Great and manifold were the blessings, most
dread Sovereign, which Almighty God, the Father of all mercies, bestowed
upon us the people of England, when first he sent Your Majesty’s Royal Person to rule and reign over us. For whereas it was the expectation of many, who wished not well unto our Sion, that upon the setting of that bright Occidental Star, Queen Elizabeth of most happy memory, some thick and
palpable clouds of darkness would so have overshadowed this Land, that
men should have been in doubt which way they were to walk; and that it should hardly be known, who was to direct the unsettled State; the appearance of Your Majesty, as of the Sun in his strength, instantly dispelled those supposed and surmised mists, and
gave unto all that were well affected exceeding cause of comfort;
especially when we beheld the Government established in Your Highness, and Your hopeful Seed, by an undoubted Title, and this also accompanied with peace and tranquillity at home and abroad.
6
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
• • •
22
¶ And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
4
There were giants in the earth in those days; andalso after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
7
And they returned, and came to En-mishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, andalso the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezon-tamar.
• • •
16
And he brought back all the goods, andalso brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.
31
And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s venison, that thy soul may bless me.
7
For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, andalso stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.
22
And he returned to Judah, and said, I cannot find her; andalso the men of the place said, that there was no harlot in this place.
• • •
24
¶ And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; andalso, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.
8
And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, andalso our little ones.
9
With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen.
• • •
16
And Judah said, What shall we say unto my
lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath
found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we, andhealso with whom the cup is found.
34
That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, andalso our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
19
And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
14
And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. Andalso, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
21
Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms offlies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms offlies,andalso the ground whereon they are.
39
And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies’ lands; andalso in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them.
40
If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;
• • •
42
Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, andalso my covenant with Isaac, andalso my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.
15
One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, andalso for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the Lord.
17
Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. Andalso unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.
13
Then thou shalt say before the Lord thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, andalso have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and
to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast
commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I
forgotten them:
15
Until the Lord have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the Lord your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the Lord’s servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.
11
Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
10
Andalso all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
15
And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, andalso Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben therewere great thoughts of heart.
10
¶ And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, andalso served Baalim.
5
And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, andalso the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.
19
Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants: there is no want of any thing.
12
Turn again, my daughters, go yourway; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
• • •
17
Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, ifought but death part thee and me.
17
And he said, What is the thing that the Lordhath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
14
If ye will fear the Lord, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall both ye andalso the king that reigneth over you continue following the Lord your God:
5
¶ And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, andalso in the sight of Saul’s servants.
20
And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
17
And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.
13
And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.
• • •
22
So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
25
Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things,andalso shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.
6
And now the Lord shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.
7
Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, andalso the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
9
So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the Lord hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;
• • •
19
And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.
• • •
35
And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
19
¶ Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, andalso an exile.
10
And he alsothat is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, andthey which be with him are valiant men.
13
And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
• • •
40
Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, andalso half the people of Israel.
14
¶ And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Beth-maachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.
• • •
26
And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
20
And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.
6
And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he alsowas a very goodly man;andhis mother bare him after Absalom.
• • •
46
Andalso Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom.
• • •
48
Andalso thus said the king, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it.
31
And the mouth of it within the chapiter and above was a cubit: but the mouth thereof was round after the work of the base, a cubit and an half: andalso upon the mouth of it were gravings with their borders, foursquare, not round.
13
Andalso Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.
7
Andalso by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the Lord against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him.
• • •
16
And the people that were encamped heard say, Zimri hath conspired, and hath also slain the king: wherefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the host, king over Israel that day in the camp.
2
Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me,and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
10
And Ben-hadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me.
19
And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou killed, andalso taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.
22
And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him,and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
13
¶ So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, andalso for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;
6
And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand,and six on each foot:and he also was the son of the giant.
15
Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, andalso for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick.
16
¶ Andalsoconcerning Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it,and burnt it at the brook Kidron.
4
Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, anddiversalso of the princes of Israel.
• • •
13
But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, andalso hast slain thy brethren of thy father’s house, which were better than thyself:
7
For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; andalso all the dedicated things of the house of the Lord did they bestow upon Baalim.
• • •
12
And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the Lord, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the Lord, andalso such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the Lord.
2
For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.
• • •
8
And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.
35
Andalso the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace offerings, and the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of the Lord was set in order.
13
And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the Lord God of Israel.
5
Andalso let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.
3
¶ If a man beget an hundred children,and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, andalsothat he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.
2
And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, andalso made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
Second Coming shall be a day of vengeance andalso the year of the redeemed of the Lord—Then shall the saints praise the Lord and acknowledge him as their father.
6
Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the Lord in the ears of the people in the Lord’s house upon the fasting day: andalso thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.
24
I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, andalso caught, because thou hast striven against the Lord.
41
And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.
39
As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.
37
That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.
22
My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; andalso before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
8
And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.
6
¶ And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.
7
Andalso I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.
11
And should not I spare Nineveh, that great
city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot
discern between their right hand and their left hand; andalso much cattle?
7
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
2
¶ And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: andalso I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.
14
And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.
10
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
26
How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?
4
And Joseph also went
up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the
city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
9
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
41
And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
4
How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
23
¶ Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; andalsohis coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews andalso of the Greeks believed.
• • •
5
And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, andalso of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,
24
And Festus said, King Agrippa, and
all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all
the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, andalso here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God
unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, andalso to the Greek.
• • •
27
And likewise also
the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one
toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
1
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, andalso a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
7
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, andalso of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; andalso to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, andalso by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation—Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed—To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof—Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile—The interpretation thereof by the gift of God.
An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also,
which is a record of the people of Jared, who were scattered at the
time the Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were
building a tower to get to heaven—Which is to show unto the remnant of
the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their
fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—Andalso to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations—And
now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore,
condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the
judgment-seat of Christ.
Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That we, through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi, andalso of the Lamanites, their brethren, andalso of the people of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken. And we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true. And
it is marvelous in our eyes. Nevertheless, the voice of the Lord
commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient
unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment-seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.
Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and
people, unto whom this work shall come: That Joseph Smith, Jun., the
translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been
spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has translated we did handle with our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen. And we lie not, God bearing witness of it.
The Plates of Brass brought by the people of Lehi from Jerusalem in 600 B.C.
These contained “the five books of Moses, . . . And also a record of
the Jews from the beginning, . . . down to the commencement of the
reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah; And also the prophecies of the holy
prophets” (1 Nephi 5: 11-13). Many quotations from these plates, citing Isaiah and other biblical and nonbiblical prophets, appear in the Book of Mormon.
10
And he also saw twelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament.
• • •
16
And now I, Nephi, do not make a full account
of the things which my father hath written, for he hath written many
things which he saw in visions and in dreams; and he also hath written many things which he prophesied and spake unto his children, of which I shall not make a full account.
• • •
19
And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him
because of the things which he testified of them; for he truly
testified of their wickedness and their abominations; and he testified that the things which he saw and heard, andalso the things which he read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah, andalso the redemption of the world.
20
And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also
sought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi,
will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all
those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty
even unto the power of deliverance.
10
And he also spake unto Lemuel: O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!
• • •
16
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, andalso having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and
did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been
spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my
brothers.
3
For behold, Laban hath the record of the Jews andalso a genealogy of my forefathers, and they are engraven upon plates of brass.
• • •
20
Andalso that we may
preserve unto them the words which have been spoken by the mouth of all
the holy prophets, which have been delivered unto them by the Spirit and power of God, since the world began, even down unto this present time.
• • •
28
And it came to pass that Laman was angry with me, andalso with my father; andalso was Lemuel, for he hearkened unto the words of Laman. Wherefore Laman and Lemuel did speak many hard words unto us, their younger brothers, and they did smite us even with a rod.
3
Now behold ye know that this is true; and ye also
know that an angel hath spoken unto you; wherefore can ye doubt? Let
us go up; the Lord is able to deliver us, even as our fathers, and to destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians.
• • •
11
And the Spirit said unto me again: Behold the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands. Yea, and I also knew that he had sought to take away mine own life; yea, and he would not hearken unto the commandments of the Lord; and he also had taken away our property.
• • •
15
Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the law of Moses, save they should have the law.
16
And I also knew that the law was engraven upon the plates of brass.
• • •
21
And he supposed me to be his master, Laban, for he beheld the garments andalso the sword girded about my loins.
• • •
24
And I also spake
unto him that I should carry the engravings, which were upon the plates
of brass, to my elder brethren, who were without the walls.
25
And I also bade him that he should follow me.
• • •
28
And it came to pass that when Laman saw me he was exceedingly frightened, andalso Lemuel and Sam. And they fled from before my presence; for they supposed it was Laban, and that he had slain me and had sought to take away their lives also.
• • •
31
And now I, Nephi, being a man large in stature, andalso having received much strength of the Lord, therefore I did seize upon the servant of Laban, and held him, that he should not flee.
• • •
34
And I also spake unto him, saying: Surely the Lord hath commanded us to do this thing; and
shall we not be diligent in keeping the commandments of the Lord?
Therefore, if thou wilt go down into the wilderness to my father thou
shalt have place with us.
35
And it came to pass that Zoram did take courage at the words which I spake. Now Zoram was the name of the servant; and he promised that he would go down into the wilderness unto our father. Yea, and he also made an oath unto us that he would tarry with us from that time forth.
1 And it came to pass that after we had come down into the wilderness unto our father, behold, he was filled with joy, andalso my mother, Sariah, was exceedingly glad, for she truly had mourned because of us.
2
For she had supposed that we had perished in the wilderness; and she also
had complained against my father, telling him that he was a visionary
man; saying: Behold thou hast led us forth from the land of our
inheritance, and my sons are no more, and we perish in the wilderness.
• • •
8
And she spake, saying: Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded my husband to flee into the wilderness; yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected my sons, and delivered them out of the hands of Laban, and given them power whereby they could accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them. And after this manner of language did she speak.
• • •
11
And he beheld that they did contain the five books of Moses, which gave an account of the creation of the world, andalso of Adam and Eve, who were our first parents;
12
Andalso a record of the Jews from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah;
13
Andalso the prophecies of the holy prophets, from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah; andalso many prophecies which have been spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah.
• • •
16
And thus my father, Lehi, did discover the genealogy of his fathers. And Laban also was a descendant of Joseph, wherefore he and his fathers had kept the records.
5
And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the heart of Ishmael, andalso his household, insomuch that they took their journey with us down into the wilderness to the tent of our father.
• • •
11
Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, andalso that we should obtain the record?
• • •
19
And it came to pass that they were angry with me again, and sought to lay hands upon me; but behold, one of the daughters of Ishmael, yea, andalso her mother, and one of the sons of Ishmael, did plead with my brethren, insomuch that they did soften their hearts; and they did cease striving to take away my life.
1 And it came to pass that we had gathered together all manner of seeds of every kind, both of grain of every kind, andalso of the seeds of fruit of every kind.
• • •
3
And behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in the Lord because of Nephi andalso of Sam; for I have reason to suppose that they, andalso many of their seed, will be saved.
• • •
15
And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit.
• • •
20
And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world.
• • •
26
And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.
• • •
31
And he also saw other multitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building.
• • •
38
And after he had preached unto them, andalso prophesied unto them of many things, he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord; and he did cease speaking unto them.
1 And all these things did my father see, and hear, and speak, as he dwelt in a tent, in the valley of Lemuel, andalso a great many more things, which cannot be written upon these plates.
1 And now I, Nephi, proceed to give an account upon these plates of my proceedings, and my reign and ministry; wherefore, to proceed with mine account, I must speak somewhat of the things of my father, andalso of my brethren.
2
For behold, it came to pass after my father had made an end of speaking the words of his dream, andalso of exhorting them to all diligence, he spake unto them concerning the Jews—
• • •
5
And he also spake
concerning the prophets, how great a number had testified of these
things, concerning this Messiah, of whom he had spoken, or this Redeemer
of the world.
• • •
9
And my father said he should baptize in Bethabara, beyond Jordan; and he also said he should baptize with water; even that he should baptize the Messiah with water.
• • •
11
And it came to pass after my father had spoken
these words he spake unto my brethren concerning the gospel which
should be preached among the Jews, andalso concerning the dwindling of the Jews in unbelief. And after they had slain the Messiah, who should come, and after he had been slain he should rise from the dead, and should make himself manifest, by the Holy Ghost, unto the Gentiles.
12
Yea, even my father spake much concerning the Gentiles, andalso concerning the house of Israel, that they should be compared like unto an olive-tree, whose branches should be broken off and should be scattered upon all the face of the earth.
• • •
15
And after this manner of language did my father prophesy and speak unto my brethren, andalso
many more things which I do not write in this book; for I have written
as many of them as were expedient for me in mine other book.
• • •
17
And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, andalso the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and
know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift
of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old
as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.
13
And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, andalso other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white.
• • •
25
And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod
of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to
the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a
representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God.
• • •
27
And I looked and beheld the Redeemer of the world, of whom my father had spoken; and I also beheld the prophet who should prepare the way before him. And the Lamb of God went forth and was baptized of him; and after he was baptized, I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove.
• • •
29
And I also beheld twelve others following him. And it came to pass that they were carried away in the Spirit from before my face, and I saw them not.
1 And it came to pass that the angel said unto me: Look, and behold thy seed, andalso the seed of thy brethren. And I looked and beheld the land of promise; and I beheld multitudes of people, yea, even as it were in number as many as the sand of the sea.
• • •
7
And I also saw and bear record that the Holy Ghost fell upon twelve others; and they were ordained of God, and chosen.
• • •
14
And the angel said unto me: Behold thy seed, andalso the seed of thy brethren.
7
And I also saw gold, and silver, and silks, and scarlets, and fine-twined linen, and all manner of precious clothing; and I saw many harlots.
• • •
9
Andalso for the praise of the world do they destroy the saints of God, and bring them down into captivity.
• • •
18
And I beheld that the power of God was with them, andalso that the wrath of God was upon all those that were gathered together against them to battle.
• • •
23
And he said: Behold it proceedeth out of the mouth of a Jew. And I, Nephi, beheld it; and
he said unto me: The book that thou beholdest is a record of the Jews,
which contains the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the
house of Israel; and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets; and
it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of
brass, save there are not so many; nevertheless, they contain the
covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel;
wherefore, they are of great worth unto the Gentiles.
• • •
26
And after they go forth by the hand of the
twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest
the formation of that great and abominable
church, which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold,
they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are
plain and most precious; andalso many covenants of the Lord have they taken away.
• • •
35
For, behold, saith the Lamb: I will manifest myself unto thy seed, that
they shall write many things which I shall minister unto them, which
shall be plain and precious; and after thy seed shall be destroyed, and dwindle in unbelief, andalso the seed of thy brethren, behold, these things shall be hid up, to come forth unto the Gentiles, by the gift and power of the Lamb.
• • •
38
And it came to pass that I beheld the remnant of the seed of my brethren, andalso
the book of the Lamb of God, which had proceeded forth from the mouth
of the Jew, that it came forth from the Gentiles unto the remnant of the
seed of my brethren.
39
And after it had come forth unto them I beheld
other books, which came forth by the power of the Lamb, from the
Gentiles unto them, unto the convincing of the Gentiles and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, andalso the Jews who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true.
• • •
42
And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews andalso unto the Gentiles; and after he has manifested himself unto the Jews andalso unto the Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the Gentiles andalso unto the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.
1 And it shall come to pass, that if the
Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall
manifest himself unto them in word, andalso in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks—
• • •
4
For behold, this is according to the captivity of the devil, andalso according to the justice of God, upon all those who will work wickedness and abomination before him.
5
And it came to pass that the angel spake unto
me, Nephi, saying: Thou hast beheld that if the Gentiles repent it shall
be well with them; and thou also knowest concerning the covenants of the Lord unto the house of Israel; and thou also hast heard that whoso repenteth not must perish.
• • •
7
For the time cometh, saith the Lamb of God, that I will work a great and
a marvelous work among the children of men; a work which shall be
everlasting, either on the one hand or on the other—either to the
convincing of them unto peace and life eternal, or unto the deliverance of them to the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds unto their being brought down into captivity, andalso into destruction, both temporally and spiritually, according to the captivity of the devil, of which I have spoken.
• • •
21
Behold, he shall see and write the remainder of these things; yea, andalso many things which have been.
• • •
26
Andalso others who have been, to them hath he shown all things, and they have written them; and
they are sealed up to come forth in their purity, according to the
truth which is in the Lamb, in the own due time of the Lord, unto the
house of Israel.
4
And now I, Nephi, was grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, andalso, because of the things which I had seen, and knew they must unavoidably come to pass because of the great wickedness of the children of men.
• • •
7
And they said: Behold, we cannot understand
the words which our father hath spoken concerning the natural branches
of the olive-tree, andalso concerning the Gentiles.
• • •
14
And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel, and that they are the covenant people of the Lord; and then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, andalso
to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered
unto their fathers by him; wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge
of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved.
• • •
28
And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf, which separated the wicked from the tree of life, andalso from the saints of God.
• • •
36
Wherefore, the wicked are rejected from the righteous, andalso from that tree of life, whose fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits; yea, and it is the greatest of all the gifts of God. And thus I spake unto my brethren. Amen.
7
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, took one of the daughters of Ishmael to wife; andalso, my brethren took of the daughters of Ishmael to wife; andalso Zoram took the eldest daughter of Ishmael to wife.
8
And thus my father had fulfilled all the commandments of the Lord which had been given unto him. Andalso, I, Nephi, had been blessed of the Lord exceedingly.
