It may be recalled that four years earlier Alma had stopped in the valley of Gideon to let his army rest after pursuing the Amlicites all day. And it was here that he received the news that a whole new army of Lamanites had joined the Amlicites and they were both racing toward Zarahemla to capture the city before Alma and his army could return. But Alma returned speedily down the east side of the river and then crossed over in the nick of time to save Zarahemla. It was a great victory, but thousands were slaughtered on both sides. Since that time four years had passed, and the Nephites had passed through a cycle of peace and righteousness followed by a period of apostasy and wickedness. But now Zarahemla had reformed and Alma hoped he could extend the reform movement to the valley of Gideon.