Alma 55:24-35

²⁴ Now behold, this was the desire of Moroni.  He took them prisoners of war, and took possession of the city, and caused that all the prisoners should be liberated, who were Nephites; and they did join the army of Moroni, and were a great strength to his army. ²⁵ And it came to pass that he did cause the Lamanites, whom he had taken prisoners, that they should commence a labor in strengthening the fortifications round about the city Gid.

²⁶ And it came to pass that when he had fortified the city Gid, according to his desires, he caused that his prisoners should be taken to the city Bountiful; and he also guarded that city with an exceedingly strong force. ²⁷ And it came to pass that they did, notwithstanding all the intrigues of the Lamanites, keep and protect all the prisoners whom they had taken, and also maintain all the ground and the advantage which they had retaken. ²⁸ And it came to pass that the Nephites began again to be victorious, and to reclaim their rights and their privileges.

Alma 55:24 – 28 (Emphasis mine)

The Lamanites surrendered and were taken as prisoners of war.  Moroni(1)’s army took the city of Gid and freed the Nephite prisoners.  He immediately had the prisoners began working to fortify Gid. 

Once Gid had been fortified, the prisoners were returned to the city Bountiful.  Moroni(1) “also guarded that city with an exceedingly strong force.”  The war continued and “the Nephites began again to be victorious, and to reclaim their rights and their privileges.”

²⁹ Many times did the Lamanites attempt to encircle them about by night, but in these attempts they did lose many prisoners. ³⁰ And many times did they attempt to administer of their wine to the Nephites, that they might destroy them with poison or with drunkenness.

³¹ But behold, the Nephites were not slow to remember the Lord their God in this their time of affliction.  They could not be taken in their snares; yea, they would not partake of their wine, save they had first given to some of the Lamanite prisoners. ³² And they were thus cautious that no poison should be administered among them; for if their wine would poison a Lamanite it would also poison a Nephite; and thus they did try all their liquors.

Alma 55:29 – 32 (Emphasis mine)

The Lamanites attempted to “encircle [the Nephites] about by night” but were unsuccessful.  They next tried to use wine to either poison them or get them drunk.  They apparently assumed that if it worked for the Nephites, it would work for them.

But it didn’t.  The Nephites had the Lamanite prisoners taste the wine before drinking.  If the prisoner had a bad reaction to the wine, they knew it wasn’t safe to drink.

What is meant by “wine” and “liquors” in the Book of Mormon?  Matthew Roper looks at that question.

“While the Book of Mormon mentions ‘wine,’ that New World beverage is never said to have been made of grapes. The Book of Mormon never claims that grapes were cultivated in the Americas, although grapes were known in the New World … Alcoholic beverages do not have to be made from grapes. ‘There is no reason why the term “wine” should not be retained to include the many varieties of liquor made by savage or semi-civilized races from the sap of trees. The latex of vegetable stems is sufficiently homologous with the juice of fruits, as that of the grape, to be classified with it in a genus [of beverages] distinct from fermented grain.’

“Various wines made from such things as bananas, pineapples, the palm, and balche were described by early Europeans in Mesoamerica. ‘About Mexico more than in any other part groweth that excellent tree called metl [maguey], which they plant and dress as they do their vines in Europe … From the root of this tree cometh a juice like unto syrup, which being sodden will become sugar. You may make of it wine [pulque] and vinegar. The Indians often become drunk with it.’ In one important study of the subject, La Barre found abundant evidence for the pre-Columbian knowledge and use of a surprising variety of these native American beverages. ‘There is ample evidence of the wide distribution both in North and in South America of native undistilled alcoholic liquors, or beers and wines.’ ”[1] (Emphasis mine)

³³ And now it came to pass that it was expedient for Moroni to make preparations to attack the city Morianton; for behold, the Lamanites had, by their labors, fortified the city Morianton until it had become an exceeding stronghold. ³⁴ And they were continually bringing new forces into that city, and also new supplies of provisions. ³⁵ And thus ended the twenty and ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.

Alma 55:33 – 35 (Emphasis mine)

While the Nephite’s situation improved, there was still a city that worried Moroni(1).  Morianton was still held by the Lamanites.  Not only did they still hold the city, it had been fortified by the Lamanites and it was being constantly supplies. 

Moroni(1) knew the location of his next attack had to be Morianton.

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[1] Unanswered Mormon Scholars, Matthew Roper, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed May 4, 2012.