AlmaChapter56

And now it came to pass in the commencement of the thirtieth year of the reign of the judges, on the second day in the first month, Moroni received an epistle from Helaman, stating the affairs of the people in that quarter of the land.

At the beginning of the thirtieth year of the reign of the judges, on the second day of the first month, Moroni received a letter from Helaman telling him how matters stood with the people in that part of the land.

And these are the words which he wrote, saying: My dearly beloved brother, Moroni, as well in the Lord as in the tribulations of our warfare; behold, my beloved brother, I have somewhat to tell you concerning our warfare in this part of the land.

These are the words he wrote: My dearly beloved brother, Moroni, beloved in the Lord as much as in the hardships of our war, I have something to tell you about our fighting in this part of the land.

Behold, two thousand of the sons of those men whom Ammon brought down out of the land of Nephi—now ye have known that these were descendants of Laman, who was the eldest son of our father Lehi;

It concerns two thousand of the sons of those men Ammon brought down out of the land of Nephi. You know that these were descendants of Laman, the oldest son of our father Lehi.

Now I need not rehearse unto you concerning their traditions or their unbelief, for thou knowest concerning all these things—

I don't need to go over their traditions or their unbelief with you; you know all about that.

Therefore it sufficeth me that I tell you that two thousand of these young men have taken their weapons of war, and would that I should be their leader; and we have come forth to defend our country.

So it is enough for me to tell you this: two thousand of these young men have taken up their weapons of war and asked me to be their leader, and we have come out to defend our country.

And now ye also know concerning the covenant which their fathers made, that they would not take up their weapons of war against their brethren to shed blood.

You also know about the covenant their fathers made, that they would never take up their weapons of war against their brothers to shed blood.

But in the twenty and sixth year, when they saw our afflictions and our tribulations for them, they were about to break the covenant which they had made and take up their weapons of war in our defence.

But in the twenty-sixth year, when they saw our suffering and the hardships we were carrying for them, they were about to break the covenant they had made and take up their weapons of war in our defense.

But I would not suffer them that they should break this covenant which they had made, supposing that God would strengthen us, insomuch that we should not suffer more because of the fulfilling the oath which they had taken.

But I would not let them break this covenant they had made. I believed God would strengthen us, so that we would not suffer any more for their keeping the oath they had taken.

But behold, here is one thing in which we may have great joy. For behold, in the twenty and sixth year, I, Helaman, did march at the head of these two thousand young men to the city of Judea, to assist Antipus, whom ye had appointed a leader over the people of that part of the land.

But here is one thing that gives us great joy. In the twenty-sixth year I, Helaman, marched at the head of these two thousand young men to the city of Judea, to help Antipus, whom you had appointed leader over the people in that part of the land.

And I did join my two thousand sons, (for they are worthy to be called sons) to the army of Antipus, in which strength Antipus did rejoice exceedingly; for behold, his army had been reduced by the Lamanites because their forces had slain a vast number of our men, for which cause we have to mourn.

And I added my two thousand sons (for they are worthy to be called sons) to the army of Antipus, and Antipus rejoiced greatly at that added strength. His army had been cut down by the Lamanites, whose forces had killed a vast number of our men, and we have to mourn for them.

Nevertheless, we may console ourselves in this point, that they have died in the cause of their country and of their God, yea, and they are happy.

Even so, we can comfort ourselves in this: they died in the cause of their country and of their God, and they are happy.

And the Lamanites had also retained many prisoners, all of whom are chief captains, for none other have they spared alive. And we suppose that they are now at this time in the land of Nephi; it is so if they are not slain.

The Lamanites had also kept many prisoners, all of them chief captains, for they have spared no one else alive. We think they are in the land of Nephi at this time, if they have not been killed.

And now these are the cities of which the Lamanites have obtained possession by the shedding of the blood of so many of our valiant men:

These are the cities the Lamanites have taken by shedding the blood of so many of our brave men:

The land of Manti, or the city of Manti, and the city of Zeezrom, and the city of Cumeni, and the city of Antiparah.

the land of Manti, or the city of Manti, and the city of Zeezrom, and the city of Cumeni, and the city of Antiparah.

