Chapter 58
Helaman, Gid, and
Teomner take the city of Manti by a stratagem—The Lamanites withdraw—The sons
of the people of Ammon are preserved as they stand fast in defense of their
liberty and faith. About 63–62 B.C.
Helaman turned his attention to the city of Manti. He
followed the Nephite tactic of attempting to confuse the enemy through using a
decoy. “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).
This attempt failed. They stayed in Manti and were too
numerous for Helaman’s army to attack.
Helaman decided it was more important to defend the land
they had taken and wait for reinforcements and supplies from Zarahemla. He sent
a group to the governor to brief him on what had been done by his warriors.
While the Nephites were waiting, the Lamanites were
receiving reinforcements and provisions. The Nephites were in a position where
they could do nothing. Things remained the same for months. They were also
running out of provisions.
Finally, provisions arrived. An additional 2,000 men arrived
to reinforce Helaman’s army.
They needed more provision than had been sent. Why more had
not been sent was not known. They feared the judgements of God may have come
upon the Nephites and the government had been overthrown.
Not knowing the state of the government, Helaman’s army
prayed fervently, asking God to strengthen them and deliver them out of the
hands of their enemies. They also prayed, asking God to support them so they
could hold on to the cities they held.
They received God’s assurance they would be delivered. He
also increased their faith and hope in Him and his actions. The warriors were
determine to defeat their enemies and maintain their lands and their freedoms.
The stripling warriors in the Book
of Mormon (see Alma 53; 56–58) prayed earnestly that God would strengthen and
deliver them out of the hands of their enemies. Interestingly, the answers to
these prayers did not produce additional weapons or an increased number of
troops. Instead, God granted these faithful warriors assurance that He would
deliver them, peace to their souls, and great faith and hope for their
deliverance in Him (see Alma 58:11). Thus, the sons of Helaman did take
courage, were fixed with a determination to conquer, and did go forth with all
of their might against the Lamanites (see Alma 58:12–13). Assurance, peace,
faith, and hope initially might not seem like the blessings warriors in battle
might want, but they were precisely the blessings these valiant young men
needed to press forward and prevail physically and spiritually.[1]
The army went forward at night and pitched tents on the wilderness
side of the city of Manti. In the morning, the Lamanites saw the army and sent
spies to learn the size and strength of the army.
They found Helaman’s army was not very strong (by numbers). They
were also concerned their city could be cutoff from future support. The
Lamanites decided they could easily defeat Helaman’s band of warriors, they prepared
to go to war. Helaman had Gid and Teomner take a small number of men and hid in
the wilderness. Gid was on the right and Teomner was on the left.
The Lamanite army came out of the city. They were far more
numerous than Helaman’s warriors. As they were about to attack Helaman’s
warriors, he ordered his men to retreat into the wilderness.
The Lamanites followed them into the wilderness. They passed
by Gid and Teomner without seeing them.
Once the Lamanites had passed, Gid and Teomner moved and cut
off Lamanites spies so they could not return to the city. They went into the
city and defeated the guards left behind to protect the city. When it was over,
Gid and Teomner controlled the city. Helaman marched his army towards
Zarahemla, leaving Gid and Teomner to hold the city.
Seeing Helaman’s army march towards Zarahemla, they became
concerned they were approaching a Nephite army. They retreated back into the
wilderness, going in the same direction from where they came. At nightfall, they
pitched their tents. The Lamanite chief captains assumed the Nephites were
weary from marching. They also believed this was the entire Nephite army, so
they weren’t concerned about Manti.
At night, Helaman had his army march towards the land of
Manti, taking a different route than they did earlier. When they arrived at the
city of Manti, the Lamanites were not there. Their evening march left them
behind. Helaman was able to take Manti without bloodshed.
The Lamanite armies returned to Manti. They were astonished
to learn Helaman’s army held the city. The armies retreated into the
wilderness. They left the area, but they took many women and children with
them.
The armies successfully took back cities the Lamanites had
held (The land of Manti, or the city of Manti, and the city of Zeezrom, and the
city of Cumeni, and the city of Antiparah” (Alma 56:14)).
While they were not successful at releasing all the prisoners,
many were freed and returned to their homes.
Even though the Nephites had a small army holding many
cities, they put their trust in God, knowing He would help them keep the lands
and cities which belonged to the Nephites.
Trusting the Lord is important. You won’t find a better set
of scriptures than in the Psalms.
“Blessed are all they that put their trust in him” (Psalms 2:12).
“And they that know thy name will
put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee”
(Psalms 9:10).
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the
name of the LORD our God” (Psalms 20:7).
“Trust in him at all times; ye
people, pour out your heart before him: God is
a refuge for us” (Psalms 62:8).
“The righteous shall be glad in the
LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory” (Psalms
64:10).
“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than
to put confidence in princes” (Psalms 118:8- 9).
“They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever” (Psalms 125:1).
Helaman again tells Moroni, he, as well as his warriors, don’t
understand why their needs aren’t being met by the government. He has no idea
if Moroni has had success or drawn away Lamanite forces from them. If so, they
don’t want to complain.
He speculates that might be a faction in the government that
refuses to support his troops.[2]
Regardless, he knows God’s will deliver them, in spite of their weaknesses, out
of the hands of their enemies. “But the LORD your God ye shall fear; and he
shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies” (2 Kings 17:39).
As the year ends, the Nephites had retaken their lands and
the Lamanites have fled to the land of Nephi.
Helaman finishes his report. His troops have suffered
numerous wounds. Yet, not one has perished in battle. They still stand strong,
fighting for their liberty and the liberty of their families. They are strong
in their faith, keeping the laws of God.
And here the epistle ends.
[2] “But
behold, there are those who do joy in your afflictions, yea, insomuch that they
have risen up in rebellion against me, and also those of my people who are freemen,
yea, and those who have risen up are exceedingly numerous” (Alma 61:3).
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