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- THE BOOK OF MORMON
-
- An Account Written by
- THE HAND OF MORMON UPON PLATES TAKEN FROM THE PLATES OF NEPHI
-
- Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of
- Nephi, and also of the Lamanites--Written to the Lamanites, who
- are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and
- Gentile--Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of
- prophecy and of revelation--Written and sealed up, and hid up
- unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed--To come forth by
- the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof--Sealed
- by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in
- due time by way of the Gentile--The interpretation thereof by the
- gift of God.
-
- An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a
- record of the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the
- Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were
- building a tower to get to heaven--Which is to show unto the
- remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath
- done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of
- the Lord, that they are not cast off forever-- And also to the
- convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the
- ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations--And now, if
- there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn
- not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the
- judgment-seat of Christ.
-
- TRANSLATED BY JOSEPH SMITH, JUN.
-
-
- THE TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES
-
- Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto
- whom this work shall come: That we, through the grace of God the
- Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which
- contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi,
- and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people
- of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken. And
- we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power
- of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know
- of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we
- have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have
- been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we
- declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down
- from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we
- beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we
- know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord
- Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things
- are true. And it is marvelous in our eyes. Nevertheless, the
- voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it;
- wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear
- testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful
- in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and
- be found spotless before the judgment-seat of Christ, and shall
- dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the
- Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God.
- Amen.
-
- OLIVER COWDERY
- DAVID WHITMER
- MARTIN HARRIS
-
-
- THE TESTIMONY OF EIGHT WITNESSES
-
- Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto
- whom this work shall come: That Joseph Smith, Jun., the
- translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which
- hath been spoken, which have the appearance of gold; and as many
- of the leaves as the said Smith has translated we did handle with
- our hands; and we also saw the engravings thereon, all of which
- has the appearance of ancient work, and of curious workmanship.
- And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said
- Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of
- a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have
- spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto
- the world that which we have seen. And we lie not, God bearing
- witness of it.
-
- CHRISTIAN WHITMER
- JACOB WHITMER
- PETER WHITMER, JUN.
- JOHN WHITMER
- HIRAM PAGE
- JOSEPH SMITH, SEN.
- HYRUM SMITH
- SAMUEL H. SMITH
-
- 1 Nephi
- THE FIRST BOOK OF NEPHI
- HIS REIGN AND MINISTRY
- An account of Lehi and his wife Sariah and his four sons, being
- called, (beginning at the eldest) Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi.
- The Lord warns Lehi to depart out of the land of Jerusalem,
- because he prophesieth unto the people concerning their iniquity
- and they seek to destroy his life. He taketh three days' journey
- into the wilderness with his family. Nephi taketh his brethren
- and returneth to the land of Jerusalem after the record of the
- Jews. The account of their sufferings. They take the daughters of
- Ishmael to wife. They take their families and depart into the
- wilderness. Their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness.
- The course of their travels. They come to the large waters.
- Nephi's brethren rebel against him. He confoundeth them, and
- buildeth a ship. They call the name of the place Bountiful. They
- cross the large waters into the promised land, and so forth. This
- is according to the account of Nephi; or in other words, I,
- Nephi, wrote this record.
-
- 1 Nephi 1
- Chapter 1
-
- 1 Nephi 1:1
- 1 I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was
- taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen
- many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having
- been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a
- great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God,
- therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.
-
- 1 Nephi 1:2
- 2 Yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which
- consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the
- Egyptians.
-
- 1 Nephi 1:3
- 3 And I know that the record which I make is true; and I make it
- with mine own hand; and I make it according to my knowledge.
-
- 1 Nephi 1:4
- 4 For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of
- the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, (my father, Lehi, having
- dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days); and in that same year there
- came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must
- repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.
-
- 1 Nephi 1:5
- 5 Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went
- forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in
- behalf of his people.
-
- 1 Nephi 1:6
- 6 And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a
- pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and
- heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard he
- did quake and tremble exceedingly.
-
- 1 Nephi 1:7
- 7 And it came to pass that he returned to his own house at
- Jerusalem; and he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with
- the Spirit and the things which he had seen.
-
- 1 Nephi 1:8
- 8 And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away
- in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he
- saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless
- concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising
- their God.
-
- 1 Nephi 1:9
- 9 And it came to pass that he saw One descending out of the
- midst of heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of
- the sun at noon-day.
-
- 1 Nephi 1:10
- 10 And he also saw twelve others following him, and their
- brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament.
-
- 1 Nephi 1:11
- 11 And they came down and went forth upon the face of the earth;
- and the first came and stood before my father, and gave unto him
- a book, and bade him that he should read.
-
- 1 Nephi 1:12
- 12 And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the
- Spirit of the Lord.
-
- 1 Nephi 1:13
- 13 And he read, saying: Wo, wo, unto Jerusalem, for I have seen
- thine abominations! Yea, and many things did my father read
- concerning Jerusalem--that it should be destroyed, and the
- inhabitants thereof; many should perish by the sword, and many
- should be carried away captive into Babylon.
-
- 1 Nephi 1:14
- 14 And it came to pass that when my father had read and seen
- many great and marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto
- the Lord; such as: Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God
- Almighty! Thy throne is high in the heavens, and thy power, and
- goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth,
- and, because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who
- come unto thee that they shall perish!
-
- 1 Nephi 1:15
- 15 And after this manner was the language of my father in the
- praising of his God; for his soul did rejoice, and his whole
- heart was filled, because of the things which he had seen, yea,
- which the Lord had shown unto him.
-
- 1 Nephi 1:16
- 16 And now I, Nephi, do not make a full account of the things
- which my father hath written, for he hath written many things
- which he saw in visions and in dreams; and he also hath written
- many things which he prophesied and spake unto his children, of
- which I shall not make a full account.
-
- 1 Nephi 1:17
- 17 But I shall make an account of my proceedings in my days.
- Behold, I make an abridgment of the record of my father, upon
- plates which I have made with mine own hands; wherefore, after I
- have abridged the record of my father then will I make an account
- of mine own life.
-
- 1 Nephi 1:18
- 18 Therefore, I would that ye should know, that after the Lord
- had shown so many marvelous things unto my father, Lehi, yea,
- concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, behold he went forth
- among the people, and began to prophesy and to declare unto them
- concerning the things which he had both seen and heard.
-
- 1 Nephi 1:19
- 19 And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him because of the
- things which he testified of them; for he truly testified of
- their wickedness and their abominations; and he testified that
- the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he
- read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of the
- Messiah, and also the redemption of the world.
-
- 1 Nephi 1:20
- 20 And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with
- him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast
- out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that
- they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto
- you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom
- he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even
- unto the power of deliverance.
-
- 1 Nephi 2
- Chapter 2
-
- 1 Nephi 2:1
- 1 For behold, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto my
- father, yea, even in a dream, and said unto him: Blessed art thou
- Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done; and because
- thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things
- which I commanded thee, behold, they seek to take away thy life.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:2
- 2 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded my father, even in
- a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the
- wilderness.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:3
- 3 And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the
- Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:4
- 4 And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness. And
- he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold,
- and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with
- him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and
- departed into the wilderness.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:5
- 5 And he came down by the borders near the shore of the Red Sea;
- and he traveled in the wilderness in the borders which are nearer
- the Red Sea; and he did travel in the wilderness with his family,
- which consisted of my mother, Sariah, and my elder brothers, who
- were Laman, Lemuel, and Sam.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:6
- 6 And it came to pass that when he had traveled three days in
- the wilderness, he pitched his tent in a valley by the side of a
- river of water.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:7
- 7 And it came to pass that he built an altar of stones, and made
- an offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto the Lord our God.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:8
- 8 And it came to pass that he called the name of the river,
- Laman, and it emptied into the Red Sea; and the valley was in the
- borders near the mouth thereof.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:9
- 9 And when my father saw that the waters of the river emptied
- into the fountain of the Red Sea, he spake unto Laman, saying: O
- that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually running
- into the fountain of all righteousness!
-
- 1 Nephi 2:10
- 10 And he also spake unto Lemuel: O that thou mightest be like
- unto this valley, firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping
- the commandments of the Lord!
-
- 1 Nephi 2:11
- 11 Now this he spake because of the stiffneckedness of Laman and
- Lemuel; for behold they did murmur in many things against their
- father, because he was a visionary man, and had led them out of
- the land of Jerusalem, to leave the land of their inheritance,
- and their gold, and their silver, and their precious things, to
- perish in the wilderness. And this they said he had done because
- of the foolish imaginations of his heart.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:12
- 12 And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur
- against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not
- the dealings of that God who had created them.
- 1 Nephi 2:13
- 13 Neither did they believe that Jerusalem, that great city,
- could be destroyed according to the words of the prophets. And
- they were like unto the Jews who were at Jerusalem, who sought to
- take away the life of my father.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:14
- 14 And it came to pass that my father did speak unto them in the
- valley of Lemuel, with power, being filled with the Spirit, until
- their frames did shake before him. And he did confound them,
- that they durst not utter against him; wherefore, they did as he
- commanded them.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:15
- 15 And my father dwelt in a tent.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:16
- 16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young,
- nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great
- desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry
- unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my
- heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by
- my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my
- brothers.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:17
- 17 And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which
- the Lord had manifested unto me by his Holy Spirit. And it came
- to pass that he believed in my words.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:18
- 18 But, behold, Laman and Lemuel would not hearken unto my
- words; and being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts
- I cried unto the Lord for them.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:19
- 19 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying:
- Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast
- sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:20
- 20 And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall
- prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land
- which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above
- all other lands.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:21
- 21 And inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel against thee, they
- shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:22
- 22 And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt
- be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:23
- 23 For behold, in that day that they shall rebel against me, I
- will curse them even with a sore curse, and they shall have no
- power over thy seed except they shall rebel against me also.
-
- 1 Nephi 2:24
- 24 And if it so be that they rebel against me, they shall be a
- scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in the ways of
- remembrance.
-
- 1 Nephi 3
- Chapter 3
-
- 1 Nephi 3:1
- 1 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, returned from speaking with
- the Lord, to the tent of my father.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:2
- 2 And it came to pass that he spake unto me, saying: Behold I
- have dreamed a dream, in the which the Lord hath commanded me
- that thou and thy brethren shall return to Jerusalem.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:3
- 3 For behold, Laban hath the record of the Jews and also a
- genealogy of my forefathers, and they are engraven upon plates of
- brass.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:4
- 4 Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy
- brothers should go unto the house of Laban, and seek the records,
- and bring them down hither into the wilderness.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:5
- 5 And now, behold thy brothers murmur, saying it is a hard thing
- which I have required of them; but behold I have not required it
- of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:6
- 6 Therefore go, my son, and thou shalt be favored of the Lord,
- because thou hast not murmured.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:7
- 7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will
- go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know
- that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men,
- save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the
- thing which he commandeth them.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:8
- 8 And it came to pass that when my father had heard these words
- he was exceedingly glad, for he knew that I had been blessed of
- the Lord.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:9
- 9 And I, Nephi, and my brethren took our journey in the
- wilderness, with our tents, to go up to the land of Jerusalem.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:10
- 10 And it came to pass that when we had gone up to the land of
- Jerusalem, I and my brethren did consult one with another.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:11
- 11 And we cast lots--who of us should go in unto the house of
- Laban. And it came to pass that the lot fell upon Laman; and
- Laman went in unto the house of Laban, and he talked with him as
- he sat in his house.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:12
- 12 And he desired of Laban the records which were engraven upon
- the plates of brass, which contained the genealogy of my father.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:13
- 13 And behold, it came to pass that Laban was angry, and thrust
- him out from his presence; and he would not that he should have
- the records. Wherefore, he said unto him: Behold thou art a
- robber, and I will slay thee.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:14
- 14 But Laman fled out of his presence, and told the things which
- Laban had done, unto us. And we began to be exceedingly
- sorrowful, and my brethren were about to return unto my father in
- the wilderness.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:15
- 15 But behold I said unto them that: As the Lord liveth, and as
- we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness
- until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath
- commanded us.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:16
- 16 Wherefore, let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of
- the Lord; therefore let us go down to the land of our father's
- inheritance, for behold he left gold and silver, and all manner
- of riches. And all this he hath done because of the commandments
- of the Lord.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:17
- 17 For he knew that Jerusalem must be destroyed, because of the
- wickedness of the people.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:18
- 18 For behold, they have rejected the words of the prophets.
- Wherefore, if my father should dwell in the land after he hath
- been commanded to flee out of the land, behold, he would also
- perish. Wherefore, it must needs be that he flee out of the
- land.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:19
- 19 And behold, it is wisdom in God that we should obtain these
- records, that we may preserve unto our children the language of
- our fathers;
-
- 1 Nephi 3:20
- 20 And also that we may preserve unto them the words which have
- been spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets, which have
- been delivered unto them by the Spirit and power of God, since
- the world began, even down unto this present time.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:21
- 21 And it came to pass that after this manner of language did I
- persuade my brethren, that they might be faithful in keeping the
- commandments of God.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:22
- 22 And it came to pass that we went down to the land of our
- inheritance, and we did gather together our gold, and our silver,
- and our precious things.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:23
- 23 And after we had gathered these things together, we went up
- again unto the house of Laban.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:24
- 24 And it came to pass that we went in unto Laban, and desired
- him that he would give unto us the records which were engraven
- upon the plates of brass, for which we would give unto him our
- gold, and our silver, and all our precious things.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:25
- 25 And it came to pass that when Laban saw our property, and
- that it was exceedingly great, he did lust after it, insomuch
- that he thrust us out, and sent his servants to slay us, that he
- might obtain our property.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:26
- 26 And it came to pass that we did flee before the servants of
- Laban, and we were obliged to leave behind our property, and it
- fell into the hands of Laban.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:27
- 27 And it came to pass that we fled into the wilderness, and the
- servants of Laban did not overtake us, and we hid ourselves in
- the cavity of a rock.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:28
- 28 And it came to pass that Laman was angry with me, and also
- with my father; and also was Lemuel, for he hearkened unto the
- words of Laman. Wherefore Laman and Lemuel did speak many hard
- words unto us, their younger brothers, and they did smite us even
- with a rod.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:29
- 29 And it came to pass as they smote us with a rod, behold, an
- angel of the Lord came and stood before them, and he spake unto
- them, saying: Why do ye smite your younger brother with a rod?
- Know ye not that the Lord hath chosen him to be a ruler over you,
- and this because of your iniquities? Behold ye shall go up to
- Jerusalem again, and the Lord will deliver Laban into your hands.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:30
- 30 And after the angel had spoken unto us, he departed.
-
- 1 Nephi 3:31
- 31 And after the angel had departed, Laman and Lemuel again
- began to murmur, saying: How is it possible that the Lord will
- deliver Laban into our hands? Behold, he is a mighty man, and he
- can command fifty, yea, even he can slay fifty; then why not us?
-
- 1 Nephi 4
- Chapter 4
-
- 1 Nephi 4:1
- 1 And it came to pass that I spake unto my brethren, saying: Let
- us go up again unto Jerusalem, and let us be faithful in keeping
- the commandments of the Lord; for behold he is mightier than all
- the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty, yea,
- or even than his tens of thousands?
