,illustration3 ,,the ,,glorious ,,appearing ,,of ,,jesus ,,to ,,the ,,nephites4 ,copy of painting by ,wm4 ,t4 ,armitage in the ,logan ,temple4 ,,the ,,story ,,of ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,mormon4 ,,by ,,elder ,,george ,,reynolds4 ,author of ,the ,myth of the ,manuscript ,found2 ,are we of ,israel8 ,treatise on ,the ,book of ,abraham2 ,dictionary of the ,book of ,mormon2 ,concordance of the ,book of ,mormon4 ,truth shall spring out of the earth2 and righteousness shall look down from heaven4--,psalm1 ,,lxxxv1 #aa4 ,,fourth ,,edition4 ,,press ,,of ,,hillison ,,etten ,,co4 ,,chicago ,entered according to act of ,congress1 in the year #ahhh1 by ,,george ,,reynolds ,in the office of the ,librarian of ,congress at ,washington4 ,,preface ,the ,book of ,mormon is the record of ,god's dealings with the peoples of ancient ,america1 from the age of the building of the ,tower of ,babel to four hundred and twenty-one years after the birth of ,christ4 ,it is the stick of ,ephraim1 spoken of by ,ezekiel3 the ,bible of the western continent4 ,not that it supersedes the ,bible or in any way interferes with it1 any more than the history of ,peru interferes with or supersedes the history of ,greece2 but1 on the other hand1 in many places it confirms ,bible history1 demonstrates ,bible truths1 sustains ,bible doctrines1 and fulfills ,bible prophecy4 ,for many years we have taken great pleasure in perusing its sacred pages and studying its truths4 ,the more we read it the more we found it contained4 ,like other inspired records1 every time it was opened we discovered new and oft-times unexpected testimonies of its divinity4 ,from reading it we turned to writing of it2 and much that this volume contains has been penned at various intervals1 from the days we were in prison for conscience sake1 where portions were written1 to the present4 ,and now we present it to the reader with the feeling that the work is but commenced2 that what remains unsaid is probably as important as what is given1 but with the hope that what we have done will not prove ineffectual in spreading the truth1 in increasing knowledge concerning ,god's dealings with mankind1 and aiding in the development of the purposes of ,jehovah4 ,if this be accomplished we shall feel that great has been our reward4 ,this volume presents one unique feature1 in that it is the first attempt made to illustrate the ,book of ,mormon2 and we have pleasure in realizing that the leading illustrations are the work of home artists4 ,to break fresh ground in such a direction is no light undertaking2 the difficulties are numerous1 none more so than the absence of information in the ,book of ,mormon of the dress and artificial surroundings of the peoples whose history it recounts4 ,each artist has given his own ideas of the scenes depicted1 and as so much is left to the imagination1 some readers will doubtless praise where others will blame2 and the same effort will be the subject of the most conflicting criticism4 ,not the least interesting feature of the book will1 we believe1 be found in the reproductions of portions of certain ancient ,aztec historical charts4 ,these have been the subjects of controversy for centuries past2 many efforts have been made at their translation2 but all such attempts have been ineffectual1 and in many cases ludicrous4 ,it required the publication of the ,book of ,mormon to turn on them the light of divine truth1 when their intent at once became apparent4 ,others1 we trust1 in time will be discovered which will be added testimonies to its genuineness and divine authenticity1 as well as to the sacred mission of the instrument in ,god's hands in bringing it forth--the youthful ,prophet1 ,joseph ,smith4 ,,geo4 ,,reynolds ,december1 #ahhh4 ,,contents4 ,,introduction4 ,america the first inhabited of all ,lands--,its ,ancient ,peoples--,the ,garden of ,eden--,the ,antediluvians--,the ,jaredites--,the ,nephites and ,lamanites #ae ,,chapter ,i4 ,ancient ,jerusalem--,lehi--,his ,vision--,his ,call to ,preach to the ,jews--,they ,persecute ,him--,he is ,commanded of ,god to take his ,family into the ,wilderness--,their ,departure--,the ,return of his ,sons to ,jerusalem to obtain the ,records4 ,they are ill-treated by ,laban--,his ,death--,zoram ,accompanies the ,brothers into the ,wilderness #ah ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,the ,rejoicing ,over the ,records--,nephi and his ,brothers again ,return to ,jerusalem--,they ,conduct ,ishmael and his ,family into the ,wilderness--,lehi's ,dream--,the ,tree of ,life--,the ,rod of ,iron--,the ,boturini ,manuscript--,nephi's ,vision #be ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,marriages in the ,company--,the ,liahona--,the ,journey ,continued--,nephi ,breaks his ,bow--,death of ,ishmael--,they ,reach the ,ocean--,nephi ,builds a ,ship--,they ,cross the ,great ,waters and ,reach the ,promised ,land #ce ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,the ,promised ,land--,chili--,its ,natural ,productions--,the ,death of ,lehi--,his ,blessing on his posterity--,prophecies of his ,ancestor ,joseph #dd ,,chapter ,v4 ,the ,nephites and ,lamanites ,separate--,the ,nephites seek a ,new ,home--,nephi ,chosen ,king--,he ,builds a ,temple--,instructs his ,people in the ,arts of ,peace--,war with the ,lamanites--,the ,sword of ,laban--,nephi's ,death--,jacob1 his ,brother1 ,becomes the ,chief ,priest--,jacob's ,teachings on ,marriage #dg ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,the ,condition of the ,lamanites--,sherem1 the ,first ,anti-,christ--,his ,recantation and ,dreadful ,end #ej ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,enos1 the ,son of ,jacob--,the ,nephites and ,lamanites of his ,day--,his ,testimony and ,prophecies #ec ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,jarom--,omni--,amaron--,chemish--,abina dom--,amaleki--,mosiah--,review of ,nephite ,history for ,four ,hundred ,years #ee ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,causes that ,led to the ,migration from the ,land of ,nephi--,the ,people of ,zarahemla--,mulek and his ,colony--,the ,fusion of the ,two ,nations--,mosiah made ,king--,his ,happy ,reign #ei ,,chapter ,x4 ,the ,reign of ,king ,benjamin--,the ,progress of his ,people--,his ,last ,great ,speech--,he ,establishes the ,church of ,christ--,all the ,people ,covenant with ,god--,mosiah ,,ii4 ,anointed ,king #fd ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,zeniff ,returns to the ,land of ,nephi--,his ,treaty with the ,lamanites--,the ,prosperity of the ,people of ,zeniff--,the ,treaty ,broken--,war--,peace and ,wars ,again--,the ,death of ,zeniff--,noah's ,wicked ,reign--,his ,wars with the ,lamanites--,the ,prophet ,abinadi--,his ,terrible ,message of ,god's ,wrath--,he is ,martyred--,alma--,he ,pleads for ,abinadi--,is ,cast ,out--,flees to the ,place of ,mormon #fi ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,the ,waters of ,mormon--,alma1 ,helam and ,others ,baptised ,therein--,the ,church ,organized--,the ,king ,warned--,he ,sends ,troops--,alma and his ,people ,flee to the ,land of ,helam--,they ,build a ,city #gg ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,king ,noah's ,subjects ,rebel--,gideon--,the ,lamanites ,invade ,lehi-,nephi--,the ,nephites ,retreat--,a ,part ,surrender--,the ,new ,terms of ,peace--,noah is ,burned to ,death--,limhi made ,king--,noah's ,priests ,escape--,they seize some ,lamanite ,maidens--,another ,war--,the ,nephites ,victorious--,the ,king of the ,lamanites wounded--,mutual ,explanations #hj ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,the ,bondage of the ,people of ,limhi--,an ,expedition ,north--,finding of the ,jaredite ,records--,the ,arrival of ,ammon--,the ,people of ,limhi ,escape--,the ,pursuit--,the ,amulonites--,the ,people of ,alma--,they are ,brought into ,bondage--,their ,deliverance #hd ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,mosiah's ,good ,reign--,the ,circumstances of his ,advent--,he ,assembles the ,people--,the ,baptism of ,limhi--,churches ,organized ,throughout the ,land #hi ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,the ,unbelief of the ,youth of ,zarahemla--,the ,younger ,alma and the ,sons of ,mosiah--,they ,encourage the ,persecutions ,against the ,church--,they are ,met by an ,angel--,his ,message--,alma's ,awful ,condition--,his ,vision and ,testimony--,the ,changed ,life of the ,young ,men #ib ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,the ,growth of the ,people in ,zarahemla--,they ,build ,many ,cities--,mosiah's ,sons ,desire to ,take a ,mission to the ,lamanites--,mosiah ,inquires of the ,lord--,the ,divine ,answer #if ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,mosiah's ,sons ,refuse the ,kingdom--,he ,grants the ,people a ,constitution--,the ,people to ,elect their ,rulers--,alma1 the ,younger1 ,first ,chief ,judge #ih ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,the ,mission of the ,sons of ,mosiah to the ,lamanites--,their ,journey in the ,wilderness--,ammon ,brought before ,king ,lamoni--,the ,conflict at the ,waters of ,sebus--,the ,miraculous ,conversion of ,lamoni and his ,family--,abish the ,waiting ,woman #ajj ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,ammon and ,lamoni ,start for the ,land of ,middoni--,they ,meet the ,old ,king--,his ,rage at ,seeing ,ammon--,he ,endeavors to ,kill his ,son--,aaron and his ,brethren ,liberated--,a ,sketch of their ,labors and ,sufferings--,the ,conversion of ,lamoni's ,father and his ,household #ajf ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,the ,king ,issues a ,proclamation--,the ,results of the ,labors of the ,sons of ,mosiah--,the ,people of ,anti-,nephi-,lehi--,they ,bury their ,weapons of ,war--,are ,massacred by the ,thousand--,they ,remove to the ,territory of the ,nephites1 who give them the ,land of ,jershon #aaj ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,review of the ,mission of the ,sons of ,mosiah--,its ,importance and ,great ,length--,its ,results to ,both ,races--,the ,dates of its ,leading ,occurrences #aad ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,the ,days of the ,judges--,their ,names and ,reigns--,the ,heresy of ,nehor--,he ,slays ,gideon and is ,executed--,amlici's ,rebellion--,the ,battle of ,amnihu--,the ,conflict at the ,crossing of the ,sidon--,a ,third ,battle #aag ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,alma ,resigns the ,chief ,judgeship--,nephihah ,chosen--,alma ,ministers in ,zarahemla1 ,gideon1 ,melek and ,ammonihah--,condition of the ,last ,named ,city--,it ,rejects the ,message ,alma ,bears--,an ,angel ,meets ,him--,amulek--,the ,lawyer ,zeezrom--,the ,great ,controversy--,zeezrom ,converted and ,cast ,out--,the ,martyrdom of the ,believers--,alma and ,amulek in ,prison--,their ,deliverance #abd ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,zeezrom ,sick with ,fever--,his ,miraculous ,recovery--,the ,destruction of ,ammonihah--,the ,invasion of the ,land of ,noah--,zoram1 the ,nephite ,commander1 ,seeks the ,mind of the ,lord--,it is ,given--,its ,results--,the ,war ,ended--,alma's ,ministrations #aca ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,korihor1 the ,anti-,christ--,his ,false ,teachings and ,blasphemy--,he is ,taken before ,alma--,is ,struck ,dumb--,his ,miserable ,end--,the ,heresy ,rooted ,out #ace ,,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,zoram and the ,zoramites--,their ,peculiar ,heresy--,the ,land of ,antionum--,the ,rameumptom--,alma's ,mission to these ,people--,those ,who ,receive ,his ,teachings ,persecuted--,they ,flee to ,jershon #aci ,,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,another ,war--,moroni the ,leader of the ,nephites--,the ,tactics of the ,lamanites--,zerahemnah--,the ,battle at ,riplah--,defeat of the ,lamanites #add ,,chapter ,,xxix4 ,alma's ,charge to ,his ,sons--,he ,transfers the ,records to ,helaman--,he ,leaves ,this ,world--,zeezrom's ,latter ,days--,helaman's ,ministrations #adg ,,chapter ,,xxx4 ,amalickiah--,his ,apostasy and ,treason--,moroni's ,title of ,liberty--,the ,nephites ,respond to ,his ,call--,lehonti--,he is ,poisoned by ,amalickiah--,the ,king of the ,lamanites ,treacherously ,slain--,amalickiah ,marries the ,queen and is ,proclaimed ,king--,a ,disastrous ,lamanite ,raid #adi ,,chapter ,,xxxi4 ,a ,few ,years of ,peace--,teancum--,the ,contention ,between ,lehi and ,morianton--,amalickiah's ,terrible ,invasion--,his ,success--,he is ,stopped at ,bountiful by ,teancum--,teancum ,slays ,amalickiah--,ammoron ,made ,king of the ,lamanites #aef ,,chapter ,,xxxii4 ,jacob the ,zoramite--,his ,characteristics--,the ,strategy by ,which ,mulek ,was ,taken--,the ,fierce ,battle between ,jacob and the ,nephite ,forces--,jacob's ,death #aei ,,chapter ,,xxxiii4 ,the ,war in the ,south-west--,antipus--,helaman and ,his ,two ,thousand ,sons--,their ,valor and ,faith--,the ,repulse of the ,lamanites #afb ,,chapter ,,xxxiv4 ,the ,relief of ,manti--,the ,overthrow of the ,kingmen--,pachus ,slain--,the ,struggle at ,moroni--,teancum ,slays ,ammoron1 but at the ,cost of ,his ,own ,life--,teancum's ,noble ,character #afg ,,chapter ,,xxxv4 ,peace ,once ,more--,the ,results of the ,war--,the ,labors of ,helaman--,shiblon ,receives the ,records--,hagoth1 the ,ship-builder--,another ,war--,moronihah--,pahoran's ,death--,contention ,regarding the ,chief ,judgeship--,paanchi's ,rebellion--,the ,gadianton ,bands--,assassination of ,pahoran ,,ii4--,another ,lamanite ,invasion #aga ,,chapter ,,xxxvi4 ,pacumeni ,slain--,helaman ,chosen ,chief ,judge--,the ,conspiracy to ,slay ,him--,kishkumen ,killed--,the ,prosperity of the ,nephites under ,helaman #age ,,chapter ,,xxxvii4 ,the ,sons of ,helaman--,nephi's ,righteous ,rule--,the ,lamanites ,again ,invade ,zarahemla--,they ,drive the ,nephites into the ,northern ,continent--,the ,ministrations of ,nephi and ,lehi--,the ,manifestations of ,god's ,power in the ,city of ,nephi--,aminadab--,the ,conversion of the ,lamanites--,universal ,peace #agg ,,chapter ,,xxxviii4 ,growth of ,evil amongst the ,nephites--,the ,increase of the ,gadianton ,robbers--,nephi's ,announcement of the ,murder of the ,chief ,judge--,the ,discovery--,nephi ,arrested--,he is ,proven ,innocent--,god's ,covenant with ,him--,increase of ,iniquity--,a ,terrible ,famine--,the ,welcome ,rain--,the ,trend to ,death #ahd ,,chapter ,,xxxix4 ,samuel1 the ,lamanite--,his ,mission and ,prophecies--,the ,vain ,attempt to ,destroy ,him--,he ,returns to ,his ,own ,country #ahi ,,chapter ,,xl4 ,nephi ,translated--,his ,son ,nephi--,time of the ,savior's ,coming--,the ,conspiracy to ,slay the ,believers--,the ,revelation to ,nephi--,the ,promised ,signs ,appear--,increase of the ,gadianton ,robbers--,war--,lachoneus ,gathers all the ,people to ,one ,land--,the ,end of the ,struggle #aic ,,chapter ,,xli4 ,the ,last ,chief ,judge ,murdered and the ,republic ,overthrown--,the ,signs of the ,savior's ,death ,appear--,a ,terrible ,storm--,the ,universal ,darkness--,the ,unparalleled ,destruction--,the ,terror of those ,hours #aig ,,chapter ,,xlii4 ,the ,voice from ,heaven--,the ,savior ,testifies of ,himself--,silence ,throughout the ,land--,how oft would ,christ have ,gathered ,his ,people--,the ,darkness ,departs #bjb ,,chapter ,,xliii4 ,christ ,appears in the ,land ,bountiful--,the ,testimony of the ,father--,jesus ,calls ,twelve ,disciples--,his ,teachings to ,them and to the ,multitude #bje ,,chapter ,,xliv4 ,the ,fulfillment of the ,mosaic ,law--,other ,sheep ,have ,i--,the ,ten ,tribes--,the ,events of the ,latter ,days #bjh ,,chapter ,,xlv4 ,the ,savior ,heals the ,sick--,he ,blesses the ,children of the ,nephites--,angels ,minister unto them #baj ,,chapter ,,xlvi4 ,the ,sacrament ,administered--,the ,savior's ,teachings ,regarding it--,he ,confers on ,his ,disciples the ,power to ,give the ,holy ,ghost--,he ,ascends into ,heaven #bac ,,chapter ,,xlvii4 ,jesus ,returns and ,renews ,his ,teachings--,he ,administers the ,sacrament--,he ,explains the ,teachings of the ,prophets--,the ,words of ,malachi #baf ,,chapter ,,xlviii4 ,the ,savior ,continues ,his ,ministrations--,he ,raises a ,man from the ,dead--,the ,labors of the ,twelve--,the ,name of the ,church--,the ,three who should ,remain #bbj ,,chapter ,,xlix4 ,the ,long ,continued ,era of ,peace and ,righteousness--,death of ,nephi--,his ,son ,amos--,amos the ,second #bbc ,,chapter ,l4 ,the ,commencement of the ,apostasy--,it ,grows in ,intensity--,the ,persecution of the ,disciples--,lamanites ,again--,re-appearance of the ,gadianton ,bands--,war--,ammaron ,hides the ,records #bbf ,,chapter ,,li4 ,the ,last ,long ,series of ,wars--,mormon--,the ,final ,conflict at ,cumorah--,the ,last of the ,nephites #bbi ,,chapter ,,lii4 ,the ,historians of the ,nephites--,the ,plates of ,nephi--,list of their ,custodians--,their ,lengthened ,years #bcb ,,chapter ,,liii4 ,the ,women of the ,book of ,mormon--,their ,condition and ,position--,abish--,isabel--,marriage--, amulek--,moroni's ,title of ,liberty--,the ,mothers of the ,ammonites--,two ,extremes #bcg ,,chapter ,,liv4 ,domestic ,life ,among the ,nephites--,household ,duties--,dress-- ,ornaments--,homes--,food--,manufactures --,transportation #bda ,,chapter ,,lv4 ,agriculture ,among the ,nephites--,grains--,stock ,raising--,irrigation #bdg ,,chapter ,,lvi4 ,science and ,literature ,among the ,nephites--,their ,astronomy and ,geography--,the ,learning of ,egypt #bej ,,chapter ,,lvii4 ,the ,art of ,war ,among the ,nephites--,their ,weapons1 ,armor and ,fortifications--,moroni's ,line of ,defense #bee ,,chapter ,,lviii4 ,the ,laws of the ,nephites--,the ,roman and ,nephite ,civilizations--,the ,laws under the ,kings--,position of the ,priesthood--,slavery--,criminal ,offenses #bfb ,,chapter ,,lix4 ,the ,laws under the ,judges--,the ,voice of the ,people--,elections--,rights of the ,people--,church and ,state--,the ,criminal ,procedure #bfi ,,chapter ,,lx4 ,laws of the ,nephites1 ,continued--,the ,division into ,tribes--,the ,messianic ,dispensation--,the ,final ,convulsion #bgg ,,chapter ,,lxi4 ,the ,money of the ,nephites--,their ,coins--,barley the ,standard of ,value #bha ,,chapter ,,lxii4 ,personal ,appearance of the ,nephites--,their ,beauty--,testimony of ,remains ,found--,the ,dark-,skinned ,lamanites #bhd ,,chapter ,,lxiii4 ,language of the ,nephites--,the ,influence of the ,egyptians--,nephite ,words--,rameumptom--,liahona--,rabbanah --,the ,lamanite ,tongue--,word ,building #bhg ,,chapter ,,lxiv4 ,nephite ,proper ,names--,bible ,names--,sariah--,nephi--,sam--,melek-- ,jershon--,isabel--,aha1 etc4--,prefixes and ,suffixes #bid ,,chapter ,,lxv4 ,the ,lands of the ,nephites--,mulek and ,lehi--,zarahemla and ,nephi--,the ,wilderness--,the ,land of ,first ,inheritance--,the ,journeys ,northward--,the ,waters of ,mormon--,lehi--,nephi #cjj ,,chapter ,,lxvi4 ,nephi in the ,hands of the ,lamanites--,the ,lands of ,shemlon1 ,shilom1 ,helam1 ,amulon1 ,ishmael1 ,middoni1 ,jerusalem1 etc4 #caj ,,chapter ,,lxvii4 ,the ,lands of the ,nephites1 ,continued--,zarahemla--,jershon-- ,antionum--,manti--,gideon #cad ,,chapter ,,lxviii4 ,lands of the ,nephites1 ,continued--,minon--,melek--,ammonihah-- ,noah-- ,sidom--,aaron--,lehi--,mulek--,bountifu l--,the ,south-west ,border #cah ,,chapter ,,lxix4 ,the ,lands of ,antum1 ,teancum1 ,joshua1 ,david1 etc4--,cumorah--,the ,hills of the ,nephites--,the ,river ,sidon #cbe ,,chapter ,,lxx4 ,religion of the ,nephites--,it is ,stated by ,nephi--,the ,priesthood and ,ordinances ,thereof--,baptism--,confirmation--,ordi nation--,the ,sacrament--,spiritual ,gifts #cbi ,,chapter ,,lxxi4 ,miracles ,among the ,nephites--,the ,miracles of ,christ--,john and the ,three ,nephites--,translations #ccf ,,chapter ,,lxxii4 ,the ,prophecies ,regarding the ,savior--,their ,completeness and ,detail--,names and ,titles ,given to ,christ #cda ,,chapter ,,lxxiii4 ,nephite ,apostates--,the ,order of ,nehor--,amalekites-- ,amalickiahites--,amulonites--,abinadi's ,prophecy--,the ,gadiantons #cdc ,,chapter ,,lxxiv4 ,church ,discipline ,among the ,nephites--,treatment of the ,unrepentant--,the ,word of the ,lord ,regarding ,transgressors--,the ,testimony of ,moroni #cdi ,,chapter ,,lxxv4 ,the ,discovery of the ,jaredite ,records--,coriantumr--,ether--,the ,dispersion at ,babel--,the ,journey of the ,jaredites--,atlantis #ceb ,,chapter ,,lxxvi4 ,moriancumer--,building the ,barges--,the ,finger of the ,lord--,the ,appearing of the ,savior--,the ,voyage #cef ,,chapter ,,lxxvii4 ,the ,land of ,promise--,a ,monarchy ,established--,the ,kings of the ,jaredites from ,orihah to ,omer--,akish--,the ,daughter of ,jared #cei ,,chapter ,,lxxviii4 ,the ,kings of the ,jaredites from ,omer to ,coriantumr--,the ,material ,prosperity of this ,race #cfa ,,chapter ,,lxxix4 ,the ,judgments of ,god on the ,jaredites--,the ,extinction of the ,race--,the ,hill ,ramah--,shiz and ,coriantumr--,ether #cfc ,,book ,,of ,,mormon ,,chronology #cfh ,,appendix #cha ,,list ,,of ,,illustrations ,,page ,the ,glorious ,appearing of ,jesus to the ,nephites ,armitage ,frontis- piece ,ancient ,aztec ,chart1 ,showing ,lehi's ,travels4 ,no4 #a ,boturini #ba ,ancient ,aztec ,chart1 ,showing ,lehi's ,travels4 ,no4 #b ,boturini #ca ,vision of ,nephi ,held #cc ,ancient ,aztec ,chart1 ,showing ,lehi's ,travels4 ,no4 #c ,boturini #cf ,ancient ,aztec ,chart1 ,showing ,lehi's ,travels4 ,no4 #d ,boturini #cg ,ancient ,hieroglyphic ,chart ,farerri #dc ,the ,first ,sacrifice on the ,promised ,land ,ottinger #de ,the ,jews ,led ,away to ,captivity #fb ,the ,land of ,helam #gi ,discovery of the ,records of the ,jaredites ,ottinger #hf ,baptism of ,limhi ,ottinger #ia ,wilderness of ,hermounts #aba ,moroni ,raises the ,title of ,liberty ,ottinger #aea ,destruction of ,zarahemla ,ottinger #bjb ,ancient ,egyptian ,characters #bij ,copy of ,characters on the ,plates from ,which the ,book of ,mormon ,was ,translated #bib ,appearance of ,christ to the ,brother of ,jared ,held #ceh ,ether ,finishing ,his ,record ,morris #cfg ,,the ,story of the ,book of ,mormon4 ,,introduction4 ,,america ,,the ,,first ,,inhabited ,,of ,,all ,,lands--,,its ,,ancient ,,peoples--,,the ,,garden ,,of ,,eden--,,the ,,antediluvians--,,the ,,jaredites--,,the ,,nephites ,,and ,,lamanites4 ,the story that we are about to relate is a true one4 ,it is the history of the races who lived on this broad land of ours long1 long ago4 ,from it we shall learn many lessons of ,god's great love for man4 ,we shall also learn how oft his love has been spurned1 how apt his favored children have been to walk in ways of sin1 and how prone to disobey his holy law4 ,it is a story full of light and shade1 one which it will be well for all of us to take to heart1 for by so doing our faith in ,god will increase1 and we shall be prompted to strive the more earnestly to avoid the evils that others1 by their misdeeds1 have brought upon themselves and their posterity4 ,america1 the land we love1 is1 in our ,heavenly ,father's eyes1 choice above all other lands as the home of those of his sons and daughters1 whom he has placed upon this earth4 ,for all ,god's creatures are not here4 ,he has made many worlds and filled them with his children4 ,how many we know not2 they are countless to us4 ,the stars1 that shine in myriads in the heavens1 are nearly all suns like the one that gives us light3 the remaining few are worlds like unto this on which we dwell2 and ours is one of the very smallest of them all4 ,to the works of ,god there is no beginning1 neither is there any end4 ,god made ,america the richest of all lands4 ,he filled its depths with precious minerals2 he caused the most lovely trees1 and herbs1 and flowers to grow upon its surface4 ,in all things he made it most desirable as a home for man4 ,and here he planted the ,garden of ,eden1 and placed our first parents1 ,adam and ,eve1 therein4 ,from that garden they were afterwards driven forth when they failed to keep ,god's law4 ,but they did not leave this continent4 ,here they still remained2 here their sons and daughters were born1 until many strong peoples had sprung from them4 ,it was in this land that ,cain slew his brother ,abel2 it was here that ,enoch and his city dwelt1 that ,noah preached to the ungodly1 and the ark was built4 ,but when the flood was over and the waters sank1 that ark1 by the winds and waves1 had been carried far away to a new land1 until it rested on the ,mountains of ,ararat4 ,then for a short time ,america was without inhabitant4 ,but not long after the deluge the wicked tried to build a tower that would reach so high that if ever another flood came they might escape the rising waters by ascending it4 ,this is called the ,tower of ,babel4 ,the ,lord was angry with those who attempted to build this tower1 for he had promised that he would never again destroy the earth with the waters of a flood4 ,but they did not believe him2 and in their unbelief they went to work to construct it4 ,in his anger he confounded their language1 that they could not understand each other4 ,then he scattered them abroad upon the face of the earth4 ,some few1 better than the others1 he brought to ,america4 ,here he made them a great nation2 and they filled the land for many hundreds of years4 ,by and by they grew exceedingly wicked and gathered together in vast armies to war one with another4 ,and they fought so terribly that at last they were all destroyed1--all except one man4 ,these people were called the ,jaredites4 ,by this we see that this continent was a second time left without inhabitants because of the great wickedness of the people4 ,after this the ,lord brought another people to fill this land4 ,they were a branch of the house of ,israel1 and we call them the ,nephites and ,lamanites4 ,they also grew great1 prospered1 flourished1 and fell4 ,like the ,jaredites1 at the last1 they destroyed each other in war1 and there were but few left4 ,but from those few have come the many tribes of ,indians that today are found scattered far and wide over both ,north and ,south ,america1 and also on some of the outlying islands of the sea4 ,thus fell a third race who would not serve ,god2 for he had decreed that the wicked should not inherit this land4 ,to one of his ancient servants he declared1 ,if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes2 but unto the righteous it shall be blessed for ever4 7,,ii4 ,nephi #a3g47 ,north ,america was the first of all lands to be inhabited2 it was here that ,adam and ,eve dwelt4 ,the ,jaredites from the ,tower of ,babel also first landed here4 ,but the ,nephites made their earliest settlements on the western shores of the southern continent1 where by degrees they spread north and south1 then east and west1 until their cities and villages could be seen in every part of the land4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,ancient ,,jerusalem--,,lehi--,,his ,,vision--,,his ,,call ,,to ,,preach ,,to ,,the ,,jews--,,they ,,persecute ,,him--,,he ,,is ,,commanded ,,of ,,god ,,to ,,take ,,his ,,family ,,into ,,the ,,wilderness--,,their ,,departure--,,the ,,return ,,of ,,his ,,sons ,,to ,,jerusalem ,,to ,,obtain ,,the ,,records--,,they ,,are ,,ill-,,treated ,,by ,,laban--,,his ,,death--,,zoram ,,accompanies ,,the ,,brothers ,,into ,,the ,,wilderness4 7,i4 ,,nephi ,,chap4 #a ,,to #d47 ,our story opens in the royal city of ,jerusalem1 in the first year of the reign of ,king ,zedekiah1 or exactly six hundred years before the birth of our ,savior4 ,it was then very grand and very beautiful1 the capital of the ,kingdom of ,judah1 and the chief city of all ,israel4 ,in name it was holy1 for the ,temple of the ,lord was there4 ,its busy streets were crowded with a mixed multitude4 ,priests and ,levites1 who officiated in the ordinances of the law of ,moses1 worshipers from the other tribes of ,jacob1 warriors of the armies of ,judah1 courtiers and attendants on the king1 merchants from ,egypt1 from ,tyre and ,sidon and from many other parts1 artificers in various trades1 all these combined to make it wealthy and renowned1 a busy mart of trade1 a center of civilization1 and a sacred city4 ,holy it should have been1 but the glory of the ,lord had departed from his house4 ,its people had become very wicked4 ,they were filled with pride and greed2 they heeded not the law of the ,lord2 their affections were set upon the things of this world2 they served ,god with their lips only1 while their hearts were far from him4 ,he had sent unto them his prophets1 but one after another they had rejected these holy men2 many they had persecuted1 and some they had slain4#a ,in this city1 at that time1 dwelt a worthy man named ,lehi4 ,he was of the tribe of ,manasseh1 but had made his home in ,jerusalem all his days1 though it was a city of the ,kingdom of ,judah4 ,he was a man who had been prospered of the ,lord and had gathered around him considerable wealth4 ,his wife's name was ,sariah1 and they had four sons and some daughters4 ,the names of the sons1 in the order of their ages1 were ,laman1 ,lemuel1 ,sam and ,nephi2 the number or names of the daughters are nowhere given in the sacred history4 ,to this good man the word of the ,lord came4 ,god raised him up to be a prophet4 ,he sent him with a message to the people of ,jerusalem4 ,as a servant of the ,lord he had to warn them of many evils that would come upon them if they did not cease from their wicked ways4 ,but they paid no heed to his words2 they refused to listen to his warning4 ,indeed1 they became very angry because he told them of their sins1 and before long they sought to kill him4 ,god gave to ,lehi many dreams and visions4 ,one day a pillar of fire came and rested on a rock before him2 and then he heard and saw many wonderful things4 ,the things which he had seen and heard so overpowered him that he went home to his house at ,jerusalem1 and threw himself on his bed4 ,then being overcome by the ,holy ,spirit he was carried away in a vision4 ,in that vision he saw ,god sitting upon his throne1 surrounded by vast hosts of angels who were singing and praising the ,lord4 ,and he saw a holy ,being1 surrounded by a glory as bright as the sun at noon day1 come down out of the midst of heaven4 ,it was the ,lord ,jesus4 ,our ,savior was followed by twelve others whose brightness exceeded that of the stars4 ,they were ,christ's ,apostles4 ,these came down and went forth on the face of the earth4 ,and in the vision the ,savior came to ,lehi and gave him a book1 and bade him read it4 ,in that book was an account of events that had not yet taken place4 ,it was full of the woes that should happen to ,jerusalem and her people if they repented not of their sins and follies4 ,it told how that great city should be taken by her enemies and destroyed2 how numbers of the inhabitants should perish1 while many should be carried captive into ,babylon4 ,all of which was fulfilled a few years later4 ,these things with others were what ,lehi told the ,jews2 and as they did not believe his words they became enraged at him and ill treated him4 ,how gracious was our heavenly ,father to show such great things to ,lehi1 and to reveal to him so much with regard to the earthly life of our ,lord and ,savior1 whose coming in the flesh was yet six hundred years in the future4 ,before long the ,lord was satisfied with what ,lehi had said and done4 ,he told him1 in a dream1 that as the ,jews had rejected his message and sought his life1 to leave them to the destruction that would surely come upon them4 ,god then directed him to leave ,jerusalem and take his family and journey into the wilderness4 ,this ,lehi did4 ,he left behind him his gold and other precious things1 and only carried with him what was needful for the use of his family during their travels4 ,like ,abraham before him1 he went not knowing whither he was going1 but went because ,god had commanded him2 and1 like ,abraham1 he was led by ,divine power to a blessed land of promise4 ,when ,lehi and his family left ,jerusalem they traveled southward to the borders of the ,red ,sea4 ,there they pitched their tents and rested for a season in a valley near a river which emptied into the sea4 ,in this valley ,lehi built an altar1 and upon it he offered a sacrifice to the ,lord1 and gave thanks unto him for his great goodness in bringing them out of the doomed chief city of ,judah4 ,it was while ,lehi's little company were camped in this valley1 to which he gave the name of the ,valley of ,lemuel1 that the dispositions of the four young men began to show themselves4 ,laman and ,lemuel here commenced to grumble1 to complain and to rebel1 while ,nephi was obedient in all things to the word of ,god and the wishes of his father4 ,he sought the ,holy ,one in earnest prayer in his own behalf and in that of his brothers1 and the ,lord made him many precious promises1 all of which were1 in due time1 fulfilled4 ,while encamped in this valley the ,lord1 in a dream1 commanded ,lehi to send his sons back to ,jerusalem to obtain certain plates on which was engraven a record of the ,jews4 ,they also contained a genealogy or list of ,lehi's forefathers4 ,these plates were kept by a rich man named ,laban1 who held them because1 like ,lehi1 he was a descendant of that ,joseph who was sold into ,egypt4 ,when ,lehi's elder sons heard this they murmured4 ,they did not want to go back to the city4 ,they said it was a hard thing to do1 and they claimed to be afraid of ,laban4 ,but ,nephi neither feared nor murmured1 for he was a man of much faith4 ,on this occasion he said to his father1 ,i will go and do the things which ,god has commanded1 for ,i know that the ,lord gives no commandment to the children of men1 save he prepares a way that they may do the thing that he requires of them4 ,when ,lehi saw how strong was his son's faith he greatly rejoiced1 for he perceived that ,nephi had been much blessed of the ,lord4 ,illustration3 ,,ancient ,,aztec ,,chart ,,showing ,,lehi's ,,travels4 ,,no4 #a4 ,at last all the sons consented to return and get the plates4 ,they took their tents with them1 traveled as they came1 and in a few days reached ,jerusalem4 ,when they arrived they cast lots to decide which of them should first visit ,laban4 ,the lot fell upon ,laman4 ,as he had no faith in his mission1 we can readily understand that he failed to get the records4 ,he went to ,laban's house1 which was a very fine one1 and talked with him on the matter4 ,but ,laban grew angry1 would not let him have the plates1 called him a robber1 and drove him out of the house4 ,when ,laman returned to his brothers they were very sad at hearing how violently ,laban had acted4 ,all but ,nephi wished to return to their father in the wilderness2 but he would not consent4 ,he had come up to ,jerusalem to do what ,god had commanded1 and he would not return until he had done it4 ,he said to his brothers1 ,as the ,lord liveth1 and as we live1 we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness1 until we have accomplished the thing which the ,lord has commanded us4 ,brave words from a heart of faith1 and by that faith their purpose was accomplished4 ,nephi next proposed that they should go to their father's house and collect some of the gold1 silver and other precious things which he had left behind1 take them to ,laban and offer them to him in exchange for the records4 ,they did all this2 still ,laban would not let them have the plates4 ,but when he saw how great was the value of the property which they offered him1 he coveted it2 for he was a wicked man1 filled with greed and covetousness4 ,so he thrust the brothers out of his house and kept their property4 ,not content with this he sent his servants after them to slay them4 ,but the servants did not overtake them1 for ,nephi and his brothers outran them and hid themselves in a cave in the wilderness outside of the walls of the city4 ,laman and ,lemuel were now furious at their lack of success4 ,in their anger they said many hard things to ,sam and ,nephi1 and moreover they beat them with a rod4 ,while thus engaged an angel of the ,lord stood before them and rebuked them for their cruel treatment of their younger brothers4 ,he further told them to go up to ,jerusalem once again1 and ,laban should be delivered into their hands4 ,even though an angel from heaven had appeared to them1 ,laman and ,lemuel still murmured and did not want to go back to the house of ,laban4 ,but after some persuasion from ,nephi they reluctantly followed him4 ,his faith had made him their leader1 which position he ever afterwards held4 ,nephi caused his brethren to hide themselves without the walls1 and then went forward alone1 not knowing exactly where he was going1 but suffering himself to be guided by the ,spirit of the ,lord4 ,it was now night4 ,when near the house of ,laban he came across a man lying in a drunken stupor on the ground4 ,it proved to be ,laban himself4 ,the ,spirit of the ,lord now directed ,nephi to slay ,laban1 telling him that it was better that one man should die than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief4 ,this the ,nephites undoubtedly would have done had they not had the law of the ,lord with them2 and this law was engraved on these plates4 ,as we proceed we shall find that both the ,lamanites and the people of ,zarahemla sank in sin and dwindled in unbelief from this very cause1--they had no ,divine records4 ,for all that the ,spirit thus prompted1 still ,nephi felt loath to slay ,laban1 although he had robbed him and his brothers of their father's property and sought to take their lives4 ,but at last he obeyed the voice of the ,spirit1 and drawing ,laban's own sword from its sheath1 with it he smote off this wicked man's head4 ,nephi next removed ,laban's armor from the dead body and put it on his own person2 he also took the sword of ,laban and girded it around his waist4 ,then he went to the dead man's house1 and1 imitating ,laban's voice1 he commanded the servant who had the keys of the room where the records were kept to go with him and get them4 ,the servant1 whose name was ,zoram1 obeyed1 and brought forth the records1 for in the darkness1 he thought it was his master who was talking to him4 ,nephi1 still acting as though he was ,laban1 had ,zoram go with him to where his brothers were hid4 ,when ,laman1 ,lemuel and ,sam saw him coming they became greatly afraid1 for they did not know him1 dressed as he was in the armor of ,laban2 and he had some little difficulty in making them understand that he was their brother1 and that they had no cause for fear4 ,but when ,zoram discovered that ,nephi was not his master1 he also was seized with fear1 and would have run away had not ,nephi held him4 ,we may be sure ,nephi did not want ,zoram to return to ,jerusalem1 lest he should gather a body of men and follow him and his brothers into the wilderness and slay them4 ,so he spake kind and encouraging words to ,zoram1 who soon consented to make a covenant of friendship with ,nephi and go with him to the place where ,lehi had pitched his tents4 ,this covenant ,zoram most faithfully kept4 ,,footnote3 #a ,see ,,ii4 ,chronicles #cf3ad-af4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,the ,,rejoicing ,,over ,,the ,,records--,,nephi ,,and ,,his ,,brothers ,,again ,,return ,,to ,,jerusalem--,,they ,,conduct ,,ishmael ,,and ,,his ,,family ,,into ,,the ,,wilderness--,,lehi's ,,dream--,,the ,,tree ,,of ,,life--,,the ,,rod ,,of ,,iron--,,the ,,boturini ,,manuscript--,,nephi's ,,vision4 7,i4 ,,nephi ,,chap4 #e ,,to #ae47 ,when ,nephi and his companions reached their father's tent in the wilderness their parents were exceedingly glad4 ,sariah had mourned during their absence because she fancied her sons would never return alive2 and with those feelings she had upbraided her husband for sending them away4 ,she charged him with being a visionary man1 who was always giving heed to dreams in which she had little faith4 ,all this was changed when her boys got back2 then she was willing to acknowledge the inspiration of ,heaven in her husband's visions4 ,the first thing ,lehi did when his sons arrived was to offer a sacrifice to the ,lord1 as a token of his gratitude for their safe return4 ,next he examined the records1 and rejoiced greatly to find that they contained the five books of ,moses and a history of the ,jews to the commencement of the reign of ,king ,zedekiah4 ,these plates also contained many of the prophecies of the holy prophets1 and a genealogy of ,lehi's fathers4 ,we may be well assured how grateful ,lehi felt to the ,lord for placing these sacred records in his hands1 so that his people could have the ,law of the ,lord and the history of their ancestors always in their possession4 ,it is a great stay and a help to any people1 who1 like ,lehi's family1 are separated from the rest of mankind and who are building up a new civilization to possess the annals of their forefathers4 ,it tends to keep them from sinking into idolatry1 and from corrupting the laws of heaven2 it preserves the purity of their language1 and connects them with those from whom they have sprung4 ,but the four young men had to return once again to ,jerusalem4 ,god intended to make of ,lehi's posterity a great nation4 ,this could scarcely be done unless his sons married4 ,but they had no young maidens with them in the wilderness who would do for wives4 ,so the ,lord told ,lehi to send his sons to a man named ,ishmael1 of the tribe of ,ephraim1 who dwelt in ,jerusalem1 and desire him and his family to join them on their journey4 ,the reason why ,god sent them to ,ishmael was that he was a good man and had a number of daughters4 ,when ,lehi's sons delivered their message the ,lord softened ,ishmael's heart and he consented to go with them2 and soon he and his family were on the way to the valley by the ,red ,sea where ,lehi was encamped4 ,as they journeyed1 however1 they had the usual trouble4 ,laman and ,lemuel had another rebellious fit4 ,they induced some of the family of ,ishmael to join them1 and for a time there was great division in the little company4 ,nephi1 inspired with the ,spirit of the ,lord1 rebuked them for their folly4 ,this so angered them that they bound him with cords1 intending in their cruelty to leave him to perish in the wilderness1 or to be devoured by wild beasts4 ,but ,nephi prayed in great faith to the ,lord to give him strength to burst the bands which held him4 ,the ,lord answered his prayer and the cords were loosened from his hands and feet4 ,being now free he again reproved his brethren1 which renewed their anger4 ,once more they sought to take his life1 but ,ishmael's wife and one of her sons and a daughter so earnestly plead for him that the hearts of the rebels were softened and they ceased their efforts to slay him4 ,by and by1 when their anger had cooled down1 they felt very sorry for their great wickedness in trying to kill their brother4 ,then they humbled themselves before him and sought his forgiveness1 which he1 in the goodness of his heart1 at once most gladly granted4 ,when the company reached the tents of ,lehi1 after the usual custom they offered burnt offerings and sacrifices to the ,lord4 ,while ,lehi dwelt in the ,valley of ,lemuel he had another remarkable dream4 ,it was like unto this3 ,he dreamed that a man stood before him and bade him follow him4 ,this ,lehi did4 ,they traveled for many hours through a dark and dreary waste4 ,when they had thus journeyed for so long a time ,lehi began to pray to the ,lord to have mercy on him4 ,after he had prayed he beheld a large and spacious field4 ,in it grew a tree whose fruit was very desirable to make one happy4 ,lehi partook of this fruit4 ,he found it whiter and sweeter than any fruit he had ever before seen or tasted4 ,when he had eaten his heart was filled with great joy1 and he was very anxious that his family should partake of it also4 ,so he looked around in the hope of seeing some of them1 and in doing so his eyes fell upon a river4 ,its waters were filthy1 and it ran along near the tree upon which the sweet fruit grew4 ,not far off was the fountain from whence the river sprang2 and near by he saw his wife ,sariah1 and his sons1 ,sam and ,nephi4 ,they stood there hesitating1 as if they knew not where to go4 ,lehi there-upon beckoned1 and called them to come to him and taste of the fruit4 ,then they all three came and partook of it4 ,lehi now felt desirous that his two elder sons1 ,laman and ,lemuel1 should also partake2 but when he called them1 they would not come4 ,lehi also saw a rod of iron4 ,it extended along the bank of the river and led to the tree by which he stood4 ,and there was a straight and narrow path which ran along by the rod of iron to the tree4 ,this path led into a broad field1 so spacious that it might have been a world4 ,he likewise saw vast numbers of people1 many of whom were pressing forward to get to the path which led to the tree4 ,then it seemed that as soon as these people began to walk in the path there arose a great mist of darkness1 that many missed their way1 wandered off1 and were lost4 ,others1 by taking hold of the rod of iron1 and clinging thereto1 kept in the narrow path1 reached the tree and partook of its precious fruit4 ,some of those who tasted the fruit appeared to soon grow ashamed2 and ,lehi1 casting his eyes across the river1 beheld on the other side a very large and fine building1 which stood as if it were in the air high above the earth4 ,this building was filled with men and women of all ages1 whose style of dress was very rich and grand4 ,these people were mocking and ridiculing those who ate of the fruit of the tree4 ,because of this taunting and derision some felt ashamed1 and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost4 ,lehi also saw other multitudes groping their way towards the spacious building2 and some were drowned in the fountain of filthy water1 and others were lost to sight wandering in strange roads4 ,the interpretation of ,lehi's dream is this3 ,the tree which bore the precious fruit1 of which ,lehi1 ,sariah1 ,sam and ,nephi ate1 was the tree of life4 ,the rod of iron which led thereunto represented the word of ,god1 and whoso will hearken unto the word of ,god1 and will cleave unto it1 will never perish1 but partake of the fruit of the tree of life4 ,the river of filthy water showed the awful gulf which separates the wicked from the tree of life and from the saints of ,god4 ,the vast and costly building represented the wicked world1 with those who belong thereto4 ,lehi further saw that ,laman and ,lemuel ate not of the fruit of the tree1 and it gave him much sorrow4 ,we present a copy of a portion of an ancient ,aztec map or chart4 ,the original map is about twenty feet in length1 it was found in ,mexico more than a hundred years ago by an ,italian gentleman named ,boturini4#b ,on a previous page we have inserted a copy of the first part of this map or panorama1 which seems to show the departure of ,lehi from ,jerusalem1 his crossing some waters1 his journey in the desert1 and the names of his family4 ,in the second part we consider is yet more clearly shown ,lehi's dream4 ,we can plainly see the tree of life1 with its twelve branches1 with ,lehi near by1 the rod of iron that led thereto1 ,sariah1 ,sam and ,nephi partaking of the fruit2 while ,laman and ,lemuel are not touching it4 ,then the journey is continued1 and we see them all weeping over one man4 ,this we think represents the death of ,ishmael1 of which we shall speak hereafter4 ,above again appear the names of the family4#c ,illustration3 ,,ancient ,,aztec ,,chart1 ,,showing ,,lehi',s ,,travels4 ,,no4 #b4 ,nephi was very desirous to have the same dreams as his father2 and he prayed earnestly to the ,lord that this favor might be granted him4 ,god answered his prayers1 and showed him many of the greatest events that would take place in the future history of the world4 ,for while ,nephi was pondering these things in his heart he was caught away in the ,spirit of the ,lord1 into an exceedingly high mountain1 on which he had never before set his foot4 ,there the ,spirit1 which was in the form of a man1 showed him the things which he desired4 ,after the ,spirit left him he was shown ,jerusalem and other cities1 especially ,nazareth1 and therein a virgin exceedingly white and fair4 ,while gazing upon this scene1 he beheld the heavens open1 and an angel came down and stood before him1 who explained to him the various scenes that were brought before his vision4 ,illustration3 ,,vision ,,of ,,nephi4 ,the virgin that ,nephi saw was named ,mary2 she was the mother of ,jesus4 ,next the angel showed him the virgin with the babe in her arms4 ,the angel also showed him the ,savior2 how he should be baptized of ,john in the ,jordan2 how he went forth among the people preaching the gospel and doing marvelous works1 and how that he was taken and crucified1 and thus died for the sins of the world4 ,nephi further saw how the world fought against the disciples of ,christ1 and how1 in the end1 all those who contended against heaven and against ,god's servants were destroyed4 ,furthermore he was shown the land of ,america filled with a numerous people1 who were the seed of his father4 ,he also saw the terrible earthquakes and devastating storms that took place on this land at the time of the crucifixion of the ,redeemer4 ,he saw the ,savior visit this land1 and how he chose twelve disciples and here established his holy church4 ,he saw the reign of profound peace that continued for three generations1 and also the time of awful wickedness that followed this blessed era4 ,and there were shown to him the final wars in which the ,nephite nation was destroyed4 ,nor was this all4 ,like a vast panorama1 the kingdoms and nations of the ,gentiles were presented to his view4 ,he saw a man inspired by the ,spirit of ,god cross the great waters which separated the ,gentiles from the land on which the remnants of his father's seed dwelt1 and that this man was followed by numerous hosts of others who came out from the nations and occupied the land4 ,he saw the remnants of the seed of his father1 the ,indians1 abused1 robbed and massacred by the ,gentiles4 ,then the war of the revolution was shown to him1 the triumph of the colonies1 and the growth of the people of this land in power1 riches and pride4 ,and again he saw the rise of a great and abominable church which exercised power and dominion over many peoples4 ,it was the great apostate ,christian ,church which held sway after the true gospel ceased to exist on the earth by reason of the wickedness of mankind4 ,nephi also saw the coming forth of the ,book of ,mormon1 the establishment of the great ,latter-day work1 the preaching of the gospel to ,gentile and ,jew1 and the final triumph of ,god's cause4 ,indeed he saw to the end of the world and thereafter2 but much that he had revealed to him he was told not to write1 as the ,apostle ,john would have the same things shown to him in a later day1 and ,john would be instructed of the ,lord to write the things which he heard and saw4 ,,footnotes3 #b ,of ,boturini1 ,humboldt observes4 ,this ,milanese traveler had crossed the seas with no other view than to study on the spot the history of the native tribes of ,america2 but in traversing the country to examine its monuments and make researches into its antiquities1 he had the misfortune to fall under the suspicion of the ,spanish government4 ,after having been deprived of the fruit of his labors1 he was sent in #agcf as a state prisoner to ,madrid4 ,the king of ,spain declared him innocent1 but this did not restore to him his property2 and this collection 99 99 99 lay buried in the archives of the ,university of ,mexico2 those valuable relics of the culture of the ,aztecs were preserved with so little care that there scarcely exists at present an eighth part of the hieroglyphic records taken from the ,italian traveler4 #c ,the priests of the ,roman ,catholic ,church who visited ,mexico at the time of and soon after the ,spanish conquest were struck with the great resemblance of so large a number of the customs of the ,mexican people to those of the ancient ,israelites4 ,to account for these resemblances they invented the theory that the devil had imitated the ,lord when he delivered the ,hebrews from their bondage in ,egypt1 by bringing the forefathers of the ,american races from their original home to this continent with many signs and wonders4 ,further1 that ,satan had revealed to these people a spurious or bastard gospel1 as near to the true one as was possible1 in order to lead their souls to eternal perdition4 ,based on this theory1--that the devil was the real god of the ,indians1 ,torquemeda1 in his ,indian ,monarchy1 and others1 give the following as the translation of the opening portions of this chart3 ,although they were all of the same race and lineage1 still they did not all compose a single family1 but were divided into four tribes4 99 99 ,the ,azticas1 therefore1 quitted their country under the guidance of ,zacpaltzin and ,huitzon1 in the first of the first circle2 for they commenced the computation of their years from that period2 and proceeded some stages on their journey1 in which they employed the space of a year1 at the end of which they arrived at a place called ,hueycolhuacan where they remained three years4 ,in this place 7they say7 the devil appeared to them in the form of an idol1 declaring to them that it was he who brought them out of the land of ,aztlan1 and that he would accompany them1 being their ,god1 to favor them in everything4 99 99 ,this being the beginning of the devil's proceedings among this people1 they marched from one place to another1 where there was a large and thick tree where he caused them to stop1 at the trunk of which they made a small altar1 upon which they placed an idol1 for so the devil commanded1 and they sat down under its shade to eat1 but whilst eating1 a loud sound proceeded from the tree1 and it rent in the middle4 ,the ,azticas1 terrified at this sudden accident1 considered it a bad omen1 and surrendering themselves up to affliction1 terminated the repast4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,marriages ,,in ,,the ,,company--,,the ,,liahona--,,the ,,journey ,,continued--,,nephi ,,breaks ,,his ,,bow--,,death ,,of ,,ishmael--,,they ,,reach ,,the ,,ocean--,,nephi ,,builds ,a ,,ship--,,they ,,cross ,,the ,,great ,,waters ,,and ,,reach ,,the ,,promised ,,land4 7,i4 ,,nephi ,,chap4 #af ,,to #ah47 ,while the two families dwelt in the ,valley of ,lemuel they had a number of marriages4 ,zoram1 ,laban's servant1 married ,ishmael's eldest daughter1 and each of ,lehi's four sons married one of her sisters4 ,we are not told whether ,lehi's daughters were married at this time or not4 ,soon after these marriages the voice of the ,lord spake unto ,lehi by night and commanded him that on the morrow he should resume his journey4 ,when ,lehi arose the next morning and went to the door of his tent he saw a strange object lying on the ground before him4 ,it was a brass ball of very fine workmanship4 ,within this ball were two spindles or needles1 one of which pointed the way that the little company should travel in the wilderness4 ,god had prepared this strange instrument or guide for them4 ,in the days of ,moses1 when he led the children of ,israel out of ,egypt1 a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night moved in front of them4 ,this the ,hebrews followed4 ,but to ,lehi he gave this ,liahona1 or compass1 as the ball was called2 and it pointed the way they should travel4 ,it had one strange peculiarity1 which was that it worked according to their faith and diligence4 ,when they kept ,god's law it showed them much more clearly the way they should go than when they were careless or rebellious4 ,illustration3 ,,ancient ,,aztec ,,chart1 ,,showing ,,lehi',s ,,travels4 ,,no4 #c4 ,illustration3 ,,ancient ,,aztec ,,chart1 ,,showing ,,lehi',s ,,travels4 ,,no4 #d4 ,some people have confused this ball1 because it is called a compass1 with the mariner's compass1 that sailors use at sea to direct the course of their ships4 ,but there is a great difference between the two4 ,the ,liahona pointed the way that ,lehi's company should travel1 while the needle in the mariner's compass points to the north4 ,the one showed the way ,lehi should go1 the other informs the traveler which way he is going4 ,the one was specially prepared by the ,lord for ,lehi and his companions1 and was used through faith only2 the other can be used by all men1 whether believers in the true ,god1 pagans or infidels4 ,at times1 also1 writing would miraculously appear on the ,liahona1 giving directions or reproving for sin1 as the company most needed4 ,according to the command of the ,lord the company gathered their provisions1 their tents1 their seeds and other things and again started on their long and oft-times wearisome journey4 ,they traveled a little east of south1 and after four days again rested at a place to which they gave the name of ,shazer4 ,here they hunted and killed game for food4 ,when they had obtained enough for present use they again started1 traveling in very much the same direction1 and keeping near the eastern shore of the ,red ,sea4 ,about this time a slight accident occurred which gave cause for much trouble and discontent4 ,it would appear that ,nephi was the chief hunter of the company4 ,going out one day to slay beasts for food he broke his bow1 which was made of very fine steel4 ,this made his brothers very angry1 for they obtained no food1 as their bows had lost their springs4 ,hungry1 angry and dejected1 they returned to their tents4 ,they were very much fatigued1 and1 like most men when hungry and tired1 they were in bad humor4 ,even ,lehi so far forgot himself1 at this time1 that he also murmured against the ,lord4 ,but ,nephi1 in this trying hour1 retained his trust in ,god4 ,he did not murmur nor complain1 but1 after having reasoned with the rest of the family1 he went to work1 and out of suitable wood he made a bow1 and out of a straight stick he cut an arrow4 ,when he had done this he went to his father1 who had now humbled himself before the ,lord and sought forgiveness1 and asked him where he should go to obtain food4 ,then the voice of the ,lord came to ,lehi and he was truly chastened because of his murmuring4 ,the voice said1 ,look upon the ball4 ,when he looked he was seized with fear because of the things which were written thereon1 and the rest of the family also feared and trembled exceedingly when they read the writing4 ,the writing on the ball also directed ,nephi to go to the top of a certain high mountain1 and there slay game for food4 ,this he did1 and brought it with joy to the tents of his people4 ,we think it probable that the design near the top of the accompanying ,aztec map is intended to represent this incident2 as the bird has evidently been shot by an arrow from the hunter's bow4 ,the lower portion seems to show some of the many attempts made by ,nephi's brethren to slay him1 when they bound him to trees in the wilderness and otherwise abused him4 ,picture four is evidently a record of the months or years occupied in the journey4 ,the journey was thus continued for a long time4 ,the company would travel for a few days1 then rest and hunt1 then again take up the line of march as the compass directed4 ,it generally guided them through the most fertile portions of the desert4 ,their journeys appear to have been frequently disturbed by the bad conduct of ,laman and ,lemuel and of those who would heed them4 ,before long1 ,ishmael1 who was an aged man1 died1 at a place which they named ,nahom4 ,this was a cause of great grief to his children1 and a fresh excuse for ,laman and his following to murmur4 ,they complained that they had been led into that strange land to die of want and fatigue1 and desired to go back to ,jerusalem4 ,so hard hearted had ,laman by this time become that1 with others1 he formed a plot to murder his own father and his brother ,nephi4 ,but the voice of the ,lord came to them1 chastened them severely for their sins1 and reproved them with such power that their hearts were softened and they repented4 ,after this the ,lord again blessed them4 ,from this time the compass changed the course of their travel and they journeyed almost directly eastward4 ,this must have taken them across the peninsula of ,arabia to its eastern coast4 ,it took them eight years to make the journey1 during which time a number of children were born1 including two sons to ,lehi's wife4 ,these he called ,jacob and ,joseph4 ,as they went the ,lord strengthened them1 that they endured their privations and labors without fatigue4 ,he would not permit them to make much fire to prepare their food1 but rendered it sweet to them without cooking4 ,they had great joy when they came to the sea4 ,they gave to it the name of ,irreantum1 which word means many waters4 ,the land on the coast they called ,bountiful1 because of its much fruit and wild honey4 ,while they rested on the sea shore the ,lord gave ,nephi a new command4 ,it was that he should build a ship to carry the company across the ocean4 ,as we may suppose1 ,nephi's brothers made all kinds of fun of him when they found he was about to try to build a ship4 ,but this did not affect him4 ,he knew that ,god never told a man to do a thing that he did not give him power to do4 ,it was so in this case4 ,the ,lord revealed to ,nephi all that was necessary1 and the building of the ship began4 ,at first ,nephi's brothers would not help him in the least4 ,they treated him as the people did ,noah when he was building the ark4 ,they called him a fool1 and mocked him1 and then threatened to throw him into the sea4 ,but the power of ,god was so strong upon ,nephi that had his brothers attempted to carry out their threat they would have withered before him like a dried reed4 ,as it was1 when he stretched forth his hand towards them they felt a shock1 which made their whole frames quiver4 ,this convinced them that ,god was with their brother1 for no man could have such power unless ,god was with him4 ,after this they went to work and helped ,nephi build the ship2 and a good ship it was1 the ,lord having directed the way in which it should be fashioned4 ,when the vessel was finished the ,lord told ,lehi and his people to go on board4 ,they took with them fruit1 meat1 honey1 and other food in abundance1 with many other things needful for their comfort2 also seeds to plant in the soil of the promised land4 ,then they all embarked--men1 women and children--beginning at the eldest1 down to the least4 ,a favorable wind sprang up and they were swiftly carried towards the promised land4 ,first they crossed the ,indian ,ocean1 then the ,south ,pacific ,ocean1 and after many days reached the west coast of ,south ,america4 ,they landed at a point near where the city of ,valparaiso1 in ,chili1 now stands4 ,but we must not forget to tell you that on the voyage they had another of those ever-recurring outbreaks4 ,laman1 some of the sons of ,ishmael and others1 at one time1 grew very merry4 ,by and by they became boisterous and rude4 ,they danced and sang and talked improperly4 ,nephi reproved them4 ,this opened the old sore4 ,they said they would not have him for their ruler1 but would do as they pleased4 ,then they seized and bound him1 hands and feet1 so tightly that he suffered a great deal4 ,the result was that the ,lord was angry and the compass ceased to work4 ,a heavy storm arose1 a head wind drove them back upon the waters1 the waves threatened to engulf them1 and they were all in danger of being drowned4 ,for three days the rebels continued stubborn in their anger2 during that time they would not loose ,nephi1 and every one who plead for him or spoke in his favor was threatened with like tortures4 ,at last1 however1 the danger grew so threatening that they released him2 but his legs and arms had swollen so greatly by reason of the way in which he had been tied that he could scarcely use them4 ,notwithstanding his great weakness and suffering1 as soon as he was loosed he took the compass1 and in his hands it began to work4 ,then the wind fell1 the storm ceased1 and there came a great calm4 ,and ,nephi took charge of the ship and guided it without further trouble1 to the promised land4#d ,illustration3 ,ancient ,hieroglyphic ,chart4 ,,footnote3 #d ,on the opposite page we present a reduced copy of a hieroglyphic drawing in the ,british ,museum1 representing the journey of the forefathers of the ,mexicans from ,asia to this continent4 ,the original was first given to the world by the famous ,italian traveler ,gumelli ,farerri in his book entitled ,giro del ,mondo4 ,clavigero1 ,humboldt and others have endeavored to explain the meaning of this drawing4 ,you will notice a palm tree near a hieroglyphic which much resembles that supposed to represent ,jerusalem in the commencement of the ,boturini manuscript4 ,this is said to signify the house of ,god2 here the journey began4 ,near by is a bird1 which stands for ,asia4 ,the tradition runs thus3 ,huitziton was a person of great authority amongst the ,aztecs1 in ,asia1 who for some reason not remembered1 persuaded his countrymen to change their country4 ,while he was thus meditating1 a bird was heard singing in a bush ti hui1 ti hui1 which means let us go4 ,do you hear that8 said ,zacpaltzin1 it is the warning voice of the secret ,deity to leave this continent and to find another4 ,therefore they started1 with those they could persuade to go with them1 traveling by ,tlapalan1 translated1 the country of the ,red ,sea1 and after long journeys reached the land where the hieroglyphics leaves them4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,the ,,promised ,,land--,,chili--,,its ,,natural ,,productions--,,the ,,death ,,of ,,lehi--,,his ,,blessing ,,on ,,his ,,posterity--,,prophecies ,,of ,,his ,,ancestor ,,joseph4 7,i4 ,,nephi ,,chap4 #ah ,,to ,,ii4 ,,nephi ,,chap4 #d47 ,when the little colony1 which numbered1 we imagine1 from sixty to eighty souls1 landed on the promised land they pitched their tents and soon after began to till the ground4 ,from their sowing they reaped abundant crops4 ,they explored the wilderness around them1 and found beasts of the forest of many kinds2 also the ox1 the horse1 the goat and the wild goat4 ,in the rocks they discovered ores of gold1 silver and copper4 ,of the gold ore ,nephi was commanded of the ,lord to make plates on which to keep the records of his people4 ,the description given by ,nephi of the region where the colony landed exactly corresponds with what we know of the country now called ,chili2 and it was on its coast1 the ,prophet ,joseph ,smith informs us1 that the ,nephites landed1 and there they established their first homes4 ,chili is favored with one of the finest and healthiest climates in the world4 ,the soil is exceedingly fertile1 and the productions of both hemispheres seem to thrive equally well there4 ,the most delicious fruit grows in abundance--the apple1 peach1 grape1 strawberry1 etc4 ,its forests are magnificent1 and furnish many kinds of beautiful wood4 ,the grass1 in its rich meadow pastures1 is often so tall and luxuriant as to hide the cattle grazing amongst it4 ,chili also possesses valuable mines1 especially of gold1 silver1 copper and coal4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,first ,,sacrifice ,,on ,,the ,,promised ,,land4 ,the people of ,lehi were so few in number that they were a quiet and solemn race1 with few amusements1 but with an oppressing sense of the vastness of the land which they occupied1 and of their own insignificance4 ,nor was there entire peace amongst them1 for ,laman and ,lemuel1 with others1 were still fractious and turbulent4 ,in course of time ,lehi felt that his earthly life was near its close1 for he was aged and in failing health4 ,so he called to him his sons and daughters and the other members of his colony1 and blessed them in the same manner as his forefather ,jacob blessed his family before he died4 ,lehi also prophesied many things that should happen to his posterity after him1 for he was possessed of much of the ,spirit of the ,lord4 ,after he had done this he died and was buried4 ,lehi appears to have taken great pleasure in the knowledge that he was a descendant of that ,joseph who was sold by his brethren1 and afterwards carried into ,egypt4 ,in the blessing that he pronounced upon his own son ,joseph1 ,lehi quotes largely from the prophecies of the former ,joseph2 prophecies which are nowhere given us1 except in the ,book of ,mormon4 ,from them we learn that this mighty son of ,jacob was greatly favored of the ,lord in having revealed to him much that related to the future of his father's house1 especially to his own posterity4 ,he saw the days of ,moses and the work that that prophet performed2 he saw ,lehi's day and his work1 and1 more interesting to us than all1 he saw the establishment of the kingdom of ,god in our day4 ,he was told that the prophet whom the ,lord would raise up to be the leader of ,god's people in the latter days would be of his seed1 and the name of this prophet1 and that of his father also1 would be the same as his--that is1 it would be ,joseph4 ,many other events of great moment that are even now taking place1 were also made manifest to him by the ,lord4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,the ,,nephites ,,and ,,lamanites ,,separate--,,the ,,nephites ,,seek ,a ,,new ,,home--,,nephi ,,chosen ,,king--,,he ,,builds ,a ,,temple--,,instructs ,,his ,,people ,,in ,,the ,,arts ,,of ,,peace--,,war ,,with ,,the ,,lamanites--,,the ,,sword ,,of ,,laban--,,nephi',s ,,death--,,jacob1 ,,his ,,brother1 ,,becomes ,,the ,,chief ,,priest--,,jacob',s ,,teachings ,,on ,,marriage4 7,,ii4 ,,nephi ,,chap4 #e ,,to ,,jacob1 ,,chap4 #d47 ,scarcely was ,lehi buried than fresh trouble arose4 ,laman and ,lemuel1 with their friends1 would not be led by ,nephi4 ,they asserted that they were the elder brothers and theirs was the right to rule4 ,they would not recognize ,nephi's authority1 though they knew that ,god had appointed him to be their leader4 ,so1 by the command of ,heaven1 the two parties separated4 ,nephi1 and those who would listen to him1 moved away1 and left those who clung to ,laman in possession of their first home4 ,those who went with ,nephi were his own family1 ,zoram1 ,sam1 ,jacob and ,joseph1 and their families1 and some others whose names the ,book of ,mormon does not give4 ,henceforth those who belonged to this branch of ,lehi's house were known as ,nephites1 after ,nephi1 their leader2 while those who remained with ,laman were called ,lamanites4 ,the condition of the ,lamanites was now pitiable2 they had cut themselves off from the presence of the ,lord1 the ,priesthood was withdrawn from them1 the records and scriptures were beyond their grasp4 ,hatred and malice reigned supreme in their souls2 they had no inclination for the arts of peace2 they were restless1 cunning and idle1 whilst they sought in the wilderness the food necessary to sustain life4 ,already the curse of ,god was falling upon them4 ,lest they should appear pleasant to ,nephite eyes1 their fair and beautiful skins grew dark and repulsive1 their habits became loathsome and filthy1 and the same skin of darkness came upon the children of all those who intermarried with them4 ,the ,nephites called the new country in which they made their homes the land of ,nephi4 ,there1 ,nephi by the wish of the people1 became their king1 though this step was contrary to his own feelings4 ,so greatly was he beloved by his subjects that when he died the people called the next king1 ,nephi the second1 the next1 ,nephi the third1 and so on4 ,all the kings were thus called ,nephi1 in the same way as all the monarchs of ancient ,egypt were ,pharaohs1 and the emperors of modern ,russia are ,tzars4 ,one of the first things that ,nephi and his people did in their new home was to build a temple4 ,this showed great faith and courage on the part of so small a community4 ,and their faith and courage triumphed1 for the temple was finished4 ,it was built after the manner of ,solomon's ,temple in ,jerusalem1 but it was not so large1 so costly1 or so grand4 ,yet it was a magnificent edifice to be erected by a people so few in number4 ,here the ,nephites offered burnt offerings according to the law of ,moses1 which they strictly observed2 and ,nephi consecrated ,jacob and ,joseph to be priests1 to officiate therein4 ,nephi not only built a temple1 but he taught his people to be industrious and thrifty1 honest and virtuous4 ,he caused them to build dwellings and other edifices1 and to work in wood1 iron1 copper1 brass1 steel1 silver and gold2 for there was a great abundance of precious ores in the land in which they now dwelt4 ,nephi still retained possession of the sword of ,laban2 and1 taking it as a pattern1 he made many swords for his people to use in their own defense should they be attacked by the ,lamanites4 ,this precaution proved a very wise one1 for in less than forty years from the time that ,lehi left ,jerusalem the ,lamanites had followed up the ,nephites and commenced war upon them4 ,but the ,lamanites were not successful1 for ,nephi1 wielding the sword of ,laban with his own hands1 led his people to battle and drove back the invaders4 ,when fifty-five years had passed away ,nephi handed the small plates which he had made to his brother ,jacob1 that he might keep the sacred records thereon4 ,sometime after1 how long we are not told1 ,nephi anointed another man to be king over his people2 and then1 having grown old1 he died4 ,great was the love of the people for ,nephi4 ,he had been their prophet1 priest and king2 father1 friend and guide2 protector1 teacher and leader2 next to ,god1 their all in all4 ,he labored diligently all the days of his life to teach the people to serve ,god1 to believe in ,christ1 to keep the laws of heaven1 and to be and to do all that ,god's holy law required4 ,in all these labors his brother ,jacob nobly aided him4 ,when ,nephi died ,jacob became the chief religious teacher of the people4 ,he was a man of much faith and diligence1 and received the word of the ,lord from time to time in great fullness1 as the church needed4 ,we know but little of what occurred among the ,nephites in ,jacob's time4 ,the people1 however1 appear in some respects to have fallen into sin4 ,they had grown in worldly pride1 and devoted far too much of their time and energies to the search for wealth4 ,by reason of their isolated position1 and because the ,jews1 their forefathers1 had abused the principle of plural marriage1 the people of ,lehi had been commanded that each man should have but one wife4 ,some of them did not heed this special law1 but took other wives1 not only without ,god's sanction1 but entirely contrary to his express command4 ,indeed they committed other grievous sins1 excusing themselves therefor by quoting the actions of ,king ,david1 and ,solomon1 his son4 ,at this the ,lord was greatly displeased1 and he instructed ,jacob to reprove them sharply4 ,this he did in the temple4 ,he re-affirmed the law that the ,nephites of that age should have only one wife2 but added1 in the name of the ,lord of ,hosts1 that if he 7,god7 wanted to raise up a holy seed to himself1 he would command his people4 ,this we have reason to believe1 from reading the ,book of ,mormon1 he afterwards did1 though we find therein no direct statement on the matter4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,the ,,condition ,,of ,,the ,,lamanites--,,sherem1 ,,the ,,first ,,anti-,,christ--,,his ,,recantation ,,and ,,dreadful ,,end4 7,,jacob1 ,,chap4 #c ,,to #g47 ,whilst the early ,nephites were polygamists1 and1 unfortunately for them1 unrighteous ones1 the ,lamanites were monogamists1 which form of marriage they appear to have ever after retained4 ,one phase of ,lamanite character1 originating1 doubtless1 in their ,israelitish ancestry1 is worthy of our praise4 ,it was the great strength of their domestic affections1 their love for their wives and their kindness to their families4 ,as we shall have to refer so often to their vices1 we must1 in justice to them1 here insert the description of their virtues given by ,jacob1 the son of ,lehi4 ,he says1 ,behold1 their husbands love their wives1 and their wives love their husbands2 and their husbands and wives love their children2 and their unbelief and their hatred towards you1 is because of the iniquity of their fathers4 ,nor is there anything in this incompatible with the ferocity of their character or their blood-thirstiness in war4 ,in the earlier ages of the ,lamanite nationality1 rigid chastity was observed by the men as well as by the women4 ,indeed1 it may be said that while they manifested most of the prominent vices of semi-barbarous people1 they also possessed the virtues that such races1 uncorrupted by a more luxurious mode of life1 generally show4 ,nor would it be consistent1 nor historically true1 to give one general description and apply it to the whole ,lamanite race1 for as their numbers increased the state of society amongst them grew more complex1 and we read of different grades of civilization in their midst4 ,it must not be forgotten that the ,lamanites occupied a much wider extent of country than did the ,nephites4 ,in this vast area were found people who dwelt in cities and cultivated the arts to the extent generally found amongst races of the same grade and characteristics4 ,whilst others1 degraded in life and habits1 roamed in the wilderness1 building no houses1 forming no permanent abiding places1 but wandering from place to place1 and depending for food and clothing upon the animals they caught in the chase1 the fishes that abounded in the waters1 and whatever they could steal from the hated ,nephites1 or indeed of their somewhat more highly civilized fellow-countrymen4 ,it was in the days of ,jacob that the first ,nephite ,anti-,christ appeared4 ,his name was ,sherem4 ,he openly and unblushingly taught that there would be no ,christ and that there was no necessity for an atonement4 ,he was a type of many who came after1 and a well fitted instrument for his evil work4 ,bland in manners1 fluent of speech1 much given to flattery1 and withal1 well versed in the learning of the ,nephites1 he1 by his sophistries1 led many astray4 ,his success fired his zeal and filled him with conceit4 ,he actually sought to convert to his views ,jacob1 the prophet and presiding priest of the church1 a man rich in wisdom1 and the recipient of many divine revelations2 one indeed who had oft-times seen angels and heard the voice of the ,lord4 ,in the interview that occurred between these two widely differing men1 ,sherem charged that ,jacob had changed the law of ,moses1 which was the right way1 into the worship of a being whom ,jacob said should come many hundred years hence4 ,he added1 ,now behold1 ,i1 ,sherem1 declare unto you1 that this is blasphemy2 for no man knoweth of these things2 for he cannot tell of things to come4 ,thus he denied prophecy1 styled good evil1 and exalted error in the place of truth4 ,jacob1 being filled with the ,spirit of ,god1 confounded his arguments1 brought forward the testimony of the scriptures1 and proved that the very law of ,moses1 on which he lay so much stress1 was from beginning to end but the type and foreshadowing of the more perfect law of the ,christ who should come4 ,beaten in his arguments1 ,sherem fell back upon that almost universal refuge of the false teacher4 ,he defiantly called for a sign4 ,a sign was given him4 ,the power of ,god came upon him and he fell stricken to the ground4 ,for many days he was nourished1 but ineffectually4 ,he himself perceived that death was approaching1 and with this perception gathered in his soul all the fears and horrors of an apostate's doom4 ,but before his death he called the people to him and confessed his iniquity4 ,he denied the things he had taught1 he confessed the ,christ and the power of the ,holy ,ghost1 and the ministering of angels4 ,he avowed that he had been deceived by the power of the devil1 and bitterly bewailed his condition2 as the fear that he had committed the unpardonable sin1 in denying the ,savior1 weighed his soul down to hell4 ,having made these small amends for his past iniquities1 he could say no more1 and gave up the ghost4 ,when the people who had gathered to hear his last words1 witnessed the terrors of his death1 they were softened in their hearts1 the power of ,god rested upon them1 and they fell to the earth4 ,the corrupt weeds he had sown in their hearts had withered1 the truth had been vindicated1 the cause of the ,savior extolled1 and peace and the love of ,god were restored again among the people4 ,thus was this apostasy eradicated1 and ,god glorified2 the ,nephites of that generation from that time searching the scriptures and cleaving unto the truth4 ,when ,jacob grew old he gave the sacred records to the keeping of his son ,enos4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,enos1 ,,the ,,son ,,of ,,jacob--,,the ,,nephites ,,and ,,lamanites ,,of ,,his ,,day--,,his ,,testimony ,,and ,,prophecies4 7,,book ,,of ,,enos47 ,in the days of ,enos the struggle still continued between the ,nephites and ,lamanites4 ,the latter seem to have made it the business of their lives to harass and annoy their more peaceful brethren4 ,their hatred was fixed4 ,they swore in their wrath that if it were possible they would destroy the ,nephites1 and also their records1 that they might no longer be compelled to listen to their warnings1 or be annoyed by their appeals for peace and friendship4 ,the picture that ,enos draws of the degradation into which the ,lamanites had fallen at this early day is a very pitiable one4 ,he says they were led by their evil nature that they became wild and ferocious1 and a blood-thirsty people1 full of idolatry and filthiness1 feeding upon beasts of prey1 dwelling in tents1 and wandering about in the wilderness with a short skin girdle about their loins1 and their heads shaven2 and their skill was in the bow1 and in the cimeter1 and the axe4 ,and many of them did eat nothing save it was raw meat4 ,this last named practice they seem to have inherited from their fathers in the wilderness4 ,on the other hand1 the ,nephites at this time were a rural1 pastoral people1 rich in grain and fruits1 flocks1 and herds4 ,they were industrious in their habits1 and committed but few serious offenses4 ,they observed the law of ,moses1 but were lacking in faith1 hard to understand gospel principles1 way-ward and stiff-necked4 ,the terrors of the word had to be sounded in their unwilling ears more often than the gentler strains of gospel invitation4 ,enos was one of the most zealous servants of the ,lord who ministered and prophesied to the early ,nephites4 ,as the son of ,jacob1 he succeeded his father in the sacred offices of priest and historian4 ,he appears to have inherited his father's faith1 gentleness and devotion4 ,of his personal life we have no particulars1 but it is evident that he was a very aged man at the time of his death4 ,his father ,jacob was the elder of the two sons born to ,lehi in the ,arabian wilderness1 between the years #fjj and #eij before ,christ2 let us place the event about #eid ,b4 ,c4 ,enos1 in closing his record1 states that one hundred and seventy-nine years had passed since ,lehi left ,jerusalem4 ,supposing ,enos was born when ,jacob was thirty years old1 it would make his age one hundred and forty-three years at the date of his writing4 ,but we have no direct statement either of his birth or the exact time of his death2 all we know is that when he left this earth he gave the records and the other sacred things into the hands of his son ,jarom4 ,one incident in the life of ,enos is given us which is very interesting4 ,it affords a deep insight into the purity and strength of his character4 ,on one occasion when he went into the forest to hunt1 his whole soul was filled with thoughts of the prophecies and teachings of his devout father1 and he greatly hungered for more light regarding eternal things4 ,in this fitting frame of mind1 surrounded by the solitudes of the forest1 he bowed before the ,lord1 and in prayers long and fervent1 sought his face4 ,all day long he raised his voice to heaven1 and when the night came he did not cease4 ,at last his steadfast faith and godly yearnings prevailed4 ,there came a heavenly voice of comfort to his heart1 saying3 ,enos1 thy sins are forgiven thee1 thou shalt be blessed4 ,lord1 how is it done8 he anxiously asked4 ,the answer came3 ,because of thy faith in ,christ1 whom thou hast never before heard nor seen4 ,and many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh2 wherefore1 go to1 thy faith hath made thee whole4 ,enos continued struggling with the ,lord for promises in behalf of both the ,nephites and ,lamanites4 ,he received many precious assurances of things yet to be2 amongst others1 that the ,lord would preserve the holy records and bring them forth unto the ,lamanites in his own due time4 ,of these things ,enos gladly testified to the people1 prophesying of the mighty events yet in the future1 and bearing record of that which he had both seen and heard4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,jarom--,,omni--,,amaron--,,chemish--,, abinadom--,,amaleki--,,mosiah--,,review ,,of ,,nephite ,,history ,,for ,,four ,,hundred ,,years4 7,,books ,,of ,,jarom ,,and ,,omni47 ,the days of the prophet ,jarom were neither few nor unimportant4 ,during the sixty years that he had charge of the holy things 7,b4 ,c4 #dbb to ,b4 ,c4 #cfb7 the ,nephites may be said to have grown from a powerful tribe to a wealthy1 though not as yet very numerous1 nation4 ,indeed1 their numbers were far from being equal to those of the wild and blood-thirsty ,lamanites4 ,the latter1 like their descendants of today1 spent their time almost exclusively in the chase of wild animals and in war2 yet1 notwithstanding their vigorous and repeated onslaughts1 the age of ,jarom was to the ,nephites one of marked progress in the arts of peace4 ,they ceased to be entirely a pastoral people4 ,they gave much attention to the adornment of their homes and public buildings with fine and curious work in wood and metal4 ,agriculture and manufacture received a new impetus by the invention of various labor-saving machines1 implements and tools4 ,their safety from successful attack from the ,lamanites was also measurably secured by the introduction of more perfect weapons of war1 and the development of a rude system of fortification1 sufficient1 however1 to protect their cities and settlements from the means of attack at the command of their foes4 ,though the ,nephites of this age were stiff-necked and perverse1 requiring the constant warnings of prophets to keep them from backsliding1 yet the pervading tone of their society was simple and unaffected1 and the people were generally industrious1 honest and moral4 ,they neither blasphemed nor profaned the holy name of the ,deity1 they kept sacred the ,sabbath day1 and strictly observed the law of ,moses4 ,their prophets1 priests and teachers not only instructed them in this law1 but also expounded the intent for which it was given1 and while so doing1 directed their minds to the coming of the ,messiah1 in whom they taught the people to believe as though he had already come4 ,these pointed and constant teachings preserved the ,nephites from destruction1 by softening their hearts and bringing them to repentance1 when war1 wealth or pride had exerted its baneful influences4 ,shortly before ,jarom died he delivered the sacred plates to his son ,omni4 ,omni kept them for about forty-four years and then handed them to his son ,amaron2 who in turn transferred them to his brother ,chemish4 ,chemish1 when his end drew near1 placed them in the hands of his son ,abinadom1 who afterwards gave them in charge of his son ,amaleki4 ,it is very little that we know of the history of the ,nephites from the death of ,jarom to the time of ,amaleki1 a period of about one hundred and fifty years4 ,the political records of the nation were engraved on other plates1 which were kept by the kings1 and as there was little that the ecclesiastical historians felt it necessary to write beyond what ,nephi and ,jacob had written1 their records are very short4 ,from what little we can glean from these writings it is evident that during this era the ,nephites had frequent wars with the ,lamanites1 in many of which they suffered severely4 ,the ,lord permitted these wild sons of the wilderness to be a constant scourge to the people of ,nephi when they turned away from him2 and we fear that the seasons were not unfrequent when they had to be reminded of their duty in this terrible way4 ,it also seems probable that1 to avoid the constant incursions of the warriors of the house of ,laman1 the ,nephites had more than once forsaken their homes and retired farther northward into the wilderness4 ,we judge this from the fact that in the days of ,amaleki1 the land of ,nephi appears to have been in or near the region we call ,ecuador1 a country far distant from the place where ,lehi's colony first landed2 and it is scarcely consistent with the narrative of the ,book of ,mormon to believe that ,nephi and his little band1 when they first separated from their brethren1 made a journey of so many hundreds of miles before they established their homes4 ,then the very fact that the ,lamanites almost immediately began to harass them in the new land which they occupied is strong evidence that their first removal was not so distant but that these enemies could1 without great difficulty1 reach them1 a thing that would have been almost impossible if they had gone directly to the far distant region of ,ecuador4 ,we now come to the days of the first ,mosiah4 ,but before relating the story of his life and reign we will briefly summarize what we know of the history of the ,nephites during the first four hundred years of their national existence4 ,they were governed by kings who were the direct descendants of ,nephi4 ,these kings were1 as a rule1 righteous men and wise rulers4 ,the law of ,moses was strictly observed1 and other good and just laws were enacted to regulate those matters which the ,mosaic laws did not touch4 ,the ,nephites multiplied greatly1 and also grew exceedingly rich in the wealth of this world2 while their artisans and mechanics were very expert in the arts and manufactures4 ,they also spread abroad on the face of the land of ,nephi and were much scattered4 ,the ,lamanites followed them from the land of their first possession1 and were constantly harassing them by incursions and invasions1 which led to numerous and bloody wars4 ,these were sometimes very disastrous to the ,nephites4 ,spiritually1 the ,nephites had many seasons of faithfulness to ,god when they listened to and obeyed the words of his prophets2 and1 unfortunately1 they had also many seasons of apostasy1 at which times the judgments of ,god fell upon them2 the ,lamanites being often used by him as a sharp instrument to bring them to repentance and reformation4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,causes ,,that ,,led ,,to ,,the ,,migration ,,from ,,the ,,land ,,of ,,nephi--,,the ,,people ,,of ,,zarahemla--,,mulek ,,and ,,his ,,colony--,,the ,,fusion ,,of ,,the ,,two ,,nations--,,mosiah ,,made ,,king--,,his ,,happy ,,reign4 7,,book ,,of ,,omni47 ,mosiah resided in the land of ,nephi1 and lived there as near as we can discover during the latter half of the third century before ,christ4 ,whether he was originally a prophet1 priest1 or king1 the historian 7,amaleki7 does not inform us4 ,most certainly he was a righteous man1 for the ,lord made choice of him to guide the obedient ,nephites from their native country to a land that he would show them4 ,the causes that led the ,lord to make this call upon the ,nephites are not stated1 but some of them can be easily surmised4 ,amongst such we suggest that3 ,the aggressive ,lamanites were constantly crowding upon them1 ravaging their more remote districts1 entrapping and enslaving the inhabitants of the outlying settlements1 driving off their flocks and herds1 and keeping them in a constant state of anxiety and dread1 which hindered their progress and stayed the growth of the work of ,god4 ,the ,lord therefore led them to a land of peace4 ,again1 this course of events1 continued for so long a period1 had caused much hard-heartedness and stiff-neckedness in the midst of the ,nephites4 ,some of the people had remained righteous1 some had grown very wicked4 ,to separate these classes the ,lord called the faithful and obedient to follow ,mosiah to another land4 ,for a third reason3 there was a portion of the house of ,israel1 a few hundred miles to the north1 entirely unknown to their ,nephite brethren4 ,these people had sunk very low in true civilization2 they were so degraded that they denied the being of their ,creator1 they had had many wars and contentions among themselves2 they had corrupted their language1 had no records nor scriptures1 and were altogether in a deplorable condition4 ,to save and regenerate this branch of ,god's covenant people1 ,mosiah and his people were led to the place where they dwelt4 ,few are the words and brief is the statement made by ,amaleki regarding this great migration under ,mosiah4 ,we are altogether left to our imagination to picture the scenes that occurred at this division of a nation4 ,imagine the conflict that perplexed many a heart between the appeals of love and faith1 between duty and affection1 when the old homes had to be deserted1 when families had to be parted1 and the one stern1 uncompromising feeling of duty to the right and devotion to ,god had to be the all-controlling sentiment4 ,nor can we tell how many1 preferring home1 kindred and friends1 and the endearments and associations of their native land1 faltered and tarried behind1 whilst the faithful started on their journey northward into the untrodden wilderness4 ,nor are we told what afterwards became of those who allowed the allurements of the world to prevail4 ,it is most probable that they united with the ,lamanites1 were absorbed into that race1 and1 like them1 became darkened1 blood-thirsty and savage4 ,neither do we know the proportion to the whole population of those who left with ,mosiah and those who stayed behind4 ,the ,nephite evacuation of the cities built in the land of ,nephi no doubt had a beneficial effect on those portions of the ,lamanite race that took possession of them4 ,they thereby became acquainted with some of the comforts and excellencies of civilization1 and1 though very slow to learn1 their experience at this time laid the foundation for a slight advance of the arts of peace in their midst1 and from this time we read of two classes of this people1 the one living in cities1 the other roaming in the wilderness4 ,mosiah gathered up the willing and obedient and1 as directed by the ,lord1 started on the journey4 ,whither they were going they understood not1 only they knew that the ,lord was leading them4 ,like their forefathers under ,moses1 when in the wilderness of ,sinai1 they were taught continually by the word of ,jehovah and were led by his arm4 ,with preachings and prophesyings they crossed the wilderness and passed down into the land of ,zarahemla4 ,on the west bank of the river ,sidon the people of ,mosiah found a populous city of whose existence they had never before heard4 ,its people were a semi-civilized and irreligious race1 speaking a strange language1 and with many habits and customs different from those of the new comers4 ,the meeting must have been a perplexing one to both people4 ,heretofore both had considered themselves the owners of the whole continent4 ,now they were brought face to face1 but unable to understand each other by reason of their different modes of speech4 ,we often read in history of the irruption of an inferior or more barbarous race into the domains of one more highly civilized1 but it is seldom1 as in this case1 that the superior race moves in a body1 occupies the country1 and unites with the less enlightened people4 ,it is probable that the first feelings of the old settlers were akin to awe and dismay as they learned of the hosts of the invaders that were marching upon them2 but these feelings were soon soothed and an understanding arrived at by which the two people became one nation4 ,though the ,book of ,mormon gives us no details on this point1 we are forced to the conclusion that this arrangement could not have been effected without the direct interposition of heaven1 by and through which both people were brought to a united purpose and common understanding4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,jews ,,led ,,away ,,to ,,captivity4 ,when the ,nephites began to comprehend the language of their new fellow citizens1 they found that they were the descendants of a colony which had been led from ,jerusalem by the hand of the ,lord in the year that that city was destroyed by the king of ,babylon 7say ,b4 ,c4 #ehi74 ,in that little colony was a child named ,mulek3 he was the only son of king ,zedekiah who had escaped the fury of the ,babylonish monarch4 ,after wandering in the wilderness1 they were brought across the great waters and landed in the southern portion of the ,north ,american continent1 and in after years moved southward to the place where they were discovered by ,mosiah and his people4 ,at this time their king or ruler was named ,zarahemla 7about ,b4 ,c4 #bjj74 ,he was a descendant of ,mulek1 and consequently of the tribe of ,judah and of the house of ,david4 ,the reason assigned for their departure from the worship of the true ,god1 their degradation and the corruption of their language1 was that their forefathers brought from their ancient home in ,palestine no records or copies of the holy scriptures to guide and preserve them from error in their isolated land of adoption4 ,when the two races joined1 it was decided that ,mosiah should be the king of the united people1 though the ,nephites were then the less numerous4 ,this arrangement probably grew out of the fact that though less in numbers they were the most civilized1 and being worshipers of the ,god of ,israel they would not willingly submit to be ruled by those who had no knowledge of his laws4 ,the education of the people of ,zarahemla to the standard of the ,nephites1 and the work of harmonizing the two races1 were not the task of an hour4 ,it required much wisdom1 patience and faith4 ,mosiah gave stability to the new kingdom by his own virtues and wise example1 by the just laws he established1 and by placing the service of the ,lord before all earthly considerations4 ,it is evident that he built a temple in the new land1 as its existence is particularly mentioned in the days of his son1 king ,benjamin1 and as the people observed the law of ,moses in the matter of sacrifices and offerings1 a temple would be one of the very first necessities to enable them to carry out the requirements of their religion4 ,but to the forms1 types1 shadows and ceremonies of the ,mosaic law were added gospel principles1 with a clear and definite understanding of the coming and divine work of the ,messiah1 all of which is very evident in the instructions given to their subjects by ,mosiah's two successors4 ,mosiah was not only a divinely inspired leader and king1 but he was also a seer4 ,whilst reigning in ,zarahemla a large engraved stone was brought to him1 and by the gift and power of ,god he translated the engravings thereon4 ,they gave an account of the rise1 fall and destruction of the great ,jaredite nation1 from the days of its founders1 who came out from the ,tower of ,babel1 to the time of their last king1 ,coriantumr1 who himself was discovered by the people of ,zarahemla and lived with them nine moons4 ,when ,mosiah died he was succeeded by his son ,benjamin4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,the ,,reign ,,of ,,king ,,benjamin--,,the ,,progress ,,of ,,his ,,people--,,his ,,last ,,great ,,speech--,,he ,,establishes ,,the ,,church ,,of ,,christ--,,all ,,the ,,people ,,covenant ,,with ,,god--,,mosiah ,,ii4 ,,anointed ,,king4 7,,mosiah ,,chap4 #a ,,to #f47 ,a mighty man in the midst of ,israel was ,benjamin1 the son of ,mosiah4 ,blessed were the people over whom he reigned1 for he governed them in righteousness1 and for their welfare he labored with all the might of his body and every faculty of his soul4 ,holy and pure in his individual life1 he was ministered to by angels1 and was the frequent recipient of revelations from on high4 ,the reign of ,benjamin was a long one2 he died at a very advanced age4 ,some time during this period1 the aggressive ,lamanites1 not content with occupying the land of ,nephi1 actually followed the ,nephites into the land of ,zarahemla and invaded that also4 ,the war was a bloody one4 ,king ,benjamin led his forces1 armed with the historic sword of ,laban1 7which appears to have been handed down from monarch to monarch from the days that ,nephi first wielded it17 and with his own strong arm slew many of the enemy4 ,benjamin was ultimately successful in driving the invading hosts out of all the regions occupied by his people1 with a loss to the ,lamanites of many thousand warriors slain4 ,the reign of ,benjamin was also troubled with various religious impostors1 false ,christs1 pretended prophets1 etc41 who caused apostasy and dissensions among the people1 much to the sorrow of the good king4 ,however1 by the aid of some of the many righteous men who dwelt in his dominions1 he exposed the heresies1 made manifest the falsity of the claims of the self-styled ,messiahs and prophets1 and restored unity of faith and worship among his subjects2 and where these innovators had broken the civil law1 they were arraigned1 tried1 and punished by that law4 ,it must not be forgotten that freedom of conscience was absolutely protected among the ,nephites1 and even the civil law was administered with great mercy in the days of these kings4 ,in his last great speech to his people1 ,benjamin reminded them of the justice and clemency with which he had caused the law to be administered1 how none of them had been arbitrarily cast into prison or otherwise punished1 but only for actual proven violations of the law4 ,he also reminded them how he1 their king1 had labored with his own hands to defray the expenses of royalty1 in order that they might not be ground down by excessive taxation4 ,no wonder that he was so greatly loved and his name held in such high reverence by his people4 ,recorded history scarcely affords such another instance of kingly humility and regard for the welfare of his people4 ,we may presume that the original inhabitants of ,zarahemla1 just awakening to a newness of religious life1 were particularly subject to the influences brought to bear by impostors4 ,they had but lately learned the mysteries of the plan of salvation and of the coming of the ,messiah to dwell among men4 ,the glory and beauty of this ,divine advent filled their new-born souls with joyous hope4 ,looking forward for the arrival of that happy day1 with their first love undiminished and their zeal unslackened1 they were especially open to the deception of those who cried1 ,lo1 the ,christ is come6 or1 ,behold1 a great prophet hath arisen6 ,to this peculiar phase of spiritual condition in the midst of the lately consolidated races in the land of ,zarahemla1 we may attribute the frequency with which false prophets troubled the reign of ,benjamin4 ,there was another class who1 moved by the spirit of unrest1 were a source of perplexity to the king4 ,they were those who1 having left the land of ,nephi with the righteous1 still permitted their thoughts and affections to be drawn toward their former homes and old associations4 ,like ,lot's wife1 these ,nephites were ever longing for that which they had left behind4 ,the natural consequence was that they were constantly agitating the idea of organizing expeditions to visit their old homes4 ,the first of these that actually started1 of which we have an account1 was led by an austere and blood-thirsty man4 ,when they approached the land of ,nephi1 a great dissension arose in the company4 ,the leader and some others desired to attack1 and if possible1 destroy the ,lamanite inhabitants1 but others1 seeing that there was good amongst them1 desired to make a treaty with them4 ,this division of feeling led to a disastrous battle1 in which the members of the expedition fought against each other with such fury that they ceased not to contend until all were slain except fifty men1 who1 in shame and sorrow1 returned to ,zarahemla to recount the miserable end of their venture4 ,yet some remained unsatisfied1 they were still over-zealous to inherit the land of their forefathers1 and1 under the leadership of a man named ,zeniff1 another company started on the ill-advised journey4 ,nothing was heard from them while ,benjamin reigned4 ,when king ,benjamin was well stricken with years1 the ,lord directed him to consecrate his son ,mosiah as his successor on the ,nephite throne4 ,feeling that age was impairing his energies he directed his son to gather the people together at the temple that had been erected in ,zarahemla1 and he would then give them his parting instructions4 7,b4 ,c4 #abe47 ,agreeable to this call the people gathered at the temple1 but so numerous had they grown that it was too small to hold them4 ,they also brought with them the firstlings of their flocks that they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings according to the ,mosaic law4 ,as the assembled thousands could not get inside the temple they pitched their tents by families1 every one with its door towards the building1 and the king had a tower erected near the temple from which he spake4 ,the teachings of king ,benjamin at these meetings were some of the most divine and glorious ever uttered by man4 ,he preached to them the pure principles of the gospel--the duties which men owe to their ,god and to their fellows4 ,he also told them how he had been visited by an angel1 and what wondrous things that angel had shown him concerning the coming of the ,god of ,israel to dwell with men in the flesh4 ,so great were the things that this angel revealed and king ,benjamin repeated to the people that we think it best to give his own words4 ,they are3 ,for behold the time cometh1 and is not far distant1 that with power1 the ,lord ,omnipotent1 who reigneth1 who was1 and is from all eternity to all eternity1 shall come down from heaven1 among the children of men1 and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay1 and shall go forth amongst men1 working mighty miracles1 such as healing the sick1 raising the dead1 causing the lame to walk1 the blind to receive their sight and the deaf to hear1 and curing all manner of diseases4 ,and he shall cast out devils1 or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men4 ,and lo1 he shall suffer temptations1 and pain of body1 hunger1 thirst and fatigue1 even more than men can suffer1 except it be unto death2 for behold1 blood cometh from every pore1 so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people4 ,and he shall be called ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of ,god1 the ,father of heaven and earth1 the ,creator of all things1 from the beginning2 and his mother shall be called ,mary4 ,and lo1 he cometh unto his own1 that salvation might come unto the children of men1 even through faith on his name2 and even after all this they shall consider him a man1 and say that he hath a devil and shall scourge him and shall crucify him4 ,and he shall rise the third day from the dead2 and behold he standeth to judge the world2 and behold all these things are done1 that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of men4 ,when ,benjamin had made an end of speaking the words which had been delivered to him by the angel1 he observed that the power of his testimony had so worked upon the ,nephites that they1 in the deep sense of their own unworthiness1 had fallen to the ground4 ,and they cried out confessing their faith in the coming ,messiah1 and pleading that through his atoning blood they might receive the forgiveness of their sins1 and that their hearts might be purified4 ,after they had lifted their deep-felt cry to heaven1 the ,spirit of the ,lord came down upon them1 and because of their exceeding faith they received a remission of their sins4 ,their inspired ruler then continued his discourse4 ,he enlarged therein on the truths of the atonement and other soul-saving doctrines4 ,having finished his address he sent amongst his hearers to know if they believed and accepted the heavenly truths he had been teaching4 ,great was his joy when he found that they not only believed1 but1 because of the workings of the ,spirit of the ,lord in their hearts1 they knew of their truth4 ,still more1 the ,holy ,spirit had wrought such a change within them that they had no more disposition to do evil1 but to do good continually4 ,the visions of eternity were opened to their minds1 their souls were filled with the spirit of prophecy1 they longed to serve the ,lord with undivided hearts1 and declared themselves willing to make a covenant with him to keep his commandments and do his will the remainder of their days4 ,the king then gave them a new name1 because of the covenant they desired to make1 which thing he had greatly desired4 ,the name they were to bear for ever after was the name of ,christ1 which should never be blotted out except through transgression4 ,thus was established the first ,christian church in ,zarahemla 7,b4 ,c4 #abe71 for every soul who heard these teachings 7except the very little children who could not understand7 entered into this sacred covenant with ,god1 which most of them faithfully observed4 ,king ,benjamin's truly royal work was now done4 ,he had lived to bring his people into communion with their ,creator1 his spirit was full of heavenly joy1 but his body trembled under the weight of many years4 ,so before he dismissed the multitude he consecrated his son ,mosiah to be their king1 appointed priests to instruct the people in the ways of the ,lord1 and1 with his patriarchal blessing1 dismissed his subjects4 ,then according to their respective families they all departed for their own homes4 ,mosiah now reigned in his father's stead1 whilst ,benjamin1 beloved and honored1 remained yet another three years on the earth before he returned to the presence of his ,father in heaven4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,zeniff ,,returns ,,to ,,the ,,land ,,of ,,nephi--,,his ,,treaty ,,with ,,the ,,lamanites--,,the ,,prosperity ,,of ,,the ,,people ,,of ,,zeniff--,,the ,,treaty ,,broken--,,war--,,peace ,,and ,,wars ,,again--,,the ,,death ,,of ,,zeniff--,,noah',s ,,wicked ,,reign--,,his ,,wars ,,with ,,the ,,lamanites--,,the ,,prophet ,,abinadi--,,his ,,terrible ,,message ,,of ,,god',s ,,wrath--,,he ,,is ,,martyred--,,alma--,,he ,,pleads ,,for ,,abinadi--,,is ,,cast ,,out--,,flees ,,to ,,the ,,place ,,of ,,mormon4 7,,mosiah ,,chap4 #g ,,to #ah47 ,before proceeding with the story of king ,mosiah's reign1 we will return to the land of ,nephi1 and learn how matters are progressing there4 ,it will be recollected that during the reign of king ,benjamin a company started from ,zarahemla to return to the old home of the ,nephites4 ,their leader's name was ,zeniff4 ,what became of him and them was a question that was never answered during ,benjamin's lifetime4 ,zeniff and his people1 having left ,zarahemla1 traveled southward towards the land of ,nephi4 ,the blessings of the ,lord were not greatly with them1 for they did not seek him nor strive to do his will4 ,in the wilderness they lost their way1 and suffered from famine and many afflictions2 but after many days they reached the neighborhood of the city of ,lehi-,nephi1 the former home of their race4 ,here ,zeniff chose four of his company1 and accompanied by them went to the king of the ,lamanites4 ,this monarch received them with the appearance of kindness4 ,he made a treaty with them1 and gave them the lands of ,lehi-,nephi and ,shilom to dwell in4 ,he also caused his own people to remove out of these cities and the surrounding country that ,zeniff's people might have full possession4 ,the king of the ,lamanites was in reality not as friendly as he pretended to be4 ,his object was to get the industrious ,nephites to settle in the midst of his people1 then by his superior numbers to make them his slaves2 for his own subjects were a lazy1 unprogressive race4 ,as soon as ,zeniff and his followers occupied their new possessions they went to work to build houses and to repair the walls of the city2 for the idle ,lamanites had suffered them to fall into decay4 ,they also commenced to till the ground1 and to plant all manner of seeds of grain1 vegetables and fruit therein4 ,soon1 through their thrift and industry1 they began to prosper and multiply4 ,this caused king ,laman to grow uneasy4 ,he desired to bring them into bondage that his people might reap the benefits of the labors of the ,nephites4 ,but they were growing so rapidly that he feared that if he did not soon put a stop to their increase they would be the stronger of the two people4 ,to prevent this he began to stir up the hearts of his people in anger against the ,nephites4 ,he succeeded so well that in the thirteenth year of ,zeniff's reign in the land of ,lehi-,nephi a numerous host of ,lamanites suddenly fell upon his people1 while they were feeding and watering their flocks1 and began to slay them4 ,they also carried off some of their flocks1 and the corn from their fields4 ,those of the ,nephites who were not slain or overtaken fled to ,zeniff4 ,as quickly as he could he armed his people with bows and arrows1 swords and cimeters1 clubs and slings1 and with such other weapons as they could invent4 ,thus armed they went forth in the strength of the ,lord to meet the enemy1 for in their hour of peril they had cried mightily unto him1 and he heard their cries and answered their prayers4 ,thus strengthened they met their foes4 ,the battle was an obstinate and a bloody one4 ,it lasted all day and all night4 ,at last the ,lamanites were driven back with a loss of #cjdc warriors1 while the people of ,zeniff had to mourn the death of #bgi of their brethren4 ,after this there was peace in the land for many years4 ,during this time of peace ,zeniff taught his people to be very industrious4 ,he caused his men to till the ground and raise all kinds of fruit and grain4 ,the women he had spin and make cloth for clothing1 fine linen1 etc4 ,in this way for twenty-two years they prospered and had uninterrupted peace2 but at the end of that period the ,lamanites again came up to war against them4 ,at this time the old king ,laman died1 and his son succeeded him upon the throne4 ,like many young men1 he desired to distinguish himself in war4 ,so he gathered a numerous host of the ,lamanites and having armed them in the same manner as the ,nephites1 he led them to the north of the land of ,shemlon1 which lay by the side of the land of ,nephi-,lehi4 ,the warriors of the ,lamanites were at this era a strange sight to look upon4 ,their heads were shaven1 the only covering of their bodies was a leathern girdle around their loins1 otherwise they were naked4 ,their arms were bows1 arrows1 slings1 swords1 etc4 ,when ,zeniff learned of the approach of young king ,laman's armies1 he caused the women and children of his people to hide in the wilderness2 but every man1 young or old1 who was able to bear arms was placed in the ranks to go out against the foe4 ,zeniff himself was then an aged man1 but he still continued to command his forces and to lead them in person to battle4 ,but before doing so he recounted to his soldiery the history of the two peoples1 stimulated them to valor by showing them that in this contest they were in the right2 then calling upon them to put their trust in ,god1 he led them to the onset4 ,strengthened by the faith ,zeniff had renewed in their hearts1 the ,nephites gained a great victory2 and so numerous were the slain of the ,lamanites that they were not counted4 ,after this there was peace again in the land1 which continued all the remaining days of ,zeniff4 ,shortly after this he died1 and1 unfortunately for his kingdom1 chose for his successor an unworthy son1 named ,noah1 who drew the people into many sins and ruled with such folly and weakness that they fell an easy prey to the ever-watchful foe that everywhere surrounded them4 ,king ,noah did not walk in the ways of his father1 for he was a very wicked man4 ,he was filled with lust and cruelty1 and ruled his people with a tyrant's hand4 ,he removed the good priests who had been consecrated by his father1 and placed corrupt men1 of his own stamp1 in their stead4 ,then he lay heavy taxes upon the people1 even one-fifth of all they possessed1 whether it was gold or silver1 grain or fruit1 flocks or herds4 ,these taxes he wasted upon himself and his priests1 upon his wives and concubines1 and the harlots with whom the priests consorted4 ,noah also built a very grand palace in ,lehi-,nephi for his own comfort1 and spent much in lavishly ornamenting the temple in that city4 ,near the temple he erected a very high tower1 so high that any one standing on its top could see all over the surrounding country4 ,he also did much building in the land of ,shilom1 and there erected another high tower4 ,furthermore1 he planted many vineyards and made his people a drunken race4 ,all this he did with the riches which he ground out of his tax-burdened subjects4 ,how different was his course to that of the righteous ,benjamin1 who was at that time reigning in ,zarahemla6 ,we can scarcely conceive of two men more different in habits and character4 ,the great care of the one was to serve ,god and benefit his people1 the other had no other thought than to gratify his own desires and live for his own pleasure1 no matter how much pain or suffering it caused his fellow-men4 ,again the ,lamanites attacked the ,nephites while engaged in their labors1 killed many and drove off their flocks4 ,king ,noah then set guards around the land1 but in such small numbers that they were destroyed4 ,he finally sent his armies and drove the ,lamanites away4 ,this victory made him and his people conceited and boastful1 and developed in them a delight in shedding the blood of the ,lamanites4 ,at this time a prophet1 named ,abinadi1 appeared among them1 and predicted that they would be brought into bondage unless they repented of their wickedness4 ,the king and the people were very angry with ,abinadi1 and sought to take his life4 ,two years after he came among them in disguise4 ,this time he uttered1 in the name of the ,lord1 very terrible prophecies against ,noah and his people4 ,he told them that they should go into bondage to their enemies1 that they should be smitten like dumb beasts and be slain4 ,that vultures and dogs should devour their carcasses4 ,that famine and pestilence should come upon them1 and hail and insects should destroy their crops4 ,and in the end1 if they did not repent1 they should be utterly destroyed4 ,all of which was fulfilled in a very few years4 ,abinadi was one of the greatest of prophets2 he was filled with the ,holy ,ghost1 but the people would not heed him1 and the more he exposed their iniquities the more furious raged their anger against him4 ,neither did they believe his words2 in their own opinion they were everything that was good4 ,they were mighty in their own strength1 and unapproachably wise in their own conceit4 ,never1 if you could believe them1 had a better1 more valiant1 more innocent people lived4 ,filled with this spirit of self-conceit they took ,abinadi1 bound him1 and hurried him1 with railing accusations1 before the king4 ,there the priests began to cross-question him1 that they might confuse him and cause him to say something that would give them a pretext for slaying him4 ,this conduct was providentially turned to the glory of ,god and to the good of many souls4 ,it gave ,abinadi the chance in turn to question his accusers1 by which he showed their deceit and iniquity2 and it also enabled him to explain many of the principles of the gospel of life and salvation4 ,his teachings pricked the hearts of a few1 while they more greatly enraged the greater number4 ,particularly did he impress upon their minds the great truth that ,christ should come1 and quoted the words of ,isaiah and other ,hebrew prophets to sustain his words4 ,his teachings are among the strongest and plainest that any of the scriptures record1 and should be read by all who desire to become fully acquainted with the truths of ,divine love and mercy for fallen humanity4 ,these doctrines were1 however1 exactly what ,noah's infidel priests did not want4 ,they charged ,abinadi with having reviled the king1 and on this charge obtained ,noah's consent for his execution4 ,so ,abinadi was cruelly tortured and burned to death by his fellow-citizens in the sin-stained city of ,lehi-,nephi4 ,how strange that a people could so quickly grow wicked6 ,in ,zeniff's reign they kept ,god's laws1 if only after a fashion1 but in ,noah's days1 led by his bad example1 they sank to the depth of shedding innocent blood1 and taking the life of one who had done them no wrong1 but whose only fault lay in reproving them for their sins1 and in striving to teach them repentance and the road to heaven4 ,abinadi's last words were very terrible in their prophetic denunciations4 ,when the flames began to scorch him he cried out3 ,behold even as ye have done unto me1 so shall it come to pass that thy seed shall cause that many shall suffer1 even the pains of death by fire2 and this because they believe in the salvation of the ,lord their ,god4 ,and it will come to pass that ye shall be afflicted with all manner of diseases because of your iniquities4 ,yea1 and ye shall be smitten on every hand1 and shall be driven and scattered to and fro1 even as a wild flock is driven by wild and ferocious beasts4 ,and in that day ye shall be hunted1 and ye shall be taken by the hands of your enemies1 and then ye shall suffer1 as ,i suffer1 the pains of death by fire4 ,thus ,god executeth vengeance upon those that destroy his people4 ,o ,god1 receive my soul4 ,but all the people did not in their hearts consent to this great crime4 ,one among them especially1 whose name was ,alma1 confessed to the truth of ,abinadi's words4 ,he knew that the grave charges the prophet made were true4 ,he was a young man1 one of ,noah's priests1 and when the clamor was highest for ,abinadi's death1 he went to the king and plead in ,abinadi's behalf4 ,this so angered ,noah that he had ,alma cast out of his presence1 and then sent his servants after the young priest to slay him4 ,alma1 however1 hid from his pursuers1 and1 during his concealment1 wrote the words he had heard ,abinadi speak1 which teachings now form one of the most important of the doctrinal portions of the ,book of ,mormon4 ,the power and importance of ,abinadi's teachings had sunk deep in the heart of ,alma2 he not only realized their truth1 but he comprehended their saving value4 ,the first lesson they impressed upon his mind was the necessity of his own repentance4 ,this he did sincerely2 and then began to teach the same lesson to others4 ,for fear of the king he did not do this openly1 but secretly as opportunity permitted4 ,alma's preaching of ,god's holy word was not without fruit4 ,many received the truth with joy4 ,these gathered to a convenient spot on the borders of the wilderness1 but not far off their city4 ,this place was called ,mormon4 ,it was admirably suited for a hiding-place1 having been formerly infested by ravenous beasts1 and as such was dreaded and avoided by the people4 ,near by was a thicket or forest of small trees1 in which the gospel believers could hide should they be pursued by the king's servants2 here also was a fountain of pure water1 most excellently adapted for the purposes of baptism4 ,here was this holy rite first administered1 and here was the church of ,christ organized4 ,how different the circumstances of its organization to those which attended the same event in the land of ,zarahemla1 under king ,benjamin1 of which we have already spoken4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,the ,,waters ,,of ,,mormon--,,alma1 ,,helam ,,and ,,others ,,baptized ,,therein--,,the ,,church ,,organized--,,the ,,king ,,warned--,,he ,,sends ,,troops--,,alma ,,and ,,his ,,people ,,flee ,,to ,,the ,,land ,,of ,,helam--,,they ,,build ,a ,,city4 7,,mosiah ,,chap4 #ah ,,and #bc47 ,the first to go down into the waters of ,mormon for baptism were ,alma and a fellow-believer named ,helam4 ,when they entered the water ,alma lifted his voice in prayer1 and besought the ,lord for his ,holy ,spirit4 ,this blessing having been bestowed1 he proceeded with the sacred ordinance4 ,addressing his companion1 he said1 ,helam1 ,i baptize thee1 having authority from the ,almighty ,god1 as a testimony that ye have entered into a covenant to serve him until you are dead as to the mortal body2 and may the ,spirit of the ,lord be poured out upon you2 and may he grant unto you eternal life1 through the redemption of ,christ1 whom he has prepared from the foundation of the world4 ,having said these words1 both ,alma and ,helam were buried in the water1 from which they came forth rejoicing1 being filled with the ,holy ,spirit4 ,others1 to the number of two hundred and four souls1 followed ,helam into the waters of baptism1 but in none of these cases did ,alma again bury himself beneath the wave1 but only the repentant believer4 ,from this time we may date the organization of the ,church of ,jesus ,christ in that land1 and henceforth its members assembled for worship and testimony once a week4 ,notwithstanding the care and secrecy with which the members of the church acted1 ,noah soon discovered that there was some hidden movement among his subjects1 and by the help of his spies he discovered what was taking place at ,mormon4 ,making the tyrant's usual excuse1 that the ,christians were in rebellion against him1 he sent his armies to capture and destroy them4 ,but a greater than he stretched forth his arm to preserve his people4 ,the ,lord warned ,alma of the king's intentions1 and by divine direction he assembled his people1 7some #dej souls17 and they gathered their flocks and herds1 loaded up their grain1 provisions and other supplies1 and departed into the wilderness4 ,being strengthened by the ,lord1 notwithstanding that they were impeded by their flocks and families1 the pilgrims traveled with sufficient rapidity to escape the pursuing forces of king ,noah1 who were reluctantly compelled to return to the land of ,nephi without having accomplished the object of the expedition4 ,at the end of eight days ,alma's company ceased their flight1 and settled in a very beautiful and pleasant land where there was an abundant supply of pure water4 ,we have no direct information with regard to the course taken by this colony1 but it is evident from the details of their later history that the new settlement lay somewhere between the lands of ,nephi and ,zarahemla1 though possibly somewhat aside from the most direct route4 ,we think it far from improbable that it was situated at the head waters of some one of the numerous tributaries to the ,amazon that take their rise on the eastern slope of the ,andes4 ,the colonists1 whose industry is especially referred to by the inspired historian1 immediately set to work to till the soil and build a city4 ,the city1 with the surrounding territory1 they named the city and land of ,helam4 ,now that they were established as a separate people1 independent of both ,lamanite and ,nephite princes1 they desired a form of government and requested ,alma to be their king4 ,this honor he declined4 ,he rehearsed to them the history of their fathers2 he pictured to them the infamies of king ,noah's reign2 he showed them how a wicked ruler could lead his subjects into all manner of evil1 and how such things led to bondage2 and1 on the other hand1 how much better it was to have the ,lord as their king and ruler1 and to be guided by his servants under his inspiration4 ,this counsel the people wisely accepted4 ,alma1 though not bearing the title of king1 acted as their leader1 as their high priest and prophet1 and as the mouthpiece of ,heaven whenever ,god's holy word was graciously given them4 ,in this happy state the people of ,helam continued for some years1 the ,lord greatly prospering them and crowning their labors with abundant increase4 ,nevertheless1 the ,lord saw fit to chasten this devoted people1 and to try their patience and their faith1 of which trial and its results we shall have more to say as we proceed with our story4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,land ,,of ,,helam4 ,we must leave ,alma and his people for a time and return to king ,noah4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,king ,,noah',s ,,subjects ,,rebel--,,gideon--,,the ,,lamanites ,,invade ,,lehi-,,nephi--,,the ,,nephites ,,retreat--,a ,,part ,,surrender--,,the ,,new ,,terms ,,of ,,peace--,,noah ,,is ,,burned ,,to ,,death--,,limhi ,,made ,,king--,,noah',s ,,priests ,,escape--,,they ,,seize ,,some ,,lamanite ,,maidens--,,another ,,war--,,the ,,nephites ,,victorious--,,the ,,king ,,of ,,the ,,lamanites ,,wounded--,,mutual ,,explanations4 7,,mosiah ,,chap4 #ai ,,and #bj47 ,soon after the return of ,noah's army from their unsuccessful attempt to capture ,alma and his people1 a great division grew up amongst that monarch's subjects4 ,they were heartily tired of his tyranny and his debaucheries4 ,one of those most dissatisfied was an officer of the king's army named ,gideon4 ,we have no reason to believe that he was at that time a wicked man though he did rebel against the king1 but rather that he was a good1 pure and wise man1 for in after life he proved that he possessed all these virtues4 ,in the disturbances that now arose between ,noah and his people ,gideon sought to slay the king4 ,but ,noah fled to the tower near the temple in the city of ,lehi-,nephi4 ,thither ,gideon1 sword in hand1 quickly followed4 ,the king mounted to the top1 and there his eye accidentally caught sight of an army of ,lamanites in the land of ,shemlon4 ,in the terror caused by this unexpected sight1 he appealed to ,gideon's patriotism and besought him to spare him4 ,not that the king cared for his people1 but he made this excuse for pleading for his own life4 ,gideon consented1 and ,noah in mortal terror ordered his people to flee into the wilderness from before the advancing hosts of the ,lamanites4 ,the people obeyed their king's command1 and with their wives and children fled into the wilderness4 ,but the forces of the ,lamanites1 unencumbered by women and children1 soon overtook them4 ,then the coward king commanded the men to continue their flight and leave their wives and children to the mercy of the enemy4 ,some obeyed and fled1 others would not1 but preferred to stay and perish with those to whom they were the natural protectors4 ,those who stayed1 in the agony of their terror when the ,lamanites drew near1 sent their fair daughters to plead with their enemies for their lives4 ,this act saved them4 ,for the dark-skinned warriors of ,laman were so charmed with the beauty of the women that they spared all their lives4 ,yet they took them captives1 carried them back to ,lehi-,nephi1 and gave them permission to retain that land1 but under some very hard conditions4 ,these conditions were that they should surrender king ,noah into the hands of the ,lamanites1 and deliver up one-half of everything they possessed1 and continue this tribute of one-half of their property year by year4 ,gideon now sent men to search for ,noah that he might be delivered up to the ,lamanites4 ,they found that the men who were with ,noah1 being ashamed of their cowardly flight1 swore that they would return2 and1 if their wives and children had been killed1 they would have revenge4 ,the king commanded that they should not return1 at which they grew angry with him1 and burned him to death as he had done ,abinadi4 ,his priests saved themselves from a like terrible fate by flight4 ,when the men who put ,noah to death were about to return to the land of ,nephi1 they met ,gideon and his party1 and informed them of the end of ,noah and the escape of the priests2 then1 when they heard the news that ,gideon brought1 they rejoiced much that their wives and children had been spared by the ,lamanites4 ,noah being dead1 one of his sons1 ,limhi by name1 was made king4 ,it was almost an empty honor1 for his people were in bondage to the ,lamanites4 ,still he made a treaty of peace with the king of the ,lamanites1 and because he could do no better he agreed to pay a yearly tribute of one-half of the increase of the products of his subjects4 ,the ,lamanites set guards all around the land1 for they were now most anxious that the ,nephites should not escape4 ,the latter were to all intents and purposes bond-servants1 and the ,lamanites obtained all the advantages of their labor without any of the responsibilities that generally fall upon the slave owner4 ,out of the tribute the guards that held them in bondage were paid4 ,this state of things continued without an outbreak for two years4 ,in these times there was a romantic spot in the ,land of ,shemlon1 on the ,nephite borders1 where the ,lamanite maidens were in the habit of gathering on pleasure bent4 ,here they sang1 danced and made merry with all the gaiety of youthful innocence and overflowing spirits4 ,one day when a few were thus gathered they were suddenly surprised1 and twenty-four of their number were carried off by strange men1 who1 from their appearance1 were unmistakably ,nephites4 ,on learning of this act of treachery the ,lamanites were stirred to uncontrollable anger1 and without seeking an explanation they made a sudden incursion into the territory held by king ,limhi4 ,this attack1 however1 was not successful1 for their movements1 though not understood1 had been discovered1 and their intended victims poured forth to meet them4 ,with ,limhi and his people it was a war for existence2 to be defeated was to be annihilated2 his warriors therefore fought with superhuman energy and desperation1 and eventually they succeeded in driving the ,lamanites back4 ,so speedy did their flight become1 that in their confusion the ,lamanites left their wounded king lying amongst the heaps of slain4 ,there he was discovered by his victors4 ,in the interview between him and ,limhi that followed1 mutual explanations ensued4 ,the ,lamanite king complained bitterly of the outrage committed on the daughters of his people1 while ,limhi protested that he and his subjects were innocent of the base act4 ,further investigation developed the fact that some of the iniquitous priests of king ,noah1 who had fled into the wilderness from the dreaded vengeance of their abused countrymen1 were the guilty parties4 ,being without wives1 and fearing to return home1 they had adopted this plan to obtain them4 ,on hearing this explanation1 king ,laman consented to make an effort to pacify his angry hosts4 ,at the head of an unarmed body of ,nephites he went forth and met his armies who were returning to the attack4 ,he explained what he had learned1 and the ,lamanites1 possibly somewhat ashamed of their rashness1 renewed the covenant of peace4 ,this peace1 unfortunately1 was of short duration4 ,the ,lamanites grew arrogant and grievously oppressive1 and under their exactions and cruelty the condition of ,limhi's subjects grew continually worse1 until they were little better off than were their ancestors in ,egypt before ,moses1 their deliverer1 arose4 ,three times they broke out in ineffectual rebellion1 and just as often their task-masters grew more cruel and exacting1 until their spirits were entirely broken2 they cowered before their oppressors1 and bowed to the yoke of bondage1 submitting themselves to be smitten1 and to be driven to and fro1 and burdened according to the desires of their enemies4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,the ,,bondage ,,of ,,the ,,people ,,of ,,limhi--,,an ,,expedition ,,north--,,finding ,,of ,,the ,,jaredite ,,records--,,the ,,arrival ,,of ,,ammon--,,the ,,people ,,of ,,limhi ,,escape--,,the ,,pursuit--,,the ,,amulonites--,,the ,,people ,,of ,,alma--,,they ,,are ,,brought ,,into ,,bondage--,,their ,,deliverance4 7,,mosiah ,,chap4 #ba to #bd47 ,after a time the ,lord softened the hearts of the ,lamanites so that they began to ease the burdens of their slaves1 but he did not at once deliver the ,nephites out of bondage4 ,they1 however1 gradually prospered1 and raised more grain1 flocks and herds1 so that they did not suffer with hunger4 ,the people of ,limhi kept together as much as possible for protection4 ,even the king did not trust himself outside the walls of the city without his guards1 lest he might fall into the hands of the ,lamanites4 ,in this sad condition of bondage and serfdom the people of ,limhi had one hope4 ,it was to communicate with their ,nephite friends in the land of ,zarahemla4 ,to this end ,limhi secretly fitted out an expedition consisting of a small number of men4 ,this company became lost in the wilderness1 and traveled a long distance northward until they found a land covered with the dry bones of men who appeared to have fallen in battle4 ,limhi's people thought this must be the land of ,zarahemla and that their ,nephite brethren who dwelt there had been destroyed4 ,but in this they were wrong1 for they found with the dead some records engraved on plates of ore1 which1 when afterwards translated by the power of ,god1 showed that these bones were those of some of the ,jaredites who had been slain in war4 ,illustration3 ,,discovery ,,of ,,the ,,records ,,of ,,the ,,jaredites4 ,they missed the land of ,zarahemla1 having probably traveled to the west of it and passed northward through the ,isthmus of ,panama4 ,shortly after this a small company numbering sixteen men reached them from ,zarahemla4 ,their leader's name was ,ammon4 ,he had been sent by king ,mosiah to the land of ,nephi to find out what had become of the people1 or their descendants1 who left with ,zeniff4 ,when ,ammon and those that were with him reached ,lehi-,nephi1 king ,limhi happened to be without the walls of the city1 and his guards fancying that ,ammon and his friends were some of the priests of ,noah took them and put them in prison4 ,the next day the mistake was discovered1 and ,limhi and his people were overjoyed to hear from their friends4 ,soon plans were laid to effect the escape of the enslaved ,nephites1 which1 under the guidance of ,limhi1 ,ammon and ,gideon1 was successfully accomplished4 ,the ,lamanite guards were made drowsy with a large present of wine1 and while they were in this drunken stupor1 the people of ,limhi escaped through an unfrequented pass1 taking with them such things as they could safely carry away4 ,they were then led by ,ammon to ,zarahemla4 ,when the ,lamanites found1 to their great surprise1 that their bond servants had escaped1 they sent an army after them4 ,it so happened that these troops lost themselves in the wilderness4 ,whilst traveling hither and thither1 not knowing which way to go1 they came across the priests of king ,noah4 ,these priests1 at the instigation of ,amulon1 their leader1 joined the ,lamanite troops1 and they unitedly endeavored to get back to the land of ,nephi4 ,while thus engaged1 they wandered near the city of ,helam4 ,when the people of ,alma first perceived the approach of this body of men1 they were engaged in tilling the soil around their city1 into which they immediately fled in great fear4 ,in this perilous hour the faith and courage of ,alma were conspicuous4 ,he gathered his people around him1 called upon them to cast aside their unsaintly fears1 and to remember the ,god who had ever delivered those who trusted in him4 ,the words of their leader had the desired effect2 the people silenced their fears and called mightily upon the ,lord to soften the hearts of the ,lamanites that they might spare their lives and those of their wives and little ones4 ,then1 with the assurance in their hearts that ,god would hearken unto their prayers1 ,alma and his brethren went forth out of their city and delivered themselves up to their former foes4 ,the ,lamanites were in a dilemma1 therefore they were profuse in promises4 ,they were willing to grant the people of ,helam their lives and liberty if they would show them the way to the land of ,nephi4 ,having obtained this information and reached home in safety1 they broke their promises and made ,amulon the king over a wide district of country1 including the land of ,helam4 ,alma and ,amulon had known each other in the days when they both belonged to king ,noah's priesthood1 and with the venom so often conspicuous in apostates1 the latter soon commenced to persecute those who were faithful to the ,lord4 ,he placed task-masters over them1 imposed inhuman burdens upon them1 and otherwise afflicted them grievously4 ,in their agony they called continually upon the ,lord for deliverance4 ,their prayers annoyed their cruel masters and they were forbidden to pray aloud2 but no tyrants1 however powerful or cruel1 could prevent them praying in their hearts4 ,this the people of ,alma continued to do most fervently1 and in due time1 though not immediately1 deliverance came4 ,in the meanwhile the ,lord comforted and strengthened them in their afflictions1 so that their burdens were easily borne4 ,the time for their deliverance finally came1 for on a certain day the ,lord promised them that he would deliver them on the morrow4 ,the night was occupied in getting their flocks and provisions together1 and preparing for their journey4 ,in the morning1 when their ,lamanite guards and task-masters were in a deep sleep1 they set out on their journey into the wilderness4 ,after traveling all day they pitched their tents in a valley which they named ,alma4 ,the ,lord warned ,alma to hasten out of this country1 for the ,lamanites were in pursuit1 but he said he would stop them in the valley where ,alma was then camped4 ,alma and his company traveled yet twelve days1 at the end of which time they arrived in ,zarahemla4 ,this1 with the eight days occupied in traveling from the waters of ,mormon to the land of ,helam1 makes twenty-one days' travel from ,lehi-,nephi#e to ,zarahemla4 ,amulon and the priests of ,noah1 possibly because of their ,lamanitish wives1 soon gained great favor with king ,laman and were made teachers to his people4 ,educated in the language of the ,nephites1 they began to instruct the ,lamanites therein4 ,they1 however1 taught the people nothing of the religion of their fathers1 or of the law of ,moses1 but instructed them how to keep their records1 and to write one to another4 ,all this time king ,laman ruled over a numerous people1 inhabiting distant regions1 governed by tributary kings and rulers4 ,having no written standard1 the language of the ,lamanites had become greatly corrupted4 ,the coming of the priests of ,noah among them gave rise to the introduction of a higher civilization4 ,as a result1 they increased in wealth2 and trade and commerce extended among them4 ,they became cunning and wise1 and therefore powerful1 but were still addicted to robbery and plunder1 except among themselves4 ,,footnote3 #e ,to prevent confusion in the minds of our readers1 we desire to draw attention to the fact that the city of ,lehi-,nephi and the city of ,nephi are not two separate cities1 but one and the same city with two names4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,mosiah',s ,,good ,,reign--,,the ,,circumstances ,,of ,,his ,,advent--,,he ,,assembles ,,the ,,people--,,the ,,baptism ,,of ,,limhi--,,churches ,,organized ,,throughout ,,the ,,land4 7,,mosiah ,,chap4 #be47 ,we must now leave the ,lamanites in the land of ,nephi1 and return to king ,mosiah in ,zarahemla4 ,it will be remembered that we left the people of ,zarahemla at the time of the death of king ,benjamin1 three years after the ascent of his son ,mosiah to the throne4 ,mosiah was born in the land of ,zarahemla1 #aed or #aee years before the coming of ,christ4 ,he was instructed in all the wisdom of the ,nephites1 and trained in youth in the fear of the ,lord4 ,by the direction of the ,almighty he was consecrated by his father to succeed him on the throne1 which ceremony was attended to at the time the whole nation had gathered at the temple to listen to the words of their aged and beloved ruler2 at the same time1 they all covenanted with ,god to be his servants ever after4 ,there1 in the presence of his future subjects1 under the shadow of the holy house1 he was set apart to rule a people whose sins were all forgiven through their abiding faith in the unborn ,savior4 ,could a king come to a throne under more auspicious circumstances8 ,profound peace with all outside his dominions1 and within its borders reigned union1 contentment1 prosperity1 happiness1 and what is more1 righteousness4 ,mosiah was thirty years old when he began to reign1 which event happened #dgf years after ,lehi left ,jerusalem4 ,mosiah followed in the footsteps of his father1 taught his people to be industrious1 and set them the example by tilling a portion of the earth to maintain himself and his dependents4 ,it was in the fourth year of his reign that ,mosiah sent out the expedition under ,ammon to find the people of ,zeniff4 ,of its success1 and the happy arrival of ,limhi and his subjects1 and of ,alma and his people1 we have already spoken4 ,soon after the coming of ,limhi and ,alma1 ,mosiah gathered all the ,nephites at one place that they might hear how ,god had dealt with both4 ,first he had the records of ,zeniff and ,alma read in their hearing1 at which they were greatly amazed2 but when they beheld the new comers they were filled with exceeding great joy1 mingled with sadness for the loss of their kindred slain by the inhuman ,lamanites1 and many tears were shed for those departed ones4 ,again1 when they listened to the marvelous deliverances wrought by heaven in behalf of ,alma and his faithful few1 the assembled thousands raised their voices on high and gave thanks to ,god4 ,still another shade of feeling came across their sympathetic hearts1 that of pain and anguish when they learned of the sinful and polluted state of their ,lamanite brethren4 ,taking advantage of the presence of so many of his subjects1 ,mosiah addressed them on such matters as he deemed necessary and desirable4 ,at his request ,alma also taught them4 ,when assembled in large bodies ,alma went from one multitude to another1 preaching repentance and faith in the ,lord4 ,after hearing his teaching ,limhi requested to be baptized1 and so did all his people4 ,then ,alma baptized them in the same manner as he had their brethren4 ,he afterwards1 by ,mosiah's direction1 went through the land1 organizing and establishing churches and ordaining priests and teachers over every church4 ,thus were seven churches established at this time in the land of ,zarahemla4 ,illustration3 ,,baptism ,,of ,,limhi4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,,the ,,unbelief ,,of ,,the ,,youth ,,of ,,zarahemla--,,the ,,younger ,,alma ,,and ,,the ,,sons ,,of ,,mosiah--,,they ,,encourage ,,the ,,persecutions ,,against ,,the ,,church--,,they ,,are ,,met ,,by ,,an ,,angel--,,his ,,message--,,alma',s ,,awful ,,condition--,,his ,,vision ,,and ,,testimony--,,the ,,changed ,,life ,,of ,,the ,,young ,,men4 7,,mosiah ,,chap4 #bf ,,and #bg47 ,in the course of the years many of the rising generation gave no heed to the word of ,god4 ,these were mostly such as were too young to enter into covenant with the ,lord at the time that king ,benjamin anointed ,mosiah to be his successor4 ,not only did they themselves reject the doctrines of the atonement1 the resurrection and other gospel principles1 but they led away many of the members of the church into darkness and iniquity1 and abused1 reviled and persecuted those who remained faithful to the cause of ,christ4 ,neither the fear of the civil nor of the divine law restrained them4 ,their course1 and that of those in the church who gave way to evil doing1 gave much trouble1 and caused deep anxiety to ,mosiah and ,alma1 the latter now the high priest of the whole church4 ,when sought in prayer1 the ,lord directed what action should be taken with transgressors in the church1 and after due consultation with his priests1 with ,alma and others1 ,mosiah issued a proclamation of equality to his people1 forbidding all his subjects to persecute1 vex or abuse their fellows because of their faith or religion1 and announcing that in matters of conscience all men were equal before the law1 and all were the subjects of his protection4 ,still it required a greater than an earthly king to bring to naught the evil intents of the disbelievers1 who were greatly encouraged in their misdeeds by the fact that the king's four sons and one of the sons of ,alma were their leaders4 ,frequent and fervent were the prayers offered by ,mosiah and the elder ,alma in behalf of their rebellious sons1 and those prayers prevailed with ,him who sits on heaven's eternal throne4 ,one day1 as the younger ,alma and his company were going about persecuting the members of the church1 an angel descended in a cloud and stopped them in the way4 ,when he spoke his voice was as thunder1 that caused the whole earth to tremble beneath their feet4 ,naturally this manifestation of the power of ,god spread terror and dismay in the hearts of those who witnessed it4 ,they fell to the ground1 and so confused and terrified were they that they failed to understand the words of the holy messenger4 ,arise1 ,alma1 and stand forth1 he cried2 and when ,alma arose1 his eyes were opened to see who stood before him4 ,why persecutest thou the ,church of ,god8 he was asked1 for the ,lord hath said1 ,this is my ,church1 and ,i will establish it2 and nothing shall overthrow it1 save it is the transgression of my people4 ,if thou wilt of thyself be destroyed1 seek no more to destroy the ,church of ,god4 ,besides this1 the angel spoke to him of his father's prayers in his behalf1 and told him that because of those prayers1 he had been sent to convince him of the power of ,god4 ,the messenger also recounted to ,alma the captivity of his fathers in the lands of ,helam and ,nephi1 and of their miraculous deliverance therefrom4 ,but ,alma heard none of these latter sayings1 for the terrors of the first salutation had overpowered him4 ,when the angel departed ,alma was overcome1 and dismayed and soul-stricken1 he sank to the ground4 ,when his companions gathered around him1 they found he could not move1 neither could he speak4 ,outwardly he was dead to the world2 but the torments of the damned had taken hold of his soul1 and in the most bitter pain and mental anguish he lay racked with the remembrance of all his past sins4 ,the thought of standing before the bar of ,god to be judged for his iniquities overwhelmed him with horror4 ,he desired to become extinct both body and soul without being brought before his ,creator4 ,thus he continued for three days and three nights to suffer the pains of hell1 which1 to his racked conscience1 must have seemed an eternity4 ,when his companions found that he could neither speak nor move1 they carried him to his father1 and related all that had happened4 ,strange as it must have seemed to them1 the elder ,alma's heart was filled with joy and praise when he looked upon the body of his much-loved son1 for he realized it was ,god's power that had wrought all this1 and that his long-continued prayers had been answered4 ,in his joy he gathered the people to witness the mighty manifestation of the goodness and power of ,jehovah4 ,he assembled the priests1 sought their co-operation1 and unitedly1 in ,god's own way1 they prayed and fasted for the stricken youth4 ,for two days they continued their cries to heaven1 at the end of which time ,alma stood upon his feet and spoke4 ,he comforted them by declaring1 ,i have repented of my sins1 and have been redeemed of the ,lord1 behold ,i am born of the ,spirit4 ,in later years1 ,alma1 in relating to his son ,helaman the details of his conversion1 thus describes the causes that led him to bear this testimony4 ,he says3 ,behold1 ,i remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one ,jesus ,christ1 a ,son of ,god1 to atone for the sins of the world4 ,now as my mind caught hold upon this thought1 ,i cried within my heart1 ,o ,jesus1 thou ,son of ,god1 have mercy on me1 who art in the gall of bitterness and art encircled about by the everlasting chains of death4 ,and now1 behold1 when ,i thought this1 ,i could remember my pains no more2 yea1 ,i was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more4 ,and oh1 what joy1 and what marvelous light ,i did behold2 yea1 my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain2 yea1 ,i say unto you my son1 there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as my pain4 ,yea1 and again ,i say unto you1 my son1 that on the other hand1 there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy2 yea1 methought ,i saw1 even as our father ,lehi saw1 ,god sitting upon his throne1 surrounded with numberless concourses of angels1 in the attitude of singing and praising their ,god2 yea1 my soul did long to be there4 ,from that time to the end of his mortal career1 ,alma labored without ceasing to bring souls to ,christ1 and to guide his fellow-man in the paths of salvation4 ,what effect had this heavenly visit upon the sons of ,mosiah8 ,a very great one4 ,from that moment they were changed men4 ,as the voice of the angel reached their astonished ears1 the essence of divinity entered their souls1 they knew1 they felt1 they realized there was a ,god1 and that they had been fighting against him4 ,the sense of their own utter unworthiness filled their hearts2 remorse and anguish reigned supreme therein1 and they condemned themselves as the vilest of sinners4 ,by and by the bitterness of their remorse was swallowed up in their faith in the coming of ,christ1 and they determined by ,god's help1 to their utmost strength1 to undo the evil that their previous course had wrought4 ,these resolutions they faithfully carried out4 ,if they had been energetic in their wrong-doing they were yet more active in their works of restitution4 ,they journeyed from city to city1 from land to land1 and everywhere bore triumphant testimony of the incidents of their miraculous conversion1 and in no equivocal tones proclaimed the glorious gospel message of love to ,god1 salvation to mankind4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,,the ,,growth ,,of ,,the ,,people ,,in ,,zarahemla--,,they ,,build ,,many ,,cities--,,mosiah',s ,,sons ,,desire ,,to ,,take ,a ,,mission ,,to ,,the ,,lamanites--,,mosiah ,,inquires ,,of ,,the ,,lord--,,the ,,divine ,,answer4 7,,mosiah ,,chap4 #bh47 ,the inhabitants of ,zarahemla at this time were all considered ,nephites1 though the descendants of ,mulek and his companions were the most numerous4 ,but the ,nephites1 though the last comers to ,zarahemla1 were the governing race1 and the kingdom had been conferred upon none but those who were the descendants of ,nephi4 ,the ,nephites ruled by the right of their higher civilization1 the possession of the records and the authority of the holy priesthood4 ,there is another strange fact with regard to the inhabitants of ,south ,america at this time1 it is that the ,lamanites were twice as numerous as the combined people of ,nephi and ,zarahemla4 ,this may have been owing to the fact that when any defection occurred among the ,nephites1 the dissatisfied portions of the community generally went over to the ,lamanites and became absorbed in that race4 ,in these days there was much peace in the land of ,zarahemla4 ,the ,lord blessed the people and they became very numerous1 contented and wealthy4 ,when ,benjamin was king his people appear to have all resided in and immediately around the city of ,zarahemla1 as the king directed his son to gather them at the temple on the morrow1 and on the morrow they were all there1 which would have been impossible had they lived at any great distance from headquarters4 ,we judge that at that time the majority inhabited the city and farmed the land around4 ,up to this time no other city than ,zarahemla is mentioned in that land1 but now the people began to spread abroad1 building1 as the historian states1 large cities and villages in all quarters of the land4 ,we may reasonably suppose that at this epoch were founded the cities of ,aaron1 ,ammonihah1 ,gideon1 ,manti1 ,melek and others mentioned in the annals of the succeeding twenty years4 ,notwithstanding the great good they had done1 the sons of king ,mosiah were not content to confine their labors to the land of ,zarahemla4 ,they longed to carry the glad tidings of salvation to the benighted ,lamanites4 ,ignoring the dangers and despising the pains of such a mission1 they plead with their father many days for his consent for them to go to the land of ,nephi4 ,the blood-thirsty1 revengeful character of the ,lamanites was too well known to the king for him to think of his sons going into their midst without causing him feelings of dread and apprehension1 but he had no desire to quench their holy zeal towards ,god and their love towards their unfortunate fellows1 lest he should sin by so doing1 and rob thousands of the opportunity of hearing the everlasting truths through obedience to which mankind is saved4 ,he therefore inquired of the ,lord4 ,the answer came1 ,let them go up1 for many shall believe on their words1 and they shall have eternal life1 and ,i will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the ,lamanites4 ,with this divine assurance ,mosiah consented1 and shortly after1 with some other missionaries1 whom they had chosen1 these four valiant1 ,god-fearing youths started on their perilous mission4 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,,mosiah',s ,,sons ,,refuse ,,the ,,kingdom--,,he ,,grants ,,the ,,people ,a ,,constitution--,,the ,,people ,,to ,,elect ,,their ,,rulers--,,alma1 ,,the ,,younger1 ,,first ,,chief ,,judge4 7,,mosiah ,,chap4 #bi47 ,mosiah now felt that it was time that the question of the succession to the throne should be settled4 ,in his magnanimity he sent among the people to learn whom they would have for their king4 ,the people chose his son ,aaron1 but ,aaron would not accept the royal power2 his heart was set upon the conversion of his fellow-men to the truths of the gospel4 ,this refusal troubled the mind of ,mosiah2 he apprehended difficulties if ,aaron at some future time should change his mind and demand his rights4 ,mosiah therefore issued another address to his much-loved subjects1 as usual full of the spirit of divine wisdom and love4 ,in it1 after recounting the peculiarities of the situation1 he says3 ,let us be wise and consider these things1 for we have no right to destroy my son1 neither should we have a right to destroy another1 if he should be appointed in his stead4 ,and if my son should turn again to his pride and vain things1 he would recall the things which he had said and claim his right to the kingdom1 which would cause him and also his people to commit much sin4 99 99 99 ,therefore1 ,i will be your king the remainder of my days2 nevertheless1 let us appoint judges1 to judge this people according to our law1 and we will newly arrange the affairs of this people2 for we will appoint wise men to be judges that will judge this people according to the commandments of ,god4 ,inspired and directed by the ,lord1 the king further advised many changes of the law1 so that all things might be done by the voice of the whole people4 ,these changes were gladly accepted by the people1 as they gave them greater liberty and a voice in all important national affairs4 ,as a law-maker ,mosiah may be ranked among the most eminent this world has produced4 ,we regard him in some respects as the ,moses1 in others as the ,alfred the ,great1 of his age and nation4 ,but besides being a king he was also a seer4 ,the gift of interpreting strange tongues and languages was his4 ,by this gift he translated from the twenty-four plates of gold1 found by the people of king ,limhi1 the records of the ,jaredites4 ,no wonder that a man possessed of such gifts1 so just and merciful in the administration of the law1 so perfect in his private life1 should be esteemed more than any man by his subjects1 and that they waxed strong in their love towards him4 ,as a king1 he was a father to them1 but as a prophet1 seer and revelator he was the source whence divine wisdom flowed unto them4 ,we must go back to the days of the antediluvian patriarchs to find the peers of these three kings 7the two ,mosiahs and ,benjamin71 when monarchs ruled by right divine1 and men were prophets1 priests and kings by virtue of heaven's gifts and ,god's will4 ,his sons having started on their mission to the ,lamanites1 ,mosiah chose ,alma1 the younger1 and gave the sacred plates and the associate holy things into his care4 ,the elder ,alma made this same son the presiding high priest of the church1 and the people chose him for their first chief judge4 ,the church1 the records1 the nation1 all things being thus provided for1 ,mosiah passed away to the joys of eternity1 ,b4 ,c4 #ia4 ,he was sixty-three years old1 and he had ruled his people in righteousness thirty-three years4 ,when he passed away no fierce convulsions wrecked the ship of state1 the political atmosphere was calm1 the people joyfully assumed their new responsibilities1 and the first of the judges succeeded the last of the kings without causing one disturbing wave on the placid waters of the national life4 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,,the ,,mission ,,of ,,the ,,sons ,,of ,,mosiah ,,to ,,the ,,lamanites--,,their ,,journey ,,in ,,the ,,wilderness--,,ammon ,,brought ,,before ,,king ,,lamoni--,,the ,,conflict ,,at ,,the ,,waters ,,of ,,sebus--,,the ,,miraculous ,,conversion ,,of ,,lamoni ,,and ,,his ,,family--,,abish ,,the ,,waiting ,,woman4 7,,alma ,,chap4 #ag ,,to #ai47 ,before we take up the history of the ,nephites1 during the reigns of their judges1 we will follow the sons of ,mosiah and their brethren to the land of ,nephi1 on the perilous mission that they had undertaken1 to convert the ,lamanites4 ,the names of the four sons of ,mosiah were ,aaron1 ,ammon1 ,omner and ,himni2 amongst their companions were ,muloki and ,ammah4 ,these all took their journey into the southern wilderness during the last year of ,mosiah's reign1 or ,b4 ,c4 #ia4 ,they carried with them their bows and arrows and other weapons1 not to wage war but to kill game for their food in the wilderness4 ,their journey was a tedious one2 they lost their way and almost lost heart1 and indeed were on the point of returning when they received divine assurance of their ultimate success4 ,nerved by this assurance1 and with much fasting and prayer1 they continued their wanderings1 and before long reached the borders of the ,lamanites4 ,commending themselves to ,god they here separated1 each one trusting to the ,lord to guide him to the place where he could best accomplish the purposes of heaven4 ,ammon entered the ,lamanite territory at a land called ,ishmael4 ,here ,lamoni was the chief ruler1 under his father1 who was king of all the ,lamanites4 ,ammon was no sooner discovered than he was taken1 bound with cords and conducted into the presence of ,lamoni4 ,it was the custom of the ,lamanites to so use every ,nephite they captured1 and it rested with the whim of the king whether the captive be slain1 imprisoned or sent out of the country4 ,the king's will and pleasure were the only law on such matters4 ,through ,god's grace1 ,ammon found favor in the eyes of ,lamoni1 and1 learning that it was his desire to reside amongst the ,lamanites1 the king offered him one of his daughters to wife4 ,ammon courteously declined this intended honor and begged to be accepted as one of the king's servants1 which arrangement pleased ,lamoni1 and ,ammon was placed in that part of the royal household that had charge of the monarch's flocks and herds4 ,a glance at ,lamanite society may not here be out of place4 ,it would appear that in ,lamoni's days the will of the sovereign was the law of the land4 ,the king's power over the lives and property of his subjects was unlimited4 ,we read of no constitution that prescribed or limited his authority4 ,the more degraded portions of the race wandered in the vast wilderness1 dwelling in tents1 and subsisting on what they killed in the chase or stole4 ,the more civilized ,lamanites resided in cities1 were wealthy in cattle1 and followed the occupations general among semi-civilized races4 ,lamoni was rich in flocks and herds1 probably the results of the taxation of the people1 but even the king's property was not secure from theft4 ,marauding bands would watch for his numerous cattle as they approached their watering places4 ,then with yell and prolonged shout they would stampede the herds and drive away all they could beyond the reach of the king's servants4 ,these would gather up what few animals1 if any1 they found1 and return to the king in the full expectancy of being made to pay for the loss by the forfeit of their lives4 ,they were seldom disappointed1 for ,lamoni or some of his predecessors had established a somewhat unique criminal code with regard to stealing the royal cattle4 ,they had adopted the idea that it was easier and cheaper to make the herdsmen responsible for the losses and punish them therefor1 than to hunt out and capture the thieves4 ,it had at least one virtue1 it prevented collusion between the robbers and the servants2 but it produced much dissatisfaction among ,lamoni's subjects4 ,on the third day of ,ammon's service1 one of these raids was made on the king's cattle as they were being taken to the waters of ,sebus1 the common watering place4 ,the cattle fled in all directions1 and the dispirited servants1 with the fear of death before their eyes1 sat down and wept instead of attempting to stop them4 ,ammon perceived that this was his opportunity4 ,he first reasoned with the servants1 then encouraged them1 and having sufficiently aroused their feelings1 he led them in the attempt to head off the flying herds4 ,with much exertion they succeeded4 ,the cattle were all gathered1 but the robbers still waited at the watering place to renew the attack when they drew near enough4 ,ammon perceiving this1 placed the servants at various points on the outside of the flock and himself went forward to contend with the robbers4 ,though they were many1 he knew that he was more powerful than them all1 for ,god was with him4 ,the idea of one man withstanding so many was supremely ridiculous to the robbers4 ,but as one after another fell before his unerring aim1 they were astonished1 and dreaded him as something more than human4 ,enraged at the loss of six of their number they rushed upon him in a body1 determined to crush him with their clubs4 ,ammon1 undaunted1 drew his sword and awaited the onslaught4 ,their leader fell dead at his feet1 and as one after another raised their clubs1 ,ammon struck off their arms until none dared to approach him1 but instead retreated afar off4 ,it was a strange procession that returned to the palace4 ,the fears of the herdsmen had been turned to joy1 and they marched in triumph into the presence of the king1 with the arms of the robbers as testimonies of the truth of the story of ,ammon's prowess4 ,doubtless they did not diminish the telling points in the narrative2 the numbers of the band1 the courage and strength of the ,nephite1 were each dilated upon with the vividness of superstitious imagination4 ,when the king had heard their marvelous story his heart was troubled1 and he came to the conclusion that ,ammon must be the ,great ,spirit1 of whose existence he had an indistinct idea4 ,he trembled at the thought that perhaps this ,spirit had come to punish him because of the number of his servants whom he had slain for permitting his cattle to be stolen4 ,notwithstanding his misgivings1 ,lamoni desired to see ,ammon1 who1 acting as though nothing particular had happened1 was preparing the king's horses and chariots1 as the servants had been directed4 ,when he entered the royal presence1 the king was too much filled with emotion to speak to him4 ,more than once ,ammon drew to the king's attention that he stood before him1 as he had been requested1 and wished to know what were his commands4 ,but ,ammon's inquiries elicited no response4 ,at last1 perceiving the monarch's thoughts1 he began to question ,lamoni regarding sacred things1 and afterwards to expound to him the principles of life and salvation4 ,lamoni listened and believed4 ,he was conscience-stricken1 and with all the strength of his new-born faith1 he humbly begged that the ,lord would show that same mercy to him and to his people that he had shown to the ,nephites4 ,overcome with the intensity of his feelings he sank to the earth as in a trance4 ,in this state he was carried to his wife1 who with her children anxiously watched over him for two days and two nights1 awaiting his return to consciousness4 ,there was great diversity of opinion among his retainers as to what troubled the king4 ,some said the power of the ,great ,spirit was upon him1 others that an evil power possessed him1 yet others asserted that he was dead1 and with remarkable acuteness of smell affirmed1 ,he stinketh4 ,at the end of this time they had resolved to lay him away in the sepulchre1 when the queen sent for ,ammon and plead with him in her husband's behalf4 ,ammon gave her the joyful assurance1 ,he is not dead1 but sleepeth in ,god1 and tomorrow he shall rise again4 ,then he added1 ,believest thou this8 ,she answered1 ,i have no witness1 save thy word and the word of our servants1 nevertheless ,i believe it shall be according as thou hast said4 ,then ,ammon blessed her1 and told her there had not been such great faith among all the people of the ,nephites4 ,so the queen lovingly continued her watch by the bed of her husband until the appointed hour4 ,lamoni then arose1 as ,ammon had foretold4 ,his soul was filled with heavenly joy4 ,his first words were of praise to ,god1 his next were blessings on his faithful wife whose faith he felt or knew4 ,he testified to