Alma 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 labors.

Alma 53:2

And Moroni went to the city of Mulek with Lehi,

and took command of the city and gave it unto Lehi.

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 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;

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 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;

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 53:5

And this city became an exceeding stronghold ever after;

and in this city they did guard the prisoners of the Lamanites;

yea, even within a wall which they had caused them to build with their own hands.

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 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 of 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 53:7

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 53:8

And now it came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites, on the west sea, 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 53:9

And thus because of iniquity amongst themselves,

yea, because of dissensions and intrigue among themselves

they were placed in the most dangerous circumstances.