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41 - Book of Mormon - Joseph Smith Jr · Sacred Texts Archive

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Almah, chapter fifty six. And now it came to pass in the commencement
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of the thirtieth year of the reign of the Judges. On the second day
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in the first month, Moroni received an epistle from Heliman stating the affairs of
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the people in that quarter of the land. And these are the words which
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he wrote, saying, my dearly beloved brother Moroni, as well in the
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Lord as in the tribulations of our warfare. Behold, my beloved brother,
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I have somewhat to tell you concerning our warfare in this part of the land.
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Behold two thousand of the sons of those men whom Ammon brought down out
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of the land of Nephi. Now ye have known that these were descendants of
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Layman, who was the eldest son of our father Lehi. Now I need
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not rehearse unto you concerning their traditions or their unbelief, for thou knowest concerning
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all these things. Therefore it sufficeth me that I tell you that two thousand
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of these young men have taken their weapons of war, and would that I
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should be their leader. And we have come for to defend our country.
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And now ye also know concerning the covenant which their fathers made, that they
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would not take up their weapons of war against their brethren to shed blood.
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But in the twenty and sixth year, when they saw our afflictions and our
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tribulations for them, they were about to break the covenant which they had made
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and take up their weapons of war in our defense. But I would not
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suffer them that they should break this covenant which they had made, supposing that
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God would strengthen us insomuch that we should not suffer more because of the fulfilling
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the oath which they had taken. But behold, here is one thing in
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which we may have great joy. For behold, in the twenty and sixth
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year, I he lamented march at the head of these two thousand young men
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to the city of Judea to assist Antipus, whom ye had appointed a leader
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over the people of that part of the land. And I did join my
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two thousand sons, for they are worthy to be called sons to the army
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of Antipus, in which strength. Antipus did rejoice excess eagerly, For behold,
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his army had been reduced by the Lamanites, because their forces had slain
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a vast number of our men, for which cause we have to mourn.
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Nevertheless, we may console ourselves in this point that they have died in the
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cause of their country and of their God Yea, and they are happy.
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And the Lamanites had also retained many prisoners, all of whom are chief captains.
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For none other have they spared alive. And we suppose that they are
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now at this time in the land of Nephi. It is so if they
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are not slain. And now these are the cities of which the Lamanites have
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obtained possession by the shedding of the blood of so many of our valiant men.
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The land of Manti, or the city of Manti, in the city
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of Zzram, in the city of Cumenai, in the city of Antipara,
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and these are the cities which they possessed. When I arrived at the city
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of Judea, and I found Antipas and his men toiling with their might to
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fortify the city. Yea. And they were depressed in body as well as
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in spirit, for they had fought valiantly by day and toiled by night to
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maintain their cities. And thus they had suffered great afflictions of every kind,
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and now they were determined to conquer in this place or die. Therefore,
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ye may well suppose that this little force which I brought with me, yea,
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those sons of mine, gave them great hopes and much joy. And
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now it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that Antipus had received greater
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strength to his army, they were compelled by the orders of Amoron to not
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come against the city of Judea or against us to battle. And thus were
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we favored of the Lord, For had they come upon us in this our
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weakness, they might have perhaps destroyed our little army. But thus were we
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preserved. They were commanded by Amoron to maintain those cities which they had taken.
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And thus ended the twenty and sixth year. And in the commencement of
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the twenty and seventh year, we had prepared our city and ourselves for defense.
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Now we were desirous that the Lamanites should come upon us, for we
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were not desirous to make an attack upon them their strongholds. And it came
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to pass that we kept spies out round about to watch the movements of the
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Lamanites, that they might not pass us by night nor by day to make
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an attack upon our other cities which were on the northward. For we knew
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in those cities they were not sufficiently strong to meet them. Therefore, we
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were desirous, if they should pass by us, to fall upon them in
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their rear, and thus bring them up in the rear at the same time
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they were met in the front. We supposed that we could overpower them.
