Alma 55:1-35

Chapter 55

Moroni refuses to exchange prisoners—The Lamanite guards are enticed to become drunk, and the Nephite prisoners are freed—The city of Gid is taken without bloodshed. About 63–62 B.C.

Ammoron’s response angered Moroni further.  He knew he was lying making his claims.  “Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart” (Nehemiah 6:8). He knew Ammoron was like his brother.  “[T]hus Amalickiah, by his fraud, gained the hearts of the people” (Alma 47:30).

Moroni had given Ammoron his terms. He refused.  He had made his claims clear earlier.  “Behold, I am in my anger, and also my people; ye have sought to murder us, and we have only sought to defend ourselves.  But behold, if ye seek to destroy us more we will seek to destroy you; yea, and we will seek our land, the land of our first inheritance” (Alma 54:13).

Moroni knew where the Lamanites held the Nephite prisoners.  Since Ammoron refused his terms, he will attack them with all his strength until they sue for peace.  Moroni first looked for a Lamanite among his army.

Moroni found a former servant of the Lamanite king assassinated by Amalickiah who was named Laman.  He had Laman and a small group to go to the place where the prisoners were held.

Laman and his party left for the city of Gid where the prisoners were held.  When the guards saw Laman’s group, Laman called to them.  He told them he was a Lamanite and his group had escaped from the Nephites while they slept.  He had also stole Nephite wine and brought it with him.

The guards were pleased.  The guards asked for some of the wine as they were very tired.  Laman refused, telling them to keep the wine until they faced the Nephites in battle.  The guards asked again.  They reminded Laman they would receive their ration of wine during the battle. 

Laman gave in to their requests.  The guards enjoyed the wine; however, the wine was a strong wine, and the guards became quickly drunk. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1).  They eventually fell asleep.

Laman returned to General Moroni and told him what had happened and the state of the guards.  His plan was working.  He prepared his men and the marched to Gid.  They got weapons to the prisoners so they would be well armed.  Anyone who could use the weapons were armed, including women and children.

Throughout all the General’s efforts, there was quiet, and the guards did not wake up.

Once he had completed his task, the Lamanite guards were awakened.  They could all have been easily killed, but this was not General Moroni’s way.  He was not bloodthirsty.  His only desire was to prevent his people from being destroyed by the Lamanite army. 

The prisoners within the city were armed and were ready to possess the city within the wall.  Moroni took his army and surrounded the Lamanite army.

When the Lamanite woke up in the army, they founded themselves facing armed Nephites within the city and an army surrounding the city.  Their chief captains collected their arms and threw them down before General Moroni, pleading for mercy.

The Lamanites, having surrendered, were taken as prisoners.  He freed the Nephite prisoners, and many joined his army, strengthening it.  He then had the Lamanite prisoners fortify Gid.

Once Gid was fortified, General Moroni took the Lamanite prisoners to the city of Bountiful.  He left them there and placed a strong force to protect the city.

The Nephites continued the fight and were victorious.  They were able to return captives to freedom. 

Frequently, the Lamanites attempted to surround the Nephite army.  They also attempted to give the Nephites wine.  Some of the wine was poisoned in the hopes of weakening the army.  These attempts failed.

In spite of their suffering, The Nephites acknowledge the Lord’s hand in all things.  They were never fooled by the best efforts of the Lamanites. 

“But notwithstanding their riches, or their strength, or their prosperity, they were not lifted up in the pride of their eyes; neither were they slow to remember the Lord their God; but they did humble themselves exceedingly before him. Yea, they did remember how great things the Lord had done for them, that he had delivered them from death, and from bonds, and from prisons, and from all manner of afflictions and he had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies. And they did pray unto the Lord their God continually, insomuch that the Lord did bless them, according to his word, so that they did wax strong and prosper in the land” (Alma 62:49-51).

Whenever the Lamanites attempted to give them wine, they would first have a Lamanite prisoner drink it.  If it were poisoned, it would either harm or kill the prisoner. 

The General now turned his efforts to attack the city of Morianton.  The Lamanites had fortified the city and were continually strengthening the army and sending in supplies.

Thus ended the 29^th year of the reign of the judges (around 57 B.C.).