BOOK OF MORMON

Book of Alma

CHAPTERS 27-30

   [Alma 27:1] Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year of the reign of the Judges over the people of Nephi, after Moroni had received and had read Helaman's epistle, he was exceedingly rejoiced because of the welfare, yea, the exceeding success which Helaman had had, in obtaining those lands which were lost; [2] Yea, and he did make it known unto all his people in all the land round about in that part where he was, that they might rejoice also.
   [Alma 27:3] And it came to pass that he immediately sent an epistle to Pahoran, desiring that he should cause men to be gathered together, to strengthen Helaman, or the armies of Helaman, insomuch that he might with ease maintain that part of the land which he had been so miraculously prospered in retaining.
   [Alma 27:4] And it came to pass when Moroni had sent this epistle to the land of Zarahemla, he began again to lay a plan, that he might obtain the remainder of those possessions and cities which the Lamanites had taken from them.
   [Alma 27:5] And it came to pass that while Moroni was thus making preparations to go against the Lamanites to battle, behold, the people of Nephihah who were gathered together from the city of Moroni, and the city of Lehi, and the city of Morianton, were attacked by the Lamanites; [6] Yea, even those who had been compelled to flee from the land of Manti, and from the land round about, had come over and joined the Lamanites in this part of the land; [7] And thus being exceeding numerous, yea, and receiving strength from day to day, by the command of Ammoron, they came forth against the people of Nephihah, and they did begin to slay them with an exceeding great slaughter.
   [Alma 27:8] And their armies were so numerous, that the remainder of the people of Nephihah were obliged to flee before them; and they came even and joined the army of Moroni.
   [Alma 27:9] And now as Moroni had supposed that there should be men sent to the city of Nephihah, to the assistance of the people to maintain that city, and knowing that it was easier to keep the city from falling into the hands of the Lamanites, than to retake it from them, he supposed that they would easily maintain that city; [10] Therefore he retained all his force to maintain those places which he had recovered.
   [Alma 27:11] And now when Moroni saw that the city of Nephihah was lost, he was exceeding sorrowful, and began to doubt, because of the wickedness of the people, whether they should not fall into the hands of their brethren.
   [Alma 27:12] Now this was the case with all his chief captains. They doubted and marveled also, because of the wickedness of the people; and this because of the success of the Lamanites over them.
   [Alma 27:13] And it came to pass that Moroni was angry with the government, because of their indifference concerning the freedom of their country.
   [Alma 27:14] And it came to pass that he wrote again to the governor of the land, who was Pahoran, and these are the words which he wrote, saying, Behold, I direct mine epistle to Pahoran, in the city of Zarahemla, who is the chief judge and the governor over the land, and also to all those who have been chosen by this people to govern and manage the affairs of this war; [15] For behold, I have somewhat to say unto them by the way of condemnation; for behold, ye yourselves know that ye have been appointed to gather together men, and arm them with swords, and with cimeters, and all manner of weapons of war, of every kind, and send forth against the Lamanites, in whatsoever parts they should come into our land.
   [Alma 27:16] And now behold, I say unto you, that myself, and also my men, and also Helaman and his men, have suffered exceeding great sufferings; yea, even hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and all manner of afflictions of every kind.
   [Alma 27:17] But behold, were this all we had suffered, we would not murmur nor complain; but behold, great has been the slaughter among our people:
   [Alma 27:18] Yea, thousands have fallen by the sword, while it might have otherwise been, if ye had rendered unto our armies sufficient strength and succor for them.
   [Alma 27:19] Yea, great has been your neglect towards us. And now behold, we desire to know the cause of this exceeding great neglect; yea, we desire to know the cause of your thoughtless state.
   [Alma 27:20] Can you think to sit upon your thrones, in a state of thoughtless stupor, while your enemies are spreading the work of death around you?
   [Alma 27:21] Yea, while they are murdering thousands of your brethren; yea, even they who have looked up to you for protection, yea, have placed you in a situation that ye might have succored them; [22] Yea, ye might have sent armies unto them, to have strengthened them, and have saved thousands of them from falling by the sword!
