Mosiah 22:1-10

Chapter 22

Plans are made for the people to escape from Lamanite bondage—The Lamanites are made drunk—The people escape, return to Zarahemla, and become subject to King Mosiah. About 121–120 B.C.

1 AND now it came to pass that Ammon and king Limhi began to consult with the people how they should deliver themselves out of bondage; and even they did cause that all the people should gather themselves together; and this they did that they might have the voice of the people concerning the matter.

2 And it came to pass that they could find no way to deliver themselves out of bondage, except it were to take their women and children, and their flocks, and their herds, and their tents, and depart into the wilderness; for the Lamanites being so numerous, it was impossible for the people of Limhi to contend with them, thinking to deliver themselves out of bondage by the sword.

3 Now it came to pass that Gideon went forth and stood before the king, and said unto him: Now O king, thou hast hitherto hearkened unto my words many times when we have been contending with our brethren, the Lamanites.

4 And now O king, if thou hast not found me to be an unprofitable servant, or if thou hast hitherto listened to my words in any degree, and they have been of service to thee, even so I desire that thou wouldst listen to my words at this time, and I will be thy servant and deliver this people out of bondage.

5 And the king granted unto him that he might speak.  And Gideon said unto him:

6 Behold the back pass, through the back wall, on the back side of the city.  The Lamanites, or the guards of the Lamanites, by night are drunken; therefore let us send a proclamation among all this people that they gather together their flocks and herds, that they may drive them into the wilderness by night.

7 And I will go according to thy command and pay the last tribute of wine to the Lamanites, and they will be drunken; and we will pass through the secret pass on the left of their camp when they are drunken and asleep.

8 Thus we will depart with our women and our children, our flocks, and our herds into the wilderness; and we will travel around the land of Shilom.

9 And it came to pass that the king hearkened unto the words of Gideon.

10 And king Limhi caused that his people should gather their flocks together; and he sent the tribute of wine to the Lamanites; and he also sent more wine, as a present unto them; and they did drink freely of the wine which king Limhi did send unto them.

Mosiah 22:1-10

Ammon and King Limhi consulted with the people to determine how they would escape the Lamanite rule.  The people were brought together and gave their opinions concerning the matter.  “And it came to pass that when they had gathered themselves together that he spake unto them in this wise, saying: O ye, my people, lift up your heads and be comforted; for behold, the time is at hand, or is not far distant, when we shall no longer be in subjection to our enemies, notwithstanding our many strugglings, which have been in vain; yet I trust there remaineth an effectual struggle to be made” (Mosiah 7:18).

Apparently, fighting the Lamanites was considered and rejected.  The only option that might work was for all the people take their possessions, tents, flocks and herds and escape into the wilderness.

Among the Nephites even after cities were built, uncomfortable or insecure minorities could always flee into the wilderness with their tents … [E]ntire populations would depart into the wilderness and disappear (Mosiah 22:2). These people always seem to have tents at hand…^[1]

Gideon, a leader among Limhi’s people, went to the king.  He reminded Limhi he had listened to him in the past about dealing with the Lamanites.  “O king, if thou hast not found me to be an unprofitable servant,” or if you have listened to me in the past, then Limhi needed to listen to him now.  He said he would be able to deliver the people out of bondage.

Limhi allowed Gideon to speak to the people.  His plan dealt with the Lamanite guards.  “And the king of the Lamanites set guards round about the land, that he might keep the people of Limhi in the land, that they might not depart into the wilderness; and he did support his guards out of the tribute which he did receive from the Nephites” (Mosiah 19:28).

He proposed they should get the guards drunk and they would be able to escape in the night.  He asked for a proclamation telling the people to gather everything together.  They were going to leave.

Gideon volunteered to deliver the tribute of wine to the guards.  They would drink it and become drunk and fall asleep.  This will allow the people of Limhi to escape with all their possessions.  King Limhi agreed.

The wine was sent to the guards, and they assisted the escape by consuming the wine and becoming drunk.

Here we see a different form of escape.  Frequently, the Lord assists in the escape from bondage.  He does so in the case of Alma1 and his people, as we will see.  Yet, here we do not see a miraculous escape.  We see a simple plan by a man and no divine intervention seems to occur.  A unique case in the Book of Mormon, indeed.

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[1] The Nature of Book of Mormon Society, Hugh Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed November 18, 2014.