The Collected Works. Joseph Smith Jr.
he caused the men who were with him to withdraw a
pace from them, and surround the armies of the Lamanites.
Alma 55:22
22 Now behold this was done in the night-time, so that when the
Lamanites awoke in the morning they beheld that they were
surrounded by the Nephites without, and that their prisoners were
armed within.
Alma 55:23
23 And thus they saw that the Nephites had power over them; and
in these circumstances they found that it was not expedient that
they should fight with the Nephites; therefore their chief
captains demanded their weapons of war, and they brought them
forth and cast them at the feet of the Nephites, pleading for
mercy.
Alma 55:24
24 Now behold, this was the desire of Moroni. He took them
prisoners of war, and took possession of the city, and caused
that all the prisoners should be liberated, who were Nephites;
and they did join the army of Moroni, and were a great strength
to his army.
Alma 55:25
25 And it came to pass that he did cause the Lamanites, whom he
had taken prisoners, that they should commence a labor in
strengthening the fortifications round about the city Gid.
Alma 55:26
26 And it came to pass that when he had fortified the city Gid,
according to his desires, he caused that his prisoners should be
taken to the city Bountiful; and he also guarded that city with
an exceedingly strong force.
Alma 55:27
27 And it came to pass that they did, notwithstanding all the
intrigues of the Lamanites, keep and protect all the prisoners
whom they had taken, and also maintain all the ground and the
advantage which they had retaken.
Alma 55:28
28 And it came to pass that the Nephites began again to be
victorious, and to reclaim their rights and their privileges.
Alma 55:29
29 Many time did the Lamanites attempt to encircle them about by
night, but in these attempts they did lose many prisoners.
Alma 55:30
30 And many times did they attempt to administer of their wine
to the Nephites, that they might destroy them with poison or with
drunkenness.
Alma 55:31
31 But behold, the Nephites were not slow to remember the Lord
their God in this their time of affliction. They could not be
taken in their snares; yea, they would not partake of their wine,
save they had first given to some of the Lamanite prisoners.
Alma 55:32
32 And they were thus cautious that no poison should be
administered among them; for if their wine would poison a
Lamanite it would also poison a Nephite; and thus they did try
all their liquors.
Alma 55:33
33 And now it came to pass that it was expedient for Moroni to
make preparations to attack the city Morianton; for behold, the
Lamanites had, by their labors, fortified the city Morianton
until it had become an exceeding stronghold.
Alma 55:34
34 And they were continually bringing new forces into that city,
and also new supplies of provisions.
Alma 55:35
35 And thus ended the twenty and ninth year of the reign of the
judges over the people of Nephi.
Alma 56 Chapter 56
Alma 56:1
1 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.
Alma 56:2
2 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.
Alma 56:3
3 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;
Alma 56:4
4 Now I need not rehearse unto you concerning their traditions
or their unbelief, for thou knowest concerning all these things—
Alma 56:5
5 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.
Alma 56:6
6 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.
Alma 56:7
7 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.
Alma 56:8
8 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.
Alma 56:9
9 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.
Alma 56:10
10 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