And now it came to pass in the commencement of the thirtieth year218 of the reign of the judges, in the second day on the first month, M’roni received a letter from Cheleman stating the affairs of the people in that quarter of the land. And these are the words which he wrote, saying, My dearly beloved brother M’roni, as well in yhwh as in the tribulations of our warfare, behold, my beloved brother, I have somewhat to tell you concerning our warfare in this part of the land. Behold, two thousand of the sons of those men whom Ammon brought down out of the land of Nefi — now you have known that these were descendants of Laman, who was the eldest son of our father Lechi — now I need not rehearse unto you concerning their traditions or their unbelief, for you know concerning all these things, therefore it suffices me that I tell you that two thousand of these young men have taken their weapons of war and would that I should be their leader; and we have come forth to defend our country.
And now you also know concerning the covenant which their fathers made, that they would not take up their weapons of war against their brothers to shed blood. But in the twenty and sixth year, when they saw our afflictions and our tribulations for them, they were about to break the covenant which they had made and take up their weapons of war in our defense. But I would not allow them that they should break this covenant which they had made, supposing that Elohim would strengthen us, insomuch that we should not suffer more because of the fulfilling the oath which they had taken. But behold, here is one thing in which we may have great joy. For behold, in the twenty and sixth year, I, Cheleman, did march at the head of these two thousand young men to the city of Judea, to assist Antipus, whom you had appointed a leader over the people of that part of the land. And I did join my two thousand sons — for they are worthy to be called sons — to the army of Antipus, in the which strength Antipus did rejoice exceedingly. For behold, his army had been reduced by the Lamanites because of the enormity of their forces, having slain a vast number of our men, for which cause we have to mourn. Nevertheless, we may console ourselves in this point: that they have died in the cause of their country and of their Elohim, yes, and they are happy. And the Lamanites had also retained many prisoners, all of whom are chief captains, for none other have they spared alive. And we suppose that they are now at this time in the land of Nefi; it is so if they are not slain.
And now these are the cities which the Lamanites have obtained possession of by shedding the blood of so many of our valiant men: the land of Manti, or the city of Manti, and the city of Zeezrom, and the city of Cumeni, and the city of Antiparah. And these are the cities which they possessed when I arrived at the city of Judea and I found Antipus and his men laboring with their might to fortify the city. Yes, and they were depressed in body as well as in spirit, for they had fought valiantly by day and labored by night to maintain their cities; and thus they had suffered great afflictions of every kind. And now they were determined to conquer in this place or die. Therefore, you may well suppose that the little force which I brought with me — yes, those sons of mine — gave them great hopes and much joy.
And now it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that Antipus had received a greater strength to his army, they were compelled by the orders of Ammoron to not come against the city of Judea or against us to battle; and thus were we favored of yhwh. For had they come upon us in this our weakness, they might have perhaps destroyed our little army; but thus were we favored: they were commanded by Ammoron to maintain those cities which they had taken. And thus ended the twenty and sixth year. And in the commencement of the twenty and seventh year,219 we had prepared our city and ourselves for defense. Now we were desirous that the Lamanites should come upon us, for we were not desirous to make an attack upon them in their strongholds. And it came to pass that we kept spies out round about to watch the movements of the Lamanites, that they might not pass us by night or by day to make an attack upon our other cities which were on the northward, for we knew in those cities they were not sufficiently strong to meet them. Therefore, we were desirous, if they should pass by us, to fall upon them in their rear, and thus bring them up in the rear at the same time they were met in the front. We supposed that we could overpower them, but behold, we were disappointed in this our desire. They dared not pass by us with their whole army, neither dared they with a part, for fear that they should not be sufficiently strong and they should fall. Neither dared they march down against the city of Zerach’mla, neither dared they cross the head of Tzidon over to the city of Nefihah. And thus, with their forces, they were determined to maintain those cities which they had taken.
