1And now it came to pass in the commencement of the thirtieth year of the reign of the Judges in the second day on the first Month Moroni received an Epis tle from Helaman stating the affairs of the people in that quarter of the land
1And now it came to pass in the commencement of the thirtieth year of the reign of the judges, on the second day in the first month, Moroni received an epistle from Helaman, stating the affairs of the people in that quarter of the land.
2& these are the words which he wrote saying My dearly beloved Bro ther Moroni as well in the Lord as in the tribullations of our warfare behold my beloved Brother I have some what to tell you concerning our warfare in this part of the land
2And these are the words which he wrote, saying: My dearly beloved brother, Moroni, as well in the Lord as in the tribulations of our warfare; behold, my beloved brother, I have somewhat to tell you concerning our warfare in this part of the land.
3behold two thousand of the Sons of those men which Ammon brought down out of the land of Nephi now ye have known that these were a desendant of Laman wh◊◊ h was the eldest Son of our father Lehi
3Behold, two thousand of the sons of those men whom Ammon brought down out of the land of Nephi— now ye have known that these were descendants of Laman, who was the eldest son of our father Lehi;
4now I need not rehearse unto you concerning their tr aditions or their unbelief for thou knowest concerning all these things
4Now I need not rehearse unto you concerning their traditions or their unbelief, for thou knowest concerning all these things—
5therefore it supposeth me that I tell you that two thousand of these young men hath taken their weapons of war & would that I should be their leader & we have come forth to defend our Country
5Therefore it sufficeth me that I tell you that two thousand of these young men have taken their weapons of war, and would that I should be their leader; and we have come forth to defend our country.
6& now ye also know concerning the covenant which their fathers made that they would not take up their weapons of war against their brethren to shed blood
6And now ye also know concerning the covenant which their fathers made, that they would not take up their weapons of war against their brethren to shed blood.
7but in the twenty & sixth year when they saw our afflictions & our tribullations for them they were about to brake the covenant which they had made & take up their weapons of war in our defence
7But in the twenty and sixth year, when they saw our afflictions and our tribulations for them, they were about to break the covenant which they had made and take up their weapons of war in our defence.
8but I would not suffer them that they should brake this covena nt which they had made supposeing that God would strengthen us insomuch that we should not suffer more because of the fulfilling the oath which they had taken
8But I would not suffer them that they should break this covenant which they had made, supposing that God would strengthen us, insomuch that we should not suffer more because of the fulfilling the oath which they had taken.
9but behold here is one thing in which we may have great joy for behold in the twenty & sixth year I Helaman did march at the head of these two thousand young men to the City of Judeah to assist Antipus whom ye had appoi nted a leader over the people of that part of the land
9But behold, here is one thing in which we may have great joy. For behold, in the twenty and sixth year, I, Helaman, did march at the head of these two thousand young men to the city of Judea, to assist Antipus, whom ye had appointed a leader over the people of that part of the land.
10& I did join my two thousand Sons for they are worthy to be called Sons to the army of Antipus in the which strength Antipus did rejoice exceding ly for behold his army had been redused by the Lamanites because of the num erority of their forces having slain a vast number of our men for which cause we have to mourn
10And I did join my two thousand sons, (for they are worthy to be called sons ) to the army of Antipus, in which strength Antipus did rejoice exceedingly; for behold, his army had been reduced by the Lamanites because their forces had slain a vast number of our men, for which cause we have to mourn.
11nevertheless we may console ourselves in this point that they have died in the cause of their country & of their God yea & they are hapy
11Nevertheless, we may console ourselves in this point, that they have died in the cause of their country and of their God, yea, and they are happy.
12& the Lamanites had also retained many prisoners whom are chief Captains for none other have they spared alive & we suppose <that they are> now at this time in the land of Nephi it is so if they are not slain
12And the Lamanites had also retained many prisoners, all of whom are chief captains, for none other have they spared alive. And we suppose that they are now at this time in the land of Nephi; it is so if they are not slain.
13& now these are the cities which the Lamanites have obtained possession by the sheding of the blood of so many of our valiant men
13And now these are the cities of which the Lamanites have obtained possession by the shedding of the blood of so many of our valiant men:
14the land of Manti or the city of Manti & the city of Zeezrum & the city of Cume ni & the city of Antiparah
14The land of Manti, or the city of Manti, and the city of Zeezrom, and the city of Cumeni, and the city of Antiparah.
