BoM Translation Guide



Alma 24

Alma 24:1 [LDS 52:1]
[And now] [it came to pass] [in the twenty] [and sixth] year [of the reign] [of the Judges] over [the people] [of Nephi,] behold, [when the Lamanites] awoke [on the <first> morning] [of the <first> month,] behold, [they found] Amalickiah [was dead] [in his own tent;] [and they <also> saw] [that Teancum] [was ready] [to give] them battle [on <that> day.]

Alma 24:2 [LDS 52:2]
[And now] [when the Lamanites] [saw this,] [they were affrighted;] [and they abandoned] [their design] [in marching] into [the land] northward, [and retreated] [with all] [their army] into [the city] [of Mulek,] [and sought] protection [in their fortifications.]

Alma 24:3 [LDS 52:3]
[And it came to pass] [that the brother] [of Amalickiah] [was appointed] king over [the people;] [and his name] [was Ammoron;] thus King Ammoron, [the brother] [of King] Amalickiah, [was appointed] [to reign] [in his stead.]

Alma 24:4 [LDS 52:4]
[And it came to pass] [that he did command] that [his people] [should maintain] those cities which [they had taken] [by the shedding] [of blood;] for [they had <not> taken] [any cities,] save [they had lost] much blood.

Alma 24:5 [LDS 52:5]
[And now] Teancum saw [that the Lamanites] [were determined] [to maintain] those cities which [they had taken,] [and those parts] [of the land] which [they had obtained possession of;]

Alma 24:6 [LDS 52:5] [Note]
[And also] seeing [the enormity] [of their number,] Teancum thought [it was <not> expedient] [that he should attempt to attack them] [in their forts;] [but he kept] [his men] [round about,] [as if] [making preparations] [for war;]

Alma 24:7 [LDS 52:6]
Yea, [and truly] [he was preparing] [to defend himself] [against them,] [by casting up] walls [round about,] [and preparing] places [of resort.]

Alma 24:8 [LDS 52:7]
[And it came to pass] [that he kept] thus preparing [for war,] until Moroni [had sent] [a <large> number] [of men] [to strengthen] [his army;]

Alma 24:9 [LDS 52:8]
[And Moroni] also sent orders [unto him,] [that he should retain] all [the prisoners] [who fell] [into his hands;] for [as the Lamanites] [had taken] many prisoners, [that he should retain] all [the prisoners] [of the Lamanites,] [as a ransom] for [those whom] [the Lamanites] [had taken.]

Alma 24:10 [LDS 52:9]
[And he <also> sent] orders [unto him,] [that he should fortify] [the land] Bountiful, [and secure] [the <narrow> pass] [which led] [into the land] northward, lest [the Lamanites] [should obtain] [that point,] [and should have power] [to harass them] [on every] side.

Alma 24:11 [LDS 52:10]
[And Moroni] also sent [unto him,] [desiring him] [that he would be faithful] [in maintaining] that quarter [of the land,] [and that he would seek] every opportunity [to scourge] [the Lamanites] [in <that> quarter,] [as much as] was [in his power,]

Alma 24:12 [LDS 52:10]
[That perhaps] [he might take] again, [by stratagem] [or some] other way, those cities [which had been taken out] [of their hands;] [and that he <also> would fortify] [and strengthen] [the cities] [round about,] which [had <not> fallen] [into the hands] [of the Lamanites.]

Alma 24:13 [LDS 52:11]
[And he <also> said] [unto him,] [I would come] [unto you,] [but behold,] [the Lamanites are] [upon us] [in the borders] [of the land] [by the <west> sea;] [and behold,] [I go] [against them,] therefore [I can not] come [unto you.]

Alma 24:14 [LDS 52:12]
[Now the king] (Ammoron) [had departed] [out of the land] [of Zarahemla,] [and had made known] [unto the queen] concerning [the death] [of his brother,] [and had gathered together] [a <large> number] [of men,] [and had marched forth] against [the Nephites,] [on the borders] [by the <west> sea;]

Alma 24:15 [LDS 52:13]
[And thus] [he was endeavoring] [to harass] [the Nephites] [and to draw away] [a part] [of their forces] [to that] part [of the land,] [while he had commanded] [those whom] [he had left] [to possess] [the cities] which [he had taken,] [that they should <also> harass] [the Nephites] [on the borders] [by the <east> sea;] [and should take possession] [of their lands] [as much as] [it was] [in their power,] [according to the power] [of their armies.]

