Teancum and Moroni Fight Separately

On the first day of 66 BC, the Lamanites awoke and found Amalickiah dead in his tent. They also saw Teancum’s army, ready for another day of battle. All of this frightened them, and they retreated into the city of Mulek, seeking protection from within its fortifications. Then Amalickiah’s brother, Ammoron, was appointed king over the Lamanites. He commanded his people to maintain the cities they had taken at the cost of so many of their men.

When Teancum saw their determination to maintain the cities they had taken, and saw their enormous numbers, he decided not to attack them in their forts. He kept his men nearby, making preparations for war and building their own protective walls. Teancum’s men continued to make their preparations while they waited for Moroni to send reinforcements.

Moroni sent orders for Teancum to take prisoners as a ransom for the many Nephite prisoners taken by the Lamanites. He also sent orders to fortify the land of Bountiful and secure the narrow pass that led into the northern land. Otherwise, the Lamanites would obtain that pass and have power to torment them on every side.

Moroni wrote to Teancum, telling him to be faithful in maintaining that part of the land while he, Moroni, did everything in his power to regain their cities and fortify the cities that had not fallen to the Lamanites. Moroni wrote, “I would have come to your assistance, but the Lamanites are upon us in the borders near the west sea. I must go against them, so I cannot come to your assistance at this time.”

King Ammoron left the land of Zarahemla, and told the Lamanite queen that Amalickiah had been killed. Then he gathered a large number of men and marched against the Nephites near the west sea. King Ammoron wanted to harass the Nephites and draw away part of their forces to the west sea while his forces in the conquered cities harassed the Nephites near the east sea, to take possession of as much land as they could. Because of Ammoron’s tactics, the Nephites were in a dangerous position by the end of 66 BC.

In 65 BC, Moroni had established armies to protect the southern and western borders. Then he began his march toward the land of Bountiful to assist Teancum’s army in retaking their east coast cities. Teancum had received orders to attack the city of Mulek and retake it if possible. As he prepared to attack Mulek, he realized that it would be impossible to overpower its fortifications. So he gave up his plans and went back to the city of Bountiful to wait for Moroni’s reinforcements. Toward the end of 65 BC, Moroni and his army arrived in the land of Bountiful.

In the beginning of 64 BC, Moroni, Teancum and many chief captains held a war council to decide how to draw the Lamanites out of their stronghold. They decided to send an embassy to Jacob, the leader of the Lamanite army in the city of Mulek. They asked him to come out with his armies and meet them upon the plains between the two cities. But when Jacob, who was a Zoramite, received their message, he refused to come out with his army. With no hope of meeting them on fair grounds, Moroni made a plan to lure the Lamanites out of their strongholds. He sent Teancum with a small number of men to the beach on the east side of Mulek. That night, Moroni and his army went into the wilderness on the west side of the city. The next day, when the Lamanite guards saw Teancum and his men, they ran and told Jacob. Then the Lamanite army came out against Teancum’s men, thinking they could easily destroy them because of their small numbers. But Teancum and his men ran north along the coast. When the Lamanites saw this, they became over-confident and chased them vigorously. While Teancum was leading away the Lamanites, who were pursuing them in vain, part of Moroni’s army took possession of Mulek, and all the Lamanites in Mulek who would not give up their weapons were killed.

Meanwhile, Moroni and the rest of his army marched out to meet the Lamanites that would return from pursuing Teancum. As the Lamanites chased Teancum, they came close to the city of Bountiful and met Lehi and his small army, who had been left to protect that city.

When the Lamanite chief captains saw Lehi coming with his army, they panicked and ran back toward the city of Mulek. They were afraid of being overtaken before they could get back to the safety of Mulek, for they were tired and Lehi’s men were fresh.

The Lamanites did not know they were heading straight toward part of Moroni’s army. All they feared were Lehi and his men, (who did not want to overtake them until they had met Moroni’s army).

The Lamanites had not retreated far when they were surrounded by Nephites—Lehi on the north and Moroni on the south, all fresh and full of strength. The Lamanites were very tired, having marched long and hard. Moroni commanded his men to attack them until they gave up their weapons. Their leader, Jacob, a Zoramite, had an unconquerable spirit. He led the Lamanites to battle with great fury against Moroni. Jacob was determined to kill Moroni’s men and cut his way back to Mulek, but Moroni and his men were more powerful. Both sides fought with great fury. Moroni was wounded and many Nephites and Lamanites were killed, including Jacob. Then from behind, Lehi and his strong men attacked with such fury that the Lamanites in the rear gave up their weapons. The rest of them were so confused, they did not know which way to go or strike. Seeing their confusion, Moroni shouted, “If you will give up your weapons, we will not kill you.” Upon hearing this, the Lamanites’ remaining chief captains threw down their weapons at Moroni’s feet and commanded their men to do the same. Many would not, so their weapons were taken from them and their hands were tied. Then they were forced to march with their brethren to the land of Bountiful. The number of prisoners taken was greater than the number of those who had been killed on both sides. Moroni placed guards over the Lamanite prisoners and forced them to bury all the dead Nephites and Lamanites.