the coming of the ,redeemer1 of whose greatness1 glory1 power and mercy he had learned while in the spirit4 ,his body was too weak for the realities of eternity that filled his heart4 ,again he sank overpowered to the earth1 and the same spirit overcame his wife also4 ,ammon's rejoicing heart swelled within him as he heard and witnessed these things4 ,he fell on his knees and poured out his soul in praise and thanksgiving until he also could not contain the brightness of the glory1 the completeness of the joy that overwhelmed him4 ,unconscious of all earthly things he sank beside the royal pair4 ,the same spirit of unmeasured joy then fell upon all present and with the same results4 ,there was but one exception1 a ,lamanitish waiting woman named ,abish1 who many years before had been converted to the ,lord1 but kept the secret in her own bosom4 ,she comprehended the why and wherefore of this strange scene4 ,she saw the workings of the ,almighty through which the untutored minds of the ,lamanites could be brought to an understanding of the plan of salvation4 ,from house to house she went1 calling the people to witness what had occurred in the palace4 ,they gathered at her call1 but as might naturally be expected their impressions were very conflicting4 ,some said one thing1 some another2 some argued for good1 some for evil2 to some1 ,ammon was a god1 to others1 a demon4 ,one man1 who had his brother slain at the waters of ,sebus1 drew his sword and attempted to slay ,ammon1 but was struck dead by an unseen power before he could carry his rash intent into action4 ,so fierce was the contention1 so angry grew the controversy1 that ,abish1 fearing greater trouble1 by an inspiration took hold of the hand of the queen1 who there-upon rose to her feet4 ,the queen's first thought was of her husband4 ,she took his hand and raised him up1 and ere long all who had been reposing in the spirit stood upon their feet4 ,the king1 the queen1 the servants1 all rejoiced with joy unspeakable4 ,they all bore testimony to ,god's abundant love and goodness1 and some declared that holy angels had visited them4 ,still the contention was not entirely appeased until ,lamoni stood forth and explained to them the divine mysteries of which they were so ignorant4 ,many believed1 others did not1 but ,ammon had the indescribable happiness of shortly after establishing a church to the ,lord in the midst of the people of the land of ,ishmael4 ,ammon's humility1 faith and patience were bringing forth their fruit2 while his soul gathered faith and strength in the fulfillment of the promises of the great ,jehovah in answer to the pleadings of his faithful1 loving father4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,,ammon ,,and ,,lamoni ,,start ,,for ,,the ,,land ,,of ,,middoni--,,they ,,meet ,,the ,,old ,,king--,,his ,,rage ,,at ,,seeing ,,ammon--,,he ,,endeavors ,,to ,,kill ,,his ,,son--,,aaron ,,and ,,his ,,brethren ,,liberated--,a ,,sketch ,,of ,,their ,,labors ,,and ,,sufferings--,,the ,,conversion ,,of ,,lamoni',s ,,father ,,and ,,his ,,house-,,hold4 7,,alma ,,chap4 #bj ,,to #bb47 ,when the church was satisfactorily established in the land of ,ishmael1 ,lamoni arranged to pay a visit to his father1 the great king in the land of ,nephi1 to whom he was desirous of introducing ,ammon4 ,however1 the voice of the ,lord warned his servant not to go1 but instead thereof to proceed to the land of ,middoni1 where his brother ,aaron and other missionaries were suffering in prison4 ,when ,lamoni heard of ,ammon's intention1 and the cause thereof1 he decided to accompany him4 ,he felt that he could be of service in delivering the prisoners1 as ,antiomno1 the king of ,middoni1 was one of his special friends1 and likely to grant any favor he might ask4 ,they accordingly started on their errand of mercy1 but on their way were surprised to meet ,lamoni's father1 who grew exceedingly angry when he found ,ammon in the company of his son4 ,all the hatred born and nurtured of false tradition boiled up in his breast4 ,he listened impatiently to ,lamoni's story of ,ammon's visit and its fruits1 and when it was finished be broke out in a torrent of abuse toward the ,nephite son of a liar1 as he ungraciously styled him1 and ordered ,lamoni to slay him4 ,lamoni without hesitation refused to become the murderer of his most loved friend1 whereupon the old monarch1 in the blind fury of his anger1 turned upon his own son1 and would have killed him if ,ammon had not interposed4 ,little used to controversy1 much less to direct opposition1 the king was not softened by ,ammon's interference4 ,savagely he turned upon him2 but youth1 strength1 dexterity1 and above all the protecting care of the ,lord were with ,ammon1 and he struck the king's sword arm so heavy a blow that it fell useless at his side4 ,realizing he was now in the power of the man he had so foully abused1 he made abundant promises1 even to half his kingdom1 if his life was spared4 ,this boon ,ammon immediately granted1 asking only favors for ,lamoni and his own imprisoned brethren4 ,the king1 unused to such generosity and manly love1 granted all his requests1 and when he proceeded on his journey his mind was filled with reflections regarding ,ammon's courage and great love for his son4 ,he was also troubled in his heart concerning certain expressions of ,ammon on doctrinal points1 which opened up ideas that were entirely new to his mind4 ,lamoni and ,ammon continued their journey to ,middoni1 where by ,god's grace1 they found favor in the eyes of king ,antiomno1 and by his commands the prisoners were released from the horrors and inhumanities practiced upon them4 ,when ,ammon met these faithful brethren1 he was greatly grieved because of their naked1 wounded1 starved and wretched condition1 but when they were delivered they enjoyed a season of grateful joy1 thanksgiving and mutual congratulation4 ,after this ,ammon returned to the land of ,ishmael to continue his labors4 ,it appears that when ,ammon and his brethren separated on the borders of the ,lamanites1 ,aaron took his journey towards a land called ,jerusalem1 which was situated near the waters of ,mormon4 ,here the ,lamanites1 the people of ,amulon and others1 had built a great city to which they gave the name of ,jerusalem4 ,in this great city the people1 many of whom were ,nephite apostates1 were very wicked4 ,they would not listen to his teachings1 so he left them and went to a village called ,ani-,anti4 ,there he found ,muloki1 ,ammah and others preaching the word4 ,but their efforts were fruitless2 the people of this place would not receive the truth1 therefore they left them and went over into the land ,middoni4 ,there they preached unto many though but few believed in their words4 ,before long the wicked raised a persecution1 and some of the brethren were cast into prison1 whilst others fled into the regions round about4 ,in prison they were treated with great cruelty2 they were bound with strong cords1 which cut into their flesh2 they were deprived of proper food1 drink and clothing1 and otherwise suffered nameless afflictions4 ,there they remained until they were released through the intercession of ,ammon and ,lamoni4 ,some time after ,aaron and his fellow-prisoners were released1 he1 with some others1 went to the land of ,nephi1 or ,lehi-,nephi1 as it is sometimes called4 ,they there presented themselves before the old king who was the father of ,lamoni4 ,when this monarch saw them he was greatly pleased1 for his heart had been touched by the words and conduct of ,ammon4 ,at his request ,aaron explained to him many things relating to the nature of ,god2 for1 though he recognized the power and might of the ,great ,spirit1 he was altogether ignorant of things concerning the ,deity4 ,aaron by degrees explained to him the principles of the everlasting gospel4 ,he commenced with the creation of man1 showed how ,adam fell that man might be1 and how the plan of redemption through a ,savior's sufferings was devised before the world was1 and how man1 by obedience to the gospel1 would triumph over death1 hell1 and the grave4 ,his words were gratefully received by the king1 who besought ,aaron to teach him how he might obtain this eternal life of which he spoke4 ,aaron instructed him to bow down before the ,lord in prayer1 and then in faith ask for the blessings he desired4 ,the aged king did so4 ,he prostrated himself on the ground and cried mightily1 saying1 ,o ,god1 ,aaron hath told me there is a ,god1 and if there is a ,god1 and if thou art ,god1 wilt thou make thyself known unto me1 and ,i will give away all my sins to know thee1 and that ,i may be raised from the dead1 and be saved at the last day4 ,so great was his emotion1 that when he had said these words1 he was struck as if he were dead4 ,when the king thus fell his servants ran and told the queen what had happened4 ,she at once came into the room where he lay1 and seeing ,aaron and his brethren standing by she became very angry1 as she supposed that they were the cause of the evil that had1 in her estimation1 befallen her husband4 ,she1 without hesitation1 ordered the king's servants to take the brethren and slay them2 but the servants dared not1 for they feared the power which was in ,aaron4 ,the queen was also afraid1 but she seemed to think that the best way to get rid of the trouble was to destroy those who she fancied brought it4 ,as the king's servants refused to obey her command1 she ordered them to go out into the streets and call upon the people to come in and kill ,aaron and his companions4 ,when ,aaron saw the temper of the queen1 he feared lest the multitude1 in the hardness of their hearts1 would raise a great commotion1 and be a cause of hindering the work of ,god1 which had so auspiciously commenced with the king4 ,therefore he put forth his hand and raised the monarch from the earth1 and at the same time said unto him1 ,stand4 ,the king at once received his strength and arose1 at the sight of which the queen and the servants wondered greatly and were filled with fear4 ,then the king began to explain to them what he had learned with regard to ,god and the ,gospel1 and he spoke with such great power that his whole household was converted4 ,the multitude also that had gathered at the call of the queen were pacified by his words1 and when he saw that their hearts were softened he caused that ,aaron and his brethren should teach them the word of ,god4 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,,the ,,king ,,issues ,a ,,proclamation--,,the ,,results ,,of ,,the ,,labors ,,of ,,the ,,sons ,,of ,,mosiah--,,the ,,people ,,of ,,anti-,,nephi-,,lehi--,,they ,,bury ,,their ,,weapons ,,of ,,war--,,are ,,massacred ,,by ,,the ,,thousand--,,they ,,remove ,,to ,,the ,,territory ,,of ,,the ,,nephites1 ,,who ,,give ,,them ,,the ,,land ,,of ,,jershon4 7,,alma ,,chap4 #bc ,,to #bg47 ,after the king was converted he sent a proclamation throughout the land forbidding any and all from persecuting ,ammon and his fellow-missionaries1 giving them liberty to preach anywhere and everywhere that they desired4 ,our readers may be sure that this privilege was not neglected4 ,to use ,ammon's own words1 the missionaries entered into the houses of the people and taught them2 they taught them in their temples and synagogues1 in the open streets and on the lofty hills4 ,but often they were cast out1 spit upon1 smitten1 stoned1 bound1 cast into prison and made to suffer all manner of afflictions1 from which the ,lord1 in his mercy1 delivered them and from which the king's proclamation afterward protected them4 ,nor was the result of their labors trifling1 but glorious in the saving of many thousand souls2 for unto the ,lord were converted the people of the ,lamanites who dwelt in the lands of ,ishmael1 ,middoni1 ,shilom and ,shemlon1 and in the cities of ,nephi1 ,lemuel and ,shimnilon2 and they became a righteous1 peaceful1 ,god-serving people2 and from faithful obedience to his law they never fell away4 ,but the various bodies of ,nephite apostates who dwelt among the ,lamanites universally rejected the gospel message1 with the exception of one single ,amalekite1 and of what ultimately became of him we have no record4 ,history often repeats itself1 but we have no recollection of any parallel to the events that followed this marvelous conversion4 ,the ,lamanite people now became two as distinct and separate bodies as they and the ,nephites had beforetimes been4 ,but with this strange complication1 the apostate ,nephites now occupied the place and did the work of the natural ,lamanites1 while the true descendants of ,laman and ,lemuel took the ground previously held by the righteous ,nephites4 ,so clearly defined did the division become that the supreme ruler 7,lamoni's father71 having turned from the tradition1 habits and customs of the ,lamanites1 was determined to also cast aside the old name4 ,if they were ,lamanites in name only they would cut that weak cord which alone held them to the past1 and be as new in name as they were in feelings1 hopes1 loyalty and religion4 ,so1 after advising with ,ammon and his fellow-missionaries1 he gave to his people the name of ,anti-,nephi-,lehies1 and to his son1 to whom he transferred the royal power1 that of ,anti-,nephi-,lehi4 ,the renegade ,amalekites1 ,amulonites and others were not willing to be ruled by a ,christian monarch4 ,they had rejected ,christianity altogether1 and would not have it as the ruling power1 either in ,nephi or ,zarahemla4 ,with the old sophistries and falsehoods they raised a mutiny in the hearts of their associate ,lamanites and urged them on to rebellion against the rightful king and his believing subjects4 ,but the converted ,lamanites made no preparations to resist them2 they felt that in times past with unholy hands they had spilt blood as water on the land2 blood that they could never atone for1 but they would do it no more4 ,passive non-resistance should for the future be their policy1 but the blood of a fellow-being they would never again shed1 no matter how great the peril1 how intense the aggravation4 ,as a witness of the completeness of this resolve1 they took their weapons of war and buried them deep in the earth with an oath and covenant that they would never dig them up again4 ,when the maddened hosts of their embittered brethren rushed upon them1 they came forth unarmed1 bowed down before their assailants1 and submitted to their fate4 ,with them to live was ,christ1 to die was salvation4 ,the vengeful ,nephite apostates led the inglorious charge and shed most of the blood that flowed that day1 when one thousand and five unresisting martyrs glorified the ,lamanite race by the tribute of their lives to ,god and the truth4 ,a thousand ransomed souls1 washed white in the blood of the ,lamb1 that day entered the gates of heaven to stand amongst the saviors on ,mount ,zion in the great day of the redeemed4 ,nor was there joy alone in that bright world beyond1 but on earth the church was gladdened by fresh accessions to the cause4 ,when many of the actual ,lamanites witnessed the great change that had taken place in their brethren1 that they would quietly1 peacefully joyously lay down their lives1 their consciences smote them2 they stayed their hands1 and rose in tumult against their ,amalekite leaders1 and would no longer be the murderers of their kin4 ,the blood of the martyrs was indeed the seed of the church1 for there were more added to the fold of ,christ on that memorable day than those who passed away to the presence of their ,god4 ,foiled in their attempt to destroy the ,anti-,nephi-,lehies 7or ,ammonites as we shall hereafter call them71 the blood-thirsty ,lamanites1 led as usual by ,nephite apostates1 made a sudden incursion into the land of ,zarahemla1 and1 in fulfillment of ,alma's prophecies1 destroyed the great city of ,ammonihah1 of which we shall say more hereafter1 but met with most disastrous defeat later on in the campaign4 ,still vowing vengeance they returned to their own lands1 and feeling that the ,ammonites were in sympathy with the ,nephites1 they satisfied their hatred by again slaughtering many of these unresisting people1 who1 as before1 permitted themselves to be slain1 without making the first effort at defense4 ,but ,ammon and his brethren were not willing to have the disciples continually harassed and eventually exterminated2 they judged that the ,lord having so thoroughly tried the faith of this devoted people1 would provide some way of escape4 ,ammon counseled with the king and it was thought it would be better to forsake their all so far as worldly possessions were concerned1 than to sacrifice their lives4 ,but first let them inquire of the ,lord4 ,ammon did so and the ,lord said1 ,get this people out of this land1 that they perish not1 for ,satan has great hold upon the hearts of the ,amalekites who do stir up the ,lamanites to anger against their brethren to slay them2 therefore get thee out of this land2 and blessed are the people of this generation for ,i will preserve them4 ,the word of the ,lord thus received was joyfully obeyed4 ,the ,ammonites gathered up their flocks and their herds and departed into the wilderness that lay between the lands of ,nephi and ,zarahemla4 ,there they rested whilst ,ammon and his brethren went forward and treated with the ,nephites in behalf of the persecuted hosts they had left behind4 ,the people1 by united voice1 gladly welcomed their co-religionists and set apart the land of ,jershon as their inheritance4 ,thither the ,ammonites with happy feet repaired1 and there they dwelt until the breaking out of war made it desirable that they should remove to the land of ,melek1 and many thousands in after years emigrated to the land north4 ,of their future history we shall speak1 from time to time1 when it connects with that of the ,nephites4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,,review ,,of ,,the ,,mission ,,of ,,the ,,sons ,,of ,,mosiah--,,its ,,importance ,,and ,,great ,,length--,,its ,,results ,,to ,,both ,,races--,,the ,,dates ,,of ,,its ,,leading ,,occurrences4 7,,alma ,,chap4 #ag ,,to #bg47 ,so far as we can gather from the records1 the great mission of ,ammon and his brethren to the ,lamanites was productive of results new to the history of the ,nephites4 ,on many previous occasions dissenters from the latter had gone over to the ,lamanites1 until that nation consisted of a mixed race4 ,but the ,nephite people appear to have been1 almost without exception1 the literal descendants of the first founders of the monarchy1 ,nephi1 ,sam1 ,jacob1 ,joseph and ,zoram1 and of the people of ,zarahemla4 ,but now a large body of ,lamanites was incorporated in the ,nephite nation and became partakers of the liberties accorded to all other citizens4 ,as the history of the two nations proceeds1 the original distinctions of descent become less and less observable1 as defections from both people were constantly occurring1 so that in process of time a ,nephite was not so much a literal descendant of ,lehi's greatest son1 as one who recognized the ,nephite government1 was an observer of the law of ,moses and a believer in the gospel2 while the ,lamanite was he who dwelt in the dominions of that people1 rejected the law and the gospel1 and adopted the false traditions of that race4 ,the mission of ,ammon and his brethren was not only important but it was of great length4 ,they left ,zarahemla in the first year of the ,judges 7,b4 ,c4 #ia7 and returned in the fourteenth 7,b4 ,c4 #gh74 ,it seems altogether probable that the conversion of king ,lamoni took place in the first year of their ministry1 unless ,ammon was detained in prison a lengthened period before he was brought before the king 7for which suggestion we find no warrant71 as it was only the third day of ,ammon's service when his conflict occurred with the cattle thieves at the waters of ,sebus4 ,the conversion of ,lamoni was the immediate result4 ,yet we judge that the establishment and organization of the church in the land of ,ishmael was a work of considerable time4 ,we are strengthened in this opinion by the account of the labors performed by ,aaron and others during this same period4 ,in the fifth year of the ,nephite ,judges 7,b4 ,c4 #hg7 the ,lamanites invaded ,zarahemla and were disastrously defeated1 about which time we suggest ,aaron and his fellows were confined in prison in the land of ,middoni1 and the results of the war would measurably account for the great cruelty with which they were treated by the exasperated ,lamanites1 as well as for the ferocity of the old king when he found his son in the company of the hated ,nephite4 ,after the incidents of that eventful meeting the king was not in a frame of mind to go to war with the ,nephites2 the generous words and magnanimous conduct of ,ammon had produced such a deep influence1 that though not yet converted1 his heart had experienced a great change4 ,probably a year or two passed before ,aaron and his fellow-laborers brought him to a full knowledge of the true plan of redemption4 ,for these reasons we consider the meeting of ,lamoni and his father did not take place earlier than ,b4 ,c4 #hg4 ,the old king's conversion was followed by the issuance of his proclamation of protection and unqualified religious liberty to the ,nephite missionaries and to all his subjects2 of which proclamation ,aaron and his co-laborers took the fullest benefit by preaching from city to city throughout the wide ,lamanite territory1 establishing churches and ordaining officers therein4 ,this labor occupied some years4 ,as the church grew the spirit of rebellion developed amongst the unconverted1 until they declared open war against the king1 and massacred their gospel-believing brethren4 ,immediately after the massacre of the #ajje ,anti-,nephi-,lehies the angry ,lamanites broke out in war with the ,nephites1 under the idea that the latter were the cause of their internal troubles4 ,they made a sudden incursion into the land of ,zarahemla and destroyed the city of ,ammonihah1 which event took place in the eleventh year of the ,judges 7,b4 ,c4 #ha71 and after that they had many battles with the ,nephites1 in which they were driven and slain4 ,after their return from this inglorious campaign they wreaked their vengeance on their unoffending brethren1 and again commenced to massacre them1 which murders1 we suggest1 took place during the thirteenth year of the reign of the ,judges 7,b4 ,c4 #gi71 as in the year following the whole of the believing ,lamanites migrated to the land of ,jershon1 as before narrated 7,b4 ,c4 #gh74 ,these dates are simply suggestive as far as the history of the mission is concerned1 but those that relate to the ,nephites are distinctly stated in the annals of that people4 ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,,the ,,days ,,of ,,the ,,judges--,,their ,,names ,,and ,,reigns--,,the ,,heresy ,,of ,,nehor--,,he ,,slays ,,gideon ,,and ,,is ,,executed--,,amlici',s ,,rebellion--,,the ,,battle ,,of ,,amnihu--,,the ,,conflict ,,at ,,the ,,crossing ,,of ,,the ,,sidon--,a ,,third ,,battle4 7,,alma ,,chap4 #a ,,to #c47 ,for a period of about one hundred and twenty years succeeding the death of king ,mosiah1 the ,nephite commonwealth was governed by judges4 ,these were chosen by the united voice of the people1 as provided in the constitution framed under ,divine inspiration by the last king1 and acknowledged as the supreme law of the nation1 through its unanimous acceptance as such1 by the entire people4 ,at the end of this period the republic was overthrown through the great wickedness of all classes of the community1 and the people divided themselves into numerous independent tribes4 ,it is not actually certain that the ,book of ,mormon gives us the names of all the ,nephite chief judges4 ,in the earlier portion of the annals of these times the order of succession is plainly stated1 but in the record of later years the name of the judge is sometimes only mentioned incidentally in the historic narrative4 ,it is therefore beyond our power to determine if there were1 or were not1 others whose names have been omitted by the sacred historians4 ,the judges mentioned by name or description are twelve in number4 ,of these1 five1 ,pahoran ,,ii41 ,cezoram1 ,cezoram's son 7whose name is not given71 ,seezoram and ,lachoneus ,,ii41 were assassinated2 one1 ,pacumeni1 was slain in battle with the ,lamanites2 two1 ,alma and ,nephi1 were translated or taken by the ,lord2 three1 ,nephihah1 ,pahoran ,i41 and ,helaman1 died a natural death1 whilst of the manner of the decease of one1 ,lachoneus ,i41 we have no record4 ,they judged the ,nephites in the following order3 #a ,alma 7the younger71 from ,b4 ,c4 #ia to ,b4 ,c4 #hc2 #b ,nephihah1 from ,b4 ,c4 #hc to ,b4 ,c4 #fh2 #c ,pahoran ,i41 from ,b4 ,c4 #fh to ,b4 ,c4 #ec2 #d ,pahoran ,,ii41 from ,b4 ,c4 #eb to ,b4 ,c4 #eb2 #e ,pacumeni1 from ,b4 ,c4 #eb to ,b4 ,c4 #ea2 #f ,helaman 7the younger71 from ,b4 ,c4 #ej to ,b4 ,c4 #ci2 #g ,nephi1 from ,b4 ,c4 #ci to ,b4 ,c4 #cj2 #h ,cezoram1 from ,b4 ,c4 #cj to ,b4 ,c4 #bf2 #i ,cezoram's son1 from ,b4 ,c4 #bf to ,b4 ,c4 #bf2 #aj ,seezoram1 ,b4 ,c4 -- to ,b4 ,c4 #bc1 #aa ,lachoneus ,i41 from -- to --2 #ab ,lachoneus ,,ii41 from -- to ,a4 ,c4 #cj4 ,it is possible that some unnamed judge may have ruled the ,nephites for a short time after the murder of ,cezoram's son1 and before ,seezoram was chosen1 and still more probable that one or more rulers presided over the destinies of the nation between the death of ,seezoram and the election of ,lachoneus ,i41 as there was a space of fifty-three years between the murder of ,seezoram and that of ,lachoneus ,,ii41 who succeeded his father4 ,alma1 the son of ,alma1 was the first chief judge of the ,nephite republic1 having been called to that high position before the death of king ,mosiah4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it was the first year of ,alma's reign4 ,could our readers have taken a glimpse at the fair capital of the ,nephites at that time 7,b4 ,c4 #ia71 already rich in the awards of human industry1 combined with the lavish productions of nature in that much favored land1 they might have noticed in the principal street1 a portly1 handsome man1 manifesting in his carriage the evidence of great bodily strength1 combined with vanity1 self-sufficiency and subtlety4 ,they might have observed that his raiment was made of the finest fabrics that the looms of ,zarahemla could produce1 lavishly embroidered and ornamented with labors of the cunning workman in silk1 in feathers and the precious metals1 whilst at his side hung a richly decorated sword4 ,this man was no king1 no governor1 no general of the armies of ,israel2 he was simply ,nehor1 the successful religious charlatan of the hour1 to whom the unstable listened and the weak-minded flocked4 ,his teachings had at any rate the interest of novelty to the ,nephites1 yet some of his theories were older than ,idumea4 ,they had been rejected in the counsels of heaven before ,lucifer1 the son of the morning1 fell4 ,he would save all men in their sins and with their sins2 he abolished hell1 established a paid order of priests1 and taught doctrines so liberal that every man could be a member of his church and yet continue to gratify every vice his nature inclined to4 ,for this liberality of doctrine1 ,nehor expected in return liberality of support for himself and assistants1 in which anticipation he was not disappointed4 ,many adopted his heresies2 his success fired his zeal and developed his vanity4 ,he was so used to the sycophancy of his converts that he was restive under contradiction1 and when ,gideon1 the aged patriot1 and teacher in the true church1 one day met him in the streets of ,zarahemla and upbraided him for his wicked course1 neither respecting his great age nor his many virtues1 ,nehor drew his sword and smote him till he died4 ,for this wilful and unprovoked crime1 the murderer was tried1 convicted1 and afterward executed4 ,his execution took place on the hill ,manti1 and1 from the way in which his death is spoken of1 we imagine that he was hanged4 ,though ,nehor's shameful life was thus ended1 unfortunately his doctrine did not die with him4 ,it was too pleasant to those who desired to gain heaven without a life of righteousness4 ,consequently it spread widely through the teachings of his followers4 ,in later years the traitorous ,amlicites1 the apostate ,amalekites1 the blood-thirsty ,amulonites and ,ammonihahites1 were all believers in his soul-destroying doctrines4 ,the bloodshed1 the misery produced1 the treasure expended through the wickedness and folly of these base creatures1 cannot be computed4 ,the increase of these false teachers among the ,nephites rapidly developed class distinctions and social divisions2 their adherents being generally gathered from amongst those who loved the vain things of the world4 ,naturally they became proud and overbearing1 and bitter in their feelings towards the members of the true church of ,christ4 ,many of the latter received severe persecution at the hands of the dissenters and bore it without retaliation1 while others returned insult for insult and gave blow for blow4 ,the example of these self-appointed teachers produced a like spirit throughout their churches1 and their members became idle and full of devices to enable them to live without honest toil4 ,they gave way to sorcery and idolatry1 to robbery and murder1 and to all manner of wickedness1 for which offenses they were duly punished according to the law1 whenever conviction could be obtained1 and when the intent of the law was not thwarted by their unholy combinations4 ,this development of priestcraft also gave rise to another evil4 ,many belonging to the apostate churches1 though not willing to openly plunder or murder for gain1 were anxious for a monarchy to be established1 that thereby they might be appointed office holders1 etc41 and fatten at the public crib4 ,their hope and intention was to destroy the church of ,god1 and undoubtedly to despoil its members4 ,in the fifth year of the ,judges1 a willing instrument arose to effect their purpose4 ,his name was ,amlici1 a follower of ,nehor1 corrupt and ambitious1 but cunning in the wisdom of the world4 ,he was chosen by the enemies of the commonwealth to be the king of the ,nephites4 ,the whole question was brought before the people at a general election1 as provided by the code of ,mosiah4 ,the monarchists were out-voted2 the republic and the church were saved4 ,this should have ended the matter1 but it did not2 the turbulent minority1 incited by ,amlici1 would not accept this constitutional decision4 ,they assembled and crowned their favorite as king of the ,nephites1 and he at once began to prepare for war1 that he might force the rest of the people to accept his government4 ,nor was ,alma idle2 he also made ready for the impending contest4 ,he gathered his people and armed them with all the weapons known to ,nephite warfare4 ,the two armies of those who so short a time before were brethren1 met near a hill called ,amnihu1 on the east bank of the river ,sidon4 ,there a bloody battle followed1 in which ,amlici's forces were disastrously defeated with a loss of #ab1ecb men1 whilst the victors had to mourn the loss of #f1efb warriors slain4 ,after pursuing the defeated monarchists as far as he was able1 ,alma rested his troops in the valley of ,gideon 7named after the martyr slain by ,nehor74 ,he there took the precaution to send out four officers with their companies to watch the movements and learn the intentions of the retreating foe4 ,these officers were named ,zeram1 ,amnor1 ,manti and ,limher4 ,on the morrow these scouts returned in great haste1 and reported that the ,amlicites had joined a vast host of ,lamanites in the land ,minon1 where unitedly they were slaying the ,nephite population and ravaging their possessions2 at the same time they were pushing rapidly towards the ,nephite capital with the intent of capturing it before ,alma's army could return4 ,alma at once headed his troops for ,zarahemla1 and with all haste marched toward it4 ,he reached the crossing of the ,sidon without meeting the enemy1 but while attempting to pass to the western bank he was confronted by the allied armies4 ,illustration3 ,,wilderness ,,of ,,hermounts4 ,a terrible battle ensued2 the ,nephites were taken somewhat at a disadvantage1 but being men of faith1 they fervently sought ,heaven's aid1 and in the increased fervor this faith inspired1 they hastened to the combat4 ,with ,alma at their head1 the advanced guard forded the river and broke upon the enemy who stood awaiting them4 ,by the impetuosity of their charge they drove in the ranks of the enemy1 and as they pushed onward they cleared the ground by throwing the bodies of their fallen foes into the ,sidon1 thus making an opening for the main body to obtain a foothold4 ,in this charge ,alma met ,amlici face to face1 and they fought desperately4 ,in the midst of this hand to hand combat1 ,alma lifted his heart on high1 and prayed for renewed strength that he might not be overpowered1 but live to do more good to his people4 ,his prayers were answered1 and thereby he gained new vigor to battle with and eventually slay ,amlici4 ,amlici slain1 ,alma led the attack to where the king of the ,lamanites fought4 ,but that monarch retired before the impetuous valor of the high priest and commanded his guards to close in upon his assailant4 ,the order was promptly obeyed1 but it did not succeed4 ,alma and his guards bore down upon them with such fury that the few of the monarch's warriors who escaped made a hasty retreat4 ,pushing steadily on1 ,alma kept driving the allies before him1 until his whole army had crossed the ,sidon4 ,there the enemy1 no longer able to meet his well ordered advance1 broke in all directions1 and retreated into the wilderness that lay to the north and west4 ,they were hotly pursued by the ,nephites as long as the latter's strength permitted1 and were met on all quarters by patriots rallying to the call of the commonwealth who slew them by thousands4 ,a remnant eventually reached that part of the wilderness known as ,hermounts4 ,there many died and were devoured by the wild beasts and vultures with which that region abounded4 ,a few days after this decisive battle1 another invading ,lamanite army appeared4 ,this one advanced along the east bank of the ,sidon4 ,alma1 having been wounded1 sent one of his officers1 who met the hosts of the ,lamanites1 and drove them back to their own lands4 ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,,alma ,,resigns ,,the ,,chief ,,judgeship--,,nephihah ,,chosen--,,alma ,,ministers ,,in ,,zarahemla1 ,,gideon1 ,,melek ,,and ,,ammonihah--,,condition ,,of ,,the ,,last ,,named ,,city--,,it ,,rejects ,,the ,,message ,,alma ,,bears--,,an ,,angel ,,meets ,,him--,,amulek--,,the ,,lawyer ,,zeezrom--,,the ,,great ,,controversy--,,zeezrom ,,converted ,,and ,,cast ,,out--,,the ,,martyrdom ,,of ,,the ,,believers--,,alma ,,and ,,amulek ,,in ,,prison--,,their ,,deliverance4 7,,alma ,,chap4 #d ,,to #ad47 ,the great losses sustained by the ,nephites in this war1 not of warriors alone1 but of women and children1 together with the vast amount of their property destroyed1 had the effect of humbling them and softening their way-ward hearts1 so that many thousands1 during the next few years1 were added to the church by baptism4 ,but the recollection of their former disasters was gradually worn away by time and prosperity4 ,three years later we find great inequality in the church--some poor and some rich1 the more powerful abusing and oppressing their weaker brethren4 ,this course proved a great stumbling-block to those who were not numbered with the church1 as well as being the cause of much sorrow and ill-feeling amongst its members4 ,finding that no man could properly attend to the duties of his many offices1 ,alma determined to resign the chief judgeship1 and devote his entire time to his duties as the earthly head of the church4 ,preparatory to this resignation1 he selected one of the leading elders1 named ,nephihah1 to be his successor as chief judge4 ,this choice was confirmed by the people4 7,b4 ,c4 #hc47 ,alma now gave his entire attention to the duties of his calling as a preacher of righteousness4 ,he commenced his labors in ,zarahemla4 ,thence he went to the city of ,gideon4 ,after ministering there for some time1 he returned for rest to his home in the capital city4 ,the next year 7,b4 ,c4 #hb71 ,alma turned his face westward4 ,he visited the land of ,melek1 where his labors were crowned with abundant blessings4 ,having satisfied himself with the good that he had accomplished1 he traveled three days' journey on the north of the land of ,melek1 to a great and corrupt city called ,ammonihah4 ,there he found a godless people1 filled with the falsehoods of ,nehor1 who were committing all manner of abominations without repentance1 because they cherished the flattering lie1 as the foundation of their creed1 that all men would be saved4 ,this city was in the hands of a corrupt clique of judges and lawyers1 who stirred up sedition1 tumult and rioting1 that they might make money out of the suits that followed such disturbances4 ,further than this1 they were secretly plotting to overthrow the government1 and rob the people of their highly prized liberties4 ,among such a people ,alma labored in vain2 none would listen1 none would obey1 none offered him rest and food4 ,scorn and mockery were his reward2 and he was spat upon1 maltreated and cast out of the city4 ,weary in body and sick at heart because of the iniquity of the people1 after many fruitless efforts1 fervent prayers and long fastings1 ,alma sought some other people more worthy of salvation's priceless gifts4 ,he bent his way toward the city of ,aaron2 but as he journeyed1 an angel of the ,lord 7that same angel that beforetime had been the agent in his conversion to ,god7 stood before him and blessed him4 ,he told him to lift up his heart and rejoice1 for because of his faithfulness he had great cause to do so4 ,the angel then directed ,alma to return to the sin-cursed city he had just left1 and proclaim unto its citizens the awful message that except they repented the ,lord would destroy them4 ,without delay the prophet obeyed the angel's words4 ,by another road he drew near the doomed city1 which he entered by its south gate4 ,as he passed in he hungered1 and asked a man whom he met1 ,will ye give to an humble servant of ,god something to eat8 ,with joy the man 7and1 strange though it appear1 he was a rich man7 took him to his home and fed1 clothed and lodged him4 ,furthermore1 ,amulek1 for such was his name1 told ,alma that he also had received a visit from a holy angel who had informed him of the high priest's coming1 and directed him to receive him into his house4 ,then ,alma blessed ,amulek and all his household1 and tarried with them and recruited his strength under the generous hospitality which their home afforded4 ,but his rest was not to be a lengthened one2 the people waxed stronger in sin2 the cup of their iniquity was nearly full4 ,go1 came the word of the ,lord1 ,go forth1 and take with thee my servant ,amulek1 and prophesy unto his people1 saying1 ,repent ye1 for thus saith the ,lord1 ,except ye repent1 ,i will visit this people in mine anger2 yea1 ,i will not turn my fierce anger away4 ,filled with the ,holy ,ghost1 these servants of ,god went forth and valiantly delivered their terrible message4 ,one of those who most bitterly opposed ,alma and ,amulek was a lawyer named ,zeezrom4 ,we find recorded at great length1 in the ,book of ,mormon1 the details of the controversy that occurred between him and the two servants of the ,lord4 ,as a result we have handed down to us some of the plainest teachings regarding the atonement1 the resurrection1 the powers of the priesthood1 etc41 that are had among mankind4 ,no matter what ,alma and his companion said1 ,zeezrom could twist it from its proper meaning2 find blasphemy and heresy in the sublime truths of the gospel1 and extract treason from the simplest of ,god's laws4 ,he questioned and cross-questioned1 he promised and threatened1 he twisted and turned1 he abused and vilified1 but all to no purpose1 he was caught in his own trap4 ,his heaven-inspired opponents made manifest his thoughts and intentions1 they exposed his lying1 they overthrew his sophistries and1 with a power more than human1 they exhibited the blackness of his heart4 ,as they proceeded the power of ,god increased upon them1 their words grew yet more forcible until ,zeezrom himself felt their power4 ,as his corruptions were laid bare he began to tremble1 first with rage1 then with fear4 ,bad as he was1 he was not the worst among his people1 and when once he realized the power he was combating1 his heart began to acknowledge its guilt4 ,with this feeling he commenced to inquire of ,alma1 not now in mockery1 but in solemn earnestness1 with regard to the kingdom of ,god4 ,the answers he received were like a two-edged sword1 piercing to his inmost soul1 bringing to him a terrible sense of his awful position before ,god1 and encompassing him about with the pains of hell4 ,he realized that he had been a leader in iniquity1 that his lyings and deceivings had greatly contributed to drag the people down to their existing corruption1 and that he was among those most responsible for their hardness of heart4 ,in this frame of mind he made an effort to plead with the people2 he acknowledged his guilt1 testified to the virtue and integrity of ,alma and ,amulek and interceded in their behalf4 ,but in vain4 ,the degraded populace reviled him1 they mocked at him1 they said he also was possessed of a devil1 and further1 they spat on him2 then they cast stones at him1 and ultimately1 with some others1 drove him out of their city2 while the two prophets1 with many who believed in their holy message1 were thrown into prison1 there to suffer all the indignities1 persecutions and annoyances that apostate hate could inflict4 ,nor was this the worst2 these reprobates took the wives and babes of those believers whom they had driven away1 with such as had accepted the truth who still remained in the city1 and1 gathering them in a body they mercilessly burned them to death in one great martyrs' fire4 ,into the torturing flames they also cast the records that contained the holy scriptures1 as though they imagined1 in their blind fury1 that they could thereby destroy the truths that were so odious to them4 ,in their devilish glee and savage exultation they carried the two enchained prophets to the place of sacrifice1 that they might harrow up their souls with a view of the sufferings of the perishing women and children4 ,amulek's brave and impetuous spirit could ill bear the fearful scene4 ,the groans1 the cries and supplications of the tortured innocents carried untold agony to his soul4 ,he begged ,alma to exercise the power of ,god that was in them to save the martyrs4 ,but the ,holy ,spirit revealed to ,alma that this sacrifice was by heaven's consent1 and he replied1 ,the ,spirit constraineth me that ,i must not stretch forth mine hand1 for behold the ,lord receiveth them up unto himself in glory2 and he doth suffer that the people may do this thing1 according to the hardness of their hearts1 that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just2 and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them1 yea1 and cry mightily against them at the last day4 ,then ,amulek said1 ,perhaps they will burn us also4 ,to which ,alma responded1 ,be it according to the will of the ,lord4 ,but1 behold1 our work is not finished2 therefore they burn us not4 ,when the fire had burned low1 and the precious fuel of human bodies and sacred records was consumed1 the chief judge of the city came to the two prisoners as they stood bound1 and mocked them4 ,he smote them on the cheek1 and jeeringly asked them if they would preach again that his people should be cast into a lake of fire and brimstone1 seeing that they had no power to save those who had been burned1 neither had ,god exercised his power in their behalf4 ,but neither answered him a word4 ,then he smote them again and remanded them to prison4 ,after they had been confined three days1 they were visited by many judges and lawyers1 priests and teachers1 after the order of ,nehor1 who came to exult in the misery of their prisoners4 ,they questioned and badgered them1 but neither would reply4 ,they came again the next day1 and went through the same performance4 ,they mocked at1 smote and spat upon the two disciples4 ,they tantalized them with blasphemous questions1 such as the nature of their peculiar faith inspired4 ,how shall we look when we are damned8 sneeringly asked these unbelievers in damnation4 ,patiently and silently all this was borne4 ,day after day was it repeated4 ,harder and harder grew the hearts of the ,ammonihahites towards their prisoners4 ,fiercer and stronger grew their hatred4 ,they stripped ,alma and ,amulek1 and1 when naked1 bound them with strong ropes4 ,they withheld food and drink from them1 and in various ways they tortured their bodies1 and sought to aggravate and tantalize them and harrow up their minds4 ,on the #abth day of the tenth month of the tenth year of the ,judges 7,b4 ,c4 #hb71 the chief judge with his followers again went to the prison4 ,according to his usual custom he smote the brethren1 saying as he did so1 ,if ye have the power of ,god1 deliver yourselves from these bonds1 and then we will believe that the ,lord will destroy this people according to your words4 ,this impious challenge the crowd one by one repeated as they passed by the prophets1 and smote them in imitation of their leader4 ,thus each individual assumed the responsibility of the defiance cast at the ,almighty1 and virtually said1 ,our blood be upon our own heads4 ,the hour of ,god's power had now come--the challenge had been accepted4 ,the prophets1 in the majesty of their calling1 rose to their feet4 ,they were endowed with the strength of ,jehovah4 ,like burnt thread the cords that bound them were snapped asunder and they stood free and unshackled before the terror-stricken crowd4 ,to rush from the prison was the first impulse of the ,god-defying followers of ,nehor4 ,in their fear some fell to the earth1 others1 impelled by the crowd behind stumbled and fell over the prostrate bodies1 until they became one confused mass1 blocking each other's way2 struggling1 yelling1 cursing1 pleading1 fighting2 frantically1 but vainly1 endeavoring to reach the outer gate4 ,at this moment of supreme horror an earthquake rent the prison walls4 ,they trembled1 then tottered1 then fell on the struggling mass of humanity below1 burying in one vast1 unconsecrated grave1 rulers and judges1 lawyers and officers1 priests and teachers4 ,not one was left alive of all the impious mob who a few moments before defied heaven and challenged ,jehovah's might4 ,but ,alma and ,amulek stood in the midst of the ruins unhurt4 ,straightway they left this scene of desolation and went into the city4 ,when the citizens saw the two servants of ,god1 great fear fell upon them1 and they fled1 as a goat fleeth with her young from two lions4 ,alma and ,amulek were then ordered to leave the city4 ,this they did1 and went to the neighboring town of ,sidom4 ,there they found those who had been cast out of ,ammonihah1 and in grief and sorrow they related the story of the burning of the wives and children of the fugitives1 and also the history of their own miraculous deliverance4 ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,,zeezrom ,,sick ,,with ,,fever--,,his ,,miraculous ,,recovery--,,the ,,destruction ,,of ,,ammonihah--,,the ,,invasion ,,of ,,the ,,land ,,of ,,noah--,,zoram1 ,,the ,,nephite ,,commander1 ,,seeks ,,the ,,mind ,,of ,,the ,,lord--,,it ,,is ,,given--,,its ,,results--,,the ,,war ,,ended--,,alma',s ,,ministrations4 7,,alma ,,chap4 #ae ,,and #af47 ,while the fearful tragedy that we have just related was being enacted in ,ammonihah1 ,zeezrom--trembling1 heart-sick and faint--wandered with the others to ,sidom4 ,the horrors of the damned took hold of him1 until his body succumbed to the agony of his mind4 ,he was scorched with a burning fever1 which continually increased until the glad tidings reached his ears that ,alma and ,amulek were safe2 for he had feared that through his iniquities they had been slain4 ,no sooner did they reach ,sidom than he sent for them1 as his heart then began to take courage4 ,they did not hesitate1 but at once proceeded to where he lay4 ,when they entered his presence1 he stretched forth his hands and besought them to heal him4 ,alma questioned him regarding his faith in ,christ1 and finding that the good seed planted in his bosom had brought forth fruit1 this mighty high priest cried unto the ,lord1 ,o ,lord our ,god1 have mercy on this man1 and heal him according to his faith which is in ,christ4 ,when ,alma had said these words1 ,zeezrom leaped upon his feet and walked1 to the great astonishment of all who witnessed it4 ,alma then baptized the repentant lawyer1 who began from that time forth to preach the glorious message of eternal salvation4 ,his energy1 wisdom1 learning and talents were now used towards the upbuilding of the kingdom of ,god1 with as much zeal as he had before labored for corruptible riches and worldly fame2 for ,zeezrom was a whole-souled1 courageous man1 he did nothing by halves--when he served the devil1 he was a profitable servant2 when he turned to ,god1 he did it with all his heart4 ,from this time ,zeezrom became a preacher of righteousness1 laboring under the direction of ,alma1 and we next hear of him ministering with ,amulek to the people in the land of ,melek4 ,next year ,ammonihah was destroyed4 ,less than four months had elapsed since the two inspired followers of the ,lamb had left it to its fate1 when the ,lamanites fell upon it like a whirlwind in its suddenness1 and as an avalanche in its utter desolation4 ,the dark skinned warriors of ,laman swept over these murderers of the saints like a tempest of fire1 leaving neither young nor old1 babe nor grandsire1 to repeat the story of their woes4 ,not one of ,ammonihah's boasting children was left to defy heaven4 ,nor was the city spared2 it1 also1 was given to the destroyer1 and its palaces and temples1 its homes and its workshops1 were consumed by the devouring fire4 ,for one day the fierce flames consumed the walls and towers of ,ammonihah4 ,their light illumined the lurid sky1 shone on the distant mountain tops1 and lit the neighboring valleys4 ,then an uninhabitable desolation1 stinking with the rotting carcasses of man and beast1 only remained to mark the place where ,ammonihah once stood4 ,as the ,desolation of ,nehors1 it was known and avoided by the ,nephites for many succeeding years4 ,emboldened by this signal triumph1 the ,lamanites entered the borders of the neighboring land of ,noah4 ,there they continued their depredations1 carrying off many ,nephite captives into the wilderness4 ,at this juncture the ,nephite general ,zoram1 with his two sons 7,lehi and ,aha71 rallied his forces1 in the hope of intercepting the ,lamanite armies in their return to the land of ,nephi1 and of delivering the captives4 ,before starting on their march ,zoram determined to inquire of the ,lord4 ,he and his sons knew that ,alma was a prophet and revelator to the nation4 ,wisely they went first to him and inquired if it was the ,lord's will that they should advance into the wilderness in search of their captive brethren4 ,alma laid the matter before the ,lord4 ,the ,divine answer came3 ,behold the ,lamanites will cross the river ,sidon in the south wilderness1 away up beyond the borders of the land of ,manti4 ,and behold there shall ye meet them1 on the east of the river ,sidon1 and there the ,lord will deliver unto thee thy brethren who have been taken captive by the ,lamanites4 ,obedient to these plain instructions1 ,zoram and his sons crossed over the river ,sidon with their armies1 and marched southward beyond the borders of the land of ,manti1 into that portion of the great southern wilderness which lay east of the river ,sidon4 ,there they came upon the enemy1 as the word of the ,lord had declared1 and there they joined in battle4 ,the ,lamanites were defeated1 scattered and driven into the wilderness1 and the ,nephite captives were delivered4 ,great was the joy in the land of ,zarahemla when it was found that not one ,nephite had been lost of all those taken prisoners2 but every one1 great and small1 had escaped the horrors of slavery in the hands of the ,lamanites1 and they all returned in peace to possess their own lands4 ,here we have a most happy result of seeking the word of the ,lord and then faithfully carrying out his instructions4 ,again there was peace throughout the land1 and the name of ,zoram is no more mentioned in the sacred record4 ,during this period of peace1 ,alma and his fellow-priesthood preached ,god's holy word in the power and demonstration of the ,spirit1 and with much success4 ,great prosperity came to the church throughout all the lands of the ,nephites4 ,at this happy time there was no inequality among them2 the ,lord poured out his ,spirit on all the face of the land1 as ,alma supposed to prepare the hearts of his people for the coming of ,christ4 ,like many others of the ancient prophets1 he antedated that glorious appearing4 ,he little knew of the wars and contentions1 the apostasies and dissensions1 the spiritual tribulation and material commotion that would precede that blessed day4 ,but with this prospect full in view1 he labored and rejoiced1 preached1 blessed and prophesied1 never tiring in his energies1 and feeling sorrowful only because of the hard-heartedness and spiritual blindness of some of the people4 ,in one most glorious event1 ,alma had unspeakable joy4 ,his youthful companions1 the sons of king ,mosiah1 returned from their fourteen years' mission amongst the ,lamanites1 during which time1 after sore trials and great tribulation1 they1 by the grace of the ,father1 had brought many thousands of that benighted race to a knowledge of the principles of the everlasting gospel4 ,alma was traveling south on one of his missionary journeys from the land of ,zarahemla to the land of ,manti1 when he met ,ammon and his brethren coming from the land of ,nephi4 ,on hearing the story of the mission1 he at once returned with them to ,zarahemla4 ,there the condition of affairs amongst the ,lamanites was rehearsed to the chief judge1 who laid the whole subject before the people1 so that whatever was done in relation to the ,christian ,lamanites might be done by common consent4 ,the ,nephites decided to give the land of ,jershon to these people for an inheritance4 ,with this cheering news ,ammon1 accompanied by ,alma1 returned into the southern wilderness1 to the place where his people were awaiting the decision of the ,nephites4 ,there the ,ammonites were ministered to and comforted by ,alma and others1 after which they resumed their march to the land set apart for their future abode4 ,there1 however1 we shall find1 as we proceed with our story1 they remained but a few years4 ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,,korihor ,,the ,,anti-,,christ--,,his ,,false ,,teachings ,,and ,,blasphemy--,,he ,,is ,,taken ,,before ,,alma--,,is ,,struck ,,dumb--,,his ,,miserable ,,end--,,the ,,heresy ,,rooted ,,out4 7,,alma ,,chap4 #cj47 ,the next notable event in the history of the ,nephites was the appearance of ,korihor1 the anti-,christ4 7,b4 ,c4 #ge47 ,the doctrines advocated by ,korihor were of a kind that would gain ready adhesion from those who did not fervently love purity1 truth and righteousness1 as they flattered their vanity and gave them liberty to follow the lead of their passions without fear of the judgment or condemnation of a ,divine ,being4 ,spiritually he was a ,nihilist4 ,he denied the coming of the ,messiah1 he ridiculed prophecy and revelation1 and asserted that it was impossible for men to know the future4 ,he inveighed against the atonement of the ,redeemer as a foolish superstition1 and taught1 instead of the unchanging truths of the everlasting gospel1 the theory that every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature1 prospered according to his genius1 and conquered according to his strength4 ,further1 he announced that whatsoever a man did was no crime1 for that when a man was dead1 there was an end thereof4 ,it is almost needless to say that those who accepted such dogmas gave way to all manner of evil doing4 ,they became overbearing to others1 exceedingly keen in business transactions1 were full of covetousness1 duplicity1 and lasciviousness1 and indulged in various wanton pleasures4 ,their motto might be said to have been1 ,let us eat1 drink and be merry1 for tomorrow we die2 and what we do here will not be brought against us hereafter4 ,korihor also gained a strong hold among the discontented1 for such are ever found where universal perfection does not dwell4 ,he railed at the holy priesthood with fierce words of falsehood4 ,he charged that they sought to keep the people down1 that they encouraged ignorance in the masses1 that they bound their minds with foolish traditions2 all this1 and much more1 that they might usurp power and authority1 and glut themselves with the results of their victims' daily toil4 ,in ,alma's answer to this charge we have a pleasing insight into his private life4 ,he said3 ,thou knowest that we do not glut ourselves upon the labors of this people1 for behold1 ,i have labored even from the commencement of the reign of the ,judges until now1 with mine own hands1 for my support1 notwithstanding my many travels round about the land to declare the word of ,god unto my people2 and notwithstanding the many labors ,i have performed in the church1 ,i have not so much as received even one senine for my labor2 neither has any of my brethren1 save it were in the judgment seat1 and then we have received only according to law for our time4 ,as a propagandist1 ,korihor1 for a short time1 was a success4 ,we first hear of him preaching his satanic doctrines in the land of ,zarahemla1 and as he claimed to fully believe all he taught1 the law could not touch him1 as full religious liberty was guaranteed under the constitution and laws of the ,nephite commonwealth4 ,from ,zarahemla he went to the land of ,jershon to inoculate the ,ammonites with his soul-destroying vagaries4 ,but they were a wiser and more zealous people for the gospel than were many of the ,nephites4 ,they took him1 bound him1 and carried him before ,ammon 7son of king ,mosiah71 their high priest4 ,he directed that ,korihor should be removed beyond the border of their land1 which command having been obeyed1 we next find the unabashed impostor laboring amongst the people of the land of ,gideon4 ,there he also met with rebuffs4 ,he was arrested by the people and taken before the chief officers in that land4 ,they found they could do nothing that would be satisfactory with him1 so they remanded him into the custody of the proper officers1 with instructions to carry him before ,alma and ,nephihah1 in ,zarahemla4 ,when brought before these worthies--the highest dignitaries of the church and state--,korihor continued in his course of loud-mouthed blasphemy1 defiant assumption1 and wilful falsehood4 ,he argued against the existence of the ,father and the coming of his ,only ,begotten4 ,alma accused him of arguing against his convictions1 but this he stoutly denied1 and clamored for a sign to be given1 as he pretended1 that he might be convinced4 ,alma at length1 wearied by his impious importunities1 told him that ,god1 as a sign1 would smite him dumb4 ,this terrible warning1 though it caused the pretender some uneasiness1 only resulted in an attempt at prevarication on his part4 ,he said3 ,i do not deny the existence of a ,god1 but ,i do not believe there is a ,god2 and ,i say also1 that ye do not know that there is a ,god2 and except ye show me a sign ,i will not believe4 ,then ,alma answered3 ,this will ,i give unto thee for a sign1 that thou shalt be struck dumb according to my words2 and ,i say that1 in the name of ,god1 ye shall be struck dumb1 that ye shall no more have utterance4 ,korihor received his sign2 ,alma's words were fulfilled2 the sign-seeker never more spoke on earth4 ,when the hand of the ,lord fell upon him he recanted4 ,by writing1 as he could not speak1 he confessed the power of ,god1 and acknowledged that he had been led astray by ,satan1 who had come to him in the form of an angel of light4 ,he begged that the curse might be removed1 but ,alma1 well knowing the baseness of his heart1 refused to intercede before heaven in his behalf lest when restored to speech he would again strive to deceive the people4 ,and it came to pass that the curse was not taken off ,korihor2 but he was cast out and went about from house to house begging for his food4 ,a proclamation was next sent throughout all the land4 ,in it the chief judge recited what had happened to ,korihor1 and called upon those who had believed in his words to speedily repent1 lest the same judgments should come upon them4 ,this proclamation put an end to the iniquity of ,korihor1 for his followers were all brought back again to the truth4 ,but ,korihor1 deserted by the devil1 a vagabond and a beggar1 still continued to beg his way from town to town1 from house to house2 until1 one day1 in a city of the ,zoramites1 he was run over and trodden down4 ,the injuries that he received at this time were so great that he soon after died4 ,,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,,zoram ,,and ,,the ,,zoramites--,,their ,,peculiar ,,heresy--,,the ,,land ,,of ,,antionum--,,the ,,rameumptom--,,alma',s ,,mission ,,to ,,these ,,people--,,those ,,who ,,receive ,,his ,,teachings ,,persecuted--,,they ,,flee ,,to ,,jershon4 7,,alma ,,chap4 #ca ,,to #ce47 ,in our last chapter we stated that ,korihor1 the anti-,christ was killed in a city of the ,zoramites4 ,who was ,zoram8 and who were the ,zoramites8 are the questions that now present themselves4 ,there are two distinct classes of people called ,zoramites in the ,book of ,mormon4 ,the first1 the descendants of ,zoram1 the servant of ,laban1 who accompanied ,nephi from ,jerusalem4 ,the second were the followers of the apostate ,zoram1 whose defection and treason caused so much trouble and bloodshed in the ,nephite republic4 ,of the last named ,zoram and his individual life we have no history4 ,we only know him through his pernicious teachings1 and the sad results thereof4 ,but it is altogether probable that before he started out as a religious reformer on his own account1 he was a follower of ,nehor1 as the majority of his adherents appear to have been gathered from that sect and to have belonged to that order4 ,zoram assembled his people in a region of the ,south ,american continent1 at that time but very thinly settled by the ,nephites4 ,it was called the land of ,antionum1 and lay to the east of the river ,sidon1 while it stretched from the land of ,jershon in the north1 to the great wilderness south1 which was infested with the more savage1 wandering ,lamanites4 ,to this broad land the ,zoramites gathered1 and there built their cities1 erected their synagogues1 and grew in material wealth2 until1 in the year ,b4 ,c4 #ge1 they had become an important1 though undesirable portion of the ,nephite commonwealth4 ,as friends they were unreliable1 as enemies formidable4 ,in the various apostasies1 partial or total1 that from time to time disgraced the ,nephites1 there is one characteristic feature that seems universal to them all1 however much they may have differed on minor points4 ,it was the denial of the coming of the ,savior in the flesh1 and of the necessity of ,his atonement for the sins of the world4 ,this was the evil one's strong point in his efforts to mislead the ancient ,nephites4 ,let him but persuade any people to reject this1 the foundation of the gospel scheme1 and little he cares what else they believe or disbelieve2 for when this fundamental truth is rejected their spiritual enslavement is secured4 ,this was the case with the ,zoramites4 ,they claimed to be a chosen and a holy people1 separate from their fellow-men1 and elected of ,god to eternal salvation1 while all around were predestined to be cast down to hell4 ,this atrocious creed naturally resulted in its adherents and advocates being puffed up in vanity and consumed with pride4 ,they became haughty1 uncharitable and tyrannical1 and oppressors of their poorer neighbors4 ,they covered their bodies with the finest apparel1 and profusely adorned their persons with costly ornaments of gold and jewels4 ,in their arrogance and self-righteousness they became the ,pharisees of their age and country2 but in other phases of iniquity they far exceeded their counterparts in the ,holy ,land4 ,they bowed down to idols1 denied the coming of ,christ1 declared the doctrine of the atonement to be a foolish tradition1 and1 like many of the sects of modern ,christendom1 they misinterpreted the teachings of holy scripture with regard to the being of ,god4 ,their declaration of faith was3 ,holy1 holy ,god2 we believe that thou art ,god1 and we believe that thou art holy1 and that thou wast a spirit1 and that thou art a spirit1 and that thou wilt be a spirit forever4 ,this strange medley of ideas gave birth to corresponding vagaries of worship4 ,they left off praying4 ,being chosen and elected to be ,god's holy children1 they had no need of prayer4 ,once a week they assembled in their synagogues and went through an empty form1 which was a little prayer1 a little praise and considerable self-glorification4 ,having done this1 they never mentioned ,god or holy things again throughout the week2 indeed1 it was a portion of their creed that their synagogues were the only places in which it was lawful to talk or think of religious matters4 ,their ceremonies were as absurd as their creed4 ,in the centre of each of their synagogues was erected a holy stand1 or pulpit1 called rameumptom1 which stood high above the congregation4 ,from the slight description given of it in the book of ,alma we judge it may have been somewhat pyramidical in form1 the top being only large enough for one person to stand upon4 ,each worshiper mounted to the top1 stretched out his hands toward heaven1 and1 in a loud voice1 repeated their set form of worship4 ,having done this1 he descended and another took his place1 and so on1 until all who desired to go through the mummery had satisfied their conscience or gratified their pride4 ,the tidings of this defection having reached ,alma1 he selected several of the leading members of the priesthood1 and1 as soon as possible1 proceeded to the land of ,antionum4 ,those who accompanied him were his two younger sons1 three of the sons of king ,mosiah1 ,amulek and ,zeezrom4 ,to his anxiety to bring these dissenters back from the error of their ways and to avert heaven's righteous wrath from falling upon them1 was added the fear that if they remained in their wickedness they would join the ,lamanites and bring trouble upon the more faithful ,nephites by urging the renewal of war4 ,on the arrival of ,alma and his fellow-laborers at the seat of this apostasy1 they at once commenced their ministrations4 ,they taught in the synagogues and preached in the streets4 ,they visited the people from house to house1 using every possible effort to bring these misguided dissenters to an understanding of their perilous condition4 ,to these labors we are indebted for some of the plainest and most powerful gospel teachings contained in the ,book of ,mormon1 all of which will well repay our perusal4 ,suffice it to say1 that many of the poor and humble1 those who were oppressed1 abused and trodden down by their false priests and unrighteous rulers1 as well as by the wealthier portion of the community1 received the words of salvation1 while the majority rejected them with contemptuous scorn4 ,some of the missionaries were maltreated4 ,shiblon1 the son of ,alma1 was imprisoned and stoned for the truth's sake1 while others fared but little better4 ,unfortunately the work of ,god was retarded by the misconduct of ,corianton1 the brother of ,shiblon1 who1 for a time1 deserted his ministerial duties for the company of a harlot4 ,this folly caused ,alma great sorrow1 as it gave the ungodly a pretext for rejecting the gospel1 of which they were not slow to avail themselves4 ,when ,alma and his associates had done all the good they deemed possible1 they withdrew to the neighboring land of ,jershon4 ,no sooner had they left than the more crafty of the ,zoramites devised a plan to discover the feelings of the community4 ,they gathered the people together throughout the land and consulted with them concerning that which they had heard4 ,in this way they discovered who favored the truth and who rejected it4 ,finding that the poor and uninfluential were those who had received it1 they resorted to persecution and plunder4 ,they drove the believers from their homes and out of the land4 ,most of these fled to the land of ,jershon1 whither the priesthood had preceded them4 ,the land of ,jershon was inhabited by the people of ,ammon4 ,they also had left home and country for the truth's sake1 and now that others were suffering from the same cause1 they received them with open arms4 ,they fed and clothed those who needed such help1 and gave them lands whereon they might build up new homes4 ,when the wicked ,zoramites heard of the kind reception their injured fellow-citizens had received in ,jershon they were greatly angered4 ,they were not content to spoil them themselves1 but they wanted to make them fugitives and vagabonds on the face of the whole earth4 ,their leader1 a very wicked man1 sent messages to the ,ammonites1 desiring them to expel the refugees1 adding many threats of what would follow1 should his cruel demand not be complied with4 ,but the ,ammonites were a brave people2 they had already suffered unto death for the cause of ,god2 and they were not of the stamp to desert their afflicted brethren4 ,rather than do so1 they would again forsake their homes and find in some other region a land of peace3 for we must remind our readers that the ,ammonites had entered into covenant with ,god never again to bend the bow or draw the sword to take human life4 ,they1 therefore1 withdrew to the land of ,melek1 and the armies of the ,nephites occupied the land of ,jershon4 ,,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,,another ,,war--,,moroni1 ,,the ,,leader ,,of ,,the ,,nephites--,,the ,,tactics ,,of ,,the ,,lamanites--,,zerahemnah--,,the ,,battle ,,at ,,riplah--,,defeat ,,of ,,the ,,lamanites4 7,,alma ,,chap4 #dc ,,and #dd47 ,the cause which led the ,nephite armies to occupy ,jershon was that the ,zoramites1 finding that their haughty and unjust demands would not be complied with1 had excited the ,lamanites to invade the territory of the ,nephites4 ,the ,lamanite forces which were commanded almost entirely by ,nephite apostates1 on account of their fierce hatred to their former associates1 marched first into the land of ,antionum1 where they were joined by the ,zoramites4 ,then the whole of the invading hosts1 under the command of a dissenter named ,zerahemnah1 advanced northward towards the land of ,jershon4 ,this was a day of peril for the ,nephites4 ,their enemies were much more numerous than they1 and were filled with a savage thirst for blood1 which was especially felt against those who were of their own race and kindred who had bowed in obedience to ,heaven's commands4 ,at this juncture the ,lord raised up one of the greatest heroes ever born on ,american soil4 ,he was not only a military leader1 but a priest and prophet1 and by his inspiration and devoted courage the ,nephites were for many years led to uninterrupted victory4 ,such was ,moroni1 who now1 though but twenty-five years old1 took the chief command of the armies of his nation4 ,though the forces of the ,lamanites were much more numerous1 all other advantages were on the side of their foes4 ,the discipline of the ,nephites was better by far2 the bodies of their soldiers were protected by armor1 breastplates1 helmets1 shields1 etc41 and they were fighting for the sacred cause of their religion and their country1 their altars and their fire-sides1 their wives and their little ones4 ,inspired by the justness of their cause and the extremity of their circumstances1 they fought with a courage and a desperation never exceeded in their annals4 ,the ,lamanites1 on the other hand1 had no such holy impulses to nerve their arms for the combat4 ,they were the aggressors1 and were hasting to shed the blood of their brethren4 ,insane and infernal hatred alone inspired them for the warfare4 ,besides1 they were ill-prepared to meet the ,nephites1 who had such a tactician as ,moroni for their commander-in-chief4 ,the descendants of ,laman were simply armed with swords and cimeters1 bows and arrows1 slings and stones4 ,their bodies were naked with the exception of a skin wrapped about their loins4 ,the ,zoramites and other dissenters from the ,nephites were better clothed2 in dress they followed the fashion of the people from whom they sprang4 ,the ,lamanites1 finding that ,moroni was too well prepared for their attack on the land of ,jershon1 retired through ,antionum into the wilderness1 where they changed direction and marched towards the headwaters of the river ,sidon1 with the intention of taking possession of the land of ,manti4 ,but ,moroni was too vigilant to allow his enemies to slip away without knowing what had become of them4 ,he had his spies watch the movements of ,zerahemnah's forces1 and in the meanwhile sent to ,alma to inquire the mind and will of the ,lord with regard to his future course4 ,the word of the ,lord was given to ,alma1 and he informed ,moroni's messengers of the movements of the ,lamanites4 ,the young general1 with becoming prudence1 then divided his army4 ,one corps he left to protect ,jershon1 and with the remainder he advanced by rapid marches toward ,manti1 by the most direct route4 ,on his arrival he at once mustered all the men who could bear arms into his forces1 to help in the defense of their rights and their liberties against the advancing foe4 ,so rapid had been his movements and so prompt had been the response to his calls that when the ,lamanites reached the neighborhood of the ,sidon he was prepared for their coming4 ,the battle that was fought when the opposing armies met was one of the most stubborn and bloody in ,nephite history4 ,never from the beginning had the ,lamanites been known to fight with such exceeding great strength and courage4 ,time after time their hosts rushed upon the well-ordered ranks of the ,nephites1 and notwithstanding the latter's armor they crushed in their heads and cut off their arms4 ,but the cost of these charges to their own numbers was terrible4 ,the battle began at a hill called ,riplah1 and afterwards extended to both banks of the ,sidon4 ,at one time a lull took place in the carnage1 and ,moroni1 who had no pleasure in the shedding of blood1 made an offer of such terms of surrender as he considered the circumstances warranted4 ,but ,zerahemnah and other captains of the ,lamanite hosts rejected the offer and urged their troops to renewed resistance4 ,so the battle recommenced with unabated ferocity4 ,at last the faith and valor of the ,nephites prevailed2 many of the ,lamanites surrendered and agreed to a covenant of peace4 ,even ,zerahemnah himself1 wounded and scalped by one of ,moroni's body guard1 to prevent the total annihilation of his armies1 at last consented to the proposed terms and entered into the required covenant of peace4 ,so great were the losses on both sides1 especially of the ,lamanites1 that the dead were not numbered4 ,thus ended the war1 but not the ,zoramite heresy1 for we read1 in the history of later wars between the two nations1 of certain ,lamanite captains being of the ,zoramites4 ,foiled in their attempts to destroy their former brethren and to overthrow the church of ,god1 they still adhered to their false faith1 and on every possible occasion made manifest their undying hatred to those whose only offense was that they would not join them in their crimes nor consent to the destruction of the liberties of the people4 ,,chapter ,,xxix4 ,,alma',s ,,charge ,,to ,,his ,,sons--,,he ,,transfers ,,the ,,records ,,to ,,helaman--,,he ,,leaves ,,this ,,world--,,zeezrom',s ,,latter ,,days--,,helaman',s ,,ministrations4 7,,alma ,,chap4 #cf ,,to #db1 #de47 ,alma was now growing old4 ,notwithstanding his unceasing efforts and fervent prayers1 the ,nephites were again backsliding into iniquity4 ,to every ,nephite city1 and to every ,nephite land he went or sent1 to revive the gospel fires in the souls of the inhabitants4 ,but many became offended because of the strictness of the gospel's laws1 which forbade not only sin itself1 but the very appearance of sin4 ,as this feeling grew1 ,alma's heart became exceedingly sorrowful and he mourned the depravity of his people4 ,like many of the ancient patriarchs1 when they felt that their mortal career was drawing to its close1 he called his sons to him1 and gave them his last charge and blessing1 speaking to each as the spirit of instruction and prophecy inspired4 ,to ,helaman1 his eldest1 he transferred the custody of the sacred plates1 with many words of warning and caution regarding them4 ,with hearts strengthened and renewed by the inspiration of his fervent admonitions1 his sons went forth among the people2 nor could ,alma himself rest while there was a soul to save or a wrong to make right4 ,he also went forth once again in the spirit of his holy calling1 and raised his voice in advocacy of the principles of the everlasting gospel4 ,it was in the nineteenth year of the ,judges 7,b4 ,c4 #gc71 that ,alma took his beloved son1 ,helaman1 and after having discovered1 through divers questions1 the strength and integrity of his faith1 he prophesied to him of many important events in the distant future1 especially with regard to the destruction of the ,nephites4 ,this prophecy he commanded him to record on the plates1 but not to reveal to anyone4 ,alma then blessed ,helaman1 also his other sons2 indeed he blessed all who should stand firm in the truth of ,christ from that time forth4 ,shortly after this he departed out of the land of ,zarahemla1 as if to go to the land of ,melek1 and was never heard of more4 ,of his death and burial no men were witnesses4 ,then the saying went abroad throughout the church that the ,lord had taken him1 as he beforetime had taken ,moses4 ,this event occurred exactly one hundred years from the time of the elder ,alma's birth4 ,after the departure of ,alma we learn no more of the life of his associate ,zeezrom1 though his name and teachings are more than once referred to by later servants of ,god4 ,we also read of a city of ,zeezrom1 and1 as it was the custom of the ,nephites to name their cities1 towns and villages after whoever founded them1 it is highly probable that1 in the colonization of the country so vigorously carried on in the age that these men lived1 he commenced the building of this place1 and it would not be unreasonable to believe that he dwelt in the midst of its citizens as their high priest or chief judge4 ,alma's son ,helaman appears to have succeeded him as the presiding ,high ,priest4 ,after ,alma's departure from this earth ,helaman and others went through the cities of the ,nephites and regulated the affairs of the church4 ,owing to the pride of many who would not give heed to the instructions given them1 nor walk uprightly1 dissensions arose1 which in after years led to numerous evils1 among the greatest of which was a long continued war1 or series of wars1 between the faithful ,nephites on one side1 and the apostates1 and afterwards the ,lamanites on the other4 ,still1 for four years1 ,helaman and his associate priesthood were enabled to maintain order in the church4 ,many died in full faith of the gospel and in joyous hope of its never-ending rewards2 indeed1 during that period there was much peace and great prosperity enjoyed by those who remained faithful4 ,,chapter ,,xxx4 ,,amalickiah--,,his ,,apostasy ,,and ,,treason--,,moroni',s ,,title ,,of ,,liberty--,,the ,,nephites ,,respond ,,to ,,his ,,call--,,lehonti-,,he ,,is ,,poisoned ,,by ,,amalickiah--,,the ,,king ,,of ,,the ,,lamanites ,,treacherously ,,slain--,,amalickiah ,,marries ,,the ,,queen ,,and ,,is ,,proclaimed ,,king--,a ,,disastrous ,,lamanite ,,raid4 7,,alma ,,chap4 #df ,,and #ej47 ,peace1 however1 was but short lived4 ,internal dissensions created by the intrigues of apostates and royalists convulsed the ,nephite community4 ,the rebels were led by a descendant of ,zoram1 the servant of ,laban1 named ,amalickiah1 one of the most ambitious1 cunning and unscrupulous characters that ever disgraced the history of ancient ,america4 ,it was a perilous day for the ,nephite nation when this subtle creature bent all his brilliant energies to the fulfillment of his ambitious dreams4 ,true1 he had been a member of ,christ's holy church1 but now the love of ,god had given place to the hatred of his servants2 he was the citizen of a republic1 but he aspired to overthrow its liberties1 and reign as king over his fellow-citizens4 ,indeed he had cherished thoughts of still greater power1 even to be monarch of the entire continent2 both ,nephite and ,lamanite should bow to his undisputed sway4 ,such were his nightly dreams1 and the continual thoughts of his waking hours1 and to this end he bent all the energies of his mind1 all the craft of his soul1 all the cunning of his tongue1 all the weight of his influence4 ,with promises rich as the gold of ,ophir and numerous as the snow-flakes in a winter's hurricane1 he beguiled his weaker fellows2 men who1 like him1 loved power1 hated the truth1 delighted in iniquity1 but who had not the lofty ambition1 the unhallowed valor1 and the deep designing cunning that distinguished their leader4 ,to his call the dissatisfied1 the corrupt and the apostate rallied4 ,opposed to him stood ,moroni1 the dauntless leader of the armies of the ,nephites4 ,inspired by an unquenchable love for truth and liberty1 he sensed with every heart's pulsation that no man could fight for a holier1 more glorious cause than virtue and liberty4 ,thus inspired1 he tore a portion of his robe from it surrounding parts1 and inscribing thereon his battle cry1 he lifted it high upon a pole4 ,then girding on his armor1 incasing his head with its fit covering1 shielding his body with its breastplates1 placing the proper pieces round his thighs and loins1 he kneeled in humble1 heartfelt prayer before ,jehovah1 presented his ,title of ,liberty before him and asked his blessing1 protection1 guidance and victorious aid in the coming struggle4 ,then he gathered the hosts of the ,nephites2 from place to place he sped1 waving in the air the ensign on which all could read the burning words he had inscribed3 ,in memory of our ,god1 our religion and freedom1 and our peace1 our wives and our children4 ,illustration3 ,,moroni ,,raises ,,the ,,title ,,of ,,liberty4 ,nor did he cry in vain2 the patriot ,nephites1 the members of the church of ,christ1 hastened with ready feet to the response4 ,the streets of ,zarahemla were alive with the gathering hosts4 ,each warrior1 to show his devotion to the liberties with which ,god had endowed them1 and his fealty to the ,great ,giver1 rent his robe1 as the young general had done1 and thereby made covenant with ,god and his brethren to be faithful and true1 in life and in death1 in the council chamber and on the battle field1 while an enemy remained to menace their liberties1 national or religious4 ,nor was ,zarahemla alone in the manifestation of her patriotic love4 ,moroni's stirring appeal was spread far and wide throughout the lands of the ,nephites4 ,swift-footed1 banner-bearing messengers hastened down the ,sidon's banks to the dwellers in the north1 arousing the patriots of each peaceful city to the peril of the hour4 ,onward they hurried until ,desolation echoed back to ,bountiful the battle cry of liberty4 ,others gave no rest to the soles of their feet until ,mulek1 and her sister cities that lined the ,caribbean ,sea had flung from their tower tops the hallowed banner4 ,through the narrow defiles and rocky canyons that lay between the ,andes' lofty peaks1 other couriers pushed their unwearied way into the western wilderness and hence to the ,pacific's strand1 until every city held by ,nephites had gathered her sons to the defense of their rights and their liberties1 their altars and their fire-sides4 ,nor were ,manti and the other cities of the south forgotten2 the faithful and the brave who lined the borders of the great southern wilderness heard the rallying cry4 ,from every city1 every vale1 the converging hosts poured forth with sword and spear1 with bow and arrow1 with slings and stones2 while from the top of every tower and citadel throughout the ,nephites' land1 the sacred standard fluttered in the breeze4 ,men of strong arms and stout hearts were they1 of faith unfaltering1 and courage undiminished4 ,no