Alma 56:1-57

Chapter 56

Helaman sends an epistle to Moroni recounting the state of the war with the Lamanites—Antipus and Helaman gain a great victory over the Lamanites—Helaman's two thousand stripling sons fight with miraculous power and none of them are slain. Verse 1, about 62 B.C.; verses 2–19, about 66 B.C.; and verses 20–57, about 65–64 B.C.

Moroni’s army has been having success in their campaign in their part of the land. Mormon now breaks into our narrative and takes us to another part of the war. Moroni received an epistle from Helaman, giving him an update in his part of the land. “And now it came to pass that Helaman did march at the head of his two thousand stripling soldiers, to the support of the people in the borders of the land on the south by the west sea” (Alma 53:22).

Helaman had taken his army towards the city of Judea to assist the appointed leader, Antipus, of that part of the land. When they arrived, Helaman combined his army with Antipus’s, significantly

Strengthening his army. He had not fared well in his battle with the Lamanites. He had suffered many casualties that had weakened his army. Antipus told Helaman the people mourned the loss of so many, but they had died for the cause of God and their liberty.

They did have many prisoners, all of which were Lamanite chief captains.

The Lamanites had taken of control of many lands and cities – land of Manti, the city of Manti, the city of Zeezrom, the city of Cumeni, and the city of Antiparah.

Helaman had come at a time when the people were discourage. They had fought hard and suffered greatly during the battles. They had not accomplished much. Still, they intended to conquer the Lamanite army or die trying.

Ammoron had ordered his army not to attack Helaman’s army nor take the city of Judea. His plan was to hold the cities they had won in battle.

Because of the Lamanite fortification of the cities, Helaman attempted to draw the Lamanites out of the cities to fight. Spies were sent to watch Lamanite movement so Helaman would know where they were going.

The Lamanites knew they couldn’t attack a Nephite city. This would expose their army and cities to Nephite attack. They stood a good chance of losing their cities. So, the forces of the Lamanites remained in the cities so as not to lose them to a Nephite attack.

During this time, provisions were sent to Helaman’s warriors by their parents. Two thousand men were also sent from Zarahemla. The Nephite army numbered 10,000. There were adequate provisions for the soldiers as well as their wives and children.

The Lamanites decided something must be done to stop the delivery of provisions and soldiers joining the army. They began to come out of their cities to attack to prevent the resupply of the Nephites.

Seeing the unease of the Lamanites, Antipus ordered Helaman to march towards Antiparah, attempting to appear as a resupply convoy. The purpose was to have the Lamanites attack Helaman’s army. General Moroni had used this strategy earlier. “And it came to pass that Moroni, having no hopes of meeting them upon fair grounds, therefore, he resolved upon a plan that he might decoy the Lamanites out of their strongholds” (Alma 52:21).

Helaman’s warriors marched towards Antiparah as if they had provisions while Antipus followed, waiting until Helaman approached Antiparah. Here there was where the strongest Lamanite army was stationed. Having been warned by their spies, the Lamanites pursued Helaman. Helaman continued to lead the Lamanites away from the city.

After they had travelled a distance away from the city, the Lamanites saw Antipus’s army was pursuing them. Seeing the Lamanites were closing on Helaman, Antipus increased the pace of his army. By night, Antipus had not caught up with the Lamanite army, and the Lamanites had not caught up with Helaman. The armies set up camp for the night.

By dawn, the Lamanites had continued their pursuit and were coming closer. Helaman’s army continued their march towards the wilderness. This continued until darkness had fallen. By morning, the Lamanites had almost caught up with Helaman, so his army fled. On the third day, the Lamanites ceased pursuit. Helaman did not know why.

Helaman spoke to his army. He explained he didn’t know why the Lamanites had stopped. He told them Antipus’s army may have caught up with them. He asked his army, “what say ye, my sons, will ye go against them to battle?” (Alma 56:44).

Showing great courage, the warriors agreed to join the battle. They proclaimed God was with them, and He would not allow them to fall. They were ready to fight with Antipus’s army.

They had never fought a battle before; nevertheless, all that mattered to them was to fight for the liberties of all Nephites. Because of their mother’s promise, they did not but that God would protect them and deliver them.

When they arrived, the battle had commenced. Because of the long march, Antipus’s army was weary and about to fall to the Lamanites. Antipus and many other leaders had fallen and the army was confused. Helaman and his warriors arrived and changed the course of the battle. There began a fierce battle. The Lamanites turned away from Antipus’s army and began attacking Helaman’s.

Antipus’s army took courage and began to attack the Lamanites from the rear. The Lamanites were forced to surrender, deliver their weapons, and become prisoners of war.

After the battle, Helaman asked for a count to identify the status of his army. To his great joy, not one of his warriors had perished in the battle.

The surviving part of Antipus’s army marched the prisoners to the land of Zarahemla. Helaman returned his army of warriors back to the city of Judea.