   [Alma 27:23] But behold, this is not all, ye have withheld your provisions from them, insomuch that many have fought and bled out their lives because of their great desires which they had for the welfare of this people; [24] Yea, and this they have done, when they were about to perish with hunger, because of your exceeding great neglect towards them.
   [Alma 27:25] And now, my beloved brethren; for ye ought to be beloved; yea, and ye ought to have stirred yourselves more diligently for the welfare and the freedom of this people; [26] But behold, ye have neglected them, insomuch that the blood of thousands shall come upon your heads for vengeance; yea, for known unto God were all their cries, and all their sufferings.
   [Alma 27:27] Behold, could ye suppose that ye could sit upon your thrones, and because of the exceeding goodness of God, ye could do nothing, and he would deliver you? Behold, if ye have supposed this, ye have supposed in vain.
   [Alma 27:28] Do ye suppose that, because so many of your brethren have been killed because of their wickedness? I say unto you, If ye have supposed this, ye have supposed in vain; for I say unto you, There are many who have fallen by the sword; [29] And behold, it is to your condemnation; for the Lord suffereth the righteous to be slain, that his justice and judgment may come upon the wicked; therefore ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are slain; but behold, they do enter into the rest of the Lord their God.
   [Alma 27:30] And now behold, I say unto you, I fear exceedingly that the judgments of God will come upon this people, because of their exceeding slothfulness; yea, even the slothfulness of our government, and their exceeding great neglect towards their brethren, yea, towards those who have been slain:
   [Alma 27:31] For were it not for the wickedness which first commenced at our head, we could have withstood our enemies, that they could have gained no power over us; yea, had it not been for the war which broke out among ourselves; [32] Yea, were it not for those king-men, who caused so much bloodshed among ourselves; yea, at the time we were contending among ourselves, if we had united our strength as we hitherto have done; [33] Yea, had it not been for the desire of power and authority which those king-men had over us; had they been true to the cause of our freedom, and united with us, and gone forth against our enemies, instead of taking up their swords against us, which was the cause of so much bloodshed among ourselves; [34] Yea, if we had gone forth against them, in the strength of the Lord, we should have dispersed our enemies; for it would have been done according to the fulfilling of his word.
   [Alma 27:35] But behold, now the Lamanites are coming upon us, and they are murdering our people with the sword; yea, our women and our children; taking possession of our lands, and also carrying them away captive; causing them that they should suffer all manner of afflictions; and this because of the great wickedness of those who are seeking for power and authority; yea, even those king-men.
   [Alma 27:36] But why should I say much concerning this matter, for we know not but what ye yourselves are seeking for authority? We know not but what ye are also traitors to your country?
   [Alma 27:37] Or is it that ye have neglected us because ye are in the heart of our country, and ye are surrounded by security, that ye do not cause food to be sent unto us, and also men to strengthen our armies?
   [Alma 27:38] Have ye forgot the commandments of the Lord your God? Yea, have ye forgot the captivity of our fathers?
   [Alma 27:39] Have ye forgot the many times we have been delivered out of the hands of our enemies?
   [Alma 27:40] Or do ye suppose that the Lord will still deliver us, while we sit upon our thrones, and do not make use of the means which the Lord has provided for us?
   [Alma 27:41] Yea, will ye sit in idleness, while ye are surrounded with thousands of those, yea, and tens of thousands, who do also sit in idleness, while there are thousands round about in the borders of the land, who are falling by the sword, yea, wounded and bleeding?
   [Alma 27:42] Do ye suppose that God will look upon you as guiltless, while ye sit still and behold these things? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.
   [Alma 27:43] Now I would that ye should remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleaned first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also.