wonder1 then1 that when ,amalickiah's emissaries brought the evil-boding news of this great awakening to his unwilling ears that he faltered in his purpose1 that his followers lost heart1 that retreat was deemed the fittest show of wisdom1 and discretion the better part of valor4 ,no wonder that when1 by ,moroni's vigilance1 that retreat was cut off1 that the rebels succumbed and surrendered1 that ,amalickiah fled for safety to the ,lamanites1 and that the ,title of ,liberty continued to float uninterruptedly from the ,atlantic to the ,pacific coast1 as far as ,nephi's children ruled or ,nephite homes were found1 and that ,moroni and his people rejoiced with intensified joy in their liberties1 now more than ever dear to them through the valorous efforts they had put forth for their preservation4 ,when ,amalickiah fled to the court of the king of the ,lamanites he evolved a plot worthy of a demon1 which only ceased with life4 ,he was a ,napoleon in ambition and diplomacy1 and possibly also in military skill4 ,on the first favorable opportunity after reaching the ,lamanite court1 he commenced to rekindle the fires of hatred toward his former friends4 ,at first he was unsuccessful1 the recollection of their late defeats was too fresh in the memory of the multitude4 ,the king issued a war proclamation1 but it was disregarded4 ,much as his subjects feared the imperial power1 they dreaded a renewal of war more4 ,many gathered to resist the royal mandate4 ,the king1 unused to such objections1 raised an army to quell the advocates of peace1 and placed it under the command of the now zealous ,amalickiah4 ,the peace-men had chosen an officer named ,lehonti for their king and leader1 and he had assembled his followers at a mountain called ,antipas4 ,thither ,amalickiah marched1 but with no intention of provoking a conflict2 he was working for the good feelings of the entire ,lamanite people4 ,on his arrival he entered into a secret correspondence with ,lehonti1 in which he agreed to surrender his forces on condition that he should be appointed second in command of the united armies4 ,the plan succeeded4 ,amalickiah surrendered to ,lehonti and assumed the second position4 ,lehonti now stood in the way of his ambition2 it was but a little thing to remove him3 he died by slow poison administered by ,amalickiah's command4 ,amalickiah now assumed supreme command1 and at the head of his forces he marched towards the ,lamanite capital4 ,the king1 supposing that the approaching hosts had been raised to carry the war into ,zarahemla1 came out of the royal city to greet and congratulate him4 ,as the monarch drew near he was traitorously slain by some of the creatures of the subtle general1 who at the same time raised the hue and cry that1 the king's own servants were the authors of the vile deed4 ,amalickiah assumed all the airs of grief1 affection and righteous indignation that he thought would best suit his purpose4 ,he next made apparently desperate1 but purposely ineffectual1 efforts to capture those who were charged with the crime1 and so adroitly did he carry out his schemes1 that before long he wheedled himself into the affections of the queen1 whom he married1 and he was recognised by the ,lamanites as their king4 ,thus far his ambition was realized1 but it was far from satisfied2 ambition seldom is4 ,amalickiah now cherished the stupendous design of subjugating the ,nephites and ruling singly and alone from ocean to ocean 7,b4 ,c4 #gc74 ,to accomplish this iniquitous purpose1 he dispatched emissaries in all directions whose mission was to stir up the angry passions of the populace against the ,nephites4 ,when this vile object was sufficiently accomplished1 and the deluded people had become clamorous for war1 he raised an immense army1 armed and equipped with an excellence never before known among the ,lamanites4 ,this force he placed under the command of ,zoramite officers1 and ordered its advance into the western possessions of the ,nephites1 where1 amongst others1 stood the cities of ,ammonihah1 now rebuilt1 and ,noah4 ,the ,nephites1 during this time1 had been watching ,amalickiah's movements and energetically preparing for war4 ,when the ,lamanites reached ,ammonihah they found it too strongly fortified to be taken by assault2 they therefore retired to ,noah1 originally a very weak place1 but now1 through ,moroni's foresight and energy1 made stronger than ,ammonihah4 ,the ,zoramite officers well knew that to return home without having attempted something would be most disastrous1 and therefore1 though with little hope1 made an assault upon ,noah4 ,this step resulted in throwing away a thousand lives outside its walls1 while its well-protected defenders had but fifty men wounded4 ,after this disastrous attempt the ,lamanites marched home4 ,great was the anger of ,amalickiah at the miscarriage of his scheme2 he cursed ,god and swore he would yet drink the blood of ,moroni4 ,during the next year the ,lamanites were driven out of the great eastern wilderness1 which was occupied by numerous ,nephite colonies1 who laid the foundations of several new cities along the ,atlantic coast4 ,moroni also established a line of fortifications along the ,nephites' southern border1 which stretched from one side of the continent to the other4 ,,chapter ,,xxxi4 ,a ,,few ,,years ,,of ,,peace--,,teancum-,,the ,,contention ,,between ,,lehi ,,and ,,morianton--,,amalickiah',s ,,terrible ,,invasion--,,his ,,success--,,he ,,is ,,stopped ,,at ,,bountiful ,,by ,,teancum--,,teancum ,,slays ,,amalickiah--,,ammoron ,,made ,,king ,,of ,,the ,,lamanites4 7,,alma ,,chap4 #ej ,,and #eb47 ,a few years of peace and prosperity now followed4 ,the ,nephites multiplied exceedingly and grew very rich4 ,they were also greatly blessed of the ,lord2 and the sacred historian informs us there never was a happier time among the people of ,nephi than at this time4 ,sad to say1 this blessed era lasted but a few years4 ,a local quarrel between two cities on the ,atlantic sea-board regarding their respective boundaries was the cause of the first fresh outbreak4 ,at this point we are introduced to another great general of the ,nephites1 named ,teancum4 ,teancum appears to have had command of the ,nephite army of the north 7under the direction of ,moroni1 the commander-in-chief of all the forces of the republic71 and to have had committed to him the defense of the land ,bountiful and the ,isthmus of ,panama4 ,his first exploit to which our attention is drawn is the defeat of the dissatisfied people of ,morianton1 who1 having unjustly quarreled with their neighbors1 the people of the city of ,lehi1 and being apparently aware of the unrighteousness of their cause1 determined to migrate to the land northward1 and there establish an independent government4 ,such a movement being evidently dangerous to the peace and stability of the republic1 ,moroni determined to prevent the accomplishment of their schemes4 ,he dispatched ,teancum with a body of troops to head them off4 ,this the gallant officer succeeded in doing1 but not until they had reached the ,isthmus1 when a stubbornly fought battle ensued1 in which ,teancum slew ,morianton with his own hand1 and compelled the surrender of his followers4 7,b4 ,c4 #fh47 ,the prisoners were brought back1 the grievances of the two people were investigated1 a union between them brought about1 and both were restored to their own lands4#f ,in the following year 7,b4 ,c4 #fg71 ,amalickiah commenced his devastating invasion of the ,atlantic provinces of the ,nephites4 ,commencing at ,moroni1 on the extreme south-east1 he gradually advanced northward1 capturing and garrisoning all the ,nephite cities along the coast1 until toward the close of the year he reached the borders of the land ,bountiful1 driving the forces of the republic before him4 ,at this point he was met by ,teancum and a corps of veterans renowned for their courage1 skill and discipline4 ,the ,lamanite leader endeavored to force his way to the ,isthmus1 with the intention of occupying the northern continent4 ,in this he was foiled1 for the trained valor of ,teancum's warriors was too much for that of ,amalickiah's half-savage hordes4 ,all day the fight lasted1 and at night the worn out soldiers of the two armies camped close together1 the ,lamanites on the sea-beach1 and the ,nephites on the borders of the land ,bountiful4 ,it was the last night of the old year1 according to ,nephite reckoning4 ,the great heat and the terrible efforts of the day had overcome both officers and men4 ,the murmur of the ,atlantic's waves sounded a soft lullaby in the ears of ,amalickiah and his hosts1 who1 for the first time during the campaign1 had suffered a check in their triumphal march4 ,even ,amalickiah slept2 but not so with ,teancum4 ,he was brooding over the wrongs and perils of his beloved country1 as well as his own sufferings1 both the deadly fruit of one man's unholy ambition4 ,as he pondered he grew more angry1 and at last he determined by one desperate stroke to put an end to the war2 or1 if not that1 at least to slay the cause of it4 ,taking one servant with him1 he secretly stole out of his own camp into that of the enemy4 ,a death-like silence reigned in both4 ,cautiously and unobserved he searched out the royal tent4 ,there lay the foe1 there lay his guards1 all overcome with resistless fatigue4 ,to draw his javelin1 thrust it into the king's heart and then flee1 was but the work of a moment1 and so adroitly did he fulfill his purpose that ,amalickiah died without a struggle or a cry1 and it was not until the morning that his guards discovered that the hosts of ,laman were without a head4 ,when ,teancum returned to his own warriors he awoke them from their slumbers and rehearsed to them all that he had done4 ,it is not difficult to imagine their enthusiasm1 which1 for fear they should arouse the enemy1 they were compelled to restrain4 ,they1 however1 kept a strong guard on the alert1 lest when the ,lamanites awoke and discovered that their king was dead1 they should1 in their anger make a sudden onslaught on the ,nephite lines4 ,this thought1 however1 was not realized4 ,when the ,lamanites found that ,amalickiah was slain1 they hastily retreated to the fortified city of ,mulek4 ,amalickiah was succeeded on the ,lamanitish throne by his brother ,ammoron1 who continued the war with unrelenting vindictiveness4 ,,footnote3 #f ,during this year ,nephihah the second ,chief ,judge died1 and his son ,pahoran1 succeeded him on the judgment seat4 ,,chapter ,,xxxii4 ,,jacob ,,the ,,zoramite--,,his ,,characteristics--,,the ,,strategy ,,by ,,which ,,mulek ,,was ,,taken--,,the ,,fierce ,,battle ,,between ,,jacob ,,and ,,the ,,nephite ,,forces--,,jacob',s ,,death4 7,,alma ,,chap4 #eb47 ,the general who commanded the ,lamanite forces at ,mulek was named ,jacob4 ,he was a ,nephite apostate1 who had accepted the errors of the ,zoramites4 ,his appointment was one characteristic of the prevailing policy of ,amalickiah and of his successor1 ,ammoron4 ,it was to give the command of the ,lamanite armies to men who1 like themselves1 were traitors to their own government2 for1 in such cases1 to military knowledge was almost invariably added intense religious hate1 which neither asked nor gave quarter on the battlefield1 but fought to the last extremity with unconquerable fury4 ,such a one was ,jacob4 ,he had entrenched himself in the strongly fortified city of ,mulek1 the most northern of the ,nephite cities that had fallen into the enemy's hands4 ,it was a key to the surrounding country4 ,while it remained in ,lamanite possession it was very little use for ,moroni to attempt to recover the cities that lay yet farther south along the shores of the east sea4 ,the ,nephite generals did not consider themselves justified in making an attempt to carry the place by assault4 ,such an effort would have cost too many noble lives1 and probably have proven unsuccessful4 ,moroni had with him at this time two of his most trusted lieutenants1 ,lehi and ,teancum1 both of whom were little inferior to the chief captain in wisdom and valor4 ,at a council of war it was determined to attempt the capture of ,mulek by strategy4 ,they had already sent embassies to ,jacob desiring him to bring his armies into the open plain to meet the ,nephites in battle1 but the ,lamanite commanders were too well acquainted with the discipline and courage of the ,nephite forces to take such a risk4 ,there was1 therefore1 but one plan left1 other than to patiently sit down before the city and reduce it by a regular siege1 and that was to decoy a portion of its defenders beyond the protection of its walls1 and when it was thus weakened to carry it by storm4 ,moroni determined on this course4 ,by command of ,moroni1 the gallant ,teancum1 with a small force1 marched along the sea shore to the neighborhood of ,mulek1 while ,moroni1 with the main body of the army1 unperceived by the enemy1 made a forced march by night into the wilderness which lay on the west of the city4 ,there he rested4 ,lehi1 with a third corps1 remained in the city of ,bountiful4 ,on the morrow ,teancum's detachment was discovered by the ,lamanite outposts1 and from the smallness of its numbers they judged it would fall an easy prey4 ,jacob at once sallied forth at the head of his warriors to attack the presumptuous ,nephites4 ,on their approach ,teancum cautiously retreated along the sea shore towards the city of ,bountiful4 ,jacob followed in vigorous pursuit4 ,moroni1 in the meanwhile1 divided his army into two corps1 one of which he dispatched to capture the city1 and with the other he closed in between ,jacob's army and ,mulek4 ,the first corps accomplished its work without difficulty1 for ,jacob had left but a small force behind him1 and all who would not surrender were slain4 ,the ,lamanites crowded after ,teancum in hot pursuit until they came nigh unto ,bountiful1 when they were met by ,lehi and the small force under his command4 ,at his appearance the ,lamanite captains fled in confusion1 lest they should be out-generaled and cut off from their fortifications4 ,jacob's warriors were weary by reason of their long and hasty advance1 while ,lehi's soldiers were fresh and unfatigued4 ,but ,lehi refrained from pressing too vigorously on his retreating foes1 as his object was not to exhaust his men before the hour of battle came1 and he was anxious to avoid a conflict till he and ,moroni could at the same moment attack the ,lamanites in front and rear4 ,when ,jacob drew near the city he found himself confronted by the soldiers of ,moroni1 who closed in around his warriors and barred their further progress southward2 while ,lehi1 putting forth his pent-up energies1 fell with fury on their rear4 ,weary and worn though his troops were1 ,jacob would not surrender4 ,whatever his faults may have been1 and they were doubtless numerous1 he had a resolute1 unconquerable spirit that would fight to the last4 ,he determined1 if possible1 to cut his way through to ,mulek4 ,with this intent he made a desperate1 though ineffectual1 charge on ,moroni's lines4 ,the ,nephites being fresh and unwearied1 never wavered1 but received the shock firm as a rock upon which the waves of the ocean break in vain4 ,the battle here raged with indescribable fierceness1 and with heavy losses to both sides4 ,the wild ,lamanites1 in the frenzy of desperation1 dashed with all their strength and prowess against the well-ordered ranks of the ,nephites1 in the one absorbing endeavor to force their way through2 while the ,nephites1 in the heroic courage which religion and patriotism inspire1 stood cool and undismayed1 breaking the force of the shock of each charge1 then ,on the wounded and the slain ,closed their diminished files again4 to receive the next onslaught4 ,in this desperate encounter ,moroni was wounded and ,jacob slain4 ,while ,jacob was thus impetuously charging on ,moroni's corps1 ,lehi with his strong men was as furiously driving in the ,lamanite rear4 ,at last the soldiers of ,jacob in that part of the field surrendered4 ,their leader being slain1 the remainder of the troops hesitated between throwing down their arms and continuing the hopeless strife4 ,moroni1 with his intense hatred of unnecessary bloodshed1 when he noticed that they wavered1 cried out that if they would lay down their weapons and deliver themselves up he would spare their lives4 ,his offer was accepted4 ,the chief captains1 who remained1 came forward and placed their weapons at his feet and commanded their men to do the same4 ,most of the warriors obeyed1 yet numbers would not4 ,they preferred death to surrender1 and force had to be used to wrest their weapons from them4 ,the ,lamanite prisoners were then sent under an escort to the city of ,bountiful1 and when counted were found to exceed in numbers the slain on both sides in the late battle4 ,thus fell ,mulek1 and thus died its defender1 ,jacob the ,zoramite4 ,,chapter ,,xxxiii4 ,,the ,,war ,,in ,,the ,,south-,,west--,,antipus--,,helaman ,,and ,,his ,,two ,,thousand ,,sons--,,their ,,valor ,,and ,,faith--,,the ,,repulse ,,of ,,the ,,lamanites4 7,,alma ,,chap4 #ef ,,and #eg47 ,the war had been raging about a couple of years1 and was working disastrously to the ,nephites1 when the people of ,ammon1 feeling that they were a burden rather than a help to their benefactors1 though indeed they were not1 desired to be released from their oath and covenant never again to take up deadly weapons against their fellows4 ,they desired in this hour of extreme peril to take up arms in defense of the liberties of their adopted country4 ,from this rash step ,helaman and his brethren dissuaded them1 lest by so doing they should imperil their eternal salvation4 ,but they had sons who had grown far towards manhood who had not entered into this covenant1 and consequently were not shut off from participating in the dangers and glories of the war4 ,so with their fathers' and mothers' consent1 faith1 prayers and words of encouragement1 two thousand of these youths were mustered into the ,nephite army 7,b4 ,c4 #ff74 ,these striplings were all men of truth1 faith1 soberness and integrity1 and were conspicuous for their courage1 strength and activity4 ,being organized they desired that ,helaman1 for whom they had great love and respect1 should be their leader4 ,he consented1 and at their head marched to the relief of the forces of the republic that were struggling against considerable odds on the southern borders of the ,nephite dominions1 from the shores of the ,pacific ,ocean eastward4 ,helaman found the ,nephite forces1 numbering about six thousand warriors1 in a somewhat deplorable condition4 ,the ,lamanites1 in the strength of greatly superior numbers1 had captured the cities of ,manti1 ,cumeni1 ,zeezrom and ,antiparah1 and held possession of the country round about4 ,these cities had not been taken without much bloodshed on both sides4 ,the ,nephites especially had lost large numbers in prisoners1 who were generally put to death by their captors1 except the superior officers1 who were sent to the land of ,nephi4 ,antipus1 the ,nephite commander1 was locked up in the city of ,judea1 where1 dispirited and weakened by excessive toil and fighting1 his troops were making a desperate and painful effort to fortify the city4 ,the arrival of ,helaman and his corps brought hope and joy again to their hearts1 and renewed vigor to their endeavors4 ,king ,ammoron1 learning that reinforcements had reached the defenders of ,judea1 ordered all active operations to be suspended for a season4 ,this suspension was most providential for the soldiers of ,antipus1 as it gave them time to finish the work of fortifying the beleaguered city1 and also to recruit their health and energies4 ,by the commencement of the following year the works of defense were completed1 and the ,nephites became anxious for the onslaught they had so greatly dreaded a few months previous4 ,but they were disappointed4 ,the ,lamanites did not feel sufficiently strong to renew aggressive movements4 ,they contented themselves with occupying the ,nephite cities they had already captured4 ,in the second month of this year 7,b4 ,c4 #fe7 a convoy of provisions and two thousand additional warriors arrived from the land of ,zarahemla4 ,the ,nephites in the city of ,judea were now ten thousand strong1 with abundant provisions1 and they were anxious for a forward movement in order1 if possible1 to retake some of their cities in the hands of the enemy4 ,antipus and ,helaman resolved on a ruse to entice the ,lamanites from behind their fortifications4 ,it was decided that ,helaman and his command should march out of ,judea with the apparent intention of carrying supplies to one of the cities in the hands of the ,nephites1 that was built near the seashore4 ,in executing this manuvre1 they purposely passed at no great distance from the city of ,antiparah1 in which was stationed the most numerous of the ,lamanite armies1 in the hope that the ,lamanites would notice that their numbers were few1 and thus be led to attack them4 ,the stratagem proved successful4 ,the garrison of ,antiparah issued forth in pursuit of ,helaman1 who1 with all haste1 retreated into the wilderness northward1 his intent being to draw his pursuers as far as possible from ,antiparah4 ,when the ,lamanites had started in pursuit of ,helaman1 ,antipus1 with a considerable portion of his army1 marched out of the city of ,judea and fell in the ,lamanites' rear4 ,the retreat soon became a race4 ,the ,lamanites crowded forward with all possible expedition in the endeavor to reach ,helaman before ,antipus caught them4 ,helaman1 on the other hand1 used his utmost energy to keep out of their clutches4 ,neither of the three bodies turned to the right or to the left1 but kept straight on in the effort to out-march their foes4 ,night came and went1 and on the morrow the double pursuit was still kept up4 ,another night fell1 but neither dare turn from its course4 ,on the third morning the race for life and victory was again renewed1 but before long the ,lamanites1 concluding they could not overtake ,helaman1 suddenly stopped1 and awaited the coming of ,antipus and his weary soldiers1 whom they unexpectedly attacked with great fury1 slew ,antipus and several of his captains1 threw the ,nephite troops into great confusion and forced them to commence a retreat4 ,in the meantime1 ,helaman discovered that he was no longer pursued1 and not knowing the reason1 was in doubt what course to take4 ,he called a hasty council of war1 at which it was determined to return at once1 and risk the chances of being caught in a trap by the crafty ,lamanites4 ,the statement which ,helaman makes regarding the conduct of his young soldiers at this council is very interesting4 ,after he had explained the situation to them1 he inquired1 ,what say ye1 my sons1 will ye go against them in battle8 ,without hesitancy they answered in the affirmative1 saying3 ,father1 behold our ,god is with us1 and he will not suffer that we shall fall2 then let us go forth2 we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone2 therefore let us go lest they should overpower the army of ,antipus4 ,here ,helaman remarks3 ,now they never had fought1 yet they did not fear death2 and they did think more of the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives2 yea1 they had been taught by their mothers that if they did not doubt that ,god would deliver them4 ,and they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers1 saying1 ,we do not doubt our mothers knew it4 ,helaman and his sons arrived none too soon on the field of battle4 ,the soldiers of ,antipus were already fleeing before their more numerous foes1 but the valor and impetuosity of the youthful ,ammonites was irresistible4 ,they fell on the ,lamanite rear with a daring and miraculous strength possessed only by men who put their whole trust in ,god4 ,thus attacked in the rear1 the ,lamanites immediately halted1 changed front1 and threw their whole force against the ,ammonites4 ,the surviving officers of ,antipus' army1 finding that ,helaman had come to their rescue1 stopped the retreat1 re-organized their scattered bands1 and renewed the attack4 ,the ,lamanites were compelled to succumb2 they could not resist the desperate courage of the ,nephites that was driving them in at both front and rear4 ,their legions all surrendered1 and1 by ,helaman's orders1 were sent as prisoners of war to ,zarahemla4 ,and what about the young warriors of ,ammon8 ,so great was their faith1 so potent its workings1 that when1 after the battle1 ,helaman called the roll of his youthful heroes1 not one was missing4 ,the faith sown by their mothers' words had borne fruit--they were all preserved4 ,to their undaunted prowess1 for they fought as if with the strength of ,god1 the ,nephites unhesitatingly accorded the glory of the day4 ,still the hardly contested war continued4 ,six thousand men1 with provisions1 reached ,helaman from ,zarahemla and the regions round about 7,b4 ,c4 #fc71 besides sixty more young ,ammonites who had grown sufficiently vigorous to assume the hardships of military life4 ,the city of ,cumeni shortly afterwards surrendered through the want of provisions1 their supplies having been continuously cut off by ,helaman's troops4 ,this surrender threw so many prisoners on the hands of the ,nephites that they were unable to guard or feed them4 ,an officer named ,gid1 with a sufficient force1 was detailed to convey them to ,zarahemla1 but on their way1 passing near to an invading body of ,lamanites1 the prisoners made a desperate attempt to escape4 ,a few succeeded in getting away1 but the greater number were slain by their guard4 ,gid and his command returned to headquarters1 as it proved1 just in time1 for the ,lamanites had made a sudden and unexpected attack at ,cumeni1 and but for ,gid's timely arrival the ,nephite forces would probably have received a severe defeat4 ,as it was1 defeat was turned to victory by their coming4 ,in this desperate battle every one of the young ,ammonites was wounded1 but not one was slain4 ,according to the promise made to them they were preserved by the marvelous power of ,god4 ,,chapter ,,xxxiv4 ,,the ,,relief ,,of ,,manti--,,the ,,overthrow ,,of ,,the ,,king ,,men--,,pachus ,,slain--,,the ,,struggle ,,at ,,moroni--,,teancum ,,slays ,,ammoron1 ,,but ,,at ,,the ,,cost ,,of ,,his ,,own ,,life--,,teancum',s ,,noble ,,character4 7,,alma ,,chap4 #eh ,,to #fb47 ,after the battle at ,cumeni1 the ,lamanites retreated eastward to ,manti1 which was situated on the upper waters of the ,sidon4 ,nor was it for several months that this city could be taken1 as owing to internal dissensions at the ,nephite capital1 and the attempts on the part of some of the people to overthrow the republic and establish a monarchy1 ,pahoran1 the chief judge1 was unable to supply the necessary provisions and reinforcements4 ,in this strait ,helaman and his fellow officers called on the ,lord in fervent prayer1 which was not unanswered4 ,they received assurances of deliverance and victory4 ,these blessed assurances inspired fresh faith and infused renewed courage in the war-weary hearts of those not given to the love of carnage4 ,fired with the determination1 by ,god's grace1 to conquer1 they entered on a campaign against the city of ,manti1 which1 by strategy1 they captured before the end of the year 7,b4 ,c4 #fc74 ,the moral effect of this victory was so great that the ,lamanites retreated into the wilderness1 evacuating the whole of the territory on the west1 but unfortunately taking with them1 as prisoners1 many women and children4 ,for more than a year ,moroni could not send the needed help to ,helaman4 ,the rebels in ,zarahemla had driven the chief judge out of the city1 and he had taken refuge in ,gideon4 ,from there he wrote to ,moroni to come to his assistance1 which that officer did at the earliest possible moment1 leaving the armies in the north-east under the command of ,lehi and ,teancum4 ,as he advanced he rallied the people on his line of march to the defense of the liberties of the republic1 and was so successful that1 after having joined the chief judge1 ,pahoran1 he succeeded in overthrowing the king men1 killing their leader1 ,pachus1 and completely crushing the rebellion4 ,this being accomplished1 he sent #f1jjj men with the necessary provisions to reinforce ,helaman 7,b4 ,c4 #fa74 ,the campaign during this year1 along the ,atlantic coast1 was a decisive one4 ,at last the soldiers of ,ammoron were driven out of ,omner1 ,morianton1 ,gid1 ,lehi1 ,nephihah1 and every other ,nephite city on that sea-board1 except the outlying one1 called ,moroni1 where the whole of the invading host was massed for a final desperate stand1 and around which ,moroni1 by hurried and lengthened marches1 had concentrated his warriors4 ,it was the night before an expected decisive battle1 and the ,nephite officers and soldiers were too fatigued to either devise stratagems or execute them4 ,teancum alone was in a condition of unrest4 ,he remembered with intense bitterness all the bloodshed1 woes1 hardships1 famine1 etc41 that had been brought about in this great and lasting war between the two races1 which he rightly attributed to the infamous ambition of ,amalickiah and ,ammoron4 ,he reflected how he had slain the former1 and determined that as he had slain ,amalickiah1 so should ,ammoron fall4 ,in his anger he stole forth into the enemy's camp1 let himself over the walls of the city1 sought out the king's tent1 and when he had found the object of his search1 he cast a javelin at him1 which pierced him near the heart4 ,but1 unlike ,amalickiah1 ,ammoron's death was not instantaneous4 ,he had time to awaken his servant before he passed away4 ,the alarm was given1 the guards started in pursuit2 ,teancum was overtaken1 caught and slain4 ,on the morrow ,moroni attacked the ,lamanites1 defeated them with great slaughter1 captured the city1 and drove them entirely out of ,nephite territory4 7,b4 ,c4 #fa74 ,the writer of the ,book of ,alma records3 ,when ,lehi and ,moroni knew that ,teancum was dead1 they were exceedingly sorrowful2 for behold1 he had been a man who had fought valiantly for his country2 yea1 a true friend to liberty1 and he had suffered very many exceeding sore afflictions4 ,but behold1 he was dead1 and had gone the way of all the earth4 ,in that glorious galaxy of patriot-priests1 or warrior-prophets1 call them which we may1 to whose stern integrity1 inspired valor1 and unflinching virtue the ,nephite republic1 in the days of which we write1 owed so much of its stability and was so greatly indebted for its perpetuity1 ,teancum shines among the brightest4 ,view him from whatever point we please1 there is no mistaking the man4 ,his ardent disposition1 his fiery impetuosity1 his zealous patriotism1 his undaunted courage1 his love of liberty1 his entire disinterestedness1 shine forth in every action4 ,indeed1 we might almost call him rash1 so little did he consider his personal safety when he thought the good of his country required the sacrifice4 ,in picturing the heroes of those days1 ,teancum looms up before us almost as a ,hotspur or ,murat4 ,in our mind's eye we can see him charging the solid phalanxes of the ,lamanites1 rushing at full speed towards the enemy several lengths ahead of his line of battle2 his commanding presence inspiring confidence1 his unwavering voice ringing out the word of command1 his bright armor shining in the sun1 and his hair streaming from beneath his helmet1 as1 regardless of all save the liberties of his country1 he falls upon the thickest of the foe1 seeking out their chief captains1 that by their death an end may possibly be put to the horrors of war4 ,thus we find him slaying with his own hand1 at different times1 ,morianton1 ,amalickiah and ,ammoron4 ,in fact1 it is quite noticeable that in nearly all the great battles of this age1 the ,nephites appear to have made it a conspicuous part of their policy to slay the commander of the opposing hosts4 ,so fell ,amlici1 ,morianton1 ,jacob1 ,coriantumr and others4 ,,chapter ,,xxxv4 ,,peace ,,once ,,more--,,the ,,results ,,of ,,the ,,war--,,the ,,labors ,,of ,,helaman--,,shiblon ,,receives ,,the ,,records--,,hagoth1 ,,the ,,ship-,,builder--,,another ,,war--,,moronihah--,,pahoran',s ,,death--,,contention ,,regarding ,,the ,,chief ,,judgeship--,,paanchi's ,,rebellion--,,the ,,gadianton ,,bands--,,assassination ,,of ,,pahoran ,,ii4--,,another ,,lamanite ,,invasion4 7,,alma ,,chap4 #fb ,,to ,,helaman ,,chap4 #a47 ,in the next year after the capture of the city of ,moroni peace was established in all the land2 not a ,lamanite warrior remained on ,nephite soil4 ,then ,pahoran returned to his judgment seat1 and ,helaman recommenced his labors in the ministry4 ,the long-continued and savage war just closed had brought various evils to the church4 ,in many parts of the land it may be said to have been disorganized4 ,the occupancy of so many of the ,nephite cities by the unbelieving ,lamanites had produced numerous demoralizing effects4 ,murders1 contentions1 dissensions and all manner of iniquity had become rife1 and the hearts of the people had grown hardened4 ,yet not altogether so1 for there were some who acknowledged the hand of the ,lord in all their afflictions4 ,these humbled themselves in the depths of humility2 and because of the prayers of the righteous the people were spared4 ,such was the state of affairs when ,helaman went forth to call the people to repentance and set the church in order4 ,in this blessed work he had much success1 and with the help of his brethren he again established the ,church of ,god throughout all the land4 ,these labors he continued until the time of his death1 and his joy therein was greatly increased by the continued faithfulness of the people4 ,they1 notwithstanding their abundant prosperity1 which1 as ever1 followed their repentance1 remained humble1 fervent in prayer and diligent in well-doing4 ,such was the happy condition of the people of ,nephi when ,helaman died 7,b4 ,c4 #eg71 he having survived his illustrious father sixteen years4 ,shiblon1 at the death of his brother1 took possession of the sacred things that had been delivered unto ,helaman by ,alma1 and held them for four years4 ,the next year 7,b4 ,c4 #ef7 the valiant ,moroni1 one of the greatest and most virtuous of ,god's sons1 passed away from this state of mortality to the glories of eternity1 at the early age of forty-three years4 ,some time before his death he had given the chief command of the armies of the ,nephites to his son1 ,moronihah1 who1 from the history of later years1 we judge to have been a worthy son of so illustrious a sire4 ,the four years that ,shiblon held the plates are principally noteworthy for the commencement of ,nephite emigration to the northern continent4 ,it was during this period that ,hagoth established his ship-building yards on the ,pacific1 near the land ,bountiful4 ,it is probable that ships were built by the ,nephites before ,hagoth's time1 but he being an exceedingly expert mechanic1 constructed much larger ones than had hitherto been built1 and thus inaugurated a new feature in ,nephite colonization4#g ,when ,shiblon died he committed the records to the care of ,helaman1 the son of his brother ,helaman4 ,the history of the ,nephites and ,lamanites still continued a history of wars4 ,in the same year that ,shiblon died1 the ,lamanites again raised a numerous army and went down against their traditional foes4 ,the campaign was a short one4 ,moronihah1 the son of ,moroni1 inflicted a signal blow upon their advancing legions1 and drove them back to their own lands4 ,their loss in this deservedly ill-fated expedition was great4 ,still this blood-thirsty race never seemed to gain experience by the things it suffered4 ,this1 no doubt1 arose to a great extent from the continued irritation kept up by the wily apostates1 who had much private spleen to gratify in the sufferings of the ,nephites1 and who held no particular love or respect for their credulous dupes and cat's-paws1 the ,lamanites4 ,it was in the year ,b4 ,c4 #ec that ,helaman took charge of the sacred plates1 etc4 ,in the next year ,pahoran1 the chief judge1 died1 which event gave rise to serious contention amongst the ,nephite people4 ,three of his sons1 named ,pahoran1 ,pacumeni and ,paanchi1 were ambitious to fill the exalted position left vacant by their father's death4 ,each had his adherents and following1 but1 according to the national law1 the matter was decided by the voice of the people1 and ,pahoran was chosen4 ,pacumeni assented to the decision of the citizens1 but ,paanchi attempted to raise a rebellion1 for which crime he was arrested1 tried by the law1 and condemned to death4 ,still the more wicked part of the community supported his unlawful claims4 ,these determined to slay ,pahoran1 which resolve they carried into effect1 and the chief judge was slain by an assassin named ,kishkumen4#h ,this foul murder was committed while the chief magistrate was sitting in the judgment seat administering the law1 but through the connivance of the murderer's associates in iniquity he escaped4 ,these lawless men bound themselves together by a secret oath and covenant1 that they would never divulge who was the murderer of ,pahoran1 and they swore1 by the most horrible oaths1 one to another1 to conceal each other's crimes1 to aid and sustain each other in their villainies1 and to carry out the designs and directions of their leaders4 ,over this band of conspirators1 assassins and robbers1 ,gadianton stood as the head4 ,the next year after ,pahoran's assassination1 the ,lamanites invaded the lands of the ,nephites4 ,the ,lamanite armies were commanded by a ,nephite dissenter named ,coriantumr4 ,he was a descendant of ,zarahemla1 therefore1 presumedly1 of the tribe of ,judah4 ,he determined on new and venturesome tactics1 and caused his forces to make an unexpected dash through the ,nephite territory4 ,the ,nephites everywhere gave way before them4 ,they marched through the center of the country1 ravaging its most populous and richest districts4 ,before the astonished ,nephites could collect their armies the enemy had assaulted and captured their beautiful and strongly fortified capital1 and for the first time the savage soldiery of ,laman held possession of the towers1 temples and palaces of ,zarahemla4 ,on this occasion the chief judge1 ,pacumeni1 was slain4 ,intoxicated with his uninterrupted successes1 the ,lamanite general crowded yet further north1 neglecting to keep up his line of communication in the rear4 ,coriantumr's hope was to obtain possession of the narrow isthmus which was the key to both continents4 ,in this he failed4 ,the ,nephite commander first checked his progress northward1 and then cut off his retreat4 ,in a fierce battle that followed he was killed1 his armies surrendered1 and the remnants hastened ingloriously home1 ,moronihah1 the ,nephite commander1 magnanimously permitting them to return unmolested4 7,b4 ,c4 #ea47 ,,footnotes3 #g ,these ships of ,hagoth carried many colonies to the land northward2 as it was their custom to take one load of emigrants and when they had disembarked1 to return for another4 ,some of these vessels were eventually lost2 that is1 the ships and their passengers never reached their destination4 ,it is supposed by many that a part of them were carried out to mid-ocean by storms and probably wrecked2 and that the survivors found safety and shelter on some of the islands of the ,pacific ,ocean4 ,in this way1 it is suggested1 the ,hawaiian1 ,samoan and other islands were first peopled4 #h ,pacumeni was chosen to succeed ,pahoran as ,chief ,judge4 ,,chapter ,,xxxvi4 ,,pacumeni ,,slain--,,helaman ,,chosen ,,chief ,,judge--,,the ,,conspiracy ,,to ,,slay ,,him--,,kishkumen ,,killed--,,the ,,prosperity ,,of ,,the ,,nephites ,,under ,,helaman4 7,,helaman ,,chap4 #a ,,to #c47 ,as ,pacumeni1 the chief judge1 had been slain at the capture of ,zarahemla1 no sooner was the war over than an election took place to fill his vacant seat4 ,the choice fell upon ,helaman1 the more righteous of the people providentially being still in the majority4 ,helaman being a ,god-fearing1 just man1 his election was very distasteful to the ,gadianton band and its sympathizers4 ,they resolved to slay him as they had before slain the younger ,pahoran1 and place ,gadianton on the judgment seat in his stead4 ,to accomplish this the same vile instrument was chosen--,kishkumen4 ,but the protecting hand of the great ,jehovah was over and around about ,helaman1 and he preserved him from the assassin's knife4 ,a servant of ,helaman1 possibly a detective commissioned in such time of peril to watch the movements of the dangerous classes1 by disguise became acquainted with the doings of the robber band1 and of their intentions toward his master4 ,as ,kishkumen was on his way to fulfil his bloody work1 this servant1 whose name is not recorded1 met him1 and gave him one of their secret signs4 ,this admitted him into the confidence of the assassin1 who explained his errand1 and asked to be conducted privately into the judgment hall1 where ,helaman was then sitting in the performance of his duties4 ,this was agreed upon2 the two proceeded to where the murderer expected to find his victim4 ,the strategy of the servant disarmed his suspicions1 he was off his guard4 ,at the opportune moment the servant stabbed ,kishkumen1 and so adroitly did he perform his work1 that the robber fell dead without a groan4 ,the servant immediately ran to the judgment hall1 and informed ,helaman of all that he had heard1 seen and done4 ,without delay1 orders were issued for the arrest of the band1 but its members1 finding that ,kishkumen did not return1 and fearing he had miscarried in his unholy work1 under the guidance of their leader fled precipitately into the wilderness by a secret way1 and1 in the depths of its luxuriant vegetation1 hid in a place where they could not be found4 7,b4 ,c4 #ej47 ,the succeeding years were of peculiar prosperity1 though not of great righteousness1 amongst the ,nephite people4 ,they spread out and colonized in every direction4 ,many thousands emigrated to the northern continent1 among them great numbers of ,ammonites4 ,numerous new cities were built1 and old ones repaired2 ship building was largely carried on1 and the arts and manufactures encouraged4 ,temples1 tabernacles and sanctuaries were erected in great numbers2 in fact1 the people spread out and covered both continents north and south1 east and west4 ,the sacred historian states that he has not recorded one hundredth part of the doings of the people--their wickedness and righteousness1 their wars and contentions1 their peace and prosperity2 but many records were kept1 upon which the history of these things were engraved1 and all that is necessary for the world's good will be brought to light in heaven's own time4 ,the annals of the remainder of ,helaman's rule are very short4 ,in the years ,b4 ,c4 #de and #dd there were many contentions in the land1 but in the latter portion of the succeeding year they measurably ceased1 and tens of thousands were baptized unto repentance4 ,so great was the prosperity of the church at this time that even the priesthood were surprised thereat1 and at the multiplicity of blessings that were poured out upon the people4 ,this happy state of affairs continued until the death of ,helaman1 though somewhat marred by the increasing pride and vanity that long-continued prosperity had begotten in the hearts of many of the ,christians4 ,helaman himself was a righteous man3 ,he did observe to keep the judgments1 and the statutes1 and the commandments of ,god2 and he did do that which was right in the sight of ,god continually1 and he did walk after ways of his father1 insomuch that he did prosper in the land4 ,so writes the historian of ,helaman2 what more can be said of any man8 ,helaman had two sons to whom he gave the names of ,nephi and ,lehi1 to remind them1 when they heard their own names called1 of the faith and goodness of their great ancestors1 who1 by ,god's direction1 led their fathers to the promised land4 ,when ,helaman died he was succeeded by his son ,nephi4 ,,chapter ,,xxxvii4 ,,the ,,sons ,,of ,,helaman--,,nephi's ,,righteous ,,rule--,,the ,,lamanites ,,again ,,invade ,,zarahemla--,,they ,,drive ,,the ,,nephites ,,into ,,the ,,northern ,,continent--,,the ,,ministrations ,,of ,,nephi ,,and ,,lehi--,,the ,,manifestations ,,of ,,god',s ,,power ,,in ,,the ,,city ,,of ,,nephi--,,aminadab--,,the ,,conversion ,,of ,,the ,,lamanites--,,universal ,,peace4 7,,helaman ,,chap4 #d ,,and #e47 ,in ,nephi we have one of the greatest prophets that ever trod the earth1 or to whom the ,god of our salvation revealed his glorious will4 ,he lived during the greater portion of the first century before ,christ1 and disappeared from the knowledge of mankind but a short time before the advent of the ,messiah as a babe in ,bethlehem4 ,he is first referred to in the ,book of ,mormon 7,b4 ,c4 #dd7 as the elder of ,helaman's two sons1 ,lehi being the younger4 ,these two brothers appear to have been inseparable during their lives4 ,they are nearly always mentioned as associated in the great and oft-times perilous labors of the ministry undertaken for the salvation of either ,nephites or ,lamanites4 ,we have no information with regard to the time of ,nephi's birth1 but when his father died1 in the year ,b4 ,c4 #ci1 he succeeded him as chief judge1 the duties of which office he filled with wisdom and justice for about nine years1 when owing to the wickedness of the people1 he resigned that office1 and ,cezoram was chosen by the people in his stead 7,b4 ,c4 #cj74 ,the years that ,nephi judged his people are some of the darkest in ,nephite history4 ,owing to their great pride and iniquity1 the ,lord left them to themselves1 and they became weak like unto the ,lamanites1 man for man4 ,when war was declared1 the latter1 being much the more numerous1 carried everything before them4 ,in vain the ,nephites struggled for their homes and their liberties4 ,they were forced back by the hordes of the ,lamanites from city to city1 from land to land4 ,manti1 ,gideon1 ,cumeni1 ,moroni1 and even ,zarahemla fell4 ,nor did the war end when the blood-thirsty ,lamanites held high carnival in the midst of its towers and palaces4 ,onward swept the invading host2 backward fled the defenders of the commonwealth1 and backward they continued until every town and city1 every tower and fort1 from ,melek to ,moroni1 from ,manti to ,bountiful1 were filled with the savage1 half-disciplined1 dark-skinned warriors of ,laman4 ,not a place could be found in the whole southern continent where the soldiers of the ,nephites successfully held their ground4 ,zarahemla1 with its hallowed associations1 its glorious temples1 where the daily sacrifice was unceasingly offered1 its proud palaces1 its luxurious homes1 its courts of justice1 where the chief judge sat in the magnificence of almost kingly authority to administer the law--this their queen city1 the seat of their government1 the centre of their civilization1 the home of their highest priesthood1 was in the hands of their merciless1 vandal-like foes4 ,nor had the danger stopped2 with hurried hands the ,nephites built a line of defense across the ,isthmus of ,panama from sea to sea1 for the unnumbered hosts of their conquerors were still pushing forward4 ,this line of fortifications was effectual2 it stopped the roll of the barbaric tide northward1 and the ,lamanite commanders rested with the possession of a continent4 ,in this war the ,nephite dissenters took active part against their white brethren1 and to this fact1 in part1 may be attributed the sudden success that shone on the ,lamanite arms4 ,but little by little in succeeding years the half repentant ,nephites regained their lost ground1 until 7,b4 ,c4 #ca7 the most northerly half of their possessions had again fallen into their hands2 but because of their only partial repentance1 their leaders had not strength to lead them further1 and ,zarahemla still remained in the hands of the warriors of ,laman4 ,when ,nephi retired from the judgment seat it was with the intention of devoting his entire time to the preaching of the gospel4 ,he associated his brother ,lehi with him1 and commencing at ,bountiful1 he journeyed and preached throughout all the land southward in the possession of the ,nephites4 ,from thence the two brothers passed onwards to ,zarahemla1 where they found many ,nephite dissenters1 to whom they proclaimed the word of ,god in great power4 ,numbers of these confessed their sins1 were baptized unto repentance1 and immediately returned to their brethren to repair1 if possible1 the wrongs they had done1 and make such restitution as lay in their power4 ,numbers of the ,lamanites also received the truth gladly1 insomuch that eight thousand of that race were baptized in ,zarahemla and the regions round about4 ,from ,zarahemla the prophets proceeded to the ,lamanite capital in the land of ,nephi1 where yet mightier power attended them4 ,the voice of ,god from heaven sustained their testimony2 angels ministered to the people who assembled to see them2 neither prisons1 nor chains1 nor bonds could restrain or hold them1 and they accomplished an ever blessed and marvelous work amongst the benighted children of ,laman 7,b4 ,c4 #cj74 ,god's power was manifested at these times in mercy to the darkened condition of the minds of the ,lamanites1 when only extraordinary manifestations of his divine goodness could reach their hearts4 ,they had no records to which they could appeal1 and all their traditions were opposed to the ,holy ,being whose message of eternal joy the ,nephite prophets bore4 ,thus in their weakness they were strengthened by signs and wonders which a people better educated in the things of ,god could with but ill grace claim4 ,the story of the ministration of ,nephi and ,lehi in the land of ,nephi is of the deepest interest4 ,when they reached its chief city they were thrust into that same prison into which ,ammon and his companions were cast by the guards of king ,limhi4 ,here they were kept with little or no food for a number of days4 ,at the end of this time the officers of the ,lamanites went to the prison with the intention of slaying the two brothers4 ,but to their intense surprise the ,lamanites found them encircled about as if by fire4 ,at this strange spectacle fear fell upon the officers4 ,they dared not touch the two prisoners lest they should be burned4 ,yet when they saw that ,nephi and ,lehi were not consumed their hearts took courage1 though they still stood as if struck dumb with amazement4 ,at this point the two brethren stood forward and began to explain that what was seen was manifested that the spectators might learn that no one could harm them1 and that they were the servants of the ,most ,high1 and his all-powerful arm shielded them4 ,nor was this all3 a sudden earthquake shook the ground1 the prison walls tottered to their foundations1 a pall of thick darkness covered all whom curiosity or other motives had gathered to the prison4 ,the unburning flame1 the tottering walls1 the quivering earth1 the impenetrable cloud of blackness1 all conspired to fill the hearts of the ,lamanites with solemn fear and awful dread4 ,they realized the almighty power of ,god2 they were filled with the sense of their own abject insignificance4 ,a voice1 the voice of ,one whom they knew not1 sounded in their affrighted ears4 ,once and again1 yea1 a third time1 and each time that the voice came it was followed by the trembling of the earth and the shaking of the prison walls4 ,all nature quivered at the presence of the ,majesty on ,high1 whilst the heavy1 palpable1 impenetrable darkness still enshrouded them4 ,from above the voice descended2 it was outside the cloud2 its tones came not to their quaking hearts with the roar of the pealing thunder2 nor was it like the tumultuous flow of angry waters2 but a still voice of perfect mildness1 almost a whisper1 that pierced to their inmost souls4 ,that voice was the voice of the mighty ,god of ,jacob1 and he called upon all those who heard him to repent1 and to do his servants no hurt4 ,with the third repetition of this command were added marvelous words of salvation that cannot be uttered by men4 ,and because of the darkness that enveloped them1 and the fearful dread that filled their hearts1 none dared to move4 ,fear1 astonishment1 apprehension of what was to come1 had riveted each to the spot on which he stood4 ,among the crowd was a ,nephite dissenter1 an apostate from the true church1 named ,aminadab4 ,this man1 happening to turn his face in the direction in which the two disciples stood1 beheld that their faces shone with a glorious light1 and that they were conversing with some one who appeared to be above them1 for their eyes were turned heavenward4 ,aminadab drew the attention of those who surrounded him to this glorious appearance1 and the spell that bound them was sufficiently removed to enable them to turn towards the prisoners and to become witnesses of the fact also4 ,what do all these things mean8 they anxiously inquired4 ,they do converse with the angels of ,god1 answered ,aminadab4 ,what shall we do that this cloud of darkness may be removed8 was their next question4 ,you must repent and cry unto the ,voice1 even until ye shall have faith in ,christ1 he replied4 ,they did cry unto ,god with all the energy that their terrifying surroundings inspired1 and so continued to supplicate until the cloud was dispersed4 ,then1 to their great surprise1 they discovered that they also were entombed in a pillar of living fire4 ,yet this fire did not hurt them1 it did not singe their garments1 it did not consume the prison walls1 but their terror was swept away1 and they were filled with a joy that was unspeakable1 for the ,holy ,spirit of ,god filled their souls1 and they broke forth in marvelous words of praise and rejoicing4 ,again a pleasant1 searching whisper reached their gladdened ears4 ,it said unto them1 ,peace1 peace be unto you because of your faith in my ,well-beloved1 who was from the foundation of the world4 ,now there were about #cjj souls who heard and saw these things1 and they cast up their eyes unto heaven1 which was opened to their vision1 and holy angels came down and ministered unto them4 ,the tidings of this glorious appearing were quickly spread near and far in the lands where the ,lamanites dwelt4 ,so powerful was the testimony1 and so great were the evidences1 that the major portion of the people believed1 repented and obeyed the gospel4 ,then1 like all true saints1 they manifested the sincerity of their repentance by works of restitution2 they laid down their weapons of war1 they cast aside their false traditions1 their hatred gave place to love1 and they restored to the ,nephites ,zarahemla and the other lands which they had taken from them 7,b4 ,c4 #cj74 ,so great was the reformation in their character that the ,lamanites soon exceeded the ,nephites in their faith and good works4 ,extraordinary as it may appear1 instead of ,nephite missionaries visiting the ,lamanites1 ,lamanite missionaries were soon ministering the precious truths of the gospel among the ,nephites4 ,then a universal peace1 such as had never before been known since the division of the two races1 extended over the whole land4 ,indeed1 from this time the history of the two nations1 to a great extent1 becomes one4 ,together they worshiped the ,lord1 together they rose and sank1 together they battled with the assassin hosts of ,gadianton1 together they triumphed over those desperadoes1 and together they sought refuge in one vast body when there was no safety but in massing the people in one land1 together the more unrighteous portions of both races were destroyed at the crucifixion of the ,savior1 and together the more righteous ones witnessed his appearing1 listened to his words1 received his law1 and became members of his holy church4 ,henceforth1 for generations1 they were no more of ,nephi1 no more of ,laman1 no more of ,jacob1 no more of ,ishmael--all were of ,christ4 ,,chapter ,,xxxviii4 ,,growth ,,of ,,evil ,,amongst ,,the ,,nephites--,,the ,,increase ,,of ,,the ,,gadianton ,,robbers--,,nephi',s ,,announcement ,,of ,,the ,,murder ,,of ,,the ,,chief ,,judge--,,the ,,discovery--,,nephi ,,arrested--,,he ,,is ,,proven ,,innocent--,,god',s ,,covenant ,,with ,,him--,,increase ,,of ,,iniquity--,a ,,terrible ,,famine--,,the ,,welcome ,,rain--,,the ,,trend ,,to ,,death4 7,,helaman ,,chap4 #f to #aa47 ,the goodly reign of universal peace1 to which we referred in our last chapter1 brought stability1 stability developed wealth1 wealth engendered pride1 pride gave birth to numerous sins1 to be followed by contentions1 dissensions1 and then wars4 ,these evils begat sorrow1 sorrow softened the hearts of the people to repentance1 repentance was followed by the blessing of ,god1 which again brought peace1 prosperity and1 by-and-by1 riches4 ,at this era of ,nephite national life1 this is the one eternal round which their inspired historians are compelled to chronicle4 ,within four short years of the happy time of universal peace we have just referred to1 the riches of the world had induced stubbornness and rebellion towards ,god1 combined with the insane desire to rob1 plunder and murder their fellow-men4 ,if there ever were a people swift to do evil1 it was the ,nephites of this generation4 ,in the year ,b4 ,c4 #bf1 ,cezoram1 the chief judge1 was murdered by an unknown hand1 as he sat on the judgment seat1 and his son1 who succeeded him1 suffered in like manner within the year4 ,the ,gadianton robbers grew in strength1 both in numbers and influence1 and were actually fostered amongst the ,nephites1 while the more righteous ,lamanites utterly destroyed all they found within their borders4 ,the one people dwindled in unbelief1 the other grew in grace and in the power of ,god's divine ,spirit4 ,nephi1 who had gone to the northern continent1 tarried there until the year ,b4 ,c4 #bc1 when1 his teachings and prophecies having been rejected by its inhabitants1 he returned in sorrow to ,zarahemla2 but he found no comfort there4 ,the ,gadianton robbers filled the judgment seats1 and perverted the law to their own avarice and lust4 ,the life1 the property1 the liberty1 the virtue of righteous men and women were counted but things of naught1 their playthings or their spoil4 ,nephi's house in ,zarahemla was situated on one of the principal thoroughfares4 ,it led to the chief market-place4 ,in his garden1 near the highway1 he built a tower whither it was his wont to repair for prayer4 ,on one occasion1 shortly after his return from the north1 he became so deeply concerned because of the iniquities of the people1 that in earnest supplication to the ,lord he raised his voice so high that he was heard by the passers by in the street below4 ,a listening crowd soon gathered1 and when the prophet had ended his devotions and became aware of their presence1 he commenced to teach them4 ,his words were not sugar-coated1 to adapt them to the tastes of his congregation4 ,to the contrary1 he boldly rebuked their sins1 their murders1 and their secret wickedness2 at the same time1 in the love of the gospel1 he entreated and plead with them to amend their lives and do better4 ,he also warned them of the terrible judgments that would fall upon them if they did not turn from their sinful ways4 ,towards the conclusion of his address1 ,nephi surprised his hearers by stating that the chief judge1 ,seezoram1 had been murdered by his brother1 ,seantum1 who was anxious to obtain the chief judgeship himself4 ,both these men were members of the vile band who owned ,gadianton as their chief4 ,the people did not believe ,nephi's statement1 so five incredulous men ran to the judgment hall to find out the truth of the matter4 ,when they reached there they discovered ,seezoram lying dead in a pool of blood near the judgment seat4 ,the five messengers were so overcome with fear at this awful sight that they fell to the earth4 ,soon after1 other citizens who had not heard ,nephi came in4 ,finding the dead judge and the five men all there they concluded that the latter must be the murderers1 who1 by some manifestation of the power of heaven1 had been prevented from leaving the scene of their shameful deed4 ,the officers therefore took the five and cast them into prison4 ,when the wicked learned that ,nephi's words had proven true1 they charged him with being an accomplice4 ,they did not believe in revelation from ,god1 so argued that ,nephi must have had a hand in the murder or he could not have known anything about it4 ,he was therefore taken and bound and brought before the multitude4 ,then they cross-examined him1 abused him1 and finally offered him money to confess that he had employed some one to commit the dreadful crime4 ,they were anxious to bring reproach and trouble upon him that they might have an excuse for not believing his words nor heeding his teachings4 ,nephi to establish his innocence sent his accusers to the house of ,seantum1 and instructed them what to say4 ,he further told them how the fratricide would act2 how he would acquit him 7,nephi7 of all complicity in the murder1 assert his own innocence1 until shown stains of blood on his cloak1 and then1 overwhelmed with terror1 he would confess4 ,the people went and followed ,nephi's instructions1 and all that he had told them came to pass2 for according to his words ,seantum did at first deny1 and according to the words he did afterwards confess2 acknowledging also that ,nephi knew nothing of the matter1 without it had been revealed to him of ,god4 ,some of the citizens now acknowledged that ,nephi was a prophet1 others declared that he was a god1 whilst many remained hardened in their sins4 ,so violent became the contention that the people gathered in excited crowds upon the streets1 wrangling and disputing about the events of the past two days1 and in their excitement they entirely forgot ,nephi1 and left him standing alone in the street4 ,with a sorrowful heart he wended his way homeward2 but before he reached there1 the voice of the ,lord came to him with many words of comfort and commendation4 ,as with others of his servants1 the ,lord made a covenant with him1 that he would bless him forever2 that whatsoever he bound on earth should be bound in heaven1 and whatsoever he loosed on earth should be loosed in heaven2 that he should have power over the elements to bless and to curse2 to smite the earth with famine1 and pestilence1 and destruction4 ,notwithstanding the many proofs the ungodly ,nephites had that ,nephi was a true prophet1 they continued to reject his teachings4 ,they persecuted him1 and even went so far as to seek his life4 ,but he was conveyed out of their midst by the power of ,god1 and ministered among other peoples4 ,the general character of the ,nephites continued to grow worse and worse4 ,the ,gadianton robbers grew stronger and stronger4 ,for a few years there was increasing commotion1 disunion and bloodshed4 ,at last1 wearied at beholding so much misery and contention1 ,nephi prayed that the ,lord would not suffer the people to be destroyed by the sword1 but rather let a famine desolate the land1 and1 peradventure1 bring the people to an understanding of their awful condition1 and cause them to humble themselves and repent4 ,the ,holy ,one heard and answered his petition1 the heavens became as brass over the land1 the rains ceased1 the earth dried up1 the crops failed1 the people perished for want of food4 ,two years passed 7,b4 ,c4 #ai and #ah7 and the third came1 and still the refreshing rain was withheld 7,b4 ,c4 #ag74 ,during this year the people1 humbled by their sufferings1 turned towards the ,lord4 ,they endeavored to root out iniquity from their midst4 ,they destroyed the ,gadianton robber bands1 and established the government on a more righteous foundation4 ,nephi1 observing the change in their conduct and feelings1 interceded with the ,lord in their behalf4 ,his prayers were answered1 the welcome rain descended on the parched-up soil1 and a bounteous harvest once more crowned the labors of the husbandman 7,b4 ,c4 #af74 ,the repentant people now regarded ,nephi in his true light2 they revered him as a great prophet1 and for a few short years they listened to his teachings4 ,while they did so they prospered4 ,but the leaven of unrighteousness had too thoroughly permeated the national life for their faithfulness to ,god to be of long duration4 ,two1 three1 or perhaps half a dozen years they would maintain their integrity1 and then corruption would seethe1 the vile would snatch the reins of government1 the good would be oppressed1 and contention and war1 with all their horrors1 would again reign supreme4 ,thus it was after the three years of famine4 ,for two years there was peace1 in the third there began to be much strife 7,b4 ,c4 #ac71 in the next1 the ,gadianton bands reappeared1 and carried havoc amongst their more peaceable fellow-countrymen4 ,going on1 year by year they grew in iniquity and ripened for destruction4 ,for many years ,nephi strove to stem the tide of vice4 ,at times partial success rewarded his unceasing efforts1 and he had joy in the baptism of some honest souls4 ,but the great bulk of the people had rejected the gospel1 they had no love for its holy principles1 and were unfit for its blessings4 ,,chapter ,,xxxix4 ,,samuel ,,the ,,lamanite--,,his ,,mission ,,and ,,prophecies--,,the ,,vain ,,attempt ,,to ,,destroy ,,him--,,he ,,returns ,,to ,,his ,,own ,,country4 7,,helaman ,,chap4 #ac ,,to #af47 ,we come now to the days of ,samuel the ,lamanite 7,b4 ,c4 #f74 ,without any previous reference to him1 he appears suddenly in the foreground of ancient ,american history1 bearing a weighty and solemn message2 a messenger of ,god's displeasure1 he stands a ,jonah to the ,nephites4 ,that message is faithfully delivered2 then he disappears forever from our sight4 ,the condition of society in the days of ,samuel was somewhat peculiar4 ,the ,nephites and ,lamanites had1 so far as righteousness is concerned1 to a great extent changed places4 ,the former were puffed up with worldly pride1 were full of vain boastings1 envyings1 strifes1 malice1 persecutions1 murders and all manner of iniquities4 ,they cast out1 they stoned1 they slew the servants of ,god1 while they encouraged1 exalted and rewarded the false teachers who flattered them in their vileness and sung in their ears the siren's song of all is well4 ,they reveled in all the luxury that the fatness of the land brought forth2 they were ostentatious in the use of gold and silver and precious things2 but their hearts never turned in thankfulness to the great ,giver of all these bounties4 ,the majority of the ,lamanites1 on the contrary1 walked circumspectly before ,god2 they were full of faith and integrity1 were zealous in the work of converting their fellows1 and kept the commandments1 statutes and judgments of the ,lord according to the law of ,moses4 ,such was the condition of affairs when the ,lamanite prophet ,samuel appeared among the sin-stained citizens of ,zarahemla1 and for many days preached repentance in their midst4 ,their eyes were blind and their ears were deaf1 sin filled their souls1 and in their anger they cast him out4 ,but the work of his mission was not yet accomplished4 ,as he was preparing to return to his own country1 a holy angel visited him and proclaimed the voice of the ,lord4 ,that voice commanded that he should turn back and prophesy to the people of ,zarahemla the things that should come into his heart4 ,he returned to the city1 but was refused admission at its gates4 ,the iniquitous dwellers therein had no desire to have their peace disturbed by the voice of divine threatenings4 ,but the prophet had the word of the ,lord burning within him1 and could not be restrained4 ,he mounted the walls of the city1 and from this conspicuous vantage ground1 with out-stretched hands and loud voice1 he proclaimed to the wicked the unwelcome tidings of their coming destruction4 ,many listened to his proclamation1 some few were pricked in their hearts1 repented of their evil deeds1 and sought the prophet ,nephi1 that they might be baptized4 ,others were angry1 they gathered up the stones in the roadway and hurled them at ,samuel2 they drew forth their bows and shot arrows at him4 ,but to no effect2 the protecting power of the ,holy ,spirit was around him1 and he could not be harmed4 ,when some beheld how wonderfully the prophet was preserved1 it was a testimony to them that ,god was with him1 and they also sought ,nephi1 confessing their sins4 ,but the great body of the populace grew more enraged at the want of success that attended their murderous efforts4 ,they called upon their captains to seize and bind him4 ,they cried out1 ,he hath a devil1 and it is by this power he is preserved2 take the fellow1 bind him1 and away with him6 ,following the wild satanic cry of the multitude1 the officers of the law endeavored to arrest ,samuel4 ,but he cast himself down from the wall of the city and fled out of the lands of the ,nephites into his own country4 ,there he preached and prophesied among his own people2 but among the people of ,nephi he was never heard of more4 ,the prophecies of ,samuel are among the most wonderful recorded in holy writ4 ,he especially foretold many things regarding the life and death of our ,savior1 and concerning the future destiny of his people1 and of the ,nephites4 ,with regard to the birth of the ,redeemer he said3 ,behold1 ,i give unto you a sign2 for five years more cometh1 and behold1 then cometh the ,son of ,god1 to redeem all those who shall believe on his name4 ,and behold1 this will ,i give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming2 for behold1 there shall be great lights in heaven1 insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness1 insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day4 ,therefore there shall be one day and a night1 and a day1 as if it were one day1 and there were no night2 and this shall be unto you for a sign2 for ye shall know of the rising of the sun1 and also of its setting2 therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night2 nevertheless the night shall not be darkened2 and it shall be the night before he is born4 ,and behold there shall a new star arise1 such an one as ye never have beheld2 and this also shall be a sign unto you4 ,and behold this is not all1 there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven4 ,and it shall come to pass that ye shall all be amazed and wonder1 insomuch that ye shall fall to the earth4 ,regarding the death of the ,lord ,jesus he declared3 ,but behold1 as ,i said unto you concerning another sign1 a sign of his death1 behold1 in that day that he shall suffer death1 the sun shall be darkened and refuse to give his light unto you2 and also the moon1 and the stars2 and there shall be no light upon the face of this land1 even from the time that he shall suffer death1 for the space of three days1 to the time that he shall rise again from the dead4 ,yea1 at the time that he shall yield up the ghost1 there shall be thunderings and lightnings for the space of many hours1 and the earth shall shake and tremble1 and the rocks which are upon the face of this earth2 which are both above the earth and beneath1 which ye know at this time are solid1 or the more part of it is one solid mass1 shall be broken up2 ,yea1 they shall be rent in twain1 and shall ever after be found in seams and in cracks1 and in broken fragments upon the face of the whole earth2 yea1 both above the earth and beneath4 ,and behold there shall be great tempests1 and there shall be many mountains laid low1 like unto a valley1 and there shall be many places1 which are now called valleys1 which shall become mountains1 whose height thereof is great4 ,and many highways shall be broken up1 and many cities shall become desolate4 ,and many graves shall be opened1 and shall yield up many of their dead2 and many saints shall appear unto many4 ,and behold thus hath the angel spoken unto me for he said unto me1 that there should be thunderings and lightnings for the space of many hours3 ,and he said unto me that while the thunder and the lightning lasted1 and the tempest1 that these things should be1 and that darkness should cover the face of the whole earth for the space of three days4 ,and the angel said unto me1 that many shall see greater things than these1 to the intent that they might believe that these signs and these wonders should come to pass1 upon all the face of this land2 to the intent that there should be no cause of unbelief among the children of men4 ,we shall see as we proceed how wonderfully all these sayings of ,samuel the ,lamanite were fulfilled4 ,he closed his prophecy with these emphatic words4 ,first regarding the ,lamanites3 ,therefore1 saith the ,lord1 ,i will not utterly destroy them2 but ,i will cause that in the day of my wisdom they shall return again unto me1 saith the ,lord4 ,and now behold1 saith the ,lord1 concerning the people of the ,nephites1 if they will not repent and observe to do my will1 ,i will utterly destroy them1 saith the ,lord1 because of their unbelief1 notwithstanding the many mighty works which ,i have done among them2 and as surely as the ,lord liveth shall these things be1 saith the ,lord4 ,,chapter ,,xl4 ,,nephi ,,translated--,,his ,,son ,,nephi--,,time ,,of ,,the ,,savior',s ,,coming--,,the ,,conspiracy ,,to ,,slay ,,the ,,believers--,,the ,,revelation ,,to ,,nephi--,,the ,,promised ,,signs ,,appear--,,increase ,,of ,,the ,,gadianton ,,robbers--,,war--,,lachoneous ,,gathers ,,all ,,the ,,people ,,to ,,one ,,land--,,the ,,end ,,of ,,the ,,struggle4 7,,iii ,,nephi ,,chap4 #a ,,to #f47 ,shortly before the birth of ,christ1 ,nephi transferred the plates of brass and other records to his son ,nephi1 gave him charge concerning them1 and departed from the land of ,zarahemla4 ,whither he went1 or what became of him1 is hidden from the knowledge of mankind4 ,that he did not return to the dwelling-places of humanity is testified to by his son some ten years afterwards4 ,six hundred years had now passed since ,lehi and his companions left ,jerusalem4 ,the time had arrived1 of which ,samuel the ,lamanite and other prophets had borne testimony when the phenomena should appear to bear witness of the birth of the ,son of ,god4 ,as the day drew near1 signs and miracles increased among the people4 ,but the hardened in heart1 who were ever on the watch to entrap those who believed in the words of the prophets1 began to circulate the idea that the time had passed and the prophecies had failed4 ,not content with mocking and reviling those who were anxiously looking for the promised two days and a night when there should be no darkness1 they went as far as to appoint a day when all who believed in the coming of the ,savior should be slain1 except the sign be first given4 ,this gross wickedness caused ,nephi great sorrow2 his only recourse was to heaven4 ,before ,god1 in mighty prayer1 he bowed in behalf of his imperiled people4 ,all the day long he continued his earnest supplications4 ,at last the word of the ,anointed ,one came unto him1 saying1 ,lift up your head and be of good cheer1 for behold the time is at hand1 and on this night shall the sign be given1 and on the morrow come ,i into the world1 to show unto the world that ,i will fulfil all that which ,i have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets4 ,as was thus declared1 so was it fulfilled1 for at the going down of the sun it was light as day1 and so continued until the morning1 when the sun again rose in its usual course4 ,a new star had also appeared in the heavens4 ,then the faithful rejoiced1 their hearts were full to overflowing1 they knew that their ,redeemer was born1 and that the great plan of salvation had entered its most glorious phase2 ,god1 the great ,jehovah1 was tabernacled in the flesh4 ,but the wicked quaked with awful dread1 they realized the extent of their iniquity1 they sensed that they were murderers at heart1 for they had plotted to take the lives of the righteous1 and in the terror that this overwhelming sense of their piteous condition wrought1 they sank to the earth as though they were dead4 ,many now believed who previously had scorned the divine messages that the prophets bore2 but others1 inspired of ,satan1 as soon as they recovered from the fright which the appearance of the promised signs had produced1 began to explain them away1 and1 by various lying rumors1 endeavored to nullify the good that had been done in the hearts of many4 ,others again commenced to teach that it was no longer expedient to observe the law of ,moses1 drawing their conclusions from a false interpretation of the scriptures4 ,notwithstanding these efforts of the evil one1 ,nephi and others went forth among the people preaching1 baptizing many1 and bringing a short period of peace to the land4 ,but those who were righteous were not strong enough to overcome the vast hosts of ,gadianton robbers1 who1 time and time again1 swarmed from their mountain retreats1 and carried carnage1 rapine and desolation to the homes of both ,nephites and ,lamanites4 ,year by year these marauding bands repeated their incursions4 ,sometimes one party conquered1 sometimes the other4 ,this condition of affairs kept the people in such a state of terror and anxiety that life grew a burden to them4 ,still they repented not in sincerity of heart1 and their many afflictions were permitted by the ,lord because of their iniquity4 ,so great was the misery entailed by these invasions1 that the chief judge1 ,lachoneus1 at last determined to gather all the people into one place1 and by a policy of masterly inactivity wear out or starve out the invaders4 ,we can scarcely understand how terrible must have been the misery endured by the nation at this time1 to have caused the conception and execution of such a measure4 ,can we picture to ourselves the scenes that must have occurred as the people of two continents converged to one gathering place8 ,from the shores of the great lakes in the north1 from the stormy ,atlantic sea-board1 from the coast where the mild ,pacific ebbs and flows1 from the regions of the southern ,andes1 the migrating hosts flowed together to ,zarahemla and ,bountiful1 the lands selected as the temporary gathering place4 ,they came with their flocks and herds1 their grain and provisions1 leaving nothing that would help to sustain the robber bands while they continued to wage their unhallowed war4 7,a4 ,c4 #ag47 ,when the people reached the gathering place they fortified it so strongly that it became impregnable to their enemies4 ,under ,gidgiddoni's instructions they also made themselves strong armor and shields as well as all kinds of weapons1 so that they might be fully prepared for the day of battle4 ,lachoneous1 in the meantime1 preached to them in great power1 so much so that they feared his denunciations1 forsook all their sins1 and turned to the ,lord in great humility and devotion4 ,game soon became so scarce in the wilderness that the ,gadiantons began to suffer for food while besieging the ,nephite stronghold4 ,in addition to this1 the ,nephites made frequent attacks upon them4 ,seeing his armies wasting away from famine and the sword1 ,zemnarihah1 their commander1 gave up all hope of success and withdrew from the siege1 and formed the design of marching his followers to the most distant parts of the land northward4 ,to have permitted the robbers to escape would have increased the difficulties under which the ,nephites had so long suffered4 ,gidgiddoni1 the ,nephite general1 having learned of their purpose1 and knowing their weakness for want of food and because of the great slaughter made among them through the successful attacks of his own troops1 sent his armies to cut off their retreat4 ,during the night they got beyond the robbers1 who1 when they began their march on the morrow1 found themselves between two armies of the ,nephites4 ,many thousands surrendered1 and the remainder were slain4 ,zemnarihah was taken and hanged to the top of a tree2 which when he was dead1 the ,nephites cut down4 ,they then greatly rejoiced and praised ,god for his mercies and blessings in delivering them from their enemies4 ,the soldiers of ,gidgiddoni succeeded in taking as prisoners all the robbers that were not killed4 ,the word of ,god was preached to them1 and those who repented of their sins and covenanted to cease their evil practices1 were set at liberty4 ,the remainder were condemned for their crimes and punished according to law4 ,this entirely broke up these bands of murderers and robbers1 and peace and righteousness again prevailed 7,a4 ,c4 #ba71 but it was not until five years later 7,a4 ,c4 #bf7 that the ,nephites returned to and possessed their old homes4 ,,chapter ,,xli4 ,,the ,,last ,,chief ,,judge ,,murdered ,,and ,,the ,,republic ,,overthrown--,,the ,,signs ,,of ,,the ,,savior',s ,,death ,,appear--,a ,,terrible ,,storm--,,the ,,universal ,,darkness--,,the ,,unparalleled ,,destruction--,,the ,,terror ,,of ,,those ,,hours4 7,,iii4 ,,nephi ,,chap4 #f ,,to #i47 ,the next year the laws were revised according to justice and equity4 ,they had1 doubtless1 been violently tampered with during the times that the ,gadianton robbers held control of the administration and elected the officers4 ,good order now prevailed throughout the whole land4 ,soon new cities were founded and built1 and many improvements made4 ,yet for all this1 the peace was short lived4 ,iniquity and dissension soon began to again raise their hideous heads1 and the prophets and servants of ,god were persecuted and illegally condemned to death4 ,no officer1 according to ,nephite law1 had power to condemn a person to death without the authority of the governor1 but many of the prophets were put to death secretly by the judges4 ,a complaint was entered against these judges to the governor and they were tried for their crimes1 according to the law made by the people4 ,the kindred and friends of the offenders1 with certain lawyers and high priests1 entered into a secret covenant to destroy the people who were in favor of law and justice1 and to save the guilty judges from the just penalty of their misdeeds4 ,this was1 in fact1 the re-establishment of the order of ,gadianton4 ,they proposed to assassinate the governor1 set up a king to rule the country1 and destroy its liberties4 ,that same year they murdered the chief judge ,lachoneus1 the younger1 as he sat in the judgment seat4 ,the result was not what the plotters anticipated2 for the people1 being dissatisfied with the condition of affairs1 divided into tribes1 every man with his family uniting with his kindred and friends4 ,this completely disorganized the government and deranged the plans of the conspirators4 ,some men had large families and many kindred and friends1 and their tribes were correspondingly large4 ,each tribe appointed its chief1 or leader1 and it was his special duty to see that the laws they had adopted were properly carried out 7,b4 ,c4 #cj74 ,while these terrible social overturnings were taking place on this continent1 how different were the events that were occurring in the midst of the house of ,israel on the eastern continent6 for it was in this year that ,jesus1 the ,redeemer of the world1 was baptized by ,john in ,jordan1 as ,lehi1 ,nephi1 and others of the ancient prophets had long before foretold2 and it was in this year that he commenced his public ministry1 and began to teach men the law of his gospel4 ,there was but little to unite the ,nephite tribes except their fear of the ,gadianton robbers4 ,this appears to have led to a confederacy for the purpose of defense4 ,they agreed to keep peace with one another1 and establish laws to prevent one tribe trespassing upon the rights of the others4 ,the secret association that had slain the chief judge elected one ,jacob to be their leader4 ,seeing that their enemies1 the tribes of the people1 were too numerous to contend with1 he commanded his followers to flee into the northernmost parts of the land1 where they could build up a kingdom to themselves4 ,they carried out his plan1 and their flight was too speedy to be intercepted4 ,in the north they built a large city which they called ,jacobugath4 ,in this calamitous condition of affairs ,nephi was called1 by the voice of the ,lord and the administration of angels1 to labor diligently in the ministry among this wicked people4 ,at first1 but few accepted the truth2 but in the following year 7,a4 ,c4 #cb7 many were baptized into the church4 ,as the succeeding year 7,a4 ,c4 #cc7 passed away the people began to look anxiously for the fulfillment of the predictions of ,samuel1 the ,lamanite1 concerning the important events which would take place at the death of our ,savior4 ,notwithstanding the many predictions of the prophets already fulfilled1 there was much doubt and uneasiness among the people concerning that which was yet in the future4 ,they had not long to wait1 however1 for the fulfillment of his words4 ,on the fourth day of the thirty-fourth ,nephite year the promised signs of the ,savior's crucifixion began4 ,a horrible and devastating tempest burst upon the land4 ,all that was ever told of the loudest thunder1 and all that was ever seen of the most vivid lightning1 would fail to picture the terrific visitation4 ,the earth quivered and groaned and opened in wide1 unfathomable chasms4 ,forests of gigantic trees were uprooted and carried high above the earth to meet in fearful shocks in the air and then to be driven down again and shattered upon the unyielding rocks4 ,mountains were riven and swallowed up in yawning gulfs1 or were scattered into fragments and dispersed like hail before the tearing wind4 ,cattle were lifted from their feet and dashed over precipices1 or were hurried before the blast to perish in the far off sea4 ,towers1 temples1 homes1 were torn up1 scattered in fragments or crushed by falling rocks1 and together with their inmates were ground to dust in the convulsion4 ,human beings were hurled high into the air and driven from point to point1 until1 they found graves fathoms deep below the earth's surface4 ,blue and yellow flames burst from the edges of sinking rocks1 blazed for a moment and then all was the deepest darkness again4 ,boiling springs gushed upwards from sulphurous caverns4 ,shrieks and howls from suffering animals1 awful in themselves1 were drowned in the overwhelming uproar4 ,rain poured down in torrents1 cloud-bursts1 like floods1 washed away all with which they came in contact1 and pillars of steaming vapor seemed to unite the earth and sky4 ,this unparalleled storm raged throughout the land for three hours only--but to those who suffered it seemed an age4 ,during its short continuance the whole face of nature was changed4 ,mountains sank1 valleys rose1 the sea swept over the plains1 large stagnant lakes usurped the place of flourishing cities1 great chasms1 rents and precipices disfigured the face of the earth4 ,many cities were destroyed by earthquakes1 fire1 and the tumultuous overflow of the waters of the great seas4 ,three days of unnatural and impenetrable darkness followed the horrors of the tempest1 and from the heavens the voice of the ,lord was heard by the affrighted people1 proclaiming in their terrified ears the destruction that had taken place4 ,terrible was the catalogue of woes that that heavenly voice rehearsed4 ,the great city of ,zarahemla and the inhabitants thereof ,god had burned with fire4 ,moroni had been sunken in the depths of the sea and her iniquitous children had been drowned4 ,gilgal had been swallowed up in an earthquake and her people were entombed in the bowels of the earth4 ,onihah1 ,mocum and ,jerusalem had disappeared and waters overflowed the places where they so lately stood4 ,gadiandi1 ,gadiomnah1 ,jacob and ,gimgimno were all overthrown1 and desolate hills and valleys occupied their places1 while their inhabitants were buried deep in the earth4 ,jacobugath1 ,laman1 ,josh1 ,gad and ,kishkumen had all been burned1 most probably by lightnings from heaven4 ,the desolation was complete1 the face of the land was changed1 tens of thousands1 probably millions of souls had been suddenly called to meet the reward of their sinful lives2 for this destruction came upon them that their wickedness and their abominations might be hid from the face of heaven1 and that the blood of the prophets and the saints might not come up any more in appeal unto ,god against them4 ,illustration3 ,,destruction ,,of ,,zarahemla4 ,,chapter ,,xlii4 ,,the ,,voice ,,from ,,heaven--,,the ,,savior ,,testifies ,,of ,,himself--,,silence ,,throughout ,,the ,,land--,,how ,,oft ,,would ,,christ ,,have ,,gathered ,,his ,,people--,,the ,,darkness ,,departs4 7,,iii4 ,,nephi ,,chap4 #i ,,and #aj47 ,when the heavenly voice had finished the recital of the calamities that had befallen the land and its inhabitants1 the speaker commenced an appeal to those who yet lived1 and revealed to them who he was4 ,he declared unto them3 ,o all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they1 will ye not now return unto me1 and repent of your sins1 and be converted1 that ,i may heal you8 ,yea1 verily ,i say unto you1 if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life4 ,behold1 mine arm of mercy is extended towards you1 and whosoever will come1 him will ,i receive3 and blessed are those who come unto me4 ,behold1 ,i am ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of ,god4 ,i created the heavens and the earth1 and all things that in them are4 ,i was with the ,father from the beginning4 ,i am in the ,father1 and the ,father in me2 and in me hath the ,father glorified his name4 ,i came unto my own1 and my own received me not4 ,and the scriptures concerning my coming are fulfilled4 ,and as many as have received me1 to them have ,i given to become the sons of ,god1 and even so will ,i to as many as shall believe on my name1 for behold1 by me redemption cometh1 and in me is the law of ,moses fulfilled4 ,i am the light and the life of the world4 ,i am ,alpha and ,omega1 the beginning and the end4 ,and ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood2 yea1 your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away1 for ,i will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings2 ,and ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit4 ,and whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit1 him will ,i baptize with fire and with the ,holy ,ghost1 even as the ,lamanites1 because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion1 were baptized with fire and with the ,holy ,ghost1 and they knew it not4 ,behold1 ,i have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world1 to save the world from sin2 ,therefore1 whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child1 him will ,i receive3 for of such is the kingdom of ,god4 ,behold1 for such ,i have laid down my life1 and have taken it up again2 therefore repent1 and come unto me ye ends of the earth1 and be saved4 ,after the people had heard this glad message of forgiveness and redemption1 they ceased their mourning for their dead relatives1 and there was silence in the land for the space of many hours4 ,then again was the voice heard1 even the voice of ,jesus1 recounting how oft he had sought to gather his ,israel but they would not1 and promising in the future that he would again gather them1 if they would listen unto him4 ,but if they would not heed him1 the places of their dwellings should become desolate until the time of the fulfilling of ,god's covenant with their fathers4 ,when the people heard this awful prophecy they began to weep and howl again because of the loss of their kindred and friends4 ,three days had passed in darkness1 in terror and in woe1 when the thick mist rolled off the face of the land1 revealing to the astonished eyes of the survivors how great had been the convulsions that had shaken the earth4 ,when the darkness passed away the earth ceased to tremble1 the rocks were no longer rent1 the dreadful groanings ceased1 and the tumultuous noises ended4 ,then nature was again at peace1 and peace filled the hearts of the living2 their mourning was turned to praise1 and their joy was in ,christ their ,deliverer4 ,as on the eastern continent1 so on this2 at the time of ,christ's resurrection1 numbers of the saints who were dead arose from their graves and were seen and known by many of the living4 ,christ had suffered for the sin of the world1 he had broken the bands of death1 he had opened the portals of the tomb1 and as soon as he came forth conqueror over death and hell1 the faithful ones of many generations1 who were prepared for the glories of eternity1 came forth also4 ,this was the first resurrection4 ,,chapter ,,xliii4 ,,christ ,,appears ,,in ,,the ,,land ,,bountiful--,,the ,,testimony ,,of ,,the ,,father--,,jesus ,,calls ,,twelve ,,disciples--,,his ,,teachings ,,to ,,them ,,and ,,to ,,the ,,multitude4 7,,iii4 ,,nephi ,,chap4 #aa ,,to #ad47 ,some time after the tribulations that marked the sacrifice of the ,lord of life and glory1 exactly how long we know not1 a multitude assembled near the temple which was in the land ,bountiful4 ,the sacred building1 it seems1 was not destroyed in the late overwhelming convulsions4 ,possibly many of the high priesthood had assembled there to call upon the ,lord1 and to officiate in the duties of their calling4 ,at any rate1 those whom ,jesus deemed worthy to be his twelve disciples1 by some inspiration1 gathered there4 ,with the rest of the multitude they conversed on the marvelous changes that had been wrought by the desolating earthquakes and their attendant horrors4 ,they also spake one to another with regard to the ,savior1 of whose death the three days of unexampled1 impenetrable darkness had been a sign4 ,while thus engaged a strange1 sweet voice fell upon their ears1 yet it pierced them to the centre1 that their whole frames trembled4 ,at first they wist not what it said or whence it came nor even when the words were again repeated did they understand4 ,but when they came a third time they understood their glorious import1 and knew that it was the voice of ,god4 ,he said unto them1 ,behold my beloved ,son1 in whom ,i am well pleased1 in whom ,i have glorified my name3 hear ye him4 ,obedient to this heavenly voice they cast their eyes upward1 and to their joyous astonishment beheld the ,messiah1 clothed in a white robe1 descending out of heaven4 ,even yet they did not comprehend who it was1 but thought him an angel4 ,as he descended to the earth and stood in their midst1 their wondering eyes were all turned toward him1 but for awe not a mouth was opened nor was a limb moved4 ,then the ,redeemer stretched forth his hand and said unto the multitude3 ,behold ,i am ,jesus ,christ1 whom the prophets testified should come into the world2 and behold1 ,i am the life and light of the world2 and ,i have drunk out of the bitter cup which the ,father hath given to me1 and have glorified the ,father in taking upon me the sins of the world1 in the which ,i have suffered the will of the ,father in all things from the beginning4 ,then the whole multitude fell to the earth1 they remembered the sayings of the prophets1 they realized that their ,god stood in the midst of them4 ,again the risen ,redeemer spake3 ,arise1 said he1 and come forth unto me that you may thrust your hands into my side1 and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet1 that ye may know that ,i am the ,god of ,israel and the ,god of the whole earth1 and have been slain for the sins of the world4 ,now they who heard him from the first to the last went forth and assured themselves that it was he of whom the prophets had spoken4 ,then with shouts of praise they cried3 ,hosanna6 blessed be the name of the ,most ,high ,god4 ,and they fell down at his feet and worshiped him4 ,jesus next called ,nephi to him1 then eleven others1 and gave them authority to baptize the people1 at the same time strictly charging them as to the manner in which they performed this ordinance1 that all disputes on this point might cease among the believers4 ,the names of the ,twelve whom he chose were3 ,nephi1 his brother ,timothy1 whom he had beforetime raised from the dead1 also his son ,jonas1 and ,mathoni1 ,mathonihah1 ,kumen1 ,kumenonhi1 ,jeremiah1 ,shemnon1 ,jonas1 ,zedekiah and ,isaiah4 ,these ,twelve are to sit in the great day of judgment as the judges of the seed of ,lehi1 and be themselves judged by the ,twelve ,apostles whom ,jesus had called from among the ,jews4 ,after ,jesus had chosen the ,twelve1 he commenced to teach the people the principles of the fullness of the gospel4 ,step by step he led them over the same precious ground of universal truth as he had his followers in the temple at ,jerusalem1 by the shore of the ,sea of ,galilee1 and on the hillsides of ,judea and ,samaria4 ,sometimes1 through the difference of the inspired translation of the ,book of ,mormon from the worldly-wise one of the ,bible1 a slight difference is noticeable in the wording of the instructions1 but as a rule these differences are trivial1 the advantage being with the ,nephites1 whose greater faith drew from the ,savior deeper truths than ,judah had received1 or caused him to display greater manifestations of his omnipotence and boundless love4 ,from the believers he would turn to the ,twelve1 and give them special instructions as his ministers1 then again he would shed forth his words of mercy1 truth and divine wisdom upon the multitude2 and by and by again address the disciples4 ,so he continued day by day until all was revealed1 either to the multitude or to the ,twelve1 that was necessary for the eternal salvation of the obedient4 ,some have wondered why ,jesus should have given so many of the same teachings to the ,nephites as he did to the ,jews4 ,the reason is that those teachings were perfect and could not be improved4 ,they were universal1 that is1 they were adapted to the wants of all peoples1 whether of ,israel or of the ,gentiles1 whether of ,judah or ,joseph4 ,they were a portion of the everlasting gospel and had to be preached to all the world as a witness1 to those who dwelt in ,america as well as those of ,asia1 ,africa and ,europe4 ,thus we find in the teachings given to the ,nephites what we term the first principles of the gospel--faith1 repentance and baptism2 we also find those divine lessons of love1 truth1 humility and duty that glorified the ,savior's ,sermon on the ,mount4 ,these we shall not reproduce but will draw attention to other teachings of the ,savior not recorded by the ,four ,evangelists2 that is they are not to be found in their writings as at present contained in the ,new ,testament4 ,,chapter ,,xliv4 ,,the ,,fulfillment ,,of ,,the ,,mosaic ,,law--,,other ,,sheep ,,have ,i--,,the ,,ten ,,tribes--,,the ,,events ,,of ,,the ,,latter ,,days4 7,,iii4 ,,nephi ,,chap4 #ae ,,and #af47 ,when ,jesus had reached a certain point in his teachings wherein he told the people that old things had passed away and that all things had become new he perceived that some of his hearers were wondering what were his intentions regarding the law of ,moses4 ,therefore he next instructed them on this point4 ,he said3 ,marvel not that ,i said unto you1 that old things had passed away1 and that all things had become new4 ,behold ,i say unto you1 that the law is fulfilled that was given unto ,moses4 ,behold1 ,i am he that gave the law1 and ,i am he who covenanted with my people ,israel3 therefore1 the law in me is fulfilled1 for ,i have come to fulfill the law2 therefore it hath an end4 ,behold1 ,i do not destroy the prophets1 for as many as have not been fulfilled in me1 verily ,i say unto you1 shall all be fulfilled4 ,and because ,i said unto you1 that old things hath passed away1 ,i do not destroy that which hath been spoken concerning things which are to come4 ,for behold1 the covenant which ,i have made with my people is not all fulfilled2 but the law which was given unto ,moses hath an end in me4 ,behold1 ,i am the law1 and the light2 look unto me1 and endure to the end1 and ye shall live1 for unto him that endureth to the end1 will ,i give eternal life4 ,behold1 ,i have given unto you the commandments1 therefore keep my commandments4 ,and this is the law and the prophets1 for they truly testified of me4 ,how simple yet how grand1 how plain yet how comprehensive are these teachings1 both with regard to himself and to the law which he had given to the forefathers of the ,jews and the ,nephites6 ,if men would but receive these instructions in the plainness in which they are given1 how much controversy would have an end1 how much dissension would never have had an existence6 ,after giving these explanations to the multitude1 ,jesus again turned to the twelve chosen disciples and told them the meaning of his words when he said unto the ,jews3 ,other sheep ,i have which are not of this fold2 them also ,i must bring1 and they shall hear my voice2 and there shall be one fold and one shepherd4 ,these other sheep of which he spake1 ,jesus said1 were the ,nephites themselves1 who had been separated from the ,jews because of the latter's iniquity2 and because of their continued evil doing and lack of faith the knowledge of the existence of ,lehi's family on the ,american continent had been withheld from them4 ,but still more4 ,jesus had yet other sheep1 which were neither of the ,jews nor of the ,nephites1 nor of the lands in which they dwelt4 ,they were a people whom he had not yet visited and who had not yet heard his voice2 but he had received a commandment from his ,father to visit them1 to show himself unto them1 and teach them1 and then they all would be of the one fold and he would be the one shepherd to them all4 ,these other sheep1 neither ,jew nor ,nephite1 we understand to be the ten tribes of ,israel who were carried into captivity1 but who1 unlike the house of ,judah1 never returned to their homes in the ,promised ,land4 ,we are told that they were led away by the power of the ,lord to a land of which no one knows anything1 only that which ,god has revealed4 ,jesus then told his disciples many things relating to the age in which we live4 ,he explained to them how the ,gentiles living on this continent would have the truth presented to them1 how they would grow haughty1 proud and exceedingly wicked1 and how they would oppress the remnants of the house of ,israel who dwelt on this broad land4 ,then how these remnants would have the fullness of the gospel brought to them1 and how eventually the house of ,israel would be used to punish the disobedient of the ,gentiles1 who should become as salt that had lost its savor1 good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men4 ,,chapter ,,xlv4 ,,the ,,savior ,,heals ,,the ,,sick--,,he ,,blesses ,,the ,,children ,,of ,,the ,,nephites--,,angels ,,minister ,,unto ,,them4 7,,iii4 ,,nehi ,,chap4 #ag47 ,when the ,redeemer had finished these teachings he looked around among the multitude and perceived that their minds were not prepared1 at that time1 to receive any more of the word of the ,lord1 so he told them to go to their homes1 and prepare their minds for the morrow1 when he would come unto them again4 ,but as he gazed upon them he noticed that they were in tears1 and that they looked beseechingly upon him1 as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them4 ,these mute entreaties prevailed with him1 his bowels were filled with compassion towards them2 and1 we are told1 he said3 ,have ye any that are sick among you1 bring them hither4 ,have ye any that are lame1 or blind1 or halt1 or maimed1 or leprous1 or that are withered1 or that are deaf1 or that are afflicted in any manner1 bring them hither and ,i will heal them1 for ,i have compassion upon you2 my bowels are filled with mercy3 ,for ,i perceive that ye desire that ,i should show unto you what ,i have done unto your brethren at ,jerusalem1 for ,i see that your faith is sufficient that ,i should heal you4 ,and it came to pass that when he had thus spoken1 all the multitude1 with one accord1 did go forth with their sick1 and their afflicted1 and their lame1 and with their blind1 and with their dumb1 and with all they that were afflicted in any manner2 and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him4 ,and they did all1 both they who had been healed and they who were whole1 bow down at his feet1 and did worship him2 and as many as could come from the multitude did kiss his feet1 insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears4 ,jesus next commanded that the little children should be brought4 ,so the people brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him1 and the multitude gave way till they had all been brought to him4 ,and when they had all been brought1 and ,jesus stood in the midst1 he commanded the multitude to kneel down upon the ground4 ,and when they had done so1 ,jesus groaned within himself1 and said1 ,father1 ,i am troubled because of the wickedness of the people of the house of ,israel4 ,and when he had said these words1 he himself knelt and he prayed unto the ,father and the things which he prayed could not be written1 but the multitude who heard him bore record3 that eye had never seen1 neither had ear heard1 before1 so great and marvelous things as they saw and heard ,jesus speak unto the ,father4 ,when ,jesus had made an end of praying1 he arose1 but so great was the joy of the multitude that they were overcome4 ,but ,jesus bade them arise4 ,then they arose1 and he said unto them1 ,blessed are ye because of your faith4 ,and now behold1 my joy is full4 ,and when he had said these words1 he wept2 and he took the little children1 one by one1 and blessed them1 and prayed unto the ,father for them4 ,and when he had done this he wept again4 ,and he said unto the multitude1 ,behold your little ones4 ,and as they cast their eyes upward they saw the heavens open1 and angels descending out of the heaven1 as it were in the midst of fire1 and they came down and encircled these little ones about1 and they were encircled with fire2 and the angels did minister unto the children4 ,and the multitude1 who numbered about #b1ejj men1 women and children1 bore record of the glorious things which they had seen1 heard and partaken of4 ,can we imagine anything more lovely1 more touching1 and more glorious than this scene must have been8 ,can we conceive the joy that must have filled the hearts of these ,nephites as they beheld the angels of heaven descending from the courts of glory and ministering to their little ones8 ,how deep must have been their love for the ,savior who had brought these blessings to them8 ,how strong must have grown their faith in him8 ,we cannot recall a circumstance in recorded history that draws earth nearer to heaven than this1 or that seems to bind the ties so strongly that unite the powers of eternity with the children of mortality4 ,,chapter ,,xlvi4 ,,the ,,sacrament ,,administered--,,the ,,savior',s ,,teachings ,,regarding ,,it--,,he ,,confers ,,on ,,his ,,disciples ,,the ,,power ,,to ,,give ,,the ,,holy ,,ghost--,,he ,,ascends ,,into ,,heaven4 7,,iii4 ,,nephi ,,chap4 #ah47 ,jesus next commanded his disciples to bring him some bread and wine4 ,while they were gone to obtain them1 he caused the multitude to sit down upon the earth4 ,when the disciples returned with the bread and wine1 he took the bread1 and brake and blessed it4 ,this he gave to the disciples and they did eat and were filled4 ,he then commanded them to give unto the multitudes4 ,when the multitudes had eaten and were filled1 ,jesus began to instruct the people with regard to the meaning of the bread they had just partaken of4 ,he said3 ,and this shall ye always observe to do1 even as ,i have done1 even as ,i have broken the bread1 and blessed it1 and gave it unto you4 ,and this shall ye do in remembrance of my body1 which ,i have shown unto you4 ,and it shall be a testimony unto the ,father1 that ye do always remember me4 ,and if ye do always remember me1 ye shall have my ,spirit to be with you4 ,after this he gave of the wine to his disciples1 and they drank thereof1 and then1 by his direction1 they gave it to the people4 ,after they had done this ,jesus continued his teachings2 ,blessed are ye1 said he1 for this thing which ye have done1 for this is fulfilling my commandments1 and this doth witness unto the ,father1 that ye are willing to do that which ,i have commanded you4 ,and this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name2 and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood1 which ,i have shed for you1 that ye may witness unto the ,father that ye do always remember me4 ,and if ye do always remember me1 ye shall have my ,spirit to be with you4 ,and now behold1 this is the commandment which ,i give unto you1 that ye shall not suffer anyone1 knowingly1 to partake of my flesh and blood unworthily1 when ye shall minister it2 ,for whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh and blood unworthily1 eateth and drinketh damnation to his soul2 therefore if ye know that a man is unworthy to eat and drink of my flesh and blood1 ye shall forbid him2 ,nevertheless ye shall not cast him out from among you1 but ye shall minister unto him1 and shall pray for him unto the ,father in my name1 and if it so be that he repenteth1 and is baptized in my name1 then shall ye receive him1 and shall minister unto him of my flesh and blood2 ,but if he repent not1 he shall not be numbered among my people1 that he may not destroy my people1 for behold ,i know my sheep1 and they are numbered4 ,the ,lord also gave the people much instruction regarding prayer4 ,among other things he told them3 ,behold1 verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ye must watch and pray always1 lest ye enter into temptation2 for ,satan desireth to have you2 that he may sift you as wheat2 ,therefore ye must always pray unto the ,father in my name2 ,and whatsoever ye shall ask the ,father in my name1 which is right1 believing that ye shall receive1 behold it shall be given unto you4 ,pray in your families unto the ,father1 always in my name1 that your wives and your children may be blessed4 ,and behold1 ye shall meet together oft1 and ye shall not forbid any man from coming unto you when ye shall meet together1 but suffer them that they may come unto you1 and forbid them not2 ,but ye shall pray for them1 and shall not cast them out2 and if it so be that they come unto you oft1 ye shall pray for them unto the ,father1 in my name2 ,therefore hold up your light that it may shine unto the world4 ,behold ,i am the light which ye shall hold up--that which ye have seen me do4 ,behold ye see that ,i prayed unto the ,father1 and ye have witnessed2 ,and ye see that ,i have commanded that none of you should go away1 but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me1 that ye might feel and see2 even so shall ye do unto the world2 and whosoever breaketh this commandment suffereth himself to be led into temptation4 ,when ,jesus had made an end of his sayings1 he touched with his hand the disciples whom he had chosen1 one by one4 ,as he touched them he gave them power to give the ,holy ,ghost4 ,when he had done this a cloud overshadowed the multitude1 and they saw ,jesus no more that day2 but the disciples saw him1 and bore record that he ascended into heaven4 ,,chapter ,,xlvii4 ,,jesus ,,returns ,,and ,,renews ,,his ,,teachings--,,he ,,administers ,,the ,,sacrament--,,he ,,explains ,,the ,,teachings ,,of ,,the ,,prophets--,,the ,,words ,,of ,,malachi4 7,,iii4 ,,nephi ,,chap4 #ai ,,to #bf47 ,when ,jesus had ascended into heaven the multitudes dispersed1 every one returning home4 ,all that evening and all that night was the news spread from mouth to mouth that ,jesus had come4 ,many were too excited to sleep1 and labored diligently spreading the news far and wide1 so that when the morning came the whole people were astir1 wending their way to the place where ,jesus was expected4 ,when the multitude had gathered together their number was found to be so great that the disciples divided them into twelve congregations1 and one of them taught each of these bodies4 ,after they had prayed to the ,father in the name of ,jesus the whole people1 led by the disciples1 went down to the water's edge4 ,first1 ,nephi went into the water and was baptized2 then he baptized those whom ,jesus had chosen4 ,after these had been baptized the ,holy ,ghost fell upon them1 and they were filled therewith also with fire4 ,and the fire encircled them about1 and angels came down from heaven and ministered to them4 ,by and by ,jesus himself came1 and stood in the midst of his disciples and taught them4 ,he commanded them all1 the people and the ,twelve1 to again kneel upon the earth1 and the disciples he instructed to pray4 ,and they prayed unto ,jesus1 calling him their ,lord and their ,god4 ,when ,jesus heard these prayers he went a little way off1 bowed himself to the earth and said3 ,father1 ,i thank thee that thou hast given the ,holy ,ghost unto these whom ,i have chosen and it is because of their belief in me1 that ,i have chosen them out of the world4 ,father1 ,i pray thee that thou wilt give the ,holy ,ghost unto all them that shall believe in their words4 ,father1 thou hast given them the ,holy ,ghost1 because they believe in me1 and thou seest that they believe in me1 because thou hearest them1 and they pray unto me2 and they pray unto me because ,i am with them4 ,and now1 ,father1 ,i pray unto thee for them1 and also for all those who shall believe on their words1 that they may believe in me1 that ,i may be in them as thou1 ,father1 art in me1 that we may be one4 ,when our ,savior had ended this prayer he returned to his disciples4 ,he found them still praying4 ,then he blessed them1 and smiled upon them4 ,when he smiled the light of his countenance shone upon them1 and in reflection of his brightness they became as white as the face or the garments of ,jesus2--a whiteness like unto which there was nothing upon this earth4 ,jesus1 in joy1 once more retired a short distance to commune with his ,father in heaven4 ,he prayed3 ,father1 ,i thank thee that thou hast purified those whom ,i have chosen1 because of their faith1 and ,i pray for them1 and also for them who shall believe on their words that they may be purified in me1 through faith on their words1 even as they are purified in me4 ,father1 ,i pray not for the world1 but those whom thou hast given me out of the world1 because of their faith1 that they may be purified in me1 that ,i may be in them as thou1 ,father1 art in me1 that we may be one1 that ,i may be glorified in them4 ,and when ,jesus had spoken these words1 he came again unto his disciples1 and behold they did pray steadfastly1 without ceasing1 unto him2 and he did smile upon them again2 and behold they were white even as ,jesus4 ,and it came to pass that he went again a little way off and prayed unto the ,father2 ,and tongue cannot speak the words which he prayed1 neither can be written by man the words which he prayed4 ,and the multitude did hear1 and do bear record1 and their hearts were opened1 and they did understand in their hearts the words which he prayed4 ,nevertheless1 so great and marvelous were the words which he prayed1 that they cannot be written1 neither can they be uttered by man4 ,and it came to pass that when ,jesus had made an end of praying1 he came again to the disciples1 and said unto them1 so great faith have ,i never seen among all the ,jews2 wherefore ,i could not show unto them so great miracles1 because of their unbelief4 ,verily ,i say unto you1 there are none of them that have seen so great things as ye have seen2 neither have they heard so great things as ye have heard4 ,the ,lord ,jesus then commanded all to cease from praying1 but he also told them they must not cease to pray in their hearts4 ,he next directed them to arise2 and at this word they stood upon their feet4 ,then he administered unto them bread and wine1 the emblems of his body and blood given as a ransom for their sins and the sins of the whole world4 ,where he obtained this bread and wine no one knew1 for neither the disciples nor the people had brought any with them4 ,when the multitudes had eaten and drank1 they were filled with the ,spirit1 and with one voice gave glory to ,jesus1 whom they both saw and heard4 ,the ,savior then commenced to explain to the multitudes many of the sayings of the ancient prophets1 more especially those of ,isaiah4 ,he dwelt on the great events of the latter days that should precede his second coming2 drawing particular attention to those that would concern and be connected with the remnants of the house of ,lehi1 and in which they would take part4 ,from his words we learn that in the latter times the everlasting gospel will be preached in their midst2 that many will receive it2 that they will take a prominent part in the building of the ,new ,jerusalem1 and in many of the other momentous events that will herald the near approach of that blessed day when the reign of ,christ and the triumph of truth and righteousness shall extend from pole to pole1 over the whole of this habitable globe4 ,the ,savior also recited to them many of the words which his ,father had inspired the ,prophet ,malachi to utter4 ,now the ,nephites knew nothing of ,malachi1 as he lived and prophesied to the ,jews long after ,lehi left ,jerusalem4 ,so1 for the comfort and instruction of the ,nephites1 ,jesus rehearsed to them the important things which he had revealed4 ,in fact1 to use the words of ,mormon3 ,and he did expound all things1 even from the beginning until the time that he should come in his glory2 yea1 even all things which should come upon the face of the earth1 even until the elements should melt with fervent heat1 and the earth should be wrapt together as a scroll1 and the heavens and the earth should pass away2 and even unto the great and last day1 when all people and all kindreds1 and all nations and tongues shall stand before ,god1 to be judged of their works1 whether they be good or whether they be evil2 ,if they be good1 to the resurrection of everlasting life2 and if they be evil1 to the resurrection of damnation1 being on a parallel1 the one on the one hand1 and the other on the other hand1 according to the mercy1 and the justice1 and the holiness which is in ,christ1 who was before the world began4 ,and now there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which ,jesus did truly teach unto the people4 ,,chapter ,,xlviii4 ,,the ,,savior ,,continues ,,his ,,ministrations--,,he ,,raises ,a ,,man ,,from ,,the ,,dead--,,the ,,labors ,,of ,,the ,,twelve--,,the ,,name ,,of ,,the ,,church--,,the ,,three ,,who ,,should ,,remain4 7,,iii4 ,,nephi ,,chap4 #bg ,,to #cj47 ,for three days did the ,savior mingle with the ,nephites and instruct them2 and even after that he met with them oft1 and with them partook of the ,sacrament of the ,lord's supper4 ,more than this1 he ministered to and blessed the children of the ,nephites4 ,he loosed the tongues of these little ones1 that they spoke great and marvelous things unto their parents1 even1 we are told1 greater things than ,jesus had revealed to the people4 ,jesus also healed all their sick4 ,the lame1 the blind1 the deaf1 were made whole1 and one man he raised from the dead4 ,from this time the twelve disciples began to baptize and teach as many as came unto them2 and as many as were baptized in the name of ,jesus were filled with the ,holy ,ghost4 ,many of them saw and heard wondrous things which are not lawful to be written4 ,on one occasion when the disciples were thus traveling1 preaching1 and baptizing1 they united together in fasting and mighty prayer4 ,the subject about which they prayed the most earnestly was1 what should be the name of the ,church1 for its members were not united on this matter4 ,while they were thus engaged ,jesus again showed himself unto them1 and in answer to their inquiries regarding the name of his church he told them1 ,whatsoever ye shall do ye shall do it in my name2 therefore ye shall call the church in my name2 and ye shall call upon the ,father in my name1 that he will bless the church for my sake4 ,he further said to them if they called the church by the name of a man it would be that man's church1 if by ,moses' name it would be ,moses' church2 but being his church it should be called by his holy name4 ,and many other instructions gave he unto them at this time4 ,it was during this interview that the ,savior asked the ,twelve1 one by one1 ,what is it that you desire of me1 after ,i am gone to the ,father8 ,then nine of them said1 ,we desire after we have lived unto the age of man1 that our ministry wherein thou hast called us1 may have an end1 that we may speedily come unto thee in thy kingdom4 ,and he said unto them1 ,blessed are ye1 because ye desire this thing of me2 therefore after that ye are seventy and two years old1 ye shall come unto me in my kingdom and with me ye shall find rest4 ,then he turned to the three who had not answered1 and again asked them what they would have him do for them4 ,but they faltered in their answer2 their wish was such a peculiar one1 that they were afraid to express it4 ,and he said unto them1 behold1 ,i know your thoughts1 and ye have desired the thing which ,john1 my beloved1 who was with me in my ministry before that ,i was lifted up by the ,jews1 desired of me2 ,therefore more blessed are ye1 for ye shall never taste of death1 but ye shall live to behold all the doings of the ,father1 unto the children of men1 even until all things shall be fulfilled1 according to the will of the ,father1 when ,i shall come in my glory1 with the powers of heaven2 ,and ye shall never endure the pains of death2 but when ,i shall come in my glory1 ye shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality3 and then shall ye be blessed in the kingdom of my ,father4 ,and again1 ye shall not have pain while ye shall dwell in the flesh1 neither sorrow1 save it be for the sins of the world3 and all this will ,i do because of the thing which ye have desired of me1 for ye have desired that ye might bring the souls of men unto me1 while the world shall stand2 ,and for this cause ye shall have fullness of joy2 and ye shall sit down in the kingdom of my ,father2 yea your joy shall be full1 even as the ,father hath given me fullness of joy2 and ye shall be even as ,i am1 and ,i am even as the ,father2 and the ,father and ,i are one4 ,these are the three ,nephites of whom we sometimes hear and who either singly or together have appeared to believers in this generation4 ,then ,jesus with his finger touched the nine who were to die1 but the three who were to live he did not touch2 and then he departed4 ,and behold1 the heavens were opened1 and the three were caught up into heaven1 and saw unspeakable things4 ,and it was forbidden them that they should utter1 neither was it given unto them power that they could utter1 the things which they saw and heard2 ,the sacred record gives no information as to who the three were who were not to taste of death4 ,mormon was about to write their names1 but the ,lord forbade him4 ,some have supposed that ,nephi1 the senior of the disciples1 was one of these three undying ones1 who remained to minister on the earth to the people of the latter days2 that is hid from our knowledge1 no doubt for a wise purpose4 ,if he was1 he lived through that most happy era of ,nephite history1 when all was righteousness1 and joy1 and peace throughout ,america's vast domain2 he lived to suffer1 with his two brethren1 all the persecutions which the wicked1 in later days1 so frequently imposed upon these three favored servants of the ,lord1 and in the end he retired from the midst of mankind when overwhelming corruption again paralyzed the life of the ,nephite nation4 ,if he was one of the nine who passed away to the presence of their ,savior and their ,god after they had dwelt three score and twelve years in mortality he must have laid aside his earthly tabernacle under as happy circumstances as ever prophet or apostle died1 surrounded by a loving1 faithful people1 amongst whom the practice of iniquity was a remembrance of the past4 ,no ruffian hands cut short his life1 or tortured his latest hours1 but in the midst of the most holy peace he passed away to the glories of the eternal world4 ,,chapter ,,xlix4 ,,the ,,long ,,continued ,,era ,,of ,,peace ,,and ,,righteousness--,,death ,,of ,,nephi--,,his ,,son ,,amos--,,amos ,,the ,,second4 7,,iv4 ,,nephi47 ,when ,jesus left the ,nephites to the care of his disciples he had so thoroughly filled the people with the influences and powers of the eternal worlds that evil utterly ceased in their midst2 they were united in all things temporal and spiritual4 ,universal peace prevailed4 ,love1 joy1 harmony1 everything desirable to make the life of man a perfect condition of unalloyed1 holy happiness reigned supreme4 ,indeed1 it may be said that a type1 a foreshadowing of the millennium for once found place and foothold among the erring sons of humanity4 ,at this blessed period ,nephi1 the son of ,nephi1 received the sacred plates4 ,his duty1 as the recorder of the doings of his people1 was a most happy one2 he had nothing but good to relate of their lives and actions1 and to record that perfect peace prevailed on all the vast continent4 ,the ,nephites increased in numbers 7,lamanites there were none71 they prospered in circumstances1 they grew in material wealth1 all of which was held in common1 according to the order of ,god4 ,they colonized and spread far abroad2 they rebuilt their ancient capital and many other cities2 they also founded many new ones4 ,above all1 they were rich in heavenly treasures2 the ,holy ,spirit reigned in every heart and illumined every soul4 ,when ,nephi died 7,a4 ,c4 #aaj7 this inexpressibly happy1 heavenly state still continued in undiminished warmth of divine and brotherly love and strength of abiding faith4 ,all the generation to which ,nephi belonged entered in at the strait gate1 and walked the narrow way to the eternal city of ,god2 not one of them was lost4 ,at ,nephi's death his son ,amos became the custodian of the holy things2 and he held them for eighty-four years 7from ,a4 ,c4 #aaj to ,a4 ,c4 #aid74 ,he lived in the days of the ,nephites' greatest prosperity and happiness4 ,the perfect law of righteousness was still their only guide4 ,but before he passed away to his heavenly home1 a small cloud had appeared upon the horizon1 fatal harbinger of the approaching devastating hurricane4 ,a few1 weary of the uninterrupted bliss1 the perfect harmony1 the universal love that everywhere prevailed1 seceded from the church and took upon them the title of ,lamanites1 which ill-boding name had only been known to the ,nephites by tradition for more than one hundred years4 ,it may be asked1 ,how was it possible that men and women should withdraw from such a holy order or society where all was perfect peace1 where every man dealt justly with his neighbor1 where none inflicted wrongs and none suffered from injustice done them--where angels ministered to the children of mortality1 and heavenly revelations were their constant guides8 ,if the inquirer will answer why ,lucifer1 the son of the morning1 in heaven itself1 rebelled against the ,almighty ,father1 and led astray one-third of the angelic hosts1 we will reply by saying that he1 ,satan1 tempted the dissenting ,nephites with this same spirit of rebellion to the divine power1 and that he succeeded in ensnaring them and leading them away captive to his will4 ,a second ,amos succeeded his father as the keeper of the records4 ,his duties were not the happy ones of his immediate predecessors4 ,instead of good he had to chronicle much evil4 ,amos himself was a righteous man1 but he lived to witness an ever increasing flood of iniquity break over the land1 a phase of evil-doing that arose not from ignorance and false tradition1 but from direct and willful rebellion against ,god1 and apostasy from his laws4 ,the wholesome checks to vice and misery found in the plan of salvation were knowingly and intentionally removed or done away2 the voice of reason was disregarded2 the promptings of the ,holy ,spirit were defiantly repelled2 men's unbridled passions again bore sway2 disunion1 dissension1 violence1 hatred1 distress1 dismay1 bloodshed and havoc spread the wide continents over2 and from their high pinnacle of righteousness1 peace1 happiness1 refinement1 social advantage1 etc41 the people were hurled once more into an abyss of misery and barbarism1 now more profound1 more torturing1 and more degrading than ever4 ,,chapter ,l4 ,,the ,,commencement ,,of ,,the ,,apostasy--,,it ,,grows ,,in ,,intensity--,,the ,,persecution ,,of ,,the ,,disciples--,,lamanites ,,again--,,reappearance ,,of ,,the ,,gadianton ,,bands--,,war--,,ammaron ,,hides ,,the ,,records4 7,,iv4 ,,nephi47 ,by the year ,a4 ,c4 #bja1 all the second generation had passed away save a few2 the people had greatly multiplied and spread over the face of the land1 north and south1 and had become exceedingly rich2 they wore costly apparel which they adorned with ornaments of gold and silver1 pearls and precious stones4 ,from this date they no more had their property in common1 but1 like the rest of the world1 every man sought gain1 wealth1 power and influence for himself and his4 ,all the old evils arising from selfishness were revived4 ,soon they began to build churches after their own fashion1 and hire preachers who pandered to their lusts2 some even began to deny the ,savior4 ,from ,a4 ,c4 #baj to ,a4 ,c4 #bcj1 the people waxed greatly in iniquity and impurity of life4 ,different dissenting sects multiplied1 infidels abounded4 ,the three remaining disciples were sorely persecuted1 notwithstanding that they performed many mighty miracles4 ,they were shut up in prison1 but the prisons were rent in twain by the power of ,god2 they were cast into fiery furnaces1 but the flames harmed them not2 they were thrown into dens of wild beasts1 but they played with the savage inmates as a child does with a lamb1 and received no harm2 they were not subject to many of the laws that govern our mortal bodies1 they had passed through a glorious change1 by which they were freed from earthly pain1 suffering and death4 ,not only did the wicked persecute these three immortal ones2 others also of ,god's people suffered from their unhallowed anger and bitter hatred2 but the faithful neither reviled at the reviler nor smote the smiter2 they bore these things with patience and fortitude1 remembering the pains of their ,redeemer4 ,in the year ,a4 ,c4 #bca there was a great division among the people4 ,the old party lines were again definitely marked4 ,again the old animosity assumed shape1 and ,nephite and ,lamanite once more became implacable foes4 ,those who rejected and renounced the gospel assumed the latter name1 and with their eyes open1 and a full knowledge of their inexcusable infamy1 they taught their children the same base falsehoods that in ages past had caused the unceasing hatred that reigned in the hearts of the children of ,laman and ,lemuel toward the seed of their younger brothers4 ,by ,a4 ,c4 #bdd the more wicked portion of the people had become exceedingly strong1 as well as far more numerous than the righteous4 ,they deluded themselves by building all sorts of churches1 with creeds to suit the increasing depravity of the masses4 ,when #bfj years had passed away1 the ,gadianton bands1 with all their secret signs and abominations1 through the cunning of ,satan1 again appeared and increased until1 in ,a4 ,c4 #cjj1 they had spread over all the land4 ,by this time1 also1 the ,nephites1 having gradually forsaken their first love1 had so far sunk in the abyss of iniquity that they had grown as wicked1 as proud1 as corrupt and as vile as the ,lamanites4 ,all were submerged in one overwhelming flood of infamy1 and there were none that were righteous1 save it were the disciples of ,jesus4 ,still1 active hostilities did not break out for some time2 but when war commenced1 it scarcely ceased until that great battle near ,cumorah1 which brought extinction to the ,nephite race4 ,this war1 or series of wars1 was one of peculiar horrors4 ,all the old savagery1 ten times intensified1 was rekindled1 transforming the combatants into fiends4 ,each race seems to have striven to out-rival the other in its bloody and infernal inhumanity4 ,mormon1 the ,nephite prophet-general1 in an epistle to his son ,moroni1 sorrowingly relates the fate of the ,nephite prisoners--men1 women and children--taken at ,sherrizah4 ,he adds3 ,and the husbands and fathers of those women and children they the ,lamanites have slain2 and they feed the women upon the flesh of their husbands1 and the children upon the flesh of their fathers2 and no water save a little do they give them4 ,and notwithstanding the abomination of the ,lamanites1 it doth not exceed that of our people in ,moriantum4 ,for behold1 many of the daughters of the ,lamanites have they taken prisoners2 and after depriving them of that which was most dear and precious above all things1 which is chastity and virtue2 and after they had done this thing they did murder them in a most cruel manner1 torturing their bodies even unto death2 and after they have done this1 they devour their flesh like unto wild beasts1 because of the hardness of their hearts2 and they do it for a token of bravery4 ,such was the horrible condition into which open1 wilful1 determined rejection of the gospel had brought both races4 ,amos entrusted the records to his son ,ammaron in the year #cjf ,a4 ,c4 ,owing to the increasing depravity and vileness of the ,nephites1 ,ammaron was constrained by the ,holy ,ghost to hide up all the sacred things which had been handed down from generation to generation 7,a4 ,c4 #cbj74 ,the place where he hid them is said to have been in the land ,antum1 in a hill which was called ,shim4 ,after he had hid them up1 he informed ,mormon1 then a child ten years old1 of what he had done1 and placed the buried treasures in his charge4 ,he instructed ,mormon to go1 when he was about twenty-four years old1 to the hill where they were hid1 and take the plates of ,nephi and record thereon1 what he had observed concerning the people4 ,the remainder of the records1 etc41 he was to leave where they were4 ,,chapter ,,li4 ,,the ,,last ,,long ,,series ,,of ,,wars--,,mormon--,,the ,,final ,,conflict ,,at ,,cumorah--,,the ,,last ,,of ,,the ,,nephites4 7,,mormon47 ,it was in the year #cbb ,a4 ,c4 that actual war broke out between the ,nephites and ,lamanites1 for the first time since the ,redeemer's appearing4 ,it commenced in the land of ,zarahemla near the waters of ,sidon4 ,a number of battles were fought1 in which the armies of the former were victorious4 ,four years later the savage contest was renewed4 ,in the interim iniquity had greatly increased4 ,as foretold by the prophets1 men's property became slippery1 things movable were subject to unaccountable disappearances1 and dread and distrust filled the hearts of the disobedient4 ,when the war recommenced1 the youthful ,mormon was chosen to lead the armies of his nation4 ,the next year saw disaster follow the ,nephite cause4 ,the people retreated before the ,lamanites to the north countries4 ,the year following they met with still further reverses1 and in ,a4 ,c4 #cbi rapine1 revolution and carnage prevailed throughout all the land4 ,in #ccj the ,lamanite king1 ,aaron1 with an army of forty-four thousand men1 was defeated by ,mormon1 who had forty-two thousand warriors under his command4 ,five years later the ,lamanites drove the degenerate ,nephites to the land of ,jashon1 and thence yet further northward to the land of ,shem4 ,but in the year following the tide of victory changed1 and ,mormon1 with thirty thousand troops1 defeated fifty thousand of the enemy in the land of ,shem2 then he followed up with such energetic measures that by the year #cdi the ,nephites had again taken possession of the lands of their inheritance4 ,these successes resulted in a treaty between the ,nephites as one party and the ,lamanites and ,gadianton robbers as the other4 ,by its provisions the ,nephites possessed the country north of the ,isthmus1 while the ,lamanites held the regions south4 ,a peace of ten years followed this treaty4 ,in the year #cfj1 the king of the ,lamanites again declared war4 ,to repel the expected invasion1 the people of ,nephi gathered at the land of ,desolation4 ,there the ,lamanites attacked them1 were defeated1 and returned home4 ,not content with this repulse1 the succeeding year they made another inroad into the northern country1 and were again repulsed4 ,the ,nephites then took the initiative and invaded the southern continent1 but being unsuccessful1 were driven back to the frontier at ,desolation 7,a4 ,c4 #cfc74 ,the same season1 the city of ,desolation was captured by the ,lamanitish warriors1 but was wrested from them the year following4 ,this state of things continued another twenty years2 war1 contention1 rapine1 pillage1 and all the horrors incident to the letting loose of men's most depraved and brutal passions1 filled the land4 ,sometimes one army conquered1 sometimes the other4 ,now it was the ,nephites who were pouring their forces into the south2 then the ,lamanites who were overflowing the north4 ,whichever side triumphed1 that triumph was of short duration2 but to all it meant sacrifice1 cruelty1 blood-guiltiness and woe4 ,at last1 when every nerve had been strained for conquest1 every man collected who could be found1 the two vast hosts1 with unquenchable hatred and unrelenting obstinacy1 met at the hill ,cumorah to decide the destiny of half the world4 ,it was the final struggle1 which was to end in the extermination of one or both of the races that had conjointly ruled ,america for nearly a thousand years 7,a4 ,c4 #che74 ,when the days of that last fearful struggle were ended1 all but twenty-four of the ,nephite race had been1 by the hand of violence1 swept into untimely graves1 save a few1 a very few1 who had fled into the south country4 ,the powers1 the glories1 the beauties of this favored branch of ,israel's chosen race had sunk beneath a sea of blood2 the word of their ,god1 whom they had so long disregarded1 was vindicated2 the warnings of his servants were fulfilled4 ,the ,lamanites were now rulers of the western world1 their traditional enemies being utterly destroyed4 ,but they did not cultivate peace2 no sooner were the ,nephites obliterated1 than they commenced fighting among themselves4 ,the lonely ,moroni1 the last of the ,nephites1 tells us1 ,a4 ,c4 #djj1 that the ,lamanites are at war one with another2 and the face of the land is one continued round of murder and bloodshed2 and no man knoweth the end of the war4 ,and again1 yet later1 he writes3 ,their wars are exceeding fierce among themselves4 ,such was the sad condition of the ,lamanite race in the early part of the fifth century after ,christ4 ,there the inspired record closes2 henceforth we have nothing but uncertain tradition4 ,the various contending tribes1 in their thirst for blood so long gratified1 sunk deeper and deeper into savage degradation2 the arts of civilization were almost entirely lost to the great mass of the people4 ,decades and centuries rolled by1 and after a time1 in some parts1 a better state of things slowly uprose4 ,in ,central ,america1 ,mexico1 ,peru1 and other places1 the foundations of new kingdoms were laid1 in which were gradually built up civilizations peculiarly their own1 but in many ways bearing record to the idiosyncrasies of their ancient predecessors4 ,with this we have here little to do2 many of their traditions 7though disregarded by mankind7 bear unequivocal testimony to the truth of the ,book of ,mormon1 and we have the joyous assurance that as the words of their ancient prophets recorded therein have been fulfilled to the letter in their humiliation2 and as they have drunk to the dregs from the cup of bitterness of the wrath of ,god1 so is the glorious day now dawning1 when the light of the eternal gospel shall illumine the hearts of their descendants2 fill them with the love of ,god2 renew their ancient steadfastness and faith1 and make them the fitting instruments in his hands of accomplishing all his holy purposes with regard to them1 in which also shall be fulfilled all the gracious1 glorious promises made by ,jehovah to this transplanted branch of the olive tree of ,israel4 ,,chapter ,,lii4 ,,the ,,historians ,,of ,,the ,,nephites--,,the ,,plates ,,of ,,nephi--,,list ,,of ,,their ,,custodians--,,their ,,lengthened ,,years4 ,shortly after the arrival of ,lehi and his little colony on the promised land1 ,nephi received a commandment from the ,lord to make certain plates of ore upon which to engrave a record of the doings of his people4 ,some time later1 or between thirty and forty years after the departure of ,lehi from ,jerusalem1 ,nephi was further instructed regarding the records4 ,the ,lord said unto him1 ,make other plates2 and thou shalt engraven many things upon them which are good in my sight1 for the profit of thy people4 ,nephi1 to be obedient to the commandment of the ,lord1 went and made these other plates1 and upon them were engraven the records from which the first portions of the ,book of ,mormon are translated2 or those parts known to us as the ,first and ,second ,books of ,nephi1 and the ,books of ,jacob1 ,enos1 ,jarom1 and ,omni4 ,the two sets of plates manufactured by ,nephi were both used as records of his people and called by his name2 but their contents were not identical4 ,upon the first set was engraven the political history of the ,nephites1 upon the second their religious growth and development4 ,the one described the acts of their kings1 and the wars1 contentions and destructions which came upon the nation2 the other contained the story of the dealings of the ,lord with that people1 the ministry of his servants1 the teachings and prophecies4 ,of the contents of the first we know but little1 simply that which we gather from incidental remarks made in the second2 but the second is given to us in its completeness in the translation contained in the ,book of ,mormon4 ,it would have been very interesting to students of history to have received the detailed account of the reigns of the kings who governed the people of ,nephi1 that is1 to those who would accept these records as of ,god2 but it was far more important that those most sacred truths contained in the revelations of heaven to that people should be made manifest to this generation4 ,the one would be a satisfaction to our intellectual natures1 but the other is necessary to our eternal salvation2 for the ,book of ,mormon contains the fullness of the gospel1 and also many things plain and most precious that have been taken out of the ,jewish scriptures1 through the craft or ignorance of apostate ,jews and ,christians4 ,for this most important reason those portions of the ,nephite records that are now contained in the ,book of ,mormon were first revealed2 we should never have been willing to have accepted the others without them1 for it is upon the basis of religion1 not of history1 that the ,latter-day ,saints accept the ,book of ,mormon4 ,we also have the promise that other plates will be translated and given unto us in the ,lord's due time1 and doubtless among them will be those first plates upon which ,nephi recorded1 with such detail1 the travels and labors in the wilderness of his father and associates4 ,the plates of ,nephi containing the sacred annals of his people were not entirely filled with engravings until about two hundred years before ,christ4 ,they were made by ,nephi between the years #egj and #efj before the advent of the ,redeemer2 but the record on them goes back to the time when ,lehi left ,jerusalem1 or #fjj ,b4 ,c41 so they in reality contain the history of ,god's dealings with that branch of the house of ,israel for about four hundred years4 ,when ,nephi died he transferred these sacred records to the care of his brother ,jacob4 ,from that time to the time that ,moroni finally hid them in the hill ,cumorah1 they were in the hands of four families1 who had charge of them1 as near as can be told from the abridgment that we have in the ,book of ,mormon1 as follows3 ,jacob and his descendants held them from ,b4 ,c4 #edf to about ,b4 ,c4 #bjj1 when they were transferred to ,king ,benjamin1 who1 with his son ,mosiah1 the younger1 held them until ,b4 ,c4 #ia1 at which time they were given into the care of ,alma1 the chief judge1 and he and his posterity retained them until #cbj years after the advent of the ,messiah4 ,after these1 ,mormon and his son1 ,moroni1 were the custodians until the close of the record1 in the year #dba after ,christ4 ,in the table that follows1 ,b4 ,c4 signifies before ,christ1 and ,a4 ,c4 after ,christ1 counting from the true date of his birth as given in the ,book of ,mormon1 and not from the accepted ,christian ,anno ,domini 7year of our ,lord71 which is now very generally supposed to be from two to four years wrong4 ,in those places where no date is given1 the desired information is not afforded in the ,book of ,mormon1 and therefore can only be guessed at4 ,we therefore prefer to leave such places blank4 ,it will also be remembered that ,mormon1 just before the great last battle1 which resulted in the extinction of the ,nephite nation1 hid up in the hill ,cumorah all the records which had been entrusted to him by the hand of the ,lord1 save it were the few plates which he gave to his son ,moroni4 ,the following are the names of the ,nephite historians1 with the times during which they held the records3 ,nephi1 from----to #edf ,b4 ,c4 ,jacob1 from #edf to---- ,enos1 from----to #dbb4 ,jarom1 from #dbb to #cfb4 ,omni1 from #cfb to #cah4 ,amaron1 from #cah to #bhj4 ,chemish1 from #bhj to---- ,abinadom1 from----to---- ,amaleki1 from----to #bjj 7about74 ,king ,benjamin1 from #bjj to #abe4 ,king ,mosiah1 from #abe to #ia4 ,alma 7the younger71 from #ia to #gc4 ,helaman 7the elder71 from #gc to #eg4 ,shiblon1 from #eg to #ec4 ,helaman 7the younger71 from #ec to #ci4 ,nephi1 from #ci to #a4 ,nephi 7the disciple71 from #a to #cd ,a4 ,c4 ,nephi1 from #cd to #aaj4 ,amos1 from #aaj to #aid4 ,amos 7the younger71 from #aid to #cjf4 ,ammaron1 from #cjf to #cbj4 ,mormon1 from #cbj to #che4 ,moroni1 from #che to #dba4 ,in the above table1 one thing will most certainly strike the attention of the observant reader4 ,it is the lengthened period that some of the historians held the records4 ,jacob and his son ,enos held them one hundred and twenty-four years4 ,jarom held them sixty4 ,in this fact we find a very pleasing confirmation of the statement of ,nephi that during the time he and his brethren were wandering in the wilderness1 living on raw meat and suffering all kinds of hardships1 fatigue and privations1 the ,lord so greatly blessed the women in the company that they were strong1 yea1 even like unto the men1 having an abundance of milk to suckle the babes born unto them4 ,jacob was born at this time1 and doubtless inherited an exceedingly strong constitution1 which he transmitted to his posterity4 ,the second epoch during which the longevity of the custodians of the plates is remarkable is during that reign of universal righteousness which followed the ministry of the crucified ,savior4 ,by living unto the ,lord in all things their lives were marvelously prolonged2 especially were those of the children born during the continuance of this happy and holy period and before the effects of the after apostasy had begun to work on them4 ,thus ,nephi1 the son of ,nephi the disciple1 had charge of the records seventy-six years1 his son ,amos1 eighty-four years1 and ,amos1 the son of the last named1 the wonderful period of one hundred and twelve years2 or father1 son and grandson1 three generations1 a total of two hundred and seventy-two years4 ,what a powerful sermon this one fact preaches in favor of entire submission of body and soul to the perfect and perfecting law of ,god6 ,,chapter ,,liii4 ,,the ,,women ,,of ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,mormon--,,their ,,condition ,,and ,,position--,,abish--,,isabel--,,marriag e--,,amulek--,,moroni',s ,,title ,,of ,,liberty--,,the ,,mothers ,,of ,,the ,,ammonites--,,two ,,extremes4 ,it is somewhat noticeable how little prominence is given to womankind in the historical narrative of the ,book of ,mormon1 and unfortunately when mention is made of them it too frequently grows out of man's sins and their misfortunes4 ,of all the descendants of ,lehi and ,sariah1 but two women are mentioned by name2 one1 ,abish1 a converted waiting woman to a queen of the ,lamanites2 the other1 ,isabel1 a harlot of the land of ,sidon1 whose meretricious charms seduced ,corianton1 the son of ,alma1 from the work of the ministry among the ,zoramites4 ,although we have but few individual characters standing out in relief from the historical background1 yet from many incidental references as to the story of the ,nephites is told we are led to the conclusion that women among that people enjoyed a much greater degree of liberty1 and wielded a more powerful influence than they did among contemporary ,gentile nations on the eastern hemisphere--say in ,babylon1 ,persia or ,greece4 ,we deem this mainly attributable to two causes1 first1 the ,israelitish origin of the race2 and again1 the power and grace with which the principles of the gospel were preached by a long succession of prophets1 who almost uninterruptedly ministered to the seed of ,nephi4 ,that this latter cause had much to do with woman's pleasing condition among that people is evident1 for we find from the historical narrative that whenever they turned from the ,lord it was then that tribulation and oppression came upon their wives and daughters1 and they suffered from the iniquities of their husbands and the fury of their enemies4 ,with regard to the first named cause it is generally admitted that the ,hebrew women of antiquity enjoyed greater liberty and possessed more privileges than did those of the surrounding nations of the same period4 ,let the ,bible and the history of contemporary nations be compared and the difference is apparent4 ,the ,nephites lived in a dispensation varying considerably from that of the latter days4 ,they observed the law of ,moses1 to which was added the higher code of the gospel4 ,our readers know how well both these protect the rights of women1 and how sacredly they guard the marriage covenant2 infidelity to that sacred bond of union being regarded1 whether in the man or in the woman1 as a most heinous offense1 and worthy of the severest penalties4 ,at the commencement of the ,nephite national life1 when they were few in numbers1 they seem for a time to have been tainted with some of the social vices of the degenerate people from whom the ,lord had separated them4 ,they committed great immoralities and took wives for utterly unworthy purposes1 and without the fear of the ,lord before their eyes2 and after they had taken them1 they frequently abused or neglected them1 until their suffering cries came up before the ,eternal ,one1 and heaven forbade any man among them taking more than one wife1 but adding this proviso3 ,for if ,i will1 saith the ,lord of hosts1 raise up seed unto me1 ,i will command my people2 otherwise they shall hearken to these things4 ,this injunction1 we are of the opinion1 was afterwards removed1 and the foreshadowed command given1 as it is evident from the later history of the ,nephites that in a better era of their national life polygamy was sanctioned by the law and practiced among them1 and that1 indeed1 by the men most favored of ,god4 ,as an example1 we will cite the prophet ,amulek1 the devoted friend and zealous fellow-laborer of the younger ,alma2 the only man in all the vast city of ,ammonihah to whom an angel was sent1 and in whose behalf mighty miracles were wrought4 ,he expressly mentions his women1 and as he places them next to himself and before his children1 his father and all his other kinsfolk and kindred1 and nowhere uses the word wife or wives1 it is evident that his wives were meant and not serving-women4 ,no one1 surely1 would argue that he would give to the latter the place of honor in his address to his fellow-citizens1 before his parents and his children4 ,as another instance1 the great number of ,chief ,judge ,pahoran's sons is incidentally mentioned4 ,it was during the brighter days of the rule of the ,judges that women1 more than at any time before the appearance of the ,messiah on this continent1 seem to have been most highly regarded and esteemed4 ,the ,nephites were then living under that excellent code of laws drawn up by the inspired ,king ,mosiah1 which bear evidence of having been most admirably adapted to a people worthy of a large amount of liberty4 ,this age was adorned with the presence of such men as ,alma1 ,moroni 7the prophet-general of the ,nephite armies71 ,ammon and the other sons of ,king ,mosiah1 ,helaman1 ,amulek and others conspicuous for their devotion to the laws of ,god and the rights and liberties of the people4 ,general ,moroni1 than whom a more devoted man to the cause of truth and humanity never lived1 is especially conspicuous in his untiring efforts for the safety and happiness of the wives and little ones of his people4 ,on the standard to which he rallied the patriot warriors of the republic1 which he named the ,title of ,liberty1 he inscribed1 ,in memory of our ,god1 our religion and freedom1 and our peace1 our wives and our children4 ,this seems to have been his watchword throughout the long and sanguinary succeeding campaigns1 in which he defended the ,nephites from the savage onslaughts of their ,lamanitish foes4 ,again and again we find him rallying the hosts of ,nephi with this soul-stirring cry1 and under the ardor it wrought in their hearts carrying triumph to their banners and freedom to their land4 ,one series of events that occurred during this long war sheds a most pleasing light upon the inner life of the faithful among the ,nephites2 it is found in the story of ,helaman and his two thousand striplings1 who1 though very young1 were so full of the spirit of faith implanted in their hearts by the wise counsels of their loving and ,god-fearing mothers1 that in the might of ,jehovah they went forth against the enemies of their adopted country 7for they were ,lamanites by birth71 and no power could withstand them4 ,their mothers' teachings and their mothers' prayers were weapons of destruction to their foes and shields of defense to themselves4 ,they went forth conquering and to conquer1 and the ,all-seeing ,one only knows how much the teachings of those saintly women effected towards the preservation of the ,nephite commonwealth from imminent destruction4 ,and what shall we say of the condition of woman in that blessed ,sabbatic era succeeding the glorious appearing of the ,redeemer on this western land1 when for nearly two hundred years this continent enjoyed undisturbed and heavenly peace2 when all men devoutly worshiped the ,lord and dealt justly with their fellows--men or women8 ,it was an age in which no woman was wronged1 no deserted children pined in the streets1 no abused wives mourned in secret1 or lifted their sorrowing hearts in anguish to the ,great ,father of mankind2 no brazen courtesans flaunted on the broad highways1 or ruined maidens hid their sorrow and shame wherever seclusion was the most profound4 ,the inspired historian tells us that if ever there were a happy people on this earth1 there they were found2 and most happy must have been the gentler ones1 who bear in the stubborn battle of life so large a share of its sorrows and misfortunes4 ,but this golden age was soon followed by its opposite1 when every virtue seems to have been supplanted by a vice1 and all good was turned to evil4 ,at almost lightning speed1 the people having once taken the downward track1 the nation rushed to ruin1 until this continent became one vast field of carnage1 rapine1 and misery1 over which devils gloated and hell enlarged itself4 ,indeed1 the whole land seemed peopled with a race of demons who perpetuated cruelties that could alone be conceived in the hearts of the damned4 ,during these lengthened years of untold horror the fair daughters of the land suffered unspeakable barbarities4 ,life1 virtue1 everything was the plaything of the victor1 be he ,nephite or ,lamanite1 until in the hate of revenge and the fury of despair they joined their national leaders on the battlefield1 and with their husbands1 sons and brothers1 dyed their hands in the blood of the foe4 ,nor did they arm themselves alone1 but with feelings turned to those of monsters1 they put weapons into the hands of their children and inflamed their young minds with the savage love of slaughter4 ,the war was not one for supremacy alone2 it was for national and individual existence2 and1 midst a sea of carnage1 unparalleled on any land save ours1 the ,nephite nation was swept out of existence1 leaving scarce a trace behind1 a most terrible instance of divine mercy scorned and divine laws abused4 ,,chapter ,,liv4 ,,domestic ,,life ,,among ,,the ,,nephites--,,house-,,hold ,,duties--,,dress--,,ornaments--,,homes- -,,food--,,manufactures--,,transportatio n4 ,from the casual references found in the historic portions of the ,book of ,mormon1 we are led to infer that the domestic life of the ,nephites was patterned1 as it very naturally would be1 after the manners and customs of their forefathers in the land of ,jerusalem1 modified1 of course1 by time and their surroundings4 ,the changed material conditions1 the absence of older though co-existent peoples and powers1 the new and sometimes strange animal and vegetable productions1 etc41 all had an influence in the formation and growth of their civilization2 trivial1 perhaps1 when considered separately1 but when taken together1 and working for centuries1 having a marked effect on their public polity and home life4 ,it is1 however1 necessary to explain that the details of the latter are very meagre1 and only obtained incidentally1 as they may form a link in the chain of some historical narrative1 or be introduced as an illustration in some doctrinal teaching or prophetic warning4 ,in the midst of a people guided or reproved through their entire national life by an almost continuous succession of inspired teachers1 it is but reasonable to conclude that the domestic virtues were assiduously cultivated1 and all departures therefrom severely rebuked4 ,industry1 economy1 thrift1 prudence1 and moderation in dress were evidently as much the subject of the prophet's commendation then as in these latter days4 ,zeniff and others directly refer to the labors and toils of the ,nephite women in spinning and making the material with which they clothed themselves and their households2 and the same fabrics which delight the modern daughters of ,israel also appear to have pleased the eyes of their ,nephite sisters in the long ago4 ,we must1 however1 say to the praise of these ancient worthies1 the mothers of ,mosiah1 ,alma1 ,moroni1 ,helaman1 and of the two thousand striplings who loved to call the latter father1 that the beauty of their apparel was the workmanship of their own hands4 ,steam looms1 spinning jennys1 and their like1 were unknown1 so far as we can learn1 to the enterprising1 vigorous1 ,god-blessed race that for nearly a thousand years filled the ,american continent with the favored seed of ,jacob's much-loved son4 ,the materials of which the clothing of this race were made are frequently mentioned in the inspired record4 ,fine silk1 fine twined or twisted linen1 and cloth of every kind are often spoken of4 ,in one place good homely cloth is mentioned4 ,by the word homely we must not understand the writer to mean ugly2 the word is there evidently applied in its original significance1 as it is used today in ,england1 for homelike or fit for home--such material as was suited to the every-day life of an industrious1 hard-working people4 ,the love of ornaments has ever been a characteristic of ,abraham's chosen race4 ,the golden earrings and bracelets that gladdened the eyes of ,rebecca1 when sought as the wife of the patriarch's son1 have had their counterpart in many a more modern instance4 ,it was so with ,sariah's myriad daughters4 ,time and again we read of pride and vanity entering the hearts of the people1 and of their affections being set upon their costly apparel and their ornaments of gold1 of silver1 of pearls1 of precious things1 7gems87 their bracelets1 ringlets1 etc4 ,nor would it be just to convey the idea that the gentler sex were alone guilty of these extravagances2 the sacred record admits of no such conclusion4 ,we cannot judge by the sober drabs1 greys and browns with which the civilized gentleman of today clothes himself1 of the colors1 the styles or the fashions of the raiment of the ,nephite beaux4 ,the only safe conclusion that can be drawn is that they probably copied to some extent the gorgeousness of tropical nature by which they were surrounded4 ,nor is it reasonable to suppose that a single description would apply to the styles in the days of ,lehi1 of ,benjamin and of ,mormon1 any more than the varied fashions of the days of the ,williams1 the ,edwards1 the ,jameses and the ,georges of ,english history could all be condensed into one sentence4 ,it is not conceivable that dress1 or anything else1 remained entirely unchanged throughout a thousand years1 though it is quite possible that those changes were nothing like so sudden or so radical as have been those that have taken place among the leading nations of western ,europe4 ,on these points1 however1 so far as the record of ,mormon is concerned1 we can simply surmise1 as the military accoutrements1 armor1 etc41 of the warrior are the only habiliments with regard to which he gives any particular details4 ,it is this poverty of information on this and kindred subjects that makes it so difficult for our artists to illustrate1 with any assurance of approximate correctness1 scenes and incidents from ,book of ,mormon history4 ,nor can we learn much more with regard to their residences than we can concerning their dress4 ,the most detailed account given of any man's home is that of ,nephi1 the son of ,helaman4 ,his house was situated on the main highway which led to the chief market place of the city of ,zarahemla4 ,in front of his house was a garden1 and near the gate opening upon the highway was a tower1 upon the top of which the prophet was accustomed to pray4 ,these towers1 from the numerous references made to them1 either as private property or attached to their places of worship1 as watch towers or as a part of their system of fortification1 must have formed quite a conspicuous feature in the ,nephite landscape4 ,the residences of the rich were elegant and spacious1 adorned with exceedingly fine wood work1 carving1 etc41 and with ornaments of gold1 silver1 copper1 brass1 steel and other metals4 ,from the importance attached to the fact that but little timber existed in the northern continent when the ,nephites began to spread over it1 and consequently that the immigrants had to build their houses of cement1 it is presumable that wood entered largely into the composition of the buildings4 ,this idea is strengthened by the frequent reference made to the skill of their artisans in wood working1 and in the excellence they had attained in the refining of ores and the manufacturing of metal ornaments for their houses and persons4 ,regarding one monarch it is written3 ,king ,noah built many elegant and spacious buildings2 and he ornamented them with fine works of wood1 and of all manner of precious things1 of gold and of silver1 and of iron1 and of brass1 and of ziff and of copper2 and he also built him a spacious palace and a throne in the midst thereof1 all of which was of fine wood1 and was ornamented with gold and silver1 and with precious things4 ,and he also caused that his workmen should work all manner of fine work within the walls of the temple1 of fine wood1 and of copper1 and of brass1 etc4 ,this was in the land of ,lehi-,nephi4 ,we next turn to the food of this people4 ,here1 also we are without definite information1 but we can measurably judge of their staple articles of diet by noticing the grains they cultivated most extensively3 to wit1 wheat1 corn and barley1 the latter appearing to have been the standard by which they gauged the price of other commodities4 ,great attention was also given to the planting of fruit trees and grape vines4 ,from the fruit of the grape abundance of wine was manufactured1 of which 7we think we do the ,nephites no injustice by saying it7 they were as fond as are the generality of mankind4 ,they were not as attached to a meat diet as were the ,lamanites1 who were great flesh-eaters1 but they apparently kept large flocks and herds as a source of food supply1 as well as for wool1 leather1 etc41 and to provide for the numerous sacrifices enjoined by the law of ,moses1 which they carefully observed1 until the offering of that greatest of all sacrifices on ,mount ,calvary1 of which all the rest were but types and shadows4 ,thus we may conclude that bread made from corn1 wheat or barley1 the flesh of their flocks and herds1 together with that of wild animals caught in the chase1 fruit1 wine1 milk and honey1 formed the basis of their daily food1 differing no doubt in details1 according to the location1 climate and other circumstances4 ,their methods of locomotion and modes of transportation are not described4 ,they were very rich in horses1 and doubtless made use of them as beasts of burden4 ,the fact that large bodies of this people made extended journeys in their various migrations and colonizings1 is beyond dispute4 ,from one family they filled a continent1 or more properly two continents4 ,the use of ships is not mentioned until the middle of the last century before the ,christian era4 ,these were then used in conveying immigrants1 lumber1 provisions1 etc41 to the northern continent2 the first ship-building1 of which we have an account1 having been done at the settlements near the ,isthmus of ,panama1 to which point good roads had by that time been constructed4 ,in the earlier history of the ,nephites it is probable that most of their material was transported on pack animals1 as is done today in the regions then inhabited by them4 ,in the dense tropical vegetation of the wilderness1 and along the mountain slopes of the ,andes1 road-making was difficult and expensive1 and packing on the backs of animals 7say the horse1 the mule1 the llama1 the alpaca1 etc417 was the cheapest and most convenient to a comparatively poor and small people4 ,chariots are mentioned but seldom1 ,the ,lamanite monarch1 ,lamoni1 had his horses and chariots1 to which reference is more than once made2 and in after years1 when the ,nephites gathered with all they possessed into one place1 to defend themselves against the ,gadianton robber 7,a4 ,c4 #ag71 they removed their provisions1 grain1 etc41 by means of vehicles called chariots4 ,these are the only instances1 which the writer remembers where vehicles of any kind are spoken of in the ,book of ,mormon1 in connection with the inhabitants of this continent4 ,,chapter ,,lv4 ,,agriculture ,,among ,,the ,,nephites--,,grains--,,stock ,,raising--,,irrigation4 ,no sooner had ,lehi and his little colony arrived on the promised land than they commenced the cultivation of the soil1 planting therein the seeds they had brought with them from the land of ,judea1 which1 to their great joy1 yielded abundantly4 ,the grains and fruits of the ,asiatic continent were found to flourish as luxuriantly in the soil of ,america as in their native land4 ,this not only held good in the land of the ,nephites' first inheritance1 but also in the lands of their later possession--,nephi1 ,zarahemla1 etc41 as all through the ,book of ,mormon we have occasional references 7incidental to the story of their history7 to the success that attended their farming operations4 ,nor must it be imagined that their business was carried on in the primitive manner that characterizes the labors of ,laman's degenerate descendants today4 ,agricultural machinery1 and all manner of tools of every kind to till the ground1 are mentioned by more than one writer4 ,of cereals1 corn1 wheat and barley appear to have been1 as in the land of their forefathers1 the staple crops4 ,if we mistake not1 oats are never mentioned in the ,bible1 nor is rye spoken of more than once or twice4 ,in the ,book of ,mormon we have no recollection of the mention of either of these grains4 ,on the other hand they appeared to have cultivated grains with which we are unacquainted1 known to them by the names of neas and sheum4 ,had there been any ,english equivalents to these words1 we should doubtless have had these equivalents as in other cases1 instead of the original ,nephite names4 ,all kinds of fruit flourished under their careful cultivation4 ,special reference is several times made to vineyards and grape culture1 as well as to the manufacture of wine4 ,like the moderns1 they understood the secret of fortifying or strengthening it with liquor or alcohol1 of which knowledge they took advantage when paying tribute to the ,lamanites1 in cases when they intended to escape from their task-masters while the latter were under the influence of this intoxicating drink4 ,it is evident from the sacred record that the ,nephites carried on their farming very much in the same manner and for very much the same reasons1 as the early settlers in ,utah4 ,when a new colony was planted1 a town or village was built in a suitable location1 somewhat after the style of our early forts4 ,this city or settlement was generally named after the founder or leader of the colony4 ,the farming land contiguous was called by the same name4 ,the land was tilled in every convenient place around the city1 and when the ,lamanites appeared1 or other danger threatened1 the people retreated into their place of refuge1 in the center of their lands4 ,as an example1 we will cite the case of the followers of ,alma1 in the land of ,helam4 ,when the army of the ,lamanites made their unwelcome appearance1 the people were mostly engaged in tilling the soil4 ,at the coming of the