Alma 52:21-40

Failing to coax the Lamanites out of their fortified city, Moroni needed to come up with a new strategy.  He would decoy the Lamanites out of their strongholds.

He had Teancum take a small number men down ear the seashore.  Moroni and his army marched west of the city of Mulek. The next morning, the Lamanite guards found Teancum and his soldiers.  They ran and told their leader, Jacob.

Jacob had the Lamanite armies move against Teancum.  He felt he had the advantage as Teancum had few soldiers.  Teancum, seeing the army, retreated northward along the seashore.

Seeing Teancum’s soldiers flee before the Lamanite army, they became confident and continued to purse him.  While this was going on, Moroni ordered the army with him to take the city.  The few who were left behind could not withstand Moroni’s attack.  All who refused to give up their arms were executed.  In the past, Moroni had made that offer to the Lamanite leader Zerahemnah – give up your arms or die.  “… I command you by all the desires which ye have for life, that ye deliver up your weapons of war unto us, and we will seek not your blood, but we will spare your lives, if ye will go your way and come not again to war against us” (Alma 44:6).

Having taken possession of the city of Mulek, Moroni marched a part of his army to meet the Lamanites who had pursued Teancum and his soldiers.

While the Lamanite army was pursuing Teancum, they saw Lehi with his army coming towards them.  The army fled in confusion.  They were tired from their march and were facing a rested army.

They thought they were safe, not knowing they were fleeing right towards Moroni’s army.  Lehi did not move to overtake the fleeing Lamanites.  They would meet when the Lamanites met Moroni’s army.

Instead of safety, the Lamanites found themselves surrounded by the armies of Moroni and Lehi.  The Nephite armies were relaxed and at full strength. The Lamanites, on the other hand, were tired from their march.  Moroni gave the command to attack the Lamanites until they agreed to give up their weapons.

Jacob, the Lamanite leader and Nephite dissenter, ordered the army to attack Moroni’s army with full force. Jacob’s intent was to slay Moroni and his army and retake the city of Mulek.

Unfortunately for the Lamanites, the Nephites withstood Jacob’s attack.  Many on both sides died.  Moroni was wounded and Jacob was killed.

Lehi’s army also fought the Lamanite army.  The Lamanites battling Lehi’s army eventually surrendered and delivered their weapons of war to Lehi.  The remainder of the army became confused, not knowing where to go or where to fight.

Finally, the Lamanite chief captains threw their weapons at the feet of Moroni and commanded the remainder of the army to also surrender and give up their weapons. Many Lamanites refused to follow the commands of their chief captains.  The Nephite army confiscated their weapons and they became prisoners of war.  The number of prisoners exceeded the number of those who had died on both sides.