-
- 1 Nephi 4:2
- 2 Therefore let us go up; let us be strong like unto Moses; for
- he truly spake unto the waters of the Red Sea and they divided
- hither and thither, and our fathers came through, out of
- captivity, on dry ground, and the armies of Pharaoh did follow
- and were drowned in the waters of the Red Sea.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:3
- 3 Now behold ye know that this is true; and ye also know that an
- angel hath spoken unto you; wherefore can ye doubt? Let us go
- up; the Lord is able to deliver us, even as our fathers, and to
- destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:4
- 4 Now when I had spoken these words, they were yet wroth, and
- did still continue to murmur; nevertheless they did follow me up
- until we came without the walls of Jerusalem.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:5
- 5 And it was by night; and I caused that they should hide
- themselves without the walls. And after they had hid themselves,
- I, Nephi, crept into the city and went forth towards the house of
- Laban.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:6
- 6 And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things
- which I should do.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:7
- 7 Nevertheless I went forth, and as I came near unto the house
- of Laban I beheld a man, and he had fallen to the earth before
- me, for he was drunken with wine.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:8
- 8 And when I came to him I found that it was Laban.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:9
- 9 And I beheld his sword, and I drew it forth from the sheath
- thereof; and the hilt thereof was of pure gold, and the
- workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine, and I saw that the
- blade thereof was of the most precious steel.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:10
- 10 And it came to pass that I was constrained by the Spirit that
- I should kill Laban; but I said in my heart: Never at any time
- have I shed the blood of man. And I shrunk and would that I
- might not slay him.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:11
- 11 And the Spirit said unto me again: Behold the Lord hath
- delivered him into thy hands. Yea, and I also knew that he had
- sought to take away mine own life; yea, and he would not hearken
- unto the commandments of the Lord; and he also had taken away our
- property.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:12
- 12 And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me again: Slay
- him, for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands;
-
- 1 Nephi 4:13
- 13 Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his
- righteous purposes. It is better that one man should perish than
- that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:14
- 14 And now, when I, Nephi, had heard these words, I remembered
- the words of the Lord which he spake unto me in the wilderness,
- saying that: Inasmuch as thy seed shall keep my commandments,
- they shall prosper in the land of promise.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:15
- 15 Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the
- commandments of the Lord according to the law of Moses, save they
- should have the law.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:16
- 16 And I also knew that the law was engraven upon the plates of
- brass.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:17
- 17 And again, I knew that the Lord had delivered Laban into my
- hands for this cause--that I might obtain the records according
- to his commandments.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:18
- 18 Therefore I did obey the voice of the Spirit, and took Laban
- by the hair of the head, and I smote off his head with his own
- sword.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:19
- 19 And after I had smitten off his head with his own sword, I
- took the garments of Laban and put them upon mine own body; yea,
- even every whit; and I did gird on his armor about my loins.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:20
- 20 And after I had done this, I went forth unto the treasury of
- Laban. And as I went forth towards the treasury of Laban,
- behold, I saw the servant of Laban who had the keys of the
- treasury. And I commanded him in the voice of Laban, that he
- should go with me into the treasury.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:21
- 21 And he supposed me to be his master, Laban, for he beheld the
- garments and also the sword girded about my loins.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:22
- 22 And he spake unto me concerning the elders of the Jews, he
- knowing that his master, Laban, had been out by night among them.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:23
- 23 And I spake unto him as if it had been Laban.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:24
- 24 And I also spake unto him that I should carry the engravings,
- which were upon the plates of brass, to my elder brethren, who
- were without the walls.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:25
- 25 And I also bade him that he should follow me.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:26
- 26 And he, supposing that I spake of the brethren of the church,
- and that I was truly that Laban whom I had slain, wherefore he
- did follow me.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:27
- 27 And he spake unto me many times concerning the elders of the
- Jews, as I went forth unto my brethren, who were without the
- walls.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:28
- 28 And it came to pass that when Laman saw me he was exceedingly
- frightened, and also Lemuel and Sam. And they fled from before
- my presence; for they supposed it was Laban, and that he had
- slain me and had sought to take away their lives also.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:29
- 29 And it came to pass that I called after them, and they did
- hear me; wherefore they did cease to flee from my presence.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:30
- 30 And it came to pass that when the servant of Laban beheld my
- brethren he began to tremble, and was about to flee from before
- me and return to the city of Jerusalem.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:31
- 31 And now I, Nephi, being a man large in stature, and also
- having received much strength of the Lord, therefore I did seize
- upon the servant of Laban, and held him, that he should not flee.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:32
- 32 And it came to pass that I spake with him, that if he would
- hearken unto my words, as the Lord liveth, and as I live, even so
- that if he would hearken unto our words, we would spare his life.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:33
- 33 And I spake unto him, even with an oath, that he need not
- fear; that he should be a free man like unto us if he would go
- down in the wilderness with us.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:34
- 34 And I also spake unto him, saying: Surely the Lord hath
- commanded us to do this thing; and shall we not be diligent in
- keeping the commandments of the Lord? Therefore, if thou wilt go
- down into the wilderness to my father thou shalt have place with
- us.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:35
- 35 And it came to pass that Zoram did take courage at the words
- which I spake. Now Zoram was the name of the servant; and he
- promised that he would go down into the wilderness unto our
- father. Yea, and he also made an oath unto us that he would
- tarry with us from that time forth.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:36
- 36 Now we were desirous that he should tarry with us for this
- cause, that the Jews might not know concerning our flight into
- the wilderness, lest they should pursue us and destroy us.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:37
- 37 And it came to pass that when Zoram had made an oath unto us,
- our fears did cease concerning him.
-
- 1 Nephi 4:38
- 38 And it came to pass that we took the plates of brass and the
- servant of Laban, and departed into the wilderness, and journeyed
- unto the tent of our father.
-
- 1 Nephi 5
- Chapter 5
-
- 1 Nephi 5:1
- 1 And it came to pass that after we had come down into the
- wilderness unto our father, behold, he was filled with joy, and
- also my mother, Sariah, was exceedingly glad, for she truly had
- mourned because of us.
-
- 1 Nephi 5:2
- 2 For she had supposed that we had perished in the wilderness;
- and she also had complained against my father, telling him that
- he was a visionary man; saying: Behold thou hast led us forth
- from the land of our inheritance, and my sons are no more, and we
- perish in the wilderness.
-
- 1 Nephi 5:3
- 3 And after this manner of language had my mother complained
- against my father.
-
- 1 Nephi 5:4
- 4 And it had come to pass that my father spake unto her, saying:
- I know that I am a visionary man; for if I had not seen the
- things of God in a vision I should not have known the goodness of
- God, but had tarried at Jerusalem, and had perished with my
- brethren.
-
- 1 Nephi 5:5
- 5 But behold, I have obtained a land of promise, in the which
- things I do rejoice; yea, and I know that the Lord will deliver
- my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again unto
- us in the wilderness.
-
- 1 Nephi 5:6
- 6 And after this manner of language did my father, Lehi, comfort
- my mother, Sariah, concerning us, while we journeyed in the
- wilderness up to the land of Jerusalem, to obtain the record of
- the Jews.
-
- 1 Nephi 5:7
- 7 And when we had returned to the tent of my father, behold
- their joy was full, and my mother was comforted.
-
- 1 Nephi 5:8
- 8 And she spake, saying: Now I know of a surety that the Lord
- hath commanded my husband to flee into the wilderness; yea, and I
- also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected my sons, and
- delivered them out of the hands of Laban, and given them power
- whereby they could accomplish the thing which the Lord hath
- commanded them. And after this manner of language did she speak.
-
- 1 Nephi 5:9
- 9 And it came to pass that they did rejoice exceedingly, and did
- offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord; and they gave
- thanks unto the God of Israel.
-
- 1 Nephi 5:10
- 10 And after they had given thanks unto the God of Israel, my
- father, Lehi, took the records which were engraven upon the
- plates of brass, and he did search them from the beginning.
-
- 1 Nephi 5:11
- 11 And he beheld that they did contain the five books of Moses,
- which gave an account of the creation of the world, and also of
- Adam and Eve, who were our first parents;
-
- 1 Nephi 5:12
- 12 And also a record of the Jews from the beginning, even down
- to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah;
-
- 1 Nephi 5:13
- 13 And also the prophecies of the holy prophets, from the
- beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of
- Zedekiah; and also many prophecies which have been spoken by the
- mouth of Jeremiah.
-
- 1 Nephi 5:14
- 14 And it came to pass that my father, Lehi, also found upon the
- plates of brass a genealogy of his fathers; wherefore he knew
- that he was a descendant of Joseph; yea, even that Joseph who was
- the son of Jacob, who was sold into Egypt, and who was preserved
- by the hand of the Lord, that he might preserve his father,
- Jacob, and all his household from perishing with famine.
-
- 1 Nephi 5:15
- 15 And they were also led out of captivity and out of the land
- of Egypt, by that same God who had preserved them.
-
- 1 Nephi 5:16
- 16 And thus my father, Lehi, did discover the genealogy of his
- fathers. And Laban also was a descendant of Joseph, wherefore he
- and his fathers had kept the records.
-
- 1 Nephi 5:17
- 17 And now when my father saw all these things, he was filled
- with the Spirit, and began to prophesy concerning his seed--
-
- 1 Nephi 5:18
- 18 That these plates of brass should go forth unto all nations,
- kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed.
-
- 1 Nephi 5:19
- 19 Wherefore, he said that these plates of brass should never
- perish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time. And he
- prophesied many things concerning his seed.
-
- 1 Nephi 5:20
- 20 And it came to pass that thus far I and my father had kept
- the commandments wherewith the Lord had commanded us.
-
- 1 Nephi 5:21
- 21 And we had obtained the records which the Lord had commanded
- us, and searched them and found that they were desirable; yea,
- even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the
- commandments of the Lord unto our children.
-
- 1 Nephi 5:22
- 22 Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry
- them with us, as we journeyed in the wilderness towards the land
- of promise.
-
- 1 Nephi 6
- Chapter 6
-
- 1 Nephi 6:1
- 1 And now I, Nephi, do not give the genealogy of my fathers in
- this part of my record; neither at any time shall I give it after
- upon these plates which I am writing; for it is given in the
- record which has been kept by my father; wherefore, I do not
- write it in this work.
-
- 1 Nephi 6:2
- 2 For it sufficeth me to say that we are descendants of Joseph.
-
- 1 Nephi 6:3
- 3 And it mattereth not to me that I am particular to give a full
- account of all the things of my father, for they cannot be
- written upon these plates, for I desire the room that I may write
- of the things of God.
-
- 1 Nephi 6:4
- 4 For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to
- come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God
- of Jacob, and be saved.
-
- 1 Nephi 6:5
- 5 Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do
- not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto
- those who are not of the world.
-
- 1 Nephi 6:6
- 6 Wherefore, I shall give commandment unto my seed, that they
- shall not occupy these plates with things which are not of worth
- unto the children of men.
-
- 1 Nephi 7
- Chapter 7
-
- 1 Nephi 7:1
- 1 And now I would that ye might know, that after my father,
- Lehi, had made an end of prophesying concerning his seed, it came
- to pass that the Lord spake unto him again, saying that it was
- not meet for him, Lehi, that he should take his family into the
- wilderness alone; but that his sons should take daughters to
- wife, that they might raise up seed unto the Lord in the land of
- promise.
-
- 1 Nephi 7:2
- 2 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded him that I, Nephi,
- and my brethren, should again return unto the land of Jerusalem,
- and bring down Ishmael and his family into the wilderness.
-
- 1 Nephi 7:3
- 3 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did again, with my
- brethren, go forth into the wilderness to go up to Jerusalem.
-
- 1 Nephi 7:4
- 4 And it came to pass that we went up unto the house of Ishmael,
- and we did gain favor in the sight of Ishmael, insomuch that we
- did speak unto him the words of the Lord.
-
- 1 Nephi 7:5
- 5 And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the heart of
- Ishmael, and also his household, insomuch that they took their
- journey with us down into the wilderness to the tent of our
- father.
-
- 1 Nephi 7:6
- 6 And it came to pass that as we journeyed in the wilderness,
- behold Laman and Lemuel, and two of the daughters of Ishmael, and
- the two sons of Ishmael and their families, did rebel against us;
- yea, against me, Nephi, and Sam, and their father, Ishmael, and
- his wife, and his three other daughters.
-
- 1 Nephi 7:7
- 7 And it came to pass in the which rebellion, they were desirous
- to return unto the land of Jerusalem.
-
- 1 Nephi 7:8
- 8 And now I, Nephi, being grieved for the hardness of their
- hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying, yea, even unto Laman
- and unto Lemuel: Behold ye are mine elder brethren, and how is it
- that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds,
- that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto
- you, yea, and set an example for you?
-
- 1 Nephi 7:9
- 9 How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the
- Lord?
-
- 1 Nephi 7:10
- 10 How is it that ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel
- of the Lord?
-
- 1 Nephi 7:11
- 11 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things
- the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of
- Laban, and also that we should obtain the record?
-
- 1 Nephi 7:12
- 12 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is
- able to do all things according to his will, for the children of
- men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let
- us be faithful to him.
-
- 1 Nephi 7:13
- 13 And if it so be that we are faithful to him, we shall obtain
- the land of promise; and ye shall know at some future period that
- the word of the Lord shall be fulfilled concerning the
- destruction of Jerusalem; for all things which the Lord hath
- spoken concerning the destruction of Jerusalem must be fulfilled.
-
- 1 Nephi 7:14
- 14 For behold, the Spirit of the Lord ceaseth soon to strive
- with them; for behold, they have rejected the prophets, and
- Jeremiah have they cast into prison. And they have sought to
- take away the life of my father, insomuch that they have driven
- him out of the land.
-
- 1 Nephi 7:15
- 15 Now behold, I say unto you that if ye will return unto
- Jerusalem ye shall also perish with them. And now, if ye have
- choice, go up to the land, and remember the words which I speak
- unto you, that if ye go ye will also perish; for thus the Spirit
- of the Lord constraineth me that I should speak.
-
- 1 Nephi 7:16
- 16 And it came to pass that when I, Nephi, had spoken these
- words unto my brethren, they were angry with me. And it came to
- pass that they did lay their hands upon me, for behold, they were
- exceedingly wroth, and they did bind me with cords, for they
- sought to take away my life, that they might leave me in the
- wilderness to be devoured by wild beasts.
-
- 1 Nephi 7:17
- 17 But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O
- Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver
- me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that
- I may burst these bands with which I am bound.
-
- 1 Nephi 7:18
- 18 And it came to pass that when I had said these words, behold,
- the bands were loosed from off my hands and feet, and I stood
- before my brethren, and I spake unto them again.
-
- 1 Nephi 7:19
- 19 And it came to pass that they were angry with me again, and
- sought to lay hands upon me; but behold, one of the daughters of
- Ishmael, yea, and also her mother, and one of the sons of
- Ishmael, did plead with my brethren, insomuch that they did
- soften their hearts; and they did cease striving to take away my
- life.
-
- 1 Nephi 7:20
- 20 And it came to pass that they were sorrowful, because of
- their wickedness, insomuch that they did bow down before me, and
- did plead with me that I would forgive them of the thing that
- they had done against me.
-
- 1 Nephi 7:21
- 21 And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that
- they had done, and I did exhort them that they would pray unto
- the Lord their God for forgiveness. And it came to pass that
- they did so. And after they had done praying unto the Lord we
- did again travel on our journey towards the tent of our father.
-
- 1 Nephi 7:22
- 22 And it came to pass that we did come down unto the tent of
- our father. And after I and my brethren and all the house of
- Ishmael had come down unto the tent of my father, they did give
- thanks unto the Lord their God; and they did offer sacrifice and
- burnt offerings unto him.