dreaded foe they gathered with all haste into the city to await developments and to receive the counsel their wise1 brave and good leader might give them4 ,by his advice the men went out of the city in a body1 and made a treaty with the ,lamanites1 which the latter1 as soon as their purpose was accomplished1 failed to keep4 ,it is probable that in many parts of the continent some system of irrigation was adopted to raise the crops4 ,but this was not necessary in all portions of the ,nephite possessions2 we are inclined to think it was not so in the cultivated portions of the valley of the ,sidon4 ,certain it is that when the righteous ,nephi 7the father of one of the ,twelve ,disciples chosen by ,jesus from among the ,israel of this western continent7 called upon the ,lord1 at his request a famine desolated the land4 ,the sacred historian records3 ,for the earth was smitten that it was dry1 and did not yield forth grain in the season of the grain4 ,but when the people had repented and ,nephi had pleaded in their behalf1 it is written1 ,and it came to pass in the seventy-sixth year 7,b4 ,c4 #af71 the ,lord did turn away his anger from the people1 and caused that rain should fall upon the earth1 insomuch that it did bring forth her fruit in the season of her fruit4 ,and it came to pass that it did bring forth her grain in the season of her grain4 ,we judge from this that in those days the ,nephite agriculturist depended on the direct rains from heaven2 for it appears that in the same year that they fell1 the grain harvest was reaped and the fruit harvest gathered4 ,but it is unsafe to form positive theories on these points1 until we fully understand the great changes that took place on the face of the land1 with consequent alterations of climate1 etc41 at the time of the awful convulsions that attended the crucifixion of our ,lord and ,savior4 ,except in the days of their excessive pride and ungodly arrogance1 the calling of the agriculturist among the ,nephites was a most honorable one1 as in truth it should be among all people4 ,king ,mosiah1 the beloved1 reminded the people that1 to prevent their taxes being grievous1 he himself did till the earth for his support1 and to maintain the expenses of the monarchy4 ,with this royal example1 it is no wonder that the farmer and the horticulturist were esteemed among the greatest of nature's noblemen4 ,the ,nephites were also successful stock-raisers2 their flocks and herds formed no inconsiderable portion of their wealth4 ,the abundance of their horned stock1 sheep1 goats1 wild goats1 horses1 fatlings1 etc41 is frequently referred to4 ,to this industry the ,lamanites1 who were great meat-eaters1 also gave considerable attention4 ,it was a business that suited their semi-civilization4 ,it did not tie them down so completely to one spot1 as did agriculture and manufacture4 ,but it is a notable fact that whenever any bodies of ,lamanites passed over to the ,nephites1 they not only adopted the latter's religion and faith1 but also their mode of living1 and became skilled in the pursuits of industry4 ,as an example1 we read1 in the days of the ,judges1 of many of these people joining the people of ,ammon 7their former brethren71 when they did begin to labor exceedingly1 tilling the ground1 raising all manner of grain1 and flocks and herds of every kind4 ,,chapter ,,lvi4 ,,science ,,and ,,literature ,,among ,,the ,,nephites--,,their ,,astronomy ,,and ,,geography--,,the ,,learning ,,of ,,egypt4 ,the ,nephites were unusually happy in having1 as the founders of their nation1 men who were not only wise in the ways of the ,lord1 but also learned in the knowledge of the world4 ,most races that have made a mark in history have had to grope their way for centuries from darkness to light1 from ignorance to knowledge4 ,little by little such races have advanced in the path of civilization1 falling into manifold errors1 and committing grievous blunders4 ,with ,lehi and his posterity it was not so4 ,they were taken from the midst of a people who were surrounded by the most powerful and refined nations of antiquity1 with whose wisdom and learning ,lehi was undoubtedly well acquainted4 ,we can readily conceive that the ,lord1 in planting this mighty and vigorous offshoot of the house of ,joseph1 on the richest and most favored land of all the earth1 would not only choose one of his most faithful1 but also one of his most intelligent servants1 to commence the work4 ,indeed1 on the very first page of the ,book of ,mormon1 ,nephi incidentally refers to the learning of his father2 which learning1 we infer from many passages in the sacred record1 was obtained by ,lehi in ,egypt1 as well as in ,palestine2 the association between the inhabitants of these two countries being1 in his day1 very close1 and the inter-communication frequent4 ,as the foundation of their literature1 ,lehi and his colony carried with them a copy of the sacred scriptures1 which contained not only an account of ,god's dealings with mankind1 from the creation to the age of ,jeremiah1 but also the only complete history in existence of the people who lived before the deluge4 ,the ,egyptians1 ,chaldeans and other nations had mangled1 mythic and jumbled-up accounts of man's history from the creation to the flood2 but the ,nephites possessed the details of this epoch in much greater completeness than even ,christendom does today4 ,these scriptures--historical and doctrinal--being numerously reproduced and scattered among the people1 formed the basis of ,nephite literature1 giving them the immense advantage over all other people of possessing the unpolluted word of ,god in every age then past1 supplemented by a correct and undisputed history of the results1 to the world1 of man's obedience or disobedience to these heavenly messages4 ,how much more complete these scriptures were than the ,bible of ,christendom is shown by the numerous references to the lives1 and quotations from the teachings1 of ancient worthies1 ,melchisedek1 ,jacob1 ,joseph and others2 to the acts and infamies of ,cain1 etc41 not found in the ,bible1 as well as by lengthy quotations from ancient prophets1 whose names--,zenos1 ,zenoch1 ,neum1 ,ezias--are not even mentioned in its pages4 ,how much modern ,christianity has lost by these omissions may be partially inferred from the beauty and grandeur of the extracts given in the ,book of ,mormon1 from the writings and prophecies of ,zenos alone4 ,take1 as a single instance1 his inspired parable of the wild and tame olive trees1 given in the ,book of ,jacob2 no more important1 no more sublime prophecy can be found in the whole contents of the holy scriptures4 ,the connection of ,lehi with ,egypt1 whose language he appears to have adopted1 doubtless gave him a practical knowledge of the condition of the whole civilized world in his day1 when the glories of ,chaldea had departed1 and those of ,assyria and ,egypt were passing away2 when ,babylon was at the zenith of its power1 and the growing strength of ,persia and ,greece was as yet scarcely felt4 ,to this personal information he1 like ,moses1 added an acquaintance with the learning of the ,egyptians1 a people wise above all other uninspired races in the numerous branches of science and art in which they excelled4 ,with this knowledge1 combined with the information of immeasurable value contained on the sacred plates1 the foundation was laid for a stable civilization1 guided by past revelation and present inspiration2 to which was added the experience of other nations1 as beacon-lights to warn the ,nephites of the dangers to which all communities are subject1 and to guide them to havens of governmental and political safety4 ,the ,nephites1 then1 from their earliest day had at least all the important historical and geographical knowledge possessed by the most favored communities of the eastern hemisphere1 with as much more as it pleased heaven to reveal4 ,they had one advantage over the peoples they had left--they were well acquainted with them and their condition2 but of the ,nephites the dwellers in the old world knew nothing4 ,with regard to the knowledge received through revelation1 it is evident1 from several incidental expressions scattered through the record1 that the ,lord did give to his faithful servants information with regard to historical and geographical matters4 ,we will cite one instance3 ,jacob1 the brother of ,nephi1 in one of his impressive exhortations1 while encouraging his brethren 7often somewhat downcast on account of their lonely condition1 so far from the rest of mankind71 remarks3 ,we have been led to a better land1 for the ,lord has made the sea our path1 and we are upon an isle of the sea4 ,but great are the promises of the ,lord unto they who are upon the isles of the sea2 therefore1 as it says isles1 there must needs be more than this1 and they are inhabited also by our brethren4 ,how could ,jacob have known1 except by revelation1 that the vast continent which the ,nephites inhabited was entirely surrounded by the waters of the great oceans8 ,he and his companions had1 but a few short years before1 first landed on its shores1 and had now explored but a very small portion of its wide extent1 and there were no others in communication with them who could supply the information that ,north and ,south ,america were one immense island4 ,evidently the ,lord had revealed this fact to them4 ,and1 by the way1 this simple statement is strong testimony of the divine authenticity of the ,book of ,mormon4 ,at the time that this portion of the sacred plates was translated 7,a4 ,d4 #ahbg-h71 or even when the whole book was published and the ,church of ,jesus ,christ was organized 7,a4 ,d4 #ahcj71 it was not known to modern science that the ,american continent was indeed an island4 ,joseph ,smith could not have received knowledge of this fact1 so unhesitatingly affirmed1 from any learned geographer or practical navigator4 ,the hope of centuries1 in ,europe1 had been to discover a north-west passage to ,india1 but to that date all attempts had met with disastrous failure1 so far as the chief object was concerned4 ,little or nothing was then known of the ,north ,american coast1 west of ,hudson's ,bay4 ,it was not until1 after repeated expeditions1 that in ,may1 #ahdg1 the truth of the statement of ,jacob could be affirmed from actual knowledge of the geographical features of the country1 as at that date the explorations and surveys by land and sea1 from east and west1 were brought sufficiently near to leave the matter without a doubt4 ,it was not until #ahed that the first ship's crew 7that of ,captain ,mc,clure71 which ever sailed across the ,arctic ,ocean from the ,pacific to the ,atlantic1 along the northern coast of ,america1 returned from their perilous voyage4 ,we thus find that human geographical knowledge could not have aided the prophet ,joseph ,smith in making this statement1 had it originated with him and not with the son of ,lehi4 ,while ancient ,greek and other philosophers were groping among the fallacies of the absurd system of astronomy given to the world by ,ptolemy1 and teaching that the sun with all the stars revolved around the earth1 the ,nephites were in possession of the true knowledge with regard to the heavenly bodies1 etc4 ,possibly they were the only people of their age blessed with a comprehension of these sublime truths4 ,it is altogether probable that among their scriptures were copies of the ,book of ,abraham1 from which they could acquaint themselves with the beauties and harmonies of celestial mechanism4 ,they undoubtedly had the writings of ,joseph1 the son of ,jacob1 as these are quoted in the ,book of ,mormon2 and1 as the prophet ,joseph ,smith found the writings of ,abraham and ,joseph together in the ,egyptian mummies1 it is far from improbable that the ,nephites1 as well as the early ,egyptians1 possessed both4 ,to show the astronomical knowledge possessed by the ,nephites1 we will draw attention to the words of two of their prophets4 ,the first extract is from the reply of ,alma to ,korihor1 the ,anti-,christ 7,b4 ,c4 #ge71 when the latter asked for a sign to prove the existence of a ,god4 ,his words are3 ,thou hast had signs enough2 will ye tempt your ,god8 ,will ye say1 ,show unto me a sign1 when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren1 and also all the holy prophets8 ,the scriptures are laid before thee1 yea1 and all things denote there is a ,god2 yea1 even the earth1 and all things that are upon the face of it1 yea1 and its motion2 yea1 and also all the planets which move in their regular form1 doth witness that there is a ,supreme ,creator4 ,the next quotation is from the reflections of one of the servants of ,god 7probably ,mormon7 inserted into the ,nephite history of about seventy years later4 ,the writer is speaking of the greatness and goodness of ,god1 and among other things declares3 ,yea1 by the power of his voice doth the whole earth shake2 yea1 by the power of his voice doth the foundations rock1 even to the very center2 yea1 and if he say unto the earth1 move it1 it is moved2 yea1 if he say unto the earth1 thou shalt go back1 that it lengthen out the day for many hours1 it is done2 and thus according to his word1 the earth goeth back2 and it appeareth unto man that the sun standeth still2 yea1 and behold1 this is so2 for sure it is the earth that moveth1 and not the sun4 ,thus we find that in these points1 the astronomical knowledge of the ,nephites was1 at least equal to that of the moderns4 ,,chapter ,,lvii4 ,,the ,,art ,,of ,,war ,,among ,,the ,,nephites--,,their ,,weapons1 ,,armor ,,and ,,fortifications--,,moroni',s ,,line ,,of ,,defense4 ,no sooner had the separation taken place between the families of ,nephi and ,laman1 and the foundation been laid for the two nations that for a thousand years contended for supremacy on this continent1 than ,nephi1 to protect his people from the threatened attacks of the ,lamanites1 found it necessary to prepare for war4 ,he took the sword of ,laban1 and using it as a pattern1 fashioned many others1 which he distributed among his subjects as a means of defense4 ,these swords1 with cimeters1 spears1 javelins1 darts1 bows and arrows1 slings and stones1 appear to have been the principal weapons of war used by the ,nephites throughout their entire national existence1 though reference is more than once made to unnamed and undescribed weapons4 ,we have no reason to imagine from any of the descriptions of their battles that gunpowder or any like composition was known to them4 ,it is more probable that the unnamed weapons were something of the same kind as the ancient ballista and catapult1 7machines made by the ancients for throwing stones1 arrows1 etc417 and used for the same purposes4 ,from the abundance of metallic ore in the regions most densely populated by the ,nephites1 and the oft-mentioned skill possessed by their artisans in the working of iron1 steel1 brass and copper1 we have no reason for supposing that less satisfactory substitutes were brought into use in the manufacture of their weapons4 ,there was no necessity for using bone1 flint1 etc41 when metal was so abundant and its preparation so well understood4 ,the accounts we have of the early wars between the two races are but mere notices of the fact of their occurrence and results4 ,it is not until the days of the ,judges that anything like details are given4 ,at that time the ,nephites had adopted the use of defensive plate armor for their heads1 bodies and thighs2 they also carried shields and wore arm plates4 ,these arts for the protection of the soldiers were carried to their greatest excellence under ,moroni1 during the first half of the last century before ,christ4 ,this officer1 one of the greatest generals the ,nephite race ever gave birth to1 appears to have made a great revolution in their military affairs4 ,he re-organized their armies1 compelled more stringent discipline1 introduced new tactics1 developed a greatly superior system of fortification1 built towers and citadels1 and altogether placed the defensive powers of the commonwealth on a new and stronger footing4 ,the ,lamanites1 who appear to have developed no capacity for originating1 but were apt in copying1 also1 in course of time1 adopted defensive armor1 and when they captured a weak ,nephite city they frequently made it a stronghold by surrounding it with ditches and walls after the system introduced and put into execution by ,moroni4 ,the foundation of ,moroni's system of fortification was earthworks encircling the place to be defended4 ,the earth was dug from the outside1 by which means a ditch was formed4 ,sometimes walls of stone were erected4 ,on the top of the earthworks strong defenses of wood1 sometimes breastworks1 in some cases to the full height of a man1 were raised2 and above these a stockade of strong pickets was built1 to arrest the flight of the stones and arrows of the attacking forces4 ,those arrows1 etc41 that passed above the pickets fell1 without doing injury1 behind the troops who were defending the wall4 ,besides these walls1 towers were raised at various convenient points1 from which observations of the movements of the enemy were taken1 and wherein corps of archers and slingers stationed during the actual continuance of the battle4 ,from their elevated and commanding position these bodies of soldiers could do great injury to the attacking force4 ,to make this subject yet plainer we insert a few extracts1 from the ,book of ,mormon1 that have a bearing thereon4 ,in the year ,b4 ,c4 #gc a severe war was being waged1 in which ,moroni had command of the ,nephite armies and ,amalickiah of those of the ,lamanites4 ,it is written that at this time ,moroni erected small forts1 or places of resort2 throwing up banks of earth round about1 to enclose his armies1 and also building walls of stone to encircle them about1 round about their cities and the borders of their lands2 yea1 all round about the land2 and in their weakest fortifications he did place the greater number of men2 and thus he did fortify and strengthen the land which was possessed by the ,nephites4 ,the year following ,moroni caused his soldiers to dig up heaps of earth round about all the cities1 throughout all the land which was possessed by the ,nephites2 and upon the top of these ridges of earth he caused that there should be timbers2 yea1 works of timbers built up to the height of a man1 round about the cities4 ,and he caused that upon these works of timbers there should be a frame of pickets built upon the timbers round about2 and they were strong and high2 and he caused towers to be erected that overlooked those works of pickets1 and he caused places of security to be built upon those towers1 that the stones and the arrows of the ,lamanites could not hurt them4 ,and they were prepared1 that they could cast stones from the top thereof1 according to their pleasure and their strength1 and slay him who should attempt to approach near the walls of the city4 ,thus ,moroni did prepare strongholds against the coming of their enemies1 round about every city in all the land4 ,again1 in the same war1 the ,lamanite prisoners were set to work digging a ditch round about the land1 or the city ,bountiful2 and ,moroni caused that they should build a breastwork of timbers upon the inner bank of the ditch2 and they cast up dirt out of the ditch against the breastwork of timbers2 and thus they did cause the ,lamanites to labor until they had encircled the city of ,bountiful round about with a strong wall of timbers and earth1 to an exceeding height4 ,and this city became an exceeding stronghold ever after4 ,the forces of both races appear to have been composed very largely1 if not entirely1 of infantry4 ,we have failed to notice any passage that gave a definite assurance that either cavalry or war chariots were used in their campaigns4 ,like nearly all rude or semi-civilized races1 the ,lamanites depended on the strength of numbers and brute force for victory in the open field4 ,they massed their troops in solid bodies1 and with wild cries rushed to the assault in the hope of bearing down all resistance by their superior numbers1 as in almost every war they greatly outnumbered the ,nephites4 ,indeed it is doubtful if even the last-named people used much scientific strategy previous to the days of ,moroni2 before this time it was a hand-to-hand conflict1 wherein the ,nephites1 though fewer in numbers1 had many advantages over their half-naked foes1 by reason of superior weapons and defensive armor1 and1 above all1 through the blessing and guidance of the ,lord4 ,in the year ,b4 ,c4 #gb the armies of ,moroni drove the ,lamanites out of that portion of the east wilderness bordering on the land of ,zarahemla into their own lands4 ,the northern line or boundary of the latter ran in a straight course from the sea east to the west4 ,the ,lamanites having been driven out of those portions of the wilderness north of the dividing line1 colonies of ,nephites were sent to occupy the country and build cities on their southern border1 even to the ,atlantic coast4 ,to protect the new settlers1 ,moroni placed troops all along this line and caused them to erect fortifications for the better defense of the frontier4 ,this fortified line ran from the west sea 7the ,pacific ,ocean7 by the head of the river ,sidon 7the ,magdalena7 eastward along the northern edge of the wilderness4 ,some of the readers of the ,book of ,mormon have imagined this line of defense to have been one continuous rampart or wall--after the style of the great wall of ,china--reaching from ocean to ocean1 and on this surmise have argued that the completion of such an immense work in a few years was an impossibility to a people of the limited numerical strength of the ,nephites4 ,to get over this difficulty of their own creation they have resorted to various theories with regard to its locality1 inconsistent with the geographical details1 on purpose to shorten its distance to what they deemed a reasonable length1 possible for the ,nephites to have built in a few years4 ,the writer holds the opinion that the ,book of ,mormon conveys no such idea1 it simply states that ,moroni erected fortifications along this line2 or1 as he views it1 ,moroni took advantage of the natural features of the country1 its wide rivers1 far-stretching swamps and ranges of high mountains1 and built fortifications at every point where the ,lamanites would find ingress1 such as at the fords of the rivers and the passes between the mountains4 ,he there stationed bodies of troops sufficiently strong to hold their posts1 and1 if necessary1 defend the surrounding country4 ,this system of defense would be more powerful and effective than an artificial wall2 high mountains and deep rivers largely taking the place of earthworks1 masonry and heavy timbers4 ,a number of years later 7,b4 ,c4 #cd71 the ,lamanites having temporarily driven the ,nephites from the southern continent1 ,moronihah1 the son of ,moroni1 fortified the ,isthmus of ,panama from sea to sea1 and in this way prevented the ,lamanites from pushing yet further north4 ,this defensive line was again fortified by ,mormon 7,a4 ,c4 #cfj7 in the last great series of wars between the two races4 ,it does not appear1 so far as can be gathered from the record1 that any very great improvements1 either in the system of fortification1 the style of defensive armor1 or the manufacture of their weapons1 were made by the ,nephite commanders who lived after the days of ,moroni4 ,there is another kind of defensive clothing1 beside plate armor1 mentioned as being worn by the ancient ,american warriors4 ,it consisted of very thick clothing1 possibly made of cotton or woolen cloth1 thickly padded4 ,moroni uniformed some of his troops in this manner when he first took command of the ,nephite armies 7,b4 ,c4 #gd71 and the next year the ,lamanites followed his example and not only prepared themselves with shields and breastplates1 but also with garments of skins2 yea1 very thick garments to cover their nakedness4 ,the various enemies that the ,nephite armies had to meet1 from time to time1 on the field of battle--,lamanites1 ,amulonites1 ,amalekites1 ,zoramites1 ,gadianton robbers1 etc4-- were very differently equipped for their bloody work4 ,those who had dissented from the ,nephites naturally held to the same tactics1 used the arms and protected their bodies with the same armor as the people to whom they had turned traitors4 ,with the original ,lamanites it was different4 ,at first1 when they came against the ,nephites they were clothed with a short skin girdle about the loins1 and with their heads shaven2 and their skill was in the bow and the cimeter and axe4 ,the dissenters1 while armed and equipped like the ,nephites1 set a mark upon themselves by which they might be known and distinguished on the battle field4 ,in doing this they unconsciously fulfilled the word of the ,lord to their fathers4 ,thus1 the followers of ,amlici1 the would-be king1 marked themselves with red in their foreheads after the manner of the ,lamanites1 though they did not shave their heads as did the direct descendants of ,laman 7,b4 ,c4 #hg74 ,the description of the ,gadianton robbers1 as they appeared when prepared for war 7,a4 ,c4 #ah71 is a very terrible one3 ,they were girded about after the manner of robbers2 and they had a lamb-skin about their loins1 and they were dyed in blood1 and their heads were shorn1 and they had head-plates upon them3 and great and terrible was the appearance of the armies of ,giddianhi1 because of their armor and because of their being dyed in blood4 ,,chapter ,,lviii4 ,,the ,,laws ,,of ,,the ,,nephites--,,the ,,roman ,,and ,,nephite ,,civilizations--,,the ,,laws ,,under ,,the ,,kings--,,position ,,of ,,the ,,priesthood--,,slavery--,,criminal ,,offenses4 ,if the existence of wise1 just and liberal laws1 administered in righteousness1 be the rule by which we can judge of the true greatness of a nation and of the happiness and prosperity of its citizens1 then the ,nephites were a far happier and more prosperous people than were their contemporaries on the eastern continent4 ,if this be not so1 then we have not read history aright4 ,the ,nephite nation was co-existent with the great ,roman power that for so long triumphed over and crushed the surrounding people in ,europa1 ,asia and ,africa4 ,true1 ,rome was founded more than a century before ,lehi left ,jerusalem1#i but at the time of his exodus its growing power had scarcely begun to be felt outside of ,italy4 ,at the time that ,moroni's record closed1 the ,nephites1 as a nation1 had become extinct1 and the glory of the mistress of the world was rapidly fading away4 ,rome had been sacked by barbarians1 the empire had been divided into two governments1 the legs of ,nebuchadnezzar's great image were forming2 peoples and nations were rebelling and throwing off the iron yoke1 and the idea of universal empire had become a thing of the past4#aj ,but how different the theory and genius of the two nations6 ,the ,nephite rulers governed by the power of just laws1 the ,romans by the might of the unsheathed sword4 ,among the former1 every man was a free man1 with his rights as a citizen guaranteed and protected by just laws4 ,among the latter1 few could assert1 as did the ,apostle ,paul1 ,civis ,romanus ,sum--,i am a ,roman citizen4 ,the vast majority of the millions who formed its people were either abject allies1 vanquished enemies or degraded slaves4#aa ,neither of these had many rights that the ,roman citizen felt himself called upon to respect4 ,we are apt to be awed by the grand military exploits of the ,roman generals1 and to be dazzled with the magnificence of ,rome in art and architecture1 but we must recollect that the history of that city is the history of tyranny4 ,its power1 during the greater portion of its continuance1 was in the hands of the few1 who used it for the interest of their class4 ,the masses of the population were the subjects of oppression and violence4 ,no language could so well describe the spirit of ,roman aggrandizement as that used by the ,prophet ,daniel when interpreting to the ,babylonish king the import of the terrible image he had seen in his dream4 ,these are his words3 ,and the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron3 forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things3 and as iron that breaketh all these1 shall it break in pieces and bruise4 7,daniel ii4 #dj47 ,and thus did ,rome rule the eastern world as with a rod of iron4 ,we need not refer to the other nations that existed on the eastern continent1 for the people that ,rome neither conquered nor destroyed were barbarians1 who1 during the existence of the ,nephites1 filled but a small page in the world's history4 ,these facts are presented as worthy of the consideration of all who study the social and political condition of the great and highly-favored people who flourished on this continent for so many centuries2 and we imagine the student cannot fail to be impressed with the thought that they were at least a thousand years in advance of their fellow-men in the science of true government2 and in their policy find a type of the most advanced and most liberal forms of government of the present age4 ,that this should be so1 will not surprise us when we consider that they were a branch of the house of ,israel1 a people who enjoyed more political liberty 7until their own follies had cut them off therefrom7 than any of the other nations of antiquity1 and that to the law of ,moses they had added the divine teachings of the everlasting gospel1 which in themselves are a perfect law of liberty4 ,further1 it is a noteworthy fact which stares us in the face from the beginning to the end of the ,book of ,mormon1 that when the people departed from gospel principles1 it was then and then only that they fell into bondage1 of whatever nature that bondage might be4 ,the political history of the ,nephites may be consistently divided into five epochs3 ,first4--,when they were governed by kings4 ,second4--,the republic1 when they were ruled by judges and governors4 ,third4--,a short period of anarchy when they were divided into numerous independent tribes4 ,fourth4--,the ,messianic dispensation1 when they were controlled entirely by the higher law of the holy priesthood4 ,fifth4--,the chaotic state of intestine war which preceded their final extinction as a nation and as a race4 ,the first portion of the history of the ,nephites when they were governed by kings1 covers almost exactly one-half of their national existence1 or from the time of the landing of the colony on the coast of ,chili to #eji years after the departure of ,lehi from ,jerusalem4 ,of the laws by which the people were governed during this period1 which1 however1 we are told were exceedingly strict1 we have few details1 for the reason that the plates from which the greater portion of the ,book of ,mormon which relates to this period was taken contain the records of their prophets rather than the annals of their kings4 ,with regard to these kings1 they of whose lives we have any particulars1 viz3 ,nephi1 the first king1 and ,mosiah ,i41 ,benjamin and ,mosiah ,,ii41 the three last1 were eminently virtuous1 just and merciful men1 who reigned as all monarchs should1 but few do--with an eye single to the good of their subjects4 ,of their kings in general the prophet ,jarom1 about #djj years before ,christ1 remarks3 ,our kings and our leaders were mighty men in the faith of the ,lord3 and they taught the people the ways of the ,lord4 ,indeed1 we recollect no intimation1 in any place in the sacred record1 of tyranny on the part of those who reigned over the main body of the nation4 ,the government may1 we think1 be justly considered to approximate nearest to a limited monarchy1 in which1 as in ancient ,israel1 the prophet often exercised more power than the king4 ,though this is true of the central government1 it unfortunately cannot be so stated of the colony which returned to the land of ,nephi in the days of ,king ,benjamin2 that people suffered beyond description from the tyranny and wickedness1 and the consequences resulting therefrom1 of their second king1 ,noah1 the murderer of the ,prophet ,abinadi4 ,of the life and character of the first king of the ,nephites1 the father of his people1 ,nephi1 the son of ,lehi1 we need say nothing here4 ,history affords no better model of the true prince4 ,so thought his people1 and they1 to retain in remembrance his name1 and to perpetuate the recollection of his virtues1 called his successors1 second ,nephi1 third ,nephi1 etc41 no matter what their original name might have been4 ,the right of choosing his successor appears to have been vested in the reigning sovereign4 ,when ,nephi became old1 and saw that he must soon die1 he anointed a man to be a king and a ruler over his people4 ,king ,benjamin chose his son ,mosiah to reign in his stead1 and then gathered the people to receive his last charge and ratify his selection4 ,mosiah gave the people yet greater liberty1 and instead of nominating his successor directed them to make their own choice4 ,the people highly appreciated this act of grace on the part of their beloved king1 and selected ,aaron1 his son4 ,aaron1 whose heart was set upon the salvation of the ,lamanites1 declined the kingly authority1 when ,mosiah very wisely advised his subjects not to select another to fill the throne1 lest it give rise1 in the future1 to bloodshed and contention1 but to elect judges to be their rulers1 instead of kings1 which proposition they accepted with great joy4 ,with regard to the ,nephite laws in the days of the kings1 and the manner of their execution1 we can learn most from the parting addresses of kings ,benjamin and ,mosiah ,,ii4 to their subjects4 ,we are frequently told by the sacred writers1 from ,nephi1 the founder1 to ,nephi1 the disciple1 that the people observed the law of ,moses1 modified1 we judge1 in some of its details to suit the altered circumstances of the ,nephites from those of their brethren in the land of ,palestine4 ,as an instance we draw attention to the fact that1 as there were none of the tribe of ,levi in the colony that accompanied ,lehi1 from ,judea1 the priestly office must necessarily have been filled and the required sacrifices and burnt offerings offered by some of the members of the tribes who were with them4 ,nephi 7doubtless by the direction of the ,lord7 appointed his brothers ,jacob and ,joseph to be the priests for the people1 they being of the tribe of ,manasseh1 and the care of the sacred records remained with the descendants of the first named for several generations4 ,the members of the various orders of the priesthood1 when not actually engaged in the work of the ministry1 in the duties of the temple1 or the service of the sanctuary1 were required to labor for their own support1 that they might not prove burdensome to the people4 ,a merciful provision was1 however1 made for the sustenance of members of the priesthood in cases of sickness or when in much want4 ,though the laws were strict1 they were mercifully and equitably administered1 which gave much greater stability to the government and respect for the law than if they had been adjudged loosely1 and with partiality towards classes or persons4 ,it has been wisely observed that it is not the severity of the law but the sureness of the punishment that deters the evil-doer1 and in this respect the ,nephite nation had cause for thankfulness4 ,all men were alike before the law1 there were no privileged classes as in ,rome1 or in feudal ,europe in later years4 ,mosiah says1 ,whosoever has committed iniquity1 him have ,i punished according to the law which has been given to us by our fathers4 ,from the charge of king ,benjamin to his son ,mosiah we learn that slavery was forbidden4 ,all the inhabitants of the continent being of the house of ,israel1 they could not observe the law of ,moses and enslave their brethren4 ,murder1 robbery1 theft1 adultery and other sexual abominations were punished by law1 as also was lying or bearing false witness4 ,mormon states that in king ,benjamin's days the false ,christs1 etc41 were punished according to their crimes2 but we are not informed if those crimes consisted in false personation1 etc41 or in fomenting1 aiding and abetting treason and rebellion1 as was almost universally the habit of those who apostatized from the gospel and sought to establish false religions in its place4 ,king ,benjamin also states that he had not permitted the people to be confined in dungeons2 but we are uncertain whether to infer from this remark that the king intended his hearers to understand that he had not done this1 as so many tyrants do1 without cause and without trial1 or that some other more effectual means had been found of punishing those transgressors not deemed worthy of death4 ,we incline to the former opinion4 ,when the ,nephite kingdom was first established the people were so few that they could not possibly sustain the expenses incidental to royalty4 ,thus it became the rule for the kings to sustain themselves4 ,this unique1 though most excellent custom continued as long as the monarchy lasted1 even when the nation had grown rich and numerous4 ,king ,benjamin reminds his subjects that he had labored with his own hands that they might not be laden with taxes4 ,of ,mosiah1 his successor1 it is written that he had not exacted riches of the people and that he had granted unto his people that they should be delivered from all manner of bondage4 ,we must not forget that1 in connection with the civil law1 the law of the gospel was almost unceasingly proclaimed during the whole period of the monarchy4 ,various false ,christs and false prophets had arisen at different times1 but the power of the priesthood had remained1 ministering in holy things1 rebuking iniquity and aiding in the suppression of vice4 ,the kings of the ,nephites1 as we before observed1 were1 as a rule1 men of ,god1 holding the priesthood1 and were often prophets and seers as well as temporal rulers4 ,to this happy circumstance we must greatly attribute the peace and good order that so generally prevailed2 the respect for the law that was so widespread2 the large amount of liberty accorded to the people and the few abuses they made of that freedom4 ,to use the idea of the prophet ,joseph ,smith1 for long years1 they were taught correct principles1 and they 7to a great extent7 governed themselves4 ,in the course of the centuries1 as the people increased and spread far and wide over the land1 they appear to have introduced local customs to suit their differing circumstances1 or in some cases their whims and notions4 ,thus1 until king ,mosiah ,,ii4 established uniformity by law1 nearly every generation and each section of the country had its own moneys1 weights1 measures1 etc41 which were altered from time to time according to the minds and circumstances of the people4 ,this custom naturally caused confusion1 annoyance and distrust1 and to obviate these1 and possibly greater evils1 ,mosiah consented to newly arrange the affairs of the people2 and1 if we may so express it1 to codify the law4 ,this code became the constitution of the nation under the rule of the ,judges1 which limited the powers of the officials and guaranteed the rights of the people4 ,this compilation was acknowledged by the people1 whereupon the historian remarks1 ,therefore they were obliged to abide by the laws which he had made4 ,and from that time they became supreme throughout the nation4 ,it is stated in another place that this change was made by the direct command of ,jehovah4 ,,footnotes3 #i ,the generally accepted date for the foundation of ,rome is #gec ,b4 ,c4 #aj ,the eastern and western empires were divided ,a4 ,d4 #cie4 ,alaric1 the ,goth1 sacked ,rome ,a4 ,d4 #daj4 ,britain broke away from the empire ,a4 ,d4 #dah4 ,gaul1 ,spain and ,africa were soon afterwards lost4 #aa ,in ,sicily alone1 goaded by ill-treatment1 the slaves rebelled4 ,their army numbered #bjj1jjj 7,b4 ,c4 #acd-acb47 ,,chapter ,,lix4 ,,the ,,laws ,,under ,,the ,,judges--,,the ,,voice ,,of ,,the ,,people--,,elections--,,rights ,,of ,,the ,,people--,,church ,,and ,,state--,,the ,,criminal ,,procedure4 ,we next enter into the consideration of the law as it existed under the ,judges1 gathering our information from various passages in which it is directly referred to1 or wherein some historical incident is narrated which throws light on its powers and manner of execution4 ,from the death of king ,mosiah ,,ii4 7,b4 ,c4 #ia71 the governmental authority was vested in a chief judge and other subordinate judges and officers1 all of whom were elected by the voice of the people1 to judge according to the laws which had been given to and accepted by the people4 ,their authority was defined by the law 7the code of ,mosiah71 but within the bounds therein prescribed they appear to have held unrestricted powers4 ,this was especially so in the case of the chief judge4 ,no civil council or parliament divided with the chief executive the authority to make war or conclude peace1 to decide the terms of treaties1 or frame enactments for the regulation of public affairs4 ,no direct statement is made of the length of the term that a judge remained in office1 but from the historical narrative we gather the idea that he was elected for life or during good conduct4 ,we have instances of judges resigning1 but none of their removal by the people because their term of office had expired4 ,each city or land appears to have had its chief judge or ruler as well as its inferior magistrates1 all of whom were responsible to the chief judge of the whole nation1 whose seat of government was located in the ,nephite capital1 ,zarahemla1 when the city was not in the hands of ,lamanites or traitors4 ,the manner of conducting elections is not clearly defined4 ,the result is always spoken of as the voice of the people4 ,the mode of procedure was uniform1 that is1 it was the same throughout the land4 ,in the election of the first chief judge 7,alma the younger71 the people assembled in bodies throughout all the land to cast in their voices1 which conveys the impression that they declared their choice viva voce1 or by acclamation rather than by lot or ballot4 ,it is quite possible that the methods were entirely dissimilar to any known at modern elections2 this1 however1 is but conjecture4 ,when the sentiments of the people were greatly divided and party feeling ran high1 the opposing factions assembled in separate bodies throughout the land to cast in their voices1 as in the attempt to make ,amlici king4 ,the decisions of the people in these assemblies or mass meetings were laid before the judges1 who proclaimed the result4 ,in cases where the petition was made for any particular object1 or for a change in the law1 the judge directed that a special election 7if we may so term it7 be held1 and the results were proclaimed according to the voice of the people1 as a whole1 or if they were divided1 according to the voice of the majority4 ,under the code of ,mosiah1 the judges received wages according to the time which they labored to judge those who were brought before them2 and their wages were a senine of gold1 or its equivalent a senum of silver1 for each day that they were thus employed4 ,as the ,nephites had changed the names and values of their coins from the old ,hebrew standards1 we have no direct way of judging from the record how liberally these officers were remunerated4 ,lawyers1 also1 were hired and appointed by the people to administer the law at the time of their trials2 it is presumable that these acted in behalf of the republic somewhat in the capacity of prosecuting attorneys in the ,united ,states4 ,if trial by jury was in vogue among the ,nephites1 we have not been able to find any reference to that method2 indeed the evidence is altogether in favor of the idea that the judge decided as to the guilt or innocence of the accused1 and1 if adjudged guilty1 passed sentence on the culprit4 ,the corruption of these lawyers and judges early became1 in some portions of the land1 a foundation for the destruction of the government4 ,when the chief judge was elected he took an oath of office1 and it is presumable that the lesser officers did the same4 ,the nature of that oath can be easily understood by referring to the case of ,pahoran4 ,he was appointed chief judge and governor over the people1 with an oath and sacred ordinance to judge righteously1 and to keep the peace1 and the freedom of the people1 and grant unto them their sacred privileges to worship the ,lord their ,god2 yea1 to support and maintain the cause of ,god in all his days1 and to bring the wicked to justice1 according to their crimes4 ,the punishment of corruption1 or malfeasance in office1 was specially provided for4 ,king ,mosiah explains the provisions of the law on this subject in the following language3 ,and now if ye have judges and they do not judge you according to the law which has been given1 ye can cause that they may be judged by a higher judge3 if your higher judges do not judge righteous judgments1 ye shall cause that a small number of your lower judges should be gathered together1 and they shall judge your higher judges according to the voice of the people4 ,these safeguards became strong bulwarks for the protection of the rights of the individual and the preservation of the liberty of the whole people4 ,when ,alma1 the first chief judge1 resigned that office1 so that he might devote all his time and energies to the work of saving the souls of men1 he nominated or suggested his successor2 but whether this was simply a courtesy extended to him by the people on account of their great love for his person and respect for his judgment1 or whether it was a provision of the law1 is not plain4 ,the passage states that ,alma chose ,nephihah as his successor1 and gave him power1 according to the voice of the people to enact laws according to the laws which had been given1 and to put them in force according to the wickedness and crimes of the people4 ,the rights of the people were3#ab ,personal ,liberty3--,it was contrary to the law of ,mosiah that there should be any slaves among the ,nephites4 ,equality before the ,law3--,no privileged classes4 ,all men to enjoy their rights and privileges alike4 ,uniformity of ,taxation3--,the burden of supporting the government fell on all the citizens1 that every man might bear his part4 ,the ,elective ,franchise3--,whether the suffrage was confined to men1 or universal1 or limited by any particular restrictions1 does not plainly appear4 ,the ,rights of ,petition3--,as examples of the exercise of this right we introduce the following3 ,at the time when ,pahoran was chief judge a part of the people desired that a few particular points of the law should be altered4 ,the chief judge refused to alter the law1 whereupon a portion of the people petitioned him1 and he directed that an election be held1 or rather that the voice of the whole nation be appealed to4 ,this being done1 the result proved that the majority of the people objected to a change4 ,again1 ,moroni1 the commander-in-chief of the ,nephite armies1 sent a petition to the chief judge for power to compel certain dissenters to help defend their country against the national enemies1 or to put them to death4 ,his request being according to the voice of the people1 the desired power was given to him4 ,here we have instances of the right of petition exercised1 in one case by a large body of the people1 and in the other by a single1 though important1 individual4 ,both were extraordinary circumstances1 and in the latter case it appears to have required the all-powerful vox populi to give validity to the action of the executive4 ,the statement is frequently made1 though in slightly different phrases1 that the law had no power to punish a man for his belief2 for it was strictly contrary to the commands of ,god that there should be a law which should bring men on to unequal grounds4 ,if a man believed in ,god it was his privilege to serve him2 if he did not believe in him1 there was no law to punish him4 99 99 ,a man was punished only for the crimes he had done2 therefore all men were on equal grounds4 ,unbelief was handled by the church1 not by the civil law4 ,the names of those whose hearts were hardened were blotted out and they were remembered no more among the people of ,god4 ,during the days of the ,judges there was no church established by law2 when the people served ,god they elected righteous men for their rulers2 when the masses fell into unbelief and transgression they chose ,gadianton robbers and such like to administer their laws4 ,if the rights of women1 under the law1 were any different1 more or less1 than those of men1 we have no information2 in fact1 the inspired record is entirely silent on this subject4 ,the criminal law inflicted the death penalty for murder1 rebellion and treason2 for robbery1 theft1 adultery1 sexual abominations1 fraud and lying1 lesser punishments were inflicted4 ,the first recorded case of execution for murder under the rule of the ,judges is that of ,nehor1 for killing the aged patriot1 ,gideon4 ,another noteworthy case is that of ,paanchi1 the son of ,pahoron1 of whom it is written that he was tried according to the voice of the people1 and condemned unto death2 for he had raised up in rebellion1 and sought to destroy the liberty of the people4 ,no high priest1 judge or lawyer had power to inflict capital punishment4 ,when a man had been tried and condemned to death by the law his condemnation had to be signed by the governor of the land1 before the sentence could be carried out4 ,the mention of governor in this relation1 with other passages in which the chief judge and governor are spoken of as different persons1 suggests the idea that as the ,nephites grew in numbers and spread over distant regions1 the duties of the chief judge became excessive1 and a separation was made between the executive and judicial responsibilities1 and divided between two officers4 ,the mode of inflicting the death penalty is not stated1 but we incline to the idea that hanging was often resorted to4 ,military offenders were1 as a rule1 put to death with the sword4 ,of ,nehor it is said that he suffered an ignominious death at the top of the hill ,manti1 and that1 before his death1 he acknowledged between heaven and earth that he had taught false doctrine4 ,zemnarihah was hanged upon the top of a tree until he was dead1 and then the ,nephites felled the tree to the earth4 ,many of the martyrs were burned to death by unjust judges1 or stoned1 as was ,timothy1 afterwards one of the ,twelve ,disciples2 but we regard this last act as resulting from the violence of a mob1 rather than from any pretended execution of the law4 ,the law with regard to debtors seems to have been somewhat severe4 ,on this point it is stated1 ,now if a man owed another1 and he would not pay that which he did owe1 he was complained of to the judge2 and the judge executed authority1 and sent forth officers that the man should be brought before him2 and he judged the man according to the law and the evidences which were brought against him1 and thus the man was compelled to pay that which he owed1 or be stripped1 or be cast out from among the people as a thief and a robber4 ,if a man desired to pay1 but from misfortune could not1 doubtless the law contained some merciful provision in his behalf4 ,it is more than probable that the mode of procedure in all criminal cases very much resembled the one cited above1 and from it we can gather a very clear idea of the practice of their courts1 which differs but little from that of our own day4 ,the complaint was first made1 the proper officer was then authorized by the court to arrest the accused and bring him before the judge1 the trial next took place1 the witnesses gave their testimony1 the law and the evidence were examined1 the opposing lawyers were heard1 the judgment was given1 the sentence pronounced and lastly carried out4 ,in times of war the military code seems to have varied according to the exigencies of the situation4 ,as a rule1 the ,nephite armies were composed of volunteers4 ,in times of great danger to the republic1 enlarged powers were given to the commander-in-chief4 ,in one place we find the statement that ,moroni1 having been appointed by the chief judge and the voice of the people1 had power according to his will with the armies of the ,nephites1 to establish and to exercise authority over them2 also1 he caused to be put to death those of the ,amalickiahites 7rebels7 who would not enter into a covenant to support the cause of freedom and the rights of their fellow-countrymen4 ,prisoners of war were evidently treated much the same as in modern civilized nations4 ,indeed1 in one place1 the fact that the necessities of his position compelled ,moroni to set his ,lamanite prisoners to work1 is referred to in somewhat of an apologetic tone4 ,when such prisoners attempted to escape1 they were slain by their guards4 ,we have numerous instances where prisoners were released on parole1 or on their giving such promises to the ,nephite general as were thought necessary4 ,it frequently happened1 during the days of the ,judges1 that the ,nephites1 in some of their periodical spasms of apostasy and wickedness1 would clamor for changes to be made in their just and wise laws1 in a manner to better suit their degraded habits and course of life4 ,when the majority of the people were on the side of righteousness1 these attempts were in vain4 ,when wickedness abounded1 the corrupt majority carried their points4 ,the record of their history shows that in the sixty-second year of the ,judges 7,b4 ,c4 #cj7 they had altered and trampled under foot the laws of ,mosiah1 or that which the ,lord had commanded him to give unto the people2 and that their laws had become corrupted1 and they had grown wicked like unto the ,lamanites4 ,seven years later the corruption of the people had become pitiable4 ,the ,gadianton robbers were filling the judgment seats1 having usurped the power and authority of the land3 ,laying aside the commandments of ,god1 and not in the least aright before him2 doing no justice unto the children of men2 condemning the righteous because of their righteousness2 letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished1 because of their money2 and moreover to be held in office at the head of government to rule and do according to their wills1 that they might get gain and glory of the world2 and moreover that they might the more easily commit adultery1 and steal1 and kill1 and do according to their own wills4 ,such a condition of affairs1 in the course of time1 wrought national disintegration1 and would have brought about that result much sooner than it did1 had it not been that1 influenced by the mighty preaching of the inspired servants of ,god1 the ,nephites 7or portions of them7 had now and again returned to the service of heaven4 ,but such happy periods were short-lived1 and matters went from bad to worse until thirty years after the birth of ,christ1 when the republican form of government was entirely broken up1 and the people split up into numerous tribes1 each tribe caring only for its own interests1 and giving obedience to its own particular chief4 ,this state of things only continued for about four years1 as during the terrible convulsions at the time of the crucifixion of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the more wicked portion of the people were destroyed4 ,,footnote3 #ab ,the people had doubtless other rights which we have failed to notice1 or that are not mentioned by the writers in the ,book of ,mormon4 ,,chapter ,,lx4 ,,laws ,,of ,,the ,,nephites ,,continued--,,the ,,division ,,into ,,tribes--,,the ,,messianic ,,dispensation--,,the ,,final ,,convulsion4 ,we can well understand that the originating or primal cause of the destruction of the ,nephite republic was the corruption of the people1 especially of those whose duty it was to administer the law4 ,this class1 being greedy for power1 formed a secret combination 7as those of old time7 to establish a kingdom2 and as a means to this end1 they had the chief judge assassinated1 while they selected a man named ,jacob for their king4 ,these royalists1 or kingmen1 were not as successful in obtaining the sympathy of the majority of the people as they anticipated2 they therefore decided to remove in a body to the northernmost part of the land1 and there establish the monarchy4 ,this design they successfully carried out4 ,those who remained at home favored the division of the people into tribes1 and there being none strong enough to effectually oppose this suicidal policy1 the republic became a thing of the past4 ,the organization of these tribes was evidently on the patriarchal principle2 the head1 or most influential member of a family1 gathered his kinsmen around him4 ,the historian states3 ,and the people were divided one against another1 and they did separate one from another1 into tribes1 every man according to his family1 and his kindred1 and friends4 ,each of these tribes chose a chief1 leader1 or ruler1 as it is written3 ,and every tribe did appoint a chief1 or leader over them2 and thus they became tribes and leaders of tribes4 ,now behold1 there was no man among them1 save he had much family1 and many kindreds and friends4 ,the laws of the various tribes were not uniform1 but there was a general understanding by which they prevented the outbreak of actual war4 ,it is stated that in the thirty-first year 7after ,christ71 ,they had come to an agreement that they would not go to war one with another2 but they were not united as to their laws1 and their manner of government1 for they were established according to the minds of those who were their chiefs and their leaders4 ,but they did establish very strict laws that one tribe should not trespass against another1 insomuch that in some degree they had peace in the land4 ,the destruction of the wicked1 the visits of the crucified ,redeemer1 the ministry of his disciples1 the universal acceptance of the fullness of the gospel by the people throughout the length and breadth of the land1 brings us to a time when there was no need of civil law2 for all men lived above the law1 being controlled and guided at all times by the higher law of heaven4 ,there was no need of courts of law1 for there were no disputations or contentions4 ,no judges or magistrates were required1 for there were no offenders or offenses4 ,there were neither envyings1 nor strifes1 nor tumults1 nor whoredoms1 nor lyings1 nor thefts1 nor violence1 nor murders4 ,for the love of ,god dwelt in the hearts of the people2 they all dealt justly one with another2 temptation was removed2 they had all things in common2 they were one1 the children of ,christ1 and heirs of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,it has been said1 ,happy are the people who have no history1 and thrice happy were the ,nephites of this era1 whose history was one of continued peace and joy4 ,well may it be written of them1 ,there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of ,god4 ,we can scarcely conceive of such a people on this fallen world of ours2 an entire continent on which dwelt perfect peace2 people among whom there were no rich1 no poor--all were alike2 a race in whose hearts dwelt the sweet influence of the ,spirit of ,god1 the wisdom of which illumined every mind4 ,how they must have increased2 how they must have prospered2 how they covered the land with millions of human souls2 how the arts and sciences must have been developed2 and how greatly must true and heavenly knowledge been spread abroad6 ,the law of ,moses was no longer observed1 but the holy priesthood1 after the order of the ,son of ,god1 ministered in might in their midst2 the faith of the people made angels their frequent visitors2 the purity of each life caused the ,holy ,spirit to be the constant companion of every soul4 ,this happy1 glorious state of holiness continued nearly two hundred years1 and then commenced the decline of the nation2 rapid indeed was its descent1 and great was its fall4 ,the first signs of the decrease in the righteousness of the people1 recorded in the ,book of ,mormon1 were3 ,that some became lifted up in pride2 these took to wearing costly apparel1 jewels1 and the fine things of the world4 ,the people ceased to have their goods and their substance in common4 ,they began to be divided into classes2 rich and poor appeared4 ,they commenced to deny portions of the gospel1 and to build up churches to suit their peculiar ideas2 others began to deny the true ,church of ,christ4 ,they administered that which was sacred 7temple ordinances7 to the unworthy2 and before long they devised all manner of wickedness1 and commenced to persecute the servants of ,god1 even to death1 when permitted to do so by the powers that rule in the heavens4 ,thus matters went on1 growing worse every year1 until the people were again divided into two nations1 ,nephites and ,lamanites1 with their old traditions and ways2 which1 as was natural1 ultimately culminated in war2 and such a war6 ,for savageness1 brutality1 and utter devilishness1 we doubt if it was ever equalled in this suffering world4 ,but it is not our province in this chapter to enter into historical details4 ,the law is our subject1 and of that we can say little4 ,if it were possible to conceive of such a contradiction1 we should say that the law of anarchy reigned supreme4 ,might made right2 and the more numerous ,lamanites ultimately overcame and annihilated their ,nephite brethren4 ,we can well conceive of the nature of the laws during the fierce struggle that preceded this dire calamity1 from the light of this nation's previous history2 they were no doubt framed1 enacted and administered for the benefit of the rich and the strong1 and to the injury of those in whose bosoms burned one lingering spark of righteousness4 ,the history of the ,nephites1 from beginning to end1 fully justifies the saying of the wise man1 ,righteousness exalteth a nation1 but sin is a reproach to any people4 ,,chapter ,,lxi4 ,,the ,,money ,,of ,,the ,,nephites--,,their ,,coins--,,barley ,,the ,,standard ,,of ,,value4 ,in the early days of the ,nephite nation1 when its people were struggling to develop their own peculiar and distinctive civilization1 each province1 district or even city had its particular standards of weights1 measures and money4 ,this state of affairs frequently prevails in young communities1 and is an evidence that the growth of ,nephite civilization was much the same as in the nations of the eastern hemisphere4 ,as the population of a nation increases1 its powers of government consolidating and its commerce developing1 these various and conflicting standards of exchange give rise to much unnecessary confusion1 many perplexing difficulties and frequent misunderstandings and complications1 which hamper trade and commerce1 retard material progress1 and delay the unification of the nation4 ,it thus becomes the work of the far-seeing statesman or wise ruler to bring all these various local rates to one national standard1 recognized as legal and equitable in all parts of the realm4 ,this work the second ,mosiah accomplished for the ,nephites4 ,when he revised and codified the national law for the government of the people under the ,judges1 he abolished the local distinctive rates and introduced one universal standard4 ,of the ratios of the various weights and measures1 either before or after the enactment of ,mosiah's wise law1 we are told nothing in the ,book of ,mormon2 it is simply stated that the ,nephites had not adhered to the standards in use among the ,jews1 but had altered their reckoning and their measures1 very frequently as caprice1 convenience1 or local exclusiveness inspired4 ,as to the ratios of the coins legalized by ,mosiah's code they are highly artistic1 evince a large acquaintance with monetary matters and point to a high degree of civilization as then existing among the ,nephites4 ,the following is the table of these coins as given in the ,book of ,mormon3 ,,gold ,,coins4 ,,silver ,,coins4 #a ,senine equal to #a ,senum4 #a ,seon1 #b ,senines1 #a ,amnor4 #a ,shum1 #d #a ,ezrom4 #a ,limnah1 #g #a ,onti4 ,of smaller coins-- #a ,shiblon was equal to half a ,senine or ,senum4 #a ,shiblum was equal to a quarter of a ,senine or ,senum4 #a ,leah was equal to an eighth of a ,senine or ,senum4 ,while an ,antion of gold was equal to three ,shublons4 ,though not directly so stated1 we judge from the context that the ,shiblon1 the ,shiblum and the ,leah were silver coins4 ,the names of these coins seem to be identical with1 or derived from those of familiar persons or places4 ,thus we have a ,leah1 a ,shiblon1#ac and an ,amnor1#ad all names of persons4 ,also an ,antion1 which word is found in ,antionah#ae and ,antionum1#af a ,shiblum which differs from ,shiblom#ag only in one letter1 and a ,shublon from ,shiblon1#ah and a ,limnah from ,limhah1#ai to the same extent4 ,this custom of naming coins after well-known or distinguished persons is a practice not confined to the ,nephites4 ,other nations have done the same2 as for instance1 in ,france a twenty-franc gold piece is called a ,napoleon4 ,one little item that in itself may appear trivial is not without its weight in the consideration of the minor or incidental evidences of the truth of the ,book of ,mormon4 ,a measure of barley is especially mentioned as the unit of value on which the monetary system1 or the value of the coins of the ,nephites was based4 ,one senine was worth one measure of barley1 and its multiples were1 of course1 multiples of this measure of barley1 but we have no information as to what the contents of this measure may have been4#bj ,now the old ,english unit of measurement was a barley-corn1 or grain of barley4 ,three barley-corns make one inch1 is the way the table commenced4 ,believing1 as the ,latter-day ,saints do1 that the ,nephites were a branch of the house of ,israel1 and also that the races whence the ,english have most largely sprung had much of the blood of ,israel in their composition1 the agreement of these two units on the grain so frequently mentioned in the ,bible 7as with the ,nephites all grain seems to have been of equal price7 is not without its value in either argument4 ,the fact1 also1 that the ,nephites made grain the standard of value shows how highly agriculture must have been esteemed among that people4 ,,footnotes3 #ac and #ah ,a son of ,alma the younger4 #ad ,a ,nephite officer under ,alma4 #ae ,a chief ruler in the city of ,ammonihah4 #af1 #ag and #ai ,three ,nephite generals killed at ,cumorah4 #bj ,the payment per day1 fixed by law1 for a ,nephite judge when actually engaged in his official duties was one senine1 otherwise one measure of barley4 ,,chapter ,,lxii4 ,,personal ,,appearance ,,of ,,the ,,nephites--,,their ,,beauty--,,testimony ,,of ,,remains ,,found--,,the ,,dark ,,skinned ,,lamanites4 ,ever and anon throughout the ,book of ,mormon1 we are reminded by the inspired historians of the beauty of the ,nephite race1 especially in the days when the glory of righteousness beamed in their eyes1 and shone in their countenances2 then they were fair1 very fair--a white and a delightsome people4 ,and well might it be so1 for were they not descended from that kindred couple1 ,abraham and his half-sister1 whose great beauty has been proverbial in every generation1 since they graced the earth with their comeliness8 ,so lovely was ,sarah1 the fairest of womankind of her generation1 that when she was sixty-seven years of age1 the royal ,pharaoh1 disregarding the charms of the darker daughters of ,egypt1 desired her for his wife2 and his admiration was doubtless in good taste1 for the ,bible tells us that she was then very fair4 ,and still more remarkable1 when yet another twenty-two years had passed away1 and she had seen nearly ninety summers and winters come and go on this earth1 another monarch1 ,abimelech1 sought to take her to himself4 ,nor was her husband's manly beauty less striking2 obedience to ,god1 the observance of the laws of life1 and the cultivation of the generous virtues so ennobled his existence1 that strength and manhood tarried with him in its force1 long after that age when the sons of modern generations are feebly tottering to their graves4 ,of the commanding beauty of ,abraham's descendants1 we have many recorded instances1 but none that exceed that of his great-grandson ,joseph1 whose surpassing manliness placed him in the greatest jeopardy1 but whose uncompromising virtue and unaffected innocence brought him off conqueror over temptation1 and raised him to the highest pinnacle of earthly splendor and heavenly favor4 ,it was from this well-favored ,joseph that the ,nephites sprang4 ,god has set the mark of his displeasure on the ,lamanites1 whom he has cursed1 because of the iniquities of their fathers1 with a darkened skin1 uncomely features1 and straight1 black1 coarse hair4 ,in the beginning it was not so with either ,judah or ,manasseh4 ,in confirmation of the testimony of the ,book of ,mormon1 that the inhabitants of this continent were once a white and beautiful people1 it may be stated that when very ancient burial places in ,north and ,south ,america have been opened1 the remains of two races--one dark and the other fair--have been exhumed4 ,the question may arise3 ,how could this be told1 when the skin had long rotted off the bones1 and left only the skeleton behind1 which fell in powder as soon as it was exposed to the action of the air8 ,in this way3 ,the dry1 gravelly soil in which some of these bodies were buried1 had so little affected the mummy1 that portions of the hair still remained in good preservation1 and in numerous instances it was such as is only found on heads of light races4 ,we will cite a few examples given by different inquirers in this field of research4 ,one writer1 speaking of the ancient mummies found in ,peru1 says3 ,the hair in general is of a lightish brown1 and of a fineness of texture which equals that of the ,anglo-,saxon race4 ,again3 ,the ancient ,peruvians appear1 from numerous examples of hair found in their tombs1 to have been an auburn-haired race4 ,another gentleman1 a ,mr4 ,haywood1 has described the discovery1 early in the present century1 of three mummies1 in a cave near the ,cumberland river1 in ,tennessee2 and the color of their skin was said to be fine and white1 and their hair auburn and of a fine texture4 ,the same investigator mentions several other cases where mummies were found in the limestone and saltpetre caves of ,kentucky and ,tennessee1 with light yellowish hair4 ,one scientist1 to account for this peculiarity1 suggests that it is possible that the light color was due to the action of the lime and saltpetre2 but this suggestion will not affect those buried in other formations of rock1 nor will it account for the fineness of the texture of the hair4 ,reasoning from other data1 other writers have concluded that the cities whose ruins still stand in ,yucatan and ,central ,america were the work of two races1 a light and a dark-skinned race respectively4 ,the reference to the ,anglo-,saxon race1 above made1 is not without its value4 ,to us it seems highly probable that the righteous ,nephites1 in very many particulars of form and feature1 resembled this people and its kindred races4 ,our reasons are3 first1 that there was a striking similarity in the appearance of the ancient ,israelites and the olden ,anglo-,saxons4 ,this likeness has been remarked and commented upon by various authors4 ,again1 it is well known to the ,latter-day ,saints that there was a large percentage of the blood of ,ephraim in the stock whence the ,angles and ,saxons sprung4 ,so much admitted1 it is easy to understand how the two half tribes1 descended from the comely ,joseph--the one from ,ephraim1 and the other from ,manasseh--would bear a strong family likeness4 ,were we introduced to a typical ,nephite1 we should expect to find him well proportioned1 ruddy of countenance1 auburn haired and light eyed4 ,this1 of course1 is simply conjecture1 and is entitled to consideration only as such4 ,from reliefs found sculptured on the walls of the ruined cities of ,central ,america1 it seems probable that the ancient ,lamanites esteemed flat1 receding foreheads the highest type of beauty4 ,most of the figures on which the greatest artistic skill is displayed appear to represent persons on whom some artificial means had been used1 in infancy1 to flatten the front part of the head1 as their debased descendants1 the ,flat-heads1 do in our day4 ,it is a noteworthy fact1 that other races of ,israelitish descent1 or who have come in close contact with the ,hebrews1 show this same tendency4 ,skulls thus flattened have been taken out of tombs in the neighborhood of ,ancient ,media1 where the ,israelites were once in captivity2 also from sepulchres in ,circassia1 ,scandinavia1 ,great ,britain1 etc41 and one was even exhumed from outside the walls of ,jerusalem4 ,it is true the ,book of ,mormon does not refer to this custom1 but it often speaks of the ,lamanites shaving their heads1 which in all probability may have afterwards grown into the still more hideous practice of flattening the skull1 under the idea that it made them courageous4 ,indeed1 it is quite possible that it did make them recklessly blood-thirsty1 by injuring their intellectual powers1 and thus tending to develop their more savage instincts4 ,,chapter ,,lxiii4 ,,language ,,of ,,the ,,nephites--,,the ,,influence ,,of ,,the ,,egyptians--,,nephite ,,words--,,rameumptom--,,liahona--,,rabb anah--,,the ,,lamanite ,,tongue--,,word ,,building4 ,there appears to be a slight difference of opinion among students of the ,book of ,mormon with regard to the language of the ancient ,nephites4 ,we will endeavor to give a sketch of both ideas4 ,one class of inquirers affirm that it is evident1 from a careful study of the ,book of ,mormon1 that the people of ,nephi were greatly influenced by the language and ideas of the ,egyptians4 ,that language was the language of their every-day life1 altered or reformed 7whether corrupted or improved cannot be told7 so greatly in the course of time1 that in his day ,moroni informs us no other people knew it4 ,in the thousand years that had elapsed between the exodus of ,lehi from ,jerusalem and the abridgement of the record1 the ,nephites had altered the ,hebrew also1 so that neither their sacred nor their common modes of speech could be understood by other races4 ,at the very opening of the inspired record ,nephi writes3 ,i was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father4 ,a little further on he explains what that learning was4 ,he says3 ,i make a record in the language of my father1 which consists of the learning literature of the ,jews and the language of the ,egyptians4 ,it is not strange that ,lehi should have been acquainted with the ,egyptian tongue1 as from the days of king ,solomon1 for some hundreds of years1 it was the polite language of the world1 as ,french was in ,europe during the eighteenth century4 ,king ,mosiah in after years confirmed this statement1 that ,lehi was taught in the language of the ,egyptians4 ,it would be rather unreasonable to suppose that the knowledge of that language carried no further influence than to enable the ,nephites to converse in it4 ,it brought them en rapport so to speak1 with those who used it in its native home in ,africa1 evidences of which yet exist in the ,egyptian types of architecture and hieroglyphics found in the midst of the ruins of the ancient cities1 scattered far and wide over this western continent4 ,this similarity has been noticed again and again by explorers and students1 but its cause still remains to them an unsolved problem4#ba ,to the believers in the ,book of ,mormon the mystery stands revealed4 ,other students incline to the opinion that when the ,egyptian language is mentioned it probably only means its orthography4 ,they say the ,jews seem to have understood the ,egyptian language or writing4 ,for he ,lehi having been taught in the language of the ,egyptians1 therefore he could read these engravings the brass plates4 ,laban and his forefathers must have understood the ,egyptian1 and recorded their sacred writings1 from generation to generation1 in that language4 ,the words language of the ,egyptians very probably means little more than ,egyptian characters or an alphabet for spelling ,hebrew words4 ,there seemed to be two sets of characters--the ,egyptian and the ,hebrew 7see ,mormon ix41 #cb and #cc7 for spelling2 but it is doubtful whether the words written were words of two distinct languages1 or words of one language written in the ,egyptian and ,hebrew characters4 ,which was the fact is not clearly specified4 ,we here reproduce two cuts to show our readers that there is a distinct family likeness between the engravings on the plates from which the ,book of ,mormon was translated and ancient ,egyptian characters4 ,one is a copy of the noted passage from the ,book of ,mormon taken by ,elder ,martin ,harris to ,professor ,anthon in ,new ,york2 the other a reproduction of some very ancient ,egyptian characters engraved on the rocks not far distant from ,mount ,sinai4 ,there are but few ,nephite words handed down to us in the ,book of ,mormon1 as wherever an ,english equivalent could be found1 it has been given by the ,prophet in his inspired translation4 ,these words are3 ,neas and ,sheum--,kinds of grain4 ,ziff--,a metal4 ,rameumptom--,a holy stand4 ,gazelem--,a name given to a servant of ,god4 ,liahona--,a director or compass4 ,rabbanah--,a title1 meaning powerful king4 ,illustration3 ,,ancient ,,egyptian ,,characters4 ,also the names of their coins1 and proper names of persons1 places1 etc4 ,some would-be-wise folks have seen fit1 at different times1 to amuse themselves at the expense of these words1 applying to them various contemptuous terms and styling them gibberish4 ,but we propose to show that these words are derived from the ,hebrew and ,egyptian tongues1 neither of which1 all men admit1 were known to the ,prophet ,joseph ,smith at the time he published the ,book of ,mormon 7,a4 ,d4 #ahcj74 ,had he been worldly wise1 he might by his own learning have fashioned these words2 but as he was not1 when we can adduce evidence that they have true ,hebrew or other ancient roots1 we have brought forward another strong argument in favor of the inspiration of the translation4 ,illustration3 ,,copy ,,of ,,characters ,,on ,,the ,,plates ,,from ,,which ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,mormon ,,was ,,translated4 ,and it shall come to pass1 that the ,lord ,god shall bring forth unto you the words of a book1 and they shall be the words of them which have slumbered4 ,but the book shall be delivered unto a man1 and he shall deliver the words of the book1 which are the words of those who have slumbered in the dust2 and he shall deliver these words unto another2 ,but the words which are sealed he shall not deliver1 neither shall he deliver the book4 ,for the book shall be sealed by the power of ,god1 and the revelation which was sealed shall be kept in the book until the own due time of the ,lord1 that they may come forth3 for behold1 they reveal all things from the foundation of the world unto the end thereof4--,,ii4 ,nephi xxvii4 #f1 #i1 #aj4 ,it has been wisely said1 ,it is very evident that pure words of either the ,hebrew or ,egyptian tongue could hardly be expected in the ,book of ,mormon1 for the reason that the ,nephites had altered the ,hebrew1 and their language was so completely changed that their speech could not be understood by other races4 ,but although the structure of their language had thus changed1 it does not follow that all the words had been replaced by others entirely unlike the former language spoken and written by them4 ,it is logical to expect many remnants of the ancient roots1 which1 however much changed1 may retain so much of their original types as to be capable of identification4 ,thus1 in the word ,ziff1 which the ,prophet ,joseph tells us was a metal1 we find a word of the same sound as the ,hebrew word ziph or seph1 which means a metal4 ,the metal laid over statues was so called4 ,it is true that the word ziff is not spelled the same1 but in its orthography is like the name of the ,hebrew month1 ,ziff4 ,but the word ziff means brightness--metallic brightness4 7,the word is used in ,daniel ii41 #ca1 also in ,isaiah xxx41 #bb1 where it means overlaying metal47 ,rameumptom was the name given by the ,zoramite apostates to the elevated place in their synagogues1 from whence they offered up their vain-glorious and hypocritical prayers4 ,alma states the word means a holy stand4 ,it resembles1 in its roots1 ,hebrew1 and also ,egyptian1 in a remarkable manner4 ,ramoth1 high 7as ,ramoth ,gilead71 elevated1 a place where one can see and be seen2 or1 in a figurative sense1 sublime or exalted4 ,mptom has probably its root in the ,hebrew word translated threshold1 as we are told that the ,philistine god1 ,dagon1 had a threshold in ,ashdod 7see ,i4 ,samuel v41 #d1 #e74 ,words with this root are quite numerous in the ,bible4 ,thus we see how ,rameumptom means an exalted place to stand upon1 a pulpit or holy stand4 ,sheum1 a kind of grain1 is singularly like the ,hebrew ,shum 7garlic71 as found in ,numbers xi41 #e4 ,gazelem appears to have its roots in ,gaz--a stone1 and ,aleim1 a name of ,god as a revelator or interposer in the affairs of men4 ,if this suggestion be correct1 its roots admirably agree with its apparent meaning--a seer4 ,the text reads3 ,and the ,lord said1 ,i will prepare unto my servant ,gazelem1 a stone1 which shall shine forth in darkness unto light1 that ,i may discover unto my people who serve me1 that ,i may discover unto them the works of their brethren3 yea1 their secret works1 their works of darkness1 and their wickedness and abominations4 ,rabbanah is another wonderful word4 ,it is the title applied by the servants of king ,lamoni to ,ammon1 the son of ,mosiah1 after his miraculous exploits at the waters of ,sebus4 ,it is translated powerful or great king4 ,whether it was a ,nephite or ,lamanite word is uncertain1 as the ,lamanites of that age 7,b4 ,c4 #ia7 had been taught by royal command in the language of the ,nephites4 ,it is1 however1 of little moment to which of these kindred tongues it belonged1 but its ,hebrew derivation is most unmistakable4 ,its origin is evidently in abba1 father4 ,max ,muller1 the great modern authority on such points1 says the word king originally meant father2 having doubtless taken this form in the earliest patriarchal days when the king ruled by right of his fatherhood1 and represented ,god1 the ,great ,father of us all4 ,this ancient ,american word confirms ,professor ,muller's statement2 while it manifests how remarkably the unities of the ,book of ,mormon are preserved1 consistent only with its claim to ,divine inspiration4 ,it would be the height of folly to ascribe such a coincidence to chance2 a man must be far more credulous to so believe1 than it can possibly be claimed such are who place implicit confidence in the realities of ,nephite and ,lamanite history4 ,from the few examples of words and names before us1 we judge the ,lamanite language to have been quite musical4 ,such names as ,rabbanah1 ,lamoni1 ,lehonti1 ,middoni1 ,antionum1 ,onidah1 etc41 are certainly specimens of a soft1 flowing1 pleasing form of speech4 ,one practice1 that of word building1 or adding several words together to form a new word1 which combination gave expression to the desired idea1 obviously obtained among the ,lamanites4 ,as examples we have the city of ,lehi-,nephi1 the village of ,ani-,anti and the people of ,anti-,nephi-,lehi4 ,such a practice is frequent among many families of their modern representatives4 ,it was found to exist among the ,mexicans--the ,aztecs--by the early ,spanish invaders1 and today is practiced by our near neighbors the ,shoshones4 ,this habit explains the reasons for the existence of so many words of great length found in both of these tongues4 ,,footnote3 #ba ,no claim has been advanced1 we believe1 which advocates an actual ,egyptian colonization of the ,new ,world1 but strong arguments have been used to show that the architecture and sculpture of ,central ,america and ,mexico have been influenced from ,egypt1 if not attributable directly to ,egyptian artisans4--,j4 ,t4 ,,short4 ,the hieroglyphics1 symbols and emblems which have been discovered in the temples bear so strong a resemblance to those of the ,egyptians as to encourage the supposition that a colony of that nation may have founded the city of ,palenque or ,culhuacan4--,,jaurros4 ,giordan found the most striking analogies between the ,central ,american and ,mexican remains and those of the ,egyptians4 ,the idols and monuments he considers of the same form in both countries1 while the hieroglyphics of ,palenque do not differ from those of ancient ,thebes4 ,,chapter ,,lxiv4 ,,nephite ,,proper ,,names--,,bible ,,names--,,sariah--,,nephi--,,sam--,,mel ek--,,jershon--,,isabel--,,aha1 ,,etc41--,,prefixes ,,and ,,suffixes4 ,the number of ,bible