Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 26
On this occasion the prisoners turned on their guards and did "fight with stones, and with dubs, or
whatsoever things they could get into their hands," and thus two thousand prisoners were slain.
The rest were started for Zarahemla (86-90). However, the next day their guards returned to
Cumeni alone.
In the meantime Ammoron had sent provisions and many men to the Lamanites. As the men who
started with the Lamanite prisoners returned, they found Helaman's army about to be
overpowered, and they gave timely assistance (93).
Alma 26:95 And as the remainder of our army were about to give way before the Lamanites, behold,
those two thousand and sixty were firm and undaunted; yea, and they did obey and observe to perform
every word of command with exactness;
The Lamanites were driven back to the city of Manti, though the Nephites "had suffered great
loss" (98). Helaman ordered that "the wounded should be taken from among the dead, and caused
that their wounds should be dressed" (99). While "two hundred, out of my two thousand and sixty,
...had fainted because of the loss of blood," not one had been killed (100, 101). Yet there were a
thousand Nephites slain. Helaman's letter explained the miraculous preservation of his sons on the
basis "they do put their trust in God continually" (104).
THE NEPHITES TAKE THE CITY OF MANTI, VER. 105-170
Alma 26:105 And now it came to pass that after we had thus taken care of our wounded men, and had
buried our dead, and also the dead of the Lamanites, who were many, behold, we did inquire of Gid
concerning the prisoners whom they had started to go down to the land of Zarahemla with.
There was no time for conversation until the battle was won, and they had cared for the wounded
and dead. Gid, the chief captain for the expedition, said that some Nephite spies who had been
watching the Lamanite camp brought them news that the enemy was marching towards Cumeni.
The prisoners heard this report and rebelled. "They did, in a body, run upon our swords, in the
which, the greater number of them were slain. .. the remainder. ..fled from us" (112).
Alma 26:118 And behold, now it came to pass that our next object was to obtain the city of Manti; but
behold, there was no way that we could lead them out of the city, by our small bands.
Although there were many more garrisoned in the city than Helaman had in his army, yet they
"could not decoy them away from their strongholds" (119). Helaman had to wait for more
provisions and men to come from Zarahemla (124). The Lamanites also received men and
supplies, and "were sallying forth against us, from time to time" (126).
This continued for months, "even until we were about to perish for the want of food" (127).
Finally food was brought by an army of two thousand men. This was all the assistance they
received. "We were grieved, and also filled with fear" (130). "Therefore we did pour out our souls
in prayer to God. ...The Lord our God did visit us with assurances, that he would deliver us"
(131,132).