedingly, insomuch that they did flee out by the pass.
When Moroni saw that they were running away from him, he had his men march against them. They killed many, surrounded many others, and took them as prisoners. The rest fled into the land of Moroni, which was on the borders by the seashore.
And now when Moroni saw that they were fleeing before him, he did cause that his men should march forth against them, and slew many, and surrounded many others, and took them prisoners; and the remainder of them fled into the land of Moroni, which was in the borders by the seashore.
Moroni and Pahoran regained control of the city of Nephihah without losing a single person, while many of the Lamanites were killed.
Thus had Moroni and Pahoran obtained the possession of the city of Nephihah without the loss of one soul; and there were many of the Lamanites who were slain.
Many of the Lamanites who were prisoners wanted to join the people of Ammon and become a free people.
Now it came to pass that many of the Lamanites that were prisoners were desirous to join the people of Ammon and become a free people.
Everyone who wanted it was given according to their desires.
And it came to pass that as many as were desirous, unto them it was granted according to their desires.
All the Lamanite prisoners joined the people of Ammon and began working hard, farming the land, growing all kinds of crops, and raising flocks and herds of every kind. In this way, the Nephites were freed from a great burden, so much so that they no longer had any Lamanite prisoners.
Therefore, all the prisoners of the Lamanites did join the people of Ammon, and did begin to labor exceedingly, tilling the ground, raising all manner of grain, and flocks and herds of every kind; and thus were the Nephites relieved from a great burden; yea, insomuch that they were relieved from all the prisoners of the Lamanites.
After Moroni gained control of the city of Nephihah and took many prisoners, which greatly reduced the Lamanite armies, and after he recovered many Nephites who had been taken prisoner, which greatly strengthened his army, Moroni left the land of Nephihah and went to the land of Lehi.
Now it came to pass that Moroni, after he had obtained possession of the city of Nephihah, having taken many prisoners, which did reduce the armies of the Lamanites exceedingly, and having regained many of the Nephites who had been taken prisoners, which did strengthen the army of Moroni exceedingly; therefore Moroni went forth from the land of Nephihah to the land of Lehi.
When the Lamanites saw that Moroni was coming against them, they were frightened again and fled from Moroni’s army.
And it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that Moroni was coming against them, they were again frightened and fled before the army of Moroni.
Moroni and his army pursued them from city to city until they were met by Lehi and Teancum. The Lamanites fled from Lehi and Teancum, down to the borders by the seashore, until they came to the land of Moroni.
And it came to pass that Moroni and his army did pursue them from city to city, until they were met by Lehi and Teancum; and the Lamanites fled from Lehi and Teancum, even down upon the borders by the seashore, until they came to the land of Moroni.
The armies of the Lamanites were all gathered together in one group in the land of Moroni. Ammoron, the king of the Lamanites, was there with them.
And the armies of the Lamanites were all gathered together, insomuch that they were all in one body in the land of Moroni. Now, Ammoron, the king of the Lamanites, was also with them.
Moroni, Lehi, and Teancum camped with their armies around the borders of the land of Moroni, so that the Lamanites were surrounded by wilderness on the south and on the east.
And it came to pass that Moroni and Lehi and Teancum did encamp with their armies round about in the borders of the land of Moroni, insomuch that the Lamanites were encircled about in the borders by the wilderness on the south, and in the borders by the wilderness on the east.
So they camped for the night. The Nephites and the Lamanites were both exhausted from the long march, so they didn’t plan any strategies during the night, except for Teancum. He was extremely angry with Ammoron, because he believed that Ammoron and his brother Amalickiah were responsible for this long and terrible war between them and the Lamanites, which had caused so much fighting, bloodshed, and even famine.
And thus they did encamp for the night. For behold, the Nephites and the Lamanites also were weary because of the greatness of the march; therefore they did not resolve upon any stratagem in the night-time, save it were Teancum; for he was exceedingly angry with Ammoron, insomuch that he considered that Ammoron, and Amalickiah his brother, had been the cause of this great and lasting war between them and the Lamanites, which had been the cause of so much war and bloodshed, yea, and so much famine.
Teancum, angry, went into the Lamanite camp and lowered himself over the city walls. He moved around with a cord until he found the king and threw a javelin at him, piercing him near the heart. But the king woke his servants before he died, and they chased Teancum and killed him.
And it came to pass that Teancum in his anger did go forth into the camp of the Lamanites, and did let himself down over the walls of the city. And he went forth with a cord, from place to place, insomuch that he did find the king; and he did cast a javelin at him, which did pierce him near the heart. But behold, the king did awaken his servants before he died, insomuch that they did pursue Teancum, and slew him.