proper names found in the ,book of ,mormon has been now and again urged as an argument against its divine origin4 ,if those making these objections were to calmly consider the matter1 we believe they would quickly acknowledge that it would be very inconsistent to expect the opposite4 ,nearly all devout races are in the habit of naming their children after the holy men--patriarchs1 martyrs and sages--whose lives they reverence1 and whose virtues they desire to see reproduced in their offspring4 ,it is so with ourselves2 nearly all our most familiar names are ,english forms of ,bible names4 ,for example3 ,john1 ,james1 ,jacob1 ,joseph and ,thomas among men1 and ,mary1 ,anna1 ,elizabeth and ,sarah among women4 ,so it was with the ,nephites4 ,the ,hebrew was the language of their sacred literature2 while their fondest recollections1 their holiest pride ran back to the days of ,joseph and ,joshua1 ,samuel and ,isaiah1 and1 like other races1 they named their children after the ancient worthies they reverenced most4 ,hence1 we find the following ,bible names borne by the descendants of ,lehi#bb and ,sariah3 ,aaron1 ,aminadab1 ,ammon1 ,ammah1 ,amos1 ,benjamin1 ,enos1 ,gideon1 ,gilgal1 ,helam1 ,helem1 ,isaiah1 ,ishmael1 ,jacob1 ,joseph1 ,jeremiah1 ,jonas1 ,laban1 ,lemuel1 ,noah1 ,samuel1 ,shem1 ,timothy and ,zedekiah4 ,a few others are evidently slightly altered ,hebrew names1 as ,chemish from ,chemosh1 ,sherem from ,shaaraim1 and ,zenos from ,zenas4 ,indeed1 there may be no actual difference2 the apparent change may arise from the ,english translators inserting a wrong vowel sound in words where1 according to the ancient custom1 the consonants only were written4 ,we will now consider a few proper names found in the ,book of ,mormon1 but not in the ,bible2 for1 notwithstanding the changes made by the ,nephites in their language1 the derivation and significance of many of these names are evident1 when considered in connection with the languages of the races with whom the ancient ,hebrews were brought most closely in contact4 ,sariah is obviously ,hebrew4 ,it is a name of extreme beauty and force4 ,its roots are in ,sara1 a princess1 and ,jah or ,iah1 ,jehovah1 thus meaning a princess of ,jehovah2 a most fitting name for the mother of a multitude of nations4 ,nephi is another very remarkable name4 ,its roots are ,egyptian2 its meaning1 good1 excellent1 benevolent4 ,from very ancient times the ,egyptians believed that all who died had to have their acts upon earth scrutinized by a council of inquisitors1 before they could be proclaimed fit to enter the eternal abodes of bliss and stand in the presence of the god ,osiris1 the chief lord of the land of the departed4 ,one of the names given to this god1 expressive of his attributes1 was ,nephi or ,dnephi 7the ,d being silent1 as ,dniester1 ,dnieper1 etc471 or the good1 and the chief city dedicated to him was called ,n-ph1 translated into ,hebrew as ,noph1 in which form it appears in ,hosea1 ,isaiah and ,jeremiah4 ,its modern ,english name is ,memphis4 ,in the ,coptic1 the language of the modern ,egyptians1 the word has the form of ,menfi or ,mnefi4 ,plutarch1 the ancient historian1 says that ,dnephi was a benevolent person1 and an epithet for ,osiris1 and was also applicable to ,memphis1 the sepulchre of that god4 ,the word ,neph frequently appears in ,egyptian proper names before the ,christian era1 as ,amoneph1 ,amuneph1 ,me-,nephta4 ,from these facts we conclude that ,nephi was a common name in the ,egyptian tongue2 and1 as far as the founder of the ,nephite nation was concerned1 most applicable to his character1 which was pre-eminently good and benevolent4 ,the ,english word1 ,nephites1 that is the people or family of ,nephi1 occurs twice in its ,hebrew form in the ,old ,testament2 once in ,ezra 7ii41 #ej7 as ,nephisim1 and again in ,nehemiah 7vii41 #eb71 as ,nephishesim1 which show that the name was common among the ,hebrews of the age of the captivity4 ,sam is a name which some shallow-pated opponents of the ,book of ,mormon have been disposed to ridicule4 ,but it is pure ,egyptian4 ,it was the distinctive name of one of the highest orders of their priesthood4 ,the great ,rameses himself belonged to the order of ,sam4 ,the fact that ,lehi gave to two of his sons such peculiarly ,egyptian names shows how great an influence the literature of that country must have had on his life4 ,melek is the name given to a region of country situated west of the river ,sidon4 ,no reason is given why it was so called1 but its meaning is evident4 ,it was the king's land4 ,the ancient ,phnician word for king is spelled letter for letter the same as in the ,book of ,mormon 7,melek71 and the ,hebrew word is almost identical4 ,jershon1 the name applied to the land given by the ,nephites to the exiled ,ammonites1 means the land of the expelled1 or of the strangers4 ,we think it altogether probable that this significant name was given to it at the time it was set off for the habitation of these expatriated ,christian ,lamanites1 as it defines their condition as exiles1 and their relation to the ,nephites as strangers4 ,the name is not mentioned before this event1 and would possibly be the only local name by which it was known to the compiler of the ,book of ,mormon4 ,before the date of this exodus1 it was1 we think1 considered a portion of the land of ,zarahemla4 ,isabel is either a form of ,jezebel1 the chaste1 a name given in derision to the character who bore it1 or it has its derivation like ,isaiah1 which means the delight of ,jehovah1 and thus signifies the delight of ,bel1 that is to say1 of her lord1 husband or possessor4 ,it may have been assumed to suggest the supposed joys of her society4 ,it is a remarkable fact that the land wherein she dwelt is styled the land of ,siron1 that is1 the land of the deserters1 or apostates4 ,it was situated at the extreme edge of the ,nephite possessions1 and on the borders of the ,lamanites1 beyond the land of ,antionum1 in which dwelt the ,zoramite apostates4 ,the experience of the ,saints in this age teaches them how apt apostates are to draw off to remote corners1 where they fancy the reproofs of the priesthood are the least likely to be heard4 ,in such a place1 far from the ,nephite capital1 outside the reach of the rigors of the law of ,moses1 the enticing ,isabel could carry on her vile vocation with the greatest safety and impunity4 ,aha1 we suggest means laughter4 ,sarah1 the wife of ,abraham1 called her son ,isaac--laughter4 ,the sound of the word also resembles a laugh1 and again it is the name for laughter in the language of the modern ,sioux1 as ,minne-aha--laughing water4 ,without being able to express a positive opinion1 but simply as a suggestion1 we insert the supposed meaning of the following words3 ,nephihah1 ,jehovah's consolation4 ,ammon1 ,a worker of ,jehovah4 ,shazer 7or ,shazeh71 ,gladness4 ,nahom1 ,comfort4 ,zarahemla1 ,from a rising of light1 or whom he 7,god7 will fill up4 ,laman1 ,white 7another form of ,laban74 ,manti1 ,relating to ,prophets or oracles4 ,many others could be inserted1 but might possibly prove irksome4 ,before closing this branch of inquiry we will draw attention to the ancient ,nephite prefixes and suffixes4 ,these matters may not be of great interest to the general reader1 but to the students of the ,book of ,mormon they may prove an incentive to further interesting research4 ,among the most numerous prefixes found in ,book of ,mormon proper names1 are ,am1 ,anti1 ,gid and ,hel1 of which the first is by far the most frequent4 ,we find ,am in ,ammon1 ,amaron1 ,ammaron1 ,ammoron1 ,amoron1 ,amulon1 ,amnor1 ,ammonihah1 ,amalickiah1 ,amnah1 ,amlici1 ,aminadi1 etc42 ,anti in ,antionah1 ,antiomno1 ,antipas1 ,antipus1 ,antionum and ,anti-,nephi-,lehi4 ,it was also used as a suffix1 an ,ani-,anti4 ,the prefix ,gid we find in ,giddianhi1 ,gidgiddoni1 ,giddonah and ,gidgidonah2 and ,hel in ,helem1 ,helam1 ,helaman and ,helorum4 ,not to make this portion of our investigations tedious1 we will only give two or three examples of the suffixes that appear to have been most in use4 ah1 as ,zerahamnah1 ,giddonah1 ,cumorah4 am1 as ,zoram1 ,lauram1 ,seezoram4 iah1 as ,amalickiah1 ,mosiah4 ihah1 as ,nephihah1 ,moronihah1 ,cumenihah4 om1 as ,sidom1 ,shiblom1 ,jarom4 on1 as ,mormon1 ,emron1 ,corianton4 or1 as ,amnor1 ,korihor1 ,nehor4 en1 as ,kumen1 ,kishkumen4 um1 as ,teancum1 ,helorum1 ,moriantum4 us1 as ,antipus1 ,archaentus1 ,lachoneus4 oni1 ,moroni1 ,lamoni1 ,mathoni4 di1 ,aminadi1 ,abinadi4 hi1 as ,nephi1 ,zenephi1 ,limhi4 ti1 ,lehonti1 ,manti4 doni1#bc as ,gidgiddoni1 ,middoni4 ,,footnotes3 #bb ,the name ,lehi itself1 is to found in ,judges xv41 #i4 #bc ,we suggest that this is a form of the ,hebrew word ,adonai--,lord4 ,,chapter ,,lxv4 ,,the ,,lands ,,of ,,the ,,nephites--,,mulek ,,and ,,lehi--,,zarahemla ,,and ,,nephi--,,the ,,wilderness--,,the ,,land ,,of ,,first ,,inheritance--,,the ,,journeys ,,northward--,,the ,,waters ,,of ,,mormon--,,lehi-,,nephi4 ,to the ancient ,nephites the whole of ,north ,america was known as the land of ,mulek1 and ,south ,america as the land of ,lehi2 or1 to use the exact language of the ,book of ,mormon1 the land south was called ,lehi2 and the land north was called ,mulek4 ,the reason why these names were so given was because the ,lord brought ,mulek into the land north1 and ,lehi into the land south1 when he led them from ,judea to this greater land of promise4 ,from the days of the first ,mosiah to the era of ,christ's advent1 ,south ,america was divided into two grand divisions4 ,these were the land of ,zarahemla and the land of ,nephi4 ,during this period1 except in times of war1 the ,lamanites occupied the land of ,nephi1 and the ,nephites inhabited the land of ,zarahemla4 ,that these two lands occupied the whole of the southern continent is shown by the statement of the sacred writer3 ,thus the land of ,nephi1 and the land of ,zarahemla1 were nearly surrounded by water2 there being a small neck of land between the land northward and the land southward4 ,the width of this narrow neck of land which connected the two continents is in one place said to have been the distance of a day and a half's journey for a ,nephite4 ,in another place it is called a day's journey4 ,perhaps the places spoken of are not identical1 but one may have been slightly to the north of the other along the line of the isthmus4 ,both the lands of ,nephi and ,zarahemla were sub-divided1 for governmental purposes1 into smaller lands1 state or districts4 ,among the ,nephites1 these lands1 in the days of the republic1 were ruled by a local chief judge1 subject to the chief judge of the whole nation2 and among the ,lamanites by kings1 who were tributary to the head king1 whose seat of government was at the city of ,lehi-,nephi or ,nephi4 ,the land of ,nephi covered a much larger area of country than did the land of ,zarahemla4 ,the two countries were separated by the wilderness which extended entirely across the continent from the shores of the ,atlantic ,ocean to the ,pacific4 ,the northern edge of this wilderness ran in a line almost due east and west1 and passed near the head of the river ,sidon4 ,the ,sidon is generally understood to be the river in these days called the ,magdalena4 ,all north of this belt of wilderness was considered the land of ,zarahemla2 all south of it was included in the land of ,nephi4 ,we are nowhere told its exact breadth1 and can only judge thereof from casual references in the narrative of the ,book of ,mormon4 ,the river ,sidon flowed through the centre of the ,nephite civilization of the days of the republic4 ,after the convulsions that attended the crucifixion of the ,holy ,messiah1 the physical and political geography of the continent was greatly changed1 and the new conditions are very vaguely defined by the inspired historians4 ,on the western bank of the river ,sidon was built the city of ,zarahemla4 ,from the time of its first occupancy by the ,nephites1 to the date of its destruction by fire at the crucifixion1 it was the capital or chief city of the nation1 the centre of its commercial activities1 and the seat of government4 ,it was the largest and oldest city within their borders1 having been founded by the people of ,zarahemla before the exodus of the ,nephites1 under the first ,mosiah1 from the land of ,nephi4 ,when the ,nephites1 by reason of increasing numbers1 the exigencies of war1 or for other causes founded new cities the cities so built were generally called after the name of the leader of the colony or of some illustrious citizen1 and the land immediately surrounding1 contiguous or tributary to the new city was called by the same name4 ,as an example we will take the city or land of ,ammonihah1 regarding which it is written3 ,now it was the custom of the people of ,nephi to call their lands and their cities1 and their villages1 yea1 even all their small villages1 after the name of him who first possessed them2 and thus it was with the land of ,ammonihah4 ,some of these lands appear to have been relatively small1 more resembling a county1 or possibly a township1 than any other division at present prevailing in this country4 ,such we suppose to have been the lands of ,helam and ,morianton4 ,others1 such as the lands of ,bountiful and ,desolation1 embraced wide1 extended tracts of country4 ,the exact place where ,lehi and his little colony first landed on this continent is not stated in the ,book of ,mormon3 but it is generally believed among the ,latter-day ,saints to have been on the coast of ,chili in thirty degrees south latitude4 ,in fact1 the ,prophet ,joseph ,smith so stated4 ,we do not think it possible1 without divine revelation1 to determine with accuracy the identical spot where ,lehi and his colony landed4 ,we believe that the coast line of that region has entirely changed since those days4 ,even if we do not take into consideration the overwhelming convulsions that took place at the crucifixion of our ,lord1 which changed the entire face of nature1 there remains the general elevation or subsistence of the land which is continually taking place the world over4 ,some coasts are rising1 some are falling4 ,the land in ,south ,america1 on its western or ,pacific shores1 has long been rising1 some think for centuries4 ,if this be so the rise of an inch a year would entirely change the configuration of the sea shore1 and give this generation shallows and dry land1 where but a few centuries ago there were deep waters4 ,but so far as the results growing out of the terrible earthquakes that occurred at the death of the ,savior are concerned1 we can form no conclusions1 for they were variable4 ,in some regions the waters usurped the place of the land1 in others the land encroached upon the waters4 ,which way it happened near the place where ,lehi landed we have no record1 and consequently can say nothing4 ,for all we know a huge mountain may now cover the spot1 or it may be hidden beneath the blue waters of the ,pacific1 scores of miles away from any present landing place4 ,in the region that ,lehi landed there he also died4 ,soon after his death1 ,nephi1 and those of the colony who wished to serve the ,lord1 departed for another country4 ,they did so by direct command of heaven4 ,the reason for this command was the murderous hatred shown by ,laman and ,lemuel towards ,nephi and his friends4 ,these vicious men determined to kill ,nephi1 that he might not be a king and a ruler over them4 ,their hearts were wicked1 they loved sin and were resolved that they would not be governed by their virtuous and heaven-favored brother4 ,nephi and his company journeyed in the wilderness for many days4 ,by the expression the wilderness1 we understand the inspired writer to mean the uncultivated and uninhabited portion of the land4 ,this word appears to be frequently used in after years1 with this signification4 ,at other times it is applied to the desert and uninhabitable regions1 the tropical forests1 and jungles infested with wild beasts4 ,the journey of the ,nephites was northward1 as is shown by their later history2 but ,nephi1 in his very brief account of this migration1 says nothing with regard to the direction in which they traveled4 ,at the end of many days a land was found which was deemed suitable for settlement4 ,there the company pitched their tents1 and commenced the tillage of the soil4 ,in honor of their leader1 it was called the land of ,nephi2 or to use the modest language of ,nephi1 ,my people would that we should call the name of the place ,nephi1 wherefore we did call it ,nephi4 ,no doubt the choice of location was made by divine inspiration4 ,it was a highly-favored land1 rich in mineral and vegetable productions1 and yielded abundant crops to the labors of the husbandman4 ,in this happy country the ,nephites dwelt1 prospered and increased until they again moved northward4 ,perhaps not once nor twice they migrated1 but several times2 for we hold it to be inconsistent with the story of the record and with good judgment to believe that in their first journey they traveled as far north as they were found four hundred years afterwards1 when they again took up their line of march1 and finally settled in the land of ,zarahemla4 ,in the first place there was no necessity for ,nephi and his people taking such a lengthy1 tedious and hazardous journey2 in the second place1 in their weak condition1 it was nigh unto an impossibility4 ,to have taken a journey of a few hundred miles would have placed them out of the reach of the ,lamanites2 there was no need for them to travel thousands4 ,again1 in a few years the ,lamanites had followed and come up to them2 it is altogether inconsistent to think that that people1 with its racial characteristics1 would in so short a time have accomplished so marvelous a triumph as to follow1 hunt up and attack their late brethren if the latter had placed all the distance from ,chili to ,ecuador between them and their pursuers4 ,when we consider the difficulties of travel through the trackless wilderness1 the obstacles interposed by nature1 the lack of all roads or other guides to indicate where the ,nephites had gone1 it seems out of the question to imagine that in twenty years or so1 the shiftless1 unenterprising ,lamanites had accomplished such a feat4 ,to the contrary1 we believe that ,nephi and those with him traveled until they considered themselves safe1 then settled down in a spot which they deemed desirable4 ,by and by the ,lamanites came upon them2 the ,nephites defended themselves as long as they could1 and when they could do so no longer they again moved to the northward4 ,their early history was one of frequent wars2 and as the ,lord used the ,lamanites as thorns in their sides when they turned from him1 we judge for this reason1 and that they were found so far north in the days of ,amaleki and ,mosiah1 that the savage descendants of ,laman had frequently defeated them and driven them farther and farther away from the land of their first possession4 ,the inquiry will naturally arise1 as a result of these suggestions3 ,in what portion of the ,south ,american continent lay the home of the ,nephites in the days of ,mosiah8 ,this cannot be answered authoritatively4 ,we are nowhere told its exact situation4 ,still1 there are many references in the ,book of ,mormon from which we can judge1 to some extent1 of its location4 ,elder ,orson ,pratt suggests that it was in the country we now call ,ecuador4 ,the writer entirely agrees with ,elder ,pratt's suggestion4 ,other brethren have placed it considerably farther south2 but in our reading of the ,book of ,mormon we have found no evidence to confirm their suppositions1 but much to contradict them4 ,we believe that the lands occupied by the ,nephites before they went down into the land of ,zarahemla were situated among the table lands or high valleys of the ,andes1 much as ,utah is located in the bosom of the ,rocky ,mountains and parallel chains4 ,for these reasons3 ,first3--,they were lands rich in minerals1 which all through the ,american continents are found most abundantly in mountain regions4 ,we may 7so far as mineral proximity is concerned7 compare the country east of this portion of the ,andes--the unexplored1 alluvial silvas of the ,amazon--to the great plains or prairies east of the ,rocky ,mountains4 ,these silvas1 stretching from the ,andes to the ,atlantic1 we regard as the great wilderness south of ,zarahemla so often spoken of in the annals of the ,judges4 ,secondly1 the climate of the torrid lowlands1 almost directly under the equator1 would be intolerable for its heat1 and deadly in its humidity2 while the country in the high valleys and table lands would be excellently adapted to human life1 especially 7we may presume7 before the great upheavals and convulsions that marked the death of the ,redeemer4 ,as the ,nephites spread over the country they located in regions where fevers were common1 possibly in those parts rendered unhealthy by the overflowing of the rivers1 which1 when they receded1 left large bodies of stagnant water covering the surface of the ground for the greater portion of the year4 ,it is also probable that in their journeys the ,nephites would follow the most available route1 rather than plunge into the dense1 untrodden1 primeval forests of the wilderness2 the home of all manner of savage animals1 venomous snakes and poisonous reptiles2 where a road would have to be cut every foot of the way through the most luxuriant and gigantic tropical vegetation to be found on the face of the globe4 ,therefore we regard its accessibility as another reason for believing that the ,nephites did not leave the great backbone of the continent to descend into the unexplored depths of the region whose character they aptly sum up in the one word1 wilderness4 ,our readers must not forget that there were two lands called by the name of ,nephi4 ,the one was a limited district immediately surrounding the city of ,lehi-,nephi or ,nephi4 ,there ,mosiah and the ,nephites dwelt1 about two hundred years before ,christ4 ,the other land of ,nephi occupied the whole of the continent south of the great wilderness4 ,as this wilderness1 though of great length east and west1 was but a narrow strip north and south1 and its northern edge ran close to the head waters of the river ,sidon1 it is evident that the land of ,nephi covered by far the greater portion of ,south ,america4 ,within its wide boundaries was situated the original land of ,nephi2 as well as many other lands called by various local names1 just in the same way as there are many ,states in these ,united ,states1 all together forming one great nation4 ,it is very obvious how there came to be these two lands of ,nephi4 ,at first1 the small district around the capital city comprised all the territory occupied by the ,nephites4 ,as they spread out1 whatever valley1 plain1 etc41 they reclaimed from the wilderness was considered a part of that land2 and thus1 year by year1 its borders grew wider and wider1 while for convenience sake or governmental purposes1 the newly built cities and the lands surrounding were called by varied names1 according to the wishes of the people1 most frequently after the leader of the out-going1 colony or founder of the city4 ,thus we have a land of ,nephi within the land of ,nephi2 just as we have now-a-days ,utah ,county within the ,state of ,utah2 and the city of ,new ,york and the ,county of ,new ,york within the state of ,new ,york4 ,to distinguish the smaller land of ,nephi from the whole country1 it is sometimes called the land of ,lehi-,nephi4 ,we have stated that the small land of ,nephi was a very limited district4 ,we think this is easily proven4 ,it was so limited in extent that we are told king ,noah built a tower near the temple so high that he could stand upon the top thereof and overlook not only the land of ,lehi-,nephi where it was built1 but also the land of ,shilom and the land of ,shemlon1 which last named land was possessed by the ,lamanites4 ,no matter how high the tower1 these lands must have been comparatively small 7or at any rate the land of ,lehi-,nephi was7 to have enabled a man to overlook the whole three from the top of one building4 ,it was on the borders of this land1 at the outer edge of its cultivated grounds1 in the forest 7or thicket7 of ,mormon1 that ,alma used to hide himself in the day-time1 from the searches of the king1 while he ministered among the people when the shades of evening gave him security4 ,it was there he gathered the believers in his teachings1 baptized them in the waters of ,mormon1 and organized the ,church of ,jesus ,christ4 ,from the waters of ,mormon to the city of ,zarahemla it was twenty-one days' actual travel for an emigrant train4 ,alma having been warned of the ,lord that the armies of king ,noah would come upon his people1 the latter gathered together their flocks1 and took of their grain and departed into the wilderness which divided the lands of ,nephi and ,zarahemla4 ,they fled eight days' journey into the wilderness when they rested and commenced to build a city1 which they called ,helam4 ,being afterwards compelled to leave this city1 on account of the persecutions of the ,lamanites and ,amulonites1 they again took their journey northward1 and reached the homes of the main body of the ,nephites in ,zarahemla in about thirteen days4 ,here we have a people encumbered and delayed by flocks and herds1 heavily laden with grain1 etc41 making the journey 7in two separate stages7 in twenty-one days4 ,it is scarcely supposable that they traveled in a direct line2 mountains1 rivers and swamps would render the journey somewhat circuitous or winding4 ,but even supposing that they did advance in an almost direct line from point to point1 it would only make the distance between ,nephi and ,zarahemla #baj miles1 if they traveled ten miles a day2 #cae1 if they traveled fifteen miles2 and #dbj if they journeyed twenty miles a day4 ,our readers must decide for themselves which distance per day is the most likely that a company1 driving their flocks and herds before them1 would advance through an unexplored wilderness1 full of natural hindrances1 and without roads1 bridges1 ferries and other helps to the traveler4 ,zarahemla was situated on the ,sidon1 certainly a considerable distance from its head waters1 as other lands and cities 7such as ,minon and ,manti7 are mentioned as lying far above it4 ,if we measure the distance from such a point southward1 either #bjj1 #cjj1 or #djj miles1 all these measurements will bring us into the country now called ,ecuador4 ,we are of the opinion that the land of ,lehi-,nephi was situated in one of the higher valleys1 or extensive plateaus of the ,andes4 ,in the first place1 admitting it was in ,ecuador1 it would lie almost immediately under the equator1 and the lowlands1 as before suggested1 would be unbearable for an industrious population on account of the great heat2 as well as exceedingly unhealthy by reason of chills1 fever1 and like complaints4 ,again1 the crops of which the ,nephites raised most abundantly--barley and wheat--are not those that flourish in a tropical climate1 but can be grown most advantageously in a temperate region1 such as could be found in these higher valleys4 ,it was also a land rich in mineral wealth1 which is not probable would have been the case if it had been situated among the wide-spreading alluvial plains east of the ,andes4 ,it is likewise spoken of as a hilly or mountainous country4 ,the hill north of the land of ,shilom is frequently mentioned in the historical narrative4 ,for instance3 ,ammon came to a hill1 which is north of the land of ,shilom 7,mosiah vii4 #e74 ,king ,limhi caused his guards to go to the hill which was north of ,shilom 7,mosiah vii4 #af74 ,king ,noah erected a great tower on the hill north of the land of ,shilom 7,mosiah xi4 #ac74 ,for another reason1 the expression up is almost always used when reference is made to persons going towards the land of ,nephi4 ,not only did they travel from ,zarahemla up the ,sidon and across the wilderness to ,nephi1 but also up from the land of ,ishmael and other portions of the land of ,nephi to the city of ,nephi and its surroundings4 ,in contradistinction to this1 persons leaving ,nephi went down to the land of ,zarahemla and to other places4 ,the only time in which the word down is used1 when referring to persons going towards ,nephi1 is when certain persons came down to the city from off the hill mentioned above4 ,some of our readers may object to the statement that the city of ,nephi and the city of ,lehi-,nephi were one and the same place2 and that the land round about was sometimes called the land of ,lehi-,nephi1 and sometimes the land of ,nephi only4 ,but we think that a careful perusal of the record of ,zeniff1 in the ,book of ,mormon1 will convince them of the fact2 especially if they will compare it with the last few verses of the book of ,omni4 ,zeniff in one place speaks of possessing1 by treaty with the ,lamanites1 the land of ,lehi-,nephi 7,mosiah ix4 #f71 and a few verses later on 7verse #ad71 he talks of the thirteenth year of his reign in the land of ,nephi4 ,if we mistake not1 the name of ,lehi-,nephi occurs only seven times in the ,book of ,mormon1 everywhere else the name ,nephi is used when referring to this land4 ,,chapter ,,lxvi4 ,,nephi ,,in ,,the ,,hands ,,of ,,the ,,lamanites--,,the ,,lands ,,of ,,shemlon1 ,,shilom1 ,,helam1 ,,amulon1 ,,ishmael1 ,,middoni1 ,,jerusalem1 ,,etc4 ,in the second generation the ,nephites began to grow numerous1 and iniquity made its appearance among them4 ,it was then that ,jacob their priest1 prophesied3 ,the time speedily cometh1 that except ye repent1 they the ,lamanites shall possess the land of your inheritance1 and the ,lord ,god will lead away the righteous out from among you4 ,this prophecy was completely fulfilled1 if not on previous occasions1 about #cjj years or so afterwards1 when ,mosiah1 by the command of ,god1 led the righteous ,nephites out of the land of their inheritance--the land of ,nephi--down into the land of ,zarahemla4 ,from that time the land of ,nephi was possessed and ruled by the posterity of ,laman1 ,lemuel and ,ishmael2 or by ,nephite apostates1 who1 with superior cunning1 worked themselves on to the ,lamanitish throne4 ,during the era that the ,nephites dwelt in the land of ,nephi they built several cities4 ,these the ,lamanites eagerly took possession of when ,mosiah and his people vacated them4 ,we are not told when and by whom these cities were founded2 such particulars1 doubtless1 appear on the plates of the kings4 ,it is only incidentally that we learn anything regarding them2 reference to them is found in the record of ,zeniff's return from ,zarahemla1 and re-occupancy1 by treaty with the ,lamanites1 of a portion of the old ,nephite home4 ,the ,lamanites of that age were a wild1 ferocious1 blood-thirsty and nomadic race1 who did not build cities1 for the simple reason that they had neither the inclination nor the skill4 ,but when they found the ,nephite cities deserted by their inhabitants they immediately occupied them4 ,even then1 they did not enlarge or repair them1 but let them fall into gradual decay4 ,no sooner had the ,lamanites surrendered the cities of ,lehi-,nephi and ,shilom to ,zeniff than his people set to work to build buildings and to repair their walls4 ,in the next generation king ,noah caused many fine buildings and towers to be built in both the lands of ,lehi-,nephi and ,shilom4 ,the two cities above mentioned are the only ones directly spoken of in the ,book of ,mormon up to this time4 ,there was most probably a city built in the contiguous land of ,shemlon1 which was held by the ,lamanites1 but it is never mentioned by name4 ,we judge ,shilom lay to the northward of ,lehi-,nephi1 and in the same valley or plateau2 otherwise it could not have been so completely viewed from king ,noah's tower1 mentioned in our last chapter4 ,its relative position to ,lehi-,nephi appears from the fact that those who went to or from the land of ,zarahemla1 generally did so by way of ,shilom2 it seems to have lain in the direct route between the two capital cities4 ,ammon1 the ,zarahemlaite1 and his company entered in that way1 and ,limhi and his people escaped in the same direction4 ,the next city that we read of is called ,helam4 ,it was located eight days' journey from ,nephi towards ,zarahemla1 and was founded by ,alma1 the elder1 and his followers1 when they fled from the murderous persecutions of king ,noah4 ,this city and the surrounding country were called after the first man baptized by ,alma in the waters of ,mormon4 ,his name was ,helam1 and he doubtless was a leader among that people4 ,in the same direction from ,nephi as ,helam1 and apparently adjoining thereto1 lay the land of ,amulon4 ,it was first peopled by the fugitive priests of ,noah1 when they fled from the vengeance of the justly incensed ,nephites4 ,the leader of this band of wicked men was named ,amulon1 and in his honor the land was so called4 ,the king of the ,lamanites afterwards made ,amulon the tributary king or chief local ruler over the lands of ,helam and ,amulon4 ,from this we judge that they lay side by side1 their boundaries extending indefinitely into the great wilderness4 ,our next information regarding the condition of the land of ,nephi is gleaned from the history of the mission of the sons of king ,mosiah to the ,lamanites in that region4 ,this mission commenced ,b4 ,c4 #ia1 and lasted fourteen years4 ,we find the ,lamanites of that age considerably advanced in civilization1 many of them inhabiting populous cities4 ,the country was divided into several distinct kingdoms1 each ruled by its own king2 but all subject to the head monarch whose court was at ,nephi4 ,the lands specially mentioned in connection with this mission are those of ,nephi1 ,middoni1 ,ishmael1 ,shilom1 ,shemlon1 ,helam1 ,amulon and ,jerusalem4 ,shilom and ,shemlon we have already shown to be in the neighborhood of ,lehi-,nephi2 ,helam1 eight days' journey for loaded teams to the north1 and ,amulon not far distant therefrom4 ,we may next inquire what can be learned of the lands of ,jerusalem1 ,ishmael and ,middoni4 ,the location of the land of ,jerusalem is clearly stated4 ,it was away joining the borders of ,mormon1 that is1 on the other side1 probably east or north from ,nephi4 ,there1 somewhere about #ajj ,b4 ,c41 the ,lamanites1 with ,amulonites and other apostate ,nephites1 built a great and thriving city1 which they called ,jerusalem1 after their father's ancient home in ,judea4 ,there ,aaron1 the son of ,mosiah1 unsuccessfully preached the gospel4 ,its apostate citizens were too sin-hardened to accept the message he bore4 ,this city was afterwards destroyed on account of its great wickedness and persecution of the saints1 in the terrors that attended the crucifixion of the ,savior1 and waters came up in the place thereof4 ,a stagnant sea1 akin to that which covers ,sodom and ,gomorrah1 occupies the place where once its proud palaces and rich synagogues stood4 ,the first land visited by the missionary prince1 ,ammon1 was ,ishmael2 its situation is not clearly stated4 ,it was down from ,nephi4 ,this leads to the thought that it lay in the alluvial plains considerably east of the ,andes4 ,it does not seem compatible with the narrative of ,ammon's mission to believe it was situated in the narrow strip of wilderness that lay between the mountains and the ,pacific ,ocean4 ,its relative position to other lands precludes this idea4 ,near the highway that connected ,ishmael and ,nephi lay the land of ,middoni4 ,this is shown by the fact that when ,ammon and king ,lamoni were traveling from ,ishmael towards ,middoni they met ,lamoni's father1 the head king of all the land1 coming from ,nephi4 ,this leads to the conclusion that the same road from ,ishmael led to both ,nephi and ,middoni4 ,nephi is called up from both these lands2 we1 therefore1 suggest that1 like ,ishmael1 ,middoni occupied a portion of the lower lands on the eastern borders of the ,andes1 but somewhat nearer the capital city4 ,,chapter ,,lxvii4 ,,the ,,lands ,,of ,,the ,,nephites1 ,,continued--,,zarahemla--,,jershon--,,a ntionum--,,manti--,,gideon4 ,as there were two lands of ,nephi1 the greater and the less1 so1 for exactly the same reason1 there were two lands of ,zarahemla2 the one occupying the whole of ,south ,america1 from the great wilderness1 which formed its southern border1 northward to the land ,bountiful2 the other1 the district immediately surrounding the capital city4 ,that there was a ,zarahemla within ,zarahemla is shown by various passages in which persons are spoken of as journeying to the land of ,zarahemla1 when they were already within the borders of the greater land of that name4 ,for instance1 ,minon1 on the river ,sidon1 is said to have been situated above the land of ,zarahemla 7,alma ii4 #bd72 again1 ,alma took ,amulek and came over to the land of ,zarahemla from ,sidon 7,alma xv4 #ah74 ,while in many other places1 notably where the boundaries of the possessions of the ,nephites are given1 the name ,zarahemla is applied to the whole of the lands of that people1 even sometimes including ,bountiful1 which is generally spoken of separately4 ,in the days of the first ,mosiah and his son1 ,benjamin1 the greater portion of the ,nephites appear to have been located in and immediately around the city of ,zarahemla4 ,king ,benjamin1 when about to resign the royal authority into the hands of his son ,mosiah1 commanded him to gather his people together1 ,for1 he adds1 on the morrow ,i shall proclaim unto this my people out of mine own mouth1 that thou art a king and a ruler over this people 7,mosiah i4 #aj74 ,the proclamation was sent forth and the people were gathered in an unnumbered host2 a thing that could not have been done in so short a time had their habitations been widely scattered over an extended territory4 ,in the reign of the younger ,mosiah1 the people stretched out in all directions1 and colonies were planted in distant regions4 ,this vigorous policy was continued1 only on a much larger scale1 during the days of the ,judges4 ,after carefully perusing the ,book of ,mormon1 we suggest that the lands or cities 7which in ,nephite geography appear to be frequently used interchangeably1 or one for the other71 included within the borders of the ,nephites1 in the days of the ,judges1 were3 ,in the extreme north1 the land of ,bountiful1 which extended southward from the ,isthmus of ,panama4 ,on its southern frontier lay the land of ,jershon4 ,on the ,river ,sidon3 ,zarahemla1 ,minon1 ,gideon and ,manti4 ,in the interior1 eastward of the ,sidon3 ,antionum1 ,siron1 and probably ,nephihah4 ,on the shores of the ,atlantic ,ocean and ,caribbean ,sea3 ,mulek1 ,morianton1 ,lehi1 ,omner1 ,gid1 ,aaron and ,moroni4 ,in the interior1 west of the ,sidon3 ,melek1 ,noah1 ,ammonihah and ,sidom4 ,between the upper waters of the ,sidon and the ,pacific ,ocean1 or in the extreme south-west3 ,cumeni1 ,antiparah1 ,judea and ,zeezrom4 ,besides the above the following cities are mentioned1 but only in connection with their destruction at the time of the terrible convulsions that marked the sacrifice at ,jerusalem of the world's ,redeemer3 ,the great city of ,moronihah1 covered with earth4 ,laman1 ,gad1 ,josh and ,kishkumen1 burned with fire4 ,gilgal1 ,gadiandi1 ,gadiomnah1 ,jacob and ,gimgimno1 sunk in the depths of the earth2 and ,onihah and ,mocum1 in whose place waters came up4 ,we imagine from the names1 that some of the above were built by the ,lamanites or ,gadianton robbers4 ,but this is simply a conjecture1 as the sacred record is entirely silent on the point4 ,we will now very briefly examine1 one by one1 some of the more important divisions of the country4 ,,jershon4--,this was the name given to the regions set apart by the ,nephites 7,b4,c4 #gh71 as the home of the ,ammonites1 or ,christian ,lamanites4 ,it was situated far to the north1 and was evidently chosen for the reason that the strength of the ,nephite nation might lie between the fugitives and their former countrymen1 the ,lamanites1 who then thirsted for their blood4 ,it was bounded by the ,caribbean ,sea and the land ,bountiful on the north and east1 and by the land of ,antionum on the south4 ,its western boundary is not defined1 but we are inclined to believe1 from the context1 that it was the river ,sidon4 ,its geographical situation is partly described in ,alma xxvii4 #bb1 thus3 ,we the ,nephites will give up the land of ,jershon1 which is on the east by the sea1 which joins the land ,bountiful1 which is on the south of the land ,bountiful4 ,with regard to its southern boundary1 ,alma xxxi4 #c 7which we shall hereafter quote71 states that ,antionum lay to the south of it4 ,,antionum1 the land where the ,zoramite apostates gathered 7,b4 ,c4 #ge71 was an extensive and thinly settled region1 extending from the land of ,jershon to the great southern wilderness4 ,its boundaries are thus defined 7,alma xxxi4 #c73 ,antionum1 which was east of the land of ,zarahemla1 which lay nearly bordering upon the sea shore1 which was south of the land of ,jershon1 which also bordered upon the wilderness south4 ,by this we understand that it stretched north from the great wilderness1 which passed by the head of the ,sidon1 almost to the ,atlantic ,ocean2 that its western boundary was the land of ,zarahemla1 and ,jershon its northern limit4 ,nothing is said of its eastern borders1 for the simple reason that at the time this passage was originally written1 the country east was yet uninhabited1 except possibly by a few wandering ,lamanites4 ,at its extreme southern or southeastern corner1 among the borders of the ,lamanites of the wilderness1 was the outlaying land of ,siron4 ,this place is mentioned but once in the ,book of ,mormon 7,alma xxxix4 #c74 ,,manti4--,during the days of the republic1 ,manti was a district of great importance to the ,nephites4 ,it was situated contiguous to the wilderness at the head waters of the ,sidon 7,alma xvi4 #f71 and lay on the line of march generally taken by the armies of the ,lamanites when they invaded ,zarahemla4 ,its exact boundaries are not defined2 indeed1 it is altogether probable that they varied considerably at different periods of ,nephite history4 ,however1 it is evident that it was the most southerly of all the lands inhabited by the ,nephites1 in the western half of the ,south ,american continent1 after they had moved from the land of ,nephi4 ,,gideon4--,in a valley on the east of the ,sidon was built1 during the early days of the republic1 an important city1 which was named after the martyr ,gideon4 ,the valley itself was also known by the same name1 and is frequently called the land of ,gideon1 for we find no evidence to lead to the conclusion that the land extended beyond the valley4 ,nearly all that we know of this region is contained in a single passage 7,alma vi4 #g71 which states that ,alma left ,zarahemla and went over upon the east of the river ,sidon1 into the valley of ,gideon1 there having been a city built which was called the city of ,gideon1 which was in the valley that was called ,gideon1 being called after the man who was slain by the hand of ,nehor with the sword4 ,from the references in the historical narrative we incline to the opinion that this valley lay either directly east1 or somewhat to the south of the city of ,zarahemla4 ,travelers coming from the north are never mentioned as passing through it on their way to ,zarahemla1 without they had a purpose in so doing1 as in the case where ,moroni marched from the north-east to the relief of chief judge ,pahoran 7,alma lxvii47 ,,chapter ,,lxviii4 ,,lands ,,of ,,the ,,nephites1 ,,continued--,,minon--,,melek--,,ammonih ah-- ,,noah--,,sidom--,,aaron--,,lehi--,,mule k--,,bountiful--,,the ,,south-,,west ,,border4 ,minon is mentioned but once in the ,book of ,mormon4 ,its location is then directly stated4 ,it is spoken of as the land of ,minon1 above the land of ,zarahemla1 in the course of the land of ,nephi 7,alma ii4 #bd74 ,elder ,orson ,pratt1 in a note to this chapter1 places ,minon about two days' journey south of the city ,zarahemla4 ,this is the obvious conclusion to be drawn from the details contained in the chapter2 from these details and the above quotation1 we also judge it to have been on the western banks of the ,sidon1 and in the direct road between ,nephi and ,zarahemla4 ,at this date 7,b4 ,c4 #ia7 it was inhabited by an agricultural population1 who1 at the approach of the ,lamanites1 fled before them into the capital city4 ,as the course of the river ,sidon was from south to north1 it is but reasonable to conclude that when the words above and below are used1 when reference is made to places on its banks or in its neighborhood1 that above means south and below1 north4 ,this is a very common mode of expression in such cases4 ,,melek4--,the boundaries of this land are very indistinctly stated by the inspired writer of the ,book of ,alma1 for it is in that book alone that it is mentioned4 ,however1 two things are positively stated 7chapter viii471 namely1 that it was west of the river ,sidon1 and that it extended westward as far as the narrow strip of wilderness which ran north and south between the mountains and ,pacific ,ocean4 ,we imagine that its eastern borders touched the land of ,zarahemla and from thence it stretched out as far as the country proved habitable1 as it appears to have had a large population1 judging from the account given of ,alma's ministrations 7,b4 ,c4 #hb74 ,that it embraced a large district of country is proven by the fact that when ,alma had finished his labors in the city of ,melek1 he traveled three days' journey on the north of the land of ,melek before he came to the city of ,ammonihah 7,alma viii4 #f74 ,in later years1 when it was considered unsafe for the ,ammonites to remain longer in ,jershon they were removed to ,melek1 the proximity of which to ,zarahemla1 as well as its remoteness from the lands of the ,lamanites1 rendered it admirably adapted as a place of safety for that persecuted people4 ,,ammonihah4--,when ,alma had made the three days' journey spoken of above1 he reached ,ammonihah the country around which city was called by the same name4 ,from the text of the passage some conclude that ,alma traveled northward from ,melek1 but to us it conveys the idea that the prophet journeyed three days westward along or near the northern boundary of that land4 ,we are confirmed in this opinion by the statement made in another place regarding ,ammonihah's proximity to that portion of the wilderness which ran along the sea shore 7,alma xxii4 #bg74 ,in ,alma 7xvi4 #b71 it is stated3 ,the armies of the ,lamanites had come in upon the wilderness side1 unto the borders of the land1 even into the city of ,ammonihah4 ,if ,ammonihah had been situated three days' journey north of ,melek1 we suggest that it could not have been near that portion of the wilderness which the ,lamanites so easily reached without discovery2 for a march due north would have taken them close to1 or actually through the lands of ,minon1 ,noah1 ,melek and ,zarahemla1 the most thickly populated portions of the country2 or1 to have avoided these1 they must have taken a circuitous route of immense length and great danger4 ,then when they attempted to retire1 their retreat1 owing to their great distance from ,nephi1 would have most assuredly been cut off1 as was the case with the ,lamanite general ,coriantumr under these conditions4 ,,noah4--,of this land we simply know two things3 ,first1 that it was west of the ,sidon2 second1 that it was not far distant from ,ammonihah and ,melek4 ,,sidom is only mentioned in the #aeth chapter of ,alma4 ,when the persecuted members of the true church were driven out of ,ammonihah by its vicious citizens1 they fled to ,sidom4 ,it is not supposable that these persecuted people were in a condition to travel far4 ,they would necessarily gather to the first available place of refuge4 ,it is1 therefore1 reasonable to conclude that ,sidom was not far distant from ,ammonihah4 ,,aaron4--,when ,alma was first cast out of ,ammonihah he turned his face towards a city called ,aaron 7,alma viii4 #ac74 ,it is natural to suppose that ,aaron was not far distant from ,ammonihah2 at any rate1 not on the other side of the continent4 ,yet the only other time when a city called ,aaron is referred to1 it is spoken of as adjoining the land of ,moroni1 which was the frontier district in the extreme south-east of the lands possessed by the ,nephites4 ,our only way out of this difficulty is to suggest that there were two cities called ,aaron2 not at all an unlikely thing when we reflect how important a personage ,aaron1 the son of ,mosiah1 was among his people4 ,when chosen to be king he declined this great honor1 and the republic was established4 ,it requires no stretch of the imagination to believe that a free and grateful people would name more than one city in honor of this self-denying prince4 ,when we consider how many places there are in the ,united ,states called ,washington1 ,lincoln1 etc41 our only wonder is that we do not find more than two cities called ,aaron4 ,this same difficulty exists with regard to ,,nephihah4 ,we fancy there were also two cities of this name2 one situated on the southern frontier1 some distance east of ,manti and the ,sidon 7,alma lvi4 #be72 the other on the ,atlantic sea-board1 north of ,moroni 7,alma l4 #ad74 ,of this latter city it is written that in the year ,b4 ,c4 #gb the ,nephites began a foundation for a city between the city of ,moroni and the city of ,aaron1 joining the city of ,aaron and ,moroni1 and they called the name of the city or land1 ,nephihah4 ,this is the region again referred to in chapters #ea1 #ei and #fb of the ,book of ,alma4 ,elder ,orson ,pratt1 in a foot note to chapter #ef1 draws attention to the fact that the ,nephihah there mentioned is not the one spoken of in the other chapters4 ,,the ,,atlantic ,,sea-,,board4--,it appears1 though it is not altogether certain1 that the lands and cities of the ,nephites on the ,atlantic sea-board were situated in the following order1 commencing at the north3 ,mulek1 ,gid1 ,omner1 ,morianton1 ,lehi1 ,aaron1 ,nephihah and ,moroni 7,alma li4 #bf74 ,,moroni was situated by the seashore1 on the borders of the great wilderness1 being the farthest from the city of ,zarahemla of all the settlements of the ,nephites in the south-east4 ,or1 to use the language of the inspired historian1 it was by the east sea2 and it was on the south by the land of the possessions of the ,lamanites 7,alma l4 #ac74 ,as the wilderness ran in a straight line from east to west1 and the ,sidon arose near its northern border1 on which border ,moroni was also situated1 if the convulsions at the time of the crucifixion of our ,lord did not so alter the face of the country as to change the locality where this river took its rise1 then ,moroni was in the country now called ,guiana1 or in the extreme north of ,brazil4 ,the city ,moroni now lies covered by the waters of the ,atlantic 7,,iii4 ,nephi viii4 #i74 ,in ,guiana1 there is a river still called ,moroni1 or1 as it is generally printed on the maps1 ,maroni or ,marony4 ,there is also a river ,morona in ,ecuador4 ,,lehi4--,the land of ,lehi on the ,atlantic coast must not be confounded with the whole of ,south ,america1 also called the land of ,lehi by the ,nephites4 ,this lesser land of ,lehi was the district surrounding the city of ,lehi1 and immediately adjoining the land of ,morianton1 whose people indeed claimed1 though unjustly1 a portion of its territory4 ,,mulek was the most northern of the settlements of the ,nephites south of the land ,bountiful1 close to the borders of which it was built4 ,it is positively stated to have been located on the east sea 7,alma li4 #bf72 west of it was a wilderness1 or uninhabited region 7,alma lii4 #bb74 ,,bountiful4--,we believe that there is an idea held by some that the city ,bountiful was situated on the ,pacific shore4 ,this opinion we think is not warranted by any statement in the ,book of ,mormon4 ,mulek1 as we have already shown1 was on the ,atlantic1 or east sea2 ,bountiful was northward of ,mulek4 ,when ,teancum retreated before the hosts of the ,lamanites1 who poured out of the city of ,mulek to capture his small force1 he began to retreat down by the sea shore northward 7,alma lii4 #bc74 ,this course brought him to ,bountiful4 ,from the details contained in this chapter we opine that he and his soldiers reached that city on the same day that they started from outside of ,mulek4 ,now1 unless the configuration of the coast line has been entirely and completely changed1 no march of one day1 or indeed of any length of time along the sea shore northward would bring a person to the ,pacific ,ocean4 ,our only conclusion can be that ,bountiful was situated on the sea shore on the eastern side of the ,isthmus1 if on the ,isthmus at all4 ,other passages than the one above show that ,mulek and ,bountiful lay in close proximity4 ,we fancy the reason why some suppose that the city ,bountiful lay on the west coast is because ,hagoth built his ship yards there4 ,but the record does not say he built them in or near the city ,bountiful4 ,what is stated is that ,hagoth went forth and built him an exceedingly large ship1 on the borders of the land ,bountiful1 by the land ,desolation1 and launched it forth into the west sea1 by the narrow neck of land which led into the wilderness northward 7,alma liii4 #e74 ,this narrow neck of land was the dividing line between the land ,desolation on the north1 and the land ,bountiful on the south4 ,we think it is evident1 from the above1 that the city ,bountiful and ,hagoth's settlement lay on opposite sides of the ,isthmus1 the first1 on the east near ,mulek1 the second1 in the north-west near ,desolation4 ,before the land ,bountiful was settled by the ,nephites1 it was a wilderness filled with all manner of wild animals of every kind2 a part of which had come from the land northward for food 7,alma xxii4 #ca74 ,but the ,nephites1 to prevent the ,lamanites creeping up through the wilderness along the coasts1 and thus gaining a foothold in the land northward1 at as early a date as possible inhabited the land ,bountiful1 even from the east to the west sea 7,alma xxii4 #cc74 ,the city called ,bountiful is not mentioned until ,b4 ,c4 #fd 7,alma lii71 though the land of that name is frequently referred to at earlier dates4 ,,the ,,south-,,west ,,border4--,all we know of the cities and lands in the south-west is contained in ,helaman's report to ,moroni of the military operations in that department 7,alma lvi1 lviii74 ,four cities are mentioned west of ,manti3 ,judea1 ,antiparah1 ,zeezrom and ,cumeni4 ,of these1 ,antiparah appears to have been situated nearer the coast than ,judea1 while there was yet another city still nearer the ocean1 and apparently to the north of ,antiparah4 ,but we can simply guess at their relative positions1 no positive information being given us4 ,besides the foregoing there was a land called ,,desolation4 ,before the time of the ,nephites it was thickly inhabited by the ,jaredites4 ,in the days of the latter people ,bountiful formed its southern border4 ,the two lands apparently joined at the ,isthmus4 ,at first1 like most frontier districts1 it extended indefinitely into the uninhabited regions4 ,when other lands were colonized its boundaries became more definitely fixed4 ,it is generally supposed to have embraced within its borders the region known to moderns as ,central ,america4 ,its capital was a city of the same name probably built in later years1 as it is never mentioned but by ,mormon in the account of the long series of wars in which he took so prominent a part4 ,,chapter ,,lxix4 ,,the ,,lands ,,of ,,antum1 ,,teancum1 ,,joshua1 ,,david1 ,,etc4--,,cumorah--,,the ,,hills ,,of ,,the ,,nephites--,,the ,,river ,,sidon4 ,in the history of the final wars between the ,nephites and ,lamanites we find lands and cities mentioned that are nowhere else spoken of4 ,it is presumable that most of them were built during the blest sabbatic era that followed the visit of the ,redeemer4 ,the greater portion of these places were situated in ,north ,america1 but the exact locality can in scarcely any instance be determined4 ,among those named are the lands or cities of ,antum1 ,angola1 ,david1 ,joshua1 ,jashon1 ,shem1 ,teancum1 ,boaz1 ,jordon1 ,cumorah1 ,sherrizah and ,moriantum4 ,,antum4--,a land of ,north ,america in which was situated a hill called ,shim4 ,in this hill ,ammaron deposited the sacred records4 ,mormon afterwards1 by ,ammaron's direction1 obtained the plates of ,nephi from this hiding place and continued the record thereon4 ,the land of ,jashon appears to have bordered on the land of ,antum2 as the city of ,jashon is said to have been near the land where ,ammaron deposited the records4 ,the city of ,,teancum was situated by the sea shore near to1 and apparently north of1 the city ,desolation4 ,the land of ,,joshua was on the borders west by the sea shore1 but whether in the northern or southern continent is not clear4 ,the land of ,,david appears to have been located between ,angola and ,joshua4 ,one of the most noted places in ancient ,american history was the land in which was situated the hill known to the ,jaredites as ,ramah and to the ,nephites as ,cumorah4 ,in its vicinity two great races were exterminated2 for it was there that the last battles were fought in the history of both peoples4 ,there also the sacred records of the ,nephites found their final resting place4 ,when iniquity began to increase in their midst ,ammaron hid the holy things in the hill ,shim 7,a4,c4 #cba74 ,about fifty-five years after 7say in ,a4,c4 #cgf7 ,mormon1 seeing that his people were fast melting away before the ,lamanites1 and fearing that the latter would get possession of the records and destroy them1 removed all that had been placed in his care by ,ammaron1 and afterwards hid up in the hill ,cumorah all that had been entrusted to him by the hands of the ,lord1 save the few plates which he gave to his son ,moroni4 ,moroni afterwards concealed the treasures committed to his keeping in the same hill1 where they remained until they were1 by heaven's permission1 exhumed and translated by the ,prophet ,joseph ,smith for our edification4 ,we presume all our readers are acquainted with the fact that this hill is situated about three or four miles from ,palmyra1 in the state of ,new ,york4 ,besides ,cumorah1 several other hills come prominently to the foreground in ,nephite history4 ,there were the hills ,riplah and ,amnihu1 near the river ,sidon1 in the neighborhood of which desperate battles were fought in the days of ,alma1 resulting1 in both instances1 in victory to the hosts of the ,nephites4 ,again there was the hill ,manti4 ,it also was near the ,sidon2 on its top ,nehor was executed for the murder of the aged ,gideon4 ,then there was ,mount ,antipas on whose summit ,lehonti and the recalcitrant ,lamanites gathered when they refused to give heed to their king's war proclamation4 ,it was situated somewhere within the borders of the ,lamanites1 near ,onidah1 the place of arms4 ,there was also a hill ,onidah in the land of ,antionum1 upon which ,alma preached to the ,zoramite apostates4 ,when perusing the ,book of ,mormon we have sometimes inclined to the opinion that before the time of the crucifixion of ,christ the ,andes and other ranges of mountains existed in a much more modified form than at present4 ,we have been led to this conclusion from the fact that no high mountains or stretches of rugged mountain country such as at present exist in ,chili1 ,peru1 ,ecuador and the ,united ,states of ,columbia1 are suggested by the narrative4 ,individual hills such as we have drawn attention to1 are occasionally mentioned1 showing that the country was of diversified altitude2 but we have little or nothing to lead our minds to the contemplation of the stupendous peaks and everlasting hills that characterize this region now-a-days4 ,it is also somewhat singular that no reference is made to any rivers in the regions where the ,orinoco and ,amazon now course in their vast volume to the ,atlantic4 ,our only answer is that the ,book of ,mormon is primarily a religious record1 that the geographical and topographical references are only incidental1 and consequently no special importance can be placed on what is not mentioned4 ,perhaps1 also1 these rivers1 as suggested in the case of the ,sidon1 ran in different channels1 and possibly with a less volume of water then than now4 ,one of the most important places in ,nephite history1 for four or five hundred years1 was the river ,sidon4 ,it was their great highway1 more to them than the ,mississippi is to this country or the ,thames to ,england4 ,along its banks were situated their capital and other prominent cities4 ,its valleys were the most densely populated portions of the land4 ,it was also the grand trunk road to the land of ,nephi1 and adown its banks poured the hosts of the dark skinned invaders when they forced their way into the land of ,zarahemla4 ,to tell all that took place on its borders would be to rewrite the history of the ,judges1 and to include much of the annals of the kings and the story of the ,messianic dispensation4 ,as stated in other places in this book it is understood that the ,sidon of the ,nephites is the ,magdalena of today2 but it is open to question if its course was not considerably changed during the convulsions that attended the death of the ,savior4 ,we incline to the opinion that in the ages before those terrible upheavals of the lands the ,sidon was a far nobler1 more placid river than the ,magdalena is now4 ,nor do we think it emptied into the ocean at the same spot as at present4 ,the coast line1 we believe1 has much changed and with that change the point of outflow of this river has been moved4 ,while journeying on their way through ,arabia1 ,lehi and his party gave such names to the localities they passed or at which they rested as they pleased4 ,the ,red ,sea is the only place we can distinguish by the name given to it4 ,at their first temporary abiding place on its borders1 ,lehi1 in honor of his elder sons1 called the valley where they camped the valley of ,lemuel1 and the river that coursed through it the river ,laman4 ,as they proceeded on their journey we read of ,shazer1 ,nahom1 and ,bountiful4 ,the last named must not be confounded with the ,bountiful in the northern part of ,south ,america where the ,savior1 more than six hundred years afterward1 appeared and taught the ,nephites4 ,it was a portion of ,arabia ,felix1 or ,arabia the happy1 so called in contradistinction to ,arabia the stony and ,arabia the desert1 on account of its abundant productiveness and great fertility4 ,it was in this blessed region1 on the shore of the ,arabian sea1 that ,nephi built the ship that carried the colony to the promised land4 ,to the sea itself they gave the name of ,irreantum1 meaning many waters4 ,the course traveled by ,lehi and his people has been revealed with some detail4 ,the ,prophet ,joseph ,smith states3 ,they traveled nearly a south-south-east direction until they came to the nineteenth degree of north latitude2 then1 nearly east to the sea of ,arabia2 then sailed in a south-east direction1 and landed on the continent of ,south ,america1 in ,chili1 thirty degrees south latitude4 ,with regard to the course of ,mulek and his company we are left entirely in the dark2 all we are told is that they landed in the northern continent4 ,there is an understanding among the ,latter-day ,saints that this party traveled westward from ,jerusalem4 ,some think they went first to ,egypt under the guidance of the ,prophet ,jeremiah2 then by the ,mediterranean ,sea either to ,spain or ,morocco1 thence by ship across the ,atlantic4 ,others fancy they went direct by ship from ,palestine4 ,reference is made in the ,book of ,mormon to many lands1 places and cities on the eastern continent4 ,among the best known lands mentioned are ,assyria1 ,babylon1 ,egypt1 ,ophir1 ,cush1 ,elam1 ,syria1 ,bashan1 ,galilee1 ,samaria1 ,palestina1 ,edom and ,moab4 ,among cities--,jerusalem1 ,nazareth1 ,damascus1 ,sodom and ,gomorrah2--of mountains ,sinai1 ,horeb and ,lebanon2 the ,red or ,egyptian sea2 and of peoples--the ,medes1 ,chaldees1 ,midianites and ,arabians4 ,,chapter ,,lxx4 ,,religion ,,of ,,the ,,nephites--,,it ,,is ,,stated ,,by ,,nephi--,,the ,,priesthood ,,and ,,ordinances ,,thereof--,,baptism--,,confirmation--,, ordination--,,the ,,sacrament--,,spiritual ,,gifts4 ,the religion of the ,nephites was the gospel of our ,lord and ,savior ,jesus ,christ4 ,it embraced1 before his advent1 those offerings and sacrifices typical of his life and death1 the observance of which was enjoined upon the house of ,israel by the law of ,moses4 ,as soon as he was offered upon the cross at ,calvary these sacrifices ceased1 as the law was fulfilled and its intent and purpose was accomplished4 ,nephi epitomizes the religious faith of his people in the following graphic and comprehensive language3 ,for we labor diligently to write1 to persuade our children1 and also our brethren1 to believe in ,christ1 and to be reconciled to ,god2 for we know that it is by grace that we are saved1 after all we can do4 ,and notwithstanding we believe in ,christ1 we keep the law of ,moses1 and look forward with steadfastness unto ,christ1 until the law shall be fulfilled2 ,for1 for this end was the law given2 wherefore the law hath become dead unto us1 and we are made alive in ,christ1 because of our faith2 yet we keep the law because of the commandments3 ,and we talk of ,christ1 we rejoice in ,christ1 we preach of ,christ1 we prophesy of ,christ1 and we write according to our prophecies1 that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins4 ,wherefore1 we speak concerning the law1 that our children may know the deadness of the law2 and they1 by knowing the deadness of the law1 may look forward unto that life which is in ,christ1 and know for what end the law was given4 ,and after the law was fulfilled in ,christ1 that they need not harden their hearts against him1 when the law ought to be done away4 ,here are a hundred sermons in a few sentences1 and every sentence is pregnant with the force and glory of ,god's eternal truth4 ,again1 how concisely the plan of salvation is explained in the following passages3 ,o how great the holiness of our ,god6 ,for he knoweth all things1 and there is not anything1 save he knows it4 ,and he cometh into the world that he may save all men1 if they will hearken unto his voice2 for behold1 he suffereth the pains of all men2 yea1 the pains of every living creature1 both men1 women1 and children1 who belong to the family of ,adam4 ,and he suffereth this1 that the resurrection might pass upon all men1 that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day4 ,and he commandeth all men that they must repent1 and be baptized in his name1 having perfect faith in the ,holy ,one of ,israel1 or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of ,god4 ,and if they will not repent and believe in his name1 and be baptized in his name1 and endure to the end1 they must be damned2 for the ,lord ,god1 the ,holy ,one of ,israel1 has spoken it4 ,the priesthood of the ,nephites was the same as ours4 ,we read of ,high ,priests1 ,elders1 ,priests and ,teachers1 in their church1 but ,evangelists1 ,bishops and ,deacons are not mentioned4 ,they also had numerous ,prophets minister to them the pleasing or awful word of ,god1 as their condition warranted or their lives deserved4 ,but the spirit of prophecy is not confined to any particular grade of the priesthood1 those holding none of its powers being frequently endowed with this most precious gift4 ,the ,twelve special witnesses whom ,jesus chose on this continent1 of whom ,nephi was the first1 are never called apostles in the ,book of ,mormon1 but always disciples2 the word apostles is only used in that book when applied to the ,twelve who ministered with the ,savior in the land of ,jerusalem4 ,the ,nephite church when fully organized in the ages before the visit of the ,redeemer1 was always presided over by a ,high ,priest4 ,he held to them the keys of the ,holy ,priesthood4 ,whether these keys remained with the ,nephites at all times is doubtful4 ,but many of their presidents were undoubtedly thus empowered4 ,the ,lord made covenant with ,nephi1 the son of ,helaman1 with his own voice as follows3 ,blessed art thou1 ,nephi1 for those things which thou hast done2 for ,i have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word which ,i have given unto thee1 unto this people4 ,and thou hast not feared them1 and hast not sought thine own life1 but have sought my will1 and to keep my commandments4 ,and now because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness1 behold1 ,i will bless thee forever2 and ,i will make thee mighty in word and in deed1 in faith and in works2 yea1 even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word1 for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will4 ,behold1 thou art ,nephi1 and ,i am ,god4 ,behold1 ,i declare it unto thee in the presence of mine angels1 that ye shall have power over this people1 and shall smite the earth with famine1 and with pestilence1 and destruction1 according to the wickedness of this people4 ,behold1 ,i give unto you power1 that whatsoever ye shall seal on earth1 shall be sealed in heaven2 and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth1 shall be loosed in heaven2 and thus shall ye have power among this people4 ,and thus1 if ye shall say unto this temple1 it shall be rent in twain1 it shall be done4 ,and if ye shall say unto this mountain1 be thou cast down and become smooth1 it shall be done4 ,and behold1 if ye shall say1 that ,god shall smite this people1 it shall come to pass4 ,and now behold1 ,i command you that ye shall go and declare unto this people1 ,that thus saith the ,lord ,god1 who is the ,almighty1 except ye repent ye shall be smitten even unto destruction4 ,what greater powers than these has ,god ever given to man8 ,the churches in the various lands or districts appear to have each been presided over locally by a ,high ,priest1 as the different stakes of ,zion are in these days4 ,in this and other respects a close resemblance can be perceived between the organization and government of the ancient ,nephite church and the ,church of ,jesus ,christ of ,latter-day ,saints4 ,as an example of these local ,high ,priests we refer to the case of ,ammon1 the son of king ,mosiah1 who held this office among the ,christian ,lamanites in the land of ,jershon at the time that ,alma was the presiding ,high ,priest over the whole church4 ,the duties1 responsibilities and powers of the various orders of the priesthood were evidently identical with those possessed by the same officers in the church of ,god in these latter days4 ,were we arguing from a doctrinal standpoint we should claim that this must necessarily be so because of the unity of the church of the ,lamb in all ages2 but we are now simply affirming that which appears from the statements1 historical and otherwise1 that are to be found in the ,book of ,mormon4 ,the fact of this identity of duties and powers is apparent in the instructions which are recorded as being given regarding the ordinance of baptism1 the bestowal of the ,holy ,ghost1 the administrations of the ,sacrament of the ,lord's supper1 the ordination of ,priests and ,teachers1 etc4 ,not only was the priesthood identical but the ordinances of the church were the same4 ,the same words were spoken in the baptism of converts as are used now4 ,the same mode of baptism was observed4 ,the same persons--the penitent believers--were baptized4 ,the baptism of little children was forbidden in the most energetic language4#bd ,when ,jesus instructed his disciples on the subject of baptism he said3 ,on this wise shall ye baptize2 and there shall be no disputations among you4 ,verily ,i say unto you1 that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words1 and desireth to be baptized in my name1 on this wise shall ye baptize them3 behold1 ye shall go down and stand in the water1 and in my name shall ye baptize them4 ,and now behold1 these are the words which ye shall say1 calling them by name1 saying1 ,having authority given me of ,jesus ,christ1 ,i baptize you in the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,amen4 ,and then shall ye immerse them in the water1 and come forth again out of the water4 ,the words spoken by the ,elder or ,priest who blessed the bread or the wine in the administration of the sacrament1 were word for word1 identical with those that we use2 and the officers who officiated in the blessing of the emblems1 ,elders and ,priests1 were the same4 ,in ordinations to the priesthood a similar form was employed to that used in this dispensation1 and men were ordained to the same calling4 ,it is written3 ,the manner which the disciples1 who were called the ,elders of the church1 ordained ,priests and ,teachers4 ,after they had prayed unto the ,father in the name of ,christ1 they laid their hands upon them1 and said1 ,in the name of ,jesus ,christ ,i ordain you to be a ,priest3 7or1 if he be a ,teacher1 ,i ordain you to be a ,teacher17 to preach repentance and remission of sins through ,jesus ,christ1 by the endurance of faith on his name to the end4 ,amen4 ,it must be remembered that their various ordinances1 so far as we have the record1 were all performed in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 except that of baptism1 which was done in the name of the ,father1 ,son and ,holy ,ghost4 ,with regard to the manner of conducting their meetings we are told1 ,and their meeting were conducted by the church1 after the manner of the workings of the ,spirit1 and by the power of the ,holy ,ghost2 for as the power of the ,holy ,ghost led them whether to preach1 or exhort1 or to pray1 or to supplicate1 or to sing1 even so it was done4 ,the same parallel between the two churches can also be found when we consider the subject of spiritual gifts4 ,the ,savior1 when giving his charge to the ,twelve ,nephite disciples1 said3 ,go ye into all the world1 and preach the gospel to every creature4 ,and he that believeth and is baptized1 shall be saved1 but he that believeth not1 shall be damned4 ,and these signs shall follow them that believe2 in my name they shall cast out devils2 they shall speak with new tongues2 they shall take up serpents2 and if they drink any deadly thing1 it shall not hurt them1 they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover4 ,and whosoever shall believe in my name1 doubting nothing1 unto him will ,i confirm all my words1 even unto the ends of the earth4 ,moroni1 treating on this same subject1 states3 ,for behold1 to one is given by the ,spirit of ,god1 that he may teach the word of wisdom2 ,and to another1 that he may teach the word of knowledge by the same ,spirit2 ,and to another1 exceeding great faith2 and to another1 the gifts of healing by the same ,spirit4 ,and again1 to another1 that he may work mighty miracles2 ,and again1 to another1 that he may prophesy concerning all things2 ,and again1 to another1 the beholding of angels and ministering spirits2 ,and again1 to another1 all kinds of tongues2 ,and again1 to another1 the interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues4 ,and all these gifts come by the power of ,christ2 and they come unto every man severally1 according as he will4 ,and ,i would exhort you1 my beloved brethren1 that ye remember that every good gift cometh of ,christ4 ,from these two quotations all can perceive that the gifts of the ,spirit were the same in the ,nephite church as among the ancient saints in ,jerusalem and the people of ,god in these days4 ,,footnote3 #bd ,and their little children need no repentance1 neither baptism4 ,behold1 baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins4 ,little children cannot repent2 wherefore it is awful wickedness to deny the pure mercies of ,god unto them1 for they are all alive in him because of his mercy4 ,and he that saith1 ,that little children need baptism1 denieth the mercies of ,christ1 and setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of his redemption4--,,mormon4 ,,chapter ,,lxxi4 ,,miracles ,,among ,,the ,,nephites--,,the ,,miracles ,,of ,,christ--,,john ,,and ,,the ,,three ,,nephites--,,translations4 ,the subject of spiritual gifts leads us to the kindred one of miracles4 ,the ,book of ,mormon teaches in very strong language that ,god is a ,god of miracles4 ,were it not so he would cease to be an unchangeable ,being4 ,he would be a partial ,god1 blessing one people more than another4 ,such is the teaching of the ,book of ,mormon on this point2 and we find in the history of the ,nephite people many remarkable manifestations of the marvelous power of ,god1 either shown through the instrumentality of his acknowledged servants1 or by the direct interposition of divine power4 ,some of the miracles recorded in the annals of the ,nephites bear a strong resemblance to others narrated in the ,bible4 ,there is nothing extraordinary in this3 it is altogether reasonable to believe that in the healing of the sick1 for instance1 there would be incidents in common in many cases4 ,nor are the miracles of the ,book of ,mormon any more difficult of belief than those of the ,bible4 ,in fact1 we are of the opinion that had the people of this dispensation been taught as persistently to believe the ,book of ,mormon as they have the ,bible1 the miracles of the first-named book would require less faith or explanation than some found in the latter4 ,the miracles of the ,book of ,mormon consist largely in the healing of the sick1 the deliverance of ,god's servants1 and the punishment of the wicked4 ,some of them are given in great detail1 others are referred to in the most meagre language4 ,among those of which we have spoken at length in earlier portions of this work are the judgments that came upon the impious anti-,christs ,sherem#be and ,korihor3#bf the deliverance of ,alma and ,amulek from the prison in ,ammonihah2#bg the restoration of the lawyer ,zeezrom to health2#bh the deliverance of ,nephi and ,lehi2 and the baptism with fire and the ,holy ,ghost of the ,lamanites in the prison in the city of ,lehi-,nephi2#bi the famine caused and terminated by ,nephi's prayer2#cj and the wonders that attended the ministrations of ,ammon and his brethren during their mission among the ,lamanites4#ca ,of these we shall make no further mention4 ,nor shall we again review the miraculous signs and wonders that attended the earthly birth#cb and death#cc of the ,messiah4 ,neither do we think it necessary to take more than a passing glance at the miracles performed by ,christ during his visits to the ,nephites and the other wonders that glorified those days4 ,but we will now refer1 at slightly great length1 to a few miraculous circumstances that do not come so prominently into view in the historical narrative4 ,in the ,book of ,alma reference is made to an occurrence which reminds us strongly of ,daniel at the court of king ,belshazzar4 ,what is said is very brief and leaves the reader in entire darkness as to when and where the event took place4 ,but from the context we are led to the conclusion that it took place in the land of ,nephi1 and certainly not later than the days of the first ,mosiah4 ,the ,prophet ,amulek1 in the opening of his address to his fellow citizens of ,ammonihah1 to prove his standing in their midst1 refers to his ancestry4 ,among his forefathers was one ,aminadi1 a ,nephite1 who interpreted certain writing1 written by the finger of ,god upon the walls of a temple4 ,nothing more is told us of this exceedingly interesting and important event1 and we are left to conjecture as to what circumstances led to this divine interposition1 and whether the words so miraculously written were of instruction1 comfort or reproof 7,alma x4 #b47 ,the raising of ,timothy to life by his brother ,nephi after he had been stoned to death1 is another miraculous circumstance which is only casually mentioned4 ,both these brothers were afterwards chosen by ,jesus among the ,twelve whom he selected as his disciples4 ,the raising of the dead in the name of ,christ manifested how great must have been the power with heaven possessed by this ,nephi1 as it was doubtless by others of his family--notably his father--before the time of the ministration of the ,savior to this people4 ,the miracles that attended the ministry of the ,savior on this land were1 many of them1 of the same character as the wondrous works he performed among the ,jews2 only frequently more marvelous and more glorious1 on account of the greater faith of the ,nephites4 ,he healed the sick1 cast out devils1 raised the dead in ,bountiful as he did in ,judea and ,galilee4 ,but there were other manifestations that were somewhat different2 that1 so far as the record goes1 were entirely dissimilar4 ,in the land of ,jerusalem ,jesus miraculously fed five thousand by increasing the store of loaves and fishes that had been provided2 in ,bountiful he administered the emblems of his body and blood when neither the disciples nor the multitude had brought either bread or wine4 ,angels ministered to men during his labors among the ,jews2 they did so more abundantly during his visits to the ,nephites4 ,again1 though we are told in the ,bible of the holy ,redeemer blessing little children1 we nowhere read therein of the glorious manifestations1 the outpouring of the ,spirit1 the ministry of the angels1 the baptism of fire that took place when the risen ,redeemer condescended to bless the little ones of the ,nephites4 ,great were the wonders that attended the labors of the three ,nephite disciples who were to tarry on earth unto the end4 ,death had no power over them2 they passed through the most terrible ordeals unhurt4 ,swords would not slay them2 fire would not burn them2 savage beasts would not harm them2 prisons could not hold them2 chains could not bind them2 the grave could not entomb them2 the earth would not conceal them4 ,no matter how much they were abused or maltreated they triumphed over all their persecutors4 ,the age in which the three ministered was a peculiar one4 ,under ordinary circumstances the superhuman powers shown by them would have brought the wicked to repentance4 ,but the happy age of peace and innocence that had followed the ,savior's ministry was fast passing away2 the people were hardening their hearts2 they were relapsing into iniquity with their eyes open2 they were sinning knowingly and understandingly4 ,angels from heaven would not have converted them2 they had given themselves up to ,satan1 and every manifestation of the power of ,god in behalf of his servants only made them more angry1 and more determined upon the destruction of those who sounded in their ears the unwelcome message of divine wrath4 ,the hurricane might demolish the dungeon2 the earthquake overthrow the walls of the prison2 the earth refuse to close when the disciples were cast into it2 these protests of nature simply caused their hardened hearts to conjure up fresh methods of torture and devise new means to destroy those whom they so intensely1 and yet so unwarrantably1 hated4 ,but they ever failed2 the three ,nephites still live4 ,of what change passed upon ,john1 the ,apostle1 or how it was brought about that he should not taste of death1 we are not told2 but so far as the three ,nephites are concerned we are informed that they were caught up into heaven1 and there experienced a change that is not explained2 and that they there saw and heard unspeakable things4 ,mormon1 writing about them1 says3 ,and now behold1 as ,i spake concerning those whom the ,lord had chosen1 yea1 even three who were caught up into the heavens1 that ,i knew not whether they were cleansed from mortality to immortality4 ,but1 behold1 since ,i wrote1 ,i have inquired of the ,lord1 and he hath made it manifest unto me1 that there must needs be a change wrought upon their bodies1 or else it needs be that they must taste of death2 ,therefore that they might not taste of death1 there was a change wrought upon their bodies1 that they might not suffer pain or sorrow1 save it were for the sins of the world4 ,now this change was not equal to that which should take place at the last day2 but there was a change wrought upon them1 insomuch that ,satan could have no power over them1 that he could not tempt them1 and they were sanctified in the flesh1 that they were holy1 and that the powers of the earth could not hold them2 ,and in this state they were to remain until the judgment day of ,christ2 and at that day they were to receive a greater change1 and to be received into the kingdom of the ,father to go no more out1 but to dwell with ,god eternally in the heavens4 ,in the ,bible we read of two men who lived before the ,savior's advent--,moses and ,elijah--who did not taste of death2 we also read in the ,book of ,mormon of two--,alma and ,nephi--who were translated4 ,,footnotes3 #be ,chapter vi4 #bf ,chapter xxvi4 #bg ,chapter xxiv4 #bh ,chapter xxv4 #bi ,chapter xxxvii4 #cj ,chapter xxxviii4 #ca ,chapter xix4 #cb ,chapter