And these are the cities which they possessed when I arrived at the city of Judea; and I found Antipus and his men toiling with their might to fortify the city.

These are the cities they held when I arrived at the city of Judea, and I found Antipus and his men working with all their might to fortify the city.

Yea, and they were depressed in body as well as in spirit, for they had fought valiantly by day and toiled by night to maintain their cities; and thus they had suffered great afflictions of every kind.

They were worn down in body as well as in spirit, for they had fought bravely by day and worked by night to hold their cities, and they had suffered every kind of hardship.

And now they were determined to conquer in this place or die; therefore you may well suppose that this little force which I brought with me, yea, those sons of mine, gave them great hopes and much joy.

They were determined to win in this place or die. So you can well imagine what this little force I brought with me, those sons of mine, did for them: it gave them great hope and much joy.

And now it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that Antipus had received a greater strength to his army, they were compelled by the orders of Ammoron to not come against the city of Judea, or against us, to battle.

Now, when the Lamanites saw that Antipus had received more strength for his army, Ammoron's orders forced them not to come against the city of Judea, or against us, in battle.

And thus were we favored of the Lord; for had they come upon us in this our weakness they might have perhaps destroyed our little army; but thus were we preserved.

And so the Lord favored us. If they had come upon us in our weakness, they might well have destroyed our little army; but in this way we were preserved.

They were commanded by Ammoron to maintain those cities which they had taken. And thus ended the twenty and sixth year. And in the commencement of the twenty and seventh year we had prepared our city and ourselves for defence.

Ammoron commanded them to hold the cities they had taken. And so the twenty-sixth year ended. At the beginning of the twenty-seventh year we had prepared our city and ourselves for defense.

Now we were desirous that the Lamanites should come upon us; for we were not desirous to make an attack upon them in their strongholds.

Now, we wanted the Lamanites to come against us, because we did not want to attack them in their strongholds.

And it came to pass that we kept spies out round about, to watch the movements of the Lamanites, that they might not pass us by night nor by day to make an attack upon our other cities which were on the northward.

So we kept spies out all around to watch the movements of the Lamanites, so that they could not slip past us by night or by day and attack our other cities to the north.

For we knew in those cities they were not sufficiently strong to meet them; therefore we were desirous, if they should pass by us, to fall upon them in their rear, and thus bring them up in the rear at the same time they were met in the front. We supposed that we could overpower them; but behold, we were disappointed in this our desire.

We knew that in those cities they were not strong enough to meet them. So if the Lamanites did get past us, we wanted to fall on them from behind and press them from the rear at the same time they were met in front. We thought we could overpower them. But we were disappointed in what we hoped for.

They durst not pass by us with their whole army, neither durst they with a part, lest they should not be sufficiently strong and they should fall.

They did not dare pass us with their whole army, and they did not dare do it with part of it either, for fear they would not be strong enough and would fall.

Neither durst they march down against the city of Zarahemla; neither durst they cross the head of Sidon, over to the city of Nephihah.

They did not dare march down against the city of Zarahemla, and they did not dare cross the headwaters of Sidon over to the city of Nephihah.

And thus, with their forces, they were determined to maintain those cities which they had taken.

And so they were determined to use their forces to hold the cities they had taken.

And now it came to pass in the second month of this year, there was brought unto us many provisions from the fathers of those my two thousand sons.

In the second month of that year, a large supply of provisions was brought to us from the fathers of those two thousand sons of mine.

And also there were sent two thousand men unto us from the land of Zarahemla. And thus we were prepared with ten thousand men, and provisions for them, and also for their wives and their children.

Two thousand men were also sent to us from the land of Zarahemla. And so we were ready with ten thousand men, and provisions for them and for their wives and their children as well.

And the Lamanites, thus seeing our forces increase daily, and provisions arrive for our support, they began to be fearful, and began to sally forth, if it were possible to put an end to our receiving provisions and strength.

