Moroni and Teancum on the Eastern Front

Nephite Prisoner Rescue

Alma 55:1–3

Angry at Ammoron’s response and attitude, Moroni refuses to go ahead with the exchange, despite Ammoron’s compliance, and reverts to the contingency plan: to take the prisoners back by force.

Now it came to pass that when Moroni had received this epistle he was more angry, because he knew that Ammoron had a perfect knowledge of his fraud; yea, he knew that Ammoron knew that it was not a just cause that had caused him to wage a war against the people of Nephi. And he said:

“Behold, I will not exchange prisoners with Ammoron save he will withdraw his purpose, as I have stated in my epistle; for I will not grant unto him that he shall have any more power than what he hath got. Behold, I know the place where the Lamanites do guard my people whom they have taken prisoners; and as Ammoron would not grant unto me mine epistle, behold, I will give unto him according to my words; yea, I will seek death among them until they shall sue for peace.”

Alma 55:4–7

Moroni finds a man named Laman, (a Nephite of Lamanite descent), and sends him to the city of Gid (where the Nephite prisoners were being held) with a small group of men.

And now it came to pass that when Moroni had said these words, he caused that a search should be made among his men, that perhaps he might find a man who was a descendant of Laman among them. And it came to pass that they found one, whose name was Laman; and he was one of the servants of the king who was murdered by Amalickiah.

Now Moroni caused that Laman and a small number of his men should go forth unto the guards who were over the Nephites. Now the Nephites were guarded in the city of Gid; therefore Moroni appointed Laman and caused that a small number of men should go with him.

Alma 55:8

Laman approaches the soldiers guarding Gid, and introduces himself as a Lamanite prisoner who had just escaped from the Lamanites; he also announces that brought Nephite wine.

And when it was evening Laman went to the guards who were over the Nephites, and behold, they saw him coming and they hailed him; but he saith unto them:

“Fear not; behold, I am a Lamanite.

Behold, we have escaped from the Nephites, and they sleep; and behold we have taken of their wine and brought with us.”

Alma 55:9

Seeing the wine, the Lamanite guards eagerly ask for a drink.

Now when the Lamanites heard these words th ey received him with joy; and they said unto him:

“Give us of your wine, that we may drink;
we are glad that ye have thus taken wine with you
for we are weary.”

Alma 55:10

Laman suggests they not drink the wine until after they battle the Nephites.

But Laman said unto them:

“Let us keep of our wine till we go against the Nephites to battle.”

Alma 55:10

Hearing this only makes the guards want to drink even more.

But this saying only made them more desirous to drink of the wine;

Alma 55:11

The guards justify their need for wine by explaining that it will strengthen them.

For, said they:

“We are weary, therefore let us take of the wine, and by and by we shall receive wine for our rations, which will strengthen us to go against the Nephites.”

Alma 55:12

Laman complies.

And Laman said unto them:

“You may do according to your desires.”

Alma 55:13–15

The Lamanite guards drink some wine, then drink some more; soon, all of the guards get drunk and pass out, upon which Laman and his men return to Moroni and report.

And it came to pass that they did take of the wine freely; and it was pleasant to their taste, therefore they took of it more freely; and it was strong, having been prepared in its strength. And it came to pass they did drink and were merry, and by and by they were all drunken. And now when Laman and his men saw that they were all drunken, and were in a deep sleep, they returned to Moroni and told him all the things that had happened.

Alma 55:16–17

Moroni and his men go to Gid with a large supply of weapons; when they arrive, they throw the weapons into the city for the Nephite prisoners to use.

And now this was according to the design of Moroni. And Moroni had prepared his men with weapons of war; and he went to the city Gid, while the Lamanites were in a deep sleep and drunken, and cast in weapons of war unto the prisoners, insomuch that they were all armed; Yea, even to their women, and all those of their children, as many as were able to use a weapon of war, when Moroni had armed all those prisoners; and all those things were done in a profound silence.

Alma 55:18–21

Moroni did not have the intention of killing the drunken soldiers; he and his men back away from the city, and surround the Lamanite guards.

But had they awakened the Lamanites, behold they were drunken and the Nephites could have slain them. But behold, this was not the desire of Moroni; he did not delight in murder or bloodshed, but he delighted in the saving of his people from destruction; and for this cause he might not bring upon him injustice, he would not fall upon the Lamanites and destroy them in their drunkenness.

But he had obtained his desires; for he had armed those prisoners of the Nephites who were within the wall of the city, and had given them power to gain possession of those parts which were within the walls. And then he caused the men who were with him to withdraw a pace from them, and surround the armies of the Lamanites.

Alma 55:22–23

In the morning, the guards wake up to find Moroni’s army around the city, and armed Nephite prisoners on the inside of the city; they surrender without a struggle.

Now behold this was done in the night–time, so that when the Lamanites awoke in the morning they beheld that they were surrounded by the Nephites without, and that their prisoners were armed within. And thus they saw that the Nephites had power over them; and in these circumstances they found that it was not expedient that they should fight with the Nephites; therefore their chief captains demanded their weapons of war, and they brought them forth and cast them at the feet of the Nephites, pleading for mercy.

Alma 55:24–25

The Nephite prisoners are freed, and the Lamanites are taken as prisoners and are employed to make fortification on the city of Gid.

Now behold, this was the desire of Moroni. He took them prisoners of war, and took possession of the city, and caused that all the prisoners should be liberated, who were Nephites; and they did join the army of Moroni, and were a great strength to his army. And it came to pass that he did cause the Lamanites, whom he had taken prisoners, that they should commence a labor in strengthening the fortifications round about the city Gid.

Alma 55:26–27

Once the prisoners finish fortifying Gid, they are taken to Bountiful with the remainder of the prisoners.

And it came to pass that when he had fortified the city Gid, according to his desires, he caused that his prisoners should be taken to the city Bountiful; and he also guarded that city with an exceedingly strong force. And it came to pass that they did, notwithstanding all the intrigues of the Lamanites, keep and protect all the prisoners whom they had taken, and also maintain all the ground and the advantage which they had retaken.