Zarahemla Under Judicial Rule

Prisoner Rescue Effort

Alma 16:4–5

Wanting to rescue the prisoners taken captive during the attack on Ammonihah, the Nephites organize an Army lead by a man named Zoram, who asks the prophet Alma where the armies should go.

Now it came to pass that the Nephites 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 Nephites, (and his name was Zoram, and he had two sons, Lehi and Aha)—now Zoram and his two sons, knowing that Alma was high priest over the church, and having heard that he had the spirit of prophecy, therefore they went unto him and desired of him to know whither the Lord would that they should go into the wilderness in search of their brethren, who had been taken captive by the Lamanites.

Alma 16:6

Upon consulting with the Lord, Alma instructs the troops to cross the Sidon river and head towards the city of Manti.

And it came to pass that Alma inquired of the Lord concerning the matter. And Alma returned and said unto them:

“Behold, the Lamanites will cross the river Sidon in the south wilderness, away up beyond the borders of the land of Manti. And behold there shall ye meet them, on the east of the river Sidon, and there the Lord will deliver unto thee thy brethren who have been taken captive by the Lamanites.”

Alma 16:7–9

Zoram leads the troops according to Alma’s words, scatter the unsuspecting Lamanites, and recover those who had been taken as prisoners.

And it came to pass that Zoram and his sons crossed over the river Sidon, with their armies, and marched away beyond the borders of Manti into the south wilderness, which was on the east side of the river Sidon.

And they came upon the armies of the Lamanites, and the Lamanites were scattered and driven into the wilderness; and they took their brethren who had been taken captive by the Lamanites, and there was not one soul of them had been lost that were taken captive. And they were brought by their brethren to possess their own lands. And thus ended the eleventh year of the judges, the Lamanites having been driven out of the land.