   [Alma 27:44] And now except ye do repent of that which ye have done, and begin to be up and doing, and send forth food and men unto us, and also unto Helaman, that he may support those parts of our country which he has retained, and that we may also recover the remainder of our possessions in these parts, behold, it will be expedient that we contend no more with the Lamanites until we have first cleansed our inward vessel; yea, even the great head of our government; [45] And except ye grant mine epistle, and come out and shew unto me a true spirit of freedom, and strive to strengthen and fortify our armies, and grant unto them food for their support, behold, I will leave a part of my freemen to maintain this part of our land, and I will leave the strength and the blessings of God upon them, that none other power can operate against them; and this because of their exceeding faith and their patience in their tribulations; [46] And I will come unto you, and if there be any among you that has a desire for freedom, yea, if there be even a spark of freedom remaining, behold I will stir up insurrections among you, even until those who have desires to usurp power and authority, shall become extinct; [47] Yea, behold I do not fear your power nor your authority, but it is my God whom I fear, and it is according to his commandments that I do take my sword to defend the cause of my country, and it is because of your iniquity that we have suffered so much loss.
   [Alma 27:48] Behold it is time; yea, the time is now at hand, that except ye do bestir yourselves in the defense of your country and your little ones, the sword of justice doth hang over you: yea, and it shall fall upon you and visit you even to your utter destruction.
   [Alma 27:49] Behold, I wait for assistance from you, and except ye do administer unto our relief, behold I come unto you even into the land of Zarahemla, and smite you with the sword, insomuch that ye can have no more power to impede the progress of this people in the cause of our freedom; [50] For behold the Lord will not suffer that ye shall live and wax strong in your iniquities, to destroy his righteous people.
   [Alma 27:51] Behold, can you suppose that the Lord will spare you and come out in judgment against the Lamanites, when it is the tradition of their fathers that has caused their hatred; [52] Yea, and it has been redoubled by those who have dissented from us, while your iniquity is for the cause of your love of glory, and the vain things of the world?
   [Alma 27:53] Ye know that ye do transgress the laws of God, and ye do know that ye do trample them under your feet.
   [Alma 27:54] Behold, the Lord saith unto me, If those whom ye have appointed your governors, do not repent of their sins and iniquities, ye shall go up to battle against them.
   [Alma 27:55] And now behold, I Moroni am constrained, according to the covenant which I have made to keep the commandments of my God; therefore I would that ye should adhere to the word of God, and send speedily unto me of your provisions and of your men, and also to Helaman.
   [Alma 27:56] And behold if ye will not do this, I come unto you speedily; for behold, God will not suffer that we should perish with hunger; therefore he will give unto us of your food, even if it must be by the sword.
   [Alma 27:57] Now see that ye fulfill the word of God.
   [Alma 27:58] Behold, I am Moroni, your chief captain. I seek not for power but to pull it down.
   [Alma 27:59] I seek not for honor of the world, but for the glory of my God, and the freedom and welfare of my country. And thus I close mine epistle.

CHAPTER 28

   [Alma 28:1] Behold, now it came to pass that soon after Moroni had sent his epistle unto the chief governor, he received an epistle from Pahoran, the chief governor.
   [Alma 28:2] And these are the words which he received: I, Pahoran, who am the chief governor of this land, do send these words unto Moroni, the chief captain over the army: Behold I say unto you, Moroni, that I do not joy in your great afflictions; yea, it grieves my soul.
   [Alma 28:3] Behold, there are those who do joy in your afflictions; yea, insomuch that they have risen up in rebellion against me, and also those of my people who are freemen; yea, and those who have risen up are exceeding numerous.
   [Alma 28:4] And it is those who have sought to take away the judgment seat from me, that have been the cause of this great iniquity; [5] For they have used great flattery; and they have led away the hearts of many people, which will be the cause of sore affliction among us; they have withheld our provisions, and have daunted our freemen, that they have not come unto you.
   [Alma 28:6] And behold, they have driven me out before them, and I have fled to the land of Gideon, with as many men as it were possible that I could get.
   [Alma 28:7] And behold, I have sent a proclamation throughout this part of the land; and behold, they are flocking to us daily, to their arms, in the defense of their country, and their freedom, and to avenge our wrongs.
   [Alma 28:8] And they have come unto us, insomuch that those who have risen up in rebellion against us, are set at defiance; yea, insomuch that they do fear us, and durst not come out against us to battle.
   [Alma 28:9] They have got possession of the land, or the city of Zarahemla: they have appointed a king over them, and he hath written unto the king of the Lamanites, in the which he hath joined an alliance with him; [10] In the which alliance, he hath agreed to maintain the city of Zarahemla, which maintenance he supposeth will enable the Lamanites to conquer the remainder of the land, and he shall be placed king over this people, when they shall be conquered under the Lamanites.