And now it came to pass, in the second month of this year, there were brought unto us many provisions from the fathers of my two thousand sons. And also, there were sent two thousand men unto us from the land of Zerach’mla. And thus we were prepared with ten thousand men, and provisions for them, and also for their wives and their children. And the Lamanites, thus seeing our forces increase daily and provisions arrive for our support, they began to be fearful and began to rush forth, if it were possible, to put an end to our receiving provisions and strength. Now when we saw that the Lamanites began to grow uneasy in this way, we were desirous to bring a stratagem into effect upon them. Therefore, Antipus ordered that I should march forth with my little sons to a neighboring city, as if we were carrying provisions to a neighboring city. And we were to march near the city Antiparah as if we were going to the city beyond, on the borders by the seashore. And it came to pass that we did march forth, as if with our provisions, to go to that city. And it came to pass that Antipus did march forth with a part of his army, leaving the remainder to maintain the city. But he did not march forth until I had gone forth with my little army and come near the city Antiparah. And now, in the city Antiparah was stationed the strongest army of the Lamanites, yes, the most numerous. And it came to pass that when they had been informed by their spies, they came forth with their army and marched against us.
And it came to pass that we did flee before them northward. And thus we did lead away the most powerful army of the Lamanites, yes, even to a considerable distance, insomuch that when they saw the army of Antipus pursuing them with their might, they did not turn to the right nor to the left, but pursued their march in a straight course after us. And we supposed that it was their intent to slay us before Antipus should overtake them — and this that they might not be surrounded by our people. And now Antipus, beholding our danger, did speed the march of his army. But behold, it was night, therefore they did not overtake us, neither did Antipus overtake them; therefore we did camp for the night.
And it came to pass that before the dawn of the morning, behold, the Lamanites were pursuing us. Now we were not sufficiently strong to contend with them; yes, I would not allow that my little sons should fall into their hands. Therefore we did continue our march, and we took our march into the wilderness. Now they dared not turn to the right nor to the left, for fear that they should be surrounded. Neither would I turn to the right or to the left, for fear that they should overtake me and we could not stand against them, but be slain, and they would make their escape; and thus we did flee all that day into the wilderness, even until it was dark.
And it came to pass that again, when the light of the morning came, we saw the Lamanites upon us and we did flee before them. But it came to pass that they did not pursue us far before they halted; and it was in the morning of the third day on the seventh month. And now, whether they were overtaken by Antipus, we knew not, but I said unto my men, Behold, we know not but they have halted for the purpose that we should come against them, that they may catch us in their snare. Therefore, what say you, my sons? Will you go against them to battle? And now I say unto you, my beloved brother M’roni, that never had I seen so great courage, no, not among all the Nefites. For as I had always called them my sons (for they were all of them very young), even so they said unto me, Father, behold, our Elohim is with us, and he will not allow that we shall fall;220 then let us go forth. We would not slay our brothers if they would leave us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus. Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death, and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives. Yes, they had been taught by their mothers that if they did not doubt, that Elohim would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying, We do not doubt our mothers knew.221
And it came to pass that I did return with my two thousand against these Lamanites who had pursued us. And now behold, the armies of Antipus had overtaken them and a terrible battle had commenced. The army of Antipus, being weary because of their long march in so short a space of time, were about to fall into the hands of the Lamanites, and had I not returned with my two thousand, they would have obtained their purpose; for Antipus had fallen by the sword, and many of his leaders, because of their weariness, which was occasioned by the speed of their march. Therefore, the men of Antipus, being confused because of the fall of their leaders, began to give way before the Lamanites.
And it came to pass that the Lamanites took courage and began to pursue them. And thus were the Lamanites pursuing them with great vigor when Cheleman came upon their rear with his two thousand and began to slay them exceedingly, insomuch that the whole army of the Lamanites halted and turned upon Cheleman. Now when the people of Antipus saw that the Lamanites had turned around, they gathered together their men and came again upon the rear of the Lamanites.
And now it came to pass that we, the people of Nefi — the people of Antipus, and I with my two thousand — did surround the Lamanites and did slay them, yes, insomuch that they were compelled to deliver up their weapons of war, and also themselves as prisoners of war.
And now it came to pass that when they had surrendered themselves up unto us, behold, I numbered those young men who had fought with me, fearing that there were many of them slain. But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth. Yes, and they had fought as if with the strength of Elohim, yes, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites that they did frighten them.222 And for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war. And as we had no place for our prisoners that we could guard them to keep them from the armies of the Lamanites, therefore we sent them to the land of Zerach’mla, and a part of those men who were not slain of Antipus with them; and the remainder I took and joined them to my stripling Ammonites, and took our march back to the city of Judea.
