Alma 56
Helaman’s Letter to Moroni
Alma 56:1–2
1 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.
2 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.
The implication of this letter is that communication was difficult, from where Helaman1 and his unit were serving, to where Moroni directed his armies.
Alma 56:3–5
3 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;
4 Now I need not rehearse unto you concerning their traditions or their unbelief, for thou knowest concerning all these things—
5 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.
Helaman1 is going to tell the story of these two thousand young soldiers, but he wants to give Moroni enough background to realize just how remarkable their story is. Therefore, he gives Moroni some background that Moroni may or may not have known.
The very first thing that Helaman1 mentions is that these young men were descendants of Laman: they were Lamanites, or at least had been. Although they were inheritors of the traditions of their fathers, they had spent most of their lives as Nephites. Still, the background of being descendants of the enemy, but taking up arms against that enemy, was important.
Alma 56:6–8
6 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.
7 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.
8 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.
Mormon copies this letter, even though it covers some of the history Mormon related in Alma 53:13–20. One thing we do learn is some of the timing of this event, which is a little more confusing in Mormon’s text. Mormon introduced the twenty-sixth year in Alma 52:14, but at that point he continued to tell the story of Teancum’s siege-like defense of the northeastern territory. Mormon often has to tell stories that occur at the same time, and he tends to do so by finishing one, and then returning back in time to tell the other. That is what happened with the story of the two thousand stripling soldiers.
Mormon also recapitulates the most important part of the young men’s story. Their parents had made a covenant not to take up arms, and Helaman1 had to stop them from breaking that covenant. The young men could take up arms because they had been too young to make the covenant themselves.
Alma 56:9–12
9 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.
10 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.
11 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.
12 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.
At least initially, this unit of young men were not put into serious combat. They are sent to a city to reinforce the defenses. Although much of the letter is about the young men, Helaman1 also provides other important military details. Therefore, he notes that there have been many who have died, and that there have been many taken prisoner.
Alma 56:13–17
13 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:
14 The land of Manti, or the city of Manti, and the city of Zeezrom, and the city of Cumeni, and the city of Antiparah.
15 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.
16 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.
17 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.
When Helaman1 brings his two thousand young men to aid Antipus, he finds him in the city of Judea. They are greeted with joy, perhaps in spite of the fact that they were so young, because Antipus and his men had been fighting hard and were tired and depleted in numbers. They were laboring to fortify the city, and even the young hands would be helpful in that task.
Helaman1 does praise Antipus and his men, noting that they might be “depressed in body as well as in spirit,” but that “they had fought valiantly by day and toiled by night.” They were doing the best that was possible, but the situation was difficult. It is no surprise that they welcomed reinforcements, no matter how young and inexperienced they were.
Alma 56:18–20
18 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.
19 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.
20 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.
The Lamanite spies or scouts were able to see that Antipus had received reinforcements, but probably assumed that they were older. Thus, they were not aware that the reinforcements might not have been that strong. Nevertheless, the simple fact that they were reinforced had Ammoron order his commanders not to come against Judea to battle. That bought them time to continue to build fortifications, and perhaps to have some time to rest and heal.
The twenty-sixth year ends on the western front with a number of important cities having been occupied by Lamanites. For a while, there is a break in the action.
The Nephites and Helaman’s Sons Defeat the Lamanite Army
Alma 56:21–26
21 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.
22 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.
23 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.
24 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.
25 Neither durst they march down against the city of Zarahemla; neither durst they cross the head of Sidon, over to the city of Nephihah.
26 And thus, with their forces, they were determined to maintain those cities which they had taken.
Helaman1 and his two thousand had been sent as reinforcements to the city of Judea and find themselves in a critical defensive position. Judea was strong enough that the Lamanites did not want to attack, but they couldn’t simply move on past, or as they moved to the next defended city northward the men of Judea could attack them from the rear. There was, at least for a little while, a stalemate that stopped overt military actions. The Lamanites couldn’t advance, and the army in Judea was not strong enough to attempt to retake the cities that had been lost.
Alma 56:27–29
27 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.
28 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.
29 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 parents of the two thousand young men had previously committed to supporting their Nephite defenders with food, but they are slow fulfilling part of that promise. While these provisions came to where their sons were, we should expect that they also sent provisions to other Nephite armies. They were as concerned for their sons as any parents would be, but they had committed to the whole of the Nephite nation, not just for the support of their sons.
