Alma’S People Escape to Zarahemla

Event 66

Reference: Mosiah 23:20-39; 24:1-25

And it came to pass that they did multiply and prosperexceedingly in the land of Helam; and they built a city,which they called the city of Helam. 21 Nevertheless theLord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth theirpatience and their faith. 22 Nevertheless—whosoeverputteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the lastday. Yea, and thus it was with this people. 23 For behold, Iwill show unto you that they were brought into bondage,and none could deliver them but the Lord their God, yea,even the God of Abraham and Isaac and of Jacob.MormonLand of Helam280 to 121 B.C.24 And it came to pass that he did deliver them, and he didshow forth his mighty power unto them, and great weretheir rejoicings.25 For behold, it came to pass that while they were in theland of Helam, yea, in the city of Helam, while tilling theland round about, behold an army of the Lamanites was inthe borders of the land.Near city ofHelam26 Now it came to pass that the brethren of Alma fled fromtheir fields, and gathered themselves together in the city ofHelam; and they were much frightened because of theappearance of the Lamanites. 27 But Alma went forth andstood among them, and exhorted them that they should notbe frightened, but that they should remember the Lord theirGod and he would deliver them. 28 Therefore they hushedtheir fears, and began to cry unto the Lord that he wouldsoften the hearts of the Lamanites, that they would sparethem, and their wives, and their children.City of Helam29 And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the hearts ofthe Lamanites. And Alma and his brethren went forth anddelivered themselves up into their hands; and the Lamanitestook possession of the land of Helam.30 Now the armies of the Lamanites, which had followedafter the people of king Limhi, had been lost in thewilderness for many days.Wilderness31 And behold, they had found those priests of king Noah,in a place which they called Amulon; and they had begun toLand of Amulon possess the land of Amulon and had begun to till theground. 32 Now the name of the leader of those priests wasAmulon.MormonLand of Amulon280 to 121 B.C.33 And it came to pass that Amulon did plead with theLamanites; and he also sent forth their wives, who were thedaughters of the Lamanites, to plead with their brethren,that they should not destroy their husbands. 34 And theLamanites had compassion on Amulon and his brethren,and did not destroy them, because of their wives.35 And Amulon and his brethren did join the Lamanites, andthey were traveling in the wilderness in search of the landof Nephi when they discovered the land of Helam, whichwas possessed by Alma and his brethren.Land of Helam36 And it came to pass that the Lamanites promised untoAlma and his brethren, that if they would show them theway which led to the land of Nephi that they would grantunto them their lives and their liberty. 37 But after Alma hadshown them the way that led to the land of Nephi theLamanites would not keep their promise; but they setguards round about the land of Helam, over Alma and hisbrethren. 38 And the remainder of them went to the land ofNephi; and a part of them returned to the land of Helam,and also brought with them the wives and the children ofthe guards who had been left in the land. 39 And the king ofthe Lamanites had granted unto Amulon that he should be aking and a ruler over his people, who were in the land ofHelam; nevertheless he should have no power to doanything contrary to the will of the king of the Lamanites.1 AND it came to pass that Amulon did gain favor in theeyes of the king of the Lamanites; therefore, the king of theLamanites granted unto him and his brethren that theyshould be appointed teachers over his people, yea, evenover the people who were in the land of Shemlon, and inthe land of Shilom, and in the land of Amulon. 2 For theLamanites had taken possession of all these lands;therefore, the king of the Lamanites had appointed kingsover all these lands. 3 And now the name of the king of theLamanites was Laman, being called after the name of hisfather; and therefore he was called king Laman. And he wasking over a numerous people. 4 And he appointed teachersof the brethren of Amulon in every land which waspossessed by his people; and thus the language of Nephibegan to be taught among all the people of the Lamanites. 5Land of Nephi And they were a people friendly one with another;nevertheless they knew not God; neither did the brethren ofAmulon teach them anything concerning the Lord theirGod, neither the law of Moses; nor did they teach them thewords of Abinadi; 6 But they taught them that they shouldkeep their record, and that they might write one to another.7 And thus the Lamanites began to increase in riches, andbegan to trade one with another and wax great, and began tobe a cunning and a wise people, as to the wisdom of theworld, yea, a very cunning people, delighting in all mannerof wickedness and plunder, except it were among their ownbrethren.MormonLand of Nephi280 to 121 B.C.8 And now it came to pass that Amulon began to exerciseauthority over Alma and his brethren, and began topersecute him, and cause that his children should persecutetheir children. 9 For Amulon knew Alma, that he had beenone of the king’s priests, and that it was he that believed thewords of Abinadi and was driven out before the king, andtherefore he was wroth with him; for he was subject to kingLaman, yet he exercised authority over them, and put tasksupon them, and put task-masters over them.Land of Helam10 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictionsthat they began to cry mightily to God. 11 And Amuloncommanded them that they should stop their cries; and heput guards over them to watch them, that whosoever shouldbe found calling upon God should be put to death. 12 AndAlma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lordtheir God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he didknow the thoughts of their hearts.13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came tothem in their afflictions, saying:Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of thecovenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant withmy people and deliver them out of bondage. 14 And I will alsoease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even youcannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage;and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter,and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit mypeople in their afflictions.The Lord15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laidupon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the LordMormon did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdenswith ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patienceto all the will of the Lord.MormonLand of Helam280 to 121 B.C.16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and theirpatience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again,saying:121 B.C.Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out ofbondage.The Lord17 And he said unto Alma:MormonThou shalt go before this people, and I will go with thee anddeliver this people out of bondage.The Lord18 Now it came to pass that Alma and his people in thenight-time gathered their flocks together, and also of theirgrain; yea, even all the night-time were they gathering theirflocks together. 19 And in the morning the Lord caused adeep sleep to come upon the Lamanites, yea, and all theirtask-masters were in a profound sleep.Mormon20 And Alma and his people departed into the wilderness;and when they had traveled all day they pitched their tentsin a valley, and they called the valley Alma, because he ledtheir way in the wilderness.Wilderness21 Yea, and in the valley of Alma they poured out theirthanks to God because he had been merciful unto them, andeased their burdens, and had delivered them out of bondage;for they were in bondage, and none could deliver themexcept it were the Lord their God. 22 And they gave thanksto God, yea, all their men and all their women and all theirchildren that could speak lifted their voices in the praises oftheir God. 23 And now the Lord said unto Alma:Valley of AlmaHaste thee and get thou and this people out of this land, for theLamanites have awakened and do pursue thee; therefore get theeout of this land, and I will stop the Lamanites in this valley thatthey come no further in pursuit of this people.The Lord24 And it came to pass that they departed out of the valley,and took their journey into the wilderness. 25 And after theyhad been in the wilderness twelve days they arrived in theland of Zarahemla; and king Mosiah did also receive themwith joy.MormonWilderness