   [Alma 28:11] And now, in your epistle you have censured me; but it mattereth not, I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart.
   [Alma 28:12] I, Pahoran, do not seek for power, save only to retain my judgment seat, that I may preserve the rights and the liberty of my people.
   [Alma 28:13] My soul standeth fast in that liberty, in the which God hath made us free.
   [Alma 28:14] And now behold we will resist wickedness, even unto bloodshed.
   [Alma 28:15] We would not shed the blood of the Lamanites, if they would stay in their own land.
   [Alma 28:16] We would not shed the blood of our brethren, if they would not rise up in rebellion and take the sword against us.
   [Alma 28:17] We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage, if it were requisite with the justice of God, or if he should command us so to do.
   [Alma 28:18] But behold he doth not command us that we shall subject ourselves to our enemies, but that we should put our trust in him and he will deliver us.
   [Alma 28:19] Therefore my beloved brother Moroni, let us resist evil; and whatsoever evil we can not resist with our words, yea, such as rebellions and dissensions, let us resist them with our swords, that we may retain our freedom, that we may rejoice in the great privilege of our church and in the cause of our Redeemer and our God.
   [Alma 28:20] Therefore come unto me speedily, with a few of your men, and leave the remainder in the charge of Lehi and Teancum; give unto them power to conduct the war in that part of the land, according to the Spirit of God, which is also the spirit of freedom which is in them.
   [Alma 28:21] Behold I have sent a few provisions unto them, that they may not perish until ye can come unto me.
   [Alma 28:22] Gather together whatsoever force ye can upon your march hither, and we will go speedily against those dissenters, in the strength of our God, according to the faith which is in us.
   [Alma 28:23] And we will take possession of the city of Zarahemla, that we may obtain more food to send forth unto Lehi and Teancum; yea, we will go forth against them in the strength of the Lord, and we will put an end to this great iniquity.
   [Alma 28:24] And now, Moroni, I do joy in receiving your epistle; for I was somewhat worried concerning what we should do, whether it should be just in us to go against our brethren.
   [Alma 28:25] But ye have said, Except they repent, the Lord hath commanded you that ye should go against them.
   [Alma 28:26] See that ye strengthen Lehi and Teancum in the Lord; tell them to fear not, for God will deliver them; yea, and also all those who stand fast in that liberty wherewith God hath made them free.
   [Alma 28:27] And now I close mine epistle to my beloved brother Moroni.

CHAPTER 29

   [Alma 29:1] And now it came to pass that when Moroni had received this epistle, his heart did take courage, and was filled with exceeding great joy, because of the faithfulness of Pahoran, that he was not also a traitor to the freedom and cause of his country.
   [Alma 29:2] But he did also mourn exceedingly, because of the iniquity of those who had driven Pahoran from the judgment seat; yea, in fine, because of those who had rebelled against their country and also their God.
   [Alma 29:3] And it came to pass that Moroni took a small number of men according to the desire of Pahoran, and gave Lehi and Teancum command over the remainder of his army, and took his march towards the land of Gideon.
   [Alma 29:4] And he did raise the standard of liberty in whatsoever place he did enter, and gained whatsoever force he could in all his march towards the land of Gideon.
   [Alma 29:5] And it came to pass that thousands did flock unto his standard, and did take up their swords in the defense of their freedom, that they might not come into bondage.
   [Alma 29:6] And thus when Moroni had gathered together whatsoever men he could in all his march, he came to the land of Gideon; and uniting his forces with that of Pahoran, they became exceeding strong, even stronger than the men of Pachus, who was the king of those dissenters who had driven out the freemen out of the land of Zarahemla, and had taken possession of the land.
   [Alma 29:7] And it came to pass that Moroni and Pahoran went down with their armies into the land of Zarahemla, and went forth against the city, and did meet the men of Pachus, insomuch that they did come to battle.
   [Alma 29:8] And behold, Pachus was slain, and his men were taken prisoners; and Pahoran was restored to his judgment seat.