-
- 1 Nephi 8
- Chapter 8
-
- 1 Nephi 8:1
- 1 And it came to pass that we had gathered together all manner
- of seeds of every kind, both of grain of every kind, and also of
- the seeds of fruit of every kind.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:2
- 2 And it came to pass that while my father tarried in the
- wilderness he spake unto us, saying: Behold, I have dreamed a
- dream; or, in other words, I have seen a vision.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:3
- 3 And behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have
- reason to rejoice in the Lord because of Nephi and also of Sam;
- for I have reason to suppose that they, and also many of their
- seed, will be saved.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:4
- 4 But behold, Laman and Lemuel, I fear exceedingly because of
- you; for behold, methought I saw in my dream, a dark and dreary
- wilderness.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:5
- 5 And it came to pass that I saw a man, and he was dressed in a
- white robe; and he came and stood before me.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:6
- 6 And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow
- him.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:7
- 7 And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself
- that I was in a dark and dreary waste.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:8
- 8 And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in
- darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy
- on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:9
- 9 And it came to pass after I had prayed unto the Lord I beheld
- a large and spacious field.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:10
- 10 And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was
- desirable to make one happy.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:11
- 11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the
- fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all
- that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit
- thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever
- seen.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:12
- 12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with
- exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my
- family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was
- desirable above all other fruit.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:13
- 13 And as I cast my eyes round about, that perhaps I might
- discover my family also, I beheld a river of water; and it ran
- along, and it was near the tree of which I was partaking the
- fruit.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:14
- 14 And I looked to behold from whence it came; and I saw the
- head thereof a little way off; and at the head thereof I beheld
- your mother Sariah, and Sam, and Nephi; and they stood as if they
- knew not whither they should go.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:15
- 15 And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did
- say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me,
- and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other
- fruit.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:16
- 16 And it came to pass that they did come unto me and partake of
- the fruit also.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:17
- 17 And it came to pass that I was desirous that Laman and Lemuel
- should come and partake of the fruit also; wherefore, I cast mine
- eyes towards the head of the river, that perhaps I might see
- them.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:18
- 18 And it came to pass that I saw them, but they would not come
- unto me and partake of the fruit.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:19
- 19 And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of
- the river, and led to the tree by which I stood.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:20
- 20 And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along
- by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it
- also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious
- field, as if it had been a world.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:21
- 21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were
- pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto
- the tree by which I stood.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:22
- 22 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in
- the path which led to the tree.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:23
- 23 And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea,
- even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they
- who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they
- wandered off and were lost.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:24
- 24 And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward,
- and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of
- iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness,
- clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and
- partake of the fruit of the tree.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:25
- 25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did
- cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:26
- 26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other
- side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it
- stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:27
- 27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male
- and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and
- they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers
- towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:28
- 28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed,
- because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away
- into forbidden paths and were lost.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:29
- 29 And now I, Nephi, do not speak all the words of my father.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:30
- 30 But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes
- pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the
- rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually
- holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell
- down and partook of the fruit of the tree.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:31
- 31 And he also saw other multitudes feeling their way towards
- that great and spacious building.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:32
- 32 And it came to pass that many were drowned in the depths of
- the fountain; and many were lost from his view, wandering in
- strange roads.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:33
- 33 And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange
- building. And after they did enter into that building they did
- point the finger of scorn at me and those that were partaking of
- the fruit also; but we heeded them not.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:34
- 34 These are the words of my father: For as many as heeded them,
- had fallen away.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:35
- 35 And Laman and Lemuel partook not of the fruit, said my
- father.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:36
- 36 And it came to pass after my father had spoken all the words
- of his dream or vision, which were many, he said unto us, because
- of these things which he saw in a vision, he exceedingly feared
- for Laman and Lemuel; yea, he feared lest they should be cast off
- from the presence of the Lord.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:37
- 37 And he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender
- parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the
- Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my
- father did preach unto them.
-
- 1 Nephi 8:38
- 38 And after he had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto
- them of many things, he bade them to keep the commandments of the
- Lord; and he did cease speaking unto them.
-
- 1 Nephi 9
- Chapter 9
-
- 1 Nephi 9:1
- 1 And all these things did my father see, and hear, and speak,
- as he dwelt in a tent, in the valley of Lemuel, and also a great
- many more things, which cannot be written upon these plates.
-
- 1 Nephi 9:2
- 2 And now, as I have spoken concerning these plates, behold they
- are not the plates upon which I make a full account of the
- history of my people; for the plates upon which I make a full
- account of my people I have given the name of Nephi; wherefore,
- they are called the plates of Nephi, after mine own name; and
- these plates also are called the plates of Nephi.
-
- 1 Nephi 9:3
- 3 Nevertheless, I have received a commandment of the Lord that I
- should make these plates, for the special purpose that there
- should be an account engraven of the ministry of my people.
-
- 1 Nephi 9:4
- 4 Upon the other plates should be engraven an account of the
- reign of the kings, and the wars and contentions of my people;
- wherefore these plates are for the more part of the ministry; and
- the other plates are for the more part of the reign of the kings
- and the wars and contentions of my people.
-
- 1 Nephi 9:5
- 5 Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates for
- a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not.
-
- 1 Nephi 9:6
- 6 But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore,
- he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children
- of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all
- his words. And thus it is. Amen.
-
- 1 Nephi 10
- Chapter 10
-
- 1 Nephi 10:1
- 1 And now I, Nephi, proceed to give an account upon these plates
- of my proceedings, and my reign and ministry; wherefore, to
- proceed with mine account, I must speak somewhat of the things of
- my father, and also of my brethren.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:2
- 2 For behold, it came to pass after my father had made an end of
- speaking the words of his dream, and also of exhorting them to
- all diligence, he spake unto them concerning the Jews--
-
- 1 Nephi 10:3
- 3 That after they should be destroyed, even that great city
- Jerusalem, and many be carried away captive into Babylon,
- according to the own due time of the Lord, they should return
- again, yea, even be brought back out of captivity; and after they
- should be brought back out of captivity they should possess again
- the land of their inheritance.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:4
- 4 Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left
- Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the
- Jews--even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:5
- 5 And he also spake concerning the prophets, how great a number
- had testified of these things, concerning this Messiah, of whom
- he had spoken, or this Redeemer of the world.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:6
- 6 Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state,
- and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:7
- 7 And he spake also concerning a prophet who should come before
- the Messiah, to prepare the way of the Lord--
-
- 1 Nephi 10:8
- 8 Yea, even he should go forth and cry in the wilderness:
- Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for
- there standeth one among you whom ye know not; and he is mightier
- than I, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. And
- much spake my father concerning this thing.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:9
- 9 And my father said he should baptize in Bethabara, beyond
- Jordan; and he also said he should baptize with water; even that
- he should baptize the Messiah with water.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:10
- 10 And after he had baptized the Messiah with water, he should
- behold and bear record that he had baptized the Lamb of God, who
- should take away the sins of the world.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:11
- 11 And it came to pass after my father had spoken these words he
- spake unto my brethren concerning the gospel which should be
- preached among the Jews, and also concerning the dwindling of the
- Jews in unbelief. And after they had slain the Messiah, who
- should come, and after he had been slain he should rise from the
- dead, and should make himself manifest, by the Holy Ghost, unto
- the Gentiles.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:12
- 12 Yea, even my father spake much concerning the Gentiles, and
- also concerning the house of Israel, that they should be compared
- like unto an olive-tree, whose branches should be broken off and
- should be scattered upon all the face of the earth.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:13
- 13 Wherefore, he said it must needs be that we should be led
- with one accord into the land of promise, unto the fulfilling of
- the word of the Lord, that we should be scattered upon all the
- face of the earth.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:14
- 14 And after the house of Israel should be scattered they should
- be gathered together again; or, in fine, after the Gentiles had
- received the fulness of the Gospel, the natural branches of the
- olive-tree, or the remnants of the house of Israel, should be
- grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their
- Lord and their Redeemer.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:15
- 15 And after this manner of language did my father prophesy and
- speak unto my brethren, and also many more things which I do not
- write in this book; for I have written as many of them as were
- expedient for me in mine other book.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:16
- 16 And all these things, of which I have spoken, were done as my
- father dwelt in a tent, in the valley of Lemuel.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:17
- 17 And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the
- words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a
- vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the
- Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of
- God--and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come--I,
- Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of
- these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift
- of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times
- of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the
- children of men.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:18
- 18 For he is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever; and the
- way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if
- it so be that they repent and come unto him.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:19
- 19 For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries
- of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy
- Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in
- times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the
- Lord is one eternal round.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:20
- 20 Therefore remember, O man, for all thy doings thou shalt be
- brought into judgment.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:21
- 21 Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of
- your probation, then ye are found unclean before the
- judgment-seat of God; and no unclean thing can dwell with God;
- wherefore, ye must be cast off forever.
-
- 1 Nephi 10:22
- 22 And the Holy Ghost giveth authority that I should speak these
- things, and deny them not.
-
- 1 Nephi 11
- Chapter 11
-
- 1 Nephi 11:1
- 1 For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things
- that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to
- make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was
- caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly
- high mountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I
- never had before set my foot.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:2
- 2 And the Spirit said unto me: Behold, what desirest thou?
-
- 1 Nephi 11:3
- 3 And I said: I desire to behold the things which my father saw.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:4
- 4 And the Spirit said unto me: Believest thou that thy father
- saw the tree of which he hath spoken?
-
- 1 Nephi 11:5
- 5 And I said: Yea, thou knowest that I believe all the words of
- my father.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:6
- 6 And when I had spoken these words, the Spirit cried with a
- loud voice, saying: Hosanna to the Lord, the most high God; for
- he is God over all the earth, yea, even above all. And blessed
- art thou, Nephi, because thou believest in the Son of the most
- high God; wherefore, thou shalt behold the things which thou hast
- desired.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:7
- 7 And behold this thing shall be given unto thee for a sign,
- that after thou hast beheld the tree which bore the fruit which
- thy father tasted, thou shalt also behold a man descending out of
- heaven, and him shall ye witness; and after ye have witnessed him
- ye shall bear record that it is the Son of God.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:8
- 8 And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me: Look! And I
- looked and beheld a tree; and it was like unto the tree which my
- father had seen; and the beauty thereof was far beyond, yea,
- exceeding of all beauty; and the whiteness thereof did exceed the
- whiteness of the driven snow.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:9
- 9 And it came to pass after I had seen the tree, I said unto the
- Spirit: I behold thou hast shown unto me the tree which is
- precious above all.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:10
- 10 And he said unto me: What desirest thou?
-
- 1 Nephi 11:11
- 11 And I said unto him: To know the interpretation thereof--for
- I spake unto him as a man speaketh; for I beheld that he was in
- the form of a man; yet nevertheless, I knew that it was the
- Spirit of the Lord; and he spake unto me as a man speaketh with
- another.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:12
- 12 And it came to pass that he said unto me: Look! And I looked
- as if to look upon him, and I saw him not; for he had gone from
- before my presence.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:13
- 13 And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city
- of Jerusalem, and also other cities. And I beheld the city of
- Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she
- was exceedingly fair and white.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:14
- 14 And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel
- came down and stood before me; and he said unto me: Nephi, what
- beholdest thou?
-
- 1 Nephi 11:15
- 15 And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above
- all other virgins.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:16
- 16 And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God?
-
- 1 Nephi 11:17
- 17 And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children;
- nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:18
- 18 And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is
- the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:19
- 19 And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away
- in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit
- for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!
-
- 1 Nephi 11:20
- 20 And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in
- her arms.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:21
- 21 And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even
- the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the
- tree which thy father saw?
-
- 1 Nephi 11:22
- 22 And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which
- sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men;
- wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:23
- 23 And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the
- soul.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:24
- 24 And after he had said these words, he said unto me: Look!
- And I looked, and I beheld the Son of God going forth among the
- children of men; and I saw many fall down at his feet and worship
- him.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:25
- 25 And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which
- my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the
- fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters
- are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that
- the tree of life was a representation of the love of God.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:26
- 26 And the angel said unto me again: Look and behold the
- condescension of God!
-
- 1 Nephi 11:27
- 27 And I looked and beheld the Redeemer of the world, of whom my
- father had spoken; and I also beheld the prophet who should
- prepare the way before him. And the Lamb of God went forth and
- was baptized of him; and after he was baptized, I beheld the
- heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and
- abide upon him in the form of a dove.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:28
- 28 And I beheld that he went forth ministering unto the people,
- in power and great glory; and the multitudes were gathered
- together to hear him; and I beheld that they cast him out from
- among them.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:29
- 29 And I also beheld twelve others following him. And it came
- to pass that they were carried away in the Spirit from before my
- face, and I saw them not.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:30
- 30 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again,
- saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the heavens open again,
- and I saw angels descending upon the children of men; and they
- did minister unto them.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:31
- 31 And he spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and
- I beheld the Lamb of God going forth among the children of men.
- And I beheld multitudes of people who were sick, and who were
- afflicted with all manner of diseases, and with devils and
- unclean spirits; and the angel spake and showed all these things
- unto me. And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of God;
- and the devils and the unclean spirits were cast out.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:32
- 32 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again,
- saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he
- was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God was
- judged of the world; and I saw and bear record.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:33
- 33 And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and
- slain for the sins of the world.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:34
- 34 And after he was slain I saw the multitudes of the earth,
- that they were gathered together to fight against the apostles of
- the Lamb; for thus were the twelve called by the angel of the
- Lord.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:35
- 35 And the multitude of the earth was gathered together; and I
- beheld that they were in a large and spacious building, like unto
- the building which my father saw. And the angel of the Lord
- spake unto me again, saying: Behold the world and the wisdom
- thereof; yea, behold the house of Israel hath gathered together
- to fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
-
- 1 Nephi 11:36
- 36 And it came to pass that I saw and bear record, that the
- great and spacious building was the pride of the world; and it
- fell, and the fall thereof was exceedingly great. And the angel
- of the Lord spake unto me again, saying: Thus shall be the
- destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, that
- shall fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
-
- 1 Nephi 12
- Chapter 12
-
- 1 Nephi 12:1
- 1 And it came to pass that the angel said unto me: Look, and
- behold thy seed, and also the seed of thy brethren. And I looked
- and beheld the land of promise; and I beheld multitudes of
- people, yea, even as it were in number as many as the sand of the
- sea.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:2
- 2 And it came to pass that I beheld multitudes gathered together
- to battle, one against the other; and I beheld wars, and rumors
- of wars, and great slaughters with the sword among my people.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:3
- 3 And it came to pass that I beheld many generations pass away,
- after the manner of wars and contentions in the land; and I
- beheld many cities, yea, even that I did not number them.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:4
- 4 And it came to pass that I saw a mist of darkness on the face
- of the land of promise; and I saw lightnings, and I heard
- thunderings, and earthquakes, and all manner of tumultuous
- noises; and I saw the earth and the rocks, that they rent; and I
- saw mountains tumbling into pieces; and I saw the plains of the
- earth, that they were broken up; and I saw many cities that they
- were sunk; and I saw many that they were burned with fire; and I
- saw many that did tumble to the earth, because of the quaking
- thereof.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:5
- 5 And it came to pass after I saw these things, I saw the vapor
- of darkness, that it passed from off the face of the earth; and
- behold, I saw multitudes who had not fallen because of the great
- and terrible judgments of the Lord.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:6
- 6 And I saw the heavens open, and the Lamb of God descending out
- of heaven; and he came down and showed himself unto them.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:7
- 7 And I also saw and bear record that the Holy Ghost fell upon
- twelve others; and they were ordained of God, and chosen.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:8
- 8 And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the twelve
- disciples of the Lamb, who are chosen to minister unto thy seed.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:9
- 9 And he said unto me: Thou rememberest the twelve apostles of
- the Lamb? Behold they are they who shall judge the twelve tribes
- of Israel; wherefore, the twelve ministers of thy seed shall be
- judged of them; for ye are of the house of Israel.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:10
- 10 And these twelve ministers whom thou beholdest shall judge
- thy seed. And, behold, they are righteous forever; for because
- of their faith in the Lamb of God their garments are made white
- in his blood.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:11
- 11 And the angel said unto me: Look! And I looked, and beheld
- three generations pass away in righteousness; and their garments
- were white even like unto the Lamb of God. And the angel said
- unto me: These are made white in the blood of the Lamb, because
- of their faith in him.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:12
- 12 And I, Nephi, also saw many of the fourth generation who
- passed away in righteousness.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:13
- 13 And it came to pass that I saw the multitudes of the earth
- gathered together.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:14
- 14 And the angel said unto me: Behold thy seed, and also the
- seed of thy brethren.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:15
- 15 And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the people of my
- seed gathered together in multitudes against the seed of my
- brethren; and they were gathered together to battle.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:16
- 16 And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the fountain of
- filthy water which thy father saw; yea, even the river of which
- he spake; and the depths thereof are the depths of hell.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:17
- 17 And the mists of darkness are the temptations of the devil,
- which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the children
- of men, and leadeth them away into broad roads, that they perish
- and are lost.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:18
- 18 And the large and spacious building, which thy father saw, is
- vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men. And a
- great and a terrible gulf divideth them; yea, even the word of
- the justice of the Eternal God, and the Messiah who is the Lamb
- of God, of whom the Holy Ghost beareth record, from the beginning
- of the world until this time, and from this time henceforth and
- forever.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:19
- 19 And while the angel spake these words, I beheld and saw that
- the seed of my brethren did contend against my seed, according to
- the word of the angel; and because of the pride of my seed, and
- the temptations of the devil, I beheld that the seed of my
- brethren did overpower the people of my seed.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:20
- 20 And it came to pass that I beheld, and saw the people of the
- seed of my brethren that they had overcome my seed; and they went
- forth in multitudes upon the face of the land.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:21
- 21 And I saw them gathered together in multitudes; and I saw
- wars and rumors of wars among them; and in wars and rumors of
- wars I saw many generations pass away.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:22
- 22 And the angel said unto me: Behold these shall dwindle in
- unbelief.
