The Nephite armies assigned to guard the converted Lamanites after the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi sought refuge among the Nephites. When the matter of admitting them came before the chief judge, he sent a proclamation through the land asking for the voice of the people (Alma 27:21). The people answered that they would give the converts the land of Jershon, east by the sea and joining Bountiful on the south, as an inheritance (Alma 27:22).
The Nephites stationed their armies between Jershon and the land of Nephi to protect the converts, who would not take up arms against their Lamanite brethren for fear of sin, a fear that came from their repentance over their past murders and wickedness (Alma 27:23). The converts received the land on the condition that they give a portion of their substance to help maintain the armies that guarded them (Alma 27:24).