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.
53:2 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.
53:3 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.
53:4 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.
53:5 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.
53:6 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.
53:7 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.
53:8 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.
53:9 And thus because of iniquity amongst themselves, yea, because of
dissensions and intrigue among themselves they were placed in the most
dangerous circumstances.
53:10 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.
53:11 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.
53:12 And for this cause they were brought down into the land of
Zarahemla; and they ever had been protected by the Nephites.
53:13 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.
53:14 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.
53:15 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.
53:16 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.
53:17 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.
53:18 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.
53:19 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.
53:20 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.
53:21 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.
53:22 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.
53:23 And thus ended the twenty and eighth year of the reign of the
judges over the people of Nephi.