Alma 53:6 - 53:10

Alma 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.

Thus far the Nephites under the great leadership of Moroni had just defeated the greatest army of the Lamanites, recaptured the city of Mulek which was one of the strongest fortified cities of the Nephites and had constructed using the Lamanite prisoners of war a compound to hold them all.

Alma 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.

The rest of the year was spent by Moroni in upgrading his men’s combat training and accumulating more supplies for upcoming battles he knew were sure to come. In addition, he was also accumulating supplies for the Nephites civilians that had been displaced by the Lamanites.

Alma 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.

However, as Moroni was away helping Teancum and Lehi regain Mulek and defeating Jacob’s forces, the Lamanite had continued their aggression in the area on the west sea side. Some gains had been made by them because of the stupidity of some Nephites dissenters. The contentions among the Nephites had led to the Lamanites taking more cities in the area.

Alma 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.

So it was the Nephites themselves who were their worst enemies. Dissentions and squabbling had made them easier conquest for the Lamanites and as a result, the Nephites once again lost more strongholds and territory to the Lamanites.

Alma 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.

Mormon now wants to describe the reactions to the dangers the Nephites faced by the people of Ammon. These were the Lamanites that had taken an oath never to take up arms again against anyone for any reason and had been brought down to Zarahemla for their own protection.

Alma 53:1 - 53:5

Alma 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.

The Lamanite prisoners were now put to work. They were forced to bury not only their own dead but the dead of the Nephites. Guards were put over them to see that they did what was commanded of them but to keep them from escaping.

Alma 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.

Moroni and Lehi’s armies joined up went to the city of Mulek and put it under tighter control. As they were on their way to Mulek, Moroni and Lehi were able to share their experiences as they had been fighting in different parts of Nephite territory and were not able to communicate easily. But together, at least for a while, they rejoiced that each had been spared. These two men were highly revered by their men and by the Nephites as a whole. Lehi was the same kind of man as was Moroni.

Alma 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.

After all the burials had been done, the Lamanite prisoners were put under the command of Teancum and then marched to Bountiful where they were put to work digging a ditch around the city.

Alma 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.

Around the inner rim of the ditch a bulwark of timbers around the city was erected. Against these timbers was the dirt from the ditch throw against. Bountiful was now surrounded by a very high wall of dirt and a deep ditch.

Alma 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.

The city was now a very great stronghold and the enclosure was now used to keep the Lamanite POWs locked up and Moroni had forced the Lamanites to build their own prison. Moroni had the Lamanites work as it was easier to guard them with fewer men while they labored. Moroni needed all the men he could get to fight the Lamanites.

Alma 52:36 - 52:40

Alma 52: 36 And Lehi pressed upon their rear with such fury with his strong men, that the Lamanites in the rear delivered up their weapons of war; and the remainder of them, being much confused, knew not whither to go or to strike.

Meanwhile Lehi’s fighters were attacking the Lamanite rear with such fury that they surrendered and laid down their weapons. What was left of the Lamanites were now not sure which way to attack.

Alma 52: 37 Now Moroni seeing their confusion, he said unto them: If ye will bring forth your weapons of war and deliver them up, behold we will forbear shedding your blood.

Moroni sensed their confusion and offered to spare their lives if they would surrender.

Alma 52: 38 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites had heard these words, their chief captains, all those who were not slain, came forth and threw down their weapons of war at the feet of Moroni, and also commanded their men that they should do the same.

The surviving leadership of the Lamanites did give up their weapons and commanded their men to do so.

Alma 52: 39 But behold, there were many that would not; and those who would not deliver up their swords were taken and bound, and their weapons of war were taken from them, and they were compelled to march with their brethren forth into the land Bountiful.

However, there were many how would not give up their weapons and they were taken from them. All the Lamanites were then marched towards Bountiful.

Alma 52: 40 And now the number of prisoners who were taken exceeded more than the number of those who had been slain, yea, more than those who had been slain on both sides.

The number of Lamanite prisoners exceeded the number of those who were killed on both sides.

Alma 52:31 - 52:35

Alma 52: 31 And it came to pass that before the Lamanites had retreated far they were surrounded by the Nephites, by the men of Moroni on one hand, and the men of Lehi on the other, all of whom were fresh and full of strength; but the Lamanites were wearied because of their long march.

As the Lamanites began their return march to Mulek, they now found themselves hemmed in by Moroni’s army ahead of them and Lehi’s army coming up on their rear. The Lamanites were very tired from chasing Teancum while Moroni’s and Lehi’s men were rested and ready to fight.

Alma 52: 32 And Moroni commanded his men that they should fall upon them until they had given up their weapons of war.

Moroni commenced to attack the Lamanites to prevent them from returning to Mulek.

Alma 52: 33 And it came to pass that Jacob, being their leader, being also a Zoramite, and having an unconquerable spirit, he led the Lamanites forth to battle with exceeding fury against Moroni.

Jacob the leader of the Lamanites and a Zoramite fought back with real determination.

Alma 52: 34 Moroni being in their course of march, therefore Jacob was determined to slay them and cut his way through to the city of Mulek. But behold, Moroni and his men were more powerful; therefore they did not give way before the Lamanites.

Since Moroni’s army stood between Lamanites and their stronghold of Mulek, fought with great passion trying desperately to return to their stronghold at Mulek.

Alma 52: 35 And it came to pass that they fought on both hands with exceeding fury; and there were many slain on both sides; yea, and Moroni was wounded and Jacob was killed.

The battle was so intense that many were killed on both sides. Moroni was wounded and Jacob was killed.

Alma 52:26 - 52:30

Alma 52: 26 And thus Moroni had obtained possession of the city Mulek with a part of his army, while he marched with the remainder to meet the Lamanites when they should return from the pursuit of Teancum.