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But behold, we were disappointed in this our desire. They durst not pass
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by us with their whole army. Neither durst they with apart, lest they
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should not be sufficiently strong, and they should fall. Neither durst they marched
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down against the city of Zarahemla. Neither durst they crossed the head of Sidon
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over to the city of Nephaiha. And thus with their forces they were determined
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to maintain those cities which they had taken. And now it came to pass
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in the second month of this year there was brought unto us many provisions from
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the fathers of those my two thousand sons. And also there were sent two
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thousand men unto us from the land of Zarahemla. And thus we were prepared
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with ten thousand men in provisions for them, and also for their wives and
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their children. And the Lamanites thus seen our forces increased daily, and provisions
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arrived for our support, they began to be fearful and began to sally forth
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if it were possible to put an end to our receiving provisions and strength.
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Now, when we saw that the Lamanites began to grow uneasy on this wise,
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we were desirous to bring a stratagem into effect upon them. Therefore,
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Antipus ordered that I should march forth with my little sons to a neighboring city,
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as if we were carrying provisions to a neighboring city. And we were
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to march near the city of Antipara, as if we were going to the
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city beyond in the borders by the sea shore. And it came to pass
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that we did march forth as if with our visions to go to that city.
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And it came to pass that Antipus did march forth with a part of
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his army, leaving the remainder to maintain the city. But he did not
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march forth until I had gone forth with my little army, and came near
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the city Antipara. And now in the city Antipara were stationed the strongest army
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of the Lamanites Yea, the most numerous. And it came to pass that,
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when they had been informed by their spies, they came forth with their
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army and marched against us. And it came to pass that we did flee
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before them northward, and thus we did lead away the most powerful army of
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the Lamanites Yea, even to a considerable distance, insomuch that when they saw
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the army of Antipus pursuing them with their might, they did not turn to
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the right nor to the left, but pursued their march in a straight course
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after us. And as we suppose, it was their intent to slay us
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before Antipus could overtake them, in this that they might not be surrounded by
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our people. And now Antipus, beholding our danger, did speed the march
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of his army. But behold, it was night. Therefore they did not
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overtake us, neither did Antipus overtake them. Therefore we did camp for the
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night, and it came to pass that before the dawn of the morning.
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Behold, the Lamanites were pursuing us. Now we were not sufficiently strong to
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contend with them. Yea, I would not suffer that my little sons should
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fall into their hands. Therefore we did continue our march, and we took
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our march into the wilderness. Now they durst not turn to the right nor
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to the left, lest they should be surrounded. Neither would I turn to
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the right nor to the left, lest they should overtake me. And we
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could not stand against them but be slain, and they would make their escape.
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And thus we did flee all that day into the wilderness, even until
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it was dark. And it came to pass that again, when the light
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of the morning came, we saw the Lamanites upon us, and we did
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flee before them. But it came to pass that they did not pursue us
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far before they halted. And it was in the morning of the third day
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of the seventh month. And now whether they were overtaken by Antipus, we
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knew not, But I said unto my men, behold, we know not,
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but they have halted for the purpose that we should come against them,
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that they might catch us in their snare. Therefore, what say ye,
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my sons, will ye go against them to battle? And now I say,
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unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never had I seen so
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great courage, Nay, not amongst all the Nephites, for as I have
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ever called them my sons, for they were all of them very young.
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Even so they said unto me, Father, behold, our God is with
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us, and he will not suffer that we should fall. Then let us
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go forth. We would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone.
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Therefore, let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipas.
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Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death, and
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they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their
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lives. Yea, they had been taught by their mothers that if they did
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not doubt, God would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words
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of their mothers, saying, we do not doubt our mothers knew it.