And now it came to pass that I received a letter from Ammoron, the king, stating that if I would deliver up those prisoners of war whom we had taken, that he would deliver up the city of Antiparah unto us. But I sent a letter unto the king that we were sure that our forces were sufficient to take the city of Antiparah by our force, and by delivering up the prisoners for that city we should suppose ourselves unwise, and that we would only deliver up our prisoners on exchange. And Ammoron refused my letter, for he would not exchange prisoners, therefore we began to make preparations to go against the city of Antiparah. But the people of Antiparah did leave the city and fled to their other cities which they had possession of, to fortify them; and thus the city of Antiparah fell into our hands. And thus ended the twenty and eighth year of the reign of the judges.
And it came to pass that in the commencement of the twenty and ninth year we received a supply of provisions, and also an addition to our army, from the land of Zerach’mla and from the land round about, to the number of six thousand men, besides sixty of the sons of the Ammonites who had come to join their brothers, my little band of two thousand. And now behold, we were strong, yes, and we had also plenty of provisions brought unto us.
And it came to pass that it was our desire to wage a battle with the army which was placed to protect the city Cumeni. And now behold, I will show unto you that we soon accomplished our desire; yes, with our strong force, or with a part of our strong force, we did surround by night the city Cumeni a little before they were to receive a supply of provisions. And it came to pass that we did camp round about the city for many nights, but we did sleep upon our swords and keep guards, that the Lamanites could not come upon us by night and slay us, which they attempted many times. But as many times as they attempted this, their blood was spilt. At length their provisions did arrive, and they were about to enter the city by night. And we, instead of being Lamanites, were Nefites; therefore we did take them and their provisions. And even though the Lamanites were cut off from their support after this manner, they were still determined to maintain the city. Therefore, it became expedient that we should take those provisions and send them to Judea, and our prisoners to the land of Zerach’mla.
And it came to pass that not many days had passed away before the Lamanites began to lose all hopes of relief, therefore they yielded up the city into our hands; and thus we had accomplished our designs in obtaining the city Cumeni. But it came to pass that our prisoners were so numerous, that, despite the enormity of our number, we were obliged to employ all our force to keep them, or put them to death. For behold, they would break out in great numbers, and would fight with stones and with clubs, or whatsoever thing they could get into their hands, insomuch that we did slay upwards of two thousand of them after they had surrendered themselves prisoners of war. Therefore, it became expedient for us that we should put an end to their lives, or guard them, sword in hand, down to the land of Zerach’mla. And also our provisions were not any more than sufficient for our own people, despite that which we had taken from the Lamanites. And now, in those critical circumstances it became a very serious matter to determine concerning those prisoners of war; nevertheless, we did resolve to send them down to the land of Zerach’mla. Therefore, we selected a part of our men and gave them charge over our prisoners to go down to the land of Zerach’mla.
But it came to pass that the next day they did return. And now behold, we did not inquire of them concerning the prisoners, for behold, the Lamanites were upon us and they returned in time to save us from falling into their hands. For behold, Ammoron had sent to their support a new supply of provision, and also a numerous army of men.
And it came to pass that those men whom we sent with the prisoners did arrive in time to thwart them as they were about to overpower us. But behold, my little band of two thousand and sixty fought most desperately, yes, they were firm before the Lamanites and did administer death unto all those who opposed them. And as the remainder of our army were about to give way before the Lamanites, behold, these two thousand and sixty were firm and undaunted. Yes, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness, yes, and even according to their faith it was done unto them;223 and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them. And now behold, it was these, my sons, and those men who had been selected to accompany the prisoners, to whom we owe this great victory, for it was they who did beat the Lamanites. Therefore, they were driven back to the city of Manti. And we retained our city Cumeni and were not all destroyed by the sword; nevertheless, we had suffered great loss.
