A Dictionary of the Book of Mormon/Laman (IV)
LAMAN, Originally a servant of the king of the Lamanites, who was slain by the cunning and deceit of Amalickiah (B. C. 73). When the royal cortege issued from the city of Nephi to welcome the supposedly victorious general and his army, Laman accompanied his master. When that master was treacherously slain, and the cry was adroitly raised that his own retainers had committed the atrocious deed, Laman with the rest of the servants fled. We next find him (B.C. 63) in the service of the Nephites, and engaged in the army of Moroni, most probably as an inferior officer. At the time that Moroni determined to release the Nephite prisoners held by the Lamanites in the city of Gid, Laman, on account of his nationality, was chosen to carry out the details of the stratagem by which Moroni hoped to deliver his fellow countrymen. He was placed in command of a small body of troops, loaded with wine, and sent out at evening towards the place where the Nephites were held captive. When the guards over the prisoners saw him approaching, they hailed him. He told them that he was a Lamanite, and that he and his companions had just escaped from the Nephites, but luckily they had been able to secrete some wine and bring it with them. The Lamanites at once became exceedingly anxious to get hold of the booty, and enthusiastically welcomed Laman. He, very cunningly, pretended that he wished to preserve the wine until the day of battle, but the more he protested the more anxious the soldiery became to drink it. This was exactly what he wished, and at last, with well feigned reluctance, he handed over the coveted liquor. It had been purposely made very strong and sweet, and when the Lamanites found it was so palatable they drank copiously. Deep sleep followed. Now was the hour of action. Laman returned to Moroni and reported his success. The Nephite general had everything prepared; while the guard were yet in their deep drunken stupor, he hastened to the city, as noiselessly as possible he conveyed over its walls sufficient weapons to arm all the prisoners, even to the women and the children who were old enough to use them. When the guards awoke from their drunken sleep they found themselves surrounded by the armies of Moroni without, and the prisoners armed and marshaled within. Deeming discretion the better part of valor, their officers surrendered and the new prisoners were set to work increasing the strength of the fortifications of Gid, while the released Nephite warriors joined the forces of Moroni, to whom they were a great help.