15& these are the cities which they possessed when I arived at the city of Judeah & I found Antipus & his men toiling with their mights to fortify the city
15And these are the cities which they possessed when I arrived at the city of Judea; and I found Antipus and his men toiling with their might to fortify the city.
16yea & they were depressed in body as well as in spirit for they had fou ght valiantly by day & toiled by night to maintain their cities & thus they had suffered great afflictions of every kind
16Yea, and they were depressed in body as well as in spirit, for they had fought valiantly by day and toiled by night to maintain their cities; and thus they had suffered great afflictions of every kind.
17& now they were determined to conquer in this place or die therefore you may well suppose that this little force which I broug ht with me yea those Sons of mine gave them great hopes & much joy
17And now they were determined to conquer in this place or die; therefore you may well suppose that this little force which I brought with me, yea, those sons of mine, gave them great hopes and much joy.
18& now it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that Antipus had received a greater strength to his army they were compelled by the orders of Ammoron to not come against the city of Judeah or against us to battle
18And now it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that Antipus had received a greater strength to his army, they were compelled by the orders of Ammoron to not come against the city of Judea, or against us, to battle.
19& thus were we favoured of the Lord for had they came upon us in this our weakness they might have perhaps destroyed our little army but thus were we preserved
19And thus were we favored of the Lord; for had they come upon us in this our weakness they might have perhaps destroyed our little army; but thus were we preserved.
20they were commanded by Ammoron to maintain those cities which they had taken & thus ended the twenty & sixth year & in the commencement of the twenty & seventh year we had prepared our City & ourselves for defence
20They were commanded by Ammoron to maintain those cities which they had taken. And thus ended the twenty and sixth year. And in the commencement of the twenty and seventh year we had prepared our city and ourselves for defence.
21now we were desireous that the Lamanites should come upon us for we were not desireous to make an attackt upon them in their strong holds
21Now we were desirous that the Lamanites should come upon us; for we were not desirous to make an attack upon them in their strongholds.
22& it came to pass that we kept spies out round about to watch the movements of the Lamanites that they might not pass us by night nor by day to make an attackt upon our other cities which were on the northward
22And it came to pass that we kept spies out round about, to watch the movements of the Lamanites, that they might not pass us by night nor by day to make an attack upon our other cities which were on the northward.
23for we knew in those Cities they were not sufficiently strong to meet them therefore we were desireous if they should pass by us to fall upon them in their rear & thus bring them up in the rear at the same time they were met in the front we suppossed that we could overpower them but behold we were disa ppointed in this our desire
23For we knew in those cities they were not sufficiently strong to meet them; therefore we were desirous, if they should pass by us, to fall upon them in their rear, and thus bring them up in the rear at the same time they were met in the front. We supposed that we could overpower them; but behold, we were disappointed in this our desire.
24they dearst not pass by us with their whole army ne ither dearst they with a part lest they should not be sufficiently strong & they should fall
24They durst not pass by us with their whole army, neither durst they with a part, lest they should not be sufficiently strong and they should fall.
25neither dearst they march down against the city of Zarahemla neither dearst they cross the head of Sidon over to the City of Nephihah
25Neither durst they march down against the city of Zarahemla; neither durst they cross the head of Sidon, over to the city of Nephihah.
26& thus with their forces they wer determined to miantain those Cities which they had taken
26And thus, with their forces, they were determined to maintain those cities which they had taken.
27& now it ca me to pass in the second month of this year there was brought unto us many provisions from the fathers of those my two thousand Sons
27And now it came to pass in the second month of this year, there was brought unto us many provisions from the fathers of those my two thousand sons.
28& also there was sent two thousand men unto us from the land of Zarahemla & thus we were prepared wi th ten thousand men & provisions for them & also for their wives & their children
28And also there were sent two thousand men unto us from the land of Zarahemla. And thus we were prepared with ten thousand men, and provisions for them, and also for their wives and their children.
