Alma 49:12 12 Therefore they retreated into the
wilderness, and took their
camp and marched towards the land of Noah, supposing
that to be
the next best place for them to come against the Nephites.
Alma 49:13 13 For they knew not that Moroni had fortified, or had built forts of security, for every city in all the land round about; therefore, they marched forward to the land of Noah with a firm determination; yea, their chief captains came forward and took an oath that they would destroy the people of that city.
Alma 49:14 14 But behold, to their astonishment,
the city of Noah, which
had hitherto been a weak place, had now, by the means
of Moroni,
become strong, yea, even to exceed the strength of
the city
Ammonihah.
Alma 49:15 15 And now, behold, this was wisdom in Moroni; for he had supposed that they would be frightened at the city Ammonihah; and as the city of Noah had hitherto been the weakest part of the land, therefore they would march thither to battle; and thus it was according to his desires.
Alma 49:16 16 And behold, Moroni had appointed Lehi
to be chief captain
over the men of that city; and it was that same Lehi
who fought
with the Lamanites in the valley on the east of the
river Sidon.
Alma 49:17 17 And now behold it came to pass, that when the Lamanites had found that Lehi commanded the city they were again disappointed, for they feared Lehi exceedingly; nevertheless their chief captains had sworn with an oath to attack the city; therefore, they brought up their armies.
Alma 49:18 18 Now behold, the Lamanites could not get into their forts of security by any other way save by the entrance, because of the highness of the bank which had been thrown up, and the depth of the ditch which had been dug round about, save it were by the entrance.
Alma 49:19 19 And thus were the Nephites prepared
to destroy all such as
should attempt to climb up to enter the fort by any
other way, by
casting over stones and arrows at them.
Alma 49:20 20 Thus they were prepared, yea, a body of their strongest men, with their swords and their slings, to smite down all who should attempt to come into their place of security by the place of entrance; and thus were they prepared to defend themselves against the Lamanites.
Alma 49:21 21 And it came to pass that the captains of the Lamanites brought up their armies before the place of entrance, and began to contend with the Nephites, to get into their place of security; but behold, they were driven back from time to time, insomuch that they were slain with an immense slaughter.
Alma 49:22 22 Now when they found that they could not obtain power over the Nephites by the pass, they began to dig down their banks of earth that they might obtain a pass to their armies, that they might have an equal chance to fight; but behold, in these attempts they were swept off by the stones and arrows which were thrown at them; and instead of filling up their ditches by pulling down the banks of earth, they were filled up in a measure with their dead and wounded bodies.