-
- 1 Nephi 12:23
- 23 And it came to pass that I beheld, after they had dwindled in
- unbelief they became a dark, and loathsome, and a filthy people,
- full of idleness and all manner of abominations.
-
- 1 Nephi 13
- Chapter 13
-
- 1 Nephi 13:1
- 1 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying:
- Look! And I looked and beheld many nations and kingdoms.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:2
- 2 And the angel said unto me: What beholdest thou? And I said:
- I behold many nations and kingdoms.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:3
- 3 And he said unto me: These are the nations and kingdoms of the
- Gentiles.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:4
- 4 And it came to pass that I saw among the nations of the
- Gentiles the formation of a great church.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:5
- 5 And the angel said unto me: Behold the formation of a church
- which is most abominable above all other churches, which slayeth
- the saints of God, yea, and tortureth them and bindeth them down,
- and yoketh them with a yoke of iron, and bringeth them down into
- captivity.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:6
- 6 And it came to pass that I beheld this great and abominable
- church; and I saw the devil that he was the founder of it.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:7
- 7 And I also saw gold, and silver, and silks, and scarlets, and
- fine-twined linen, and all manner of precious clothing; and I saw
- many harlots.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:8
- 8 And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the gold, and the
- silver, and the silks, and the scarlets, and the fine-twined
- linen, and the precious clothing, and the harlots, are the
- desires of this great and abominable church.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:9
- 9 And also for the praise of the world do they destroy the
- saints of God, and bring them down into captivity.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:10
- 10 And it came to pass that I looked and beheld many waters; and
- they divided the Gentiles from the seed of my brethren.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:11
- 11 And it came to pass that the angel said unto me: Behold the
- wrath of God is upon the seed of thy brethren.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:12
- 12 And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was
- separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I
- beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the
- man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed
- of my brethren, who were in the promised land.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:13
- 13 And it came to pass that I beheld the Spirit of God, that it
- wrought upon other Gentiles; and they went forth out of
- captivity, upon the many waters.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:14
- 14 And it came to pass that I beheld many multitudes of the
- Gentiles upon the land of promise; and I beheld the wrath of God,
- that it was upon the seed of my brethren; and they were scattered
- before the Gentiles and were smitten.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:15
- 15 And I beheld the Spirit of the Lord, that it was upon the
- Gentiles, and they did prosper and obtain the land for their
- inheritance; and I beheld that they were white, and exceedingly
- fair and beautiful, like unto my people before they were slain.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:16
- 16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles
- who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before
- the Lord; and the power of the Lord was with them.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:17
- 17 And I beheld that their mother Gentiles were gathered
- together upon the waters, and upon the land also, to battle
- against them.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:18
- 18 And I beheld that the power of God was with them, and also
- that the wrath of God was upon all those that were gathered
- together against them to battle.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:19
- 19 And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of
- captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of
- all other nations.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:20
- 20 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that they did
- prosper in the land; and I beheld a book, and it was carried
- forth among them.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:21
- 21 And the angel said unto me: Knowest thou the meaning of the
- book?
-
- 1 Nephi 13:22
- 22 And I said unto him: I know not.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:23
- 23 And he said: Behold it proceedeth out of the mouth of a Jew.
- And I, Nephi, beheld it; and he said unto me: The book that thou
- beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains the covenants
- of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; and it
- also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets; and
- it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates
- of brass, save there are not so many; nevertheless, they contain
- the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of
- Israel; wherefore, they are of great worth unto the Gentiles.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:24
- 24 And the angel of the Lord said unto me: Thou hast beheld that
- the book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew; and when it
- proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew it contained the fulness
- of the gospel of the Lord, of whom the twelve apostles bear
- record; and they bear record according to the truth which is in
- the Lamb of God.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:25
- 25 Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto
- the Gentiles, according to the truth which is in God.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:26
- 26 And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of
- the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the
- formation of a great and abominable church, which is most
- abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken
- away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and
- most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they
- taken away.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:27
- 27 And all this have they done that they might pervert the right
- ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the
- hearts of the children of men.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:28
- 28 Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth
- through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there
- are many plain and precious things taken away from the book,
- which is the book of the Lamb of God.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:29
- 29 And after these plain and precious things were taken away it
- goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it
- goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea, even
- across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles
- which have gone forth out of captivity, thou seest--because of
- the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of
- the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children
- of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of
- God--because of these things which are taken away out of the
- gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea,
- insomuch that Satan hath great power over them.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:30
- 30 Nevertheless, thou beholdest that the Gentiles who have gone
- forth out of captivity, and have been lifted up by the power of
- God above all other nations, upon the face of the land which is
- choice above all other lands, which is the land that the Lord God
- hath covenanted with thy father that his seed should have for the
- land of their inheritance; wherefore, thou seest that the Lord
- God will not suffer that the Gentiles will utterly destroy the
- mixture of thy seed, which are among thy brethren.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:31
- 31 Neither will he suffer that the Gentiles shall destroy the
- seed of thy brethren.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:32
- 32 Neither will the Lord God suffer that the Gentiles shall
- forever remain in that awful state of blindness, which thou
- beholdest they are in, because of the plain and most precious
- parts of the gospel of the Lamb which have been kept back by that
- abominable church, whose formation thou hast seen.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:33
- 33 Wherefore saith the Lamb of God: I will be merciful unto the
- Gentiles, unto the visiting of the remnant of the house of Israel
- in great judgment.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:34
- 34 And it came to pass that the angel of the Lord spake unto me,
- saying: Behold, saith the Lamb of God, after I have visited the
- remnant of the house of Israel--and this remnant of whom I speak
- is the seed of thy father--wherefore, after I have visited them
- in judgment, and smitten them by the hand of the Gentiles, and
- after the Gentiles do stumble exceedingly, because of the most
- plain and precious parts of the gospel of the Lamb which have
- been kept back by that abominable church, which is the mother of
- harlots, saith the Lamb--I will be merciful unto the Gentiles in
- that day, insomuch that I will bring forth unto them, in mine own
- power, much of my gospel, which shall be plain and precious,
- saith the Lamb.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:35
- 35 For, behold, saith the Lamb: I will manifest myself unto thy
- seed, that they shall write many things which I shall minister
- unto them, which shall be plain and precious; and after thy seed
- shall be destroyed, and dwindle in unbelief, and also the seed of
- thy brethren, behold, these things shall be hid up, to come forth
- unto the Gentiles, by the gift and power of the Lamb.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:36
- 36 And in them shall be written my gospel, saith the Lamb, and
- my rock and my salvation.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:37
- 37 And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at
- that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy
- Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at
- the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of
- the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great
- joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:38
- 38 And it came to pass that I beheld the remnant of the seed of
- my brethren, and also the book of the Lamb of God, which had
- proceeded forth from the mouth of the Jew, that it came forth
- from the Gentiles unto the remnant of the seed of my brethren.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:39
- 39 And after it had come forth unto them I beheld other books,
- which came forth by the power of the Lamb, from the Gentiles unto
- them, unto the convincing of the Gentiles and the remnant of the
- seed of my brethren, and also the Jews who were scattered upon
- all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and
- of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:40
- 40 And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records,
- which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the
- truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb,
- and shall make known the plain and precious things which have
- been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds,
- tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the
- Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men
- must come unto him, or they cannot be saved.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:41
- 41 And they must come according to the words which shall be
- established by the mouth of the Lamb; and the words of the Lamb
- shall be made known in the records of thy seed, as well as in the
- records of the twelve apostles of the Lamb; wherefore they both
- shall be established in one; for there is one God and one
- Shepherd over all the earth.
-
- 1 Nephi 13:42
- 42 And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all
- nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles; and after
- he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the
- Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the Gentiles and
- also unto the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the first
- shall be last.
-
- 1 Nephi 14
- Chapter 14
-
- 1 Nephi 14:1
- 1 And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken
- unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself
- unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the
- taking away of their stumbling blocks--
-
- 1 Nephi 14:2
- 2 And harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God, they
- shall be numbered among the seed of thy father; yea, they shall
- be numbered among the house of Israel; and they shall be a
- blessed people upon the promised land forever; they shall be no
- more brought down into captivity; and the house of Israel shall
- no more be confounded.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:3
- 3 And that great pit, which hath been digged for them by that
- great and abominable church, which was founded by the devil and
- his children, that he might lead away the souls of men down to
- hell--yea, that great pit which hath been digged for the
- destruction of men shall be filled by those who digged it, unto
- their utter destruction, saith the Lamb of God; not the
- destruction of the soul, save it be the casting of it into that
- hell which hath no end.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:4
- 4 For behold, this is according to the captivity of the devil,
- and also according to the justice of God, upon all those who will
- work wickedness and abomination before him.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:5
- 5 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, Nephi,
- saying: Thou hast beheld that if the Gentiles repent it shall be
- well with them; and thou also knowest concerning the covenants of
- the Lord unto the house of Israel; and thou also hast heard that
- whoso repenteth not must perish.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:6
- 6 Therefore, wo be unto the Gentiles if it so be that they
- harden their hearts against the Lamb of God.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:7
- 7 For the time cometh, saith the Lamb of God, that I will work a
- great and a marvelous work among the children of men; a work
- which shall be everlasting, either on the one hand or on the
- other--either to the convincing of them unto peace and life
- eternal, or unto the deliverance of them to the hardness of their
- hearts and the blindness of their minds unto their being brought
- down into captivity, and also into destruction, both temporally
- and spiritually, according to the captivity of the devil, of
- which I have spoken.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:8
- 8 And it came to pass that when the angel had spoken these
- words, he said unto me: Rememberest thou the covenants of the
- Father unto the house of Israel? I said unto him, Yea.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:9
- 9 And it came to pass that he said unto me: Look, and behold
- that great and abominable church, which is the mother of
- abominations, whose founder is the devil.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:10
- 10 And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only;
- the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the
- church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church
- of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the
- mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:11
- 11 And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the whore of all
- the earth, and she sat upon many waters; and she had dominion
- over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and
- people.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:12
- 12 And it came to pass that I beheld the church of the Lamb of
- God, and its numbers were few, because of the wickedness and
- abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters; nevertheless,
- I beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the saints of God,
- were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominions
- upon the face of the earth were small, because of the wickedness
- of the great whore whom I saw.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:13
- 13 And it came to pass that I beheld that the great mother of
- abominations did gather together multitudes upon the face of all
- the earth, among all the nations of the Gentiles, to fight
- against the Lamb of God.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:14
- 14 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the
- Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of
- the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were
- scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed
- with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:15
- 15 And it came to pass that I beheld that the wrath of God was
- poured out upon that great and abominable church, insomuch that
- there were wars and rumors of wars among all the nations and
- kindreds of the earth.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:16
- 16 And as there began to be wars and rumors of wars among all
- the nations which belonged to the mother of abominations, the
- angel spake unto me, saying: Behold, the wrath of God is upon the
- mother of harlots; and behold, thou seest all these things--
-
- 1 Nephi 14:17
- 17 And when the day cometh that the wrath of God is poured out
- upon the mother of harlots, which is the great and abominable
- church of all the earth, whose founder is the devil, then, at
- that day, the work of the Father shall commence, in preparing the
- way for the fulfilling of his covenants, which he hath made to
- his people who are of the house of Israel.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:18
- 18 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying:
- Look!
-
- 1 Nephi 14:19
- 19 And I looked and beheld a man, and he was dressed in a white
- robe.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:20
- 20 And the angel said unto me: Behold one of the twelve apostles
- of the Lamb.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:21
- 21 Behold, he shall see and write the remainder of these things;
- yea, and also many things which have been.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:22
- 22 And he shall also write concerning the end of the world.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:23
- 23 Wherefore, the things which he shall write are just and true;
- and behold they are written in the book which thou beheld
- proceeding out of the mouth of the Jew; and at the time they
- proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, or, at the time the book
- proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, the things which were
- written were plain and pure, and most precious and easy to the
- understanding of all men.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:24
- 24 And behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall
- write are many things which thou hast seen; and behold, the
- remainder shalt thou see.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:25
- 25 But the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not
- write; for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of
- God that he should write them.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:26
- 26 And also others who have been, to them hath he shown all
- things, and they have written them; and they are sealed up to
- come forth in their purity, according to the truth which is in
- the Lamb, in the own due time of the Lord, unto the house of
- Israel.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:27
- 27 And I, Nephi, heard and bear record, that the name of the
- apostle of the Lamb was John, according to the word of the angel.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:28
- 28 And behold, I, Nephi, am forbidden that I should write the
- remainder of the things which I saw and heard; wherefore the
- things which I have written sufficeth me; and I have written but
- a small part of the things which I saw.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:29
- 29 And I bear record that I saw the things which my father saw,
- and the angel of the Lord did make them known unto me.
-
- 1 Nephi 14:30
- 30 And now I make an end of speaking concerning the things which
- I saw while I was carried away in the spirit; and if all the
- things which I saw are not written, the things which I have
- written are true. And thus it is. Amen.
-
- 1 Nephi 15
- Chapter 15
-
- 1 Nephi 15:1
- 1 And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been carried away
- in the spirit, and seen all these things, I returned to the tent
- of my father.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:2
- 2 And it came to pass that I beheld my brethren, and they were
- disputing one with another concerning the things my father had
- spoken unto them.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:3
- 3 For he truly spake many great things unto them, which were
- hard to be understood, save a man should inquire of the Lord; and
- they being hard in their hearts, therefore they did not look unto
- the Lord as they ought.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:4
- 4 And now I, Nephi, was grieved because of the hardness of their
- hearts, and also, because of the things which I had seen, and
- knew they must unavoidably come to pass because of the great
- wickedness of the children of men.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:5
- 5 And it came to pass that I was overcome because of my
- afflictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great
- above all, because of the destruction of my people, for I had
- beheld their fall.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:6
- 6 And it came to pass that after I had received strength I spake
- unto my brethren, desiring to know of them the cause of their
- disputations.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:7
- 7 And they said: Behold, we cannot understand the words which
- our father hath spoken concerning the natural branches of the
- olive-tree, and also concerning the Gentiles.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:8
- 8 And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?
-
- 1 Nephi 15:9
- 9 And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no
- such thing known unto us.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:10
- 10 Behold, I said unto them: How is it that ye do not keep the
- commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will perish, because
- of the hardness of your hearts?
-
- 1 Nephi 15:11
- 11 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?--If
- ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing
- that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments,
- surely these things shall be made known unto you.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:12
- 12 Behold, I say unto you, that the house of Israel was compared
- unto an olive-tree, by the Spirit of the Lord which was in our
- father; and behold are we not broken off from the house of
- Israel, and are we not a branch of the house of Israel?
-
- 1 Nephi 15:13
- 13 And now, the thing which our father meaneth concerning the
- grafting in of the natural branches through the fulness of the
- Gentiles, is, that in the latter days, when our seed shall have
- dwindled in unbelief, yea, for the space of many years, and many
- generations after the Messiah shall be manifested in body unto
- the children of men, then shall the fulness of the gospel of the
- Messiah come unto the Gentiles, and from the Gentiles unto the
- remnant of our seed--
-
- 1 Nephi 15:14
- 14 And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they
- are of the house of Israel, and that they are the covenant people
- of the Lord; and then shall they know and come to the knowledge
- of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of
- their Redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers by him;
- wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and
- the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come
- unto him and be saved.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:15
- 15 And then at that day will they not rejoice and give praise
- unto their everlasting God, their rock and their salvation? Yea,
- at that day, will they not receive the strength and nourishment
- from the true vine? Yea, will they not come unto the true fold of
- God?
