Alma 56:20-29

²⁰ They were commanded by Ammoron to maintain those cities which they had taken.  And thus ended the twenty and sixth year.  And in the commencement of the twenty and seventh year [65 B.C.] we had prepared our city and ourselves for defence. ²¹ Now we were desirous that the Lamanites should come upon us; for we were not desirous to make an attack upon them in their strongholds. ²² And it came to pass that we kept spies out round about, to watch the movements of the Lamanites, that they might not pass us by night nor by day to make an attack upon our other cities which were on the northward.

Alma 56:20 – 22 (Emphasis mine)

Ammoron had his armies “maintain those cities which they had taken.”  This decision was made after the 2,000 Stripling Warriors joining the army of Anitpus. 

Helaman(2) tells us that they “were desirous that the Lamanites should come upon us.”  They did not want to battle them in their strongholds.  Spies were used to keep track of their movements.  They wanted to make sure the Lamanite armies did not pass by without their knowledge to attack “other cities which were on the northward.”

John Clark looks at a possible geographic layout of the land.  “The Nephites kept spies out so the Lamanites would not pass them by night ‘to make an attack upon [their] other cities which were on the northward’ (Alma 56:22). The cities to the north were not strong enough to withstand the Lamanites (Alma 56:23).

a.    “Nephite fortifications were north of the Lamanite-controlled cities.

b.    “Lamanite strongholds probably were strung out east–west (the captured fortified line of the Nephites).

c.    “The Nephite fortifications were close enough together that they could watch their newly fortified line and protect the weaker settlements to the north.”[1]

²³ For we knew in those cities they were not sufficiently strong to meet them; therefore we were desirous, if they should pass by us, to fall upon them in their rear, and thus bring them up in the rear at the same time they were met in the front.  We supposed that we could overpower them; but behold, we were disappointed in this our desire. ²⁴ They durst not pass by us with their whole army, neither durst they with a part, lest they should not be sufficiently strong and they should fall. ²⁵ Neither durst they march down against the city of Zarahemla; neither durst they cross the head of Sidon, over to the city of Nephihah. ²⁶ And thus, with their forces, they were determined to maintain those cities which they had taken.

Alma 56:23 – 26 (Emphasis mine)

The cities “northward” were not strong enough to defend themselves against Lamanite attacks.  They needed to be protected.

The plans were, “if they should pass us by,” was to attack the rear of the army and at the front at the same time.  “[B]ut behold, we were disappointed in this desire.”

The Lamanites “durst not” use the entire army or even a part of the army.  They were concerned that they might be defeated. 

They couldn’t “march down against the city of Zarahemla.”  They “durst [not to] cross the head of the Sidon, over to the city of Nephihah.”  They had decided to defend and hold “those cities which they had taken.”  Hugh Nibley tells us “the result was a stalemate in which neither side dared move (Alma 56:23—26).”[2]

²⁷ And now it came to pass in the second month of this year, there was brought unto us many provisions from the fathers of those my two thousand sons.  ²⁸ And also there were sent two thousand men unto us from the land of Zarahemla.  And thus we were prepared with ten thousand men, and provisions for them, and also for their wives and their children. ²⁹ And the Lamanites, thus seeing our forces increase daily, and provisions arrive for our support, they began to be fearful, and began to sally forth, if it were possible to put an end to our receiving provisions and strength.

Alma 56:27 – 29 (Emphasis mine)

Provisions for the army were essential.  Early in the year, provisions were provided to the army by “the fathers of those my two thousand sons.  “Men as young as sixteen to twenty-five years old were eligible to participate in, and even lead, the armed forces (see Alma 43:17; Mormon 2:2). This would force the remaining population ‘to take over the jobs vacated by the national levy and to help the elders and women keep up their farms, workshops, and other enterprises.’ Those not called for military service provided material and moral support for the armies. Kin groups and local communities sponsoring military units in the field were expected to provide provisions when necessary (see Alma 56:27-28).”[3]

In addition to enough provisions to provide for the men, their wives, and their children, two thousand men were sent from Zarahemla to become a part of the army.  Antipus now had a fully provisioned, 10,000 man army.

The Lamanites, seeing the Nephite forces being replenished with supplies, food, and additional men, “began to be fearful.”  They attempted, “if it were possible to put an end to our receiving provisions and strength.”

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[1] Revisiting "A Key for Evaluating Nephite Geographies", John E. Clark, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed May 7, 2012.

[2] A Rigorous Test: Military History, Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed May 7, 2012.

[3] Nephite Captains and Armies, A. Brent Merrill, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed May 7, 2012.