Helaman relates a letter that he received from Ammoron requesting a prisoner exchange, perhaps similar to the request Ammoron had sent to Moroni (see Alma 54:1). These requests suggest that while Ammoron’s troops have been successful in gaining territory and fortifying cities, they were also successful in capturing women and children who were a drain on the available food (see Alma 54:20). That we see a second letter suggests that the Lamanite supply lines were stretched thin and that Ammoron desired to increase his ability to provide for his armies, as opposed to providing for his prisoners.
Helaman’s response indicates that the Nephites were beginning to be successful in retaking territory. Helman had told the story of the stripling soldiers, and perhaps that was only one of several stories of Nephite victories. The result is that Helaman refuses to exchange prisoners, and declares that they will, instead, attack the city of Antiparah.
The Lamanite situation was more dire than Ammoron’s letter would have suggested, and therefore the Lamanites withdraw from Antiparah and the city is retaken without incident. That event is the last that Helaman records for the twenty-eighth year, which corresponds in time to the ending of our Chapter 53.