The Lamanites, seeing our forces grow day by day and provisions arriving to support us, began to be afraid, and they began to make raids to see if they could put a stop to our supplies and our reinforcements.

Now when we saw that the Lamanites began to grow uneasy on this wise, we were desirous to bring a stratagem into effect upon them; therefore Antipus ordered that I should march forth with my little sons to a neighboring city, as if we were carrying provisions to a neighboring city.

Now, when we saw the Lamanites growing uneasy like this, we decided to work a strategy on them. So Antipus ordered me to march out with my little sons to a neighboring city, as if we were carrying provisions there.

And we were to march near the city of Antiparah, as if we were going to the city beyond, in the borders by the seashore.

We were to march close by the city of Antiparah, as if we were going on to the city beyond it, in the borders by the seashore.

And it came to pass that we did march forth, as if with our provisions, to go to that city.

So we marched out, as if with our provisions, heading for that city.

And it came to pass that Antipus did march forth with a part of his army, leaving the remainder to maintain the city. But he did not march forth until I had gone forth with my little army, and came near the city Antiparah.

Antipus marched out with part of his army, leaving the rest to hold the city. But he did not march until I had gone out with my little army and come near the city of Antiparah.

And now, in the city Antiparah were stationed the strongest army of the Lamanites; yea, the most numerous.

Now, the strongest army of the Lamanites was stationed in the city of Antiparah, and the largest as well.

And it came to pass that when they had been informed by their spies, they came forth with their army and marched against us.

When their spies brought them word, they came out with their army and marched against us.

And it came to pass that we did flee before them, northward. And thus we did lead away the most powerful army of the Lamanites;

We fled before them, northward, and in this way we drew off the most powerful army of the Lamanites,

Yea, even to a considerable distance, insomuch that when they saw the army of Antipus pursuing them, with their might, they did not turn to the right nor to the left, but pursued their march in a straight course after us; and, as we suppose, it was their intent to slay us before Antipus should overtake them, and this that they might not be surrounded by our people.

and drew them a considerable distance. When they saw the army of Antipus chasing them with all its might, they did not turn to the right or to the left, but kept marching straight after us. We think they meant to kill us before Antipus could overtake them, so that they would not be surrounded by our people.

And now Antipus, beholding our danger, did speed the march of his army. But behold, it was night; therefore they did not overtake us, neither did Antipus overtake them; therefore we did camp for the night.

Antipus, seeing our danger, hurried the march of his army. But night came on, so they did not overtake us, and Antipus did not overtake them. So we camped for the night.

And it came to pass that before the dawn of the morning, behold, the Lamanites were pursuing us. Now we were not sufficiently strong to contend with them; yea, I would not suffer that my little sons should fall into their hands; therefore we did continue our march, and we took our march into the wilderness.

Before dawn the next morning the Lamanites were after us again. We were not strong enough to fight them, and I would not let my little sons fall into their hands. So we kept marching, and we took our march into the wilderness.

Now they durst not turn to the right nor to the left lest they should be surrounded; neither would I turn to the right nor to the left lest they should overtake me, and we could not stand against them, but be slain, and they would make their escape; and thus we did flee all that day into the wilderness, even until it was dark.

They did not dare turn to the right or to the left, for fear of being surrounded, and I would not turn to the right or to the left either, for fear they would overtake me. We could not have stood against them; we would have been killed, and they would have made their escape. So we fled all that day into the wilderness, until it was dark.

And it came to pass that again, when the light of the morning came we saw the Lamanites upon us, and we did flee before them.

When the light of morning came again, we saw the Lamanites upon us, and we fled before them.

But it came to pass that they did not pursue us far before they halted; and it was in the morning of the third day of the seventh month.

But they did not chase us far before they halted. It was the morning of the third day of the seventh month.

And now, whether they were overtaken by Antipus we knew not, but I said unto my men: Behold, we know not but they have halted for the purpose that we should come against them, that they might catch us in their snare;

We did not know whether Antipus had overtaken them, but I said to my men, "For all we know, they've halted on purpose, so that we will come against them and they can catch us in their trap.

