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Alma 62


Chapter 62

Moroni marches to the aid of Pahoran in the land of Gideon—The king-men who refuse to defend their country are put to death—Pahoran and Moroni retake Nephihah—Many Lamanites join the people of Ammon—Teancum slays Ammoron and is in turn slain—The Lamanites are driven from the land, and peace is established—Helaman returns to the ministry and builds up the Church. About 62–57 B.C.

And now it came to pass that when Moroni had received this epistle his heart did take courage, and was filled with exceedingly great joy because of the faithfulness of Pahoran, that he was not also a traitor to the freedom and cause of his country.

But he did also mourn exceedingly because of the iniquity of those who had driven Pahoran from the judgment-seat, yea, in fine because of those who had rebelled against their country and also their God.

And it came to pass that Moroni took a small number of men, according to the desire of Pahoran, and gave Lehi and Teancum command over the remainder of his army, and took his march towards the land of Gideon.

And he did raise the standard of liberty in whatsoever place he did enter, and gained whatsoever force he could in all his march towards the land of Gideon.

And it came to pass that thousands did flock unto his standard, and did take up their swords in the defence of their freedom, that they might not come into bondage.

And thus, when Moroni had gathered together whatsoever men he could in all his march, he came to the land of Gideon; and uniting his forces with those of Pahoran they became exceedingly strong, even stronger than the men of Pachus, who was the king of those dissenters who had driven the freemen out of the land of Zarahemla and had taken possession of the land.

And it came to pass that Moroni and Pahoran went down with their armies into the land of Zarahemla, and went forth against the city, and did meet the men of Pachus, insomuch that they did come to battle.

And behold, Pachus was slain and his men were taken prisoners, and Pahoran was restored to his judgment-seat.

And the men of Pachus received their trial, according to the law, and also those king-men who had been taken and cast into prison; and they were executed according to the law; yea, those men of Pachus and those king-men, whosoever would not take up arms in the defence of their country, but would fight against it, were put to death.

10 And thus it became expedient that this law should be strictly observed for the safety of their country; yea, and whosoever was found denying their freedom was speedily executed according to the law.

11 And thus ended the thirtieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi; Moroni and Pahoran having restored peace to the land of Zarahemla, among their own people, having inflicted death upon all those who were not true to the cause of freedom.

12 And it came to pass in the commencement of the thirty and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, Moroni immediately caused that provisions should be sent, and also an army of six thousand men should be sent unto Helaman, to assist him in preserving that part of the land.

13 And he also caused that an army of six thousand men, with a sufficient quantity of food, should be sent to the armies of Lehi and Teancum. And it came to pass that this was done to fortify the land against the Lamanites.

14 And it came to pass that Moroni and Pahoran, leaving a large body of men in the land of Zarahemla, took their march with a large body of men towards the land of Nephihah, being determined to overthrow the Lamanites in that city.

15 And it came to pass that as they were marching towards the land, they took a large body of men of the Lamanites, and slew many of them, and took their provisions and their weapons of war.

16 And it came to pass after they had taken them, they caused them to enter into a covenant that they would no more take up their weapons of war against the Nephites.

17 And when they had entered into this covenant they sent them to dwell with the people of Ammon, and they were in number about four thousand who had not been slain.

18 And it came to pass that when they had sent them away they pursued their march towards the land of Nephihah. And it came to pass that when they had come to the city of Nephihah, they did pitch their tents in the plains of Nephihah, which is near the city of Nephihah.

19 Now Moroni was desirous that the Lamanites should come out to battle against them, upon the plains; but the Lamanites, knowing of their exceedingly great courage, and beholding the greatness of their numbers, therefore they durst not come out against them; therefore they did not come to battle in that day.

20 And when the night came, Moroni went forth in the darkness of the night, and came upon the top of the wall to spy out in what part of the city the Lamanites did camp with their army.

21 And it came to pass that they were on the east, by the entrance; and they were all asleep. And now Moroni returned to his army, and caused that they should prepare in haste strong cords and ladders, to be let down from the top of the wall into the inner part of the wall.

22 And it came to pass that Moroni caused that his men should march forth and come upon the top of the wall, and let themselves down into that part of the city, yea, even on the west, where the Lamanites did not camp with their armies.

23 And it came to pass that they were all let down into the city by night, by the means of their strong cords and their ladders; thus when the morning came they were all within the walls of the city.