29& the Lamanites thus seeing our forces increas daily & provisions arive for our supp ort they began to be fearful & began to sally forth if it were possible to put an end to our receiving provisions & strength
29And the Lamanites, thus seeing our forces increase daily, and provisions arrive for our support, they began to be fearful, and began to sally forth, if it were possible to put an end to our receiving provisions and strength.
30now when we saw that the Lamanites began to grow uneasy on this wise we were desireous to bring a stratigem into an effe ct upon them therefore Antipus ordered that I should march forth with my little Sons to a neighboring City as if we were carrying provisions to a neighboring City
30Now when we saw that the Lamanites began to grow uneasy on this wise, we were desirous to bring a stratagem into effect upon them; therefore Antipus ordered that I should march forth with my little sons to a neighboring city, as if we were carrying provisions to a neighboring city.
31& we were to march near the City Antiparah as if we were going to the City beyond on the borders by the Sea shore
31And we were to march near the city of Antiparah, as if we were going to the city beyond, in the borders by the seashore.
32& it came to pass that we did march forth as if with our provisions to go to that city
32And it came to pass that we did march forth, as if with our provisions, to go to that city.
33& it came to pass that Antipus did march forth with a part of his army leaving the remainder to maintain the city but he did not march forth until I had gone forth with my little army & came near the City Antiparah
33And it came to pass that Antipus did march forth with a part of his army, leaving the remainder to maintain the city. But he did not march forth until I had gone forth with my little army, and came near the city Antiparah.
34& now in the city Antiparah were stationed the strongest army of the Lamanites yea the most numerous
34And now, in the city Antiparah were stationed the strongest army of the Lamanites; yea, the most numerous.
35& it came to pass that when they had been in formed by their spies they came forth with their army & marched against us
35And it came to pass that when they had been informed by their spies, they came forth with their army and marched against us.
36& it ca me to pass that we did flee before them northward & thus we did lead away the most powerful army of the Lamanites
36And it came to pass that we did flee before them, northward. And thus we did lead away the most powerful army of the Lamanites;
37yea even to a considerable distance inso much that when they saw the army of Antipus persueing them with their mi ghts they did not turn to the right nor to the left but persued their march in a strait course affter us & as we suppose that it was their intent to slay us before Antipus should overtake them & this that they might not be surrounded by our people
37Yea, even to a considerable distance, insomuch that when they saw the army of Antipus pursuing them, with their might, they did not turn to the right nor to the left, but pursued their march in a straight course after us; and, as we suppose, it was their intent to slay us before Antipus should overtake them, and this that they might not be surrounded by our people.
38& now Antipus beholding our danger did speed the march of his army but behold it was night therefore they did not overtake us neither did Antipus overtake them therefore we did camp for the night
38And now Antipus, beholding our danger, did speed the march of his army. But behold, it was night; therefore they did not overtake us, neither did Antipus overtake them; therefore we did camp for the night.
39& it came to pass that before the dawn of the morning behold the Lamanites were persueing us now we were not sufficiently strong to contend with them yea I would not suffer that my little Sons should fall into their hands therefore we did continue our march & we took our march into the wilderness
39And it came to pass that before the dawn of the morning, behold, the Lamanites were pursuing us. Now we were not sufficiently strong to contend with them; yea, I would not suffer that my little sons should fall into their hands; therefore we did continue our march, and we took our march into the wilderness.
40now they dearst not turn to the right nor to the left lest they should be surrounded neither would I turn to the right or to the left lest they should over take me & we could not stand against them but be slain & they would make their escape & thus we did flee all that day into the wilderness even until it was dark
40Now they durst not turn to the right nor to the left lest they should be surrounded; neither would I turn to the right nor to the left lest they should overtake me, and we could not stand against them, but be slain, and they would make their escape; and thus we did flee all that day into the wilderness, even until it was dark.
41& it came to pass that ag ain when the light of the morning came we saw the Lamanites upon us & we did flee before them
41And it came to pass that again, when the light of the morning came we saw the Lamanites upon us, and we did flee before them.
42but it came to pass that they did not persue us far before they halted & it was in the morning of the third day on the seventh mon th
42But it came to pass that they did not pursue us far before they halted; and it was in the morning of the third day of the seventh month.