• • •
20
And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael did begin to murmur exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; andalso my father began to murmur against the Lord his God; yea, and they were all exceedingly sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the Lord.
• • •
27
And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble exceedingly, andalso my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and our wives.
• • •
36
And thus they did murmur against my father, andalso against me; and they were desirous to return again to Jerusalem.
37
And Laman said unto Lemuel andalso unto the sons of Ishmael: Behold, let us slay our father, andalso our brother Nephi, who has taken it upon him to be our ruler and our teacher, who are his elder brethren.
38
Now, he says that the Lord has talked with him, andalso that angels have ministered unto him. But behold, we know that he lies unto us; and he tells us these things, and
he worketh many things by his cunning arts, that he may deceive our
eyes, thinking, perhaps, that he may lead us away into some strange
wilderness; and after he has led us away, he has thought to make himself a king and a ruler over us, that he may do with us according to his will and pleasure. And after this manner did my brother Laman stir up their hearts to anger.
5
And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit andalso wild honey; and all these things were prepared of the Lord that we might not perish. And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which, being interpreted, is many waters.
• • •
17
And when my brethren saw that I was about to
build a ship, they began to murmur against me, saying: Our brother is a
fool, for he thinketh that he can build a ship; yea, and he also thinketh that he can cross these great waters.
• • •
28
And ye also know that they were fed with manna in the wilderness.
29
Yea, and ye also know that Moses, by his word according to the power of God which was in him, smote the rock, and there came forth water, that the children of Israel might quench their thirst.
• • •
42
And they did harden their hearts from time to time, and they did revile against Moses, andalso against God; nevertheless, ye know that they were led forth by his matchless power into the land of promise.
• • •
44
Wherefore, the Lord commanded my father that he should depart into the wilderness; and the Jews also sought to take away his life; yea, and ye also have sought to take away his life; wherefore, ye are murderers in your hearts and ye are like unto them.
• • •
46
And ye also know that by the power of his almighty word he can cause the earth that it shall pass away; yea, and ye know that by his word he can cause the rough places to be made smooth, and smooth places shall be broken up. O, then, why is it, that ye can be so hard in your hearts?
9
And after we had been driven forth before the wind for the space of many days, behold, my brethren and the sons of Ishmael andalso their wives began to make themselves merry, insomuch that they began to dance, and to sing, and
to speak with much rudeness, yea, even that they did forget by what
power they had been brought thither; yea, they were lifted up unto
exceeding rudeness.
• • •
15
And it came to pass that we were about to be swallowed up in the depths of the sea. And
after we had been driven back upon the waters for the space of four
days, my brethren began to see that the judgments of God were upon them,
and that they must perish save that they should repent of their iniquities; wherefore, they came unto me, and loosed the bands which were upon my wrists, and behold they had swollen exceedingly; andalso mine ankles were much swollen, and great was the soreness thereof.
• • •
17
Now my father, Lehi, had said many things unto them, andalso unto the sons of Ishmael; but, behold, they did breathe out much threatenings against anyone that should speak for me; and my parents being stricken in years, and having suffered much grief because of their children, they were brought down, yea, even upon their sick-beds.
• • •
19
And Jacob and Joseph also, being young, having need of much nourishment, were grieved because of the afflictions of their mother; andalso my wife with her tears and prayers, andalso my children, did not soften the hearts of my brethren that they would loose me.
1 And it came to pass that the Lord
commanded me, wherefore I did make plates of ore that I might engraven
upon them the record of my people. And upon the plates which I made I did engraven the record of my father, andalso our journeyings in the wilderness, and the prophecies of my father; andalso many of mine own prophecies have I engraven upon them.
• • •
3
And after I had made these plates by way of commandment, I, Nephi, received a commandment that the ministry and the prophecies, the more plain and precious parts of them, should be written upon these plates; and that the things which were written should be kept for the instruction of my people, who should possess the land, andalso for other wise purposes, which purposes are known unto the Lord.
• • •
10
And the God of our fathers, who were led out of Egypt, out of bondage, andalso were preserved in the wilderness by him, yea, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and
the God of Jacob, yieldeth himself, according to the words of the
angel, as a man, into the hands of wicked men, to be lifted up,
according to the words of Zenock, and to be crucified, according to the words of Neum, and
to be buried in a sepulchre, according to the words of Zenos, which he
spake concerning the three days of darkness, which should be a sign
given of his death unto those who should inhabit the isles of the sea,
more especially given unto those who are of the house of Israel.
• • •
21
And he surely did show unto the prophets of old all things concerning them; andalso
he did show unto many concerning us; wherefore, it must needs be that
we know concerning them for they are written upon the plates of brass.
3
Wherefore, the things of which I have read are things pertaining to things both temporal and spiritual; for it appears that the house of Israel, sooner or later, will be scattered upon all the face of the earth, andalso among all nations.
• • •
5
And since they have been led away, these things have been prophesied concerning them, andalso concerning all those who shall hereafter be scattered and
be confounded, because of the Holy One of Israel; for against him will
they harden their hearts; wherefore, they shall be scattered among all
nations and shall be hated of all men.
6
Nevertheless, after they shall be nursed by the Gentiles, and the Lord has lifted up his hand upon the Gentiles and set them up for a standard, and their children have been carried in their arms, and
their daughters have been carried upon their shoulders, behold these
things of which are spoken are temporal; for thus are the covenants of
the Lord with our fathers; and it meaneth us in the days to come, andalso all our brethren who are of the house of Israel.
• • •
31
Wherefore, ye need not suppose that I and my father are the only ones that have testified, andalso taught them. Wherefore, if ye shall be obedient to the commandments, and endure to the end, ye shall be saved at the last day. And thus it is. Amen.
3
And he also spake
unto them concerning the land of promise, which they had obtained—how
merciful the Lord had been in warning us that we should flee out of the
land of Jerusalem.
• • •
5
But, said he, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land
of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands; a land which
the Lord God hath covenanted with me should be a land for the
inheritance of my seed. Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto
me, and to my children forever, andalso all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord.
• • •
22
That ye may not be cursed with a sore cursing; andalso, that ye may not incur the displeasure of a just God upon you, unto the destruction, yea, the eternal destruction of both soul and body.
• • •
28
And now my son, Laman, andalso Lemuel and Sam, andalso my sons who are the sons of Ishmael, behold, if ye will hearken unto the voice of Nephi ye shall not perish. And if ye will hearken unto him I leave unto you a blessing, yea, even my first blessing.
5
And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil. And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; andalso, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever.
• • •
12
Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught;
wherefore there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation.
Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, andalso the power, and the mercy, and the justice of God.
12
Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, andalso that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, andalso to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.
14
For I, Nephi, was constrained to speak unto them, according to his word; for I had spoken many things unto them, andalso
my father, before his death; many of which sayings are written upon
mine other plates; for a more history part are written upon mine other
plates.
6
Wherefore, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did take my family, andalso Zoram and his family, and Sam, mine elder brother and his family, and Jacob and Joseph, my younger brethren, andalso my sisters, and all those who would go with me. And all those who would go with me were those who believed in the warnings and the revelations of God; wherefore, they did hearken unto my words.
• • •
12
And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass; andalso the ball, or compass, which was prepared for my father by the hand of the Lord, according to that which is written.
9
Nevertheless, the Lord has shown unto me that they should return again. And he also has shown unto me that the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, should manifest himself unto them in the flesh; and after he should manifest himself they should scourge him and crucify him, according to the words of the angel who spake it unto me.
10
O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape
from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, andalso the death of the spirit.
• • •
39
O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, andalso the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.
25
Wherefore, may God raise you from death by the power of the resurrection, andalso
from everlasting death by the power of the atonement, that ye may be
received into the eternal kingdom of God, that ye may praise him through
grace divine. Amen.
5
Andalso my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death.
2
And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, andalso made a wine-press therein; and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
15
Wherefore, the Jews shall be scattered among all nations; yea, andalso Babylon shall be destroyed; wherefore, the Jews shall be scattered by other nations.
• • •
19
For according to the words of the prophets, the Messiah cometh in six
hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem; and according to the words of the prophets, andalso the word of the angel of God, his name shall be Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
20
And now, my brethren, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err. And as the Lord God liveth that brought Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and
gave unto Moses power that he should heal the nations after they had
been bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes
unto the serpent which he did raise up before them, andalso gave him power that he should smite the rock and the water should come forth; yea, behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and
as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven
save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be
saved.
• • •
23
For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, andalso our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.
3
And after the Messiah shall come there shall be signs given unto my people of his birth, andalso of his death and resurrection; and great and terrible shall that day be unto the wicked, for they shall perish; and they perish because they cast out the prophets, and the saints, and stone them, and slay them; wherefore the cry of the blood of the saints shall ascend up to God from the ground against them.
1
But, behold, in the last days, or in the days of the Gentiles—yea, behold all the nations of the Gentiles andalso the Jews, both those who shall come upon this land and those who shall be upon other lands, yea, even upon all the lands of the earth, behold, they will be drunken with iniquity and all manner of abominations—
• • •
27
And wo unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord! And their works are in the dark; and they say: Who seeth us, and who knoweth us? And they also
say: Surely, your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as
the potter’s clay. But behold, I will show unto them, saith the Lord of
Hosts, that I know all their works. For shall the work say of him that
made it, he made me not? Or shall the thing framed say of him that
framed it, he had no understanding?
2
Andalso, that I may remember the promises which I have made unto thee, Nephi, andalso unto thy father, that I would remember your seed; and that the words of your seed should proceed forth out of my mouth unto your seed; and my words shall hiss forth unto the ends of the earth, for a standard unto my people, which are of the house of Israel;
5
And the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be
declared among them; wherefore, they shall be restored unto the
knowledge of their fathers, andalso to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which was had among their fathers.
12
Andalso, the voice
of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him
will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me,
and do the things which ye have seen me do.
10
And now, my beloved brethren, andalso Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.
• • •
14
And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews, andalso my words, and
the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of
God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall
condemn you at the last day.
6
And we also had many revelations, and the spirit of much prophecy; wherefore, we knew of Christ and his kingdom, which should come.
• • •
15
And now it came to pass that the people of Nephi, under the reign of the second king, began to grow hard in their hearts, and indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices, such as like unto David of old desiring many wives and concubines, andalso Solomon, his son.
16
Yea, and they also began to search much gold and silver, and began to be lifted up somewhat in pride.
7
Andalso it grieveth me that I must use so much boldness of speech concerning you, before your wives and your children, many of whose feelings are exceedingly tender and chaste and delicate before God, which thing is pleasing unto God;
10
Wherefore, ye shall remember your children, how that ye have grieved
their hearts because of the example that ye have set before them; andalso, remember that ye may, because of your filthiness, bring your children unto destruction, and their sins be heaped upon your heads at the last day.
2
But whatsoever things we write upon anything save it be upon plates must perish and vanish away; but we can write a few words upon plates, which will give our children, andalso our beloved brethren, a small degree of knowledge concerning us, or concerning their fathers—
• • •
5
Behold, they believed in Christ and worshiped the Father in his name, andalso we worship the Father in his name. And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to him; and
for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness, even as it
was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto the
commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of
God and his Only Begotten Son.
13
And these will I place in the nethermost part of my vineyard, whithersoever I will, it mattereth not unto thee; and I do it that I may preserve unto myself the natural branches of the tree; andalso, that I may lay up fruit thereof against the season, unto myself; for it grieveth me that I should lose this tree and the fruit thereof.
• • •
16
And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard, andalso the servant, went down into the vineyard to labor. And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: Behold, look here; behold the tree.
• • •
39
And it came to pass that they went down into the nethermost parts of the vineyard. And it came to pass that they beheld that the fruit of the natural branches had become corrupt also; yea, the first and the second andalso the last; and they had all become corrupt.
• • •
56
And they also took of the natural trees which had become wild, and grafted into their mother tree.
5
And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. Andalso, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken.
6
And it came to pass that he came unto me, and
on this wise did he speak unto me, saying: Brother Jacob, I have sought
much opportunity that I might speak unto you; for I have heard andalso know that thou goest about much, preaching that which ye call the gospel, or the doctrine of Christ.
• • •
12
And this is not all—it has been made manifest unto me, for I have heard and seen; and it also
has been made manifest unto me by the power of the Holy Ghost;
wherefore, I know if there should be no atonement made all mankind must
be lost.
• • •
14
And I said unto him: What am I that I should
tempt God to show unto thee a sign in the thing which thou knowest to be
true? Yet thou wilt deny it, because thou art of the devil.
Nevertheless, not my will be done; but if God shall smite thee, let that
be a sign unto thee that he has power, both in heaven and in earth; andalso, that Christ shall come. And thy will, O Lord, be done, and not mine.
• • •
26
And it came to pass that I, Jacob, began to be old; and
the record of this people being kept on the other plates of Nephi,
wherefore, I conclude this record, declaring that I have written
according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time passed
away with us, andalso our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream, we being a lonesome and a solemn people, wanderers, cast out from Jerusalem, born in tribulation, in a wilderness, and hated of our brethren, which caused wars and contentions; wherefore, we did mourn out our days.
1
Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man—for he taught me in his language, andalso in the nurture and admonition of the Lord—and blessed be the name of my God for it—
• • •
14
For at the present our strugglings were vain in restoring them to the true faith. And they swore in their wrath that, if it were possible, they would destroy our records and us, andalso all the traditions of our fathers.
• • •
21
And it came to pass that the people of Nephi did till the land, and raise all manner of grain, and of fruit, and flocks of herds, and flocks of all manner of cattle of every kind, and goats, and wild goats, andalso many horses.
8
And we multiplied exceedingly, and spread upon the face of the land, and became exceedingly rich in gold, and in silver, and in precious things, and in fine workmanship of wood, in buildings, and in machinery, andalso in iron and copper, and brass and steel, making all manner of tools of every kind to till the ground, and weapons of war—yea, the sharp pointed arrow, and the quiver, and the dart, and the javelin, and all preparations for war.
14
And they discovered a people, who were called
the people of Zarahemla. Now, there was great rejoicing among the
people of Zarahemla; andalso
Zarahemla did rejoice exceedingly, because the Lord had sent the people
of Mosiah with the plates of brass which contained the record of the
Jews.
3
And now, I speak somewhat concerning that
which I have written; for after I had made an abridgment from the plates
of Nephi, down to the reign of this king Benjamin, of whom Amaleki
spake, I searched among the records which had been delivered into my
hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this king Benjamin, andalso many of the words of Nephi.
4
And the things which are upon these plates pleasing me, because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ; and my fathers knowing that many of them have been fulfilled; yea, and I also know that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond this day must surely come to pass—
• • •
18
Wherefore, with the help of these, king Benjamin, by laboring with all the might of his body and the faculty of his whole soul, andalso the prophets, did once more establish peace in the land.
3
And he also taught
them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass,
saying: My sons, I would that ye should remember that were it not for
these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God.
• • •
6
O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, andalso that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes.
• • •
16
And moreover, he also gave him charge concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass; andalso the plates of Nephi; andalso, the sword of Laban, and
the ball or director, which led our fathers through the wilderness,
which was prepared by the hand of the Lord that thereby they might be
led, every one according to the heed and diligence which they gave unto him.
3
And they also took of the firstlings of their flocks, that they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings according to the law of Moses;
4
Andalso that they might give thanks to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had appointed just men to be their teachers, andalso a just man to be their king, who had established peace in the land of Zarahemla, and who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men.
• • •
19
And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly King!
• • •
31
And now, my brethren, I would that ye should do as ye have hitherto done. As ye have kept my commandments, andalso the commandments of my father, and have prospered, and
have been kept from falling into the hands of your enemies, even so if
ye shall keep the commandments of my son, or the commandments of God
which shall be delivered unto you by him, ye shall prosper in the land, and your enemies shall have no power over you.
• • •
34
I say unto you, that there are not any among you, except it be your
little children that have not been taught concerning these things, but
what knoweth that ye are eternally indebted to your heavenly Father, to
render to him all that you have and are; andalso
have been taught concerning the records which contain the prophecies
which have been spoken by the holy prophets, even down to the time our
father, Lehi, left Jerusalem;
35
Andalso, all that has been spoken by our fathers until now. And behold, also, they spake that which was commanded them of the Lord; therefore, they are just and true.
• • •
40
O, all ye old men, andalso ye young men, and
you little children who can understand my words, for I have spoken
plainly unto you that ye might understand, I pray that ye should awake
to a remembrance of the awful situation of those that have fallen into
transgression.
11
For behold, andalso
his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the
transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God
concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned.
• • •
15
And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows showed he unto them, concerning his coming; andalso holy prophets spake unto them concerning his coming; and yet they hardened their hearts, and understood not that the law of Moses availeth nothing except it were through the atonement of his blood.
6
I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; andalso,
the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world,
that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in
the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body—
• • •
16
Andalso, ye
yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will
administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.
2
And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; andalso, we know of their surety and
truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a
mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition
to do evil, but to do good continually.
• • •
12
I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name
written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of
God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, andalso, the name by which he shall call you.
3
And again, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an end of all these things, and had consecrated his son Mosiah to be a ruler and a king over his people, and had given him all the charges concerning the kingdom, andalso had appointed priests to teach the people, that thereby they might hear and know the commandments of God, and to stir them up in remembrance of the oath which they had made, he dismissed the multitude, and they returned, every one, according to their families, to their own houses.
• • •
7
And king Mosiah did cause his people that they should till the earth. And he also,
himself, did till the earth, that thereby he might not become
burdensome to his people, that he might do according to that which his
father had done in all things. And there was no contention among all his people for the space of three years.