24 And now, when the Lamanites awoke and saw that the armies of Moroni were within the walls, they were affrighted exceedingly, insomuch that they did flee out by the pass.

25 And now when Moroni saw that they were fleeing before him, he did cause that his men should march forth against them, and slew many, and surrounded many others, and took them prisoners; and the remainder of them fled into the land of Moroni, which was in the borders by the seashore.

26 Thus had Moroni and Pahoran obtained the possession of the city of Nephihah without the loss of one soul; and there were many of the Lamanites who were slain.

27 Now it came to pass that many of the Lamanites that were prisoners were desirous to join the people of Ammon and become a free people.

28 And it came to pass that as many as were desirous, unto them it was granted according to their desires.

29 Therefore, all the prisoners of the Lamanites did join the people of Ammon, and did begin to labor exceedingly, tilling the ground, raising all manner of grain, and flocks and herds of every kind; and thus were the Nephites relieved from a great burden; yea, insomuch that they were relieved from all the prisoners of the Lamanites.

30 Now it came to pass that Moroni, after he had obtained possession of the city of Nephihah, having taken many prisoners, which did reduce the armies of the Lamanites exceedingly, and having regained many of the Nephites who had been taken prisoners, which did strengthen the army of Moroni exceedingly; therefore Moroni went forth from the land of Nephihah to the land of Lehi.

31 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that Moroni was coming against them, they were again frightened and fled before the army of Moroni.

32 And it came to pass that Moroni and his army did pursue them from city to city, until they were met by Lehi and Teancum; and the Lamanites fled from Lehi and Teancum, even down upon the borders by the seashore, until they came to the land of Moroni.

33 And the armies of the Lamanites were all gathered together, insomuch that they were all in one body in the land of Moroni. Now Ammoron, the king of the Lamanites, was also with them.

34 And it came to pass that Moroni and Lehi and Teancum did encamp with their armies round about in the borders of the land of Moroni, insomuch that the Lamanites were encircled about in the borders by the wilderness on the south, and in the borders by the wilderness on the east.

35 And thus they did encamp for the night. For behold, the Nephites and the Lamanites also were weary because of the greatness of the march; therefore they did not resolve upon any stratagem in the night-time, save it were Teancum; for he was exceedingly angry with Ammoron, insomuch that he considered that Ammoron, and Amalickiah his brother, had been the cause of this great and lasting war between them and the Lamanites, which had been the cause of so much war and bloodshed, yea, and so much famine.

36 And it came to pass that Teancum in his anger did go forth into the camp of the Lamanites, and did let himself down over the walls of the city. And he went forth with a cord, from place to place, insomuch that he did find the king; and he did cast a javelin at him, which did pierce him near the heart. But behold, the king did awaken his servants before he died, insomuch that they did pursue Teancum, and slew him.

37 Now it came to pass that when Lehi and Moroni knew that Teancum was dead they were exceedingly sorrowful; for behold, he had been a man who had fought valiantly for his country, yea, a true friend to liberty; and he had suffered very many exceedingly sore afflictions. But behold, he was dead, and had gone the way of all the earth.

38 Now it came to pass that Moroni marched forth on the morrow, and came upon the Lamanites, insomuch that they did slay them with a great slaughter; and they did drive them out of the land; and they did flee, even that they did not return at that time against the Nephites.

39 And thus ended the thirty and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi; and thus they had had wars, and bloodsheds, and famine, and affliction, for the space of many years.

40 And there had been murders, and contentions, and dissensions, and all manner of iniquity among the people of Nephi; nevertheless for the righteous’ sake, yea, because of the prayers of the righteous, they were spared.

41 But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility.

42 And it came to pass that after Moroni had fortified those parts of the land which were most exposed to the Lamanites, until they were sufficiently strong, he returned to the city of Zarahemla; and also Helaman returned to the place of his inheritance; and there was once more peace established among the people of Nephi.

43 And Moroni yielded up the command of his armies into the hands of his son, whose name was Moronihah; and he retired to his own house that he might spend the remainder of his days in peace.

44 And Pahoran did return to his judgment-seat; and Helaman did take upon him again to preach unto the people the word of God; for because of so many wars and contentions it had become expedient that a regulation should be made again in the church.

45 Therefore, Helaman and his brethren went forth, and did declare the word of God with much power unto the convincing of many people of their wickedness, which did cause them to repent of their sins and to be baptized unto the Lord their God.