Alma 24:16 [LDS 52:14]
[And thus] [were the Nephites] [[in <those> <dangerous> circumstances, ]] [in the ending] [of the twenty] [and sixth] year [of the reign] [of the Judges] over [the people] [of Nephi.]

Alma 24:17 [LDS 52:15]
[But behold,] [it came to pass] [in the twenty] [and seventh] year [of the reign] [of the Judges,] [that Teancum,] [by the command] [of Moroni,] who [had established] armies [to protect] [the south] [and <west> borders] [of the land,] [had begun] [his march] towards [the land] Bountiful, [that he might assist] Teancum with [his men,] [in retaking] [the cities] which [they had lost.]

Alma 24:18 [LDS 52:16]
[And it came to pass] [that Teancum] [had received] orders [to make an attack] upon [the city] [of Mulek,] [and retake it] if [it were possible.]

Alma 24:19 [LDS 52:17]
[And it came to pass] [that Teancum] [made preparations] [to make an attack] upon [the city] [of Mulek,] [and march forth] [with his army] [against the Lamanites;] [but he saw] that [it was impossible] that [he could overpower them] [while they were] [in their fortifications;]

Alma 24:20 [LDS 52:17]
[Therefore he abandoned] [his designs,] [and returned again] to [the city] Bountiful, [to wait] [for the coming] [of Moroni] [that he might receive] strength [to his army.]

Alma 24:21 [LDS 52:18]
[And it came to pass] [that Moroni] [did arrive] [with his army] to [the land] [of Bountiful,] [in the latter end] [of the twenty] [and seventh] year [of the reign] [of the Judges] over [the people] [of Nephi.]

Alma 24:22 [LDS 52:19]
[And in the commencement] [of the twenty] [and eighth] year, Moroni [and Teancum,] [and many] [of the chief captains,] held [a council] [of war,] what [they should do] [to cause the Lamanites] [to come out] [against them] [to battle;]

Alma 24:23 [LDS 52:19]
[Or that they might by some means,] [flatter them out] [of their strongholds,] [that they might gain] advantage [over them,] [and take] again [the city] [of Mulek.]

Alma 24:24 [LDS 52:20]
[And it came to pass] [that they sent] embassies [to the army] [of the Lamanites,] which protected [the city] [of Mulek,] [to their leader,] [whose name] [was Jacob,] [desiring him] [that he would come out] [with his armies] [to meet them] upon [the plains,] between [the <two> cities.]

Alma 24:25 [LDS 52:20]
[But behold,] Jacob, [who was] [a Zoramite,] [would <not> come out] [with his army] [to meet them] upon [the plains.]

Alma 24:26 [LDS 52:21]
[And it came to pass] [that Moroni,] [having <no> hopes] [of meeting them] upon fair grounds, [therefore he resolved] upon [a plan] [that he might decoy] [the Lamanites] [out of] [their strongholds.]

Alma 24:27 [LDS 52:22]
[Therefore he caused that Teancum] [should take] [a <small> number] [of men,] [and march down] near [the sea-] shore; [and Moroni] [and his army,] [by night,] marched into [the wilderness,] [on the west] [of the city] Mulek;

Alma 24:28 [LDS 52:22]
[And thus,] [on the morrow,] [when the guards] [of the Lamanites] [had discovered] Teancum, [they ran] [and told it] unto Jacob, [their leader.]

Alma 24:29 [LDS 52:23]
[And it came to pass] [that the armies] [of the Lamanites] [did march forth] against Teancum, supposing [by their numbers] [to overpower] Teancum, [because of the smallness] [of his numbers.]

Alma 24:30 [LDS 52:23]
[And as Teancum] saw [the armies] [of the Lamanites] [coming out] [against him,] [he began] [to retreat down] [by the sea-] shore northward.

Alma 24:31 [LDS 52:24]
[And it came to pass] [that when] [the Lamanites] saw [that he began] [to flee,] [they took courage] [and pursued them] [with vigor.]

