Alma 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;

and they had been brought down into the land of Zarahemla,

and had ever since been protected by the Nephites.

Alma 53:11

And because of their oath

they had been kept from taking up arms against their brethren;

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 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 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 the defence of their country.

Alma 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 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 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;

therefore they did assemble themselves together at this time,

as many as were able to take up arms,

and they called themselves Nephites.

Alma 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;

yea, 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 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 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 53:20

And they were all young men,

and they were exceedingly 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 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 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 53:23

And thus ended the twenty and eighth year

of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.