When Lehi and Moroni learned that Teancum was dead, they were extremely sorrowful, for he had been a man who fought bravely for his country, a true friend to liberty, and he had suffered many severe afflictions. But he was dead, and had passed on like everyone eventually does.
Now it came to pass that when Lehi and Moroni knew that Teancum was dead they were exceedingly sorrowful; for behold, he had been a man who had fought valiantly for his country, yea, a true friend to liberty; and he had suffered very many exceedingly sore afflictions. But behold, he was dead, and had gone the way of all the earth.
The next day, Moroni marched out and attacked the Lamanites, killing many of them. They drove the Lamanites out of the land, and the Lamanites fled and did not return to fight the Nephites at that time.
Now it came to pass that Moroni marched forth on the morrow, and came upon the Lamanites, insomuch that they did slay them with a great slaughter; and they did drive them out of the land; and they did flee, even that they did not return at that time against the Nephites.
That was the end of the thirty-first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi. They had experienced wars, bloodshed, famine, and affliction for many years.
And thus ended the thirty and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi; and thus they had had wars, and bloodsheds, and famine, and affliction, for the space of many years.
There were murders, arguments, divisions, and all kinds of wickedness among the people of Nephi; but for the sake of the righteous, and because of their prayers, they were spared.
And there had been murders, and contentions, and dissensions, and all manner of iniquity among the people of Nephi; nevertheless for the righteous’ sake, yea, because of the prayers of the righteous, they were spared.
Because the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites lasted so long, many people became hardened, but many others were softened by their afflictions and humbled themselves before God in deep humility.
But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility.
After Moroni had fortified the parts of the land most exposed to the Lamanites until they were strong enough, he returned to the city of Zarahemla. Helaman also returned to his homeland, and peace was once again established among the people of Nephi.
And it came to pass that after Moroni had fortified those parts of the land which were most exposed to the Lamanites, until they were sufficiently strong, he returned to the city of Zarahemla; and also Helaman returned to the place of his inheritance; and there was once more peace established among the people of Nephi.
Moroni gave command of his armies to his son, Moronihah, and he went home to spend the rest of his life in peace.
And Moroni yielded up the command of his armies into the hands of his son, whose name was Moronihah; and he retired to his own house that he might spend the remainder of his days in peace.
Pahoran returned to his judgment seat, and Helaman began preaching the word of God to the people again. Because there had been so many wars and conflicts, it was necessary to make new regulations in the church.
And Pahoran did return to his judgment-seat; and Helaman did take upon him again to preach unto the people the word of God; for because of so many wars and contentions it had become expedient that a regulation should be made again in the church.
So Helaman and his brothers went out and taught the word of God with great power, convincing many people of their wickedness, which led them to repent of their sins and be baptized to the Lord their God.
Therefore, Helaman and his brethren went forth, and did declare the word of God with much power unto the convincing of many people of their wickedness, which did cause them to repent of their sins and to be baptized unto the Lord their God.
They reestablished the church of God throughout all the land.
And it came to pass that they did establish again the church of God, throughout all the land.
Regulations were made concerning the law, and their judges and chief judges were chosen.
Yea, and regulations were made concerning the law. And their judges, and their chief judges were chosen.
The people of Nephi began to prosper again in the land, multiplying and becoming very strong once more. They also started to grow extremely rich.
And the people of Nephi began to prosper again in the land, and began to multiply and to wax exceedingly strong again in the land. And they began to grow exceedingly rich.
But despite their riches, strength, and prosperity, they were not prideful; they quickly remembered the Lord their God and humbled themselves deeply before him.
But notwithstanding their riches, or their strength, or their prosperity, they were not lifted up in the pride of their eyes; neither were they slow to remember the Lord their God; but they did humble themselves exceedingly before him.
They remembered the great things the Lord had done for them—how he had saved them from death, from captivity, from prisons, from all kinds of hardships, and how he had delivered them from their enemies.
Yea, they did remember how great things the Lord had done for them, that he had delivered them from death, and from bonds, and from prisons, and from all manner of afflictions and he had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies.
They prayed to the Lord their God continually, and the Lord blessed them according to his word, so they became strong and prospered in the land.
And they did pray unto the Lord their God continually, insomuch that the Lord did bless them, according to his word, so that they did wax strong and prosper in the land.
All these things were accomplished. Helaman died in the thirty-fifth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.
And it came to pass that all these things were done. And Helaman died, in the thirty and fifth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.