Therefore what say ye, my sons, will ye go against them to battle?

So what do you say, my sons? Will you go against them in battle?"

And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never had I seen so great courage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites.

And now I tell you, my beloved brother Moroni, that I had never seen such courage, not even among all the Nephites.

For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus.

For just as I had always called them my sons (they were all of them very young), so they said to me, "Father, our God is with us, and he will not let us fall. So let us go out. We would not kill our brothers if they would leave us alone. Let us go, or they will overpower the army of Antipus."

Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

They had never fought, and yet they did not fear death. They thought more about the freedom of their fathers than about their own lives. Their mothers had taught them that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

And they repeated their mothers' words to me: "We do not doubt our mothers knew it."

And it came to pass that I did return with my two thousand against these Lamanites who had pursued us. And now behold, the armies of Antipus had overtaken them, and a terrible battle had commenced.

So I turned back with my two thousand against these Lamanites who had been chasing us. And the armies of Antipus had overtaken them, and a terrible battle had begun.

The army of Antipus being weary, because of their long march in so short a space of time, were about to fall into the hands of the Lamanites; and had I not returned with my two thousand they would have obtained their purpose.

The army of Antipus was worn out from such a long march in so short a time, and they were about to fall into the hands of the Lamanites. If I had not returned with my two thousand, the Lamanites would have gotten what they wanted.

For Antipus had fallen by the sword, and many of his leaders, because of their weariness, which was occasioned by the speed of their march—therefore the men of Antipus, being confused because of the fall of their leaders, began to give way before the Lamanites.

For Antipus had fallen by the sword, and many of his leaders with him, because of the exhaustion brought on by the speed of their march. So the men of Antipus, thrown into confusion by the fall of their leaders, began to give way before the Lamanites.

And it came to pass that the Lamanites took courage, and began to pursue them; and thus were the Lamanites pursuing them with great vigor when Helaman came upon their rear with his two thousand, and began to slay them exceedingly, insomuch that the whole army of the Lamanites halted and turned upon Helaman.

The Lamanites took courage and began to chase them, and they were pursuing them hard when Helaman came on their rear with his two thousand and began to cut them down, until the whole Lamanite army halted and turned on Helaman.

Now when the people of Antipus saw that the Lamanites had turned them about, they gathered together their men and came again upon the rear of the Lamanites.

When the people of Antipus saw that the Lamanites had turned around, they gathered their men together and came on the rear of the Lamanites again.

And now it came to pass that we, the people of Nephi, the people of Antipus, and I with my two thousand, did surround the Lamanites, and did slay them; yea, insomuch that they were compelled to deliver up their weapons of war and also themselves as prisoners of war.

And so we, the people of Nephi, the people of Antipus, and I with my two thousand, surrounded the Lamanites and cut them down, until they were forced to give up their weapons of war and themselves as prisoners of war.

And now it came to pass that when they had surrendered themselves up unto us, behold, I numbered those young men who had fought with me, fearing lest there were many of them slain.

When they had surrendered to us, I counted those young men who had fought with me, afraid that many of them had been killed.

But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war.

But to my great joy, not one soul of them had fallen to the ground. They had fought as if with the strength of God. Men have never been known to fight with such miraculous strength, and they fell on the Lamanites with such power that they terrified them. That is why the Lamanites gave themselves up as prisoners of war.

And as we had no place for our prisoners, that we could guard them to keep them from the armies of the Lamanites, therefore we sent them to the land of Zarahemla, and a part of those men who were not slain of Antipus, with them; and the remainder I took and joined them to my stripling Ammonites, and took our march back to the city of Judea.

And since we had no place to keep our prisoners where we could guard them and keep them from the armies of the Lamanites, we sent them to the land of Zarahemla, and some of Antipus's men who had not been killed went with them. The rest I took and joined to my young Ammonites, and we marched back to the city of Judea.