# Alma 59

*Paraphrase*

### Good News from Helaman

In the thirtieth year of the judges, Moroni received Helaman’s letter and was thrilled by the news. Helaman had been incredibly successful—he’d retaken all the lands they’d lost. Moroni spread the word to everyone in his region so they could celebrate too. Right away, he sent a letter to Pahoran asking him to gather more troops to reinforce Helaman’s armies. With extra support, Helaman could easily hold onto the territory he’d so miraculously managed to reclaim.

After sending the letter to Zarahemla, Moroni turned his attention back to planning how to retake the remaining cities the Lamanites still held.

### Nephihah Falls

But while Moroni was preparing for battle, the Lamanites attacked the city of Nephihah. The defenders there were people who had fled from Moroni, Lehi, and Morianton. Nephite refugees who’d been forced to flee from Manti and the surrounding areas had crossed over and joined up with the Lamanites in that region. The enemy forces grew enormous, gaining strength daily. Under Ammoron’s orders, they attacked Nephihah and began slaughtering the people there. Their armies were so massive that the survivors had no choice but to flee. They retreated and joined Moroni’s army.

Moroni had assumed the government would send reinforcements to Nephihah to help defend the city. He knew it was far easier to keep a city from falling than to retake it once lost, so he figured they’d hold it without trouble. That’s why he’d kept all his forces focused on defending the cities he’d already recovered.

### Moroni’s Grief and Anger

When Moroni learned that Nephihah had fallen, he was crushed. Because of the people’s wickedness, he began to wonder if they were all destined to fall into enemy hands. His chief captains felt the same way. They were troubled and confused by how corrupt the people had become—and by how much ground the Lamanites were gaining. Moroni was furious with the government for their indifference about defending their freedom.

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*Source: [The Book of Mormon](https://bookofmormon.com/paraphrase/alma/59)*