19
Therefore, lift up your heads, and rejoice, and put your trust in God, in that God who was the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob; andalso, that God who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, and caused that they should walk through the Red Sea on dry ground, and fed them with manna that they might not perish in the wilderness; and many more things did he do for them.
3
And he also rehearsed unto them the last words which king Benjamin had taught them, and explained them to the people of king Limhi, so that they might understand all the words which he spake.
• • •
8
And they were lost in the wilderness for the space of many days, yet they were diligent, and
found not the land of Zarahemla but returned to this land, having
traveled in a land among many waters, having discovered a land which was
covered with bones of men, and of beasts, and was also
covered with ruins of buildings of every kind, having discovered a land
which had been peopled with a people who were as numerous as the hosts
of Israel.
• • •
10
And behold, also, they have brought breastplates, which are large, and they are of brass and of copper, and are perfectly sound.
• • •
17
But a seer can know of things which are past, andalso of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, andalso things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known.
9
And it came to pass that I caused that the women and children of my people should be hid in the wilderness; and I also caused that all my old men that could bear arms, andalso all my young men that were able to bear arms, should gather themselves together to go to battle against the Lamanites; and I did place them in their ranks, every man according to his age.
3
And he laid a tax of one fifth part of all they possessed, a fifth part of their gold and of their silver, and a fifth part of their ziff, and of their copper, and of their brass and their iron; and a fifth part of their fatlings; andalso a fifth part of all their grain.
4
And all this did he take to support himself, and his wives and his concubines; andalso his priests, and their wives and their concubines; thus he had changed the affairs of the kingdom.
• • •
7
Yea, and they also became idolatrous, because they were deceived by the vain and flattering words of the king and priests; for they did speak flattering things unto them.
• • •
9
And he also built him a spacious palace, and a throne in the midst thereof, all of which was of fine wood and was ornamented with gold and silver and with precious things.
10
And he also caused that his workmen should work all manner of fine work within the walls of the temple, of fine wood, and of copper, and of brass.
• • •
12
And it came to pass that he built a tower near
the temple; yea, a very high tower, even so high that he could stand
upon the top thereof and overlook the land of Shilom, andalso the land of Shemlon, which was possessed by the Lamanites; and he could even look over all the land round about.
• • •
15
And it came to pass that he planted vineyards round about in the land; and he built wine-presses, and made wine in abundance; and therefore he became a wine-bibber, andalso his people.
5
But remember that he that persists in his own carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God, remaineth in his fallen state and the devil hath all power over him. Therefore he is as though there was no redemption made, being an enemy to God; andalso is the devil an enemy to God.
• • •
9
He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, andalso a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.
2
Yea, concerning that which was to come, andalso concerning the resurrection of the dead, and the redemption of the people, which was to be brought to pass through the power, and sufferings, and death of Christ, and his resurrection and ascension into heaven.
• • •
23
And he commanded them that they should observe the sabbath day, and keep it holy, andalso every day they should give thanks to the Lord their God.
24
And he also commanded them that the priests whom he had ordained should labor with their own hands for their support.
25
And there was one day in every week that was set apart that they should gather themselves together to teach the people, and to worship the Lord their God, andalso, as often as it was in their power, to assemble themselves together.
19
Now they had sworn in their hearts that they would return to the land of Nephi, and if their wives and their children were slain, andalso those that had tarried with them, that they would seek revenge, andalso perish with them.
• • •
26
Andalso Limhi,
being the son of the king, having the kingdom conferred upon him by the
people, made oath unto the king of the Lamanites that his people should
pay tribute unto him, even one half of all they possessed.
3
And now the priests of king Noah, being ashamed to return to the city of Nephi, yea, andalso fearing that the people would slay them, therefore they durst not return to their wives and their children.
• • •
19
And now, behold, and
tell the king of these things, that he may tell his people that they
may be pacified towards us; for behold they are already preparing to
come against us; and behold also there are but few of us.
28
And now Limhi was again filled with joy on
learning from the mouth of Ammon that king Mosiah had a gift from God,
whereby he could interpret such engravings; yea, and Ammon also did rejoice.
• • •
30
Andalso that king Noah and his priests had caused the people to commit so many sins and iniquities against God; and they also did mourn for the death of Abinadi; andalso for the departure of Alma and the people that went with him, who had formed a church of God through the strength and power of God, and faith on the words which had been spoken by Abinadi.
• • •
32
And now since the coming of Ammon, king Limhi had also entered into a covenant with God, andalso many of his people, to serve him and keep his commandments.
10
And king Limhi caused that his people should gather their flocks together; and he sent the tribute of wine to the Lamanites; and he also sent more wine, as a present unto them; and they did drink freely of the wine which king Limhi did send unto them.
• • •
12
And they had taken all their gold, and silver, and their precious things, which they could carry, andalso their provisions with them, into the wilderness; and they pursued their journey.
• • •
14
And it came to pass that Mosiah received them with joy; and he also received their records, andalso the records which had been found by the people of Limhi.
13
And now as ye have been delivered by the power of God out of these bonds; yea, even out of the hands of king Noah and his people, andalso from the bonds of iniquity, even so I desire that ye should stand fast in this liberty wherewith ye have been made free, and that ye trust no man to be a king over you.
14
Andalso trust no one to be your teacher nor your minister, except he be a man of God, walking in his ways and keeping his commandments.
• • •
33
And it came to pass that Amulon did plead with the Lamanites; and he also
sent forth their wives, who were the daughters of the Lamanites, to
plead with their brethren, that they should not destroy their husbands.
• • •
38
And the remainder of them went to the land of Nephi; and a part of them returned to the land of Helam, andalso brought with them the wives and the children of the guards who had been left in the land.
18
Now it came to pass that Alma and his people in the night-time gathered their flocks together, andalso of their grain; yea, even all the night-time were they gathering their flocks together.
4
And now all the people of Nephi were assembled together, andalso all the people of Zarahemla, and they were gathered together in two bodies.
• • •
6
And he also read the account of Alma and his brethren, and all their afflictions, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until the time they returned again.
8
Now the sons of Mosiah were numbered among the unbelievers; andalso one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being called Alma, after his father; nevertheless, he became a very wicked and an idolatrous man. And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities.
• • •
14
And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, andalso
the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed
with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the
knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to
convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith.
• • •
21
And he caused that a multitude should be gathered together that they might witness what the Lord had done for his son, andalso for those that were with him.
22
And he caused that the priests should assemble themselves together; and they began to fast, and to pray to the Lord their God that he would open the mouth of Alma, that he might speak, andalso that his limbs might receive their strength—that the eyes of the people might be opened to see and know of the goodness and glory of God.
11
Therefore he took the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, andalso the plates of Nephi, and all the things which he had kept and preserved according to the commandments of God, after having translated and
caused to be written the records which were on the plates of gold which
had been found by the people of Limhi, which were delivered to him by
the hand of Limhi;
• • •
20
And now, as I said unto you, that after king Mosiah had done these things, he took the plates of brass, and all the things which he had kept, and conferred them upon Alma, who was the son of Alma; yea, all the records, andalso the interpreters, and conferred them upon him, and commanded him that he should keep and preserve them, andalso
keep a record of the people, handing them down from one generation to
another, even as they had been handed down from the time that Lehi left
Jerusalem.
9
And if my son should turn again to his pride and vain things he would recall the things which he had said, and claim his right to the kingdom, which would cause him andalso this people to commit much sin.
• • •
18
Yea, remember king Noah, his wickedness and his abominations, andalso the wickedness and abominations of his people. Behold what great destruction did come upon them; andalso because of their iniquities they were brought into bondage.
• • •
33
And many more things did king Mosiah write unto them, unfolding unto them all the trials and troubles of a righteous king, yea, all the travails of soul for their people, andalso all the murmurings of the people to their king; and he explained it all unto them.
• • •
35
And he also unfolded unto them all the disadvantages they labored under, by having an unrighteous king to rule over them;
The account of Alma, who was the son of Alma, the first and chief judge over the people of Nephi, andalso the high priest over the Church. An account of the reign of the judges, and the wars and contentions among the people. Andalso an account of a war between the Nephites and the Lamanites, according to the record of Alma, the first and chief judge.
4
And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life.
• • •
24
For the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were blotted out, that they were remembered no more among the people of God. Andalso many withdrew themselves from among them.
• • •
29
And now, because of the steadiness of the
church they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things
whatsoever they stood in need—an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, andalso abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth.
3
Now this was alarming to the people of the church, andalso
to all those who had not been drawn away after the persuasions of
Amlici; for they knew that according to their law that such things must
be established by the voice of the people.
• • •
14
And it came to pass that Amlici did arm his men with all manner of weapons of war of every kind; and he also appointed rulers and leaders over his people, to lead them to war against their brethren.
• • •
32
And he also contended with the king of the Lamanites; but the king of the Lamanites fled back from before Alma and sent his guards to contend with Alma.
• • •
38
And it came to pass that many died in the wilderness of their wounds, and were devoured by those beasts andalso the vultures of the air; and their bones have been found, and have been heaped up on the earth.
2
Now many women and children had been slain with the sword, andalso many of their flocks and their herds; andalso many of their fields of grain were destroyed, for they were trodden down by the hosts of men.
• • •
5
Now the heads of the Lamanites were shorn; and they were naked, save it were skin which was girded about their loins, andalso their armor, which was girded about them, and their bows, and their arrows, and their stones, and their slings, and so forth.
• • •
7
And their brethren sought to destroy them, therefore they were cursed; and the Lord God set a mark upon them, yea, upon Laman and Lemuel, andalso the sons of Ishmael, and Ishmaelitish women.
• • •
11
And it came to pass that whosoever would not
believe in the tradition of the Lamanites, but believed those records
which were brought out of the land of Jerusalem, andalso in the tradition of their fathers, which were correct, who believed in the commandments of God and kept them, were called the Nephites, or the people of Nephi, from that time forth—
12
And it is they who have kept the records which are true of their people, andalso of the people of the Lamanites.
2
But the people were afflicted, yea, greatly afflicted for the loss of their brethren, andalso for the loss of their flocks and herds, andalso for the loss of their fields of grain, which were trodden under foot and destroyed by the Lamanites.
10
And now I ask of you on what conditions are
they saved? Yea, what grounds had they to hope for salvation? What is
the cause of their being loosed from the bands of death, yea, andalso the chains of hell?
• • •
23
Behold will they not testify that ye are murderers, yea, andalso that ye are guilty of all manner of wickedness?
24
Behold, my brethren, do ye suppose that such an one can have a place to
sit down in the kingdom of God, with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob, andalso all the holy prophets, whose garments are cleansed and are spotless, pure and white?
• • •
49
And now I say unto you that this is the order after which I am called, yea, to preach unto my beloved brethren, yea, and every one that dwelleth in the land; yea, to preach unto all, both old and young, both bond and free; yea, I say unto you the aged, andalso the middle aged, and the rising generation; yea, to cry unto them that they must repent and be born again.
50
Yea, thus saith the Spirit: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, for the
kingdom of heaven is soon at hand; yea, the Son of God cometh in his
glory, in his might, majesty, power, and dominion. Yea, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, that the Spirit saith: Behold the glory of the King of all the earth; andalso the King of heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of men.
51
Andalso the Spirit saith unto me, yea, crieth unto me with a mighty voice, saying: Go forth and say unto this people—Repent, for except ye repent ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of heaven.
3
And it also came to pass that whosoever did belong to the church that did not repent of their wickedness and humble themselves before God—I mean those who were lifted up in the pride of their hearts—the same were rejected, and their names were blotted out, that their names were not numbered among those of the righteous.
29
And the word came to Alma, saying: Go; andalso say unto my servant Amulek, go forth and
prophesy unto this people, saying—Repent ye, for thus saith the Lord,
except ye repent I will visit this people in mine anger; yea, and I will not turn my fierce anger away.
30
And Alma went forth, andalso Amulek, among the people, to declare the words of God unto them; and they were filled with the Holy Ghost.
The words of Alma, andalso the words of Amulek, which were declared unto the people who were in the land of Ammonihah. Andalso they are cast into prison, and
delivered by the miraculous power of God which was in them, according
to the record of Alma. Comprising chapters 9 to 14 inclusive.
21
Having been visited by the Spirit of God; having conversed with angels, and having been spoken unto by the voice of the Lord; and having the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, andalso many gifts, the gift of speaking with tongues, and the gift of preaching, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the gift of translation;
• • •
32
Andalso because I said unto them that they were a lost and a fallen people they were angry with me, and sought to lay their hands upon me, that they might cast me into prison.
12
And now, when Amulek had spoken these words
the people began to be astonished, seeing there was more than one
witness who testified of the things whereof they were accused, andalso of the things which were to come, according to the spirit of prophecy which was in them.
7
A senum of silver was equal to a senine of gold, and either for a measure of barley, andalso for a measure of every kind of grain.
• • •
45
Now, behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the death of the mortal body, andalso
concerning the resurrection of the mortal body. I say unto you that
this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even
from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their
spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole
becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption.
46
Now, when Amulek had finished these words the people began again to be astonished, andalso Zeezrom began to tremble. And thus ended the words of Amulek, or this is all that I have written.
19
Now, there were many before him, andalso there were many afterwards, but none were greater; therefore, of him they have more particularly made mention.
2
But the more part of them were desirous that they might destroy Alma and Amulek; for they were angry with Alma, because of the plainness of his words unto Zeezrom; and they also said that Amulek had lied unto them, and had reviled against their law andalso against their lawyers and judges.
• • •
5
And the people went forth and witnessed against them—testifying that they had reviled against the law, and their lawyers and judges of the land, andalso of all the people that were in the land; andalso testified that there was but one God, and that he should send his Son among the people, but he should not save them; and many such things did the people testify against Alma and Amulek. Now this was done before the chief judge of the land.
6
And it came to pass that Zeezrom was astonished at the words which had been spoken; and he also knew concerning the blindness of the minds, which he had caused among the people by his lying words; and
his soul began to be harrowed up under a consciousness of his own
guilt; yea, he began to be encircled about by the pains of hell.
7
And it came to pass that he began to cry unto the people, saying: Behold, I am guilty, and these men are spotless before God. And he began to plead for them from that time forth; but they reviled him, saying: Art thou also possessed with the devil? And they spit upon him, and cast him out from among them, andalso all those who believed in the words which had been spoken by Alma and Amulek; and they cast them out, and sent men to cast stones at them.
8
And they brought their wives and children together, and whosoever believed or had been taught to believe in the word of God they caused that they should be cast into the fire; and they also brought forth their records which contained the holy scriptures, and cast them into the fire also, that they might be burned and destroyed by fire.
• • •
14
Now it came to pass that when the bodies of those who had been cast into the fire were consumed, andalso the records which were cast in with them, the chief judge of the land came and stood before Alma and Amulek, as they were bound; and he smote them with his hand upon their cheeks, and said unto them: After what ye have seen, will ye preach again unto this people, that they shall be cast into a lake of fire and brimstone?
• • •
22
And many such things, yea, all manner of such things did they say unto them; and thus they did mock them for many days. And they did withhold food from them that they might hunger, and water that they might thirst; and they also did take from them their clothes that they were naked; and thus they were bound with strong cords, and confined in prison.
2
And they related unto them all that had happened unto their wives and children, andalso concerning themselves, and of their power of deliverance.
3
Andalso Zeezrom lay
sick at Sidom, with a burning fever, which was caused by the great
tribulations of his mind on account of his wickedness, for he supposed
that Alma and Amulek were no more; and he supposed that they had been slain because of his iniquity. And this great sin, and
his many other sins, did harrow up his mind until it did become
exceedingly sore, having no deliverance; therefore he began to be
scorched with a burning heat.
• • •
16
And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek, Amulek having forsaken all his gold, and silver, and
his precious things, which were in the land of Ammonihah, for the word
of God, he being rejected by those who were once his friends andalso by his father and his kindred;
3
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, andalso some around the borders of Noah, and taken others captive into the wilderness.
• • •
9
And thus ended the eleventh year of the judges, the Lamanites having been driven out of the land, and the people of Ammonihah were destroyed; yea, every living soul of the Ammonihahites was destroyed, andalso their great city, which they said God could not destroy, because of its greatness.
• • •
13
And Alma and Amulek went forth preaching repentance to the people in their temples, and in their sanctuaries, andalso in their synagogues, which were built after the manner of the Jews.
• • •
15
And thus did Alma and Amulek go forth, andalso many more who had been chosen for the work, to preach the word throughout all the land. And
the establishment of the church became general throughout the land, in
all the region round about, among all the people of the Nephites.
• • •
19
Holding forth things which must shortly come; yea, holding forth the coming of the Son of God, his sufferings and death, andalso the resurrection of the dead.
5
Now these are the circumstances which attended them in their
journeyings, for they had many afflictions; they did suffer much, both
in body and in mind, such as hunger, thirst and fatigue, andalso much labor in the spirit.
6
Now these were their journeyings: Having taken leave of their father,
Mosiah, in the first year of the judges; having refused the kingdom
which their father was desirous to confer upon them, andalso this was the minds of the people;
• • •
12
And it came to pass that the hearts of the sons of Mosiah, andalso those who were with them, took courage to go forth unto the Lamanites to declare unto them the word of God.
2
And when they had all testified to the things which they had seen, and he had learned of the faithfulness of Ammon in preserving his flocks, andalso of his great power in contending against those who sought to slay him, he was astonished exceedingly, and
said: Surely, this is more than a man. Behold, is not this the Great
Spirit who doth send such great punishments upon this people, because of
their murders?