With the city of Mulek now in Nephite hands, Moroni left a few men to maintain the garrison in case the Lamanites returned and marched with his army towards the Lamanites who were pursuing Teancum.

Alma 52: 27 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did pursue Teancum until they came near the city Bountiful, and then they were met by Lehi and a small army, which had been left to protect the city Bountiful.

The Lamanites did chase Teancum until they came into the vicinity of the city of Bountiful. There they met the army of Lehi who had been charged with keeping the city out of Lamanite hands

Alma 52: 28 And now behold, when the chief captains of the Lamanites had beheld Lehi with his army coming against them, they fled in much confusion, lest perhaps they should not obtain the city Mulek before Lehi should overtake them; for they were wearied because of their march, and the men of Lehi were fresh.

The Lamanites now saw the army of Lehi coming to stopped them in their pursuit of Teancum. This brought fear to the Lamanites and they began to flee in confusion back towards the city of Mulek. They were fearful that they would not get back to their stronghold before Lehi and Teancum caught up with them. by this time the Lamanites were very tired because of their strenuous pursuit of Teancum whereas Lehi was fresh and ready to fight.

Alma 52: 29 Now the Lamanites did not know that Moroni had been in their rear with his army; and all they feared was Lehi and his men.

Of course, the Lamanites did not know that Moroni had captured Mulek and all they feared with Lehi and his army.

Alma 52: 30 Now Lehi was not desirous to overtake them till they should meet Moroni and his army.

Now Lehi did not pursue the Lamanites enough to catch them just yet. They wanted them to meet Moroni and his army coming up to their rear first and then Lehi would attack.

Alma 52:21 - 52:25

Alma 52: 21 And it came to pass that Moroni, having no hopes of meeting them upon fair grounds, therefore, he resolved upon a plan that he might decoy the Lamanites out of their strongholds.

With the refusal of the entrenched Lamanites in Mulek to come out and fight on level ground, Moroni came up with a way to lure them out of the town.

Alma 52: 22 Therefore he caused that Teancum should take a small number of men and march down near the seashore; and Moroni and his army, by night, marched in the wilderness, on the west of the city Mulek; and thus, on the morrow, when the guards of the Lamanites had discovered Teancum, they ran and told it unto Jacob, their leader.

Teancum was ordered to march with a small force near the seashore in sight of Mulek the next morning. Moroni, on the other hand, with the remainder of both armies, march through the night in wilderness unseen to the west side of Mulek. In the morning a century on the city walls saw Teancum’s movements and reported them to Jacob the Lamanite commander.

Alma 52: 23 And it came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites did march forth against Teancum, supposing by their numbers to overpower Teancum because of the smallness of his numbers. And as Teancum saw the armies of the Lamanites coming out against him he began to retreat down by the seashore, northward.

The Lamanites seeing the small force of Teancum came out of the city to attach and destroy Teancum. The Lamanites thought they could wipe out this small force of Nephites and then get back to Mulek quickly. However, Teancum saw the attacking Lamanites he had his men move with all speed northward by the seashore.

Alma 52: 24 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that he began to flee, they took courage and pursued them with vigor. And while Teancum was thus leading away the Lamanites who were pursuing them in vain, behold, Moroni commanded that a part of his army who were with him should march forth into the city, and take possession of it.

When the Lamanites saw Teancum starting to run away, they took out after them. However, they could not catch Teancum. What the Lamanites did not know was that the Moroni had sent part of his force to take Mulek from the small garrison that was left in charge of Mulek and the rest were coming up on the Lamanite rear.

Alma 52: 25 And thus they did, and slew all those who had been left to protect the city, yea, all those who would not yield up their weapons of war.

The Nephites took the city and killed all the Lamanites who resisted.

Alma 52:16 - 52:20

Alma 52: 16 And it came to pass that Teancum had received orders to make an attack upon the city of Mulek, and retake it if it were possible.

Moroni also issued Teancum to try and retake Mulek if possible.

Alma 52: 17 And it came to pass that Teancum made preparations to make an attack upon the city of Mulek, and march forth with his army against the Lamanites; but he saw that it was impossible that he could overpower them while they were in their fortifications; therefore he abandoned his designs and returned again to the city Bountiful, to wait for the coming of Moroni, that he might receive strength to his army.

Teancum came up with a strategy to retake Mulek but with further assessment he thought it was not possible with the numbers of men he had and give up the effort. He would wait until he was reinforced by Moroni.

Alma 52: 18 And it came to pass that Moroni did arrive with his army at the land of Bountiful, in the latter end of the twenty and seventh year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.

In the end of the 27 year, Moroni does arrive with his forces to meet up with Teancum.

Alma 52: 19 And in the commencement of the twenty and eighth year, Moroni and Teancum and many of the chief captains held a council of war—what they should do to cause the Lamanites to come out against them to battle; or that they might by some means flatter them out of their strongholds, that they might gain advantage over them and take again the city of Mulek.

As the 28th year begins, a council of war was held. The subject was how do the Nephites get the Lamanites to come out of their fortified positions to engage in combat. Moroni knew they could defeat the Lamanites in battle but they would not come out to fight.

Alma 52: 20 And it came to pass they sent embassies to the army of the Lamanites, which protected the city of Mulek, to their leader, whose name was Jacob, desiring him that he would come out with his armies to meet them upon the plains between the two cities. But behold, Jacob, who was a Zoramite, would not come out with his army to meet them upon the plains.

Moroni sent representatives to the Lamanite commander of Mulek who name was Jacob. Moroni asked him to send out his army to fight the Nephites on the flat country just outside the city walls. However Jacob, who was a Zoramite, would not come out to fight.