   [Alma 29:9] And the men of Pachus received their trial, according to the law, and also those king-men who had been taken and cast into prison; and they were executed according to the law; [10] Yea, those men of Pachus, and those king-men, whosoever would not take up arms in the defense of their country, but would fight against it, were put to death.
   [Alma 29:11] And thus it became expedient that this law should be strictly observed, for the safety of their country; yea, and whosoever was found denying their freedom, was speedily executed according to the law.
   [Alma 29:12] And thus ended the thirtieth year of the reign of the Judges over the people of Nephi: Moroni and Pahoran having restored peace to the land of Zarahemla, among their own people, having inflicted death upon all those who were not true to the cause of freedom.
   [Alma 29:13] And it came to pass in the commencement of the thirty and first year of the reign of the Judges over the people of Nephi, Moroni immediately caused that provisions should be sent, and also an army of six thousand men should be sent unto Helaman, to assist him in preserving that part of the land; [14] And he also caused that an army of six thousand men, with a sufficient quantity of food, should be sent to the armies of Lehi and Teancum.
   [Alma 29:15] And it came to pass that this was done, to fortify the land against the Lamanites.
   [Alma 29:16] And it came to pass that Moroni and Pahoran, leaving a large body of men in the land of Zarahemla, took their march with a large body of men towards the land of Nephihah, being determined to overthrow the Lamanites in that city.
   [Alma 29:17] And it came to pass that as they were marching towards the land, they took a large body of men of the Lamanites, and slew many of them, and took their provisions, and their weapons of war.
   [Alma 29:18] And it came to pass after they had taken them, they caused them to enter into a covenant, that they would no more take up their weapons of war against the Nephites.
   [Alma 29:19] And when they had entered into this covenant, they sent them to dwell with the people of Ammon; and they were in number about four thousand who had not been slain.
   [Alma 29:20] And it came to pass that when they had sent them away, they pursued their march towards the land of Nephihah.
   [Alma 29:21] And it came to pass that when they had come to the city Nephihah, they did pitch their tents in the plains of Nephihah, which is near the city Nephihah.
   [Alma 29:22] Now Moroni was desirous that the Lamanites should come out to battle against them, upon the plains; but the Lamanites knowing of their exceeding great courage, and beholding the greatness of their numbers, therefore they durst not come out against them; therefore they did not come to battle in that day.
   [Alma 29:23] And when the night came, Moroni went forth in the darkness of the night, and came upon the top of the wall to spy out in what part of the city the Lamanites did camp with their army.
   [Alma 29:24] And it came to pass that they were on the east, by the entrance; and they were all asleep.
   [Alma 29:25] And now Moroni returned to his army, and caused that they should prepare in haste strong cords and ladders, to be let down from the top of the wall into the inner part of the wall.
   [Alma 29:26] And it came to pass that Moroni caused that his men should march forth and come upon the top of the wall, and let themselves down into that part of the city, yea, even on the west, where the Lamanites did not camp with their armies.
   [Alma 29:27] And it came to pass that they were all let down into the city by night, by the means of their strong cords and their ladders; thus when the morning came, they were all within the walls of the city.
   [Alma 29:28] And now when the Lamanites awoke, and saw that the armies of Moroni were within the walls, they were affrighted exceedingly, insomuch that they did flee out by the pass.
   [Alma 29:29] And now when Moroni saw that they were fleeing before him, he did cause that his men should march forth against them, and slew many, and surrounded many others and took them prisoners; and the remainder of them fled into the land of Moroni, which was in the borders of the sea-shore.
   [Alma 29:30] Thus had Moroni and Pahoran obtained the possession of the city of Nephihah, without the loss of one soul; and there were many of the Lamanites who were slain.
   [Alma 29:31] Now it came to pass that many of the Lamanites who were prisoners, were desirous to join the people of Ammon, and become a free people.
   [Alma 29:32] And it came to pass that as many as were desirous, unto them it was granted, according to their desires; therefore all the prisoners of the Lamanites did join the people of Ammon, and did begin to labor exceedingly, tilling the ground, raising all manner of grain, and flocks, and herds of every kind; [33] And thus were the Nephites relieved from a great burthen; yea, insomuch that they were relieved from all the prisoners of the Lamanites.