• • •
20
And the king said: How knowest thou the thoughts of my heart? Thou mayest speak boldly, and tell me concerning these things; andalso tell me by what power ye slew and smote off the arms of my brethren that scattered my flocks—
• • •
35
And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, andalso power according to my faith and desires which are in God.
36
Now when Ammon had said these words, he began at the creation of the world, andalso the creation of Adam, and told him all the things concerning the fall of man, and rehearsed and laid before him the records and
the holy scriptures of the people, which had been spoken by the
prophets, even down to the time that their father, Lehi, left Jerusalem.
37
And he also rehearsed unto them (for it was unto the king and to his servants) all the journeyings of their fathers in the wilderness, and all their sufferings with hunger and thirst, and their travail, and so forth.
38
And he also rehearsed unto them concerning the rebellions of Laman and Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael, yea, all their rebellions did he relate unto them; and he expounded unto them all the records and scriptures from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem down to the present time.
39
But this is not all; for he expounded unto them the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world; and he also made known unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and all the works of the Lord did he make known unto them.
17
Thus, having been converted to the Lord, and never having made it known, therefore, when she saw that all the servants of Lamoni had fallen to the earth, andalso her mistress, the queen, and the king, and Ammon lay prostrate upon the earth, she knew that it was the power of God; and
supposing that this opportunity, by making known unto the people what
had happened among them, that by beholding this scene it would cause
them to believe in the power of God, therefore she ran forth from house
to house, making it known unto the people.
18
And they began to assemble themselves together unto the house of the king. And there came a multitude, and to their astonishment, they beheld the king, and the queen, and their servants prostrate upon the earth, and they all lay there as though they were dead; and they also saw Ammon, and behold, he was a Nephite.
• • •
33
And it came to pass that when Ammon arose he also administered unto them, andalso did all the servants of Lamoni; and
they did all declare unto the people the selfsame thing—that their
hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil.
2
And the voice of the Lord came to Ammon,
saying: Thou shalt not go up to the land of Nephi, for behold, the king
will seek thy life; but thou shalt go to the land of Middoni; for
behold, thy brother Aaron, andalso Muloki and Ammah are in prison.
• • •
10
And he also said: Whither art thou going with this Nephite, who is one of the children of a liar?
• • •
12
And he also told him
all the cause of his tarrying in his own kingdom, that he did not go
unto his father to the feast which he had prepared.
• • •
14
Now the father of Lamoni commanded him that he should slay Ammon with the sword. And he also commanded him that he should not go to the land of Middoni, but that he should return with him to the land of Ishmael.
• • •
20
And he stretched forth his hand to slay Ammon. But Ammon withstood his blows, andalso smote his arm that he could not use it.
• • •
24
Now when Ammon saw that he had wrought upon the old king according to
his desire, he said unto him: If thou wilt grant that my brethren may be
cast out of prison, andalso that Lamoni may retain his kingdom, and
that ye be not displeased with him, but grant that he may do according
to his own desires in whatsoever thing he thinketh, then will I spare
thee; otherwise I will smite thee to the earth.
• • •
27
And I will also grant unto thee that thy brethren may be cast out of prison, and thou and
thy brethren may come unto me, in my kingdom; for I shall greatly
desire to see thee. For the king was greatly astonished at the words
which he had spoken, andalso at the words which had been spoken by his son Lamoni, therefore he was desirous to learn them.
• • •
29
And when Ammon did meet them he was exceedingly sorrowful, for behold they were naked, and their skins were worn exceedingly because of being bound with strong cords. And they also had suffered hunger, thirst, and all kinds of afflictions; nevertheless they were patient in all their sufferings.
8
And the man said unto him: We do not believe
that thou knowest any such thing. We do not believe in these foolish
traditions. We do not believe that thou knowest of things to come,
neither do we believe that thy fathers andalso that our fathers did know concerning the things which they spake, of that which is to come.
9
Now Aaron began to open the scriptures unto them concerning the coming of Christ, andalso concerning the resurrection of the dead, and that there could be no redemption for mankind save it were through the death and sufferings of Christ, and the atonement of his blood.
• • •
11
Therefore, when he saw that they would not hear his words, he departed out of their synagogue, and came over to a village which was called Ani-Anti, and there he found Muloki preaching the word unto them; andalso Ammah and his brethren. And they contended with many about the word.
• • •
22
And he also declared
unto them that they might have the liberty of worshiping the Lord their
God according to their desires, in whatsoever place they were in, if it
were in the land which was under the reign of king Lamoni.
6
Andalso, what is this that Ammon said—If ye will repent ye shall be saved, and if ye will not repent, ye shall be cast off at the last day?
• • •
13
And Aaron did expound unto him the scriptures from the creation of Adam, laying the fall of man before him, and their carnal state andalso
the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the
world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name.
• • •
19
And it came to pass that his servants ran and told the queen all that had happened unto the king. And she came in unto the king; and when she saw him lay as if he were dead, andalso Aaron and his brethren standing as though they had been the cause of his fall, she was angry with them, and commanded that her servants, or the servants of the king, should take them and slay them.
• • •
28
Now, the more idle part of the Lamanites lived in the wilderness, and dwelt in tents; and they were spread through the wilderness on the west, in the land of Nephi; yea, andalso on the west of the land of Zarahemla, in the borders by the seashore, and on the west in the land of Nephi, in the place of their fathers’ first inheritance, and thus bordering along by the seashore.
29
Andalso there were many Lamanites on the east by the seashore, whither the Nephites had driven them. And
thus the Nephites were nearly surrounded by the Lamanites; nevertheless
the Nephites had taken possession of all the northern parts of the land
bordering on the wilderness, at the head of the river Sidon, from the
east to the west, round about on the wilderness side; on the north, even
until they came to the land which they called Bountiful.
• • •
34
Therefore the Lamanites could have no more possessions only in the land of Nephi, and
the wilderness round about. Now this was wisdom in the Nephites—as the
Lamanites were an enemy to them, they would not suffer their
afflictions on every hand, andalso that they might have a country whither they might flee, according to their desires.
2
Yea, he sent a decree among them, that they should not lay their hands
on them to bind them, or to cast them into prison; neither should they
spit upon them, nor smite them, nor cast them out of their synagogues,
nor scourge them; neither should they cast stones at them, but that they
should have free access to their houses, andalso their temples, and their sanctuaries.
• • •
10
Andalso of the people of the Lamanites who were in the land of Middoni;
11
Andalso of the people of the Lamanites who were in the city of Nephi;
12
Andalso of the people of the Lamanites who were in the land of Shilom, and who were in the land of Shemlon, and in the city of Lemuel, and in the city of Shimnilom.
• • •
14
And the Amalekites were not converted, save only one; neither were any of the Amulonites; but they did harden their hearts, andalso the hearts of the Lamanites in that part of the land wheresoever they dwelt, yea, and all their villages and all their cities.
1 And it came to pass that the Amalekites and the Amulonites and the Lamanites who were in the land of Amulon, andalso in the land of Helam, and who were in the land of Jerusalem, and in fine, in all the land round about, who had not been converted and had not taken upon them the name of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, were stirred up by the Amalekites and by the Amulonites to anger against their brethren.
• • •
5
Now when Ammon and his brethren and
all those who had come up with him saw the preparations of the
Lamanites to destroy their brethren, they came forth to the land of
Midian, and there Ammon met all his brethren; and from thence they came to the land of Ishmael that they might hold a council with Lamoni andalso with his brother Anti-Nephi-Lehi, what they should do to defend themselves against the Lamanites.
6
Now there was not one soul among all the people who had been converted
unto the Lord that would take up arms against their brethren; nay, they
would not even make any preparations for war; yea, andalso their king commanded them that they should not.
• • •
10
And I also thank my God, yea, my great God, that he hath granted unto us that we might repent of these things, andalso that he hath forgiven us of those our many sins and murders which we have committed, and taken away the guilt from our hearts, through the merits of his Son.
• • •
18
And this they did, it being in their view a testimony to God, andalso to men, that they never would use weapons again for the shedding of man’s blood; and this they did, vouching and covenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives; and rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands.
• • •
20
And it came to pass that their brethren, the Lamanites, made preparations for war, and came up to the land of Nephi for the purpose of destroying the king, and to place another in his stead, andalso of destroying the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi out of the land.
31
Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren andalso towards us.
19
Now the joy of Alma in meeting his brethren was truly great, andalso the joy of Aaron, of Omner, and Himni; but behold their joy was not that to exceed their strength.
• • •
25
Now, it came to pass that when Ammon had heard this, he returned to the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, andalso Alma with him, into the wilderness, where they had pitched their tents, and made known unto them all these things. And Alma also related unto them his conversion, with Ammon and Aaron, and his brethren.
• • •
27
And they were among the people of Nephi, andalso numbered among the people who were of the church of God. And they were also distinguished for their zeal towards God, andalso towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end.
3
Yea, andalso there was a tremendous slaughter among the people of Nephi; nevertheless, the Lamanites were driven and scattered, and the people of Nephi returned again to their land.
• • •
5
Yea, the cry of widows mourning for their husbands, andalso of fathers mourning for their sons, and the daughter for the brother, yea, the brother for the father; and thus the cry of mourning was heard among all of them, mourning for their kindred who had been slain.
• • •
9
And this is the account of the wars and contentions among the Nephites, andalso the wars between the Nephites and the Lamanites; and the fifteenth year of the reign of the judges is ended.
• • •
14
And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, andalso of rejoicing—sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life.
11
Yea, and I also remember the captivity of my fathers; for I surely do know that the Lord did deliver them out of bondage, and by this did establish his church; yea, the Lord God, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, did deliver them out of bondage.
• • •
17
And now may God grant unto these, my brethren, that they may sit down in the kingdom of God; yea, andalso all those who are the fruit of their labors that they may go no more out, but that they may praise him forever. And may God grant that it may be done according to my words, even as I have spoken. Amen.
1
Behold, now it came to pass that after the people of Ammon were established in the land of Jershon, yea, andalso after the Lamanites were driven out of the land, and their dead were buried by the people of the land—
2
Now their dead were not numbered because of the greatness of their
numbers; neither were the dead of the Nephites numbered—but it came to
pass after they had buried their dead, andalso after the days of fasting, and mourning, and prayer, (and
it was in the sixteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people
of Nephi) there began to be continual peace throughout all the land.
• • •
18
And thus he did preach unto them, leading away
the hearts of many, causing them to lift up their heads in their
wickedness, yea, leading away many women, andalso men, to commit whoredoms—telling them that when a man was dead, that was the end thereof.
• • •
21
And it came to pass that he caused that he should be carried out of the land. And he came over into the land of Gideon, and began to preach unto them also; and here he did not have much success, for he was taken and bound and carried before the high priest, andalso the chief judge over the land.
• • •
26
And ye also say that Christ shall come. But behold, I say that ye do not know that there shall be a Christ. And ye say also that he shall be slain for the sins of the world—
• • •
39
Now Alma said unto him: Will ye deny again that there is a God, andalso deny the Christ? For behold, I say unto you, I know there is a God, andalso that Christ shall come.
• • •
41
But, behold, I have all things as a testimony that these things are true; and ye also have all things as a testimony unto you that they are true; and will ye deny them? Believest thou that these things are true?
• • •
44
But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your
God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of
all these thy brethren, andalso all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, andalso all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.
6
Therefore he took Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner; and Himni he did leave in the church in Zarahemla; but the former three he took with him, andalso Amulek and Zeezrom, who were at Melek; and he also took two of his sons.
• • •
16
Holy God, we believe that thou hast separated us from our brethren; and
we do not believe in the tradition of our brethren, which was handed
down to them by the childishness of their fathers; but we believe that
thou hast elected us to be thy holy children; andalso thou hast made it known unto us that there shall be no Christ.
17
But thou art the same yesterday, today, and forever; and
thou hast elected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around us are
elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell; for the which holiness, O
God, we thank thee; and we also
thank thee that thou hast elected us, that we may not be led away after
the foolish traditions of our brethren, which doth bind them down to a
belief of Christ, which doth lead their hearts to wander far from thee,
our God.
• • •
25
Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride.
• • •
32
O Lord, wilt thou comfort my soul, and give unto me success, andalso my fellow laborers who are with me—yea, Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, andalso Amulek and Zeezrom andalso my two sons—yea, even all these wilt thou comfort, O Lord. Yea, wilt thou comfort their souls in Christ.
• • •
38
And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also
gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions,
save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according
to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith.
3
Therefore they were not permitted to enter into their synagogues to
worship God, being esteemed as filthiness; therefore they were poor;
yea, they were esteemed by their brethren as dross; therefore they were
poor as to things of the world; andalso they were poor in heart.
• • •
34
And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand.
6
And ye also beheld that my brother has proved unto you, in many instances, that the word is in Christ unto salvation.
7
My brother has called upon the words of Zenos, that redemption cometh through the Son of God, andalso upon the words of Zenock; andalso he has appealed unto Moses, to prove that these things are true.
• • •
27
Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, andalso for the welfare of those who are around you.
• • •
39
Yea, and I also
exhort you, my brethren, that ye be watchful unto prayer continually,
that ye may not be led away by the temptations of the devil, that he may
not overpower you, that ye may not become his subjects at the last day;
for behold, he rewardeth you no good thing.
11
And thus the Zoramites and the Lamanites began to make preparations for war against the people of Ammon, andalso against the Nephites.
• • •
14
And Alma, and Ammon, and their brethren, andalso
the two sons of Alma returned to the land of Zarahemla, after having
been instruments in the hands of God of bringing many of the Zoramites
to repentance; and as many as were brought to
repentance were driven out of their land; but they have lands for their
inheritance in the land of Jershon, and they have taken up arms to defend themselves, and their wives, and children, and their lands.
29
Yea, and he has also brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem; and he has also, by his everlasting power, delivered them out of bondage and captivity, from time to time even down to the present day; and I have always retained in remembrance their captivity; yea, and ye also ought to retain in remembrance, as I have done, their captivity.
2
And I also command you that ye keep a record of this people, according as I have done, upon the plates of Nephi, and keep all these things sacred which I have kept, even as I have kept them; for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept.
• • •
5
And now behold, if they are kept they must retain their brightness; yea, and they will retain their brightness; yea, andalso shall all the plates which do contain that which is holy writ.
• • •
10
And who knoweth but what they will be the means of bringing many thousands of them, yea, andalso many thousands of our stiffnecked brethren, the Nephites, who are now hardening their hearts in sin and iniquities, to the knowledge of their Redeemer?
• • •
14
And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you with these things, which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, andalso which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him, that he may show forth his power unto future generations.
• • •
40
And it did work for them according to their
faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could
cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold,
it was done; therefore they had this miracle, andalso many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day.
4
For I know that thou wast in bonds; yea, and I also know that thou wast stoned for the word’s sake; and thou didst bear all these things with patience because the Lord was with thee; and now thou knowest that the Lord did deliver thee.
• • •
12
Use boldness, but not overbearance; andalso see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness.
3
Now, we see that the man had become as God, knowing good and evil; and lest he should put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat and live forever, the Lord God placed cherubim and the flaming sword, that he should not partake of the fruit—
• • •
5
For behold, if Adam had put forth his hand immediately, and partaken of the tree of life, he would have lived forever, according to the word of God, having no space for repentance; yea, andalso the word of God would have been void, and the great plan of salvation would have been frustrated.
• • •
20
Andalso, if there was no law given against sin men would not be afraid to sin.
• • •
24
For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, andalso mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved.
• • •
26
And thus God bringeth about his great and eternal purposes, which were prepared from the foundation of the world. And thus cometh about the salvation and the redemption of men, andalso their destruction and misery.
1 And now it came to pass that the sons of Alma did go forth among the people, to declare the word unto them. And Alma, also, himself, could not rest, and he also went forth.
• • •
8
For behold, his designs were to stir up the Lamanites to anger against
the Nephites; this he did that he might usurp great power over them, andalso that he might gain power over the Nephites by bringing them into bondage.
9
And now the design of the Nephites was to support their lands, and their houses, and their wives, and their children, that they might preserve them from the hands of their enemies; andalso that they might preserve their rights and their privileges, yea, andalso their liberty, that they might worship God according to their desires.
• • •
11
Yea, and they also
knew the extreme hatred of the Lamanites towards their brethren, who
were the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, who were called the people of Ammon—and they would not take up arms, yea, they had entered into a covenant and they would not break it—therefore, if they should fall into the hands of the Lamanites they would be destroyed.
• • •
19
And when the armies of the Lamanites saw that the people of Nephi, or that Moroni, had prepared his people with breastplates and with arm-shields, yea, andalso shields to defend their heads, andalso they were dressed with thick clothing—
• • •
23
But it came to pass, as soon as they had departed into the wilderness
Moroni sent spies into the wilderness to watch their camp; and Moroni, also,
knowing of the prophecies of Alma, sent certain men unto him, desiring
him that he should inquire of the Lord whither the armies of the
Nephites should go to defend themselves against the Lamanites.
• • •
30
And he also knowing that it was the only desire of the Nephites to preserve their lands, and their liberty, and
their church, therefore he thought it no sin that he should defend them
by stratagem; therefore, he found by his spies which course the
Lamanites were to take.
• • •
46
And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God; for the Lord had said unto them, andalso
unto their fathers, that: Inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first
offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain
by the hands of your enemies.
