Alma 56:30-46

³⁰ Now when we saw that the Lamanites began to grow uneasy on this wise, we were desirous to bring a stratagem into effect upon them; therefore Antipus ordered that I should march forth with my little sons to a neighboring city, as if we were carrying provisions to a neighboring city. ³¹ And we were to march near the city of Antiparah, as if we were going to the city beyond, in the borders by the seashore. ³² And it came to pass that we did march forth, as if with our provisions, to go to that city.

³³ And it came to pass that Antipus did march forth with a part of his army, leaving the remainder to maintain the city.  But he did not march forth until I had gone forth with my little army, and came near the city Antiparah.

Alma 56:30 – 33 (Emphasis mine)

Having received supplies and 4,000 additional men, Antipus decided to “bring a stratagem into effect.”  He ordered Helaman(2) to march towards a neighboring city, “as if we were carrying provisions” to that city.  They marched near the city of Antiparah “as if [they] were going to the city beyond, in the borders of the seashore.”

Once Helaman(2) came near the city of Antiparah, Antipus bean to “march forth with a part of his army, leaving the remainder to maintain the city.”

³⁴ And now, in the city Antiparah were stationed the strongest army of the Lamanites; yea, the most numerous. ³⁵ And it came to pass that when they had been informed by their spies, they came forth with their army and marched against us. ³⁶ And it came to pass that we did flee before them, northward.  And thus we did lead away the most powerful army of the Lamanites; ³⁷ Yea, even to a considerable distance, insomuch that when they saw the army of Antipus pursuing them, with their might, they did not turn to the right nor to the left, but pursued their march in a straight course after us; and, as we suppose, it was their intent to slay us before Antipus should overtake them, and this that they might not be surrounded by our people.

Alma 56:34 – 37 (Emphasis mine)

The Lamanites strongest army was station in Antiparah.  When their spies told them about Helaman(2)’s army’s movements, they army began to march against them.  They fled northward, drawing the army after them. 

Antipus’s army began to follow the Lamanites.  The Lamanites wanted to defeat Helaman(2)’s army before Antipus’s army caught up with them.  The last thing they wanted was to meet Helaman(2) from the front and Antipus from the rear.

³⁸ And now Antipus, beholding our danger, did speed the march of his army.  But behold, it was night; therefore they did not overtake us, neither did Antipus overtake them; therefore we did camp for the night. ³⁹ And it came to pass that before the dawn of the morning, behold, the Lamanites were pursuing us.  Now we were not sufficiently strong to contend with them; yea, I would not suffer that my little sons should fall into their hands; therefore we did continue our march, and we took our march into the wilderness. ⁴⁰ Now they durst not turn to the right nor to the left lest they should be surrounded; neither would I turn to the right nor to the left lest they should overtake me, and we could not stand against them, but be slain, and they would make their escape; and thus we did flee all that day into the wilderness, even until it was dark. ⁴¹ And it came to pass that again, when the light of the morning came we saw the Lamanites upon us, and we did flee before them.

Alma 56:38 – 41 (Emphasis mine)

Helaman(2)’s army is in trouble.  They “were not sufficiently strong to contend with them.”  They continued their march.  They stopped and camped in the night, but “saw the Lamanites upon us, and we did flee before them.”

Meanwhile, Antipus “did speed the march of his army” in order to catch up with the Lamanites.

⁴² But it came to pass that they did not pursue us far before they halted; and it was in the morning of the third day of the seventh month. ⁴³ And now, whether they were overtaken by Antipus we knew not, but I said unto my men: Behold, we know not but they have halted for the purpose that we should come against them, that they might catch us in their snare; ⁴⁴ Therefore what say ye, my sons, will ye go against them to battle?

⁴⁵ And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never had I seen so great courage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites. ⁴⁶ For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus.

Alma 56:42 – 46 (Emphasis mine)

The Lamanite army stopped following Helaman(2)’s warriors.  Why?  Helaman(2) wrote, “whether they were overtaken by Antipus we knew not.”  What should they do?

One possibility was that “they have halted for the purpose that we should come against them, that they might catch us in their snare.” Helaman(2) asked his warriors.  “My sons, will ye go against them to battle?” 

This meant facing an army much stronger than they were.  It might lead to their deaths.  But, their faith was more powerful than any fear they might face. “God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus.”

Armed with their faith and trust God “will not suffer that we should fall,” Helaman(2)’s warriors turned around and returned to reinforce Antipus.