Alma 58
1 And
behold, now it came to pass that our next object was to obtain the city of Manti;
but behold, there was no way that we could lead them out of the city by
our small bands. For behold, they remembered that which we had hitherto done;
therefore we could not decoy them away from their strongholds.
2 And
they were so much more numerous than was our army that we durst not go forth
and attack them in their strongholds.
3 Yea,
and it became expedient that we should employ our men to the maintaining those
parts of the land which we had regained of our possessions; therefore it became
expedient that we should wait, that we might receive more strength from the land of Zarahemla and also a new supply of
provisions.
4 And
it came to pass that I thus did send an embassy to the governor of our land, to
acquaint him concerning the affairs of our people. And it came to pass that we
did wait to receive provisions and strength from the
land of Zarahemla.
7 And
it came to pass that we did wait in these difficult circumstances for the space
of many months, even until we were about to perish for the want of food.
13 And
thus we did go forth with all our might against the Lamanites, who were in the city of Manti;
and we did pitch our tents by the wilderness side, which was near to the city.
14 And
it came to pass that on the morrow, that when the Lamanites saw that we were in
the borders by the wilderness which was near the city, that they sent out their
spies round about us that they might discover the number and the strength of our
army.
15 And
it came to pass that when they saw that we were not strong, according to our
numbers, and fearing that we should cut them off from their support except they
should come out to battle against us and kill us, and also supposing that they could
easily destroy us with their numerous hosts, therefore they began to make
preparations to come out against us to battle.
16 And
when we saw that they were making preparations to come out against us, behold,
I caused that Gid, with a small number of men, should secrete himself in the
wilderness, and also that Teomner and a small number of men should secrete
themselves also in the wilderness.
17 Now
Gid and his men were on the right and the others on the left; and when they had
thus secreted themselves, behold, I remained, with the remainder of my army, in
that same place where we had first pitched our tents against the time that the
Lamanites should come out to battle.
18 And
it came to pass that the Lamanites did come out with their numerous army against
us. And when they had come and were about to fall upon us with the sword, I
caused that my men, those who were with me, should retreat into the wilderness.
19 And
it came to pass that the Lamanites did follow after us with great speed, for
they were exceedingly desirous to overtake us that they might slay us;
therefore they did follow us into the wilderness; and we did pass by in the
midst of Gid and Teomner, insomuch that they were not discovered by the
Lamanites.
20 And
it came to pass that when the Lamanites had passed by, or when the army had
passed by, Gid and Teomner did rise up from their secret places, and did cut
off the spies of the Lamanites that they should not return to the city.
21 And
it came to pass that when they had cut them off, they ran to the city and fell
upon the guards who were left to guard the city, insomuch that they did destroy
them and did take possession of the city.
22 Now
this was done because the Lamanites did suffer their whole army, save a few
guards only, to be led away into the wilderness.
23 And
it came to pass that Gid and Teomner by this means had obtained possession of
their strongholds. And it came to pass that we took our course, after having
traveled much in the wilderness towards the land of
Zarahemla.
24 And
when the Lamanites saw that they were marching towards the
land of Zarahemla, they were exceedingly afraid, lest there was a plan
laid to lead them on to destruction; therefore they began to retreat into the
wilderness again, yea, even back by the same way which they had come.
25 And
behold, it was night and they did pitch their tents, for the chief captains of
the Lamanites had supposed that the Nephites were weary because of their march;
and supposing that they had driven their whole army therefore they took no
thought concerning the city of Manti.
26 Now
it came to pass that when it was night, I caused that my men should not sleep,
but that they should march forward by another way towards the land of Manti.
27 And
because of this our march in the night-time, behold, on the morrow we were
beyond the Lamanites, insomuch that we did arrive before them at the city of
Manti.
28 And
thus it came to pass, that by this stratagem we did take possession of the city of
Manti without the shedding of blood.
29 And
it came to pass that when the armies of the Lamanites did arrive near the city,
and saw that we were prepared to meet them, they were astonished exceedingly
and struck with great fear, insomuch that they did flee into the wilderness.
32 But
behold, our armies are small to maintain so great a number of cities and so
great possessions.
35 Behold,
we do not know but what ye are unsuccessful, and ye have drawn away the forces into that quarter of the land; if so, we do
not desire to murmur.
39 And
those sons of the people of Ammon, of whom I have so highly spoken, are with me
in the city
of Manti; and the Lord has supported them, yea, and kept them from
falling by the sword, insomuch that even one soul has not been slain.
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