13. And thus we did go forth with all our might against the Lamanites, who were in the city of Manti; and we did pitch our tents by the wilderness side, which was near to the city. 14. And it came to pass that on the morrow, that when the Lamanites saw that we were in the borders by the wilderness which was near the city, that they sent out their spies round about us, that they might discover the number and the strength of our army. 15. And it came to pass that when they saw that we were not strong, according to our numbers, and fearing that we should cut them off from their support, except they should come out to battle against us, and kill us; and also supposing that they could easily destroy us with their numerous hosts, therefore they began to make preparations to come out against us to battle. 16. And when we saw that they were making preparations to come out against us, behold, I caused that Gid, with a small number of men, should secrete himself in the wilderness, and also that Teomner should, with a small number of men, secrete themselves also in the wilderness. 17. Now Gid and his men were on the right, and the others on the left; and when they had thus secreted themselves, behold, I remained with the remainder of my army, in that same place where we had first pitched our tents, against the time that the Lamanites should come out to battle. 18. And it came to pass that the Lamanites did come out with their numerous army against us. And when they had come and were about to fall upon us with the sword, I caused that my men, those who were with me, should retreat into the wilderness. 19. And it came to pass that the Lamanites did follow after us with great speed, for they were exceedingly desirous to overtake us, that they might slay us; therefore they did follow us into the wilderness; and we did pass by in the midst of Gid and Teomner, insomuch that they were not discovered by the Lamanites. 20. And it came to pass that when the Lamanites had passed by, or when the army had passed by, Gid and Teomner did rise up from their secret places, and did cut off the spies of the Lamanites, that they should not return to the city. 21. And it came to pass that when they had cut them off, they ran to the city, and fell upon the guards who were left to guard the city, insomuch that they did destroy them, and did take possession of the city. 22. Now this was done because the Lamanites did suffer their whole army, save a few guards only, to be led away into the wilderness. 23. And it came to pass that Gid and Teomner by this e, see h, Alma 16. f, vers. 16, 17, 20, 23. means had obtained possession of their strongholds. And it came to pass that we took our course, after having travelled much in the wilderness, towards the land of Zarahemla. 24. And when the Lamanites saw that they were marching towards the land of Zarahemla, they were exceeding fraid, lest there was a plan laid to lead them on to destruction; therefore they began to retreat into the wilderness again, yea, even back by the same way which they had come. 25. And behold, it was night, and they did pitch their tents, for the chief captains of the Lamanites had supposed that the Nephites were weary because of their march; and supposing that they had driven their whole army, therefore they took no thought concerning the "city of Manti. 26. Now it came to pass that when it was night, that I caused that my men should not sleep, but that they should march forward by another way towards the land of Manti. 27. And because of this our march in the night time, behold, on the morrow we were beyond the Lamanites, insomuch that we did arrive before them to the city of Manti. 28. And thus it came to pass, that by this stratagem we did take possession of the city of Manti without the shedding of blood. 29. And it came to pass that when the armies of the Lamanites did arrive near the city, and saw that we were prepared to meet them, they were astonished exceedingly and struck with great fear, insomuch that they did flee into the wilderness. 30. Yea, and it came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites did flee out of all this quarter of the land. But behold, they have carried with them many women and children out of the land. 31. And those cities which had been taken by the Lamanites, all of them are at this period of time in our possession; and our fathers, and our women, and our children, are returning to their homes, all save it be those who have been taken prisoners and carried off by the Lamanites. 32. But behold, our armies are small to maintain so great a number of cities, and so great possessions. 33. But behold, we trust that our God who has given us victory over those lands, insomuch that we have obtained those cities and those lands, which were our own. 34. Now we do not know the cause that the government does not grant us more strength; neither do those men who came up unto us know why we have not received greater strength. 35. Behold, we do not know but what ye are unsuc cessful, and ye have drawn away the forces into that quarter of the land; if so, we do not desire to murmur. g, see h, Omni 1. h, see h, Alma 16. i, see h, Alma 16. j, ver. 8. 36. And if it is not so, behold, we fear that there is some faction in the government, that they do not send more men to our assistance; for we know that they are more numerous than that which they have sent. 37. But, behold, it mattereth not: we trust God will deliver us, notwithstanding the weakness of our armies, yea, and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies. 38. Behold, this is the twenty and ninth year, in the latter end, and we are in the possession of our lands; and the Lamanites have fled to the land of Nephi. 39. And those sons of the "people of Ammon, of whom I have so highly spoken, are with me in the "city of Manti; and the Lord has supported them, yea, and kept them from falling by the sword, insomuch that even one soul has not been slain. 