[Please note that this segment begins in the midst of Alma 56:20]

Alma 56:20

...

And in the commencement of the twenty and seventh year

we had prepared our city and ourselves for defence.

Alma 56:21

Now we were desirous that the Lamanites should come upon us;

for we were not desirous to make an attack upon them in their strongholds.

Alma 56:22

And it came to pass that we kept spies out round about,

to watch the movements of the Lamanites,

that they might not pass us by night nor by day

to make an attack upon our other cities which were on the northward.

Alma 56:23

For we knew in those cities they were not sufficiently strong to meet them;

therefore we were desirous, if they should pass by us,

to fall upon them in their rear,

and thus bring them up in the rear

at the same time they were met in the front.

We supposed that we could overpower them;

but behold, we were disappointed in this our desire.

Alma 56:24

They durst not pass by us with their whole army,

neither durst they with a part,

lest they should not be sufficiently strong and they should fall.

Alma 56:25

Neither durst they march down against the city of Zarahemla;

neither durst they cross the head of Sidon, over to the city of Nephihah.

Alma 56:26

And thus, with their forces, they were determined

to maintain those cities which they had taken.

Alma 56:27

And now it came to pass in the second month of this year,

there was brought unto us many provisions

from the fathers of those my two thousand sons.

Alma 56:28

And also there were sent two thousand men unto us from the land of Zarahemla.

And thus we were prepared with ten thousand men,

and provisions for them, and also for their wives and their children.

Alma 56:29

And the Lamanites, thus seeing our forces increase daily,

and provisions arrive for our support,

they began to be fearful, and began to sally forth,

if it were possible to put an end to our receiving provisions and strength.