And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had fled, I immediately gave orders that my men who had been wounded should be taken from among the dead, and caused that their wounds should be dressed. And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out of my two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loss of blood; nevertheless, according to the goodness of Elohim and to our great astonishment, and also the joy of our whole army, there was not one soul of them who did perish; yes, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds. And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yes, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brothers who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of Elohim, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe: that there was a just Elohim,224 and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power. Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken. They are young and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in Elohim continually.225
And now it came to pass that after we had thus taken care of our wounded men and had buried our dead, and also the dead of the Lamanites, who were many, behold, we did inquire of Gid concerning the prisoners whom they had started to go down to the land of Zerach’mla with. Now Gid was the chief captain over the band which was appointed to guard them down to that land. And now, these are the words which Gid said unto me: Behold, we did start to go down to the land of Zerach’mla with our prisoners. And it came to pass that we did meet the spies of our armies who had been sent out to watch the camp of the Lamanites. And they cried unto us, saying, Behold, the armies of the Lamanites are marching towards the city of Cumeni! And behold, they will fall upon them, yes, and will destroy our people!
And it came to pass that our prisoners did hear their cries, which caused them to take courage, and they did raise up in rebellion against us. And it came to pass because of their rebellion, we did cause that our swords should come upon them. And it came to pass that they did, in a body, run upon our swords, in the which the greater number of them were slain; and the remainder of them broke through and fled from us. And behold, when they had fled and we could not overtake them, we took our march with speed towards the city Cumeni; and behold, we did arrive in time that we might assist our brothers in preserving the city. And behold, we were again delivered out of the hands of our enemies. And blessed is the name of our Elohim, for behold, it is he that has delivered us, yes, that has done this great thing for us.
Now it came to pass that when I, Cheleman, had heard these words of Gid, I was filled with exceeding joy because of the goodness of Elohim in preserving us, that we might not all perish; yes, and I trust that the souls of those who have been slain have entered into the rest of their Elohim.
And behold, now it came to pass that our next object was to obtain the city of Manti, but behold, there was no way that we could lead them out of the city by our small bands. For behold, they remembered that which we had previously done, therefore we could not decoy them away from their strongholds. And they were so exceedingly more numerous than was our army that we dared not go forth and attack them in their strongholds. Yes, and it became expedient that we should employ our men to the maintaining those parts of the land of which we had retained of our possessions. Therefore, it became expedient that we should wait, that we might receive more strength from the land of Zerach’mla, and also a new supply of provisions.
And it came to pass that I thus did send an embassy to the great governor of our land to acquaint him concerning the affairs of our people. And it came to pass that we did wait to receive provisions and strength from the land of Zerach’mla. But behold, this did profit us but little, for the Lamanites were also receiving great strength from day to day, and also many provisions; and thus were our circumstances at this period of time. And the Lamanites were rushing forth against us from time to time, resolving by stratagem to destroy us; nevertheless, we could not come to battle with them because of their retreats and their strongholds.
And it came to pass that we did wait in these difficult circumstances for the space of many months, even until we were about to perish for the want of food. But it came to pass that we did receive food which was guarded to us with an army of two thousand men to our assistance; and this is all the assistance which we did receive to defend ourselves and our country from falling into the hands of our enemies, yes, to contend with an enemy which was innumerable. And now the cause of these our deprivations, or the cause why they did not send more strength unto us, we knew not. Therefore, we were grieved and also filled with fear that by any means the judgments of Elohim should come upon our land, to our overthrow and utter destruction. Therefore, we did pour out our souls in prayer to Elohim that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yes, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people. Yes, and it came to pass that yhwh our Elohim did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us, yes, insomuch that he did speak shalom to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him. And we did take courage with our small force which we had received, and were fixed with a determination to conquer our enemies, and to maintain our lands, and our possessions, and our wives, and our children, and the cause of our liberty. And thus we did go forth with all our might against the Lamanites who were in the city of Manti. And we did pitch our tents by the wilderness side, which was near to the city. And it came to pass on the next day, that when the Lamanites saw that we were in the borders by the wilderness which was near the city, that they sent out their spies round about us, that they might discover the number and the strength of our army.