-
- 1 Nephi 15:16
- 16 Behold, I say unto you, Yea; they shall be remembered again
- among the house of Israel; they shall be grafted in, being a
- natural branch of the olive-tree, into the true olive-tree.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:17
- 17 And this is what our father meaneth; and he meaneth that it
- will not come to pass until after they are scattered by the
- Gentiles; and he meaneth that it shall come by way of the
- Gentiles, that the Lord may show his power unto the Gentiles, for
- the very cause that he shall be rejected of the Jews, or of the
- house of Israel.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:18
- 18 Wherefore, our father hath not spoken of our seed alone, but
- also of all the house of Israel, pointing to the covenant which
- should be fulfilled in the latter days; which covenant the Lord
- made to our father Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the
- kindreds of the earth be blessed.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:19
- 19 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, spake much unto them
- concerning these things; yea, I spake unto them concerning the
- restoration of the Jews in the latter days.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:20
- 20 And I did rehearse unto them the words of Isaiah, who spake
- concerning the restoration of the Jews, or of the house of
- Israel; and after they were restored they should no more be
- confounded, neither should they be scattered again. And it came
- to pass that I did speak many words unto my brethren, that they
- were pacified and did humble themselves before the Lord.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:21
- 21 And it came to pass that they did speak unto me again,
- saying: What meaneth this thing which our father saw in a dream?
- What meaneth the tree which he saw?
-
- 1 Nephi 15:22
- 22 And I said unto them: It was a representation of the tree of
- life.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:23
- 23 And they said unto me: What meaneth the rod of iron which our
- father saw, that led to the tree?
-
- 1 Nephi 15:24
- 24 And I said unto them that it was the word of God, and whose
- would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it,
- they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the
- fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to
- lead them away to destruction.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:25
- 25 Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the
- word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of
- my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they
- would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his
- commandments always in all things.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:26
- 26 And they said unto me: What meaneth the river of water which
- our father saw?
-
- 1 Nephi 15:27
- 27 And I said unto them that the water which my father saw was
- filthiness; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things
- that he beheld not the filthiness of the water.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:28
- 28 And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf, which
- separated the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the
- saints of God.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:29
- 29 And I said unto them that it was a representation of that
- awful hell, which the angel said unto me was prepared for the
- wicked.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:30
- 30 And I said unto them that our father also saw that the
- justice of God did also divide the wicked from the righteous; and
- the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming
- fire, which ascendeth up unto God forever and ever, and hath no
- end.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:31
- 31 And they said unto me: Doth this thing mean the torment of
- the body in the days of probation, or doth it mean the final
- state of the soul after the death of the temporal body, or doth
- it speak of the things which are temporal?
-
- 1 Nephi 15:32
- 32 And it came to pass that I said unto them that it was a
- representation of things both temporal and spiritual; for the day
- should come that they must be judged of their works, yea, even
- the works which were done by the temporal body in their days of
- probation.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:33
- 33 Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness they must
- be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are
- pertaining to righteousness; wherefore, they must be brought to
- stand before God, to be judged of their works; and if their works
- have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be
- filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of
- God; if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:34
- 34 But behold, I say unto you, the kingdom of God is not filthy,
- and there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God;
- wherefore there must needs be a place of filthiness prepared for
- that which is filthy.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:35
- 35 And there is a place prepared, yea, even that awful hell of
- which I have spoken, and the devil is the preparator of it;
- wherefore the final state of the souls of men is to dwell in the
- kingdom of God, or to be cast out because of that justice of
- which I have spoken.
-
- 1 Nephi 15:36
- 36 Wherefore, the wicked are rejected from the righteous, and
- also from that tree of life, whose fruit is most precious and
- most desirable above all other fruits; yea, and it is the
- greatest of all the gifts of God. And thus I spake unto my
- brethren. Amen.
-
- 1 Nephi 16
- Chapter 16
-
- 1 Nephi 16:1
- 1 And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made an end
- of speaking to my brethren, behold they said unto me: Thou hast
- declared unto us hard things, more than we are able to bear.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:2
- 2 And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I
- had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the
- truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that
- they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty
- taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very
- center.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:3
- 3 And now my brethren, if ye were righteous and were willing to
- hearken to the truth, and give heed unto it, that ye might walk
- uprightly before God, then ye would not murmur because of the
- truth, and say: Thou speakest hard things against us.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:4
- 4 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did exhort my brethren,
- with all diligence, to keep the commandments of the Lord.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:5
- 5 And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the
- Lord; insomuch that I had joy and great hopes of them, that they
- would walk in the paths of righteousness.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:6
- 6 Now, all these things were said and done as my father dwelt in
- a tent in the valley which he called Lemuel.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:7
- 7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, took one of the daughters
- of Ishmael to wife; and also, my brethren took of the daughters
- of Ishmael to wife; and also Zoram took the eldest daughter of
- Ishmael to wife.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:8
- 8 And thus my father had fulfilled all the commandments of the
- Lord which had been given unto him. And also, I, Nephi, had been
- blessed of the Lord exceedingly.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:9
- 9 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord spake unto my
- father by night, and commanded him that on the morrow he should
- take his journey into the wilderness.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:10
- 10 And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning,
- and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he
- beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and
- it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles; and
- the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:11
- 11 And it came to pass that we did gather together whatsoever
- things we should carry into the wilderness, and all the remainder
- of our provisions which the Lord had given unto us; and we did
- take seed of every kind that we might carry into the wilderness.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:12
- 12 And it came to pass that we did take our tents and depart
- into the wilderness, across the river Laman.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:13
- 13 And it came to pass that we traveled for the space of four
- days, nearly a south-southeast direction, and we did pitch our
- tents again; and we did call the name of the place Shazer.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:14
- 14 And it came to pass that we did take our bows and our arrows,
- and go forth into the wilderness to slay food for our families;
- and after we had slain food for our families we did return again
- to our families in the wilderness, to the place of Shazer. And
- we did go forth again in the wilderness, following the same
- direction, keeping in the most fertile parts of the wilderness,
- which were in the borders near the Red Sea.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:15
- 15 And it came to pass that we did travel for the space of many
- days, slaying food by the way, with our bows and our arrows and
- our stones and our slings.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:16
- 16 And we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in
- the more fertile parts of the wilderness.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:17
- 17 And after we had traveled for the space of many days, we did
- pitch our tents for the space of a time, that we might again rest
- ourselves and obtain food for our families.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:18
- 18 And it came to pass that as I, Nephi, went forth to slay
- food, behold, I did break my bow, which was made of fine steel;
- and after I did break my bow, behold, my brethren were angry with
- me because of the loss of my bow, for we did obtain no food.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:19
- 19 And it came to pass that we did return without food to our
- families, and being much fatigued, because of their journeying,
- they did suffer much for the want of food.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:20
- 20 And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel and the sons of
- Ishmael did begin to murmur exceedingly, because of their
- sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and also my father
- began to murmur against the Lord his God; yea, and they were all
- exceedingly sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the
- Lord.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:21
- 21 Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, having been afflicted with
- my brethren because of the loss of my bow, and their bows having
- lost their springs, it began to be exceedingly difficult, yea,
- insomuch that we could obtain no food.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:22
- 22 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did speak much unto my
- brethren, because they had hardened their hearts again, even unto
- complaining against the Lord their God.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:23
- 23 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a
- bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm
- myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones.
- And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?
-
- 1 Nephi 16:24
- 24 And it came to pass that he did inquire of the Lord, for they
- had humbled themselves because of my words; for I did say many
- things unto them in the energy of my soul.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:25
- 25 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came unto my
- father; and he was truly chastened because of his murmuring
- against the Lord, insomuch that he was brought down into the
- depths of sorrow.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:26
- 26 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord said unto him:
- Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are written.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:27
- 27 And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things
- which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble
- exceedingly, and also my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and our
- wives.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:28
- 28 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which
- were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and
- diligence and heed which we did give unto them.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:29
- 29 And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was
- plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the
- ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to
- time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it.
-
- And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about
- great things.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:30
- 30 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did go forth up into the
- top of the mountain, according to the directions which were given
- upon the ball.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:31
- 31 And it came to pass that I did slay wild beasts, insomuch
- that I did obtain food for our families.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:32
- 32 And it came to pass that I did return to our tents, bearing
- the beasts which I had slain; and now when they beheld that I had
- obtained food, how great was their joy! And it came to pass that
- they did humble themselves before the Lord, and did give thanks
- unto him.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:33
- 33 And it came to pass that we did again take our journey,
- traveling nearly the same course as in the beginning; and after
- we had traveled for the space of many days we did pitch our tents
- again, that we might tarry for the space of a time.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:34
- 34 And it came to pass that Ishmael died, and was buried in the
- place which was called Nahom.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:35
- 35 And it came to pass that the daughters of Ishmael did mourn
- exceedingly, because of the loss of their father, and because of
- their afflictions in the wilderness; and they did murmur against
- my father, because he had brought them out of the land of
- Jerusalem, saying: Our father is dead; yea, and we have wandered
- much in the wilderness, and we have suffered much affliction,
- hunger, thirst, and fatigue; and after all these sufferings we
- must perish in the wilderness with hunger.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:36
- 36 And thus they did murmur against my father, and also against
- me; and they were desirous to return again to Jerusalem.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:37
- 37 And Laman said unto Lemuel and also unto the sons of Ishmael:
- Behold, let us slay our father, and also our brother Nephi, who
- has taken it upon him to be our ruler and our teacher, who are
- his elder brethren.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:38
- 38 Now, he says that the Lord has talked with him, and also that
- angels have ministered unto him. But behold, we know that he
- lies unto us; and he tells us these things, and he worketh many
- things by his cunning arts, that he may deceive our eyes,
- thinking, perhaps, that he may lead us away into some strange
- wilderness; and after he has led us away, he has thought to make
- himself a king and a ruler over us, that he may do with us
- according to his will and pleasure. And after this manner did my
- brother Laman stir up their hearts to anger.
-
- 1 Nephi 16:39
- 39 And it came to pass that the Lord was with us, yea, even the
- voice of the Lord came and did speak many words unto them, and
- did chasten them exceedingly; and after they were chastened by
- the voice of the Lord they did turn away their anger, and did
- repent of their sins, insomuch that the Lord did bless us again
- with food, that we did not perish.
-
- 1 Nephi 17
- Chapter 17
-
- 1 Nephi 17:1
- 1 And it came to pass that we did again take our journey in the
- wilderness; and we did travel nearly eastward from that time
- forth. And we did travel and wade through much affliction in the
- wilderness; and our women did bear children in the wilderness.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:2
- 2 And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, that
- while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did
- give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea,
- even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings
- without murmurings.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:3
- 3 And thus we see that the commandments of God must be
- fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the
- commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them,
- and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he
- has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while
- we did sojourn in the wilderness.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:4
- 4 And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even
- eight years in the wilderness.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:5
- 5 And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because
- of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were
- prepared of the Lord that we might not perish. And we beheld the
- sea, which we called Irreantum, which, being interpreted, is many
- waters.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:6
- 6 And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the
- seashore; and notwithstanding we had suffered many afflictions
- and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write them
- all, we were exceedingly rejoiced when we came to the seashore;
- and we called the place Bountiful, because of its much fruit.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:7
- 7 And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been in the land
- of Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of the Lord
- came unto me, saying: Arise, and get thee into the mountain. And
- it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain, and
- cried unto the Lord.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:8
- 8 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Thou
- shalt construct a ship, after the manner which I shall show thee,
- that I may carry thy people across these waters.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:9
- 9 And I said: Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to
- molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the
- manner which thou hast shown unto me?
-
- 1 Nephi 17:10
- 10 And it came to pass that the Lord told me whither I should go
- to find ore, that I might make tools.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:11
- 11 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make a bellows
- wherewith to blow the fire, of the skins of beasts; and after I
- had made a bellows, that I might have wherewith to blow the fire,
- I did smite two stones together that I might make fire.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:12
- 12 For the Lord had not hitherto suffered that we should make
- much fire, as we journeyed in the wilderness; for he said: I will
- make thy food become sweet, that ye cook it not;
-
- 1 Nephi 17:13
- 13 And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will
- prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my
- commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my
- commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye
- shall know that it is by me that ye are led.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:14
- 14 Yea, and the Lord said also that: After ye have arrived in
- the promised land, ye shall know that I, the Lord, am God; and
- that I, the Lord, did deliver you from destruction; yea, that I
- did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:15
- 15 Wherefore, I, Nephi, did strive to keep the commandments of
- the Lord, and I did exhort my brethren to faithfulness and
- diligence.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:16
- 16 And it came to pass that I did make tools of the ore which I
- did molten out of the rock.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:17
- 17 And when my brethren saw that I was about to build a ship,
- they began to murmur against me, saying: Our brother is a fool,
- for he thinketh that he can build a ship; yea, and he also
- thinketh that he can cross these great waters.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:18
- 18 And thus my brethren did complain against me, and were
- desirous that they might not labor, for they did not believe that
- I could build a ship; neither would they believe that I was
- instructed of the Lord.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:19
- 19 And now it came to pass that I, Nephi, was exceedingly
- sorrowful because of the hardness of their hearts; and now when
- they saw that I began to be sorrowful they were glad in their
- hearts, insomuch that they did rejoice over me, saying: We knew
- that ye could not construct a ship, for we knew that ye were
- lacking in judgment; wherefore, thou canst not accomplish so
- great a work.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:20
- 20 And thou art like unto our father, led away by the foolish
- imaginations of his heart; yea, he hath led us out of the land of
- Jerusalem, and we have wandered in the wilderness for these many
- years; and our women have toiled, being big with child; and they
- have borne children in the wilderness and suffered all things,
- save it were death; and it would have been better that they had
- died before they came out of Jerusalem than to have suffered
- these afflictions.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:21
- 21 Behold, these many years we have suffered in the wilderness,
- which time we might have enjoyed our possessions and the land of
- our inheritance; yea, and we might have been happy.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:22
- 22 And we know that the people who were in the land of Jerusalem
- were a righteous people; for they kept the statutes and judgments
- of the Lord, and all his commandments, according to the law of
- Moses; wherefore, we know that they are a righteous people; and
- our father hath judged them, and hath led us away because we
- would hearken unto his words; yea, and our brother is like unto
- him. And after this manner of language did my brethren murmur
- and complain against us.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:23
- 23 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, spake unto them, saying:
- Do ye believe that our fathers, who were the children of Israel,
- would have been led away out of the hands of the Egyptians if
- they had not hearkened unto the words of the Lord?
-
- 1 Nephi 17:24
- 24 Yea, do ye suppose that they would have been led out of
- bondage, if the Lord had not commanded Moses that he should lead
- them out of bondage?
-
- 1 Nephi 17:25
- 25 Now ye know that the children of Israel were in bondage; and
- ye know that they were laden with tasks, which were grievous to
- be borne; wherefore, ye know that it must needs be a good thing
- for them, that they should be brought out of bondage.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:26
- 26 Now ye know that Moses was commanded of the Lord to do that
- great work; and ye know that by his word the waters of the Red
- Sea were divided hither and thither, and they passed through on
- dry ground.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:27
- 27 But ye know that the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea,
- who were the armies of Pharaoh.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:28
- 28 And ye also know that they were fed with manna in the
- wilderness.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:29
- 29 Yea, and ye also know that Moses, by his word according to
- the power of God which was in him, smote the rock, and there came
- forth water, that the children of Israel might quench their
- thirst.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:30
- 30 And notwithstanding they being led, the Lord their God, their
- Redeemer, going before them, leading them by day and giving light
- unto them by night, and doing all things for them which were
- expedient for man to receive, they hardened their hearts and
- blinded their minds, and reviled against Moses and against the
- true and living God.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:31
- 31 And it came to pass that according to his word he did destroy
- them; and according to his word he did lead them; and according
- to his word he did do all things for them; and there was not any
- thing done save it were by his word.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:32
- 32 And after they had crossed the river Jordan he did make them
- mighty unto the driving out of the children of the land, yea,
- unto the scattering them to destruction.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:33
- 33 And now, do ye suppose that the children of this land, who
- were in the land of promise, who were driven out by our fathers,
- do ye suppose that they were righteous? Behold, I say unto you,
- Nay.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:34
- 34 Do ye suppose that our fathers would have been more choice
- than they if they had been righteous? I say unto you, Nay.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:35
- 35 Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is
- righteous is favored of God. But behold, this people had
- rejected every word of God, and they were ripe in iniquity; and
- the fulness of the wrath of God was upon them; and the Lord did
- curse the land against them, and bless it unto our fathers; yea,
- he did curse it against them unto their destruction, and he did
- bless it unto our fathers unto their obtaining power over it.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:36
- 36 Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be
- inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should
- possess it.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:37
- 37 And he raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroyeth the
- nations of the wicked.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:38
- 38 And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and
- the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for
- their sakes.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:39
- 39 He ruleth high in the heavens, for it is his throne, and this
- earth is his footstool.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:40
- 40 And he loveth those who will have him to be their God.