   [Alma 29:34] Now it came to pass that Moroni, after he had obtained possession of the city of Nephihah, having taken many prisoners, which did reduce the armies of the Lamanites exceedingly, and having retained many of the Nephites who had been taken prisoners, which did strengthen the army of Moroni exceedingly; therefore Moroni went forth from the land of Nephihah to the land of Lehi.
   [Alma 29:35] And it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that Moroni was coming against them, they were again frightened, and fled before the army of Moroni.
   [Alma 29:36] And it came to pass that Moroni and his army did pursue them from city to city, until they were met by Lehi and Teancum; and the Lamanites fled from Lehi and Teancum, even down upon the borders by the sea-shore, until they came to the land of Moroni.
   [Alma 29:37] And the armies of the Lamanites were all gathered together, insomuch that they were all in one body, in the land of Moroni.
   [Alma 29:38] Now Ammoron, the king of the Lamanites, was also with them.
   [Alma 29:39] And it came to pass that Moroni, and Lehi, and Teancum, did encamp with their armies round about in the borders of the land of Moroni, insomuch that the Lamanites were encircled about in the borders by the wilderness, on the south, and in the borders by the wilderness, on the east; and thus they did encamp for the night.
   [Alma 29:40] For behold, the Nephites and the Lamanites also, were weary because of the greatness of the march; therefore they did not resolve upon any stratagem in the night time, save it were Teancum:
   [Alma 29:41] For he was exceeding angry with Ammoron, insomuch that he considered that Ammoron and Amalickiah his brother, had been the cause of this great and lasting war between them and the Lamanites, which had been the cause of so much war and bloodshed, yea, and so much famine.
   [Alma 29:42] And it came to pass that Teancum in his anger did go forth into the camp of the Lamanites, and did let himself down over the walls of the city.
   [Alma 29:43] And he went forth with a cord, from place to place, insomuch that he did find the king; and he did cast a javelin at him, which did pierce him near the heart.
   [Alma 29:44] But behold, the king did awake his servant before he died, insomuch that they did pursue Teancum, and slew him.
   [Alma 29:45] Now it came to pass that when Lehi and Moroni knew that Teancum was dead, they were exceeding sorrowful: for behold, he had been a man who had fought valiantly for his country, yea, a true friend to liberty; and he had suffered very many exceeding sore afflictions.
   [Alma 29:46] But behold, he was dead, and had gone the way of all the earth.
   [Alma 29:47] Now it came to pass that Moroni marched forth on the morrow, and came upon the Lamanites, insomuch that they did slay them with a great slaughter; and they did drive them out of the land: and they did flee, even that they did not return at that time against the Nephites.
   [Alma 29:48] And thus ended the thirty and first year of the reign of the Judges over the people of Nephi; and thus they had had wars, and bloodsheds, and famine, and affliction for the space of many years.
   [Alma 29:49] And there had been murders, and contentions, and dissensions, and all manner of iniquity among the people of Nephi; nevertheless, for the righteous' sake, yea, because of the prayers of the righteous, they were spared.
   [Alma 29:50] But behold, because of the exceeding great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites, many had become hardened, because of the exceeding great length of the war; [51] And many were softened, because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility.
   [Alma 29:52] And it came to pass that after Moroni had fortified those parts of the land which were most exposed to the Lamanites, until they were sufficiently strong, he returned to the city of Zarahemla, and also Helaman returned to the place of his inheritance; and there was once more peace established among the people of Nephi.
   [Alma 29:53] And Moroni yielded up the command of his armies into the hands of his son, whose name was Moronihah; and he retired to his own house that he might spend the remainder of his days in peace.
   [Alma 29:54] And Pahoran did return to his judgment seat; and Helaman did take upon him again to preach unto the people the word of God: for because of so many wars and contentions, it had become expedient that a regulation should be made again in the church; [55] Therefore Helaman and his brethren went forth, and did declare the word of God with much power, unto the convincing of many people of their wickedness, which did cause them to repent of their sins, and to be baptized unto the Lord their God.
