Alma 53
1 And it came to pass that they did set guards over the prisoners of the
Lamanites, and did compel them to go forth and bury their dead, yea, and
also the dead of the Nephites who were slain; and Moroni placed men over
them to guard them while they should perform their labors.
2 And Moroni went to the city of Mulek with Lehi, and took command of
the city and gave it unto Lehi. Now behold, this Lehi was a man who had
been with Moroni in the more part of all his battles; and he was a man like
unto Moroni, and they rejoiced in each other's safety; yea, they were beloved
by each other, and also beloved by all the people of Nephi.
3 And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had finished burying their
dead and also the dead of the Nephites, they were marched back into the land
Bountiful; and Teancum, by the orders of Moroni, caused that they should
commence laboring in digging a ditch round about the land, or the city,
Bountiful.
4 And he caused that they should build a breastwork of timbers upon the
inner bank of the ditch; and they cast up dirt out of the ditch against the
breastwork of timbers; and thus they did cause the Lamanites to labor until
they had encircled the city of Bountiful round about with a strong wall of
timbers and earth, to an exceeding height.
5 And this city became an exceeding stronghold ever after; and in this city
they did guard the prisoners of the Lamanites; yea, even within a wall which
they had caused them to build with their own hands. Now Moroni was
compelled to cause the Lamanites to labor, because it was easy to guard
them while at their labor; and he desired all his forces when he should make
an attack upon the Lamanites.
6 And it came to pass that Moroni had thus gained a victory over one of the
greatest of the armies of the Lamanites, and had obtained possession of the
city of Mulek, which was one of the strongest holds of the Lamanites in the
land of Nephi; and thus he had also built a stronghold to retain his prisoners.
7 And it came to pass that he did no more attempt a battle with the
Lamanites in that year, but he did employ his men in preparing for war, yea,
and in making fortifications to guard against the Lamanites, yea, and also
delivering their women and their children from famine and affliction, and
providing food for their armies.
8 And now it came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites, on the west sea,
south, while in the absence of Moroni on account of some intrigue amongst
the Nephites, which caused dissensions amongst them, had gained some
ground over the Nephites, yea, insomuch that they had obtained possession
of a number of their cities in that part of the land.
9 And thus because of iniquity amongst themselves, yea, because of
dissensions and intrigue among themselves they were placed in the most
dangerous circumstances.
10 And now behold, I have somewhat to say concerning the people of
Ammon, who in the beginning, were Lamanites; but by Ammon and his
brethren, or rather by the power and word of God, they had been converted
unto the Lord; and they had been brought down into the land of Zarahemla,
and had ever since been protected by the Nephites.
11 And because of their oath they had been kept from taking up arms
against their brethren; for they had taken an oath that they never would shed
blood more; and according to their oath they would have perished; yea, they
would have suffered themselves to have fallen into the hands of their
brethren, had it not been for the pity and the exceeding love which Ammon
and his brethren had had for them.
12 And for this cause they were brought down into the land of Zarahemla;
and they ever had been protected by the Nephites.
13 But it came to pass that when they saw the danger, and the many
afflictions and tribulations which the Nephites bore for them, they were
moved with compassion and were desirous to take up arms in the defence of
their country.
14 But behold, as they were about to take their weapons of war, they were
overpowered by the persuasions of Helaman and his brethren, for they were
about to break the oath which they had made.
15 And Helaman feared lest by so doing they should lose their souls;
therefore all those who had entered into this covenant were compelled to
behold their brethren wade through their afflictions, in their dangerous
circumstances at this time.
16 But behold, it came to pass they had many sons, who had not entered
into a covenant that they would not take their weapons of war to defend
themselves against their enemies; therefore they did assemble themselves
together at this time, as many as were able to take up arms, and they called
themselves Nephites.
17 And they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites,
yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of their lives; yea, even they
covenanted that they never would give up their liberty, but they would fight
in all cases to protect the Nephites and themselves from bondage.
18 Now behold, there were two thousand of those young men, who entered
into this covenant and took their weapons of war to defend their country.
19 And now behold, as they never had hitherto been a disadvantage to the
Nephites, they became now at this period of time also a great support; for
they took their weapons of war, and they would that Helaman should be their
leader.
20 And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for
courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all —
they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were
entrusted.
21 Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to
keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.
22 And now it came to pass that Helaman did march at the head of his two
thousand stripling soldiers, to the support of the people in the borders of the
land on the south by the west sea.
23 And thus ended the twenty and eighth year of the reign of the judges over
the people of Nephi.