- Behold, he loved our fathers, and he covenanted with them, yea,
- even Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and he remembered the covenants
- which he had made; wherefore, he did bring them out of the land
- of Egypt.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:41
- 41 And he did straiten them in the wilderness with his rod; for
- they hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord
- straitened them because of their iniquity. He sent fiery flying
- serpents among them; and after they were bitten he prepared a way
- that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to
- perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or
- the easiness of it, there were many who perished.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:42
- 42 And they did harden their hearts from time to time, and they
- did revile against Moses, and also against God; nevertheless, ye
- know that they were led forth by his matchless power into the
- land of promise.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:43
- 43 And now, after all these things, the time has come that they
- have become wicked, yea, nearly unto ripeness; and I know not but
- they are at this day about to be destroyed; for I know that the
- day must surely come that they must be destroyed, save a few
- only, who shall be led away into captivity.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:44
- 44 Wherefore, the Lord commanded my father that he should depart
- into the wilderness; and the Jews also sought to take away his
- life; yea, and ye also have sought to take away his life;
- wherefore, ye are murderers in your hearts and ye are like unto
- them.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:45
- 45 Ye are swift to do iniquity but slow to remember the Lord
- your God. Ye have seen an angel, and he spake unto you; yea, ye
- have heard his voice from time to time; and he hath spoken unto
- you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye
- could not feel his words; wherefore, he has spoken unto you like
- unto the voice of thunder, which did cause the earth to shake as
- if it were to divide asunder.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:46
- 46 And ye also know that by the power of his almighty word he
- can cause the earth that it shall pass away; yea, and ye know
- that by his word he can cause the rough places to be made smooth,
- and smooth places shall be broken up. O, then, why is it, that
- ye can be so hard in your hearts?
-
- 1 Nephi 17:47
- 47 Behold, my soul is rent with anguish because of you, and my
- heart is pained; I fear lest ye shall be cast off forever.
- Behold, I am full of the Spirit of God, insomuch that my frame
- has no strength.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:48
- 48 And now it came to pass that when I had spoken these words,
- they were angry with me, and were desirous to throw me into the
- depths of the sea; and as they came forth to lay their hands upon
- me I spake unto them, saying: In the name of the Almighty God, I
- command you that ye touch me not, for I am filled with the power
- of God, even unto the consuming of my flesh; and whoso shall lay
- his hands upon me shall wither even as a dried reed; and he shall
- be as naught before the power of God, for God shall smite him.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:49
- 49 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto them that they
- should murmur no more against their father; neither should they
- withhold their labor from me, for God had commanded me that I
- should build a ship.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:50
- 50 And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all
- things I could do them. If he should command me that I should
- say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I
- should say it, it would be done.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:51
- 51 And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so
- many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot
- instruct me, that I should build a ship?
-
- 1 Nephi 17:52
- 52 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said many things unto my
- brethren, insomuch that they were confounded and could not
- contend against me; neither durst they lay their hands upon me
- nor touch me with their fingers, even for the space of many days.
-
- Now they durst not do this lest they should wither before me, so
- powerful was the Spirit of God; and thus it had wrought upon
- them.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:53
- 53 And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: Stretch forth
- thine hand again unto thy brethren, and they shall not wither
- before thee, but I will shock them, saith the Lord, and this will
- I do, that they may know that I am the Lord their God.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:54
- 54 And it came to pass that I stretched forth my hand unto my
- brethren, and they did not wither before me; but the Lord did
- shake them, even according to the word which he had spoken.
-
- 1 Nephi 17:55
- 55 And now, they said: We know of a surety that the Lord is with
- thee, for we know that it is the power of the Lord that has
- shaken us. And they fell down before me, and were about to
- worship me, but I would not suffer them, saying: I am thy
- brother, yea, even thy younger brother; wherefore, worship the
- Lord thy God, and honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days
- may be long in the land which the Lord thy God shall give thee.
-
- 1 Nephi 18
- Chapter 18
-
- 1 Nephi 18:1
- 1 And it came to pass that they did worship the Lord, and did go
- forth with me; and we did work timbers of curious workmanship.
- And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I
- should work the timbers of the ship.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:2
- 2 Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which
- was learned by men, neither did I build the ship after the manner
- of men; but I did build it after the manner which the Lord had
- shown unto me; wherefore, it was not after the manner of men.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:3
- 3 And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft
- unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:4
- 4 And it came to pass that after I had finished the ship,
- according to the word of the Lord, my brethren beheld that it was
- good, and that the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine;
- wherefore, they did humble themselves again before the Lord.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:5
- 5 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came unto my
- father, that we should arise and go down into the ship.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:6
- 6 And it came to pass that on the morrow, after we had prepared
- all things, much fruits and meat from the wilderness, and honey
- in abundance, and provisions according to that which the Lord had
- commanded us, we did go down into the ship, with all our loading
- and our seeds, and whatsoever thing we had brought with us, every
- one according to his age; wherefore, we did all go down into the
- ship, with our wives and our children.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:7
- 7 And now, my father had begat two sons in the wilderness; the
- elder was called Jacob and the younger Joseph.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:8
- 8 And it came to pass after we had all gone down into the ship,
- and had taken with us our provisions and things which had been
- commanded us, we did put forth into the sea and were driven forth
- before the wind towards the promised land.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:9
- 9 And after we had been driven forth before the wind for the
- space of many days, behold, my brethren and the sons of Ishmael
- and also their wives began to make themselves merry, insomuch
- that they began to dance, and to sing, and to speak with much
- rudeness, yea, even that they did forget by what power they had
- been brought thither; yea, they were lifted up unto exceeding
- rudeness.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:10
- 10 And I, Nephi, began to fear exceedingly lest the Lord should
- be angry with us, and smite us because of our iniquity, that we
- should be swallowed up in the depths of the sea; wherefore, I,
- Nephi, began to speak to them with much soberness; but behold
- they were angry with me, saying: We will not that our younger
- brother shall be a ruler over us.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:11
- 11 And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel did take me and
- bind me with cords, and they did treat me with much harshness;
- nevertheless, the Lord did suffer it that he might show forth his
- power, unto the fulfilling of his word which he had spoken
- concerning the wicked.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:12
- 12 And it came to pass that after they had bound me insomuch
- that I could not move, the compass, which had been prepared of
- the Lord, did cease to work.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:13
- 13 Wherefore, they knew not whither they should steer the ship,
- insomuch that there arose a great storm, yea, a great and
- terrible tempest, and we were driven back upon the waters for the
- space of three days; and they began to be frightened exceedingly
- lest they should be drowned in the sea; nevertheless they did not
- loose me.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:14
- 14 And on the fourth day, which we had been driven back, the
- tempest began to be exceedingly sore.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:15
- 15 And it came to pass that we were about to be swallowed up in
- the depths of the sea. And after we had been driven back upon
- the waters for the space of four days, my brethren began to see
- that the judgments of God were upon them, and that they must
- perish save that they should repent of their iniquities;
- wherefore, they came unto me, and loosed the bands which were
- upon my wrist, and behold they had swollen exceedingly; and also
- mine ankles were much swollen, and great was the soreness
- thereof.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:16
- 16 Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him
- all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because
- of mine afflictions.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:17
- 17 Now my father, Lehi, had said many things unto them, and also
- unto the sons of Ishmael; but, behold, they did breathe out much
- threatenings against anyone that should speak for me; and my
- parents being stricken in years, and having suffered much grief
- because of their children, they were brought down, yea, even upon
- their sick-beds.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:18
- 18 Because of their grief and much sorrow, and the iniquity of
- my brethren, they were brought near even to be carried out of
- this time to meet their God; yea, their grey hairs were about to
- be brought down to lie low in the dust; yea, even they were near
- to be cast with sorrow into a watery grave.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:19
- 19 And Jacob and Joseph also, being young, having need of much
- nourishment, were grieved because of the afflictions of their
- mother; and also my wife with her tears and prayers, and also my
- children, did not soften the hearts of my brethren that they
- would loose me.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:20
- 20 And there was nothing save it were the power of God, which
- threatened them with destruction, could soften their hearts;
- wherefore, when they saw that they were about to be swallowed up
- in the depths of the sea they repented of the thing which they
- had done, insomuch that they loosed me.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:21
- 21 And it came to pass after they had loosed me, behold, I took
- the compass, and it did work whither I desired it. And it came
- to pass that I prayed unto the Lord; and after I had prayed the
- winds did cease, and the storm did cease, and there was a great
- calm.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:22
- 22 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did guide the ship, that
- we sailed again towards the promised land.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:23
- 23 And it came to pass that after we had sailed for the space of
- many days we did arrive at the promised land; and we went forth
- upon the land, and did pitch our tents; and we did call it the
- promised land.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:24
- 24 And it came to pass that we did begin to till the earth, and
- we began to plant seeds; yea, we did put all our seeds into the
- earth, which we had brought from the land of Jerusalem. And it
- came to pass that they did grow exceedingly; wherefore, we were
- blessed in abundance.
-
- 1 Nephi 18:25
- 25 And it came to pass that we did find upon the land of
- promise, as we journeyed in the wilderness, that there were
- beasts in the forests of every kind, both the cow and the ox, and
- the ass and the horse, and the goat and the wild goat, and all
- manner of wild animals, which were for the use of men. And we
- did find all manner of ore, both of gold, and of silver, and of
- copper.
-
- 1 Nephi 19
- Chapter 19
-
- 1 Nephi 19:1
- 1 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded me, wherefore I
- did make plates of ore that I might engraven upon them the record
- of my people. And upon the plates which I made I did engraven
- the record of my father, and also our journeyings in the
- wilderness, and the prophecies of my father; and also many of
- mine own prophecies have I engraven upon them.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:2
- 2 And I knew not at the time when I made them that I should be
- commanded of the Lord to make these plates; wherefore, the record
- of my father, and the genealogy of his fathers, and the more part
- of all our proceedings in the wilderness are engraven upon those
- first plates of which I have spoken; wherefore, the things which
- transpired before I made these plates are, of a truth, more
- particularly made mention upon the first plates.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:3
- 3 And after I had made these plates by way of commandment, I,
- Nephi, received a commandment that the ministry and the
- prophecies, the more plain and precious parts of them, should be
- written upon these plates; and that the things which were written
- should be kept for the instruction of my people, who should
- possess the land, and also for other wise purposes, which
- purposes are known unto the Lord.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:4
- 4 Wherefore, I, Nephi, did make a record upon the other plates,
- which gives an account, or which gives a greater account of the
- wars and contentions and destructions of my people. And this
- have I done, and commanded my people what they should do after I
- was gone; and that these plates should be handed down from one
- generation to another, or from one prophet to another, until
- further commandments of the Lord.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:5
- 5 And an account of my making these plates shall be given
- hereafter; and then, behold, I proceed according to that which I
- have spoken; and this I do that the more sacred things may be
- kept for the knowledge of my people.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:6
- 6 Nevertheless, I do not write anything upon plates save it be
- that I think it be sacred. And now, if I do err, even did they
- err of old; not that I would excuse myself because of other men,
- but because of the weakness which is in me, according to the
- flesh, I would excuse myself.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:7
- 7 For the things which some men esteem to be of great worth,
- both to the body and soul, others set at naught and trample under
- their feet. Yea, even the very God of Israel do men trample
- under their feet; I say, trample under their feet but I would
- speak in other words--they set him at naught, and hearken not to
- the voice of his counsels.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:8
- 8 And behold he cometh, according to the words of the angel, in
- six hundred years from the time my father left Jerusalem.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:9
- 9 And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to
- be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he
- suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they
- spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving
- kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:10
- 10 And the God of our fathers, who were led out of Egypt, out of
- bondage, and also were preserved in the wilderness by him, yea,
- the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, yieldeth
- himself, according to the words of the angel, as a man, into the
- hands of wicked men, to be lifted up, according to the words of
- Zenock, and to be crucified, according to the words of Neum, and
- to be buried in a sepulchre, according to the words of Zenos,
- which he spake concerning the three days of darkness, which
- should be a sign given of his death unto those who should inhabit
- the isles of the sea, more especially given unto those who are of
- the house of Israel.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:11
- 11 For thus spake the prophet: The Lord God surely shall visit
- all the house of Israel at that day, some with his voice, because
- of their righteousness, unto their great joy and salvation, and
- others with the thunderings and the lightnings of his power, by
- tempest, by fire, and by smoke, and vapor of darkness, and by the
- opening of the earth, and by mountains which shall be carried up.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:12
- 12 And all these things must surely come, saith the prophet
- Zenos. And the rocks of the earth must rend; and because of the
- groanings of the earth, many of the kings of the isles of the sea
- shall be wrought upon by the Spirit of God, to exclaim: The God
- of nature suffers.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:13
- 13 And as for those who are at Jerusalem, saith the prophet,
- they shall be scourged by all people, because they crucify the
- God of Israel, and turn their hearts aside, rejecting signs and
- wonders, and the power and glory of the God of Israel.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:14
- 14 And because they turn their hearts aside, saith the prophet,
- and have despised the Holy One of Israel, they shall wander in
- the flesh, and perish, and become a hiss and a byword, and be
- hated among all nations.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:15
- 15 Nevertheless, when that day cometh, saith the prophet, that
- they no more turn aside their hearts against the Holy One of
- Israel, then will he remember the covenants which he made to
- their fathers.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:16
- 16 Yea, then will he remember the isles of the sea; yea, and all
- the people who are of the house of Israel, will I gather in,
- saith the Lord, according to the words of the prophet Zenos, from
- the four quarters of the earth.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:17
- 17 Yea, and all the earth shall see the salvation of the Lord,
- saith the prophet; every nation, kindred, tongue and people shall
- be blessed.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:18
- 18 And I, Nephi, have written these things unto my people, that
- perhaps I might persuade them that they would remember the Lord
- their Redeemer.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:19
- 19 Wherefore, I speak unto all the house of Israel, if it so be
- that they should obtain these things.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:20
- 20 For behold, I have workings in the spirit, which doth weary
- me even that all my joints are weak, for those who are at
- Jerusalem; for had not the Lord been merciful, to show unto me
- concerning them, even as he had prophets of old, I should have
- perished also.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:21
- 21 And he surely did show unto the prophets of old all things
- concerning them; and also he did show unto many concerning us;
- wherefore, it must needs be that we know concerning them for they
- are written upon the plates of brass.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:22
- 22 Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, did teach my brethren
- these things; and it came to pass that I did read many things to
- them, which were engraven upon the plates of brass, that they
- might know concerning the doings of the Lord in other lands,
- among people of old.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:23
- 23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in
- the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to
- believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that
- which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all
- scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.
-
- 1 Nephi 19:24
- 24 Wherefore I spake unto them, saying: Hear ye the words of the
- prophet, ye who are a remnant of the house of Israel, a branch
- who have been broken off; hear ye the words of the prophet, which
- were written unto all the house of Israel, and liken them unto
- yourselves, that ye may have hope as well as your brethren from
- whom ye have been broken off; for after this manner has the
- prophet written.
