And it came to pass in the eleventh year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nefi, on the fifth day of the second month — there having been much shalom in the land of Zerach’mla, there having been no wars nor contentions for a certain number of years, even until the fifth day of the second month in the eleventh year — there was a cry of war heard throughout the land. For behold, the armies of the Lamanites had come in on the wilderness side into the borders of the land, even into the city of Ammonihah, and began to slay the people and to destroy the city.
And now it came to pass, before the Nefites could raise a sufficient army to drive them out of the land, they had destroyed the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, and also some around the borders of Noach, and taken others captive into the wilderness.
Now it came to pass that the Nefites were desirous to obtain those who had been carried away captive into the wilderness. Therefore, he that had been appointed chief captain over the armies of the Nefites (and his name was Tzuram, and he had two sons, Lechi and Aha), now Tzuram and his two sons, knowing that Alma was Kohen HaGadol over the assembly, and having heard that he had the spirit of prophecy, therefore they went unto him and desired of him to know where yhwh would that they should go into the wilderness, in search of their brothers who had been taken captive by the Lamanites. And it came to pass that Alma inquired of yhwh concerning the matter.
And Alma returned and said unto them, Behold, the Lamanites will cross the river Tzidon in the south wilderness away up beyond the borders of the land of Manti. And behold, there shall you meet them on the east of the river Tzidon, and there yhwh will deliver unto you your brothers who have been taken captive by the Lamanites.
And it came to pass that Tzuram and his sons crossed over the river Tzidon with their armies, and marched away beyond the borders of Manti into the south wilderness which was on the east side of the river Tzidon. And they came upon the armies of the Lamanites, and the Lamanites were scattered and driven into the wilderness. And they took their brothers who had been taken captive by the Lamanites; and there was not one soul of them who had been lost that were taken captive. And they were brought by their brothers to possess their own lands. And thus ended the eleventh year of the judges, the Lamanites having been driven out of the land, and the people of Ammonihah were destroyed — yes, every living soul of the Ammonihahites was destroyed, and also their great city, which they said Elohim could not destroy because of its greatness. But behold, in one day it was left desolate, and their carcasses were mangled by dogs and by wild beasts of the wilderness. Nevertheless, after many days their dead bodies were heaped up upon the face of the earth, and they were covered with a shallow covering. And now so great was the scent thereof that the people did not go in to possess the land of Ammonihah for many years. And it was called the Desolation of Nehors, for they were of the profession of Nehor who were slain; and their lands remained desolate. And the Lamanites did not come again to war against the Nefites until the fourteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nefi. And thus for three years did the people of Nefi have continual shalom in all the land.
And Alma and Amulek went forth preaching repentance unto the people in their Temples, and in their sanctuaries, and also in their synagogues, which were built after the manner of the Y’hudim.99 And as many as would hear their words, unto them they did teach the word of Elohim, without any respect of persons, continually. And thus did Alma and Amulek go forth, and also many more who had been chosen for the work to preach the word throughout all the land. And the establishment of the assembly became general throughout the land, in all the region round about, among all the people of the Nefites.
And there was no inequality among them, for yhwh did pour out his spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among them at the time of his coming, that they might not be hardened against the word, that they might not be unbelieving and go on to destruction, but that they might receive the word with joy, and as a branch, be grafted into the true vine,100 that they might enter into the rest of yhwh their Elohim.
Now those kohanim who did go forth among the people did preach against all lyings, and deceivings, and envyings, and strifes, and malice, and revilings, and stealing, robbing, plundering, murdering, committing adultery, and all manner of lustfulness, crying that these things ought not so to be; holding forth things which must shortly come, yes, holding forth the coming of the Son of Elohim, his sufferings and death, and the resurrection of the dead. And many of the people did inquire concerning the place where the Son of Elohim should come; and they were taught that he would appear unto them after his resurrection; and this the people did hear with great joy and gladness. And now, after the assembly having been established throughout all the land, having got the victory over HaSatan, and the word of Elohim being preached in its purity in all the land, and yhwh pouring out his blessings upon the people, thus ended the fourteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nefi.