2:1 And it came to pass in the commencement of the fifth year of their
reign there began to be a contention among the people; for a certain
man, being called Amlici, he being a very cunning man, yea, a wise man
as to the wisdom of the world, he being after the order of the man that
slew Gideon by the sword, who was executed according to the law—
2:2 Now this Amlici had, by his cunning, drawn away much people after
him; even so much that they began to be very powerful; and they began
to endeavor to establish Amlici to be king over the people.
2:3 Now this was alarming to the people of the church, and also to all
those who had not been drawn away after the persuasions of Amlici; for
they knew that according to their law that such things must be
established by the voice of the people.
2:4 Therefore, if it were possible that Amlici should gain the voice of
the people, he, being a wicked man, would deprive them of their rights
and privileges of the church; for it was his intent to destroy the
church of God.
2:5 And it came to pass that the people assembled themselves together
throughout all the land, every man according to his mind, whether it
were for or against Amlici, in separate bodies, having much dispute and
wonderful contentions one with another.
2:6 And thus they did assemble themselves together to cast in their
voices concerning the matter; and they were laid before the judges.
2:7 And it came to pass that the voice of the people came against
Amlici, that he was not made king over the people.
2:8 Now this did cause much joy in the hearts of those who were against
him; but Amlici did stir up those who were in his favor to anger
against those who were not in his favor.
2:9 And it came to pass that they gathered themselves together, and did
consecrate Amlici to be their king.
2:10 Now when Amlici was made king over them he commanded them that
they should take up arms against their brethren; and this he did that
he might subject them to him.
2:11 Now the people of Amlici were distinguished by the name of Amlici,
being called Amlicites; and the remainder were called Nephites, or the
people of God.
2:12 Therefore the people of the Nephites were aware of the intent of
the Amlicites, and therefore they did prepare to meet them; yea, they
did arm themselves with swords, and with cimeters, and with bows, and
with arrows, and with stones, and with slings, and with all manner of
weapons of war, of every kind.
2:13 And thus they were prepared to meet the Amlicites at the time of
their coming. And there were appointed captains, and higher captains,
and chief captains, according to their numbers.
2:14 And it came to pass that Amlici did arm his men with all manner of
weapons of war of every kind; and he also appointed rulers and leaders
over his people, to lead them to war against their brethren.
2:15 And it came to pass that the Amlicites came upon the hill Amnihu,
which was east of the river Sidon, which ran by the land of Zarahemla,
and there they began to make war with the Nephites.
2:16 Now Alma, being the chief judge and the governor of the people of
Nephi, therefore he went up with his people, yea, with his captains,
and chief captains, yea, at the head of his armies, against the
Amlicites to battle.
2:17 And they began to slay the Amlicites upon the hill east of Sidon.
And the Amlicites did contend with the Nephites with great strength,
insomuch that many of the Nephites did fall before the Amlicites.
2:18 Nevertheless the Lord did strengthen the hand of the Nephites,
that they slew the Amlicites with great slaughter, that they began to
flee before them.
2:19 And it came to pass that the Nephites did pursue the Amlicites all
that day, and did slay them with much slaughter, insomuch that there
were slain of the Amlicites twelve thousand five hundred thirty and two
souls; and there were slain of the Nephites six thousand five hundred
sixty and two souls.
2:20 And it came to pass that when Alma could pursue the Amlicites no
longer he caused that his people should pitch their tents in the valley
of Gideon, the valley being called after that Gideon who was slain by
the hand of Nehor with the sword; and in this valley the Nephites did
pitch their tents for the night.
2:21 And Alma sent spies to follow the remnant of the Amlicites, that
he might know of their plans and their plots, whereby he might guard
himself against them, that he might preserve his people from being
destroyed.
2:22 Now those whom he had sent out to watch the camp of the Amlicites
were called Zeram, and Amnor, and Manti, and Limher; these were they
who went out with their men to watch the camp of the Amlicites.
2:23 And it came to pass that on the morrow they returned into the camp
of the Nephites in great haste, being greatly astonished, and struck
with much fear, saying:
2:24 Behold, we followed the camp of the Amlicites, and to our great
astonishment, in the land of Minon, above the land of Zarahemla, in the
course of the land of Nephi, we saw a numerous host of the Lamanites;
and behold, the Amlicites have joined them;
2:25 And they are upon our brethren in that land; and they are fleeing
before them with their flocks, and their wives, and their children,
towards our city; and except we make haste they obtain possession of
our city, and our fathers, and our wives, and our children be slain.
2:26 And it came to pass that the people of Nephi took their tents, and
departed out of the valley of Gideon towards their city, which was the
city of Zarahemla.
2:27 And behold, as they were crossing the river Sidon, the Lamanites
and the Amlicites, being as numerous almost, as it were, as the sands
of the sea, came upon them to destroy them.
2:28 Nevertheless, the Nephites being strengthened by the hand of the
Lord, having prayed mightily to him that he would deliver them out of
the hands of their enemies, therefore the Lord did hear their cries,
and did strengthen them, and the Lamanites and the Amlicites did fall
before them.
2:29 And it came to pass that Alma fought with Amlici with the sword,
face to face; and they did contend mightily, one with another.
2:30 And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God, being exercised
with much faith, cried, saying: O Lord, have mercy and spare my life,
that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this
people.
2:31 Now when Alma had said these words he contended again with Amlici;
and he was strengthened, insomuch that he slew Amlici with the sword.
2:32 And he also contended with the king of the Lamanites; but the king
of the Lamanites fled back from before Alma and sent his guards to
contend with Alma.
2:33 But Alma, with his guards, contended with the guards of the king
of the Lamanites until he slew and drove them back.
2:34 And thus he cleared the ground, or rather the bank, which was on
the west of the river Sidon, throwing the bodies of the Lamanites who
had been slain into the waters of Sidon, that thereby his people might
have room to cross and contend with the Lamanites and the Amlicites on
the west side of the river Sidon.
2:35 And it came to pass that when they had all crossed the river Sidon
that the Lamanites and the Amlicites began to flee before them,
notwithstanding they were so numerous that they could not be numbered.
2:36 And they fled before the Nephites towards the wilderness which was
west and north, away beyond the borders of the land; and the Nephites
did pursue them with their might, and did slay them.
2:37 Yea, they were met on every hand, and slain and driven, until they
were scattered on the west, and on the north, until they had reached
the wilderness, which was called Hermounts; and it was that part of the
wilderness which was infested by wild and ravenous beasts.
2:38 And it came to pass that many died in the wilderness of their
wounds, and were devoured by those beasts and also the vultures of the
air; and their bones have been found, and have been heaped up on the
earth.