-
- 1 Nephi 20
- Chapter 20
-
- 1 Nephi 20:1
- 1 Hearken and hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the
- name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, or
- out of the waters of baptism, who swear by the name of the Lord,
- and make mention of the God of Israel, yet they swear not in
- truth nor in righteousness.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:2
- 2 Nevertheless, they call themselves of the holy city, but they
- do not stay themselves upon the God of Israel, who is the Lord of
- Hosts; yea, the Lord of Hosts is his name.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:3
- 3 Behold, I have declared the former things from the beginning;
- and they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them. I did
- show them suddenly.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:4
- 4 And I did it because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy
- neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;
-
- 1 Nephi 20:5
- 5 And I have even from the beginning declared to thee; before it
- came to pass I showed them thee; and I showed them for fear lest
- thou shouldst say--mine idol hath done them, and my graven image,
- and my molten image hath commanded them.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:6
- 6 Thou hast seen and heard all this; and will ye not declare
- them? And that I have showed thee new things from this time,
- even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:7
- 7 They are created now, and not from the beginning, even before
- the day when thou heardest them not they were declared unto thee,
- lest thou shouldst say--Behold I knew them.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:8
- 8 Yea, and thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from
- that time thine ear was not opened; for I knew that thou wouldst
- deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the
- womb.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:9
- 9 Nevertheless, for my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and
- for my praise will I refrain from thee, that I cut thee not off.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:10
- 10 For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the
- furnace of affliction.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:11
- 11 For mine own sake, yea, for mine own sake will I do this, for
- I will not suffer my name to be polluted, and I will not give my
- glory unto another.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:12
- 12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob, and Israel my called, for I am he;
- I am the first, and I am also the last.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:13
- 13 Mine hand hath also laid the foundation of the earth, and my
- right hand hath spanned the heavens. I call unto them and they
- stand up together.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:14
- 14 All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; who among them hath
- declared these things unto them? The Lord hath loved him; yea,
- and he will fulfill his word which he hath declared by them; and
- he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall come upon
- the Chaldeans.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:15
- 15 Also, saith the Lord; I the Lord, yea, I have spoken; yea, I
- have called him to declare, I have brought him, and he shall make
- his way prosperous.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:16
- 16 Come ye near unto me; I have not spoken in secret; from the
- beginning, from the time that it was declared have I spoken; and
- the Lord God, and his Spirit, hath sent me.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:17
- 17 And thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of
- Israel; I have sent him, the Lord thy God who teacheth thee to
- profit, who leadeth thee by the way thou shouldst go, hath done
- it.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:18
- 18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments--then had thy
- peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the
- sea.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:19
- 19 Thy seed also had been as the sand; the offspring of thy
- bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut
- off nor destroyed from before me.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:20
- 20 Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a
- voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter to the end of the
- earth; say ye: The Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:21
- 21 And they thirsted not; he led them through the deserts; he
- caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them; he clave the
- rock also and the waters gushed out.
-
- 1 Nephi 20:22
- 22 And notwithstanding he hath done all this, and greater also,
- there is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.
-
- 1 Nephi 21
- Chapter 21
-
- 1 Nephi 21:1
- 1 And again: Hearken, O ye house of Israel, all ye that are
- broken off and are driven out because of the wickedness of the
- pastors of my people; yea, all ye that are broken off, that are
- scattered abroad, who are of my people, O house of Israel.
- Listen, O isles, unto me, and hearken ye people from far; the
- Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother
- hath he made mention of my name.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:2
- 2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of
- his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his
- quiver hath he hid me;
-
- 1 Nephi 21:3
- 3 And said unto me: Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I
- will be glorified.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:4
- 4 Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength
- for naught and in vain; surely my judgment is with the Lord, and
- my work with my God.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:5
- 5 And now, saith the Lord--that formed me from the womb that I
- should be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him--though Israel
- be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord,
- and my God shall be my strength.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:6
- 6 And he said: It is a light thing that thou shouldst be my
- servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the
- preserved of Israel. I will also give thee for a light to the
- Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the ends of the
- earth.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:7
- 7 Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, to
- him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to
- servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall
- worship, because of the Lord that is faithful.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:8
- 8 Thus saith the Lord: In an acceptable time have I heard thee,
- O isles of the sea, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee;
- and I will preserve thee, and give thee my servant for a covenant
- of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the
- desolate heritages;
-
- 1 Nephi 21:9
- 9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners: Go forth; to them that
- sit in darkness: Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways,
- and their pastures shall be in all high places.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:10
- 10 They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor
- the sun smite them; for he that hath mercy on them shall lead
- them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:11
- 11 And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall
- be exalted.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:12
- 12 And then, O house of Israel, behold, these shall come from
- far; and lo, these from the north and from the west; and these
- from the land of Sinim.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:13
- 13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; for the feet of
- those who are in the east shall be established; and break forth
- into singing, O mountains; for they shall be smitten no more; for
- the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his
- afflicted.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:14
- 14 But, behold, Zion hath said: The Lord hath forsaken me, and
- my Lord hath forgotten me--but he will show that he hath not.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:15
- 15 For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not
- have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget,
- yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:16
- 16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy
- walls are continually before me.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:17
- 17 Thy children shall make haste against thy destroyers; and
- they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:18
- 18 Lift up thine eyes round about and behold; all these gather
- themselves together, and they shall come to thee. And as I live,
- saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as
- with an ornament, and bind them on even as a bride.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:19
- 19 For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy
- destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the
- inhabitants; and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:20
- 20 The children whom thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the
- first, shall again in thine ears say: The place is too strait for
- me; give place to me that I may dwell.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:21
- 21 Then shalt thou say in thine heart: Who hath begotten me
- these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a
- captive, and removing to and fro? And who hath brought up these?
-
- Behold, I was left alone; these, where have they been?
-
- 1 Nephi 21:22
- 22 Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I will lift up mine hand to
- the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people; and they
- shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be
- carried upon their shoulders.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:23
- 23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy
- nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their face
- towards the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou
- shalt know that I am the Lord; for they shall not be ashamed that
- wait for me.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:24
- 24 For shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful
- captives delivered?
-
- 1 Nephi 21:25
- 25 But thus saith the Lord, even the captives of the mighty
- shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be
- delivered; for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee,
- and I will save thy children.
-
- 1 Nephi 21:26
- 26 And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh;
- they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet wine;
- and all flesh shall know that I, the Lord, am thy Savior and thy
- Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
-
- 1 Nephi 22
- Chapter 22
-
- 1 Nephi 22:1
- 1 And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had read these
- things which were engraven upon the plates of brass, my brethren
- came unto me and said unto me: What meaneth these things which ye
- have read? Behold, are they to be understood according to things
- which are spiritual, which shall come to pass according to the
- spirit and not the flesh?
-
- 1 Nephi 22:2
- 2 And I, Nephi, said unto them: Behold they were manifest unto
- the prophet by the voice of the Spirit; for by the Spirit are all
- things made known unto the prophets, which shall come upon the
- children of men according to the flesh.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:3
- 3 Wherefore, the things of which I have read are things
- pertaining to things both temporal and spiritual; for it appears
- that the house of Israel, sooner or later, will be scattered upon
- all the face of the earth, and also among all nations.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:4
- 4 And behold, there are many who are already lost from the
- knowledge of those who are at Jerusalem. Yea, the more part of
- all the tribes have been led away; and they are scattered to and
- fro upon the isles of the sea; and whither they are none of us
- knoweth, save that we know that they have been led away.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:5
- 5 And since they have been led away, these things have been
- prophesied concerning them, and also concerning all those who
- shall hereafter be scattered and be confounded, because of the
- Holy One of Israel; for against him will they harden their
- hearts; wherefore, they shall be scattered among all nations and
- shall be hated of all men.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:6
- 6 Nevertheless, after they shall be nursed by the Gentiles, and
- the Lord has lifted up his hand upon the Gentiles and set them up
- for a standard, and their children have been carried in their
- arms, and their daughters have been carried upon their shoulders,
- behold these things of which are spoken are temporal; for thus
- are the covenants of the Lord with our fathers; and it meaneth us
- in the days to come, and also all our brethren who are of the
- house of Israel.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:7
- 7 And it meaneth that the time cometh that after all the house
- of Israel have been scattered and confounded, that the Lord God
- will raise up a mighty nation among the Gentiles, yea, even upon
- the face of this land; and by them shall our seed be scattered.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:8
- 8 And after our seed is scattered the Lord God will proceed to
- do a marvelous work among the Gentiles, which shall be of great
- worth unto our seed; wherefore, it is likened unto their being
- nourished by the Gentiles and being carried in their arms and
- upon their shoulders.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:9
- 9 And it shall also be of worth unto the Gentiles; and not only
- unto the Gentiles but unto all the house of Israel, unto the
- making known of the covenants of the Father of heaven unto
- Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth
- be blessed.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:10
- 10 And I would, my brethren, that ye should know that all the
- kindreds of the earth cannot be blessed unless he shall make bare
- his arm in the eyes of the nations.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:11
- 11 Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to make bare his arm in
- the eyes of all the nations, in bringing about his covenants and
- his gospel unto those who are of the house of Israel.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:12
- 12 Wherefore, he will bring them again out of captivity, and
- they shall be gathered together to the lands of their
- inheritance; and they shall be brought out of obscurity and out
- of darkness; and they shall know that the Lord is their Savior
- and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:13
- 13 And the blood of that great and abominable church, which is
- the whore of all the earth, shall turn upon their own heads; for
- they shall war among themselves, and the sword of their own hands
- shall fall upon their own heads, and they shall be drunken with
- their own blood.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:14
- 14 And every nation which shall war against thee, O house of
- Israel, shall be turned one against another, and they shall fall
- into the pit which they digged to ensnare the people of the Lord.
-
- And all that fight against Zion shall be destroyed, and that
- great whore, who hath perverted the right ways of the Lord, yea,
- that great and abominable church, shall tumble to the dust and
- great shall be the fall of it.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:15
- 15 For behold, saith the prophet, the time cometh speedily that
- Satan shall have no more power over the hearts of the children of
- men; for the day soon cometh that all the proud and they who do
- wickedly shall be as stubble; and the day cometh that they must
- be burned.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:16
- 16 For the time soon cometh that the fulness of the wrath of God
- shall be poured out upon all the children of men; for he will not
- suffer that the wicked shall destroy the righteous.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:17
- 17 Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power, even
- if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the
- righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their
- enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for
- thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as
- by fire.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:18
- 18 Behold, my brethren, I say unto you, that these things must
- shortly come; yea, even blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke must
- come; and it must needs be upon the face of this earth; and it
- cometh unto men according to the flesh if it so be that they will
- harden their hearts against the Holy One of Israel.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:19
- 19 For behold, the righteous shall not perish; for the time
- surely must come that all they who fight against Zion shall be
- cut off.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:20
- 20 And the Lord will surely prepare a way for his people, unto
- the fulfilling of the words of Moses, which he spake, saying: A
- prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, like unto me;
- him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
-
- And it shall come to pass that all those who will not hear that
- prophet shall be cut off from among the people.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:21
- 21 And now I, Nephi, declare unto you, that this prophet of whom
- Moses spake was the Holy One of Israel; wherefore, he shall
- execute judgment in righteousness.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:22
- 22 And the righteous need not fear, for they are those who shall
- not be confounded. But it is the kingdom of the devil, which
- shall be built up among the children of men, which kingdom is
- established among them which are in the flesh--
-
- 1 Nephi 22:23
- 23 For the time speedily shall come that all churches which are
- built up to get gain, and all those who are built up to get power
- over the flesh, and those who are built up to become popular in
- the eyes of the world, and those who seek the lusts of the flesh
- and the things of the world, and to do all manner of iniquity;
- yea, in fine, all those who belong to the kingdom of the devil
- are they who need fear, and tremble, and quake; they are those
- who must be brought low in the dust; they are those who must be
- consumed as stubble; and this is according to the words of the
- prophet.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:24
- 24 And the time cometh speedily that the righteous must be led
- up as calves of the stall, and the Holy One of Israel must reign
- in dominion, and might, and power, and great glory.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:25
- 25 And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the
- earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him; and there
- shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep,
- and in him they shall find pasture.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:26
- 26 And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no
- power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many
- years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for
- they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:27
- 27 And now behold, I, Nephi, say unto you that all these things
- must come according to the flesh.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:28
- 28 But, behold, all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people shall
- dwell safely in the Holy One of Israel if it so be that they will
- repent.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:29
- 29 And now I, Nephi, make an end; for I durst not speak further
- as yet concerning these things.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:30
- 30 Wherefore, my brethren, I would that ye should consider that
- the things which have been written upon the plates of brass are
- true; and they testify that a man must be obedient to the
- commandments of God.
-
- 1 Nephi 22:31
- 31 Wherefore, ye need not suppose that I and my father are the
- only ones that have testified, and also taught them. Wherefore,
- if ye shall be obedient to the commandments, and endure to the
- end, ye shall be saved at the last day. And thus it is. Amen.
-
- 2 Nephi
- THE SECOND BOOK OF NEPHI
- An account of the death of Lehi. Nephi's brethren rebel against
- him. The Lord warns Nephi to depart into the wilderness. His
- journeyings in the wilderness, and so forth.