Alma 24:32 [LDS 52:24]
[And while Teancum] [was <thus> leading away] [the Lamanites] who [were pursuing them] [in vain,] behold, Moroni commanded [that a part] [of his army] [who were] [with him,] [should march forth] [into the city,] [and take possession of it.]

Alma 24:33 [LDS 52:25]
[And thus] [they did,] [and slew] all [those who] [had been left] [to protect] [the city;] yea, all [those who] [would <not> yield up] [their weapons] [of war.]

Alma 24:34 [LDS 52:26]
[And thus] Moroni [had obtained possession] [of the city] Mulek, with [a part] [of his army,] [while he marched] [with the remainder] [to meet] [the Lamanites,] [when they should return] [from the pursuit] [of Teancum.]

Alma 24:35 [LDS 52:27]
[And it came to pass] [that the Lamanites] [did pursue] Teancum until [they came near] [the city] Bountiful, [and then they were met] [by Lehi,] [and a <small> army,] which [had been left] [to protect] [the city] Bountiful.

Alma 24:36 [LDS 52:28]
[And now] behold, [when the chief captains] [of the Lamanites] [had beheld] Lehi, [with his army,] coming [against them,] [they fled] [in <much> confusion,] lest perhaps [they should <not> obtain] [the city] Mulek, before Lehi [should overtake them;] for [they were wearied] [because of their march,] [and the men] [of Lehi] were fresh.

Alma 24:37 [LDS 52:29]
[Now the Lamanites] [did <not> know] that Moroni [had been] [in their rear] [with his army;] [and all] [they feared,] [was Lehi] [and his men.]

Alma 24:38 [LDS 52:30]
[Now Lehi] [was <not> desirous] [to overtake them,] til [they should meet] Moroni [and his army.]

Alma 24:39 [LDS 52:31]
[And it came to pass] [that before] [the Lamanites] [had retreated] far, [they were surrounded] [by the Nephites;] [by the men] [of Moroni] [on <one> hand,] [and the men] [of Lehi] [on the other,] all [of whom] were fresh [and full] [of strength;] [but the Lamanites] [were wearied,] [because of their <long> march.]

Alma 24:40 [LDS 52:32]
[And Moroni] commanded [his men] [that they should fall] [upon them,] until [they had given up] [their weapons] [of war.]

Alma 24:41 [LDS 52:33] [Note]
[And it came to pass] [that Jacob,] [being their leader,] [being <also> a Zoramite,] [and having an <unconquerable> spirit,] [[he led [the Lamanites] forth]] [to battle,] [with <exceeding> fury] against Moroni.

Alma 24:42 [LDS 52:34]
Moroni [being in their course] [of march,] [therefore Jacob] [was determined] [to slay them,] [[and cut [his way] through]] [to the city] [of Mulek.]

Alma 24:43 [LDS 52:34]
[But behold,] Moroni [and his men] were [more powerful;] therefore [they did <not> give] way before [the Lamanites.]

Alma 24:44 [LDS 52:35]
[And it came to pass] [that they fought] [on both] hands [with <exceeding> fury;] [and there were <many> slain] [on both] sides; yea, [and Moroni] [was wounded,] [and Jacob] [was killed.]

Alma 24:45 [LDS 52:36]
[And Lehi] [pressed upon] [their rear] [with such fury,] [with his strong men,] [that the Lamanites] [in the rear] [delivered up] [their weapons] [of war;] [and the remainder] [of them,] [being <much> confused,] knew not whether [to go] [or to strike.]

Alma 24:46 [LDS 52:37]
[Now Moroni] seeing [their confusion,] [he said] [unto them,] If [ye will bring forth] [your weapons] [of war,] [and deliver them up,] behold [we will forbear] shedding [your blood.]

Alma 24:47 [LDS 52:38]
[And it came to pass] [that when] [the Lamanites] [had heard] these words, [their chief captains,] all [those who] [were <not> slain,] [came forth] [and threw down] [their weapons] [of war] [at the feet] [of Moroni,] [and also] commanded [their men] that [they should do the same:]

Alma 24:48 [LDS 52:39]
[But behold,] [there were] many [that would] not; [and those who] [would <not> deliver up] [their swords,] [were taken] [and bound,] [and their weapons] [of war] [were taken] [from them,] [and they were compelled] [[to march <with> [their brethren] forth]] into [the land] Bountiful.

