Manti was one of four men Alma² sent to spy on the Amlicites, a body of Nephite dissenters who had followed Amlici and allied themselves with the Lamanites. Alma, the high priest and chief judge over the Nephites, sent the spies to follow the remnant of the Amlicites and learn their plans, so he could guard his people against destruction (Alma 2:21). The four were Zeram, Amnor, Manti, and Limher, each going out with his own men to watch the Amlicite camp (Alma 2:22).
They returned to the Nephite camp the next day in great haste, astonished and afraid, reporting that in the land of Minon, above Zarahemla, they had seen a large host of Lamanites whom the Amlicites had joined, and that this combined force was already attacking the Nephites’ brethren and driving them with their families toward the city of Zarahemla (Alma 2:23-26).