5
And now, Zerahemnah, I command you, in the
name of that all-powerful God, who has strengthened our arms that we
have gained power over you, by our faith, by our religion, and by our rites of worship, and by our church, and by the sacred support which we owe to our wives and our children, by that liberty which binds us to our lands and our country; yea, andalso by the maintenance of the sacred word of God, to which we owe all our happiness; and by all that is most dear unto us—
• • •
8
And now it came to pass that when Zerahemnah had heard these sayings he came forth and delivered up his sword and his cimeter, and his bow into the hands of Moroni, and
said unto him: Behold, here are our weapons of war; we will deliver
them up unto you, but we will not suffer ourselves to take an oath unto
you, which we know that we shall break, andalso our children; but take our weapons of war, and suffer that we may depart into the wilderness; otherwise we will retain our swords, and we will perish or conquer.
• • •
12
And now when Moroni had said these words, Zerahemnah retained his sword, and he was angry with Moroni, and
he rushed forward that he might slay Moroni; but as he raised his
sword, behold, one of Moroni’s soldiers smote it even to the earth, and it broke by the hilt; and he also smote Zerahemnah that he took off his scalp and it fell to the earth. And Zerahemnah withdrew from before them into the midst of his soldiers.
• • •
19
Now Zerahemnah, when he saw that they were all about to be destroyed,
cried mightily unto Moroni, promising that he would covenant andalso his people with them, if they would spare the remainder of their lives, that they never would come to war again against them.
15
And now it came to pass that after Alma had said these things to Helaman, he blessed him, andalso his other sons; and he also blessed the earth for the righteous’ sake.
9
Yea, and we also see the great wickedness one very wicked man can cause to take place among the children of men.
• • •
28
And now it came to pass that when Moroni had said these words he went forth, andalso sent forth in all the parts of the land where there were dissensions, and gathered together all the people who were desirous to maintain their liberty, to stand against Amalickiah and those who had dissented, who were called Amalickiahites.
29
And it came to pass that when Amalickiah saw that the people of Moroni were more numerous than the Amalickiahites—and he also
saw that his people were doubtful concerning the justice of the cause
in which they had undertaken—therefore, fearing that he should not gain
the point, he took those of his people who would and departed into the land of Nephi.
2
And it came to pass that when the proclamation
had gone forth among them they were exceedingly afraid; yea, they
feared to displease the king, and they also feared to go to battle against the Nephites lest they should lose their lives. And it came to pass that they would not, or the more part of them would not, obey the commandments of the king.
• • •
33
Therefore, when the queen had received this message she sent unto
Amalickiah, desiring him that he would spare the people of the city; and she also desired him that he should come in unto her; and she also desired him that he should bring witnesses with him to testify concerning the death of the king.
8
Yea, he had been strengthening the armies of the Nephites, and erecting small forts, or places of resort; throwing up banks of earth round about to enclose his armies, andalso building walls of stone to encircle them about, round about their cities and the borders of their lands; yea, all round about the land.
• • •
16
Andalso, that God would make it known unto them whither they should go to defend themselves against their enemies, and by so doing, the Lord would deliver them; and this was the faith of Moroni, and
his heart did glory in it; not in the shedding of blood but in doing
good, in preserving his people, yea, in keeping the commandments of God,
yea, and resisting iniquity.
• • •
18
Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, andalso Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God.
27
Yea, he was exceedingly wroth, and he did curse God, andalso Moroni, swearing with an oath that he would drink his blood; and this because Moroni had kept the commandments of God in preparing for the safety of his people.
10
And he also placed armies on the south, in the borders of their possessions, and caused them to erect fortifications that they might secure their armies and their people from the hands of their enemies.
11
And thus he cut off all the strongholds of the Lamanites in the east wilderness, yea, andalso on the west, fortifying the line between the Nephites and the Lamanites, between the land of Zarahemla and
the land of Nephi, from the west sea, running by the head of the river
Sidon—the Nephites possessing all the land northward, yea, even all the
land which was northward of the land Bountiful, according to their
pleasure.
• • •
14
And they also began a foundation for a city between the city of Moroni and the city of Aaron, joining the borders of Aaron and Moroni; and they called the name of the city, or the land, Nephihah.
15
And they also began
in that same year to build many cities on the north, one in a particular
manner which they called Lehi, which was in the north by the borders of
the seashore.
• • •
24
And it came to pass that the twenty and second year of the reign of the judges also ended in peace; yea, andalso the twenty and third year.
• • •
31
And it came to pass that she fled, and came over to the camp of Moroni, and told Moroni all things concerning the matter, andalso concerning their intentions to flee into the land northward.
7
And it came to pass that this matter of their contention was settled by the voice of the people. And it came to pass that the voice of the people came in favor of the freemen, and Pahoran retained the judgment-seat, which caused much rejoicing among the brethren of Pahoran andalso many of the people of liberty, who also put the king-men to silence, that they durst not oppose but were obliged to maintain the cause of freedom.
• • •
13
And it came to pass that when the men who were
called king-men had heard that the Lamanites were coming down to battle
against them, they were glad in their hearts; and they refused to take up arms, for they were so wroth with the chief judge, andalso with the people of liberty, that they would not take up arms to defend their country.
14
And it came to pass that when Moroni saw this, andalso
saw that the Lamanites were coming into the borders of the land, he was
exceedingly wroth because of the stubbornness of those people whom he
had labored with so much diligence to preserve; yea, he was exceedingly
wroth; his soul was filled with anger against them.
• • •
24
And those who fled out of the city of Moroni came to the city of Nephihah; andalso the people of the city of Lehi gathered themselves together, and made preparations and were ready to receive the Lamanites to battle.
• • •
30
And it came to pass that he headed Amalickiah also, as he was marching forth with his numerous army that he might take possession of the land Bountiful, andalso the land northward.
1 And now, it came to pass in the twenty and
sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, behold,
when the Lamanites awoke on the first morning of the first month,
behold, they found Amalickiah was dead in his own tent; and they also saw that Teancum was ready to give them battle on that day.
• • •
5
And now, Teancum saw that the Lamanites were determined to maintain those cities which they had taken, and those parts of the land which they had obtained possession of; andalso seeing the enormity of their number, Teancum thought it was not expedient that he should attempt to attack them in their forts.
• • •
8
And Moroni also sent
orders unto him that he should retain all the prisoners who fell into
his hands; for as the Lamanites had taken many prisoners, that he should
retain all the prisoners of the Lamanites as a ransom for those whom
the Lamanites had taken.
9
And he also sent orders unto him that he should fortify the land Bountiful, and secure the narrow pass which led into the land northward, lest the Lamanites should obtain that point and should have power to harass them on every side.
10
And Moroni also sent unto him, desiring him that he would be faithful in maintaining that quarter of the land, and
that he would seek every opportunity to scourge the Lamanites in that
quarter, as much as was in his power, that perhaps he might take again
by stratagem or some other way those cities which had been taken out of
their hands; and that he also would fortify and strengthen the cities round about, which had not fallen into the hands of the Lamanites.
11
And he also said unto him, I would come unto you, but behold, the Lamanites are upon us in the borders of the land by the west sea; and behold, I go against them, therefore I cannot come unto you.
• • •
38
And it came to pass that when the Lamanites had heard these words, their chief captains, all those who were not slain, came forth and threw down their weapons of war at the feet of Moroni, andalso commanded their men that they should do the same.
1 And it came to pass that they did set guards over the prisoners of the Lamanites, and did compel them to go forth and bury their dead, yea, andalso the dead of the Nephites who were slain; and Moroni placed men over them to guard them while they should perform their labors.
2
And Moroni went to the city of Mulek with Lehi, and took command of the city and gave it unto Lehi. Now behold, this Lehi was a man who had been with Moroni in the more part of all his battles; and he was a man like unto Moroni, and they rejoiced in each other’s safety; yea, they were beloved by each other, andalso beloved by all the people of Nephi.
3
And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had finished burying their dead andalso the dead of the Nephites, they were marched back into the land Bountiful; and
Teancum, by the orders of Moroni, caused that they should commence
laboring in digging a ditch round about the land, or the city,
Bountiful.
• • •
7
And it came to pass that he did no more
attempt a battle with the Lamanites in that year, but he did employ his
men in preparing for war, yea, and in making fortifications to guard against the Lamanites, yea, andalso delivering their women and their children from famine and affliction, and providing food for their armies.
• • •
20
And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, andalso for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.
2
And it came to pass that Moroni felt to
rejoice exceedingly at this request, for he desired the provisions which
were imparted for the support of the Lamanite prisoners for the support
of his own people; and he also desired his own people for the strengthening of his army.
• • •
13
Behold, I am in my anger, andalso my people; ye have sought to murder us, and we have only sought to defend ourselves. But behold, if ye seek to destroy us more we will seek to destroy you; yea, and we will seek our land, the land of our first inheritance.
26
And it came to pass that when he had fortified
the city Gid, according to his desires, he caused that his prisoners
should be taken to the city Bountiful; and he also guarded that city with an exceedingly strong force.
27
And it came to pass that they did, notwithstanding all the intrigues of the Lamanites, keep and protect all the prisoners whom they had taken, andalso maintain all the ground and the advantage which they had retaken.
• • •
34
And they were continually bringing new forces into that city, andalso new supplies of provisions.
28
Andalso there were sent two thousand men unto us from the land of Zarahemla. And thus we were prepared with ten thousand men, and provisions for them, andalso for their wives and their children.
• • •
54
And now it came to pass that we, the people of Nephi, the people of Antipus, and I with my two thousand, did surround the Lamanites, and did slay them; yea, insomuch that they were compelled to deliver up their weapons of war andalso themselves as prisoners of war.
6
And it came to pass that in the commencement of the twenty and ninth year, we received a supply of provisions, andalso an addition to our army, from the land of Zarahemla, and
from the land round about, to the number of six thousand men, besides
sixty of the sons of the Ammonites who had come to join their brethren,
my little band of two thousand. And now behold, we were strong, yea, and we had also plenty of provisions brought unto us.
• • •
15
Therefore it became expedient for us, that we should put an end to their
lives, or guard them, sword in hand, down to the land of Zarahemla; andalso
our provisions were not any more than sufficient for our own people,
notwithstanding that which we had taken from the Lamanites.
• • •
17
But it came to pass that on the morrow they did return. And now behold, we did not inquire of them concerning the prisoners; for behold, the Lamanites were upon us, and
they returned in season to save us from falling into their hands. For
behold, Ammoron had sent to their support a new supply of provisions andalso a numerous army of men.
• • •
25
And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out of my two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loss of blood; nevertheless, according to the goodness of God, and to our great astonishment, andalso the joy of our whole army, there was not one soul of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds.
• • •
28
And now it came to pass that after we had thus taken care of our wounded men, and had buried our dead andalso
the dead of the Lamanites, who were many, behold, we did inquire of Gid
concerning the prisoners whom they had started to go down to the land
of Zarahemla with.
3
Yea, and it became expedient that we should
employ our men to the maintaining those parts of the land which we had
regained of our possessions; therefore it became expedient that we
should wait, that we might receive more strength from the land of
Zarahemla andalso a new supply of provisions.
• • •
5
But behold, this did profit us but little; for the Lamanites were also receiving great strength from day to day, andalso many provisions; and thus were our circumstances at this period of time.
• • •
9
And now the cause of these our embarrassments,
or the cause why they did not send more strength unto us, we knew not;
therefore we were grieved andalso filled with fear, lest by any means the judgments of God should come upon our land, to our overthrow and utter destruction.
10
Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, andalso give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people.
• • •
15
And it came to pass that when they saw that we were not strong, according to our numbers, and fearing that we should cut them off from their support except they should come out to battle against us and kill us, andalso
supposing that they could easily destroy us with their numerous hosts,
therefore they began to make preparations to come out against us to
battle.
16
And when we saw that they were making
preparations to come out against us, behold, I caused that Gid, with a
small number of men, should secrete himself in the wilderness, andalso that Teomner and a small number of men should secrete themselves also in the wilderness.
12
Now this was the case with all his chief captains. They doubted and marveled also because of the wickedness of the people, and this because of the success of the Lamanites over them.
1 And it came to pass that he wrote again to the governor of the land, who was Pahoran, and
these are the words which he wrote, saying: Behold, I direct mine
epistle to Pahoran, in the city of Zarahemla, who is the chief judge and the governor over the land, andalso to all those who have been chosen by this people to govern and manage the affairs of this war.
• • •
3
And now behold, I say unto you that myself, andalso my men, andalso Helaman and his men, have suffered exceedingly great sufferings; yea, even hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and all manner of afflictions of every kind.
• • •
17
But behold, now the Lamanites are coming upon us, taking possession of our lands, and they are murdering our people with the sword, yea, our women and our children, andalso carrying them away captive, causing them that they should suffer all manner of afflictions, and this because of the great wickedness of those who are seeking for power and authority, yea, even those king-men.
• • •
19
Or is it that ye have neglected us because ye are in the heart of our country and ye are surrounded by security, that ye do not cause food to be sent unto us, andalso men to strengthen our armies?
• • •
24
And now, except ye do repent of that which ye have done, and begin to be up and doing, and send forth food and men unto us, andalso unto Helaman, that he may support those parts of our country which he has regained, and that we may also
recover the remainder of our possessions in these parts, behold it will
be expedient that we contend no more with the Lamanites until we have
first cleansed our inward vessel, yea, even the great head of our
government.
• • •
34
And now behold, I, Moroni, am constrained,
according to the covenant which I have made to keep the commandments of
my God; therefore I would that ye should adhere to the word of God, and send speedily unto me of your provisions and of your men, andalso to Helaman.
3
But behold, there are those who do joy in your afflictions, yea, insomuch that they have risen up in rebellion against me, andalso those of my people who are freemen, yea, and those who have risen up are exceedingly numerous.
• • •
21
See that ye strengthen Lehi and Teancum in the Lord; tell them to fear not, for God will deliver them, yea, andalso all those who stand fast in that liberty wherewith God hath made them free. And now I close mine epistle to my beloved brother, Moroni.
2
But he did also mourn exceedingly because of
the iniquity of those who had driven Pahoran from the judgment-seat,
yea, in fine because of those who had rebelled against their country andalso their God.
• • •
9
And the men of Pachus received their trial, according to the law, andalso those king-men who had been taken and cast into prison; and they were executed according to the law; yea, those men of Pachus and
those king-men, whosoever would not take up arms in the defence of
their country, but would fight against it, were put to death.
• • •
12
And it came to pass in the commencement of the thirty and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, Moroni immediately caused that provisions should be sent, andalso an army of six thousand men should be sent unto Helaman, to assist him in preserving that part of the land.
13
And he also caused that an army of six thousand men, with a sufficient quantity of food, should be sent to the armies of Lehi and Teancum. And it came to pass that this was done to fortify the land against the Lamanites.
• • •
42
And it came to pass that after Moroni had
fortified those parts of the land which were most exposed to the
Lamanites, until they were sufficiently strong, he returned to the city
of Zarahemla; andalso Helaman returned to the place of his inheritance; and there was once more peace established among the people of Nephi.
2
And he was a just man, and he did walk uprightly before God; and he did observe to do good continually, to keep the commandments of the Lord his God; andalso did his brother.
• • •
6
And behold, there were many of the Nephites who did enter therein and did sail forth with much provisions, andalso many women and children; and they took their course northward. And thus ended the thirty and seventh year.
7
And in the thirty and eighth year, this man built other ships. And the first ship did also return, and many more people did enter into it; and they also took much provisions, and set out again to the land northward.
• • •
15
Andalso in this
same year they came down with a numerous army to war against the people
of Moronihah, or against the army of Moronihah, in the which they were
beaten and driven back again to their own lands, suffering great loss.
• • •
17
And thus ended the account of Alma, and Helaman his son, andalso Shiblon, who was his son.
An account of the Nephites. Their wars and contentions, and their dissensions. Andalso
the prophecies of many holy prophets, before the coming of Christ,
according to the records of Helaman, who was the son of Helaman, andalso according to the records of his sons, even down to the coming of Christ. Andalso many of the Lamanites are converted. An account of their conversion. An account of the righteousness of the Lamanites, and the wickedness and abominations of the Nephites, according to the record of Helaman and his sons, even down to the coming of Christ, which is called the book of Helaman.
16
Therefore, the king of the Lamanites, whose name was Tubaloth, who was
the son of Ammoron, supposing that Coriantumr, being a mighty man, could
stand against the Nephites, with his strength andalso with his great wisdom, insomuch that by sending him forth he should gain power over the Nephites—
4
For there was one Gadianton, who was exceedingly expert in many words, andalso in his craft, to carry on the secret work of murder and of robbery; therefore he became the leader of the band of Kishkumen.
5
Therefore he did flatter them, andalso
Kishkumen, that if they would place him in the judgment-seat he would
grant unto those who belonged to his band that they should be placed in
power and authority among the people; therefore Kishkumen sought to destroy Helaman.
• • •
8
And when the servant of Helaman had known all the heart of Kishkumen, and how that it was his object to murder, andalso that it was the object of all those who belonged to his band to murder, and to rob, and to gain power, (and this was their secret plan, and their combination) the servant of Helaman said unto Kishkumen: Let us go forth unto the judgment-seat.
19
And it came to pass that there was still great contention in the land, yea, even in the forty and seventh year, andalso in the forty and eighth year.
• • •
32
And it came to pass that there was peace and exceedingly great joy in the remainder of the forty and ninth year; yea, andalso there was continual peace and great joy in the fiftieth year of the reign of the judges.
