Alma 58:13

And thus we did go forth with all our might against the Lamanites,

who were in the city of Manti;

and we did pitch our tents by the wilderness side, which was near to the city.

Alma 58:14

And it came to pass that on the morrow,

that when the Lamanites saw that we were in the borders

by the wilderness which was near the city,

that they sent out their spies round about us

that they might discover the number and the strength of our army.

Alma 58:15

And it came to pass that when they saw

that we were not strong, according to our numbers,

and fearing that we should cut them off from their support

except they should come out to battle against us and kill us,

and also supposing that they could easily destroy us with their numerous hosts,

therefore they began to make preparations to come out against us to battle.

Alma 58:16

And when we saw that they were making preparations to come out against us,

behold, I caused that Gid, with a small number of men,

should secrete himself in the wilderness,

and also that Teomner and a small number of men

should secrete themselves also in the wilderness.

Alma 58:17

Now Gid and his men were on the right and the others on the left;

and when they had thus secreted themselves,

behold, I remained, with the remainder of my army, in that same place

where we had first pitched our tents

against the time that the Lamanites should come out to battle.

Alma 58:18

And it came to pass that

the Lamanites did come out with their numerous army against us.

And when they had come and were about to fall upon us with the sword,

I caused that my men, those who were with me, should retreat into the wilderness.

Alma 58:19

And it came to pass that the Lamanites did follow after us with great speed,

for they were exceedingly desirous to overtake us that they might slay us;

therefore they did follow us into the wilderness;

and we did pass by in the midst of Gid and Teomner,

insomuch that they were not discovered by the Lamanites.

Alma 58:20

And it came to pass that when the Lamanites had passed by,

or when the army had passed by,

Gid and Teomner did rise up from their secret places,

and did cut off the spies of the Lamanites

that they should not return to the city.

Alma 58:21

And it came to pass that when they had cut them off,

they ran to the city and fell upon the guards who were left to guard the city,

insomuch that they did destroy them and did take possession of the city.

Alma 58:22

Now this was done because the Lamanites did suffer

their whole army, save a few guards only,

to be led away into the wilderness.

Alma 58:23

And it came to pass that

Gid and Teomner by this means had obtained possession of their strongholds.

And it came to pass that we took our course,

after having traveled much in the wilderness

towards the land of Zarahemla.

Alma 58:24

And when the Lamanites saw that they were marching

towards the land of Zarahemla,

they were exceedingly afraid,

lest there was a plan laid to lead them on to destruction;

therefore they began to retreat into the wilderness again,

yea, even back by the same way which they had come.

Alma 58:25

And behold, it was night and they did pitch their tents,

for the chief captains of the Lamanites had supposed

that the Nephites were weary because of their march;

and supposing that they had driven their whole army

therefore they took no thought concerning the city of Manti.

Alma 58:26

Now it came to pass that when it was night,

I caused that my men should not sleep,

but that they should march forward by another way towards the land of Manti.

Alma 58:27

And because of this our march in the night-time,

behold, on the morrow we were beyond the Lamanites,

insomuch that we did arrive before them at the city of Manti.

Alma 58:28

And thus it came to pass, that by this stratagem

we did take possession of the city of Manti without the shedding of blood.

Alma 58:29

And it came to pass that

when the armies of the Lamanites did arrive near the city,

and saw that we were prepared to meet them,

they were astonished exceedingly and struck with great fear,

insomuch that they did flee into the wilderness.

Alma 58:30

Yea, and it came to pass that

the armies of the Lamanites did flee out of all this quarter of the land.

But behold, they have carried with them many women and children out of the land.

Alma 58:31

And those cities which had been taken by the Lamanites,

all of them are at this period of time in our possession;

and our fathers and our women and our children are returning to their homes,

all save it be those who have been taken prisoners

and carried off by the Lamanites.

Alma 58:32

But behold, our armies are small

to maintain so great a number of cities and so great possessions.

Alma 58:33

But behold, we trust in our God

who has given us victory over those lands,

insomuch that we have obtained those cities and those lands, which were our own.