40. But behold, they have received many wounds; nevertheless they stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free; and they are strict to remember the Lord their God, from day to day; yea, they do observe to keep his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments continually; and their faith is strong in the prophecies concerning that which is to come. 41. And now, my beloved brother Moroni, that the Lord our God, who has redeemed us and made us free, may keep you continually in his presence; yea, and that he may favour this people, even that ye may have success in obtaining the possession of all that which the Lamanites have taken from us, which was for our support. And now, behold, I close mine epistle. I am Helaman, the son of Alma. CHAPTER 59. 1. Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year of the reign of the Judges over the people of Nephi, after Moroni had received and had read Helaman's "epistle, he was exceed ingly rejoiced because of the welfare, yea, the exceeding success which Helaman had had, in obtaining those lands which were lost; 2. Yea, and he did make it known unto all his people, in all the land round about in that part where he was, that they might rejoice also. 3. And it came to pass that he immediately sent an epistle to 'Pahoran, desiring that he should cause men to be gathered together to strengthen Helaman, or the armies of Helaman, insomuch that he might with ease maintain that k, Alma 61. 1, see b, 11. Nep. 5. Alma 16. o, Alma 56: 56. 57: 25. m, Alma 27: 26. n, see h, a, 56-58. b, Alma 50: 40. part of the land which he had been so miraculously prospered in retaining. 4. And it came to pass when Moroni had sent this epistle to the land of Zarahemla, he began again to lay a plan that he might obtain the remainder of those possessions and cities which the Lamanites had taken from them. 5. And it came to pass that while Moroni was thus making preparations to go against the Lamanites to battle, behold, the people of "Nephihah, who were gathered together from the city of Moroni, and the city of Lehi, and the city of Morianton, were attacked by the Lamanites; 6. Yea, even those who had been compelled to flee from the land of Manti, and from the land round about, had come over and joined the Lamanites in this part of the land; 7. And thus being exceeding numerous, yea, and receiving strength from day to day, by the command of Ammoron they came forth against the people of Nephihah, and they did begin to slay them with an exceeding great slaughter. 8. And their armies were so numerous that the remainder of the people of Nephihah were obliged to flee before them; and they came even and joined the army of Moroni. 9. And now as Moroni had supposed that there should be men sent to the city of Nephihali, to the assistance of the people to maintain that city, and knowing that it was easier to keep the city from falling into the hands of the Lamanites, than to retake it from them, he supposed that they would easily maintain that city; 10. Therefore he retained all his force to maintain those places which he had recovered. 11. And now when Moroni saw that the city of Nephihah was lost, he was exceeding sorrowful, and began to doubt, because of the wickedness of the people, whether they should not fall into the hands of their brethren. 12. Now this was the case with all his chief captains. They doubted and marvelled also, because of the wickedness of the people; and this because of the success of the La manites over them. 13. And it came to pass that Moroni was angry with the government, because of their indifference concerning the freedom of their country. CHAPTER 60. 1. AND it came to pass that he wrote again to the governor of the land, "who was Pahoran, and these are the c, see h, Omni 1. d, see l, Alma 50. g, see p, Alma 50. j, see l, Alma 50. Alma 50. a, Alma 50: 40. Alma 50. e, see k, Alma 50. 58:29, 30. f, see m, i, see l, words which he wrote, saying, behold, I direct mine epistle to Pahoran, in the 'city of Zarahemla, who is the Chief Judge and the Governor over the land, and also to all those who have been chosen by this people to govern and manage the affairs of this war; 2. For behold, I have somewhat to say unto them by the way of condemnation; for behold, ye yourselves know that ye have been appointed to gather together men, and carm them with swords, and with cimeters, and all manner of weapons of war, of every kind, and send forth against the Lamanites, in whatsoever parts they should come into our land. 3. And now behold, I say unto you that myself, and also my men, and also Helaman and his men, have suffered exceeding great sufferings; yea, even hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and all manner of afflictions of every kind. 4. But behold, were this all we had suffered, we would not murmur nor complain; 5. But behold, great has been the slaughter among our people; yea, thousands have fallen by the sword, while it might have otherwise been if ye had rendered unto our armies sufficient strength and succour for them. Yea, great has been your neglect towards us. 6. And now behold, we desire to know the cause of this exceeding great neglect; yea, we desire to know the cause of your thoughtless state. 7. Can you think to sit upon your thrones in a state of thoughtless stupor, while your enemies are spreading the work of death around you? Yea, while they are murdering thousands of your brethren; 8. Yea, even they who have looked up to you for protection, yea, have "placed you in a situation that ye might have succored them; yea, ye might have sent armies unto them, to have strengthened them, and have saved thousands of them from falling by the sword. 9. But behold, this is not all, ye have withheld your provisions from them, insomuch that many have fought and bled out their lives because of their great desires which they had for the welfare of this people; yea, and this they have done when they were about to perish with hunger, because of your exceeding great neglect towards them. 10. And now, my beloved brethren, for ye had ought to be beloved; yea, and ye had ought to have stirred yourselves more diligently for the welfare and the freedom of this people; but behold, ye have neglected them, insomuch that the blood of thousands shall come upon your heads for vengeance; yea, for known unto God were all their cries, and all their sufferings. 11. Behold, could ye suppose that ye could sit upon your thrones and because of the exceeding goodness of God ye c, see ƒ, Alma 2. d, see e, Mos. 29. b, see h, Omni 1. |