Nephites Prepare Amidst Dissent

Moroni gave Lehi command of the city of Mulek.

Lehi had been with Moroni in nearly all his battles. He and Moroni were much alike, and they rejoiced in one another’s safety. They loved each other and the Nephites loved them.

When the Lamanites finished burying the dead, they were marched back into the land of Bountiful. Moroni ordered Teancum to force them to dig a ditch around the city of Bountiful. On the city side of the ditch, the Lamanites were forced to build a strong, high retaining wall of timber. After this was done, Bountiful became a great stronghold, and the Nephites guarded the Lamanite prisoners within its walls. Moroni had to make the Lamanites work because it required fewer men to guard them while they worked, and he needed most of his forces to attack the Lamanites.

Moroni had gained a victory over a great Lamanite army, had regained the city of Mulek—a great Lamanite stronghold—and he had built a stronghold in Bountiful to retain his prisoners. He did not attempt to battle with the Lamanites again that year, but instead had his men prepare for war by making fortifications and growing food, which kept their women, children and armies from suffering.

And now, while Moroni went to settle more internal dissensions, the Lamanite army took possession of a number of cities in the southern land near the west sea. And because of their own sinfulness, dissensions, and intrigue, the Nephites were again placed in the most dangerous of circumstances.

Now I, Mormon, have something to say about Ammon’s people (the Anti-Nephi-Lehies), who in the beginning were Lamanites, but were converted to the Lord by His power and word. Ever since they had come to the land of Zarahemla, they had been protected by the Nephites. Because of their oath never to kill again, they had not taken up arms against their Lamanite brethren. And because of their oath, they would have been killed if Ammon and the other Nephites had not had pity on them and a great love for them.

And because of their love for them, the Nephites had brought them into the land of Zarahemla and had protected them.

But when Ammon’s people saw the danger, and the many afflictions and tribulations that the Nephites bore for them, they were moved with compassion and wanted to take up arms to help defend their country. They were about to break their oath, but were convinced not to by Helaman and his brethren. Helaman was afraid that if they took up arms they would lose their souls. Those who had entered this covenant had been compelled to watch their brethren go through afflictions and dangerous circumstances, while they could do nothing to help them.

But they had many sons who had not entered into this covenant. The sons who were able gathered together and took up arms. They called themselves Nephites and entered into a covenant to fight for the Nephites, to protect the land with their lives and never give up their liberty. Two thousand young men made this covenant and took up their weapons to defend their country.

Before this time, Ammon’s people had not been a burden to the Nephites, yet they could not help them fight. But now, at this time of Nephite dissent, they were a great help to the Nephite cause. Their sons took up their weapons, and they asked Helaman to be their leader. They were all young men, all valiant, courageous, full of energy and strength. They were also true to all with which they were entrusted. They were serious minded, for they had been taught to keep God’s commandments and to walk uprightly before Him.

Helaman marched at the head of his 2,000 young soldiers in the cause to support the people in the southern border near the western sea. And this is how 64 BC ended.