   [Alma 29:56] And it came to pass that they did establish again the church of God, throughout all the land; yea, and regulations were made concerning the law.
   [Alma 29:57] And their judges, and their chief judges were chosen.
   [Alma 29:58] And the people of Nephi began to prosper again in the land, and began to multiply and to wax exceeding strong again in the land.
   [Alma 29:59] And they began to grow exceeding rich; but notwithstanding their riches, or their strength, or their prosperity, they were not lifted up in the pride of their eyes; neither were they slow to remember the Lord their God: but they did humble themselves exceedingly before him; [60] Yea, they did remember how great things the Lord had done for them, that he had delivered them from death, and from bonds, and from prisons, and from all manner of afflictions; and he had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies.
   [Alma 29:61] And they did pray unto the Lord their God continually, insomuch that the Lord did bless them according to his word, so that they did wax strong, and prosper in the land.
   [Alma 29:62] And it came to pass that all these things were done.
   [Alma 29:63] And Helaman died, in the thirty and fifth year of the reign of the Judges over the people of Nephi.

CHAPTER 30

   [Alma 30:1] And it came to pass in the commencement of the thirty and sixth year of the reign of the Judges over the people of Nephi, that Shiblon took possession of those sacred things which had been delivered unto Helaman by Alma; [2] And he was a just man, and he did walk uprightly before God; and he did observe to do good continually, to keep the commandments of the Lord his God; and also did his brother.
   [Alma 30:3] And it came to pass that Moroni died also.
   [Alma 30:4] And thus ended the thirty and sixth year of the reign of the Judges.
   [Alma 30:5] And it came to pass that in the thirty and seventh year of the reign of the Judges, there was a large company of men, even to the amount of five thousand and four hundred men, with their wives and their children, departed out of the land of Zarahemla, into the land which was northward.
   [Alma 30:6] And it came to pass that Hagoth, he being an exceeding curious man, therefore he went forth, and built him an exceeding large ship, on the borders of the land Bountiful, by the land Desolation, and launched it forth into the west sea, by the narrow neck which led into the land northward.
   [Alma 30:7] And behold there were many of the Nephites who did enter therein, and did sail forth with much provisions, and also many women and children; and they took their course northward.
   [Alma 30:8] And thus ended the thirty and seventh year.
   [Alma 30:9] And in the thirty and eighth year, this man built other ships.
   [Alma 30:10] And the first ship did also return, and many more people did enter into it; and they also took much provisions, and set out again to the land northward.
   [Alma 30:11] And it came to pass that they were never heard of more. And we suppose that they were drowned up in the depths of the sea.
   [Alma 30:12] And it came to pass that one other ship also did sail forth; and whither she did go we know not.
   [Alma 30:13] And it came to pass that in this year, there were many people who went forth into the land northward. And thus ended the thirty and eighth year.
   [Alma 30:14] And it came to pass in the thirty and ninth year of the reign of the Judges, Shiblon died also, and Corianton had gone forth to the land northward, in a ship, to carry forth provisions unto the people who had gone forth into that land; [15] Therefore it became expedient for Shiblon to confer those sacred things, before his death, upon the son of Helaman, who was called Helaman, being called after the name of his father.
   [Alma 30:16] Now behold, all those engravings which were in the possession of Helaman, were written and sent forth among the children of men throughout all the land, save it were those parts which had been commanded by Alma should not go forth.
   [Alma 30:17] Nevertheless these things were to be kept sacred, and handed down from one generation to another; therefore, in this year they had been conferred upon Helaman, before the death of Shiblon.
   [Alma 30:18] And it came to pass also in this year, that there were some dissenters who had gone forth unto the Lamanites; and they were stirred up again to anger against the Nephites.
   [Alma 30:19] And also in this same year, they came down with a numerous army to war against the people of Moronihah, or against the army of Moronihah, in the which they were beaten, and driven back again to their own lands, suffering great loss.
   [Alma 30:20] And thus ended the thirty and ninth year of the reign of the Judges over the people of Nephi.
   [Alma 30:21] And thus ended the account of Alma, and Helaman his son, and also Shiblon, who was his son.