46 And it came to pass that they did establish again the church of God, throughout all the land.

47 Yea, and regulations were made concerning the law. And their judges, and their chief judges were chosen.

48 And the people of Nephi began to prosper again in the land, and began to multiply and to wax exceedingly strong again in the land. And they began to grow exceedingly rich.

49 But notwithstanding their riches, or their strength, or their prosperity, they were not lifted up in the pride of their eyes; neither were they slow to remember the Lord their God; but they did humble themselves exceedingly before him.

50 Yea, they did remember how great things the Lord had done for them, that he had delivered them from death, and from bonds, and from prisons, and from all manner of afflictions, and he had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies.

51 And they did pray unto the Lord their God continually, insomuch that the Lord did bless them, according to his word, so that they did wax strong and prosper in the land.

52 And it came to pass that all these things were done. And Helaman died, in the thirty and fifth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.

      • according to (preposition)

        In a way that agrees with.

      • affliction (noun)

        Pain; problems.

      • all manner of (adjective phrase)

        Every kind of.

      • army (noun)

        A large group of soldiers.

      • as many as (adjective phrase)

        All; each of.

      • B.C. (noun)

        Before the birth of Christ.

      • baptize (verb)

        To perform the ordinance of baptism. In baptism a person is immersed in water to symbolize being cleansed from sin.

      • because of (conjunction)

        By reason of; through.

      • before (preposition)

        In front of; from.

      • before (preposition)

        In front of.

      • behold (interjection, archaic)

        Look! See! In fact.

      • border (noun)

        Boundary; division between countries or areas.

      • borders (noun)

        Land or area on the outer edge of a country or other place; outskirts.

      • brother, brethren (noun)

        Peer; neighbor; relative; kinsman.

      • caused that provisions should be sent (phrase)

        Had supplies (such as food) sent.

      • caused that someone should (phrase)

        Had someone.

      • caused that someone should be (phrase)

        Had someone.

      • chosen (adjective)

        Selected by God to serve in a certain way or to receive certain blessings.

      • it came to pass (verb phrase)

        It happened; it took place.

      • commencement (noun)

        Beginning.

      • concerning (preposition)

        About.

      • contention (noun)

        Disputes; disagreements (sometimes leading to violence).

      • continually (adverb)

        Always; without pause.

      • convincing (noun)

        Persuading; proving.

      • take courage (verb phrase)

        Stop fearing; gather one’s confidence; be encouraged.

      • covenant (noun)

        A promise God makes to a person or group if they will obey Him.

      • day (noun)

        Period; time.

      • one’s days (noun)

        One’s life.

      • declare (verb)

        To announce; to state energetically.

      • deliver (verb)

        To help someone escape; to save someone; to set someone free.

      • desire (noun)

        Wish; request.

      • be desirous (verb)

        To desire; to want.

      • did, didst (verb, archaic)

        A term used before verbs to make them past tense.

      • durst not (verb, archaic)

        Did not dare.

      • dwell (verb)

        To live; to reside.

      • enter (verb)

        To go into.

      • even (adverb)

        Specifically.

      • even unto (adverb)

        To the point of; up until.

      • exceedingly (adverb)

        Much; a lot.

      • exceedingly (adverb)

        Very; extremely.

      • expedient (adjective)

        Necessary; appropriate.

      • flee, fled (verb)

        To run away; to escape.

      • flock (noun)

        A group of animals, such as sheep or goats.

      • for behold (conjunction)

        Therefore; so you see.

      • for behold (conjunction)

        Because you see.

      • for (conjunction)

        Because.

      • for (conjunction)

        Because; because you see.

      • forth (adverb)

        Forward; away.

      • free (adjective)

        Having the ability to choose; not being forced.

      • freedom (noun)

        The ability to choose; not being forced.

      • gather (verb)

        To assemble; to meet together.

      • go forth (verb phrase)

        To move forward from a starting point.

      • go forth (verb)

        To move forward; to go out.

      • go forth (verb)

        To go ahead; to start out.

      • God (proper noun)

        God the Father or His Son, Jesus Christ. God the Father rules all things with perfect justice, mercy, and love. Jesus Christ often speaks and acts for His Father. He suffered so that we could be forgiven of our sins and be resurrected. The Father and Son are separate individuals but are united in purpose.

      • grain (noun)

        Seeds such as wheat, barley; and maize or corn.

      • grant (verb)

        To give.

      • heart (noun)

        A person’s thoughts, desires, and feelings.