5
And in the fifty and seventh year they did come down against the Nephites to battle, and they did commence the work of death; yea, insomuch that in the fifty and eighth year of the reign of the judges they succeeded in obtaining possession of the land of Zarahemla; yea, andalso all the lands, even unto the land which was near the land Bountiful.
• • •
14
But behold, Moronihah did preach many things unto the people because of their iniquity, andalso Nephi and Lehi, who were the sons of Helaman, did preach many things unto the people, yea, and did prophesy many things unto them concerning their iniquities, and what should come unto them if they did not repent of their sins.
• • •
21
Yea, they began to remember the prophecies of Alma, andalso the words of Mosiah; and they saw that they had been a stiffnecked people, and that they had set at naught the commandments of God;
6
Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God; and
I would that ye should declare unto the people these words. Behold, I
have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the
land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, andalso written, that they were good.
7
Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, andalso written, even as it has been said and written of them.
• • •
10
And remember also
the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for
he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people,
but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem
them from their sins.
• • •
13
And it came to pass that these were the words
which Helaman taught to his sons; yea, he did teach them many things
which are not written, andalso many things which are written.
• • •
18
And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did preach unto the Lamanites with such great power and authority, for they had power and authority given unto them that they might speak, and they also had what they should speak given unto them—
• • •
33
Andalso again the third time the voice came, and did speak unto them marvelous words which cannot be uttered by man; and the walls did tremble again, and the earth shook as if it were about to divide asunder.
34
And it came to pass that the Lamanites could not flee because of the cloud of darkness which did overshadow them; yea, andalso they were immovable because of the fear which did come upon them.
• • •
51
And as many as were convinced did lay down their weapons of war, andalso their hatred and the tradition of their fathers.
6
And it came to pass that many of the Lamanites did go into the land northward; andalso Nephi and Lehi went into the land northward, to preach unto the people. And thus ended the sixty and third year.
• • •
23
And thus they might murder, and plunder, and steal, and commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness, contrary to the laws of their country andalso the laws of their God.
• • •
28
Andalso it is that
same being who put it into the hearts of the people to build a tower
sufficiently high that they might get to heaven. And it was that same being who led on the people who came from that tower into this land; who spread the works of darkness and abominations over all the face of the land, until he dragged the people down to an entire destruction, and to an everlasting hell.
22
And for this cause wo shall come unto you except ye shall repent. For if ye will not repent, behold, this great city, andalso
all those great cities which are round about, which are in the land of
our possession, shall be taken away that ye shall have no place in them;
for behold, the Lord will not grant unto you strength, as he has
hitherto done, to withstand against your enemies.
5
Therefore they did cry unto the people, saying: Why do you suffer this
man to revile against us? For behold he doth condemn all this people,
even unto destruction; yea, andalso that these our great cities shall be taken from us, that we shall have no place in them.
• • •
13
But, behold, ye not only deny my words, but ye also deny all the words which have been spoken by our fathers, andalso
the words which were spoken by this man, Moses, who had such great
power given unto him, yea, the words which he hath spoken concerning the
coming of the Messiah.
• • •
20
And behold, also Zenock, andalso Ezias, andalso Isaiah, and Jeremiah, (Jeremiah being that same prophet who testified of the destruction of Jerusalem) and
now we know that Jerusalem was destroyed according to the words of
Jeremiah. O then why not the Son of God come, according to his
prophecy?
• • •
22
Our father Lehi was driven out of Jerusalem because he testified of these things. Nephi also testified of these things, andalso almost all of our fathers, even down to this time; yea, they have testified of the coming of Christ, and have looked forward, and have rejoiced in his day which is to come.
11
And thus also those judges who were at the garden of Nephi, and heard his words, were also gathered together at the burial.
• • •
20
Saying unto him: Thou art confederate; who is this man that hath done this murder? Now tell us, and acknowledge thy fault; saying, Behold here is money; andalso we will grant unto thee thy life if thou wilt tell us, and acknowledge the agreement which thou hast made with him.
• • •
37
And it came to pass that they went and did, even according as Nephi had said unto them. And behold, the words which he had said were true; for according to the words he did deny; andalso according to the words he did confess.
38
And he was brought to prove that he himself was the very murderer, insomuch that the five were set at liberty, andalso was Nephi.
• • •
41
And there were others who said: Behold, he is a
god, for except he was a god he could not know of all things. For
behold, he has told us the thoughts of our hearts, andalso has told us things; and even he has brought unto our knowledge the true murderer of our chief judge.
22
Andalso they had peace in the seventy and eighth year, save it were a few contentions concerning the points of doctrine which had been laid down by the prophets.
• • •
24
And it came to pass that in the eightieth
year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, there were a
certain number of the dissenters from the people of Nephi, who had some
years before gone over unto the Lamanites, and taken upon themselves the name of Lamanites, andalso
a certain number who were real descendants of the Lamanites, being
stirred up to anger by them, or by those dissenters, therefore they
commenced a war with their brethren.
• • •
27
Now behold, these robbers did make great havoc, yea, even great destruction among the people of Nephi, andalso among the people of the Lamanites.
• • •
32
And it came to pass that thus ended this year. And the robbers did still increase and wax strong, insomuch that they did defy the whole armies of the Nephites, andalso of the Lamanites; and they did cause great fear to come unto the people upon all the face of the land.
1 And thus we can behold how false, andalso the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of men; yea, we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him.
• • •
16
And behold, also, if he say unto the waters of the great deep—Be thou dried up—it is done.
19
For I will, saith the Lord, that they shall hide up their treasures unto me; and cursed be they who hide not up their treasures unto me; for none hideth up their treasures unto me save it be the righteous; and he that hideth not up his treasures unto me, cursed is he, andalso the treasure, and none shall redeem it because of the curse of the land.
20
And the day shall come that they shall hide up their treasures, because they have set their hearts upon riches; and because they have set their hearts upon their riches, and
will hide up their treasures when they shall flee before their enemies;
because they will not hide them up unto me, cursed be they andalso their treasures; and in that day shall they be smitten, saith the Lord.
21
Behold ye, the people of this great city, and
hearken unto my words; yea, hearken unto the words which the Lord saith;
for behold, he saith that ye are cursed because of your riches, andalso are your riches cursed because ye have set your hearts upon them, and have not hearkened unto the words of him who gave them unto you.
• • •
23
For this cause hath the Lord God caused that a curse should come upon the land, andalso upon your riches, and this because of your iniquities.
4
Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun andalso of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.
5
And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you.
• • •
11
And ye shall hear my words, for, for this intent have I come up upon the walls of this city, that ye might hear and know of the judgments of God which do await you because of your iniquities, andalso that ye might know the conditions of repentance;
12
Andalso that ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on his name.
• • •
20
But behold, as I said unto you concerning another sign, a sign of his
death, behold, in that day that he shall suffer death the sun shall be
darkened and refuse to give his light unto you; andalso the moon and the stars; and
there shall be no light upon the face of this land, even from the time
that he shall suffer death, for the space of three days, to the time
that he shall rise again from the dead.
• • •
29
And this to the intent that whosoever will believe might be saved, and that whosoever will not believe, a righteous judgment might come upon them; andalso if they are condemned they bring upon themselves their own condemnation.
3
Yea, wo unto this people who are called the people of Nephi except they shall repent, when they shall see all these signs and
wonders which shall be showed unto them; for behold, they have been a
chosen people of the Lord; yea, the people of Nephi hath he loved, andalso hath he chastened them; yea, in the days of their iniquities hath he chastened them because he loveth them.
• • •
11
Yea, even if they should dwindle in unbelief the Lord shall prolong
their days, until the time shall come which hath been spoken of by our
fathers, andalso by the prophet Zenos, and many other prophets, concerning the restoration of our brethren, the Lamanites, again to the knowledge of the truth—
2
But as many as there were who did not believe in the words of Samuel were angry with him; and they cast stones at him upon the wall, andalso
many shot arrows at him as he stood upon the wall; but the Spirit of
the Lord was with him, insomuch that they could not hit him with their
stones neither with their arrows.
• • •
15
Nevertheless, the people began to harden their hearts, all save it were the most believing part of them, both of the Nephites andalso of the Lamanites, and began to depend upon their own strength and upon their own wisdom, saying:
• • •
21
And they will, by the cunning and
the mysterious arts of the evil one, work some great mystery which we
cannot understand, which will keep us down to be servants to their
words, andalso servants unto them, for we depend upon them to teach us the word; and thus will they keep us in ignorance if we will yield ourselves unto them, all the days of our lives.
23
And it came to pass that Nephi went forth among the people, andalso many others, baptizing unto repentance, in the which there was a great remission of sins. And thus the people began again to have peace in the land.
4
And thus did pass away the ninety and sixth year; andalso the ninety and seventh year; andalso the ninety and eighth year; andalso the ninety and ninth year;
5
Andalso an hundred years had passed away since the days of Mosiah, who was king over the people of the Nephites.
• • •
12
Therefore, all the Lamanites who had become converted unto the Lord did unite with their brethren, the Nephites, and were compelled, for the safety of their lives and their women and their children, to take up arms against those Gadianton robbers, yea, andalso to maintain their rights, and the privileges of their church and of their worship, and their freedom and their liberty.
2
Lachoneus, most noble and chief governor of the land, behold, I write this epistle unto you, and do give unto you exceedingly great praise because of your firmness, andalso the firmness of your people, in maintaining that which ye suppose to be your right and liberty; yea, ye do stand well, as if ye were supported by the hand of a god, in the defence of your liberty, and your property, and your country, or that which ye do call so.
• • •
11
And now it came to pass when Lachoneus
received this epistle he was exceedingly astonished, because of the
boldness of Giddianhi demanding the possession of the land of the
Nephites, andalso of threatening the people and
avenging the wrongs of those that had received no wrong, save it were
they had wronged themselves by dissenting away unto those wicked and abominable robbers.
• • •
19
Now it was the custom among all the Nephites to appoint for their chief
captains, (save it were in their times of wickedness) some one that had
the spirit of revelation andalso prophecy; therefore, this Gidgiddoni was a great prophet among them, as also was the chief judge.
15
And it came to pass that Nephi—having been visited by angels andalso the voice of the Lord, therefore having seen angels, and being eye-witness, and having had power given unto him that he might know concerning the ministry of Christ, andalso being eye-witness to their quick return from righteousness unto their wickedness and abominations;
16
Yea, the prophet Zenos did testify of these things, andalso Zenock spake concerning these things, because they testified particularly concerning us, who are the remnant of their seed.
• • •
18
And it came to pass that in the ending of the thirty and fourth year, behold, I will show unto you that the people of Nephi who were spared, andalso those who had been called Lamanites, who had been spared, did have great favors shown unto them, and
great blessings poured out upon their heads, insomuch that soon after
the ascension of Christ into heaven he did truly manifest himself unto
them—
14
Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, andalso that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.
4
And I command you that ye shall write these
sayings after I am gone, that if it so be that my people at Jerusalem,
they who have seen me and been with me in my ministry, do not ask the Father in my name, that they may receive a knowledge of you by the Holy Ghost, andalso of the other tribes whom they know not of, that these sayings which ye shall write shall be kept and
shall be manifested unto the Gentiles, that through the fulness of the
Gentiles, the remnant of their seed, who shall be scattered forth upon
the face of the earth because of their unbelief, may be brought in, or
may be brought to a knowledge of me, their Redeemer.
• • •
9
And because of the mercies of the Father unto the Gentiles, andalso
the judgments of the Father upon my people who are of the house of
Israel, verily, verily, I say unto you, that after all this, and I have caused my people who are of the house of Israel to be smitten, and to be afflicted, and to be slain, and to be cast out from among them, and to become hated by them, and to become a hiss and a byword among them—
4
But now I go unto the Father, andalso
to show myself unto the lost tribes of Israel, for they are not lost
unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them.
4
And it came to pass that on the morrow, when the multitude was gathered together, behold, Nephi and his brother whom he had raised from the dead, whose name was Timothy, andalso his son, whose name was Jonas, andalso Mathoni, and Mathonihah, his brother, and Kumen, and Kumenonhi, and Jeremiah, and Shemnon, and Jonas, and Zedekiah, and Isaiah—now these were the names of the disciples whom Jesus had chosen—and it came to pass that they went forth and stood in the midst of the multitude.
• • •
16
And it came to pass that he spake unto the multitude, and commanded them that they should kneel down again upon the earth, andalso that his disciples should kneel down upon the earth.
• • •
23
And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, andalso
for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe
in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be
one.
• • •
25
And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance andalso the garments of Jesus; and
behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even
there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof.
• • •
28
Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen, because of their faith, and I pray for them, andalso
for them who shall believe on their words, that they may be purified in
me, through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me.
1 And it came to pass that he commanded the multitude that they should cease to pray, andalso his disciples. And he commanded them that they should not cease to pray in their hearts.
• • •
7
But he truly gave unto them bread to eat, andalso wine to drink.
23
And they shall assist my people, the remnant of Jacob, andalso as many of the house of Israel as shall come, that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem.
• • •
25
And then shall the power of heaven come down among them; and I also will be in the midst.
30
And now, behold, my joy is great, even unto fulness, because of you, andalso this generation; yea, and even the Father rejoiceth, andalso all the holy angels, because of you and this generation; for none of them are lost.
29
And it shall come to pass, when the Lord seeth fit in his wisdom that they shall minister unto all the scattered tribes of Israel, and unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, and shall bring out of them unto Jesus many souls, that their desire may be fulfilled, andalso because of the convincing power of God which is in them.
• • •
34
And wo be unto him that will not hearken unto the words of Jesus, andalso to them whom he hath chosen and sent among them; for whoso receiveth not the words of Jesus and the words of those whom he hath sent receiveth not him; and therefore he will not receive them at the last day;
1 And it came to pass that the thirty and fourth year passed away, andalso the thirty and fifth, and behold the disciples of Jesus had formed a church of Christ in all the lands round about. And as many as did come unto them, and did truly repent of their sins, were baptized in the name of Jesus; and they did also receive the Holy Ghost.
• • •
6
And thus did the thirty and eighth year pass away, andalso the thirty and ninth, and forty and first, and the forty and second, yea, even until forty and nine years had passed away, andalso the fifty and first, and the fifty and second; yea, and even until fifty and nine years had passed away.
• • •
14
And it came to pass that the seventy and first year passed away, andalso the seventy and second year, yea, and in fine, till the seventy and ninth year had passed away; yea, even an hundred years had passed away, and the disciples of Jesus, whom he had chosen, had all gone to the paradise of God, save it were the three who should tarry; and there were other disciples ordained in their stead; andalso many of that generation had passed away.
• • •
21
And it came to pass that Amos died also, (and it was an hundred and ninety and four years from the coming of Christ) and his son Amos kept the record in his stead; and he also kept it upon the plates of Nephi; and it was also written in the book of Nephi, which is this book.
• • •
33
And they also cast them into dens of wild beasts, and they did play with the wild beasts even as a child with a lamb; and they did come forth from among them, receiving no harm.
• • •
41
And they did still continue to build up churches unto themselves, and adorn them with all manner of precious things. And thus did two hundred and fifty years pass away, andalso two hundred and sixty years.
• • •
43
Andalso the people who were called the people of Nephi began to be proud in their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, and become vain like unto their brethren, the Lamanites.
19
And it came to pass that there were sorceries, and witchcrafts, and magics; and the power of the evil one was wrought upon all the face of the land, even unto the fulfilling of all the words of Abinadi, andalso Samuel the Lamanite.
8
But behold, the land was filled with robbers and with Lamanites; and
notwithstanding the great destruction which hung over my people, they
did not repent of their evil doings; therefore there was blood and carnage spread throughout all the face of the land, both on the part of the Nephites andalso on the part of the Lamanites; and it was one complete revolution throughout all the face of the land.
10
And they did swear by the heavens, andalso by the throne of God, that they would go up to battle against their enemies, and would cut them off from the face of the land.
• • •
17
Therefore I write unto you, Gentiles, andalso
unto you, house of Israel, when the work shall commence, that ye shall
be about to prepare to return to the land of your inheritance;
• • •
21
Andalso that ye may believe the gospel of Jesus Christ, which ye shall have among you; andalso that the Jews, the covenant people of the Lord, shall have other witness besides him whom they saw and heard, that Jesus, whom they slew, was the very Christ and the very God.
9
Andalso that a knowledge of these things must come unto the remnant of these people, andalso unto the Gentiles, who the Lord hath said should scatter this people, and
this people should be counted as naught among them—therefore I write a
small abridgment, daring not to give a full account of the things which I
have seen, because of the commandment which I have received, andalso that ye might not have too great sorrow because of the wickedness of this people.
10
And now behold, this I speak unto their seed, andalso to the Gentiles who have care for the house of Israel, that realize and know from whence their blessings come.
• • •
15
Andalso that the
seed of this people may more fully believe his gospel, which shall go
forth unto them from the Gentiles; for this people shall be scattered, and shall become a dark, a filthy, and
a loathsome people, beyond the description of that which ever hath been
amongst us, yea, even that which hath been among the Lamanites, and this because of their unbelief and idolatry.
• • •
21
Andalso the Lord will remember the prayers of the righteous, which have been put up unto him for them.
12
And we also beheld the ten thousand of my people who were led by my son Moroni.
13
And behold, the ten thousand of Gidgiddonah had fallen, and he also in the midst.
• • •
15
And it came to pass that there were ten more
who did fall by the sword, with their ten thousand each; yea, even all
my people, save it were those twenty and four who were with me, andalso a few who had escaped into the south countries, and a few who had deserted over unto the Lamanites, had fallen; and their flesh, and bones, and blood lay upon the face of the earth, being left by the hands of those who slew them to molder upon the land, and to crumble and to return to their mother earth.