Even though the Lamanites felt that they were at a stalemate, they were interested in making sure that the Nephites could not get stronger. Thus, when they saw provisions being sent, they did what most armies would do. They attempted to cut off the supply lines.
Alma 56:30–34
30 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.
31 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.
32 And it came to pass that we did march forth, as if with our provisions, to go to that city.
33 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.
34 And now, in the city Antiparah were stationed the strongest army of the Lamanites; yea, the most numerous.
To attempt to turn the balance in the region, Antipus comes up with a plan. He has the young men set forth as decoys, and to march past the Lamanite stronghold in the city of Antiparah. Antipus and some of his army follow them, but far enough behind that they would not be seen. They hoped that the Lamanites would see Helaman1 and his unit as an easy victory and leave the city to attack them.
Alma 56:35–37
35 And it came to pass that when they had been informed by their spies, they came forth with their army and marched against us.
36 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;
37 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.
The ruse works, but not exactly as planned. It was perhaps assumed that when the Lamanites saw Antipus at their rear, that they would turn and fight. That would have put them between two forces. That wasn’t what the Lamanites did.
The Lamanites marched even faster toward the two thousand, hoping to overtake and easily defeat them, and only then to turn and face Antipus.
Alma 56:38–42
38 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.
39 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.
40 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.
41 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.
42 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.
The important information is in verse 39, where Helaman1 states that his unit was “not sufficiently strong to contend” with the Lamanites. They only had one choice: to flee. They were pursued for two days, but finally they saw that they were no longer pursued. They were technically out of danger.
Alma 56:43–48
43 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;
44 Therefore what say ye, my sons, will ye go against them to battle?
45 And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never had I seen so great courage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites.
46 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.
47 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.
48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.
Having been saved from the Lamanite pursuit, they could return to the city of Judea. However, it was highly likely that when the Lamanite army stopped pursuing them, they had turned to fight Antipus. Helaman1 understood that likelihood but did not command his young soldiers to fight. Rather, he asked them.
It is possible that the reason he only asked them was that they were so young, and that they had never been in battle (verse 47). Running way from an enemy was one thing. Turning to fight soldiers was quite another.
This is where Helaman1 is both surprised and proud. The young soldiers desired to go to battle. They clearly knew that soldiers died in battle, but they trusted in the promises of their parents. These were sons of fathers and mothers who had made a covenant not to take up arms. Their parents would have known many who died at Lamanite hands when they would not even take up arms to defend themselves. They knew the value of “the liberty of their fathers.” That liberty was the ability to live their religion (see comments on Alma 46:9–11, and 13–16).
It is possible that Helaman1 intended to parallel the “liberty of their fathers” with “the words of their mothers.” Both were important. The first was their commitment to their belief, and the second was that the mothers had communicated that importance to their sons. Along with that understanding of the importance of their religious principles, their mothers apparently applied the promise of the land very personally. If their sons were righteous, they would be delivered.
Alma 56:49–51
49 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.
50 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.
51 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.
Helaman1 has supposed correctly that the Lamanites had turned to fight. The battle was not going well for Antipus and his men. Antipus himself had fallen, and the loss of a leader in battle would have been particularly disheartening. Combined with their fatigue from marching even faster to force the Lamanites to turn from Helaman1’s two thousand, they were in even worse straits.
Before describing the battle, Helaman1 tells Mormon what the outcome was: “had I not returned with my two thousand they would have obtained their purpose.” The Lamanites would have won, but they didn’t.
Alma 56:52–54
52 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.
53 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.
54 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.
Helaman1 finishes the story he foreshadowed in verse 50. The arrival of the two thousand resulted in fighting, but also in the Lamanites being surrounded and eventually surrendering. The young men had been in their first fight, and they had been the reason for the Nephite victory.
Alma 56:55–57
55 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.
56 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.
57 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.
In verse 47, Helaman1 had noted that the young men’s mothers had promised them that if they were faithful, then they would be preserved. In verse 56 he declares that their promise held true. None of the young men had died.
Perhaps to Helaman1’s surprise, but certainly to his pride in these young men, they had fought well and hard, and had been instrumental in not only a victory but turning a defeat into a victory.
The prisoners were gathered together and sent to the land of Zarahemla, or to the land around that city. This appears to have been a standard practice (see Alma 57:11).
Helaman1’s letter continues in the next chapter of our modern edition. There was no chapter break at this point in the 1830 edition.
