THE BOOK OF ALMA
THE soN OF ALMA
CHAPTER 59
Moroni asks Pahoran to strengthen the forces of Helaman—The Lamanites take the city of Nephihah—Moroni is angry with the government. [About 62 B.C.]
[What did Mormon see in our day that would have caused him to include these verses? see verse 9 Better to Prepare and Prevent than Repair and Repent]
1 NOW it came to pass in the *thirtieth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, after Moroni had received and had read Helaman’s epistle, he was exceedingly rejoiced because of the welfare, yea, the exceeding success which Helaman had had, in obtaining those lands which were lost.
2 Yea, and he did make it known unto all his people, in all the land round about in that part where he was, that they might rejoice also.
3 And it came to pass that he immediately sent an epistle to Pahoran, desiring that he should cause men to be gathered together to strengthen Helaman, or the armies of Helaman, insomuch that he might with ease maintain that part of the land which he had been so miraculously prospered in regaining.
4 And it came to pass when Moroni had sent this epistle to the land of Zarahemla, he began again to lay a plan that he might obtain the remainder of those possessions and cities which the Lamanites had taken from them.
5 And it came to pass that while Moroni was thus making preparations to go against the Lamanites to battle, behold, the people of Nephihah, who were gathered together from the city of Moroni and the city of Lehi and the city of Morianton, were attacked by the Lamanites.
6 Yea, even those who had been compelled to flee from the land of Manti, and from the land round about, had come over and joined the Lamanites in this part of the land.
7 And thus being exceedingly numerous, yea, and receiving strength from day to day, by the command of Ammoron they came forth against the people of Nephihah, and they did begin to slay them with an exceedingly great slaughter.
8 And their armies were so numerous that the remainder of the people of Nephihah were obliged to flee before them; and they came even and joined the army of Moroni.
9 And now as Moroni had supposed that there should be
men sent to the city of Nephihah, to the assistance of the people to
maintain that city, and knowing
that it was easier to keep the city from falling into the hands of the
Lamanites than to retake it from them, [What
is the lesson for us in our lives here? Better
to Prepare and Prevent than Repair and Repent President Ezra Taft Benson
expressed the same idea in similar words regarding our attitude towards sin
and repentance: “It is better to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and
repent” ( Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson , 285).] he supposed that they
would easily maintain that city.
11 And now, when Moroni saw that the city of Nephihah was lost he was exceedingly sorrowful, and began to doubt, because of the wickedness of the people, whether they should not fall into the hands of their brethren.
* Verse 1 [62 B.C.].