Alma 24:49 [LDS 52:40]
[And now] [the number] [of prisoners] who [were taken,] exceeded [more than] [the number] [of those who] [had been slain;] yea, [more than] [those who] [had been slain] [on both] sides.

Alma 24:50 [LDS 53:1]
[And it came to pass] [that they did set] guards over [the prisoners] [of the Lamanites,] [and did compel them] [to go forth] [and bury] [their dead;] yea, [and also] [the dead] [of the Nephites] who [were slain;] [and Moroni] placed men [over them] [to guard them] [while they should perform] [their labor.]

Alma 24:51 [LDS 53:2]
[And Moroni] went to [the city] [of Mulek] with Lehi, [and took command] [of the city,] [and gave it] unto Lehi.

Alma 24:52 [LDS 53:2]
Now behold this Lehi was [a man] who [had been] with Moroni [in the more part] [of all] [his battles;] [and he was a man] [like unto Moroni;] [and they rejoiced] [in each] other's safety; yea, [they were beloved] [by each] other, [and also] beloved [by all] [the people] [of Nephi.]

Alma 24:53 [LDS 53:3]
[And it came to pass] [that after] [the Lamanites] [had finished] burying [their dead,] [and also] [the dead] [of the Nephites,] [they were marched back] into [the land] Bountiful;

Alma 24:54 [LDS 53:3]
[And Teancum,] [by the orders] [of Moroni,] [caused that they should commence] laboring [in digging] [a ditch] [round about] [the land,] [or the city] Bountiful;

Alma 24:55 [LDS 53:4]
[And he caused that they should build] [a breastwork] [of timbers] upon [the <inner> bank] [of the ditch;] [and they cast up] dirt [out of the ditch] against [the breastwork] [of timbers;]

Alma 24:56 [LDS 53:4]
[And thus] [they did cause] [the Lamanites] [to labor,] until [they had encircled] [the city] [of Bountiful] [round about] [with a <strong> wall] [of timbers] [and earth,] [to an <exceeding> height.]

Alma 24:57 [LDS 53:5]
[And <this> city] became [an <exceeding> <stronghold> ever] after; [and in <this> city] [they did guard] [the prisoners] [of the Lamanites;] [yea,{incorrect punctuation} even] [within a wall,] which [they had caused them to build] with [their own hands.]

Alma 24:58 [LDS 53:5]
[Now Moroni] [was compelled] [to cause the Lamanites] [to labor,] because [it was easy] [to guard them] [while at their labor;] [and he desired] all [his forces,] [when he should make an attack] upon [the Lamanites.]

Alma 24:59 [LDS 53:6]
[And it came to pass] [that Moroni] [had thus] gained [a victory] over one [of the greatest] [of the armies] [of the Lamanites,] [and had obtained possession] [of the city] Mulek, which [was one] [of the <strongest> holds] [of the Lamanites] [in the land] [of Nephi;] [and thus] [he had <also> built] [a stronghold] [to retain] [his prisoners.]

Alma 24:60 [LDS 53:7] [Note]
[And it came to pass] [[that he did <no> <more> attempt ]] [a battle] with [the Lamanites] [in that year;] [but he did employ] [his men] [in preparing] [for war:] yea, [and in making fortifications] [to guard] [against the Lamanites;] yea, [and also] delivering [their women] [and their children] [from famine] [and affliction,] [and providing] food [for their armies.]

Alma 24:61 [LDS 53:8] [Note]
[And now] [it came to pass] [that the armies] [of the Lamanites,] [on the <west> <sea,>{incorrect punctuation} south,] [while in the absence] [of Moroni,] [on account of] [some intrigue] amongst [the Nephites,] which [caused dissensions] [amongst them,] [had gained] [some ground] over [the Nephites,] yea, [insomuch that they had obtained possession] [of a number] [of their cities] [in <that> part] [of the land;]

Alma 24:62 [LDS 53:9]
[And thus] [because of iniquity] [amongst themselves,] yea, [because of dissension] [and intrigue] [among themselves,] [they were placed] [in the most <dangerous> circumstances.]