5
Know ye that ye must come to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities, and believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and that he was slain by the Jews, and by the power of the Father he hath risen again, whereby he hath gained the victory over the grave; andalso in him is the sting of death swallowed up.
• • •
9
For behold, this is written for the intent that ye may believe that; and if ye believe that ye will believe this also; and if ye believe this ye will know concerning your fathers, andalso the marvelous works which were wrought by the power of God among them.
8
And behold, it is the hand of the Lord which hath done it. And behold also, the Lamanites are at war one with another; and the whole face of this land is one continual round of murder and bloodshed; and no one knoweth the end of the war.
• • •
40
Yea, why do ye build up your secret abominations to get gain, and cause that widows should mourn before the Lord, andalso orphans to mourn before the Lord, andalso the blood of their fathers and their husbands to cry unto the Lord from the ground, for vengeance upon your heads?
5
For behold, when ye shall be brought to see your nakedness before God, andalso the glory of God, and the holiness of Jesus Christ, it will kindle a flame of unquenchable fire upon you.
• • •
22
For behold, thus said Jesus Christ, the Son of God, unto his disciples who should tarry, yea, andalso to all his disciples, in the hearing of the multitude: Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature;
• • •
34
But the Lord knoweth the things which we have written, andalso that none other people knoweth our language; and because that none other people knoweth our language, therefore he hath prepared means for the interpretation thereof.
3
And as I suppose that the first part of this record, which speaks concerning the creation of the world, andalso of Adam, and an account from that time even to the great tower, and whatsoever things transpired among the children of men until that time, is had among the Jews—
• • •
41
Go to and gather together thy flocks, both male and female, of every kind; andalso of the seed of the earth of every kind; and thy families; andalso Jared thy brother and his family; andalso thy friends and their families, and the friends of Jared and their families.
1 And it came to pass that Jared and his brother, and their families, andalso the friends of Jared and his brother and their families, went down into the valley which was northward, (and
the name of the valley was Nimrod, being called after the mighty
hunter) with their flocks which they had gathered together, male and female, of every kind.
• • •
16
And the Lord said: Go to work and build, after the manner of barges which ye have hitherto built. And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did go to work, andalso his brethren, and built barges after the manner which they had built, according to the instructions of the Lord. And they were small, and they were light upon the water, even like unto the lightness of a fowl upon the water.
• • •
19
And behold, O Lord, in them there is no light; whither shall we steer? Andalso we shall perish, for in them we cannot breathe, save it is the air which is in them; therefore we shall perish.
20
And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: Behold, thou shalt make a hole in the top, andalso in the bottom; and when thou shalt suffer for air thou shalt unstop the hole and receive air. And if it be so that the water come in upon thee, behold, ye shall stop the hole, that ye may not perish in the flood.
• • •
24
For behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the
mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up
again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of
my mouth, andalso the rains and the floods have I sent forth.
25
And when the Lord had said these words, he showed unto the brother of Jared all the inhabitants of the earth which had been, andalso all that would be; and he withheld them not from his sight, even unto the ends of the earth.
5
Wherefore the Lord hath commanded me to write them; and I have written them. And he commanded me that I should seal them up; and he also
hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof;
wherefore I have sealed up the interpreters, according to the
commandment of the Lord.
4
And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God andalso his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record—and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day.
4
And it came to pass that when they had prepared all manner of food, that thereby they might subsist upon the water, andalso food for their flocks and herds, and whatsoever beast or animal or fowl that they should carry with them—and it came to pass that when they had done all these things they got aboard of their vessels or barges, and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God.
• • •
6
And it came to pass that they were many times
buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which
broke upon them, andalso the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.
7
And it came to pass that when they were buried
in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels
being tight like unto a dish, andalso
they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were
encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.
• • •
16
And the friends of Jared and his brother were in number about twenty and two souls; and they also begat sons and daughters before they came to the promised land; and therefore they began to be many.
• • •
30
And it came to pass that Orihah did walk humbly before the Lord, and did remember how great things the Lord had done for his father, andalso taught his people how great things the Lord had done for their fathers.
15
And it came to pass that Noah rebelled against Shule, the king, andalso his father Corihor, and drew away Cohor his brother, andalso all his brethren and many of the people.
• • •
23
Andalso in the reign of Shule there came prophets among the people, who were sent from the Lord, prophesying that the wickedness and idolatry of the people was bringing a curse upon the land, and they should be destroyed if they did not repent.
14
And it came to pass that they all sware unto him, by the God of heaven, andalso by the heavens, andalso by the earth, and by their heads, that whoso should vary from the assistance which Akish desired should lose his head; and whoso should divulge whatsoever thing Akish made known unto them, the same should lose his life.
• • •
21
And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking, andalso the destruction of the people of Nephi.
• • •
24
Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come
among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation,
because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be
unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry
from the dust for vengeance upon it, andalso upon those who built it up.
2
Nevertheless, the Lord was merciful unto Omer, andalso to his sons and to his daughters who did not seek his destruction.
3
And the Lord warned Omer in a dream that he
should depart out of the land; wherefore Omer departed out of the land
with his family, and traveled many days, and came over and passed by the hill of Shim, and came over by the place where the Nephites were destroyed, and from thence eastward, and came to a place which was called Ablom, by the seashore, and there he pitched his tent, andalso his sons and his daughters, and all his household, save it were Jared and his family.
• • •
18
Andalso all manner of cattle, of oxen, and cows, and of sheep, and of swine, and of goats, andalso many other kinds of animals which were useful for the food of man.
19
And they also had horses, and asses, and there were elephants and cureloms and cumoms; all of which were useful unto man, and more especially the elephants and cureloms and cumoms.
• • •
25
And it came to pass that he begat Com, and Com reigned in his stead; and he reigned forty and nine years, and he begat Heth; and he also begat other sons and daughters.
16
And after he had obtained unto himself the kingdom he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord; and the people did prosper in the land; and he did live to a good old age, and begat sons and daughters; and he also begat Corom, whom he anointed king in his stead.
• • •
19
And it came to pass that Lib also did that which was good in the sight of the Lord. And
in the days of Lib the poisonous serpents were destroyed. Wherefore
they did go into the land southward, to hunt food for the people of the
land, for the land was covered with animals of the forest. And Lib also himself became a great hunter.
• • •
25
And they did make all manner of tools to till the earth, both to plow and to sow, to reap and to hoe, andalso to thrash.
• • •
29
And it came to pass that Lib did live many years, and begat sons and daughters; and he also begat Hearthom.
• • •
31
And he begat Heth, and Heth lived in captivity all his days. And Heth begat Aaron, and Aaron dwelt in captivity all his days; and he begat Amnigaddah, and Amnigaddah also dwelt in captivity all his days; and he begat Coriantum, and Coriantum dwelt in captivity all his days; and he begat Com.
6
And there was great calamity in all the land, for they had testified that a great curse should come upon the land, andalso upon the people, and that there should be a great destruction among them, such an one as never had been upon the face of the earth, and their bones should become as heaps of earth upon the face of the land except they should repent of their wickedness.
7
And they hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord, because of their wicked combinations; wherefore, there began to be wars and contentions in all the land, andalso many famines and pestilences, insomuch that there was a great destruction, such an one as never had been known upon the face of the earth; and all this came to pass in the days of Shiblom.
• • •
11
And Ethem, being a descendant of Ahah, did obtain the kingdom; and he also did do that which was wicked in his days.
16
Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles wrought them by faith, even those who were before Christ andalso those who were after.
• • •
32
And I also remember
that thou hast said that thou hast prepared a house for man, yea, even
among the mansions of thy Father, in which man might have a more
excellent hope; wherefore man must hope, or he cannot receive an
inheritance in the place which thou hast prepared.
• • •
38
And now I, Moroni, bid farewell unto the Gentiles, yea, andalso
unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the
judgment-seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are
not spotted with your blood.
• • •
41
And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, andalso the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen.
11
And then also cometh the Jerusalem of old; and the inhabitants thereof, blessed are they, for they have been washed in the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who were scattered and gathered in from the four quarters of the earth, and from the north countries, and are partakers of the fulfilling of the covenant which God made with their father, Abraham.
• • •
23
And it came to pass that there arose up Shared, and he also gave battle unto Coriantumr; and he did beat him, insomuch that in the third year he did bring him into captivity.
2
He saw that there had been slain by the sword already nearly two millions of his people, and he began to sorrow in his heart; yea, there had been slain two millions of mighty men, andalso their wives and their children.
• • •
8
And it came to pass that he came to the waters
of Ripliancum, which, by interpretation, is large, or to exceed all;
wherefore, when they came to these waters they pitched their tents; and Shiz also pitched his tents near unto them; and therefore on the morrow they did come to battle.
• • •
28
And it came to pass that when the men of
Coriantumr had received sufficient strength that they could walk, they
were about to flee for their lives; but behold, Shiz arose, andalso his men, and he swore in his wrath that he would slay Coriantumr or he would perish by the sword.
9
And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such.
• • •
23
And God also declared unto prophets, by his own mouth, that Christ should come.
12
But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, andalso a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!
• • •
22
For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, andalso
all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh
on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he
that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing—
2
For behold, I have had a sore battle with the Lamanites, in which we did not conquer; and Archeantus has fallen by the sword, andalso Luram and Emron; yea, and we have lost a great number of our choice men.
It is evident that some errors have been perpetuated in past editions,
particularly in the historical portions of the section headings.
Consequently this edition contains corrections of dates and place names andalso
a few other minor corrections when it seemed appropriate (such as
discontinuing the unusual names beginning with Section 78). These
changes have been made so as to bring the material into conformity with
the historical documents. Other special features of this latest edition
include maps showing the major geographical locations in which the
revelations were received, plus improvements in cross references,
section headings, and subject-matter summaries, all of which are designed to help readers to understand and rejoice in the message of the Lord as given in the Doctrine and Covenants.
18
Andalso gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world; and all this that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the prophets—
• • •
30
Andalso those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually—
• • •
36
Andalso the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst, and shall come down in judgment upon Idumea, or the world.
5
Behold, you have been entrusted with these things, but how strict were your commandments; and remember also the promises which were made to you, if you did not transgress them.
19
Admonish him in his faults, andalso receive admonition of him. Be patient; be sober; be temperate; have patience, faith, hope and charity.
• • •
28
And now, behold, I give unto you, andalso unto my servant Joseph, the keys of this gift, which shall bring to light this ministry; and in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
• • •
37
Behold the wounds which pierced my side, andalso the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
2
And you also lost your gift at the same time, and your mind became darkened.
• • •
19
Therefore we will destroy him, andalso the work; and we will do this that we may not be ashamed in the end, and that we may get glory of the world.
• • •
46
And, behold, all the remainder of this work does contain all those parts of my gospel which my holy prophets, yea, andalso my disciples, desired in their prayers should come forth unto this people.
• • •
48
Yea, and this was their faith—that my gospel,
which I gave unto them that they might preach in their days, might come
unto their brethren the Lamanites, andalso all that had become Lamanites because of their dissensions.
22
But now hold your peace; study my word which hath gone forth among the children of men, andalso
study my word which shall come forth among the children of men, or that
which is now translating, yea, until you have obtained all which I
shall grant unto the children of men in this generation, and then shall all things be added thereto.
8
And it shall come to pass, that if you shall
ask the Father in my name, in faith believing, you shall receive the
Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance, that you may stand as a witness of
the things of which you shall both hear and see, andalso that you may declare repentance unto this generation.
1
Behold, I say unto you, that you must rely
upon my word, which if you do with full purpose of heart, you shall have
a view of the plates, andalso of the breastplate, the sword of Laban, the Urim and Thummim, which were given to the brother of Jared upon the mount, when he talked with the Lord face to face, and the miraculous directors which were given to Lehi while in the wilderness, on the borders of the Red Sea.
6
Behold, the world is ripening in iniquity; and it must needs be that the children of men are stirred up unto repentance, both the Gentiles andalso the house of Israel.
• • •
9
And now, Oliver Cowdery, I speak unto you, andalso unto David Whitmer, by the way of commandment; for, behold, I command all men everywhere to repent, and I speak unto you, even as unto Paul mine apostle, for you are called even with that same calling with which he was called.
• • •
37
And now, behold, I give unto you, Oliver Cowdery, andalso unto David Whitmer, that you shall search out the Twelve, who shall have the desires of which I have spoken;
55
And see that the church meet together often, andalso see that all the members do their duty.
• • •
69
And the members shall manifest before the church, andalso before the elders, by a godly walk and conversation, that they are worthy of it, that there may be works and faith agreeable to the holy scriptures—walking in holiness before the Lord.
• • •
83
Andalso, if any have been expelled from the church, so that their names may be blotted out of the general church record of names.
2
Make known thy calling unto the church, andalso before the world, and thy heart shall be opened to preach the truth from henceforth and forever. Amen.
10
And thy brother Oliver shall continue in bearing my name before the world, andalso to the church. And he shall not suppose that he can say enough in my cause; and lo, I am with him to the end.
• • •
19
For thou art called to prune my vineyard with a mighty pruning, yea, even for the last time; yea, andalso all those whom thou hast ordained, and they shall do even according to this pattern. Amen.
6
Andalso with Elias,
to whom I have committed the keys of bringing to pass the restoration
of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the
world began, concerning the last days;
7
Andalso John the son of Zacharias, which Zacharias he (Elias) visited and gave promise that he should have a son, and his name should be John, and he should be filled with the spirit of Elias;
• • •
9
Andalso Elijah, unto whom I have committed the keys of the power of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, that the whole earth may not be smitten with a curse;
10
Andalso with Joseph and Jacob, and Isaac, and Abraham, your fathers, by whom the promises remain;
11
Andalso with Michael, or Adam, the father of all, the prince of all, the ancient of days;
12
Andalso with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry and of the same things which I revealed unto them;
• • •
14
Andalso with all those whom my Father hath given me out of the world.
36
And it came to pass that Adam, being tempted
of the devil—for, behold, the devil was before Adam, for he rebelled
against me, saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power; andalso a third part of the hosts of heaven turned he away from me because of their agency;
40
And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a commandment, that every man, both elder, priest, teacher, andalso member, go to with his might, with the labor of his hands, to prepare and accomplish the things which I have commanded.
17
For as ye have looked upon the long absence of your spirits from your
bodies to be a bondage, I will show unto you how the day of redemption
shall come, andalso the restoration of the scattered Israel.
3
Andalso Satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you.
• • •
38
Andalso my servant John Corrill, or as many of my servants as are ordained unto this office, and let them labor in the vineyard; and let no man hinder them doing that which I have appointed unto them—
4
Andalso to be an
agent unto this church in the place which shall be appointed by the
bishop, according to commandments which shall be given hereafter.
4
Wherefore, it is wisdom that the land should be purchased by the saints, andalso every tract lying westward, even unto the line running directly between Jew and Gentile;
5
Andalso every tract
bordering by the prairies, inasmuch as my disciples are enabled to buy
lands. Behold, this is wisdom, that they may obtain it for an
everlasting inheritance.
• • •
7
And let my servant Edward Partridge stand in the office to which I have appointed him, and divide unto the saints their inheritance, even as I have commanded; andalso those whom he has appointed to assist him.
• • •
9
Andalso let my servant Sidney Gilbert obtain a license—behold here is wisdom, and whoso readeth let him understand—that he may send goods also unto the people, even by whom he will as clerks employed in his service;
1
Hearken, O ye elders of my church, and give ear to my word, and learn of me what I will concerning you, andalso concerning this land unto which I have sent you.
• • •
7
Andalso that you might be honored in laying the foundation, and in bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand;
8
Andalso that a
feast of fat things might be prepared for the poor; yea, a feast of fat
things, of wine on the lees well refined, that the earth may know that
the mouths of the prophets shall not fail;
• • •
24
And now, as I spake concerning my servant Edward Partridge, this land is the land of his residence, and those whom he has appointed for his counselors; andalso the land of the residence of him whom I have appointed to keep my storehouse;
• • •
36
Andalso, this is a law unto every man that cometh unto this land to receive an inheritance; and he shall do with his moneys according as the law directs.
37
And it is wisdom also that there should be lands purchased in Independence, for the place of the storehouse, andalso for the house of the printing.
• • •
40
Andalso let my servant William W. Phelps stand in the office to which I have appointed him, and receive his inheritance in the land;
41
Andalso he hath need to repent, for I, the Lord, am not well pleased with him, for he seeketh to excel, and he is not sufficiently meek before me.
• • •
58
And let a conference meeting be called; and after that let my servants Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jun., return, andalso Oliver Cowdery with them, to accomplish the residue of the work which I have appointed unto them in their own land, and the residue as shall be ruled by the conferences.
48
He that sendeth up treasures unto the land of Zion shall receive an inheritance in this world, and his works shall follow him, andalso a reward in the world to come.
15
Behold, I, the Lord, was angry with him who was my servant Ezra Booth, andalso my servant Isaac Morley, for they kept not the law, neither the commandment;
• • •
17
Andalso my servant Edward Partridge, behold, he hath sinned, and Satan seeketh to destroy his soul; but when these things are made known unto them, and they repent of the evil, they shall be forgiven.
