I wanted to preface this short little bit by saying that it is in no way related to the Prologue I posted a few weeks ago. That story is still a work in progress and hopefully I will get more up. This is just an idea that popped into my head while reading in the Book of Alma, contained in The Book of Mormon. I've always felt it challenging to connect to the scripture on a personal level, especially when it's particularly historical as opposed to doctrinally base. As a personal exercise I decided to take a few brief verses and write a narrative of what may have happened. That being said, what I write is purely fictional.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"And it came to pass in the eleventh year of the reign of the judges over
the people of Nephi, on the fifth day of the second month, there having
been much peace in the land of Zarahemla, there having been no wars nor
contentions for a certain number of years, even until the fifth day of
the second month in the eleventh year, there was a cry of war heard
throughout the land.
For behold, the armies of the Lamanites had come in upon the wilderness
side, into the borders of the land, even into the city of Ammonihah, and began to slay the people and destroy the city"
Jacob was in his field preparing it for the upcoming planting season when he first heard something; a loud, shrill, fierce cry. He looked up to try to identify who or what had made the noise but saw only the other workers in the field.
Ah, probably a wild animal, he thought. Convinced that he must have heard wrong, he went back to work only to hear it again, only this time it was closer. And there was more than one voice. By now Jacob could tell that it was coming from the direction of the jungle. This of itself would not have been strange, except that the jungle was a wilderness.
No one lived there.
Jacob noticed that the other workers had paused their labors as well. Everyone was curious about the noise that emanated from the forest, growing louder as the moments passed. All of a sudden, a man burst from the undergrowth, racing towards the farmers.
Why's he running? was the first thought that came to Jacob's mind before a startling realization. The man was a Lamanite. No sooner had this registered when a wave of Lamanites came crashing from the tree line headed his way.
"Lamanites!" shouted one of the workers and as one, they all began to flee in the direction of Ammonihah. Unfortunately, the city was not particularly close. As Jacob ran he was confronted by the strangeness of this whole ordeal.
Why are the Lamanites here? he wondered, there hasn't been a war in years. And then he was confronted by Lamanite warrior. Jacob didn't have time to slow down or change direction. Just before being cut down, a fleeting thought flashed across his mind.
Huh, I guess Alma was right.
---
Sariah didn't look back. She had barely made it out of Ammonihah with a small bag of food and her two children. The city guard had begun to resist the advances of the horde, but the enemy numbers were too great. Sariah had only just escaped when the Lamanite army had surrounded the city. Two days later, the food ran out but that did not lessen her urgency to put as much distance between her and almost certain destruction.
"Please sir, some food? For my children?" It hurt Sariah to have to beg. In Ammonihah she had been somebody, the wife of somebody. Now, she was just another refugee. Although, to be sure, there weren't many that had escaped in time. Sariah considered herself lucky to be alive. Because she had family in Zarahemla that seemed the best place for her to go. Besides, someone had to tell the Nephites of the Lamanite aggression. These thoughts fueled her journey. They carried her through the shame of begging for food. They numbed the pain of walking too far, too fast.
At last she arrived in Zarahemla. Sariah very much looked like a refugee. She was aware that in her present condition, the likelihood of securing an audience with anyone of status was very low. Despite this, she approached the first city official she could find.
"Excuse me."
The man ignored her.
"Excuse me! I need to deliver a message of utmost importance!" Sariah almost reached out to grab his tunic when he abruptly turned to face her.
"What is it?" The man sounded annoyed. He looked annoyed. There was something about him that seemed to exude annoyance.
Just my luck, Sariah thought, I run into an official that would make lemons seem sweet.
"I come from Ammonihah."
"What of it?"
Irritated at being cut off, Sariah considered saying something rude, but decided against it in favor of accomplishing her initial design.
"The city has come under attack by Lamanites."
"Nonsense! We'd have heard of it by now."
"That was but three days ago, I only just arrived."
"How am I to confirm the accuracy of what you say?"
Then, without any warning, a small group of people ran into the city shouting,
"The Lamanites have come!"
"Ammonihah will be lost!"
"War is upon us!"
At this, the man glanced quickly at Sariah before hurrying on his way.
"Believe me now?" Sariah shouted after him. Her self satisfaction was short lived, however, as her present needs, and those of her children, reimposed themselves upon her mind. With no further encouragement needed, she headed off toward her cousin's house, children in tow.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"And now it came to pass, before the Nephites could raise a sufficient army to drive them out of the land, they had destroyed
the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, and also some around the
borders of Noah, and taken others captive into the wilderness.
Now it came to pass that the Nephites were desirous to obtain those who had been carried away captive into the wilderness."
As soon as word reached Nephihah of the Lamanite aggression in the land of Melek, he sent for his Captains with instructions to gather forces.
Nephihah had hoped to have peace during all his days as Chief Judge. As soon as he realized that this was not to be, he began to brood.
I suppose it was not meant to be. I can only control my actions, not those of the Lamanites. Not even those of my own people. I can but proceed as I see fit and trust in The Lord. The men I serve with are honorable, let us see what can be done to protect our people.
So Nephihah called a counsel of war. Present were the captains of all the various Nephite forces. At a glance, Nephihah could see that these men were capable men of wisdom. Coming to his feet, he addressed the council.
"I have gathered you together so that we might plan how to proceed with regards to the impending Lamanite threat. Obviously the most pressing need is to halt their progression so today I wish to discuss what we have learned of their whereabouts, the damage they have caused, the forces we have currently at our disposal, and I feel it important that we name one of your number chief captain, to lead our armies. Being as I am merely the Chief Judge and therefore have no military experience, I will act as more of a bystander than participant during these proceedings."
With that said, Nephihah beckoned to Aaron, the eldest captain and then sat down. From there, Aaron led the council. First they discussed the reports each captain had received from his scouts. It was learned that the city of Ammonihah had already been destroyed and the Lamanite armies had begun to raid the neighboring countryside. A tally of soldiers was encouraging. If the captains joined forces, they could withstand and even repel the invaders. At this point the conversation changed focus slightly.
"It has come to my attention that the Lamanites have taken a number of our people prisoner. What of them?" Aaron began.
"We must get them back," was the immediate reply by one.
"Can we afford the cost?" came the rebuttal of another.
"How would you feel differently if your family was among those taken?"
"He has a point, though. Do we have the manpower necessary to not only overpower the Lamanites, but free their prisoners as well?"
"We've been over the numbers. We know our forces. The only unknown here is the Lamanite army. At this point all we have is an estimate."
"Regardless, I think it would be worth our effort to reclaim those lost."
"That would definitely boost morale within the ranks and among the civilians."
"Every man we free has the potential to add to our military strength. Keep that in mind."
"I say we do it. I say we free our brethren from captivity."
"I agree."
"Any further objections?" There were none. Those who had spoken against before were merely providing an alternate viewpoint so as to better see the whole picture clearly. All of them wanted to free the captives. When that was settled, the captains turned to the final matter: that of choosing a chief captain. Many candidates were proposed and their merits discussed. In the end, the captains came to a consensus that of their number, Zoram was best suited to act as their superior. When this was decided, Aaron brought the meeting to a close and the men dispersed to fulfill their respective roles in the plans made.
Well, that went about as well as I could have hoped, thought Nephihah. At this point all I can do is trust that these men are as capable as I thought.
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