58:1 And behold, now it came to pass that our next object was to obtain
the city of Manti; but behold, there was no way that we could lead them
out of the city by our small bands. For behold, they remembered that
which we had hitherto done; therefore we could not decoy them away from
their strongholds.
58:2 And they were so much more numerous than was our army that we
durst not go forth and attack them in their strongholds.
58:3 Yea, and it became expedient that we should employ our men to the
maintaining those parts of the land which we had regained of our
possessions; therefore it became expedient that we should wait, that we
might receive more strength from the land of Zarahemla and also a new
supply of provisions.
58:4 And it came to pass that I thus did send an embassy to the
governor of our land, to acquaint him concerning the affairs of our
people. And it came to pass that we did wait to receive provisions and
strength from the land of Zarahemla.
58:5 But behold, this did profit us but little; for the Lamanites were
also receiving great strength from day to day, and also many
provisions; and thus were our circumstances at this period of time.
58:6 And the Lamanites were sallying forth against us from time to
time, resolving by stratagem to destroy us; nevertheless we could not
come to battle with them, because of their retreats and their
strongholds.
58:7 And it came to pass that we did wait in these difficult
circumstances for the space of many months, even until we were about to
perish for the want of food.
58:8 But it came to pass that we did receive food, which was guarded to
us by an army of two thousand men to our assistance; and this is all
the assistance which we did receive, to defend ourselves and our
country from falling into the hands of our enemies, yea, to contend
with an enemy which was innumerable.
58:9 And now the cause of these our embarrassments, or the cause why
they did not send more strength unto us, we knew not; therefore we were
grieved and also filled with fear, lest by any means the judgments of
God should come upon our land, to our overthrow and utter destruction.
58:10 Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he
would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies,
yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our
lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people.
58:11 Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with
assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak
peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us
that we should hope for our deliverance in him.
58:12 And we did take courage with our small force which we had
received, and were fixed with a determination to conquer our enemies,
and to maintain our lands, and our possessions, and our wives, and our
children, and the cause of our liberty.
58:13 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.
58:14 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.
58:15 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.
58:16 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 and a
small number of men should secrete themselves also in the wilderness.
58:17 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.
58:18 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.
58:19 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.
58:20 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.
58:21 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. Alma 58:22 Now this was done because the Lamanites did suffer
their whole army, save a few guards only, to be led away into the
wilderness.
58:23 And it came to pass that Gid and Teomner by this means had
obtained possession of their strongholds. And it came to pass that we
took our course, after having traveled much in the wilderness towards
the land of Zarahemla.
58:24 And when the Lamanites saw that they were marching towards the
land of Zarahemla, they were exceedingly afraid, 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.
58:25 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.
58:26 Now it came to pass that when it was night, I caused that my men
should not sleep, but that they should march forward by another way
towards the land of Manti.
58:27 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 at the city of Manti.
58:28 And thus it came to pass, that by this stratagem we did take
possession of the city of Manti without the shedding of blood.
58:29 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.
58:30 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.
58:31 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.
58:32 But behold, our armies are small to maintain so great a number of
cities and so great possessions.
58:33 But behold, we trust in our God who has given us victory over
those lands, insomuch that we have obtained those cities and those
lands, which were our own.
58:34 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.
58:35 Behold, we do not know but what ye are unsuccessful, and ye have
drawn away the forces into that quarter of the land; if so, we do not
desire to murmur.
58:36 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.
58:37 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.
58:38 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.
58:39 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 had supported
them, yea, and kept them from falling by the sword, insomuch that even
one soul has not been slain.
58:40 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.
58:41 And now, my beloved brother, Moroni, may the Lord our God, who
has redeemed us and made us free, keep you continually in his presence;
yea, and may he favor 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.