And it came to pass that when they saw that we were not strong according to our numbers, and fearing that we should cut them off from their support except they should come out to battle against us and kill us, and also supposing that they could easily destroy us with their numerous hosts, therefore they began to make preparations to come out against us to battle. And when we saw that they were making preparations to come out against us, behold, I caused that Gid, with a small number of men, should conceal himself in the wilderness, and also that Teomner should, with a small number of men, conceal himself also in the wilderness. Now Gid and his men were on the right and the other on the left; and when they had thus concealed themselves, behold, I remained with the remainder of my army in that same place where we had first pitched our tents against the time that the Lamanites should come out to battle.
And it came to pass that the Lamanites did come out with their numerous army against us. And when they had come, and were about to fall upon us with the sword, I caused that my men, those who were with me, should retreat into the wilderness.
And it came to pass that the Lamanites did follow after us with great speed, for they were exceedingly desirous to overtake us that they might slay us; therefore they did follow us into the wilderness. And we did pass by in the midst of Gid and Teomner, insomuch that they were not discovered by the Lamanites.
And it came to pass that when the Lamanites had passed by, or when the army had passed by, Gid and Teomner did rise up from their secret places and did cut off the spies of the Lamanites, that they should not return to the city. And it came to pass that when they had cut them off, they ran to the city and fell upon the guards who were left to guard the city, insomuch that they did destroy them and did take possession of the city. Now this was done because the Lamanites did allow their whole army, except a few guards only, to be led away into the wilderness.
And it came to pass that Gid and Teomner, by this means, had obtained possession of their stronghold. And it came to pass that we took our course, after having traveled much in the wilderness, towards the land of Zerach’mla. And when the Lamanites saw that they were marching towards the land of Zerach’mla, they were exceedingly afraid, that there was a plan laid to lead them on to destruction; therefore they began to retreat into the wilderness again, yes, even back by the same way which they had come. And behold, it was night and they did pitch their tents, for the chief captains of the Lamanites had supposed that the Nefites were weary because of their march. And supposing that they had driven their whole army, therefore they took no thought concerning the city of Manti.
Now it came to pass that when it was night, that I caused that my men should not sleep, but that they should march forward by another way towards the land of Manti. And because of this our march in the nighttime, behold, the next day we were beyond the Lamanites, insomuch that we did arrive before them to the city of Manti. And thus it came to pass that by this stratagem we did take possession of the city of Manti without the shedding of blood.
And it came to pass that when the armies of the Lamanites did arrive near the city and saw that we were prepared to meet them, they were astonished exceedingly and struck with great fear, insomuch that they did flee into the wilderness. Yes, and it came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites did flee out of all this quarter of the land. But behold, they have carried with them many women and children out of the land. And those cities which had been taken by the Lamanites, all of them are at this period of time in our possession; and our fathers, and our women, and our children are returning to their homes, all except it be those who have been taken prisoners and carried off by the Lamanites. But behold, our armies are small to maintain so great a number of cities and so great possessions. But behold, we trust that our Elohim, who has given us victory over those lands, insomuch that we have obtained those cities and those lands which were our own.
Now we do not know the cause that the government does not grant us more strength, neither do those men who came up unto us know why we have not received greater strength. Behold, we do not know but what you are unsuccessful and you have drawn away the forces into that quarter of the land; if so, we do not desire to murmur. And if it is not so, behold, we fear that there is some dissension in the government, that they do not send more men to our assistance, for we know that they are more numerous than that which they have sent. But behold, it matters not; we trust Elohim will deliver us, despite the weakness of our armies, yes, and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies. Behold, this is the twenty and ninth year, in the latter end, and we are in the possession of our lands, and the Lamanites have fled to the land of Nefi.
And those sons of the people of Ammon, of whom I have so highly spoken, are with me in the city of Manti, and yhwh has supported them, yes, and kept them from falling by the sword, insomuch that not even one soul has been slain. But behold, they have received many wounds. Nevertheless, they stand fast in that liberty with which Elohim has made them free. And they are strict to remember yhwh their Elohim from day to day, yes, they do observe to keep his statutes, and his judgments, and his mitzvot continually,226 and their faith is strong in the prophecies concerning that which is to come. And now, my beloved brother M’roni, that yhwh our Elohim, who has redeemed us and made us free, may keep you continually in his presence, yes, and that he may favor this people, even that you may have success in obtaining the possession of all that which the Lamanites have taken from us which was for our support. And now behold, I close my letter. I am Cheleman, the son of Alma.