Alma 58

“Our next objective was to recapture the city of Manti,” Helaman continued in his letter to Moroni. “Leading their army out of their fortifications by using small bands of decoys would not work again. Because their numbers were so much greater than ours, laying siege to the cities would have been suicidal. In addition, we had to deploy our troops to protect the cities that we’d regained. So it became necessary to wait, and see what came to us in the way of supplies and reinforcements from Zarahemla.

“Meanwhile, the Lamanites were also receiving supplies and reinforcements. Periodically, they would strike out at us. They tried to tempt us into attacking them at their places of greatest strength so that they could destroy us. For many months we sat and waited until we ran out of food. Eventually we received some meager food supplies and a mere 2, 000 men to help defend our country from falling into the hands of our innumerable enemies.

“Our only recourse was prayer to God, asking him to strengthen and deliver us from the hands of our enemies. We asked for support to help us retain the cities and lands for the support of our people. The result of this was that God answered our prayers with a personal visit. He assured us that he would deliver us. From this visit we received renewed faith, and peace in our souls. Our small force took courage and became determined to conquer the Lamanites, maintain our lands, protect our families, and sustain our freedom.

“We gathered up our army, and pitched our tents in the wilderness near Manti. The next day, when the Lamanites saw our forces deployed around the city, they sent out spies to find out how potent a fighting force we would be. They could see that we weren’t very strong in terms of numbers of soldiers, but might be capable of cutting them off from their supply deliveries. They determined that we could be easily beaten if they came out to fight us, and made preparations to do so.

“When we saw the Lamanites deploying for battle, I had two small contingents led by Gid and Teomner hide themselves in the wilderness while I remained in position with the army. When the Lamanites attacked in force, I had my forces flee to the wilderness instead of meeting the assault. The Lamanites rushed after us in haste, wanting to quickly destroy us. In so doing, they ran past the hidden bands led by Gid and Teomner, who quickly cut off the rear guard spies that kept communication with the city. They quickly ran to the nearly abandoned city, surprised and killed the guards left behind, and took possession of it. Meanwhile almost the entire Lamanite army had come after us and were chasing us around the wilderness.

“Our wilderness evasion effort traveled in the direction of Zarahemla. When the Lamanites realized this they became afraid, thinking that they might be walking into another trap. So they abandoned their pursuit of us and returned to Manti. Thinking that they’d chased our entire army, they pitched their tents for the night without a concern about Manti.

“While the Lamanite army slept, I marched my men back by another way to Manti in darkness. We arrived in Manti before the Lamanites did, and took possession of the fortified city without a fight. When the Lamanite army arrived they were astonished to find us behind the fortifications and fully prepared to repel an attack. They became so afraid that they rushed into the wilderness. After that, all the Lamanites fled from our area , and abandoned our cities to us. Unfortunately they also took with them many Nephite women and children.

“Except for the stolen women and children, the people are returning to their homes. Our problem now is that our armies are too small to protect so many cities. We trust in God that we will be able to hold onto them. For some unknown reason the government is not sending us any help. Are your needs so great that all the resources are being sent to you? If this is the reason, I do not complain. If that isn’t the reason we are afraid that some faction of the government is overlooking our critical needs. We know that they have much more than we do.

“In spite of the army’s weakness we trust that God will deliver us from the hands of our enemies. It is now the end of the 29th year of elected judges. The Ammonite sons that I’ve spoken of are with me now in Manti. Although they have received many wounds, none of them have died. They know that their freedom and protection comes from God so they faithfully observe his commandments at all times. They believe strongly in the prophecies about the coming of Jesus Christ.

“My brother Moroni, may God who has redeemed us and made us free keep you always in his presence. May he also favor our people by helping you to regain from the Lamanites all that we have lost. Sincerely, Helaman, son of Alma.” [63 BC]