Here the 1874 RLDS edition removed the definite article the from the phrase “in the defense of their freedom”. This determiner was restored in the 1908 RLDS edition. A similar error occurred in the 1874 RLDS edition for Alma 53:13, but in that instance the shorter reading has persisted in the RLDS text. As discussed under Alma 53:13, the critical text will maintain these original instances of “in the defense of X”. For a nearby example of “in the defense of X” where the the was momentarily lost in 𝓟, see below under Alma 62:9.
Summary: Maintain in Alma 62:5 the definite article the in the phrase “in the defense of their freedom”, the reading of the earliest extant text.