Lamanite Sons Join Helaman’S Army

Event 118

Reference: Alma 53:7-23

And it came to pass that he did no more attempt a battlewith the Lamanites in that year, but he did employ his menin preparing for war, yea, and in making fortifications toguard against the Lamanites, yea, and also delivering theirwomen and their children from famine and affliction, andproviding food for their armies.MormonNephite landsnear land ofZarahemla64 B.C.8 And now it came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites,on the west sea, south, while in the absence of Moroni onaccount of some intrigue amongst the Nephites, whichcaused dissensions amongst them, had gained some groundover the Nephites, yea, insomuch that they had obtainedpossession of a number of their cities in that part of theland. 9 And thus because of iniquity amongst themselves,yea, because of dissensions and intrigue among themselvesthey were placed in the most dangerous circumstances.Cities southwestof land ofZarahemla10 And now behold, I have somewhat to say concerning thepeople of Ammon, who, in the beginning, were Lamanites;but by Ammon and his brethren, or rather by the power andword of God, they had been converted unto the Lord; andthey had been brought down into the land of Zarahemla,and had ever since been protected by the Nephites. 11 Andbecause of their oath they had been kept from taking uparms against their brethren; for they had taken an oath thatthey never would shed blood more; and according to theiroath they would have perished; yea, they would havesuffered themselves to have fallen into the hands of theirbrethren, had it not been for the pity and the exceeding lovewhich Ammon and his brethren had had for them. 12 Andfor this cause they were brought down into the land ofZarahemla; and they ever had been protected by theNephites.Land ofZarahemla13 But it came to pass that when they saw the danger, andthe many afflictions and tribulations which the Nephitesbore for them, they were moved with compassion and weredesirous to take up arms in the defence of their country. 14But behold, as they were about to take their weapons ofwar, they were overpowered by the persuasions of Helamanand his brethren, for they were about to break the oathwhich they had made. 15 And Helaman feared lest by so doing they should lose their souls; therefore all those whohad entered into this covenant were compelled to beholdtheir brethren wade through their afflictions, in theirdangerous circumstances at this time.MormonLand ofZarahemla64 B.C.16 But behold, it came to pass they had many sons, who hadnot entered into a covenant that they would not take theirweapons of war to defend themselves against their enemies;therefore they did assemble themselves together at thistime, as many as were able to take up arms, and they calledthemselves Nephites. 17 And they entered into a covenant tofight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the landunto the laying down of their lives; yea, even theycovenanted that they never would give up their liberty, butthey would fight in all cases to protect the Nephites andthemselves from bondage.18 Now behold, there were two thousand of those youngmen, who entered into this covenant and took their weaponsof war to defend their country. 19 And now behold, as theynever had hitherto been a disadvantage to the Nephites, theybecame now at this period of time also a great support; forthey took their weapons of war, and they would thatHelaman should be their leader. 20 And they were all youngmen, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, andalso for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoeverthing they were entrusted. 21 Yea, they were men of truthand soberness, for they had been taught to keep thecommandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.22 And now it came to pass that Helaman did march at thehead of his two thousand stripling soldiers, to the support ofthe people in the borders of the land on the south by thewest sea. 23 And thus ended the twenty and eighth year ofthe reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.Southwest of theland of Zarahemlanear the west sea