Zarahemla’s Age of War

Conflict at the City of Noah

Alma 49:21

The Lamanites make multiple charges at the city’s entrance, but are soundly defeated at each attempt.

And it came to pass that the captains of the Lamanites brought up their armies before the place of entrance, and began to contend with the Nephites, to get into their place of security; but behold, they were driven back from time to time, insomuch that they were slain with an immense slaughter.

Alma 49:22

Seeing that the main entrance is impenetrable, the Lamanites try tear down the large dirt ridges surrounding the city, but are again stopped in the process, and the ditches surrounding the city are filled with the dead bodies of the fallen soldiers.

Now when they found that they could not obtain power over the Nephites by the pass, they began to dig down their banks of earth that they might obtain a pass to their armies, that they might have an equal chance to fight; but behold, in these attempts they were swept off by the stones and arrows which were thrown at them; and instead of filling up their ditches by pulling down the banks of earth, they were filled up in a measure with their dead and wounded bodies.

Alma 49:23–24

Eventually, all of the Lamanite commanding officers are killed, and thousands of Lamanite soldiers die; on the other side, the Nephites suffer only about fifty injuries, and no casualties.

Thus the Nephites had all power over their enemies; and thus the Lamanites did attempt to destroy the Nephites until their chief captains were all slain; yea, and more than a thousand of the Lamanites were slain; while, on the other hand, there was not a single soul of the Nephites which was slain.

There were about fifty who were wounded, who had been exposed to the arrows of the Lamanites through the pass, but they were shielded by their shields, and their breastplates, and their head–plates, insomuch that their wounds were upon their legs, many of which were very severe.

Alma 49:25–27

The surviving Lamanites retreat back to the land of Nephi, and report their miserable defeat to Amalickiah, who becomes furious, vowing and not only to kill Moroni, but also to drink his blood.

And it came to pass, that when the Lamanites saw that their chief captains were all slain they fled into the wilderness. And it came to pass that they returned to the land of Nephi, to inform their king, Amalickiah, who was a Nephite by birth, concerning their great loss.

And it came to pass that he was exceedingly angry with his people, because he had not obtained his desire over the Nephites; he had not subjected them to the yoke of bondage.

Yea, he was exceedingly wroth, and he did curse God, and also Moroni, swearing with an oath that he would drink his blood; and this because Moroni had kept the commandments of God in preparing for the safety of his people.

Alma 49:28–30

Meanwhile, the Nephites thank God and enjoy some peace and Alma’s sons, and the sons of Mosiah continue their ministries in the church.

And it came to pass, that on the other hand, the people of Nephi did thank the Lord their God, because of his matchless power in delivering them from the hands of their enemies. And thus ended the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.

Yea, and there was continual peace among them, and exceedingly great prosperity in the church because of their heed and diligence which they gave unto the word of God, which was declared unto them by Helaman, and Shiblon, and Corianton, and Ammon and his brethren, yea, and by all those who had been ordained by the holy order of God, being baptized unto repentance, and sent forth to preach among the people.