43& now whether they were overtaken by Antipus we knew not but I said un to my men behold we know not but they have halted for the purpose that we should come against them that they might catch us in their snare
43And now, whether they were overtaken by Antipus we knew not, but I said unto my men: Behold, we know not but they have halted for the purpose that we should come against them, that they might catch us in their snare;
44therefore what say ye my Sons will ye go against them to battle
44Therefore what say ye, my sons, will ye go against them to battle?
45& now I say unto you my beloved Brother Moroni that never had I seen so great courage nay not amongst all the Nephites
45And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never had I seen so great courage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites.
46for as I had ever called them my Sons for they were all of them verry young even so they said unto me father behold our God is with us & he will not suffer that we shall fall then let us go forth we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone therefore let us go lest they should over power the army of Antipus
46For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young ) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus.
47now they never had fought yet they did not fear death & they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives yea they had been taught by their mothers that if they did not doubt that God would deliver them
47Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.
48& they rehearsed unto me the words of their Mothers saying we do not doubt our Mothers knew &
48And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.
49it came to pass that I did return with my two thousand against these Lamanites wh ich had persued us & now behold the armies of Antipus had overtaken them & a terrible battle had commenced
49And it came to pass that I did return with my two thousand against these Lamanites who had pursued us. And now behold, the armies of Antipus had overtaken them, and a terrible battle had commenced.
50the army of Antipus being weary beca use of their long march in so short a space of time were about to fall into the hands of the Lamanites & had I not returned with my two thousand they would have obtained their purpose
50The army of Antipus being weary, because of their long march in so short a space of time, were about to fall into the hands of the Lamanites; and had I not returned with my two thousand they would have obtained their purpose.
51for Antipus had fallen by the sword & many of his leaders because of their weariness which was occasioned by the speed of their march therefore the men of Antipus being confused beca use of the fall of their leaders began to g◊ ve way before the Lamanites &
51For Antipus had fallen by the sword, and many of his leaders, because of their weariness, which was occasioned by the speed of their march— therefore the men of Antipus, being confused because of the fall of their leaders, began to give way before the Lamanites.
52it ca me to pass that the Lamantes took courage & began to persue them & thus were the Lamanites persueing them with great vigor when Helaman came upon their rear with his two thousand & began to slay them excedingly inso much that the whole army of the Lamanites halted & turned upon Helam an
52And it came to pass that the Lamanites took courage, and began to pursue them; and thus were the Lamanites pursuing them with great vigor when Helaman came upon their rear with his two thousand, and began to slay them exceedingly, insomuch that the whole army of the Lamanites halted and turned upon Helaman.
53now when the people of Antipus saw that the Lamanites had turn ed them about they gathered together their men & came again upon the rear of the Lamanites
53Now when the people of Antipus saw that the Lamanites had turned them about, they gathered together their men and came again upon the rear of the Lamanites.
54& now it came to pass that we the people of Nephi the people of Antipus & I with my two thousand did surround the Lamanites & did slay them yea insomuch that they were compelled to deliver up their weapons of war & also themselves as prisoners of war
54And now it came to pass that we, the people of Nephi, the people of Antipus, and I with my two thousand, did surround the Lamanites, and did slay them; yea, insomuch that they were compelled to deliver up their weapons of war and also themselves as prisoners of war.
55& now it came to pass that when they had surrendered themselves up unto us behold I numbered those young men wh ich had fought with me fearing lest there were many of them slain
55And now it came to pass that when they had surrendered themselves up unto us, behold, I numbered those young men who had fought with me, fearing lest there were many of them slain.
56but behold to my great joy there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth yea & they had fought as if with the strength of God yea never was men known to have fought wi th such maracilus strength & with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites that they did frighten them & for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war
56But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war.
57& as we had no place for our prisoners that we could guard them to keep them from the armies of the Lamanites therefore we sent them to the land of Zarahemla & a part of those men which were not slain of Antipus with them & the remainder I took & joined them to my stripling Ammonites & took our march back to the City of Judeah
57And as we had no place for our prisoners, that we could guard them to keep them from the armies of the Lamanites, therefore we sent them to the land of Zarahemla, and a part of those men who were not slain of Antipus, with them; and the remainder I took and joined them to my stripling Ammonites, and took our march back to the city of Judea.