Alma 24:63 [LDS 53:10]
[And now] behold, [I have somewhat to say] concerning [the people] [of Ammon,] who, [in the beginning] [were Lamanites;] [but by Ammon] [and his brethren,] [or rather] [by the power] [and word] [of God,] [they had been converted] unto [the Lord;]

Alma 24:64 [LDS 53:10]
[And they had been brought down] into [the land] [of Zarahemla,] [[and had [ever since] been protected ]] [by the Nephites;] [and because of their oath,] [they had been kept] [from taking up] arms against [their brethren;]

Alma 24:65 [LDS 53:11]
For [they had taken an oath,] [that they <never> would shed] blood more; [and according to their oath,] [they would have perished;] yea, [they would have suffered themselves] [to have fallen] [into the hands] [of their brethren,] [had it <not> been] [for the pity] [and the <exceeding> love] which Ammon [and his brethren] [had had] [for them;]

Alma 24:66 [LDS 53:12]
[And for <this> cause,] [they were brought down] into [the land] [of Zarahemla;] [and they ever had been protected] [by the Nephites.]

Alma 24:67 [LDS 53:13]
[But it came to pass] [that when they saw] [the danger,] [and the <many> afflictions] [and tribulations] which [the Nephites] bore [for them,] [they were moved] [with compassion,] [and were desirous] [to take up] arms [in defense] [of their country.]

Alma 24:68 [LDS 53:14]
[But behold,] [as they were about to take] [their weapons] [of war,] [they were overpowered] [by the persuasions] [of Helaman] [and his brethren,] for [they were about to break] [the oath] which [they had made;]

Alma 24:69 [LDS 53:15]
[And Helaman] feared lest [by so doing,] [they should lose] [their souls;] therefore all [those who] [had entered] [into this covenant,] [were compelled] [to behold] [their brethren] [wade through] [their afflictions,] [in their <dangerous> circumstances,] [at this time.]

Alma 24:70 [LDS 53:16]
[But behold,] [it came to pass] [they had <many> sons,] who [had <not> entered] [into a covenant] [that they would <not> take] [their weapons] [of war] [to defend themselves] against [their enemies;]

Alma 24:71 [LDS 53:16]
Therefore [they did assemble themselves together] [at this time,] [as many as] [were able to take up] arms; [and they called] [themselves Nephites;]

Alma 24:72 [LDS 53:17]
[And they entered] [into a covenant,] [to fight] for [the liberty] [of the Nephites;] yea, [to protect] [the land] [unto the laying down] [of their lives;]

Alma 24:73 [LDS 53:17]
[Yea,{incorrect punctuation} even] [they covenanted] [that they never] [would give up] [their liberty,] [but they would fight] [in all] cases [to protect] [the Nephites] [and themselves] [from bondage.]

Alma 24:74 [LDS 53:18]
Now behold, [there were] [two thousand] [of <those> young men] who entered [into this covenant,] [and took] [their weapons] [of war] [to defend] [their country.]

Alma 24:75 [LDS 53:19]
[And now] behold, [as they <never> had hitherto been] [a disadvantage] [to the Nephites,] [they became] now [at <this> period] [of time] also [a <great> support,] for [they took] [their weapons] [of war,] [and they would that] Helaman [should be] [their leader.]

Alma 24:76 [LDS 53:20]
[And they were] all [young men,] [and they were <exceeding> valiant] [for courage,] [and also] [for strength] [and activity;] [but behold,] this was not all: [they were] men who were true [at all] times [in whatsoever] thing [they were entrusted;]

Alma 24:77 [LDS 53:21]
Yea, [they were men] [of truth] [and soberness,] for [they had been taught] [to keep] [the commandments] [of God,] [and to walk] uprightly [before him.]

Alma 24:78 [LDS 53:22]
[And now] [it came to pass] [that Helaman] [did march] [at the head] [of his two thousand] stripling soldiers, [to the support] [of the people] [in the borders] [of the land] [on the south] [by the <west> sea.]

Alma 24:79 [LDS 53:23]
[And thus] ended [the twenty] [and eighth] year [of the reign] [of the Judges] over [the people] [of Nephi,] etc.