      • Helaman, son of Alma (proper noun)

        Prophet, high priest, and military leader; author of several chapters of the book of Alma.

      • herd (noun)

        A group of animals, such as cows, sheep, or goats.

      • humble oneself (verb)

        To abandon one’s pride.

      • in fine (prepositional phrase)

        To sum up.

      • land or place of one’s inheritance (noun phrase)

        A land or place one has received from God or from one’s ancestors.

      • iniquity (noun)

        Wickedness; evil.

      • insomuch (adverb)

        So much; to such an extent.

      • insomuch (adverb)

        With the result that.

      • into someone’s hands (adverb)

        Into someone’s care or custody.

      • king (noun)

        Ruler or leader of a country. Kings are usually the son of the previous king.

      • labor (verb)

        To work.

      • Lamanites (proper noun)

        A people of the Book of Mormon, often enemies of the Nephites, who descended from Nephi’s brother Laman and of those who followed him.

      • liberty (noun)

        Freedom; having choices; not being forced.

      • Lord (noun)

        A term of respect for God the Father or Jesus Christ.

      • man (noun)

        Adult male human being.

      • might (verb)

        Can; could.

      • ministry (noun)

        Acts in service to God and to other people.

      • mourn (verb)

        To feel sadness; to sorrow; to grieve.

      • much (adjective)

        A large amount of.

      • Nephites, people of Nephi (proper noun)

        A people of the Book of Mormon descended from Nephi and from those who followed him.

      • nevertheless (adverb)

        But still; in spite of this.

      • by night (adverb)

        Nighttime; during the night.

      • obtain (verb)

        To get.

      • one (adjective)

        United in purpose.

      • out of someone’s hands (adverb)

        From someone.

      • over (preposition)

        Above in authority or power; having responsibility for.

      • pitch (verb)

        To put up (a tent).

      • pray (verb)

        To speak to God, out loud or silently.

      • prayer (noun)

        Asking God for something; speaking to God, vocally or in one’s heart.

      • preach (verb)

        To teach or proclaim the gospel.

      • prosper (verb)

        To do well; to thrive; to succeed.

      • provision (noun)

        Food and other supplies.

      • rebel (verb)

        To reject or resist the authority of someone; to struggle against a leader; to refuse to obey.

      • refuse (verb)

        To say that one is unwilling to do something; to decline to do something.

      • repent (verb)

        To feel sorrow for one’s sins, ask to be forgiven, and change one’s life.

      • round about (preposition)

        Around; surrounding.

      • save it were (adverb phrase)

        Except for.

      • send (verb)

        To cause someone to go to someone or someplace or to do something.

      • servant (noun)

        Someone who serves or works for someone else.

      • should (verb)

        May; must; ought to.

      • sin (noun)

        An evil act; disobedience to God’s commandments.

      • slaughter (noun)

        Massacre; killing.

      • slay (verb)

        To kill.

      • sore (adjective)

        Painful; grievous.

      • sorrowful (adjective)

        Mournful; sad.

      • for the space of (adverb phrase)

        During; for the period of time of.

      • spare (verb)

        To treat with leniency; not to kill; to save.

      • speedily (adverb)

        Quickly.

      • strategem (noun)

        A trick or scheme; a plan for overcoming an enemy through deceit.

      • strength (noun)

        Force; power; vigor.

      • strengthen (verb)

        To make stronger; to increase in strength.

      • suffer (verb)

        To endure; to have something bad happen.

      • sufficiently (adverb)

        Enough.

      • sword (noun)

        A weapon with a long blade, similar to but longer than a knife.

      • tent (noun)

        Shelter made from skins or cloth, supported by poles, and secured by ropes; a temporary shelter for travelling.

      • that (conjunction)

        In order that; so that.

      • that (conjunction)

        Who.

      • therefore (adverb)

        For this reason.

      • thus (adverb)

        In this way.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • unto (preposition)

        For; to.

      • unto (preposition)

        Sufficient for; resulting in.

      • war (noun)

        Extended fight between large groups of people.

      • whatsoever (adjective)

        Whatever.

      • whosoever (pronoun)

        Whoever.

      • wickedness (noun)

        Evil; wrongdoing; disobedience to God’s commandments.

      • wilderness (noun)

        Land where few or no people live.

      • word (noun)

        Message; teachings.

      • word (noun)

        Teachings of the gospel.

      • yea (interjection, archaic)

        Indeed; yes. This is pronounced “yay.”