Mosiah 22

Ammon and King Limhi began plotting and planning their escape from the Lamanites. They invited thoughts and ideas of all the people. It was no small task. It seemed impossible for themselves, their families, and their herds of livestock to flee from the Lamanite lands without a terrible fight, because there were so many Lamanites to contend with. [121 BC]

Gideon, the king’s captain, had an idea. “You’ve listened to me in the past,” he said to King Limhi, “and I ask that you listen again. There is a gate through the back wall of the city that is guarded lightly. At night, the guards at that gate get drunk and are inattentive. I propose that we secretly organize all of our people and their herds of livestock for a stealthy, late night exit through that gate and out into wilderness beyond. If you agree with this plan, I will personally go and give the guards some extra wine to ensure that they are asleep when we pass through. If we move quickly, we can outflank the Lamanite lands and escape with all our people and all our livestock.”

The king was pleased with Gideon’s idea and the plan was secretly passed along to all the Nephites. The guards were delighted with the gift of extra wine, and drank it greedily. On the designated night, the people of King Limhi gathered themselves and their livestock and silently passed through the gate without being observed by the sleeping guards. They traveled widely around the Lamanite lands and set their course for Zarahemla. They were led by Ammon and his party, who knew the way. Along with their animals, they took whatever wealth and provisions they could carry.

After many days of travel through the wilderness, they arrived in the land of Zarahemla and were received warmly by King Mosiah and his people. King Limhi and all his people became grateful subjects of King Mosiah.

When the Lamanites discovered that King Limhi and his people had escaped, they sent an army out to pursue them; but after two days, the Lamanite army lost the trail and went astray in the wilderness.