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And it came to pass that I did return with my two thousand against these
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Lamanites who had pursued us. And now behold, the armies of Antipus had
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overtaken them, and a terrible battle had commenced, the army of Antipus being
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weary because of their long march in so short a space of time were about
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to fall into the hands of the Lamanites. And had I not returned with
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my two thousand, they would have obtained their purpose. For Antipus had fallen
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by the sword, and many of his leaders because of their weariness, which
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was occasioned by the speed of their march. Therefore, the men of Antipus,
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being confused because of the fall of their leaders, began to give way
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before the Lamanites. And it came to pass that the Lamanites took courage and
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began to pursue them. And thus were the Lamanites pursuing them with great vigor,
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when Helimin came upon their rear with his two thousand and began to slay
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them exceedingly, insomuch that the whole army of the Lamanites halted and turned upon
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Helimin. Now, when the people of Antipus saw that the Lamanites had turned
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them about, they gathered together their men and came again upon the rear of
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the Lamanites. And now it came to pass that we the people of Nephi,
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the people of Antipus, and I with my two thousand, did surround
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the Lamanites and did slay them yea, insomuch that they were compelled to deliver
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up their weapons of war and also themselves as prisoners of war. And now
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it came to pass that when they had surrendered themselves up unto us, Behold,
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I numbered those young men who had fought with me, fearing lest there
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were many of them slain. But behold, to my great joy, there
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was not one soul of them fallen to the earth Yea. And they had
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fought as if with the strength of God. Yea. Never were men known
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to have fought with such miraculous strength and with such mighty power did they fall
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upon the Lamanites that they did frighten them. And for this cause did the
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Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war. And as we had no place
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for our prisoners that we could guard them, to keep them from the armies
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of the Lamanites, therefore we sent them to the land of Zarahemla, and
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a part of those men who were not slain of Antipas with them, and
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the remainder I took and joined them to my Strictlanammonites, and took our march
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back to the city of Judea Alma, chapter fifty seven. And now it
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came to pass that I received an epistle from amar On the King, stating
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that if I would deliver up those prisoners of war whom we had taken,
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that he would deliver up the city of Antipara unto us. But I sent
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an epistle unto the King that we were sure our forces were sufficient to take
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the city of Antepara by our force, and by delivering up the prisoners for
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that city, we should suppose ourselves unwise, and that we would only deliver
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up our prisoners on exchange. And Amaron refused an epistle, for he would
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not exchange prisoners. Therefore we began to make preparations to go against the city
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of Antipara. But the people of Antipara did leave the city and fled to
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their other cities which they had possession of to fortify them. And thus the
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city of Antipara fell into our hands, and thus ended the twenty and eighth
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year of the reign of the Judges. And it came to pass that in
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the commencement of the twenty and ninth year, we received a supply of provisions,
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and also in addition to our army from the land of Sarahemla, and
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from the land round about to the number of six thousand men, beside sixty
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of the sons of the Ammonites who had come to join their brethren, my
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little band of two thousand, and now behold, we were strong, Yea,
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and we had also plenty of provisions brought unto us. And it came
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to pass that it was our desire to wage a battle with the army which
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was placed to protect the city Cumenai. And now behold, I will show
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unto you that we soon accomplished our desire, Yea. With our strong force,
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or with a part of our strong force, we did surround by night
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the city Cumenai, a little before they were to receive a supply of provisions.
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And it came to pass that we did camp round about the city for
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many knights, but we did sleep upon our swords and keep guards, that
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the Lamanites could not come upon us by night and slay us, which they
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attempted many times. But as many times as they attempted this, their blood
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was spilt. At length. Their provisions did arrive, and they were about
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to enter the city by night, and we, instead of being Lamanites,
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were nephytes. Therefore we did take them and their provisions. And notwithstanding the
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Lamanites being cut off from their support after this manner, they were still determined
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to maintain the city. Therefore, it became expedient that we should take those
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provisions and send them to Judea, and our prisoners to the land of Zaraheimla.