7
This is the word of the Lord unto you, my servant Orson Hyde, andalso unto my servant Luke Johnson, and unto my servant Lyman Johnson, and unto my servant William E. McLellin, and unto all the faithful elders of my church—
1
Behold,and hearken, O ye inhabitants of Zion, and all ye people of my church who are afar off, and hear the word of the Lord which I give unto my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., andalso unto my servant Martin Harris, andalso unto my servant Oliver Cowdery, andalso unto my servant John Whitmer, andalso unto my servant Sidney Rigdon, andalso unto my servant William W. Phelps, by the way of commandment unto them.
24
Behold, I say unto you, that it is the duty of the church to assist in supporting the families of those, andalso to support the families of those who are called and must needs be sent unto the world to proclaim the gospel unto the world.
• • •
31
Andalso my servant Ezra Thayre and my servant Thomas B. Marsh;
• • •
33
Andalso my servant Daniel Stanton and my servant Seymour Brunson;
34
Andalso my servant Sylvester Smith and my servant Gideon Carter;
35
Andalso my servant Ruggles Eames and my servant Stephen Burnett;
36
Andalso my servant Micah B. Welton andalso my servant Eden Smith. Even so. Amen.
73
Andalso they who are the spirits of men kept in prison, whom the Son visited, and preached the gospel unto them, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh;
• • •
88
Andalso the
telestial receive it of the administering of angels who are appointed to
minister for them, or who are appointed to be ministering spirits for
them; for they shall be heirs of salvation.
12
Q. What are we to understand by the sounding of the trumpets, mentioned in the 8th chapter of Revelation?
A. We are to understand that as God made the world in six days, and on the seventh day he finished his work, and sanctified it, andalso
formed man out of the dust of the earth, even so, in the beginning of
the seventh thousand years will the Lord God sanctify the earth, and complete the salvation of man, and judge all things, and
shall redeem all things, except that which he hath not put into his
power, when he shall have sealed all things, unto the end of all things;
and the sounding of the trumpets of the seven angels are the preparing and finishing of his work, in the beginning of the seventh thousand years—the preparing of the way before the time of his coming.
3
Therefore, verily I acknowledge him and will bless him, andalso thee, inasmuch as thou art faithful in counsel, in the office which I have appointed unto you, in prayer always, vocally and in thy heart, in public and in private, also in thy ministry in proclaiming the gospel in the land of the living, and among thy brethren.
31
Therefore, as I said concerning the sons of Moses—for the sons of Moses andalso the sons of Aaron shall offer an acceptable offering and
sacrifice in the house of the Lord, which house shall be built unto the
Lord in this generation, upon the consecrated spot as I have appointed—
32
And the sons of Moses and of Aaron shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, upon Mount Zion in the Lord’s house, whose sons are ye; andalso many whom I have called and sent forth to build up my church.
• • •
35
Andalso all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;
• • •
111
And behold, the high priests should travel, andalso the elders, andalso the lesser priests; but the deacons and teachers should be appointed to watch over the church, to be standing ministers unto the church.
• • •
114
Nevertheless, let the bishop go unto the city of New York, also to the city of Albany, andalso to the city of Boston, and warn the people of those cities with the sound of the gospel, with a loud voice, of the desolation and utter abolishment which await them if they do reject these things.
31
Andalso they who are quickened by a portion of the telestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.
• • •
54
Andalso unto the third, saying: I will visit you;
• • •
90
Andalso cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.
• • •
97
And they who have slept in their graves shall come forth, for their graves shall be opened; and they also shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the pillar of heaven—
• • •
118
And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study andalso by faith.
51
Now, I say unto you, my friends, let my servant Sidney Rigdon go on his journey, and make haste, andalso proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the gospel of salvation, as I shall give him utterance; and by your prayer of faith with one consent I will uphold him.
3
Behold, I say unto you, concerning the school in Zion, I, the Lord, am well pleased that there should be a school in Zion, andalso with my servant Parley P. Pratt, for he abideth in me.
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio,
August 6, 1833. HC 1: 403–406. This revelation came in consequence of
the persecution upon the saints in Missouri. It is natural that the
saints in Missouri, having suffered physically andalso having lost property, should feel an inclination toward retaliation and
revenge. Therefore the Lord gave this revelation. Although some news
of the problems in Missouri had no doubt reached the Prophet in Kirtland
(nine hundred miles away), the seriousness of the situation could have
been known to him at this date only by revelation.
30
And then if thou wilt spare him, thou shalt be rewarded for thy righteousness; andalso thy children and thy children’s children unto the third and fourth generation.
28
And let my servant Oliver Cowdery have the lot
which is set off joining the house, which is to be for the printing
office, which is lot number one, andalso the lot upon which his father resides.
• • •
39
And again, let my servant Newel K. Whitney have appointed unto him the houses and lot where he now resides, and the lot and building on which the mercantile establishment stands, andalso the lot which is on the corner south of the mercantile establishment, andalso the lot on which the ashery is situated.
• • •
43
And again, let my servant Joseph Smith, Jun.,
have appointed unto him the lot which is laid off for the building of my
house, which is forty rods long and twelve wide, andalso the inheritance upon which his father now resides;
• • •
51
And this I have commanded to be done for your salvation, andalso for their salvation, in consequence of their being driven out and that which is to come.
10
High priests after the order of the Melchizedek Priesthood have a right
to officiate in their own standing, under the direction of the
presidency, in administering spiritual things, andalso in the office of an elder, priest (of the Levitical order), teacher, deacon, and member.
• • •
61
Andalso priests to preside over those who are of the office of a priest;
62
Andalso teachers to preside over those who are of the office of a teacher, in like manner, andalso the deacons—
• • •
72
Andalso to be a
judge in Israel, to do the business of the church, to sit in judgment
upon transgressors upon testimony as it shall be laid before him
according to the laws, by the assistance of his counselors, whom he has
chosen or will choose among the elders of the church.
• • •
86
Andalso the duty of the president over the office of the teachers is to preside over twenty-four of the teachers, and to sit in council with them, teaching them the duties of their office, as given in the covenants.
• • •
96
Andalso other seventy, until seven times seventy, if the labor in the vineyard of necessity requires it.
97
And these seventy are to be traveling ministers, unto the Gentiles first andalso unto the Jews.
7
And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study andalso by faith;
• • •
14
And do thou grant, Holy Father, that all those
who shall worship in this house may be taught words of wisdom out of
the best books, and that they may seek learning even by study, andalso by faith, as thou hast said;
• • •
79
Andalso this church, to put upon it thy name. And
help us by the power of thy Spirit, that we may mingle our voices with
those bright, shining seraphs around thy throne, with acclamations of
praise, singing Hosanna to God and the Lamb!
15
Exalt not yourselves; rebel not against my servant Joseph; for verily I say unto you, I am with him, and my hand shall be over him; and the keys which I have given unto him, andalso to youward, shall not be taken from him till I come.
1
Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., andalso my servant Sidney Rigdon, andalso my servant Hyrum Smith, and your counselors who are and shall be appointed hereafter;
2
Andalso unto you, my servant Edward Partridge, and his counselors;
3
Andalso unto my faithful servants who are of the high council of my church in Zion, for thus it shall be called, and unto all the elders and people of my Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, scattered abroad in all the world;
• • •
18
Andalso that other
places should be appointed for stakes in the regions round about, as
they shall be manifested unto my servant Joseph, from time to time.
1
Verily thus saith the Lord unto my servant William Marks, andalso unto my servant Newel K. Whitney, let them settle up their business speedily and journey from the land of Kirtland, before I, the Lord, send again the snows upon the earth.
• • •
6
For have I not the fowls of heaven, andalso the fish of the sea, and
the beasts of the mountains? Have I not made the earth? Do I not hold
the destinies of all the armies of the nations of the earth?
6
Let my servant John Taylor, andalso my servant John E. Page, andalso my servant Wilford Woodruff, andalso my servant Willard Richards, be appointed to fill the places of those who have fallen, and be officially notified of their appointment.
12
Andalso that God hath set his hand and seal to change the times and seasons, and to blind their minds, that they may not understand his marvelous workings; that he may prove them alsoand take them in their own craftiness;
• • •
30
Andalso, if there be bounds set to the heavens or to the seas, or to the dry land, or to the sun, moon, or stars—
2
Andalso of all the property and amount of damages which they have sustained, both of character and personal injuries, as well as real property;
3
Andalso the names of all persons that have had a hand in their oppressions, as far as they can get hold of them and find them out.
4
And perhaps a committee can be appointed to find out these things, and to take statements and affidavits; andalso to gather up the libelous publications that are afloat;
• • •
6
That we may not only publish to all the world, but present them to the heads of government in all their dark and hellish hue, as the last effort which is enjoined on us by our Heavenly Father, before we can fully and completely claim that promise which shall call him forth from his hiding place; andalso that the whole nation may be left without excuse before he can send forth the power of his mighty arm.
7
It is an imperative duty that we owe to God, to angels, with whom we shall be brought to stand, andalso to ourselves, to our wives and children, who have been made to bow down with grief, sorrow, and care, under the most damning hand of murder, tyranny, and oppression, supported and urged on and
upheld by the influence of that spirit which hath so strongly riveted
the creeds of the fathers, who have inherited lies, upon the hearts of
the children, and filled the world with confusion, and has been growing stronger and stronger, and is now the very mainspring of all corruption, and the whole earth groans under the weight of its iniquity.
• • •
11
Andalso it is an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation, and to all the pure in heart—
19
That when he shall finish his work I may receive him unto myself, even
as I did my servant David Patten, who is with me at this time, andalso my servant Edward Partridge, andalso my aged servant Joseph Smith, Sen., who sitteth with Abraham at his right hand, and blessed and holy is he, for he is mine.
• • •
88
Let my servant William go and proclaim my everlasting gospel with a loud voice, and with great joy, as he shall be moved upon by my Spirit, unto the inhabitants of Warsaw, andalso unto the inhabitants of Carthage, andalso unto the inhabitants of Burlington, andalso unto the inhabitants of Madison, and await patiently and diligently for further instructions at my general conference, saith the Lord.
• • •
91
And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant William be appointed, ordained, and
anointed, as counselor unto my servant Joseph, in the room of my
servant Hyrum, that my servant Hyrum may take the office of Priesthood and Patriarch, which was appointed unto him by his father, by blessing andalso by right;
• • •
107
Let him assist my servant Joseph, andalso
let my servant William Law assist my servant Joseph, in making a solemn
proclamation unto the kings of the earth, even as I have before said
unto you.
• • •
142
And again, I say unto you, Samuel Rolfe and his counselors for priests, and the president of the teachers and his counselors, andalso the president of the deacons and his counselors, andalso the president of the stake and his counselors.
2
I wrote a few words of revelation to you concerning a recorder. I have
had a few additional views in relation to this matter, which I now
certify. That is, it was declared in my former letter that there should
be a recorder, who should be eye-witness, andalso to hear with his ears, that he might make a record of a truth before the Lord.
38
David also received many wives and concubines, andalso Solomon and Moses my servants, as also many others of my servants, from the beginning of creation until this time; and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me.
35
And they also of the tribe of Judah, after their pain, shall be sanctified in holiness before the Lord, to dwell in his presence day and night, forever and ever.
• • •
54
Yea, and Enoch also, and they who were with him; the prophets who were before him; and Noah also, and they who were before him; and Moses also, and they who were before him;
• • •
64
Andalso that which was written by the prophet Malachi: For, behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
5
And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity. And
it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it
mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore thy
garments shall be made clean. And because
thou hast seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong, even unto the
sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my
Father. And now I . . . bid farewell unto the Gentiles; yea, andalso
unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the
judgment-seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are
not spotted with your blood. The testators are now dead, and their testament is in force.
The Lord has told me to ask the Latter-day Saints a question, and He also told me that if they would listen to what I said to them and answer the question put to them, by the Spirit and power of God, they would all answer alike, and they would all believe alike with regard to this matter.
The question is this: Which is the wisest course for the Latter-day
Saints to pursue—to continue to attempt to practice plural marriage,
with the laws of the nation against it and the opposition of sixty millions of people, and at the cost of the confiscation and loss of all the Temples, and the stopping of all the ordinances therein, both for the living and the dead, and the imprisonment of the First Presidency and Twelve and the heads of families in the Church, and the confiscation of personal property of the people (all of which of themselves would stop the practice); or, after doing and suffering what we have through our adherence to this principle to cease the practice and submit to the law, and through doing so leave the Prophets, Apostles and fathers at home, so that they can instruct the people and attend to the duties of the Church, andalso leave the Temples in the hands of the Saints, so that they can attend to the ordinances of the Gospel, both for the living and the dead?
4
And, behold, thou art my son; wherefore look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands; but not all, for my works are without end, andalso my words, for they never cease.
• • •
17
And he also gave me commandments when he called unto me out of the burning bush, saying: Call upon God in the name of mine Only Begotten, and worship me.
• • •
33
And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten.
• • •
36
And it came to pass that Moses spake unto the Lord, saying: Be merciful unto thy servant, O God, and tell me concerning this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, andalso the heavens, and then thy servant will be content.
9
And out of the ground made I, the Lord God, to grow every tree, naturally, that is pleasant to the sight of man; and man could behold it. And it became also
a living soul. For it was spiritual in the day that I created it; for
it remaineth in the sphere in which I, God, created it, yea, even all
things which I prepared for the use of man; and man saw that it was good for food. And I, the Lord God, planted the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, andalso the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
3
Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, andalso, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down;
• • •
12
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it became pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make her wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, andalso gave unto her husband with her, and he did eat.
• • •
27
Unto Adam, andalso unto his wife, did I, the Lord God, make coats of skins, and clothed them.
28
And I, the Lord God, said unto mine Only Begotten: Behold, the man is become as one of us to know good and evil; and now lest he put forth his hand and partake also of the tree of life, and eat and live forever,
1 And it came to pass that after I, the Lord God, had driven them out, that Adam began to till the earth, and to have dominion over all the beasts of the field, and to eat his bread by the sweat of his brow, as I the Lord had commanded him. And Eve, also, his wife, did labor with him.
• • •
3
And from that time forth, the sons and daughters of Adam began to divide two and two in the land, and to till the land, and to tend flocks, and they also begat sons and daughters.
• • •
42
And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bare Enoch, and he also begat many sons and daughters. And he builded a city, and he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch.
52
And he also said unto him: If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and
truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under
heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men, ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, asking all things in his name, and whatsoever ye shall ask, it shall be given you.
22
And Enoch also beheld the residue of the people which were the sons of Adam; and they were a mixture of all the seed of Adam save it was the seed of Cain, for the seed of Cain were black, and had not place among them.
• • •
30
And were it possible that man could number the
particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would not
be a beginning to the number of thy creations; and thy curtains are stretched out still; and yet thou art there, and thy bosom is there; andalso thou art just; thou art merciful and kind forever;
• • •
33
And unto thy brethren have I said, andalso given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood;
• • •
42
And Enoch also saw Noah, and his family; that the posterity of all the sons of Noah should be saved with a temporal salvation;
• • •
61
And the day shall come that the earth shall rest, but before that day the heavens shall be darkened, and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth; and the heavens shall shake, andalso the earth; and great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve;
62
And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, andalso the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and
truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out
mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I
shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.
• • •
66
But before that day he saw great tribulations among the wicked; and he also saw the sea, that it was troubled, and men’s hearts failing them, looking forth with fear for the judgments of the Almighty God, which should come upon the wicked.
21
Andalso, after that
they had heard him, they came up before him, saying: Behold, we are the
sons of God; have we not taken unto ourselves the daughters of men? And are we not eating and drinking, and marrying and giving in marriage? And our wives bear unto us children, and the same are mighty men, which are like unto men of old, men of great renown. And they hearkened not unto the words of Noah.
9
And it came to pass that the priest made an offering unto the god of Pharaoh, andalso unto the god of Shagreel, even after the manner of the Egyptians. Now the god of Shagreel was the sun.
• • •
13
It was made after the form of a bedstead, such as was had among the Chaldeans, and it stood before the gods of Elkenah, Libnah, Mahmackrah, Korash, andalso a god like unto that of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.
• • •
20
Behold, Potiphar’s Hill was in the land of Ur, of Chaldea. And the Lord broke down the altar of Elkenah, and of the gods of the land, and utterly destroyed them, and smote the priest that he died; and there was great mourning in Chaldea, andalso in the court of Pharaoh; which Pharaoh signifies king by royal blood.
• • •
26
Pharaoh, being a righteous man, established his kingdom and judged his people wisely and
justly all his days, seeking earnestly to imitate that order
established by the fathers in the first generations, in the days of the
first patriarchal reign, even in the reign of Adam, andalso of Noah, his father, who blessed him with the blessings of the earth, and with the blessings of wisdom, but cursed him as pertaining to the Priesthood.
• • •
31
But the records of the fathers, even the patriarchs, concerning the
right of Priesthood, the Lord my God preserved in mine own hands;
therefore a knowledge of the beginning of the creation, andalso of the planets, and of the stars, as they were made known unto the fathers, have I kept even unto this day, and I shall endeavor to write some of these things upon this record, for the benefit of my posterity that shall come after me.
4
Therefore I left the land of Ur, of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and I took Lot, my brother’s son, and his wife, and Sarai my wife; andalso my father followed after me, unto the land which we denominated Haran.
30
And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, behold, we will give them life, andalso we will give to them every green herb for meat, and all these things shall be thus organized.
23
Behold, I speak these things unto you for the elect’s sake; and you also shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled, for all I have told you must come to pass; but the end is not yet.
29
In consequence of these things, I often felt condemned for my weakness and
imperfections; when, on the evening of the above-mentioned twenty-first
of September, after I had retired to my bed for the night, I betook
myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, andalso for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing before him; for I had full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I previously had one.
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