xl4 #cc ,chapter xli4 ,,chapter ,,lxxii4 ,,the ,,prophecies ,,regarding ,,the ,,savior--,,their ,,completeness ,,and ,,detail--,,names ,,and ,,titles ,,given ,,to ,,christ4 ,one of the most noteworthy things connected with the ancient ,nephite church was the great plainness and detail with which the incidents of the birth1 life and death of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ were understood and prophesied of by the servants of ,god who dwelt on the earth before he tabernacled in mortality4 ,among other things it was declared of him that3 ,god himself should come down from heaven among the children of men and should redeem his people4 ,he should take upon him flesh and blood4 ,he should be born in the land of ,jerusalem1 the name given by the ,nephites to the land of their forefathers1 whence they came4 ,his mother's name should be ,mary4 ,she should be a virgin of the city of ,nazareth2 very fair and beautiful1 a precious and chosen vessel4 ,she should be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,he should be called ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of ,god4 ,at his birth a new star should appear in the heavens4 ,he should be baptized by ,john at ,bethabara1 beyond ,jordan4 ,john should testify that he had baptized the ,lamb of ,god1 who should take away the sins of the world4 ,after his baptism the ,holy ,ghost should come down upon him out of heaven1 and abide upon him in the form of a dove4 ,he should call twelve men as his special witnesses1 to minister in his name4 ,he should go forth among the people1 ministering in power and great glory1 casting out devils1 healing the sick1 raising the dead1 and performing many mighty miracles4 ,he should take upon him the infirmities of his people4 ,he should suffer temptation1 pain of body1 hunger1 thirst and fatigue2 blood should come from every pore of his body by reason of his anguish because of the abominations of his people4 ,he should be cast out and rejected by the ,jews2 be taken and scourged1 and be judged of the world4 ,he should be lifted upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world4 ,he should be buried in a selpuchre1 where he should remain three days4 ,after he was slain he should rise from the dead and should make himself manifest by the ,holy ,ghost unto the ,gentiles4 ,he should lay down his life according to the flesh and take it up again by the power of the ,spirit1 that he might bring to pass the resurrection of the dead1 being the first that should rise4 ,at his resurrection many graves should be opened and should yield up their dead2 and many of the saints1 who had beforetime passed away1 should appear unto the living4 ,he should redeem all mankind who would believe on his name4 ,in the above list we have not inserted those prophecies with regard to the ,savior that related to this continent and were fulfilled hereon4 ,these were referred to in their place in the historical portions of this work4 ,nor have we mentioned the sayings of ,isaiah and other ,jewish prophets1 which are inserted in the ,book of ,mormon1 but which also appear in the ,bible4 ,among the names and titles given to ,christ in the ,book of ,mormon are3 ,savior1 ,mediator1 ,messiah1 ,redeemer1 ,shepherd1 ,great and ,true ,shepherd1 ,lamb1 ,lamb of ,god1 ,son of ,righteousness1 ,son of the ,eternal ,father1 ,only ,begotten of the ,father1 ,creator1 ,the ,eternal ,father of ,heaven and ,earth1 ,king1 ,king of ,heaven1 ,heavenly ,king1 ,king of all the ,earth1 ,god of ,israel1 ,god of the whole ,earth1 ,most ,high ,god1 ,lord ,omnipotent1 ,lord ,god ,omnipotent1 ,mighty ,god1 ,holy ,one1 ,holy ,one of ,israel1 ,mighty ,one of ,jacob1 ,wonderful ,counselor1 ,prince of ,peace1 and several others4 ,,chapter ,,lxxiii4 ,,nephite ,,apostates--,,the ,,order ,,of ,,nehor--,,amalekites--,,amalickiahites- -,,amulonites--,,abinadi',s ,,prophecy--,,the ,,gadiantons4 ,no people seem to have been more given to apostasy from the truths of the gospel than were the ,nephites in certain periods of their history4 ,in the historical portions of this work we have drawn attention to the defections of ,nehor1 ,amlici1 ,korihor1 ,zoram and others2 therefore we need not go over that ground again4 ,yet there is one thing that stands out very prominently in the annals of all these backslidings4 ,it is that the heresies of ,nehor1 the murderer of ,gideon1 were more or less adopted by succeeding false teachers1 and that those who embraced his teachings and became associated therewith were always among the most bitter and vehement1 the most blood-thirsty and hardened of all the enemies of the church of ,god4 ,they are often spoken of as being after the order of ,nehor2 and we imagine to belong to that order required the ,nephite to conform to certain unholy covenants and make certain vicious and immoral oaths4 ,many1 if not all1 of the ,amlicites1 ,amalekites1 ,amulonites1 ,ammonihahites and ,zoramites belonged to this iniquitous order4 ,of the apostate sects1 of whom we have previously said but little1 the most prominent were the ,amulonites and ,amalekites4 ,,amalekites3 ,a sect of ,nephite apostates whose origin is not given4 ,many of them were after the order of ,nehor4 ,very early in the days of the republic they had affiliated with the ,lamanites and with them built a large city not far from the waters of ,mormon1 which they called ,jerusalem4 ,they were exceedingly crafty and hard-hearted2 and in all the ministrations of the sons of ,mosiah among them only one was converted4 ,they led in the massacres of the ,christian ,lamanites or people of ,anti-,nephi-,lehi2 and in later years the ,lamanite generals were in the habit of placing them in high command in their armies because of their greater force of character than the real descendants of ,laman1 their intense hatred to their former brethren1 and their more wicked and murderous disposition4 ,in the sacred record they are generally associated with the ,zoramites and ,amulonites4 ,,amalickiahites3 ,the followers of ,amalickiah in his efforts to destroy the church1 to uproot the ,nephite commonwealth and establish a monarchy in its stead4 ,their leader1 finding that they were not as numerous as those who wished to maintain the republic1 and that many of them doubted the justness of their cause1 led those who would follow him towards the land of ,nephi1 with the intention of joining the ,lamanites4 ,moroni1 the general of the ,nephites1 by rapid marches reached the wilderness1 where he intercepted them in their flight1 when ,amalickiah and a few others escaped to the ,lamanites1 while the greater majority were taken prisoners and carried back to ,zarahemla4 ,the ,amalickiahites were then given the opportunity to make covenant to sustain the cause of liberty or be put to death4 ,there were but very few who denied the covenant of freedom4 ,,amulonites3 ,the descendants of ,amulon and his associates1 the corrupt priests of king ,noah4 ,they were ,nephites on their father's side and ,lamanites on their mothers'1 but by association and education were of the latter race4 ,many of them1 however1 were displeased with the conduct of their fathers1 and took upon them the name of ,nephites1 and were considered among that people ever after4 ,of those who remained ,amulonites1 many become followers of ,nehor1 and were scattered in the lands of ,amulon1 ,helam1 and ,jerusalem1 all of which appear to have been limited districts in the same region of country4 ,in later years the sons of ,mosiah and their fellow-missionaries preached to them1 but not one repented and received the gospel message2 to the contrary1 they became leaders in the persecutions carried on against the suffering people of ,anti-,nephi-,lehi1 and were those who1 with the ,amalekites1 slew the greater number of that unoffending people who suffered martyrdom4 ,in the succeeding war with the ,nephites 7,b4 ,c4 #ha71 when ,ammonihah was destroyed1 nearly all the ,amulonites were killed in the battle in which ,zoram1 the ,nephite general1 defeated the ,lamanites4 ,the remainder of the ,amulonites fled into the east wilderness1 where they usurped power over the people of ,laman1 and in their bitter hatred to the truth caused many of the latter to be burned to death because of their belief in the gospel4 ,these outrages aroused the ,lamanites and they in turn began to hunt the ,amulonites and to put them to death4 ,this was in fulfillment of the words of ,abinadi1 who1 as he suffered martyrdom by fire at the hands of ,amulon and his associates1 told them1 ,what ye shall do unto me1 shall be a type of things to come1 by which he meant that many should suffer death by fire as he had suffered4 ,and he said unto the priests of ,noah1 that their seed should cause many to be put to death1 in the like manner as he was1 and that they should be scattered abroad and slain1 even as a sheep having no shepherd is driven and slain by wild beasts2 and now behold1 these words were verified1 for they were driven by the ,lamanites1 and they were hunted1 and they were smitten4 ,,gadiantons3 ,of all the factions that separated themselves from the ,nephites none worked so much injury to that people as did the bands of ,gadianton robbers4 ,the very fact of their organization shows the deplorable condition of ,nephite society1 while their continuance and growth proclaim yet more loudly and emphatically how debased the community had become4 ,the ,gadiantons were at first 7,b4 ,c4 #eb7 apparently a band of robbers and murderers bound together by the most horrible oaths of secrecy and satanic covenants to aid and shield each other in whatever sins and iniquities they might commit4 ,these covenants did not originate with ,gadianton or any of his crew4 ,they were as old as the days of ,cain1 into whose ear the son of perdition whispered these blood-thirsty and infernal suggestions4 ,these same secret societies flourished among the antediluvians2 and had place with the ,jaredites and other peoples of antiquity4 ,in the end they invariably wrought ruin and destruction wherever they found a foothold4 ,to their abominations can be traced the fall and extinction of both the ,jaredite and ,nephite races4 ,as time went on1 the ,gadiantons among the ,nephites aspired to rule the republic4 ,when1 by their combinations1 they could not carry their points at the elections1 they would murder1 or attempt to murder1 any judge or other officer who was distasteful to them1 and place a more acceptable man in his seat4 ,so fell more than one of the ,nephite chief judges4 ,but they frequently had no need to do this1 for as the people increased in iniquity they could easily carry the majority or the voice of the people with them4 ,in this way several of their number were elected to the chief judgeship4 ,after the times of the conversion of the ,lamanites by ,lehi and ,nephi 7,b4 ,c4 #cj7 the ,gadianton robbers took their place in the history of ancient ,america4 ,the divisions then became the righteous ,nephites and ,lamanites on one side1 and the ,gadiantons on the other4 ,and1 strange as it may appear1 these robber bands received greater encouragement and attained to greater power among the ,nephites than among the ,lamanites2 but the fact is1 that at that era the ,lamanites were a growing race1 while the ,nephites were a decaying one4 ,many wars ensued between these two divisions1 ending sometimes in the temporary suppression of the robbers1 as in the year ,b4 ,c4 #ag4 ,but they soon reappeared1 as they did five years after the instance here mentioned 7,b4 ,c4 #ab74 ,the most momentous of all these wars was the one that was waged during the earthly life of our ,savior4 ,it virtually commenced in the second year of his mortal existence and continued with slight intermissions until the twenty-first4 ,so powerful and arrogant had the robbers grown in that age that ,giddianhi1 their leader1 in ,a4 ,c4 #af1 wrote an epistle to ,lachoneus1 the chief judge1 calling upon the ,nephites to submit themselves to the robbers and their ways2 to accept their oaths and covenants2 and in all things become like unto them4 ,the presumption of the robber-chief does not appear to have been without foundation1 for so desperate had the condition of the people become that ,lachoneus devised and carried out the stupendous movement of gathering all1 both ,nephites and ,lamanites1 to one land1 where they would be safe by consolidation1 and be able to wear out the robbers by masterly inactivity4 ,in this he succeeded1 and the robber bands were destroyed by privation1 famine and sword4 ,after the days of ,jesus the ,gadiantons again appeared when iniquity began to prevail2 and by the year ,a4 ,c4 #cjj they had spread over all the land4 ,to their baneful influence may be attributed many of the atrocities and abominations that disgraced the last wars between the ,nephites and ,lamanites4 ,at certain periods of their history the ,jaredites1 ,lamanites and ,nephites were all idolaters4 ,the ,lamanites1 as early as the days of ,enos1 are represented as bowing down to idols4 ,this statement is repeated with regard to those of the times of ,zeniff and of ,ammon4 ,the ,nephites are sometimes called an idolatrous people1 when the inference seems to be that they worshiped their gold and silver and the vain things of this world4 ,on the other hand1 it appears that some of them were actual worshipers of idols4 ,such a charge is plainly made against the ,zoramites in the land of ,antionum2 and we are of the opinion that they were not the only ones4 ,in later times1 during the final series of wars between the ,nephites and ,lamanites1 the latter were idolaters1 and had descended so far into savagery as to offer human sacrifices4 ,they were in the habit of offering up in this way the ,nephite women and children they captured in war4 ,special mention is made of this fact at the taking of the cities of ,desolation and ,boaz4 ,still more horrible was the fate of some of the ,lamanite women who fell into the hands of the ,nephites2 and it would seem that before the war was finished both peoples had sunk to the degradation of eating human flesh4 ,well might the prophet say3 ,there never had been so great wickedness among all the children of ,lehi1 nor even among all the house of ,israel1 according to the words of the ,lord1 as were among this people4 ,,chapter ,,lxxiv4 ,,church ,,discipline ,,among ,,the ,,nephites--,,treatment ,,of ,,the ,,unrepentant--,,the ,,word ,,of ,,the ,,lord ,,regarding ,,transgressors--,,the ,,testimony ,,of ,,moroni4 ,as in other things1 the methods adopted in the ,nephite church in the treatment of those who turned from righteousness were identical with those pursued in such cases in the church of ,god in other lands and in other ages4 ,the erring ones were first labored with by the officers of the church in the spirit of love and reconciliation2 they were visited by the ,priests and ,teachers2 and if they repented they were continued in the fellowship of the ,saints2 but if they were obdurate and impenitent they were severed from the communion of the church4 ,this course was pursued throughout their history from the days of ,alma1 the elder1 to those of ,moroni4 ,in the land of ,zarahemla1 when ,mosiah was king and ,alma was high priest1 there was much hard-heartedness and evil doing in the midst of the ,nephites4 ,it may be remembered it was at this time that the sons of ,mosiah1 and the younger ,alma1 were leaders among those who were opposing the church and persecuting its members4 ,the iniquity that existed with those who had made covenant with ,god1 or were their children1 caused ,alma much pain and anxiety4 ,the ,priests and ,teachers labored frequently in vain1 and the presiding priesthood were in doubt with regard to the best course to pursue with the wicked4 ,they had no precedents to guide them1 for such a state of things had never before existed among the ,nephites4 ,alma applied to the king1 but he refused to judge the offenders4 ,he would not meddle in matters of church discipline1 that he left to ,alma2 and to him he returned those who had transgressed the law of the ,lord4 ,in this dilemma ,alma appealed with all his heart to the ,lord1 and inquired what he should do in the matter3 for he was most desirous to do right in the sight of heaven4 ,then the voice of the ,lord came to him1 blessing him1 because of his sincere inquiries concerning the transgressor1 and instructing him that whosoever transgressed against ,god should be judged according to the sins which he had committed2 and if he confessed his sins before the ,lord and ,alma and repented in the sincerity of his heart he should be forgiven1 and ,god would forgive him also4 ,the ,lord adds3 ,yea1 and as often as my people repent1 will ,i forgive them their trespasses against me4 ,and ye shall also forgive one another your trespasses2 for verily ,i say unto you1 ,he that forgiveth not his neighbor's trespasses1 when he says that he repents1 the same hath brought himself under condemnation4 ,now ,i say unto you1 ,go2 and whosoever will not repent of his sins1 the same shall not be numbered among my people2 and this shall be observed from this time forward4 ,the sacred historian continues3 ,and it came to pass when ,alma had heard these words1 he wrote them down that he might have them1 and that he might judge the people of that church1 according to the commandments of ,god4 ,and it came to pass that ,alma went and judged those that had been taken in iniquity1 according to the word of the ,lord4 ,and whosoever repented of their sins and did confess them1 them he did number among the people of the church2 ,and those that would not confess their sins and repent of their iniquity1 the same were not numbered among the people of the church1 and their names were blotted out4 ,in this revelation we have the word of the ,lord to guide the ,nephite church throughout all its dispensations4 ,the same spirit is manifested in the instructions given by the ,redeemer in his teachings to the ,nephites4#cd ,they are full of love1 mercy1 and patience4 ,on the other hand1 they show that the church of ,god must not be defiled by countenancing iniquity or permitting that which is holy to be handled by the unworthy4 ,nearly four hundred years later1 ,moroni1 speaking on church government1 says3 ,and they were strict to observe that there should be no iniquity among them2 and whoso was found to commit iniquity1 and three witnesses of the church did condemn them before the ,elders2 and if they repented not1 and confessed not1 their names were blotted out1 and they were not numbered among the people of ,christ2 ,but as oft as they repented1 and sought forgiveness1 with real intent1 they were forgiven4 ,from these quotations we perceive that the spirit of the ancient church on this continent1 with regard to offenses and offenders1 was uniform in all its dispensations and identical in its methods with those of the latter days4 ,illustration3 ,text ,decoration4 ,illustration3 ,text ,decoration4 ,,footnote3 #cd ,see ,chapter xlvi4 ,,chapter ,,lxxv4 ,,the ,,discovery ,,of ,,the ,,jaredite ,,records--,,coriantumr--,,ether--,,the ,,dispersion ,,at ,,babel--,,the ,,journey ,,of ,,the ,,jaredites--,,atlantis4 ,let us return to the year #abc ,b4 ,c4 ,at that time the ,nephites in the land of ,nephi were suffering sore afflictions at the hands of the ,lamanites4 ,in this extremity ,limhi1 their king1 sent a company of forty-three men1 with instructions to discover1 if possible1 their brethren in the land of ,zarahemla1 that peradventure they would bring them succor and deliverance4 ,the expedition was unsuccessful1 so far as its immediate object was concerned4 ,the company missed the land of ,zarahemla1 pushed northward into ,central ,america1 and how far beyond we cannot tell4 ,at last they discovered the remains of an ancient people who had apparently been destroyed in battle4 ,among other things they found twenty-four plates of gold1 covered with engravings4 ,this treasure1 with some other relics of the vanished race1 they took back to king ,limhi4 ,when1 shortly after1 this section of the ,nephite people escaped from their ,lamanite task-masters and returned to ,zarahemla1 the twenty-four golden plates were presented to king ,mosiah1 the younger1 and he being a seer1 translated them by the aid of the ,urim and ,thummim4 ,these plates were found to contain the history of the world from the creation to the time of the building of the ,tower of ,babel1 and of the race whose remains had been found by the people of ,limhi scattered on the land northward4 ,this was1 however1 not the first intimation that the ,nephites had of the existence of this extinct people2 for in the days of the elder ,mosiah a large engraved stone was brought to him that had been discovered by the people of ,zarahemla4 ,it gave a very brief account of this same race1 known to us as the ,jaredites1 but more particularly referred to its last ruler1 named ,coriantumr2 who had himself been known to the ,zarahemlaites2 for he had1 previous to his death1 resided in their midst for nine months4 ,the history that we have of this remarkable people1 as given in the ,book of ,mormon1 is ,moroni's abridgment of the record contained on the twenty-four plates of gold4 ,it commences with the dispersion of the human family at ,babel4 ,interspersed with the narrative are many interpolations of ,moroni's1 in the shape of reflections1 prophecies and explanatory remarks4 ,as these additions or notes are inserted in the body of the work1 and not as foot notes1 the reader of this abridgment has to use care in its perusal1 or his ideas may become confused2 and he is troubled to account for statements which grow perfectly plain when it is understood they were written nearly four hundred years after the advent of the ,savior4 ,the history of the ,jaredites is called the ,book of ,ether1 because the twenty-four plates from which it is taken were hidden by a ,jaredite prophet of that name1 in the place where they were afterwards discovered by the people of ,limhi4 ,the ancestors of the ,jaredites were engaged in the attempt to build the ,tower of ,babel4 ,it is probable they were of the family of ,shem1 as they were worshipers of the true ,god1 and he conferred upon them his priesthood4 ,how far they had wandered from the tower1 if at all1 when the ,lord commenced the revelation of his will to them1 is not apparent from the sacred text4 ,they were commanded by him to go down into the valley which is northward1 and as the expressions up and down1 when they occur in the ,book of ,mormon in connection with geographical locality1 are always used with great exactitude1 we may venture two surmises3 that ,jared and his friends had already wandered into some not far distant hilly region1 or that the valley into which they were commanded to descend sloped towards the north1 the flow of its waters1 if any1 being in that direction4 ,the valley into which the ,lord led the ,jaredites was called ,nimrod1 after that mighty hunter of the early postdiluvian age4 ,here they tarried for a time1 while they prepared for the long journey which was before them4 ,their flocks and herds they had with them2 they now went to work and snared fowls2 they carried with them hives of honey bees 7known to them by the name of ,deseret72 and prepared a vessel in which they transported the fish of the waters4 ,everything that could possibly be of use to them they appear to have collected4 ,they were going to a land that had been swept clean by the waters of the ,deluge2 it had been bereft of all its animal life2 the seeds of grains and fruits no longer germinated in its soil2 and the colony had to replenish the continent with the animal and vegetable life1 necessary for their comfort and sustenance1 as though it was a new earth4 ,when in the valley of ,nimrod the ,lord came down and talked with the brother of ,jared4 ,but the brother of ,jared saw him not1 for the ,lord remained concealed in a cloud4 ,he directed that the company should go forth into the wilderness1 into that quarter where man had never yet been4 ,as they journeyed the ,heavenly presence went before them in the cloud and instructed them and gave directions which way they should travel4 ,in the course of their journey they had many waters--seas1 rivers1 and lakes--to cross1 on which occasions they built barges1 as directed by the ,lord4 ,it must have been an arduous labor1 requiring much time and great patience to transport their flocks and herds1 with all the rest of their cumbrous freight across these many waters4 ,we shall not attempt to trace the wanderings of the company on their way to the promised land4 ,the account given in the ,book of ,ether is entirely too meagre for that purpose4 ,some suppose that they went as far north as the ,caspian ,sea1 which they crossed2 then turning eastward slowly journeyed along the central ,asia plateau2 thence to the ,pacific sea-board1 most probably on the coast of ,china4 ,these suppositions may be correct2 the writer does not know enough to either affirm or deny them2 but one thing is certain1 the journey must have been a very long and tedious one4 ,the region through which they passed was one in which no man dwelt1 they could purchase no supplies1 and if they did not live entirely on wild fruit1 fish and small game1 it is probable that they tarried now and again1 at favorable points1 long enough to plant and reap a crop4 ,as they advanced to a great distance from the center of population in western ,asia it is possible that they traveled beyond the limits to which the larger animals had1 by that time scattered2 and if so1 they were entirely without the aid of the food obtained by the chase2 on the other hand1 it is probable that the fish in the lakes and rivers formed a valuable source of food supply2 yet it must also be remembered they carried fish in a vessel with them4 ,through their prayers and faith the founders of the ,jaredite nation obtained many precious promises of the ,lord4 ,among these was the assurance that their language should not be confounded1 and that the ,lord himself would go before them and lead them into a land choice above every other land4 ,and again1 that the nation that they should found there should be none greater upon all the face of the earth4 ,the history of their descendants proves how fully this last promise was realized4 ,the contemporary nations on the eastern continent--,egypt1 ,chaldea and ,babylonia--were insignificant when compared with the vast extent of territory held and filled by the ,jaredites2 they were the sole rulers of the whole western hemisphere1 and possibly the originals1 whence arose the stories of the greatness and grandeur of the fabled ,atlantis2 for we have no account in the sacred records that ,god shut them out from the knowledge of the rest of mankind when he planted them in ,america1 as he afterwards did the ,nephites2 and late research has shown that the geographical knowledge of the ancients was much greater in the earlier ages than at the time of the ,savior and a few hundred years previous to his advent4 ,,chapter ,,lxxvi4 ,,moriancumer--,,building ,,the ,,barges--,,the ,,finger ,,of ,,the ,,lord--,,the ,,appearing ,,of ,,the ,,savior--,,the ,,voyage4 ,led by the ,lord personally1 instructed by his own mouth1 protected by his presence1 the colony1 of which ,jared's brother appears to have been the prophet and leader1 at last reached the borders of the great sea which divides the continents4 ,to the place where they tarried they gave the name of ,moriancumer4 ,here they remained for a period of four years1 at the end of which time the ,lord again visited the brother of ,jared in a cloud and chastened him and his brethren because of their neglect to call upon his name4 ,repentance followed this reproof1 and on their repentance their sins were forgiven them4 ,the brother of ,jared was then commanded by the ,lord to build eight barges1 after the same pattern as those he had previously constructed4 ,this command he obeyed with the assistance of the company4 ,the vessels were small1 light in construction and water tight4 ,as they were dark in the interior1 by reason of being without windows1 the ,lord1 at the entreaty of the brother of ,jared1 touched sixteen small white stones1 which the latter had moulten out of a high mountain called ,shelem2 and after the ,lord touched them they shone forth and gave light to the vessels in which they were placed4 ,when the ,lord put forth this finger to touch these stones1 the veil was taken from the eyes of the brother of ,jared and he saw the finger of the ,lord2 and it was as the finger of a man1 like unto flesh and blood4 ,then the brother of ,jared fell down before the ,lord1 for he was struck with fear1 and because of the faith which the brother of ,jared possessed the ,lord not only permitted him to see his finger but showed himself to him4 ,illustration3 ,,appearance ,,of ,,christ ,,to ,,the ,,brother ,,of ,,jared4 ,furthermore1 he said1 ,behold1 ,i am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people4 ,behold1 ,i am ,jesus ,christ4 ,i am the ,father and the ,son4 ,in me shall all mankind have light1 and that eternally1 even they who shall believe on my name2 and they shall become my sons and my daughters4 ,and never have ,i showed myself unto man whom ,i have created1 for never has man believed in me as thou hast4 ,seest thou that ye are created after mine own image8 ,yea1 even all men were created in the beginning1 after mine own image4 ,behold1 this body1 which ye now behold1 is the body of my spirit2 and man have ,i created after the body of my spirit2 and even as ,i appear unto thee to be in spirit1 will ,i appear unto my people in the flesh4 ,all things being prepared1 ,jared and his people1 with their animals1 fishes1 bees1 seeds and multitudinous other things1 went on board2 a favorable wind wafted them from shore1 and they gradually drifted to the ,american coast4 ,at the end of the voyage of three hundred and forty-four days the colony landed on this continent4 ,it is generally understood that the place where they landed was south of the ,gulf of ,california and north of the isthmus of ,panama4 ,,chapter ,,lxxvii4 ,,the ,,land ,,of ,,promise--,a ,,monarchy ,,established--,,the ,,kings ,,of ,,the ,,jaredites ,,from ,,orihah ,,to ,,omer--,,akish--,,the ,,daughter ,,of ,,jared4 ,when the members of the little colony set their feet upon the shores of ,america1 they humbled themselves before the ,lord1 and shed tears of joy because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them4 ,then they went forth and began to till the earth1 and soon grew strong in the land1 being a righteous people1 taught directly from on high4 ,before long the question of government arose1 and the people desired a king4 ,this thing was grievous to their divinely inspired leaders1 for they saw that it would lead to captivity2 but perceiving the determination of the people1 they consented4 ,it was difficult to find any suitable man who would consent to occupy the royal position2 at last the youngest son of ,jared1 named ,orihah1 consented1 and he was anointed king4 ,it appears altogether probable that this choice was taken as a precedent1 for among this people there seems to have prevailed a custom entirely opposite to that of most other nations--that of having one of the younger1 generally the very youngest son1 instead of the eldest1 succeed his father on the throne4 ,as the ,jaredites were a very long-lived race1 full of vitality1 often having sons born to them to the end of their days1 the number of generations mentioned during the period embraced in their history is much fewer than the general average for the same number of centuries1 notably so where the eldest son succeeds to the rank and title of his sire4 ,the kings of the ,jaredites1 in the order of their succession were ,orihah1 ,kib1 ,corihor1 ,kib restored1 ,shule4 ,in the days of ,shule1 the kingdom was divided1 ,noah1 the son of ,corihor1 establishing a separate monarchy over a portion of the land4 ,after his death he was succeeded by his son ,cohor1 who was slain in battle by ,shule1 when the whole kingdom again returned to its allegiance to the last named4 ,shule was succeeded by his son ,omer1 who was deposed and imprisoned by his son ,jared1 but two other sons afterwards defeated ,jared and restored the kingdom to their father4 ,in this civil war between ,omer and his son ,jared1 when the latter had been defeated by his brothers1 they only spared his life on condition that he recognize the right of his father to the throne4 ,jared became very sorrowful at his defeat1 as he had set his heart upon being king4 ,while in this state of mind1 his daughter1 who was exceedingly fair1 came to him1 and1 learning the cause of his discontent1 made a most extraordinary and villainous proposition to him1 which showed she was as conscienceless as her father4 ,it was that he should invite a friend1 named ,akish1 to visit him2 when he came she would dance before him and use her charms to captivate his heart4 ,if her plan succeeded and ,akish desired her to wife1 ,jared was to grant his request on condition that ,akish brought him the head of his father ,omer4 ,to enable him to accomplish this1 the daughter of ,jared reminded her father of the signs and covenants of the ancients1 whereby they entered into compact1 one with another1 for mutual aid and protection in carrying out any great wickedness they might desire to commit4 ,her plan was accepted and proved in every way a success4 ,after the manner she suggested1 ,akish gathered his kinsfolks1 and persuaded them to swear1 with terrible oaths1 that they would be faithful to him in all that he might require of them4 ,by these wicked combinations the kingdom of ,omer was overthrown4 ,but he1 being warned of the ,lord1 escaped to a distant land called ,ablom4 ,then ,jared was anointed king1 and he gave his daughter to ,akish for a wife4 ,but ,akish was not satisfied2 he plotted with his associates1 and they slew ,jared1 as he sat on the throne1 and ,akish reigned in his stead4 ,but after committing these crimes1 he became suspicious of his partners in sin1 and grew jealous of one of his own sons1 whom he shut up in prison and starved to death4 ,before long other sons of ,akish seduced the people from their allegiance to their father1 a civil war of the utmost magnitude ensued1 which ceased not until all the people were slain except thirty1 and those who had fled to ,omer in the land of ,ablom4 ,after this1 ,omer returned and reigned over the few souls that remained4 ,,chapter ,,lxxviii4 ,,the ,,kings ,,of ,,the ,,jaredites ,,from ,,omer ,,to ,,coriantumr--,,the ,,material ,,prosperity ,,of ,,this ,,race4 ,omer was succeeded by his son ,emer2 he by his son ,coriantum2 ,coriantum by his son ,com4 ,com was slain by his son ,heth1 who took possession of the kingdom after having murdered his father4 ,in the days of ,heth there was a great famine which destroyed the greater portion of the people1 among them the king himself4 ,he was succeeded by ,shez1 ,shez by his son ,riplakish1 who was dethroned by ,morianton1 whose son ,kim afterwards followed him in the kingly power4 ,kim was brought into captivity1 through rebellion1 and it was not until the next reign1 that of his son ,levi1 that the usurpers were driven from the throne4 ,then follow the reigns of ,corom1 ,kish1 ,lib and ,hearthom4 ,the last named was deposed after reigning twenty-four years1 and was held in captivity all the remainder of his days4 ,so also were his son ,heth1 his grandson ,aaron1 his great grandson ,amnigaddah1 and the latter's son ,coriantum4 ,we are not informed what were the names of the kings of the usurping dynasty1 who reigned while the royal family served in captivity2 but in the days of ,coriantum's son ,com1 the reigning prince was named ,amgid4 ,com went to war against him1 overthrew him1 and gained possession of the throne of his ancestors4 ,shiblon1 the son of ,com1 succeeded his father1 but was slain1 his son ,heth being made captive and thus held all his days4 ,in the next generation1 ,ahah1 ,heth's son1 regained the throne and reigned over the whole people for a short time4 ,few and iniquitous were his days4 ,ethem1 called a descendant1 and also the son of ,ahah1 was the next king4 ,his son ,moron succeeded him2 in his days there were renewed rebellions1 which ended1 as had been so frequently the case before1 in the captivity of the king4 ,moron was a captive all the rest of his life1 and his son ,coriantor passed his whole earthly existence in captivity4 ,ether1 the prophet1 was the son of ,coriantor4 ,the king in his day was named ,coriantumr1 the last of his race1 for the wars that desolated the land in his reign culminated in the destruction of the ,jaredites4 ,this very short sketch of the reigns of their kings shows how thoroughly were the fears of ,jared and his brother realized1 that the anointing of a king would lead to captivity4 ,like their successors1 the ,nephites1 the troubles of the ,jaredites grew out of their iniquities4 ,many mighty prophets ministered to them1 but they were only occasionally listened to4 ,like the ,nephites1 in another phase of their existence1 they owed many of their misfortunes to cherishing the secret bands of ,gadianton-like assassins1 who1 bound by infernal covenants1 perpetrated the most unnatural and blood-thirsty crimes4 ,in the days of ,omer1 the daughter of ,jared 7who in more than one respect reminds us of the daughter of ,herodias7 was the instrument in first introducing these soul-destroying confederacies with ,satan among the ,jaredites2 and in after ages they dwindled or flourished1 according to the amount of faith and faithfulness in the people4 ,materially the ,jaredites were wonderfully blessed4 ,it could scarcely have been otherwise2 they had all the treasures of this most choice land at their disposal4 ,in the days of ,emer1 the inspired historian describes them as having become exceeding rich1 having all manner of fruit1 grain1 silks1 fine linen1 gold1 silver1 and precious things2 and also all manner of cattle1 sheep1 swine1 goats1 and also many other kinds of animals which were useful for the food of man2 and they also had horses1 and asses1 and there were elephants and cureloms and cumoms2 all of which were useful to men1 and more especially the elephants1 cureloms and cumoms4#ce ,,footnote3 #ce ,some suppose the cureloms and cumoms were alpacas and llamas1 others that they were mammoths1 the bones of which creatures1 as well as those of the elephant1 having been found on this continent4 ,,chapter ,,lxxix4 ,,the ,,judgments ,,of ,,god ,,on ,,the ,,jaredites--,,the ,,extinction ,,of ,,the ,,race--,,the ,,hill ,,ramah--,,shiz ,,and ,,coriantumr--,,ether4 ,owing to their gross and abounding iniquities1 the ,lord on several occasions visited the ,jaredites with partial destruction4 ,these judgments came in the shape of fratricidal war1 pestilence1 drought and famine4 ,in the days of ,heth there was a great dearth in the land1 through which the inhabitants were destroyed exceedingly fast1 while poisonous serpents came forth and did poison many people4 ,these serpents drove the flocks and herds south1 and then congregating at the narrow neck uniting the two great divisions of the land1 hedged up the way so that the people could not pass1 thus adding another factor to their misery1 for their crops were not only destroyed through the lack of rain1 but the resource of animal food was taken from them4 ,thus they became a broken people1 but when through their miseries they had sufficiently humbled themselves before the ,lord1 he sent the long desired rain1 and there began to be fruit in the north countries and in all the countries round about4 ,other desolations at various times came upon them because of their defiant disobedience to the behests of ,heaven4 ,the war which ended in the entire destruction of the ,jaredite race was one of the most blood-thirsty1 cruel and vindictive that ever cursed this fair planet4 ,men's most savage passions were worked up to such an extent that every better feeling of humanity was crushed out4 ,the women and children armed themselves for the fray with the same fiendish activity1 and1 fought with the same intense hate1 as the men4 ,it was not a conflict of armies alone2 it was the crushing together of a divided house that had long tottered because of internal weakness1 but now fell in upon itself4 ,this war was not the work of a day2 it was the outgrowth of centuries of dishonor1 crime and iniquity4 ,and as this continent was once cleansed of its unrighteous inhabitants by the overwhelming waters of a universal ,deluge1 and only eight souls left1 so this second time1 as a flood1 through the promises of the ,lord to ,noah1 was no longer possible1 instead thereof the wicked slew the wicked until only two men remained1 the king and the historian3 the one to wander wounded1 wretched and alone1 until found by ,mulek's colony2 the other to record the last dreadful throes of his people for the profit of succeeding races1 and then to be received into the loving care of his ,father and his ,god4 ,both the ,nephites and ourselves are indebted to him for our acquaintance with the earlier history of this continent1 which otherwise would have been entirely shut out from our knowledge4 ,some four or more years before the final battles around and near the hill ,ramah1 otherwise ,cumorah1 two millions of warriors had been slain1 besides their wives and children4 ,how many millions actually fell before the last terrible struggle ended1 and ,coriantumr stood alone the sole representative of his race1 it is impossible to tell from the record that has been handed down to us1 but we think we are justified in believing that for bloodshed and desolation no such war ever took place before1 or has occurred since in the history of this world2 if the annals of any nation have the record of its equal1 it is not known to us4 ,the duel between the leaders of the two contending hosts1 ,coriantumr and ,shiz1 when their followers were all slain1 was a unique and horrible one1 for when all had fallen except these two ,shiz had fainted for loss of blood4 ,then ,coriantumr1 after having taken a short rest1 raised his sword and smote off the head of his foe4 ,shiz raised himself on his hands1 fell1 struggled for breath and died4 ,then1 utterly exhausted1 ,coriantumr dropped to the ground and became as though he had no life4 ,coriantumr1 when he regained consciousness1 wandered forth1 aimlessly and alone1 the last of his race4 ,a whole continent lay around him1 but there was nothing1 in any place1 to invite him either to tarry or depart4 ,companions he had none2 every creature in the image of ,god1 save himself1 had moistened the soil with his life's blood4 ,all had been swept into unsanctified graves or poisoned the air with their unburied bodies4 ,the savage beasts alone remained to terrify him with their hideous calls as they held high carnival over the unnumbered slain4 ,weak from loss of blood1 he staggered on1 placing as great a distance as his failing powers would permit between himself and the horrors of the last battle ground4 ,he passed onward through each deserted valley1 each tenantless town2 in neither was there any human voice to greet or chide him2 the homes of his own people and those of his enemies were alike--a silent desolation2 all the land was a wilderness4 ,how long he thus wandered to and fro1 wretched1 comfortless and forlorn1 we know not2 but at last he reached the southern portion of the northern continent1 thousands of miles from ,ramah1 and there1 to the great astonishment of both1 he found the people of ,mulek1 who had been led by the hand of the ,lord from ,jerusalem4 ,with them he spent his few remaining days1 and when nine moons had grown and waned he passed away to join the hosts of his people in the unknown world of spirits4 ,all this was in fulfillment of the prophecies of ,ether1 who1 years before1 had been sent by the ,lord to ,coriantumr with the fateful message that if he and all his household would repent1 the ,lord would give unto him his kingdom1 and spare the people2 otherwise they should be destroyed1 and all his household1 save it were himself1 and he should only live to see the fulfilling of the prophecies which had been spoken concerning another people receiving the land for their inheritance2 and ,coriantumr should receive a burial by them2 and every soul should be destroyed save it were ,coriantumr4 ,illustration3 ,,ether ,,finishing ,,his ,,record4 ,but ,coriantumr did not repent1 neither his household2 and all the words of the ,lord1 through ,ether1 came to pass2 not the least of them remained unfulfilled4 ,,book ,,of ,,mormon ,,chronology4 ,the events marked are those about which the record does not appear sufficiently explicit to make the year certain4 ,it is occasionally difficult to decide whether the circumstance narrated took place near the close of one year or in the commencement of the next4 ,the four dates marked thus 9999 are based upon the supposition that ,zeniff re-occupied the land of ,nephi ,b4 ,c4 #bjj4 ,this may not be the exact year1 but it is approximate4 ,the three dates marked thus 99 are based upon the idea that the young man1 ,alma1 was twenty-five years old when ,abinadi was martyred4 ,the ,book of ,mormon appears to furnish no clue to the date of ,lehi's colony landing in ,south ,america4 ,it is supposed to have been about twelve years after its departure from ,jerusalem4 ,b4 ,c4 signifies before the birth of ,christ2 ,a4 ,c4 after ,christ2 ,n4 ,a4 signifies ,nephite ,annals1 or years after the departure of ,lehi from ,jerusalem2 ,y4 ,j4 years of the ,judges1 or of the ,republic4 ,b4,c4 ,n4,a4 ,y4,j4 ,lehi and colony leave ,jerusalem1 and journey to the valley of ,lemuel1 by the ,red ,sea4 ,the sons of ,lehi return to ,jerusalem and obtain the sacred records4 #fjj #a ,lehi and colony reach the land ,bountiful1 in ,arabia1 where ,nephi commences to build a ship4 #eib #i ,mulek1 son of king ,zedekiah1 with a colony1 leaves ,jerusalem4 ,lehi and his colony reach ,south ,america4 #eij #aa ,a temple built1 ,jacob and ,joseph consecrated priests1 etc41 before #ega #cj ,wars and contentions between the ,nephites and ,lamanites1 during ten years previous to #efa #dj ,nephi transfers the records to ,jacob4 ,the book of ,jacob opens #edf #ee ,jacob1 having given the records to his son ,enos1 the latter transfers them to his son ,jarom4 ,many wars between the ,nephites and ,lamanites during the days of ,enos4 #dba #ahj ,the ,nephites have increased and scattered much over the land2 they strictly observe the law of ,moses and are prospered4 ,the ,lamanites1 much more numerous than the ,nephites1 often invade the ,nephite lands4 #dja #bjj ,jarom transfers the records to ,omni4 ,many wars and contentions during ,jarom's days4 #cfb #bci ,omni has frequent wars with the ,lamanites4 #cbd #bgg ,omni transfers the records to ,amaron4 #cah #bhc ,the more wicked part of the ,nephites destroyed4 ,amaron transfers the records to ,chemish4 #bhj #cba 9999,about this date ,zeniff leaves ,zarahemla to reoccupy the land of ,nephi4 ,he makes a treaty with king ,laman1 and obtains the lands ,lehi-,nephi and ,shemlon4 #bjj #dja 9999,the ,lamanites make war with the people of ,zeniff1 but are repulsed with a loss of #cjdc men4 #ahc #dah ,alma1 the elder1 born in the land of ,nephi4 #agc #dbh 9999,king ,laman having died1 his son attacks the people of ,zeniff1 but is driven back4 #afa #ddj 99,zeniff confers the kingdom on his son ,noah4 #afj #dda ,mosiah ,,ii4 born in the land of ,zarahemla4 #aed #ddg 99,the prophet ,abinadi appears in the land of ,nephi1 and reproves ,noah and his subjects for their iniquities4 #aej #dea 99,abinadi again appears1 prophesies1 and is martyred4 #adh #dec 99,alma establishes a ,christian ,church at the waters of ,mormon1 and afterwards1 because of king ,noah's persecutions1 removes with his people to ,helam4 #adg #ded ,first ,christian ,church established in ,zarahemla by king ,benjamin1 who also consecrates his son ,mosiah king4 #abe #dgf ,a company sent by ,limhi1 son of ,noah1 to find ,zarahemla1 wander into the north country and discover numerous relics of the ,jaredites4 #abc #dgh ,king ,benjamin dies4 ,a company under ,ammon start from ,zarahemla to find their brethren in the land of ,nephi4 ,they succeed1 help them to escape from the ,lamanites1 and bring them safely to ,zarahemla4 #abb #dgi ,moroni1 commander-in-chief of the ,nephite armies1 born4 #ii #ejb ,alma1 the elder1 dies1 aged eighty-two4 ,mosiah ,,ii4 dies1 aged sixty-three4 ,alma1 the younger1 elected ,chief ,judge of the ,republic4 ,the sons of ,mosiah1 with other ,elders1 start on a mission to the ,lamanites in the land of ,nephi4 ,priestcraft first introduced among the ,nephites by ,nehor4 ,nehor slays the aged patriarch1 ,gideon2 is tried1 condemned and executed4 ,king ,lamoni and his household converted by ,ammon4 #ia #eaj #a ,priestcraft spreads among the ,nephites2 pride and contention develop in the church4 ,a church established by ,ammon in the land of ,ishmael4 #ij #eaa #b ,continued peace among the ,nephites1 notwithstanding persecution and increased wickedness4 #hi #eab #c ,amlici1 a disciple of ,nehor1 desires to be king and to destroy the true church2 his pretensions are rejected by the voice of the people2 he raises a rebellion1 and is consecrated king4 ,amlici's forces are defeated by the ,nephites under ,alma1 at the hill ,amnihu4 ,the ,lamanites invade ,zarahemla1 are joined by the ,amlicites2 the united armies are defeated by ,alma1 on the west bank of the ,sidon4 ,another invading ,lamanite army is defeated on the east of the ,sidon1 and driven back to their own lands4 ,peace restored4 ,aaron and other missionaries imprisoned by the ,lamanites in ,middoni4 #hg #ead #e ,the ,nephites1 because of their afflictions1 are humbled2 many are baptized4 ,ammon and ,lamoni proceed to ,middoni1 to release ,aaron and his brethren2 they meet ,lamoni's father2 he attempts to slay ,ammon4 ,antiomno1 king of ,middoni1 releases the captives4 #hf #eae #f #cejj ,nephites baptized into the church4 ,great peace and prosperity among them4 ,lamoni's father1 king of all the ,lamanites1 baptized4 ,he issues a proclamation in favor of the ,nephite missionaries4 #he #eaf #g ,pride increasing in the ,nephite church causes envyings1 malice1 strife and persecutions4 #hd #eag #h ,alma1 on account of increasing iniquity1 resigns the chief-judgeship1 and nominates ,nephihah as his successor1 who is accepted by the voice of the people4 ,alma devotes himself entirely to the work of the ministry4 ,he sets in order the churches in ,zarahemla and ,gideon4 #hc #eah #i ,alma1 as presiding ,high ,priest1 visits and administers to the people in ,melek and ,ammonihah4 ,amulek visited by an angel2 he receives ,alma into his house4 ,they preach to the people of ,ammonihah2 are imprisoned and abused4 ,zeezrom1 the lawyer1 converted2 afterwards healed of a fever and baptized4 ,those who accept the gospel are cast out of ,ammonihah1 while others1 men1 women and children1 are martyred by fire4 ,alma and ,amulek delivered1 by the power of ,god1 from prison2 the prison is destroyed1 and with it their persecutors4 ,massacre of #ajje believing ,lamanites4 #hb #eai #aj ,the ,lamanites1 as foretold by ,alma1 destroy ,ammonihah1 with all its people1 but are afterwards disastrously defeated by ,zoram4 #ha #ebj #aa ,the church greatly increases during this and two following years4 #hj #eba #ab ,second massacre of the people of ,anti-,nephi-,lehi4 #gi #ebb #ac ,the people of ,anti-,nephi-,lehi arrive in the land of ,zarahemla4 #gh #ebc #ad ,the people of ,anti-,nephi-,lehi established in the land of ,jershon4 ,the ,lamanites pursue the ,ammonites2 are defeated by the ,nephites with great slaughter4 #gg #ebd #ae ,korihor1 the anti-,christ1 struck dumb1 and afterwards killed in a city of the ,zoramites4 ,alma and others proceed to ,antionum and minister among the ,zoramite dissenters2 the majority reject their words1 and afterwards cast out their believing brethren4 ,the latter flee to the land of ,jershon1 while the unrepentant ally themselves with the ,lamanites and prepare for war4 #ge #ebf #ag ,the ,ammonites remove to ,melek4 ,the ,zoramites become ,lamanites2 the united armies occupy ,antionum and attempt to invade ,manti4 ,they are defeated by ,moroni and ,lehi near the hill ,riplah4 ,the ,lamanites make a covenant of peace and return to their own lands4 ,the record of ,alma closes4 #gd #ebg #ah ,alma transfers the records to his son ,helaman2 leaves ,zarahemla1 as if to go to ,melek1 and is never heard of more4 ,dissensions arise in the church2 the dissenters endeavor to make ,amalickiah king4 ,moroni rears the ,title of ,liberty1 the people rally thereto1 and ,amalickiah retreats into the wilderness2 the greater portion of his followers are slain2 he escapes to the ,lamanites1 rises in power1 poisons ,general ,lehonti1 kills the king1 marries the queen1 and is proclaimed king4 ,moroni fortifies the ,nephite cities4 ,the ,lamanites invade ,ammonihah and ,noah2 are repulsed with great loss and return home to their own lands4 #gc #ebh #ai ,moroni commences his line of defense along the southern line of the ,nephite possessions4 ,the ,lamanites driven out of the east wilderness4 ,the foundations laid of ,moroni1 ,lehi1 ,nephihah1 and other cities4 #gb #ebi #bj ,never was a happier time among the people of ,nephi4 #ga #ecj #ba ,contention between the people of the cities of ,morianton and ,lehi4 ,the former flee northward2 their flight arrested by ,teancum1 who defeats and slays their leader4 ,the difficulty is settled1 and both people return to their own possessions4 ,nephihah1 the second chief judge1 dies2 his son1 ,pahoran1 succeeds him4 #fh #ecc #bd ,great contentions between the king men and free men4 ,the people decide in favor of the continuance of the republic1 upon which the monarchists revolt2 they refuse to take up arms against the invading ,lamanites1 but are defeated by ,moroni1 #djjj slain1 and the rest cast into prison4 ,amalickiah captures the ,nephite cities of ,moroni1 ,nephihah1 ,lehi1 ,gid1 ,morianton1 ,omner1 ,mulek1 etc41 on the ,atlantic coast4 ,he is defeated by ,teancum4 ,teancum enters the ,lamanite camp at night and slays ,amalickiah4 #fg #ecd #be ,the ,lamanites retreat into ,mulek4 ,ammaron1 brother of ,amalickiah succeeds him as their king1 and takes command of their armies on the ,pacific ,coast4 ,moroni visits the ,nephite forces in the south-west4 ,teancum fortifies the land ,bountiful and the ,isthmus of ,panama4 ,the ,ammonites desire to assist in the war1 but because of their oath are not permitted2 but #bjjj of their sons1 under ,helaman1 join the ,nephite armies in the south-west1 where they find that the ,lamanites have captured the cities of ,manti1 ,zeezrom1 ,cumeni and ,antiparah4 #ff #ece #bf ,moroni re-enforces ,teancum in ,bountiful4 ,the ,nephite forces in the south-west finish fortifying the city of ,judea4 ,tremendous battle in the wilderness north of ,judea2 the ,lamanites defeated1 but ,antipus1 the ,nephite commander1 is slain4 #fe #ecf #bg ,mulek recaptured by ,moroni1 ,lehi and ,teancum4 ,jacob1 the ,lamanite general1 killed4 ,lehi placed in command at ,mulek4 ,the ,lamanite prisoners compelled to dig a ditch around and fortify the city ,bountiful4 ,the city of ,antiparah vacated by the ,lamanites and re-occupied by the ,nephites4 #fd #ecg #bh ,pachus revolts and endeavors to establish a monarchy4 ,moroni recaptures ,gid1 and releases large numbers of ,nephite prisoners4 ,six thousand men1 from ,zarahemla1 join the ,nephite armies in the south-west4 ,the ,lamanites surrender ,cumeni4 ,the ,nephites drive the ,lamanites eastward to the land of ,manti4 ,they are afterwards driven out of that region by ,helaman4 ,helaman writes an epistle to ,moroni1 complaining of want of reinforcements4 #fc #ech #bi ,pachus drives the chief judge out of ,zarahemla2 he seeks safety in ,gideon4 ,pachus opens a treasonable correspondence with the ,lamanites4 ,moroni1 having received ,helaman's epistle1 writes twice to ,pahoran2 on receiving the latter's reply1 he gathers up troops and goes to his aid4 ,the united forces of ,moroni and ,pahoran defeat ,pachus1 who is slain1 and the rebellion is put down4 ,the ,lamanite troops1 driven out of the south-west1 capture the city of ,nephihah4 #fb #eci #cj ,provisions and #fjjj men sent to the relief of ,helaman2 the same to the commanders in the east4 ,a battle fought on the road between ,zarahemla and ,nephihah4 #djjj ,lamanite prisoners make a covenant of peace1 and are sent to join the ,ammonites4 ,nephihah surprised and captured by ,moroni4 ,lehi and several other cities on the ,atlantic coast recaptured by the ,nephites4 ,teancum slays ,ammoron in the city of ,moroni1 and is himself slain by ,ammoron's servants4 ,the city is captured by the ,nephites1 and the ,lamanites are driven to their own lands4 #fa #edj #ca ,moroni fortifies the southern border of the ,nephites1 and transfers the command of his forces to his son ,moronihah4 ,helaman and his fellow-laborers re-establish the church2 great humility of its members4 #fj #eda #cb ,the ,nephites begin to recover from the demoralization and disorganization incident to the protracted war4 #ei #edb #cc ,helaman dies4 ,shiblon takes charge of the sacred plates4 #eg #edd #ce ,moroni dies1 aged #dc4 #ef #ede #cf ,five thousand four hundred ,nephites1 with their families1 leave ,zarahemla to colonize the north country4 ,hagoth establishes ship-building yards on the pacific side of the ,isthmus4 #ee #edf #cg ,large migration northward4 ,two of ,hagoth's ships never again seen after leaving port4 #ed #eeg #ch ,shiblon dies2 the sacred records1 etc41 transferred to ,helaman1 the younger4 ,some ,nephites dissent and go over to the ,lamanites2 the latter invade ,zarahemla1 but are driven out by ,moronihah4 ,pahoran dies4 ,the ,book of ,alma closes4 #ec #edh #ci ,the ,book of ,helaman opens4 ,tubaloth king of the ,lamanites4 ,three of ,pahoran's sons contend for the judgment seat4 ,the people choose ,pahoran1 the younger4 ,his brother ,paanchi rebels1 for which he is condemned and executed4 ,one of his adherents1 ,kishkumen1 assassinates ,pahoran4 ,pacumeni chosen chief judge4 ,the ,gadianton bands organized4 #eb #edi #dj ,the ,lamanites1 under ,coriantumr1 invade ,zarahemla1 capture the city1 slay ,pacumeni1 and advance northward4 ,later the ,nephites1 under ,moronihah and ,lehi1 destroy the invading army4 ,coriantumr slain4 #ea #eej #da ,helaman elected chief judge2 ,kishkumen attempts to assassinate him1 but is himself slain4 ,gadianton and his band flee into the wilderness4 #ej #eea #db ,much contention among the ,nephites4 ,many emigrate north1 as far as the great lakes4 #df #eee #df ,great contentions4 ,helaman fills the judgment seat with justice and equity4 #de #eef #dg ,the contentions measurably cease2 the church is greatly prospered2 tens of thousands baptized4 ,the ,gadianton robbers secretly increase in the more thickly settled portions of the land4 #dc #eeh #di ,pride increases3 the more humble members of the church persecuted4 #da #efj #ea ,helaman dies2 his son ,nephi chosen chief judge4 #ci #efb #ec ,contentions and bloodshed among the ,nephites2 the rebellious affiliate with the ,lamanites4 #ch #efc #ed ,more dissenters go over to the ,lamanites1 who are all the year preparing for war4 #cf #efe #ef ,the ,lamanites invade ,zarahemla2 the ,nephites1 owing to their dissensions and wickedness1 are everywhere driven before them4 #ce #eff #eg ,the ,lamanites overrun all the ,nephite possessions as far as ,bountiful4 ,the ,nephites fortify the ,isthmus4 #cd #efg #eh ,the ,lamanites obtain possession of all ,south ,america4 #cc #efh #ei ,moronihah reconquers the most northern portions of ,south ,america4 #cb #efi #fj ,the ,nephites regain about half their possessions1 ,zarahemla remaining in the hands of the ,lamanites4 ,under the preaching of ,nephi1 and others1 the ,nephites commence to repent4 #ca #egj #fa ,no more ,nephite successes on account of their lack of faith4 ,nephi delivers up the judgment seat to ,cezoram4 ,nephi and ,lehi1 having preached to the ,nephites1 go over to the ,lamanites in ,zarahemla2 #hjjj of that people are baptized4 ,they then proceed to the land of ,nephi1 where they are imprisoned1 but delivered by marvelous manifestations from heaven4 ,the voice of the ,lord is heard by those assembled at the prison1 and they are surrounded by fire4 ,the greater part of the ,lamanites are converted and they surrender all the lands they had taken from the ,nephites4 #cj #ega #fb ,the ,lamanites exceed the ,nephites in righteousness2 their missionaries preach in ,zarahemla and the land northward2 ,nephi and ,lehi also go north4 ,universal peace prevails throughout the continent1 and ,nephites and ,lamanites travel1 unrestrictedly in all parts4 #bi #egb #fc ,an era of great prosperity4 ,much preaching and prophecy by the servants of ,god4 #bg #egd #fe ,chief ,judge ,cezoram slain by a ,gadianton robber2 his son and successor suffers the same fate4 #bf #ege #ff ,the ,nephites again growing exceedingly wicked1 the greater part unite with the ,gadianton robbers2 they also build up to themselves idols of gold and silver4 #be #egf #fg ,the ,lamanites grow in righteousness1 while the ,nephites increase in iniquity4 ,the ,gadianton bands are utterly destroyed from among the ,lamanites1 but are so greatly encouraged by the ,nephites that they obtain sole management of the government4 #bd #egg #fh ,chief ,judge ,seezoram assassinated by his brother1 ,seantum4 ,nephi1 rejected in the north1 returns to ,zarahemla2 he notifies the people of the murder of ,seezoram1 is arrested as an accessory1 but afterwards released4 ,the ,lord makes a covenant with him1 and directs him to continue his ministrations4 #bc #egh #fi ,nephi1 preserved by the miraculous power of ,god1 preaches from land to land4 #bb #egi #gj ,division1 even to bloodshed1 prevails among the ,nephites4 #ba #ehj #ga ,contentions and wars throughout all the land4 #bj #eha #gb ,the internal wars1 originating with the ,gadianton robbers1 still continue4 ,to stay the bloodshed1 ,nephi prays for a famine2 his prayer is answered4 #ai #ehb #gc ,the famine continues and spreads4 #ah #ehc #gd ,the whole land1 both among the ,nephites and ,lamanites1 smitten with the famine3 thousands die of hunger and pestilence4 ,the people1 in their extremity repent2 they exterminate the ,gadianton bands4 #ag #ehd #ge ,the ,lord sends rain2 and the earth brings forth abundantly4 ,nephi is reverenced as a servant of ,god by all the people4 #af #ehe #gf ,the people rapidly increase2 the major part of both peoples belong to the church4 #ae #ehf #gg ,slight contentions on doctrinal questions4 #ad #ehg #gh ,the controversies increase2 ,nephi and ,lehi receive many revelations and put an end to the disputes4 #ac #ehh #gi ,dissenters search out the ancient abominations1 re-establish the ,gadianton bands and commence war4 #ab #ehi #hj ,the robbers grow strong2 defy the armies of the ,nephites and ,lamanites2 commit depredations and carry off many prisoners4 ,great loss of life on both sides4 #aa #eij #ha ,the ,nephites again begin to forget the ,lord4 ,the ,lamanites remain faithful4 #aj #eia #hb ,the people wax strong in iniquity4 #i #eib #hc ,the people do not mend their ways4 #h #eic #hd ,the people grow in wickedness and ripen for destruction4 #g #eid #he ,samuel1 the ,lamanite1 prophecies on the walls of ,zarahemla2 some attempt to kill him1 others believe4 ,the latter seek ,nephi and are baptized4 ,samuel escapes to his own land4 ,nephi performs many miracles4 #f #eie #hf ,the greater portion of the people remain in their pride and wickedness1 the lesser portion walking more circumspectly before ,god4 #e #eif #hg ,the people grow more hardened4 #c #eih #hi ,the words of the prophets begin to be fulfilled2 signs and wonders appear1 betokening the coming of the ,savior2 angels are seen by many2 yet the people still harden their hearts4 ,the ,book of ,helaman closes4 #b #eii #ij ,the ,third ,book of ,nephi opens4 ,nephi departs out of the land1 and is never again seen4 ,lachoneus1 chief judge and governor4 #a #fjj #ia ,a4,c4 ,the promised signs of the ,redeemer's birth appear1 to the joy of believers4 ,the two days and one night of constant light2 a new star appears4 ,the majority of the people join the church4 ,the ,nephites reckon their time from the ,messiah's advent4 #a #fja #ib ,the ,gadianton robbers commit many murders2 the people not strong enough to overpower them4 #b #fjb ,dissensions increase1 owing to many joining the robber bands1 especially among the young4 #c #fjc ,wickedness and unbelief greatly increase4 #d #fjd ,evil continues to gain strength to this time4 ,gadianton bands grow so numerous that both ,nephites and ,lamanites take up arms against them4 #ac #fac ,the robbers driven into their secret fastnesses in the mountains and the wilderness4 #ad #fad ,owing to dissensions1 the robbers gain many advantages4 #ae #fae ,giddianhi1 the robber chief1 writes an epistle to ,lachoneus1 calling upon the ,nephites to surrender4 ,gidgiddoni chosen commander of the ,nephite forces4 ,lachoneus decides to gather all the ,nephites from both continents into the lands of ,zarahemla and ,bountiful1 and fortify against the attacks of the robbers4 #af #faf ,the people1 with all their movable substance and seven years' provisions1 gather at the appointed place4 #ag #fag ,in the latter part of the year the robbers leave their hiding places and occupy the lands deserted by the people4 #ah #fah ,the robbers1 under ,giddianhi1 attack the ,nephites4 ,the slaughter more terrible than in any previous battle among the children of ,lehi2 ,giddianhi is slain1 the robbers are defeated and pursued to the wilderness4 #ai #fai ,the robbers do not venture to again attack the ,nephites4 ,zemnarihah made chief of the robber bands4 #bj #fbj ,the robbers surround and ineffectually besiege the ,nephites1 who make many sorties and slay tens of thousands of them2 the robbers attempt to concentrate in the north but are cut off1 their armies destroyed1 and thousands taken prisoners2 among whom is ,zemnarihah1 who is afterwards hanged4 ,the ,nephites greatly rejoice in their marvelous deliverance4 #ba #fba ,all the ,nephites believe the words of the prophets2 righteousness prevails4 ,they preach to their prisoners2 all who make a covenant to murder no more are released1 those who refuse are punished according to the law4 #bb #fbb ,the ,nephites all return to their own lands on both continents4 #bf #fbf ,the laws revised according to justice and equity2 great order throughout the land4 #bg #fbg ,many new cities built and old ones repaired2 numerous other improvements made4 #bh #fbh ,disputings and contentions re-commence2 pride and other evils increase4 #bi #fbi ,lachoneus1 the younger1 governor4 ,the church broken up1 except among a few ,lamanites4 ,many prophets testify and are persecuted2 some are executed contrary to law4 ,the officers committing these crimes1 on being called to account1 rebel and seek to establish a monarchy1 with ,jacob as king4 ,the chief judge is slain1 and the ancient iniquitous combination re-introduced4 ,the ,nephite ,republic is broken up1 and the people divided into numerous tribes4 ,jacob leads his band into the northernmost part of the land4 #cj #fcj ,the various tribes more fully regulated4 ,nephi performs many miracles2 among others1 raises his brother ,timothy from the dead4 ,but few are converted4 #ca #fca ,nephi continues his preaching and ministry2 a few accept his message4 #cb #fcb ,many join the church4 #cc #fcc ,on the fourth day of the new year the signs of ,christ's crucifixion commence4 ,an unparalleled storm rages for three hours1 convulsing the land and destroying many cities4 ,it is followed by three days' darkness4 ,the voice of the ,lord is heard proclaiming the destruction that had happened4 ,jesus appears to the people in the land ,bountiful4 ,he preaches his gospel1 performs many mighty works1 and chooses twelve disciples4 ,nephi1 the son of ,nephi1 takes the records4 #cd #fcd ,all the people are converted1 and the church becomes universal4 ,the believers have all things in common4 #cf #fcf ,the disciples of ,jesus work many wonderful miracles4 #cg #fcg ,the people again becoming numerous4 ,zarahemla and other cities rebuilt4 #ei #fei ,all the original twelve disciples1 except the three who were to tarry1 have died by this date4 #ajj #gjj ,the first generation in ,christ have passed away4 ,nephi dies1 and his son ,amos takes charge of the records4 #aaj #gaj ,amos dies4 ,in his days a few apostatize and become ,lamanites4 ,his son ,amos takes charge of the records4 #aid #gid ,all the second generation have passed away1 except a few4 #bjj #hjj ,pride appears in the church2 its members have their goods no more in common1 and sects arise4 #bja #hja ,many churches established opposed to the true church4 #baj #haj ,the wicked increase2 the disciples and saints persecuted4 ,the three ,nephites perform many miracles1 from the last date to #bcj #hcj ,the people divided into ,nephites and ,lamanites4 #bca #hca ,the more wicked portion of the people have grown much the stronger4 #bdd #hdd ,the wicked build up many expensive churches to their false faiths4 #bej #hej ,the members of the true church1 or ,nephites1 begin to grow proud and sinful4 ,the ,gadianton iniquities are again developed4 #bfj #hfj ,both ,nephites and ,lamanites have grown very wicked2 none are righteous except the three disciples4 ,the ,gadianton robbers have spread over all the land4 #cjj #ijj ,amos transfers the records to his brother ,ammaron1 and dies4 #cjf #ijf ,mormon born4 #caa #iaa ,ammaron hides up the records in the hill ,shim4 #cba #iba ,mormon1 the father of ,mormon1 takes his son to ,zarahemla4 ,war commences between the ,nephites and ,lamanites2 a number of battles fought in which the ,nephites prevail4 ,mormon's record opens4 #cbb #ibb ,the three ,nephites cease to minister among the people1 because of their iniquities4 ,things hidden in the earth become slippery4 ,mormon endeavors to preach1 but his mouth is shut4 ,war recommences1 and ,mormon is chosen general of the ,nephites4 #cbf #ibf ,the ,nephites retreat before the ,lamanites to the north countries4 ,the ,lamanites capture ,angola4 #cbg #ibg ,the ,lamanites drive the ,nephites out of the land of ,david into the land of ,joshua4 #cbh #ibh ,revolution and carnage throughout all the land4 ,the ,nephite warriors gather for battle into one place4 #cbi #ibi ,the ,lamanite king1 ,aaron1 defeated by ,mormon4 #ccj #icj ,great sorrow among the ,nephites1 because of their pitiable condition4 #cca #ica ,mormon obtains the plates1 as ,ammaron directed4 #cce #ice ,wars1 with much slaughter1 until #cdd #idd ,the ,lamanites drive the ,nephites to the land of ,jashon1 thence northward to the land of ,shem4 ,the ,nephites fortify the city of ,shem4 #cde #ide ,mormon1 with #cj1jjj ,nephites1 defeats #ej1jjj ,lamanites in the land of ,shem2 he pursues and again defeats the enemy4 #cdf #idf ,the ,nephites regain the lands of their inheritance by the end of the year #cdi #idi ,the ,nephites as one party1 and the ,lamanites and ,gadiantons as the other1 make a treaty1 by which the ,nephites possess the country north of the ,isthmus1 and the ,lamanites that south of it4 ,ten years' peace follows4 #cej #iej ,by the command of the ,lord1 ,mormon preaches repentance1 but the ,nephites harden their hearts1 during the ten years ending #cfj #ifj ,the ,lamanite king declares war2 the ,nephites gather at the land ,desolation4 #cfj #ifj ,the ,lamanites march to ,desolation1 are defeated and return home4 #cfa #ifa ,the ,lamanites make another invasion and are defeated4 ,mormon refuses to lead the ,nephites any longer4 #cfb #ifb ,the ,nephites invade ,south ,america1 and are driven back4 ,the ,lamanites capture the city of ,desolation4 #cfc #ifc ,the ,lamanites besiege ,teancum1 are repulsed1 and the ,nephites recapture ,desolation4 #cfd #ifd ,the ,lamanites re-commence war2 they capture the cities of ,desolation and ,teancum1 but are afterwards driven entirely out of the lands of the ,nephites4 #cfg #ifg ,the ,lamanites again commence war4 ,a fierce battle is fought in the land ,desolation4 ,the ,lamanites capture ,desolation1 ,boaz and other cities4 ,mormon takes up all the records from the hill ,shim4 #cge #ige ,mormon resumes command of the ,nephites1 the ,lamanites twice attack the city of ,jordon1 and are repulsed4 ,they burn many ,nephite towns4 #cgi #igi ,the ,nephites disastrously routed4 #chj #ihj ,mormon writes to the ,lamanite king1 asking to be allowed to gather all his people to the hill ,cumorah1 and there give battle4 ,his request is granted4 #chb #ihb ,at the end of this year all the ,nephites are gathered at the hill ,cumorah4 #chd #ihd ,mormon hides all the records in ,cumorah1 save the abridged ones1 which he gives to ,moroni4 ,the final battle1 in which all but twenty-four ,nephites are killed1 and a few who escape to the south4 ,mormon closes his record4 #che #ihe ,moroni records the death of his father and the extinction of his people1 also the ,lamanites are at war with each other all over the land4 #djj #ajjj ,moroni closes his record4 #dba #ajba ,,appendix4 ,,the ,,coming ,,forth ,,of ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,mormon ,,in ,,the ,,latter ,,days4 ,in the course of nature1 ,moroni died1 and in the ,lord's due time he was resurrected4#cf ,the sacred records1 with the other holy things that he had buried in ,cumorah1 still remained in his care4 ,on him the duty fell to watch that no unsanctified hands disturbed their rest4 ,when the time set in the councils of heaven for their translation came1 he delivered them to the instrument chosen by the ,holy ,ones on high4 ,he1 having accomplished his work1 returned them to ,moroni1 who still keeps ward and watch over these treasures4 ,but was there any fear that the records would be disturbed by unholy hands8 ,we believe there was4 ,it must not be forgotten that the ,lamanites of the days of ,moroni were not the benighted savages of earlier centuries4 ,they were not the pure blood of ,laman and his associates4 ,they were dissenters from the ,nephites1 apostates from the true church2 and they were as well acquainted with the fact that the records existed as the prophet himself4 ,in the days of ,mormon he removed the plates from the hill ,shim1 for the very reason that he feared the ,lamanites would get hold of and destroy them4 ,there were the same reasons for fear should they discover their resting place in ,cumorah4 ,the tradition of the existence of these records remained for long ages with the ,lamanites2 undoubtedly growing fainter and fainter and more confused as the centuries rolled by1 but still not entirely extinguished4 ,indeed the remembrance is not utterly obliterated in the minds of some of ,lehi's children to this very day4 ,so strong was this recollection in earlier days1 that we are told of a time when a council of wise men1 with royal consent1 made an attempt to rewrite them4 ,how successful they were we have no means of telling2 but this we know1 that when the ,spaniards conquered ,mexico the land was full of sacred books4 ,these so much resembled the ,bible of the ,christians that the ,catholic priests came to the conclusion that it was a trick of the devil to imitate the holy scriptures1 and in this way lead the souls of the ,indians to perdition4 ,in their bigoted zeal they burned every copy of these books or charts that they could find1 and inflicted abominably cruel punishments upon those who were found concealing them4 ,in this way almost every copy of these valuable works were destroyed4 ,though the original records were hidden by the power of ,god1 it is quite possible that many copies of the scriptures remained in the hands of the ,lamanites when the ,nephites were destroyed4 ,in the ,book of ,mormon frequent reference is made to the abundance of these copies4 ,no doubt in the last desolating wars between the ,nephites and ,lamanites but little care was taken of these scriptures4 ,both peoples had sunken deep in iniquity2 they cared nothing for the word of ,god1 and probably1 as we may infer from ,mormon's apprehensions1 the ,lamanites destroyed all the copies of the holy books that they found4 ,still1 it is not improbable that some few of these works remained untouched2 and when the ,lamanites had gotten over their first overwhelming bitterness and aversion to everything ,nephite1 and again began to grow in civilization1 they would search for these records1 if for nothing else than as valued curiosities2 though we think they sometimes prized them much more highly4 ,the plates having been guarded by the power of ,god1 were translated by the same power4 ,no book was ever translated more accurately2 none1 by human wisdom1 as faultlessly as the ,book of ,mormon4#cg ,joseph ,smith1 the youth whom ,god honored by making him the instrument in ,his hands of restoring these precious records to the knowledge of mankind1 was born in the town of ,sharon1 ,windsor ,county1 ,vermont1 on the #bcrd of ,december1 #ahje4 ,when about ten years of age his parents1 with their family1 moved to ,palmyra1 in the ,state of ,new ,york1 in the vicinity of which place he lived for about eleven years2 the latter portion of the time in a village called ,manchester4 ,joseph helped his father on the farm1 hired out at day-work1 and passed his years very much after the manner common to young men in the rural districts4 ,his advantages for obtaining anything beyond the rudiments of education were exceedingly small3 he could read without much difficulty1 write an imperfect hand1 and had but a very limited understanding of arithmetic4 ,the circumstances attending ,joseph's first vision in the early spring of #ahbj1 when he saw the ,father and the ,son1 have been so often published1 and must necessarily be so familiar to our readers1 that with this bare reference to the fact we will pass them by4 ,it is sufficient for the purpose of our present research to know that this marvelously important event did happen4 ,then and there the corner stone was laid of the vast fabric to ,god's glory of which ,joseph was the master builder1 when mortal beings alone are considered4 ,on the evening of the #bast of ,september1 #ahbc1 he retired to his bed in a serious and contemplative state of mind4 ,he shortly betook himself to prayer to the ,almighty for a manifestation of his standing before ,him1 and endeavored to exercise faith in the precious promises of scripture4 ,we will continue in his own words2 he says3 ,on a sudden a light like that of day1 only of a far purer and more glorious appearance and brightness1 burst into the room1 indeed the first sight was as though the house was filled with consuming fire2 the appearance produced a shock that affected the whole body2 in a moment a personage stood before me surrounded with a glory yet greater than that with which ,i was already surrounded4 ,this messenger proclaimed himself to be an angel of ,god1#ch sent to bring the joyful tidings1 that the covenant which ,god made with ancient ,israel was at hand to be fulfilled1 that the preparatory work for the second coming of the ,messiah was speedily to commence2 that the time was at hand for the ,gospel1 in all its fullness1 to be preached in power unto all nations1 that a people might be prepared for the millennial reign4 ,i was informed that ,i was chosen to be an instrument in the hands of ,god to bring about some of ,his purposes in this glorious dispensation4 ,i was also informed concerning the aboriginal inhabitants of this country1 and shown who they were1 and from whence they came2 a brief sketch of their origin1 progress1 civilization1 laws1 governments1 of their righteousness and iniquity1 and the blessings of ,god being finally withdrawn from them as a people1 was made known unto me4 ,i was also told where there were deposited some plates1 on which were engraved an abridgment of the records of the ancient prophets that had existed on this continent4 ,the angel appeared to me three times the same night and unfolded the same things4 ,the next day after this glorious appearing ,joseph went to the place which the angel had designated4 ,there he found the plates and the other holy things4 ,but he was not permitted by the angel to remove them4 ,they must remain in the stone box in which ,moroni had placed them until the time determined1 by the heavens1 for their removal had arrived4 ,but he was instructed to visit the spot1 open the box1 and look at the records1 on precisely the same evening of each succeeding year until he had liberty given him to take them in his charge4 ,this ,joseph did2 and on each occasion the angel met him and gave him such instructions1 light1 and intelligence as the youthful seer needed4 ,at length the time arrived for obtaining the plates1 the ,urim and ,thummim1 and the breastplate4 ,on the twenty-second day of ,september1 #ahbg1 having gone as usual1 at the end of another year1 to the place where they were deposited1 the same heavenly messenger delivered them up to him with this charge1 that he should be responsible for them2 that if he should let them go carelessly or through any neglect of his1 he should be cut off2 but that if he would use all his endeavors to preserve them1 until he1 the messenger1 should call for them1 they should be protected4 ,the same night that ,joseph obtained the plates marvelous things appeared in the heavens4 ,it would seem as though all eternity was stirred by the greatness of the events that were about to take place4 ,the powers of light and of darkness were at war2 the hosts of heaven were marshaled2 ,satan's kingdom was tottering2 the time had arrived for the commencement of the preparatory work that would usher in the reign of ,christ as ,king over all the earth4 ,the late ,president ,heber ,c4 ,kimball relates that on that eventful night he saw a white smoke arise on the eastern horizon1 which formed itself1 with a noise like that of a mighty wind1 into a belt1 as it uprose2 eventually forming a bow across the heavens from the eastern to the western horizon4 ,he further says3 ,in this bow an army moved1 commencing from the east and marching to the west2 they continued marching until they reached the western horizon4 ,they moved in platoons1 and walked so close that the rear ranks trod in the steps of their file leaders1 until the whole bow was literally crowded with soldiers4 ,we could distinctly see the muskets1 bayonets and knapsacks of the men1 who wore caps and feathers like those used by the ,american soldiers in the last war with ,britain2 and also saw their officers with their swords and equipage1 and the clashing and jingling of their implements of war1 and could discover the forms and features of the men4 ,the most profound order existed throughout the entire army2 when the foremost man stepped1 every man stepped at the same time2 ,i could hear the steps4 ,when the front rank reached the western horizon a battle ensued1 as we could distinctly hear the report of arms and the rush4 ,thus with signs upon earth and wonders in the heavens was the record of the mighty dead of this continent brought forth again by the power and wisdom of ,god4 ,,footnotes3 #cf ,joseph ,smith's answer to the question1 ,how and where did you obtain the ,book of ,mormon8--,moroni1 who deposited the plates 7from whence the ,book of ,mormon was translated7 in a hill in ,manchester1 ,ontario ,county1 ,new ,york1 being dead and raised again therefrom1 appeared unto me1 and told me where they were1 and gave me directions how to obtain them4 ,i obtained them1 and the ,urim and ,thummim with them1 by the means of which ,i translated the plates1 and thus came the ,book of ,mormon4 #cg ,in council with the ,twelve ,apostles1 ,joseph ,smith said1 ,i told the brethren that the ,book of ,mormon was the most correct of any book on earth1 and the keystone of our religion1 and a man would get nearer to ,god by abiding by its precepts1 than by any other book4 #ch ,moroni4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,transcriber's ,note3 ,minor typographical errors have been corrected without note4 ,other errors are noted below4 ,i ,italicized words are surrounded by underline characters1 like this4 ,corrections in the spelling of names were made when those could be verified4 ,otherwise the variations were left as they were4 ,ambiguous hyphens at the ends of lines were retained4 ,word combinations that appeared with and without hyphens were changed to the predominant form if it could be determined1 or to the hyphenated form if it could not4 ,mid-paragraph illustrations have been moved between paragraphs and some illustrations have been moved closer to the text that references them4 ,the paginations in the ,list of ,illustrations have been adjusted accordingly4 indicates a caption added by the transcriber4 7,illustration3 ,journey of the ,forefathers74 ,footnotes were moved to the end of chapters and numbered in one continuous sequence4 ,correction3 ,cecoram changed to ,cezoram 7page #aah74 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------