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And it came to pass that not many days had passed away before the
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Lamanites began to lose all hopes of succor. Therefore they yielded up the city
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unto our hands. And thus we had accomplished our designs in obtaining the city
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Kumeni. But it came to pass that our prisoners were so numerous that,
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notwithstanding the enormity of our numbers, we were obliged to employ all our force
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to keep them or to put them to death. For behold, they would
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break out in great numbers and would fight with stones and with clubs, or
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whatsoever thing they could get into their hands, insomuch that we did slay upwards
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of two thousand of them after they had surrendered themselves prisoners of war. Therefore
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it became expedient for us that we should put an end to their lives or
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guard them sword in hand down to the land of Zarahemla. And also our
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provisions were not any more than sufficient for our own people, notwithstanding that which
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we had taken from the Lamanites. And now in those critical circumstances, it
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became a very serious matter to determine concerning these prisoners of war. Nevertheless,
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we did resolve to send them down to the land of Zarahemla. Therefore,
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we selected a part of our men and gave them charge over our prisoners to
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go down to the land of Sarahemla. But it came to pass that on
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the morrow they did return. And now behold, we did not inquire of
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them concerning the prisoners. For behold, the Lamanites were upon us, and
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they returned and season to save us from falling into their hands. For behold,
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Amaron had sent to their support a new supply of provisions, and also
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a numerous army of men. And it came to pass that those men whom
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we sent with the prisoners did arrive in season to check them, as they
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were about to overpower us. But behold, my little band of two thousand
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and sixty fought most desperately. Yea. They were firm before the Lamanites,
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and did administer death unto all those who opposed them. And as the remainder
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of our army were about to give way before the Lamanites, behold, those
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two thousand and sixty one were firm and undaunted, Yea. And they did
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obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness. Yea. And
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even according to their faith, it was done unto them. And I did
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remember the words which they said unto me, that their mothers had taught them.
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And now behold, it was these my sons and those men who had
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been selected to convey the prisoners, to whom we owe this great victory,
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for it was they who did beat the Lamanites. Therefore they were driven back
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to the city of Manti, and we retained our city Kumenai, and were
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not all destroyed by the sword. Nevertheless, we had suffered great loss,
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and it came to pass that after the Lamanites had fled, I immediately gave
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orders that my men who had been wounded should be taken from among the dead,
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and caused that their wounds should be dressed. And it came to pass
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that there were two hundred out of my two thousand and sixty who had fainted
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because of the loss of blood. Nevertheless, according to the goodness of God,
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and to our great astonishment and also the joy of our whole army,
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there was not one soul of them who did perish, Yea. And neither
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was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds. And now
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their preservation was astonishing to our whole army. YEA, that they should be
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spared, while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And
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we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their
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exceeding faith and that which they had been taught to believe that there was a
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just God. And whosoever did not doubt that they should be preserved by His
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marvelous power. Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken.
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They are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put
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their trust in God continually. And now it came to pass that after we
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had thus taken care of our wounded men, and had buried our dead,
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and also the dead of the Lamanites, who were many. Behold, we
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did inquire of Gid concerning the prisoners whom they had started to go down to
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the land of zarah Heimlowyth. Now Gid was the chief captain over the band,
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who was appointed to guard them down to the land. And now these
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are the words which Gid set unto me. Behold, we did start to
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go down to the land of Zarahemla with our prisoners, and it came to
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pass that we did meet the spies of our armies, who had been sent
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out to watch the camp of the Lamanites. And they cried unto us,
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saying, behold, the armies of the Lamanites are marching towards the city of
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Kumenai. And behold they will fall upon them yea, and will destroy our
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people. And it came to pass that our prisoners did hear their cries,
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which caused them to take courage, and they did rise up in rebellion against
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us. And it came to pass because of their rebellion we did cause that
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our swords should come upon them, And it came to pass that they did,
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and a body run upon our swords, in the which the greater number
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of them were slain, and the remainder of them broke through and fled from
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us. And behold, when they had fled and we could not overtake them,
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we took our march with speed towards the city Kumenai. And behold we
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did arrive in time that we might assist our brethren in preserving the city.
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And behold we are again delivered out of the hands of our enemies. And
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blessed is the name of our God. For behold, it is he that
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has delivered us, Yea, that has done this great thing for us.
