Chapter 57
Helaman recounts the
taking of Antiparah and the surrender and later the defense of Cumeni—His
Ammonite striplings fight valiantly and all are wounded, but none are slain—Gid
reports the slaying and the escape of the Lamanite prisoners. About 63 B.C.
1 AND now it came to pass that I received an epistle from
Ammoron, the king, stating that if I would deliver up those prisoners of war
whom we had taken that he would deliver up the city of Antiparah unto us.
2
But I sent an epistle unto the king, that we were sure our forces were sufficient to
take the city of Antiparah by our force; and by delivering up the prisoners for
that city we should suppose ourselves unwise, and that we would only
deliver up our prisoners on exchange. 3 And Ammoron refused
mine epistle, for he would not exchange prisoners; therefore we began to make
preparations to go against the city of Antiparah.
4 But the people of Antiparah did leave the city,
and fled to their other cities, which they had possession of, to
fortify them; and thus the city of Antiparah fell into our hands. 5
And thus ended the twenty and eighth year of the reign of the judges.
Alma 57:1 – 5 (Emphasis mine)
Ammoron sent Helaman(2) an epistle with a proposal. If he would exchange prisoners, he would
surrender the city of Antiparah.
Helaman(2) responded that he was sure that they could take
Antiparah. There was no advantage to
agreeing to his terms. He responded that
it would be “unwise” to agree with his terms.
Ammoron “refused [Helaman(2)’s] epistle.”
He began to prepare to take the city. In response, the people fled the city to
other cities. Without a battle, he took
Antiparah.
Hugh Nibley writes:
“When he saw that he would not be able to hold the city of
Antiparah, the sly Ammoron approached Helaman with an offer to give the
Nephites the city in exchange for all their prisoners; but Helaman would have
no part of that—it would have to be on a prisoner-for-prisoner basis; so
Ammoron called it off, and the Nephites took Antiparah without pains, the
inhabitants having fled to Lamanite country (Alma 57:1—4). The success at
Antiparah was rewarded by strong reinforcements from the capital; with these
Helaman blockaded the city of Cumeni,”[1]
6 And it came to pass that in the commencement of
the twenty and ninth year [63 B.C.], we received a supply of provisions, and also
an addition to our army, from the land of Zarahemla, and from the land round
about, to the number of six thousand men, besides sixty of the sons of the
Ammonites who had come to join their brethren, my little band of two
thousand. And now behold, we were
strong, yea, and we had also plenty of provisions brought unto us. 7
And it came to pass that it was our desire to wage a battle with the
army which was placed to protect the city Cumeni. 8 And now
behold, I will show unto you that we soon accomplished our desire; yea,
with our strong force, or with a part of our strong force, we did surround, by
night, the city Cumeni, a little before they were to receive a supply of
provisions.
Alma 57:6 – 8 (Emphasis mine)
Helaman(2)’s army received supplies and reinforcements. Over 6,000 men joined the army. The army is ready to continue taking the
battle to the Lamanites.
It was decided to attach the Lamanites at the city of
Cumeni. Helaman(2) tells us that they
will succeed and that he will “show unto you that we soon accomplished our
desire.”
9 And it came to pass that we did camp round about
the city for many nights; but we did sleep upon our swords, and keep guards,
that the Lamanites could not come upon us by night and slay us, which they
attempted many times; but as many times as they attempted this their blood was
spilt. 10 At length their provisions did arrive, and they were
about to enter the city by night. And
we, instead of being Lamanites, were Nephites; therefore, we did take them and
their provisions. 11 And notwithstanding
the Lamanites being cut off from their support after this manner, they
were still determined to maintain the city; therefore it became expedient that
we should take those provisions and send them to Judea, and our prisoners to
the land of Zarahemla.
Alma 57:9 – 11 (Emphasis mine)
They surrounded the city.
The Lamanites tried to attack at night, but they were easily rappelled. When provisions arrived, Helaman(2) was able
to confiscate them and the Lamanites who were bringing them.
The provisions were sent to Judea and to the prisoners being
held in the land of Zarahemla.
[1] A
Rigorous Test: Military History, Hugh Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell
Institute, accessed May 10, 2012.
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