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Now it came to pass that when I Helimann, had heard these words of
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Gid, I was filled with exceeding joy because of the goodness of God in
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preserving us, that we might not all perish. Yea, and I trust
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that the souls of them who have been slain have entered into the rest of
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their God Elma, chapter fifty eight. And behold, now it came to
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pass that our next object was to obtain the city of Mantai. But behold,
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there was no way that we could lead them out of the city by
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our small bands. For behold, they remembered that which we had hitherto done.
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Therefore we could not decoy them away from their strongholds. And they were
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so much more numerous than was our army, that we durst not go forth
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and attack them in their strongholds. Yea. And it became expedient that we
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should employ our men to the maintaining those parts of the land which we had
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regained of our possessions. Therefore, it became expedient that we should wait that
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we might receive more strength from the land of Zarah Hemlan, and also a
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new supply of provisions. And it came to pass that I thus did send
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an embassy to the governor of our land to acquaint him concerning the affairs of
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our people. And it came to pass that we did wait to receive provisions
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and strength from the land of Zarahemla. But behold, this did profit us
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but little, for the Lamanites were also receiving great strength from day to day,
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and also many provisions. And thus were our circumstances at this period of
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time, and the Lamanites were sallying forth against us from time to time,
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resolving by stratagem to destroy us. Nevertheless, we could not come out to
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battle with them because of their retreats and their strongholds. And it came to
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pass that we did wait in these difficult circumstances for the space of many months,
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even until we were about to perish for the want of food. But
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it came to pass that we did receive food, which was guarded to us
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by an army of two thousand men to our assistance. And this is all
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the assistance which we did receive to defend ourselves in our country from falling into
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the hands of our enemies. Yea, to contend with an enemy which was
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innumerable. And now the cause of these our embarrassments were the cause why they
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did not send more strength unto us, we knew not. Therefore we were
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grieved and also filled with fear lest by any means the judgments of God should
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come upon our land to our overthrow and utter destruction. Therefore we did pour
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out our souls in prayer to God that he would strengthen us and deliver us
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out of the hands of our enemies. Yea, and also give us strengths
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that we might retain our cities and our lands and our possessions for the support
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of our people. Yea. And it came to pass that the Lord,
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our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us yea in so
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much that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us
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great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in
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him. And we did take courage with our small force which we had received,
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and were fixed with a determination to conquer our enemies, and to maintain
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our lands and our possessions, and our wives and our children, and the
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cause of our liberty. And thus we did go forth with all our might
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against the Lamanites who were in the city of Mantai, And we did pitch
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our tents by the wilderness side, which was near to the city. And
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it came to pass that on the morrow that when the Lamanites saw that we
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were in the borders by the wilderness which was near the city, that they
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sent out their spies round about us, that they might discover the number and
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the strength of our army. And it came to pass that when they saw
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that we were not strong according to our numbers, and fearing that we should
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cut them off from their support, except they should come out to battle against
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us and kill us, and also supposing that they could easily destroy us with
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their numerous hosts. Therefore, they began to make preparations to come out against
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us to battle. And when we saw that they were making preparations to come
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out against us, behold, I cause that Gid, with a small number
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of men, should secrete himself in the wilderness, and also that Teamner and
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a small number of men, should secrete themselves also in the wilderness. Now
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Gid and his men were on the right, and the others on the left.
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And when they had thus secreted themselves, behold, I remained with the
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remainder of my army in that same place where we had first pitched our tents,
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against the time that the Lamanites should come out to battle. And it
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came to pass that the Lamanites did come out with their numerous army against us.
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And when they had come and were about to fall upon us with the
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sword, I caused that my men, those who were with me, should
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retreat into the wilderness. And it came to pass that the Lamanites did follow
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after us with great speed, for they were exceedingly desirous to overtake us,
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that they might slay us. Therefore, they did follow us into the wilderness,
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and we did pass by in the midst of Ged and Teomner, insomuch
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that they were not discovered by the Lamanites. And it came to pass that
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when the Lamanites had passed by, or when the army had passed by,
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Gid and Teomner did rise up from their secret places and had cut off the
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spies of the Lamanites, that they should not return to the city. And
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it came to pass that when they had cut them off, they ran to
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the city and fell upon the guards who were left to guard the city,
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insomuch that they destroy them and did take possession of the city. Now this
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was done because the Lamanites did suffer their whole army, save a few guards,
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only to be led away into the wilderness. And it came to pass
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that Gid and Teomner by this means, had obtained possession of their strongholds.
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And it came to pass that we took our course, after having traveled much
24:37
in the wilderness, towards the land of Zarahemla. And when the Lamanites saw
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that they were marching towards the land of Zarahemla, they were exceedingly afraid lest
24:47
there was a plan laid to lead them on to destruction. Therefore they began
24:51
to retreat back into the wilderness again, yea, even back by the same
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way which they had come. And to behold, it was night, and
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they did pitch their tents. For the chief captains of the Lamanites had supposed
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that the Nephites were weary because of their march, and supposing that they had
25:06
driven their whole army. Therefore they took no thought concerning the city of Mantai.
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Now it came to pass that, when it was night, I caused
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that my men should not sleep, but that they should march forward by another
25:17
way towards the land of Mantai. And because of this our march and the
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night time, behold, on the morrow we were beyond the Lamanites, insomuch
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that we did arrive before them at the city of Mantai. And thus it
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came to pass that by this stratagem we did take possession of the city of
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Mantai without the shedding of blood. And it came to pass that when the
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armies of the Lamanites did arrive near the city and saw that we were prepared
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to meet them, they were astonished exceedingly and struck with great fear, insomuch
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that they did flee into the wilderness. Yea, and it came to pass
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that the armies of the Lamanites did flee out of all this quarter of the
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land. But behold, they have carried with them many women and children out
25:56
of the land, and those cities which had been taken by the Lamanites.
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All of them are at this period of time in our possession, and our
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fathers, and our women, and our children are returning to their homes.
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All say that be those who have been taken prisoners and carried off by the
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Lamanites. But behold, our armies are small to maintain so great a number
26:17
of cities and so great possessions. But behold, we trust in our God,
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who has given us victory over those lands, insomuch that we have obtained
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those cities and those lands which were our own. Now we do not know
26:30
the cause that the government does not grant us more strength. Neither do those
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men who came up unto us know why we have not received greater strength.
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Behold, we do not know, but what ye are unsuccessful? And ye
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have drawn away the forces into that quarter of the land. If so,
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we do not desire to murmur. And if it is not so, behold,
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we fear that there is some faction in the government, that they do
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not send more men to our assistants, for we know that they are more
26:57
numerous than that which they have. But behold it mattereth not. We trust
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God will deliver us notwithstanding the weakness of our armies, Yea, and deliver
27:08
us out of the hands of our enemies. Behold, this is the twenty
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and ninth year in the latter end, and we are in the possession of
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our lands. And the Lamanites have fled to the land of Nephi. And
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those sons of the people of Ammon, of whom I have so highly spoken,
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are with me in the city of Manti. And the Lord had supported
27:29
them, Yea, and kept them from falling by the sword, insomuch that
27:33
even one soul has not been slain. But behold, they have received many
27:38
wounds. Nevertheless, they stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them
27:45
free. And they are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to
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day. Yea, they do observe to keep his statutes and his judgments and
27:52
his commandments continually, and their faith is strong in the prophecies concerning that which
27:57
is to come. And now, my beloved brother Morone, may the Lord
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our God, who has redeemed us and made us free, keep you continually
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in his presence, yea, and may he favor this people, even that
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ye may have success in obtaining the possession of all that which the Lamanites have
28:15
taken from us, which was for our support. And now behold I close
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mine epistle. I am Heliman, the son of Alma and of Alma,
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chapters fifty six through fifty eight,