-
- 2 Nephi 1
- Chapter 1
-
- 2 Nephi 1:1
- 1 And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made an end
- of teaching my brethren, our father, Lehi, also spake many things
- unto them, and rehearsed unto them, how great things the Lord had
- done for them in bringing them out of the land of Jerusalem.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:2
- 2 And he spake unto them concerning their rebellions upon the
- waters, and the mercies of God in sparing their lives, that they
- were not swallowed up in the sea.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:3
- 3 And he also spake unto them concerning the land of promise,
- which they had obtained--how merciful the Lord had been in
- warning us that we should flee out of the land of Jerusalem.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:4
- 4 For, behold, said he, I have seen a vision, in which I know
- that Jerusalem is destroyed; and had we remained in Jerusalem we
- should also have perished.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:5
- 5 But, said he, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have
- obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all
- other lands; a land which the Lord God hath covenanted with me
- should be a land for the inheritance of my seed. Yea, the Lord
- hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever,
- and also all those who should be led out of other countries by
- the hand of the Lord.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:6
- 6 Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the
- Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land
- save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:7
- 7 Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall
- bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to
- the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of
- liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down
- into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if
- iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes,
- but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:8
- 8 And behold, it is wisdom that this land should be kept as yet
- from the knowledge of other nations; for behold, many nations
- would overrun the land, that there would be no place for an
- inheritance.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:9
- 9 Wherefore, I, Lehi, have obtained a promise, that inasmuch as
- those whom the Lord God shall bring out of the land of Jerusalem
- shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of
- this land; and they shall be kept from all other nations, that
- they may possess this land unto themselves. And if it so be that
- they shall keep his commandments they shall be blessed upon the
- face of this land, and there shall be none to molest them, nor to
- take away the land of their inheritance; and they shall dwell
- safely forever.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:10
- 10 But behold, when the time cometh that they shall dwindle in
- unbelief, after they have received so great blessings from the
- hand of the Lord--having a knowledge of the creation of the
- earth, and all men, knowing the great and marvelous works of the
- Lord from the creation of the world; having power given them to
- do all things by faith; having all the commandments from the
- beginning, and having been brought by his infinite goodness into
- this precious land of promise--behold, I say, if the day shall
- come that they will reject the Holy One of Israel, the true
- Messiah, their Redeemer and their God, behold, the judgments of
- him that is just shall rest upon them.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:11
- 11 Yea, he will bring other nations unto them, and he will give
- unto them power, and he will take away from them the lands of
- their possessions, and he will cause them to be scattered and
- smitten.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:12
- 12 Yea, as one generation passeth to another there shall be
- bloodsheds, and great visitations among them; wherefore, my sons,
- I would that ye would remember; yea, I would that ye would
- hearken unto my words.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:13
- 13 O that ye would awake; awake from a deep sleep, yea, even
- from the sleep of hell, and shake off the awful chains by which
- ye are bound, which are the chains which bind the children of
- men, that they are carried away captive down to the eternal gulf
- of misery and woe.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:14
- 14 Awake! and arise from the dust, and hear the words of a
- trembling parent, whose limbs ye must soon lay down in the cold
- and silent grave, from whence no traveler can return; a few more
- days and I go the way of all the earth.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:15
- 15 But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have
- beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms
- of his love.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:16
- 16 And I desire that ye should remember to observe the statutes
- and the judgments of the Lord; behold, this hath been the anxiety
- of my soul from the beginning.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:17
- 17 My heart hath been weighed down with sorrow from time to
- time, for I have feared, lest for the hardness of your hearts the
- Lord your God should come out in the fulness of his wrath upon
- you, that ye be cut off and destroyed forever;
-
- 2 Nephi 1:18
- 18 Or, that a cursing should come upon you for the space of many
- generations; and ye are visited by sword, and by famine, and are
- hated, and are led according to the will and captivity of the
- devil.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:19
- 19 O my sons, that these things might not come upon you, but
- that ye might be a choice and a favored people of the Lord. But
- behold, his will be done; for his ways are righteousness forever.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:20
- 20 And he hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my
- commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye
- will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my
- presence.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:21
- 21 And now that my soul might have joy in you, and that my heart
- might leave this world with gladness because of you, that I might
- not be brought down with grief and sorrow to the grave, arise
- from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind
- and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down
- into captivity;
-
- 2 Nephi 1:22
- 22 That ye may not be cursed with a sore cursing; and also, that
- ye may not incur the displeasure of a just God upon you, unto the
- destruction, yea, the eternal destruction of both soul and body.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:23
- 23 Awake, my sons; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off
- the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of
- obscurity, and arise from the dust.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:24
- 24 Rebel no more against your brother, whose views have been
- glorious, and who hath kept the commandments from the time that
- we left Jerusalem; and who hath been an instrument in the hands
- of God, in bringing us forth into the land of promise; for were
- it not for him, we must have perished with hunger in the
- wilderness; nevertheless, ye sought to take away his life; yea,
- and he hath suffered much sorrow because of you.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:25
- 25 And I exceedingly fear and tremble because of you, lest he
- shall suffer again; for behold, ye have accused him that he
- sought power and authority over you; but I know that he hath not
- sought for power nor authority over you, but he hath sought the
- glory of God, and your own eternal welfare.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:26
- 26 And ye have murmured because he hath been plain unto you. Ye
- say that he hath used sharpness; ye say that he hath been angry
- with you; but behold, his sharpness was the sharpness of the
- power of the word of God, which was in him; and that which ye
- call anger was the truth, according to that which is in God,
- which he could not restrain, manifesting boldly concerning your
- iniquities.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:27
- 27 And it must needs be that the power of God must be with him,
- even unto his commanding you that ye must obey. But behold, it
- was not he, but it was the Spirit of the Lord which was in him,
- which opened his mouth to utterance that he could not shut it.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:28
- 28 And now my son, Laman, and also Lemuel and Sam, and also my
- sons who are the sons of Ishmael, behold, if ye will hearken unto
- the voice of Nephi ye shall not perish. And if ye will hearken
- unto him I leave unto you a blessing, yea, even my first
- blessing.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:29
- 29 But if ye will not hearken unto him I take away my first
- blessing, yea, even my blessing, and it shall rest upon him.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:30
- 30 And now Zoram, I speak unto you: Behold, thou art the servant
- of Laban; nevertheless, thou hast been brought out of the land of
- Jerusalem, and I know that thou art a true friend unto my son,
- Nephi, forever.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:31
- 31 Wherefore, because thou hast been faithful thy seed shall be
- blessed with his seed, that they dwell in prosperity long upon
- the face of this land; and nothing, save it shall be iniquity
- among them, shall harm or disturb their prosperity upon the face
- of this land forever.
-
- 2 Nephi 1:32
- 32 Wherefore, if ye shall keep the commandments of the Lord, the
- Lord hath consecrated this land for the security of thy seed with
- the seed of my son.
-
- 2 Nephi 2
- Chapter 2
-
- 2 Nephi 2:1
- 1 And now, Jacob, I speak unto you: Thou art my first-born in
- the days of my tribulation in the wilderness. And behold, in thy
- childhood thou hast suffered afflictions and much sorrow, because
- of the rudeness of thy brethren.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:2
- 2 Nevertheless, Jacob, my first-born in the wilderness, thou
- knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine
- afflictions for thy gain.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:3
- 3 Wherefore, thy soul shall be blessed, and thou shalt dwell
- safely with thy brother, Nephi; and thy days shall be spent in
- the service of thy God. Wherefore, I know that thou art
- redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer; for thou
- hast beheld that in the fulness of time he cometh to bring
- salvation unto men.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:4
- 4 And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory; wherefore, thou
- art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister in the
- flesh; for the Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.
-
- And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is
- free.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:5
- 5 And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from
- evil. And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is
- justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal
- law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish
- from that which is good, and become miserable forever.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:6
- 6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah;
- for he is full of grace and truth.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:7
- 7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the
- ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a
- contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be
- answered.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:8
- 8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known
- unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there
- is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be
- through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who
- layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again
- by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the
- resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:9
- 9 Wherefore, he is the first-fruits unto God, inasmuch as he
- shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they
- that believe in him shall be saved.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:10
- 10 And because of the intercession for all, all men come unto
- God; wherefore, they stand in the presence of him to be judged of
- him according to the truth and holiness which is in him.
- Wherefore, the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given,
- unto the inflicting of the punishment which is affixed, which
- punishment that is affixed is in opposition to that of the
- happiness which is affixed, to answer the ends of the atonement--
-
- 2 Nephi 2:11
- 11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all
- things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness,
- righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness,
- neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore,
- all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it
- should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life
- neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor
- misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:12
- 12 Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of
- naught; wherefore there would have been no purpose in the end of
- its creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the
- wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and
- the mercy, and the justice of God.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:13
- 13 And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there
- is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say
- there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness
- there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor
- happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things
- are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not,
- neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of
- things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all
- things must have vanished away.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:14
- 14 And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your
- profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all
- things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in
- them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:15
- 15 And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man,
- after he had created our first parents, and the beasts of the
- field and the fowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are
- created, it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the
- forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being
- sweet and the other bitter.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:16
- 16 Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for
- himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should
- be that he was enticed by the one or the other.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:17
- 17 And I, Lehi, according to the things which I have read, must
- needs suppose that an angel of God, according to that which is
- written, had fallen from heaven; wherefore, he became a devil,
- having sought that which was evil before God.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:18
- 18 And because he had fallen from heaven, and had become
- miserable forever, he sought also the misery of all mankind.
- Wherefore, he said unto Eve, yea, even that old serpent, who is
- the devil, who is the father of all lies, wherefore he said:
- Partake of the forbidden fruit, and ye shall not die, but ye
- shall be as God, knowing good and evil.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:19
- 19 And after Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit
- they were driven out of the garden of Eden, to till the earth.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:20
- 20 And they have brought forth children; yea, even the family of
- all the earth.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:21
- 21 And the days of the children of men were prolonged, according
- to the will of God, that they might repent while in the flesh;
- wherefore, their state became a state of probation, and their
- time was lengthened, according to the commandments which the Lord
- God gave unto the children of men. For he gave commandment that
- all men must repent; for he showed unto all men that they were
- lost, because of the transgression of their parents.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:22
- 22 And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not
- have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden.
- And all things which were created must have remained in the same
- state in which they were after they were created; and they must
- have remained forever, and had no end.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:23
- 23 And they would have had no children; wherefore they would
- have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they
- knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:24
- 24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him
- who knoweth all things.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:25
- 25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might
- have joy.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:26
- 26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may
- redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they
- are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing
- good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon,
- save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last
- day, according to the commandments which God hath given.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:27
- 27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all
- things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are
- free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great
- Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according
- to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all
- men might be miserable like unto himself.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:28
- 28 And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great
- Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be
- faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to
- the will of his Holy Spirit;
-
- 2 Nephi 2:29
- 29 And not choose eternal death, according to the will of the
- flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of
- the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he
- may reign over you in his own kingdom.
-
- 2 Nephi 2:30
- 30 I have spoken these few words unto you all, my sons, in the
- last days of my probation; and I have chosen the good part,
- according to the words of the prophet. And I have none other
- object save it be the everlasting welfare of your souls. Amen.
-
- 2 Nephi 3
- Chapter 3
-
- 2 Nephi 3:1
- 1 And now I speak unto you, Joseph, my last-born. Thou wast
- born in the wilderness of mine afflictions; yea, in the days of
- my greatest sorrow did thy mother bear thee.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:2
- 2 And may the Lord consecrate also unto thee this land, which is
- a most precious land, for thine inheritance and the inheritance
- of thy seed with thy brethren, for thy security forever, if it so
- be that ye shall keep the commandments of the Holy One of Israel.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:3
- 3 And now, Joseph, my last-born, whom I have brought out of the
- wilderness of mine afflictions, may the Lord bless thee forever,
- for thy seed shall not utterly be destroyed.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:4
- 4 For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins; and I am a
- descendant of Joseph who was carried captive into Egypt. And
- great were the covenants of the Lord which he made unto Joseph.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:5
- 5 Wherefore, Joseph truly saw our day. And he obtained a
- promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of his loins the Lord
- God would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel;
- not the Messiah, but a branch which was to be broken off,
- nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord that
- the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter days,
- in the spirit of power, unto the bringing of them out of darkness
- unto light--yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto
- freedom.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:6
- 6 For Joseph truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my
- God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my
- loins.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:7
- 7 Yea, Joseph truly said: Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice
- seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall
- be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. And unto him
- will I give commandment that he shall do a work for the fruit of
- thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them,
- even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants
- which I have made with thy fathers.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:8
- 8 And I will give unto him a commandment that he shall do none
- other work, save the work which I shall command him. And I will
- make him great in mine eyes; for he shall do my work.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:9
- 9 And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I
- would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:10
- 10 And Moses will I raise up, to deliver thy people out of the
- land of Egypt.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:11
- 11 But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and
- unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed
- of thy loins--and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith
- the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have
- already gone forth among them.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:12
- 12 Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit
- of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be
- written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be
- written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together,
- unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of
- contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins,
- and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter
- days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:13
- 13 And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when
- my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring
- thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:14
- 14 And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: Behold, that seer will
- the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be
- confounded; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord,
- of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure
- of the fulfilling of this promise;
-
- 2 Nephi 3:15
- 15 And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after
- the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the
- thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power
- of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:16
- 16 Yea, thus prophesied Joseph: I am sure of this thing, even as
- I am sure of the promise of Moses; for the Lord hath said unto
- me, I will preserve thy seed forever.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:17
- 17 And the Lord hath said: I will raise up a Moses; and I will
- give power unto him in a rod; and I will give judgment unto him
- in writing. Yet I will not loose his tongue, that he shall speak
- much, for I will not make him mighty in speaking. But I will
- write unto him my law, by the finger of mine own hand; and I will
- make a spokesman for him.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:18
- 18 And the Lord said unto me also: I will raise up unto the
- fruit of thy loins; and I will make for him a spokesman. And I,
- behold, I will give unto him that he shall write the writing of
- the fruit of thy loins, unto the fruit of thy loins; and the
- spokesman of thy loins shall declare it.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:19
- 19 And the words which he shall write shall be the words which
- are expedient in my wisdom should go forth unto the fruit of thy
- loins. And it shall be as if the fruit of thy loins had cried
- unto them from the dust; for I know their faith.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:20
- 20 And they shall cry from the dust; yea, even repentance unto
- their brethren, even after many generations have gone by them.
- And it shall come to pass that their cry shall go, even according
- to the simpleness of their words.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:21
- 21 Because of their faith their words shall proceed forth out of
- my mouth unto their brethren who are the fruit of thy loins; and
- the weakness of their words will I make strong in their faith,
- unto the remembering of my covenant which I made unto thy
- fathers.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:22
- 22 And now, behold, my son Joseph, after this manner did my
- father of old prophesy.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:23
- 23 Wherefore, because of this covenant thou art blessed; for thy
- seed shall not be destroyed, for they shall hearken unto the
- words of the book.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:24
- 24 And there shall rise up one mighty among them, who shall do
- much good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the
- hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and
- do that thing which is great in the sight of God, unto the
- bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel, and
- unto the seed of thy brethren.
-
- 2 Nephi 3:25
- 25 And now, blessed art thou, Joseph. Behold, thou art little;
- wherefore hearken unto the words of thy brother, Nephi, and it
- shall be done unto thee even according to the words which I have
- spoken. Remember the words of thy dying father. Amen.
-
- 2 Nephi 4
- Chapter 4
-
- 2 Nephi 4:1
- 1 And now, I, Nephi, speak concerning the prophecies of which my
- father hath spoken, concerning Joseph, who was carried into
- Egypt.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:2
- 2 For behold, he truly prophesied concerning all his seed. And
- the prophecies which he wrote, there are not many greater. And
- he prophesied concerning us, and our future generations; and they
- are written upon the plates of brass.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:3
- 3 Wherefore, after my father had made an end of speaking
- concerning the prophecies of Joseph, he called the children of
- Laman, his sons, and his daughters, and said unto them: Behold,
- my sons, and my daughters, who are the sons and the daughters of
- my first-born, I would that ye should give ear unto my words.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:4
- 4 For the Lord God hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my
- commandments ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye
- will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my
- presence.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:5
- 5 But behold, my sons and my daughters, I cannot go down to my
- grave save I should leave a blessing upon you; for behold, I know
- that if ye are brought up in the way ye should go ye will not
- depart from it.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:6
- 6 Wherefore, if ye are cursed, behold, I leave my blessing upon
- you, that the cursing may be taken from you and be answered upon
- the heads of your parents.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:7
- 7 Wherefore, because of my blessing the Lord God will not suffer
- that ye shall perish; wherefore, he will be merciful unto you and
- unto your seed forever.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:8
- 8 And it came to pass that after my father had made an end of
- speaking to the sons and daughters of Laman, he caused the sons
- and daughters of Lemuel to be brought before him.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:9
- 9 And he spake unto them, saying: Behold, my sons and my
- daughters, who are the sons and the daughters of my second son;
- behold I leave unto you the same blessing which I left unto the
- sons and daughters of Laman; wherefore, thou shalt not utterly be
- destroyed; but in the end thy seed shall be blessed.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:10
- 10 And it came to pass that when my father had made an end of
- speaking unto them, behold, he spake unto the sons of Ishmael,
- yea, and even all his household.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:11
- 11 And after he had made an end of speaking unto them, he spake
- unto Sam, saying: Blessed art thou, and thy seed; for thou shall
- inherit the land like unto thy brother Nephi. And thy seed shall
- be numbered with his seed; and thou shalt be even like unto thy
- brother, and thy seed like unto his seed; and thou shalt be
- blessed in all thy days.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:12
- 12 And it came to pass after my father, Lehi, had spoken unto
- all his household, according to the feelings of his heart and the
- Spirit of the Lord which was in him, he waxed old. And it came
- to pass that he died, and was buried.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:13
- 13 And it came to pass that not many days after his death, Laman
- and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael were angry with me because of
- the admonitions of the Lord.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:14
- 14 For I, Nephi, was constrained to speak unto them, according
- to his word; for I had spoken many things unto them, and also my
- father, before his death; many of which sayings are written upon
- mine other plates; for a more history part are written upon mine
- other plates.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:15
- 15 And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the
- scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my
- soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them,
- and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:16
- 16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my
- heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and
- heard.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:17
- 17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord,
- in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth:
- O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my
- flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:18
- 18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the
- sins which do so easily beset me.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:19
- 19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my
- sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:20
- 20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine
- afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the
- waters of the great deep.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:21
- 21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of
- my flesh.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:22
- 22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to
- quake before me.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:23
- 23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me
- knowledge by visions in the nighttime.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:24
- 24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him;
- yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and
- ministered unto me.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:25
- 25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried
- away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld
- great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden
- that I should not write them.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:26
- 26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his
- condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so
- much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the
- valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength
- slacken, because of mine afflictions?
-
- 2 Nephi 4:27
- 27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why
- should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in
- my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry
- because of mine enemy?
-
- 2 Nephi 4:28
- 28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my
- heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:29
- 29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken
- my strength because of mine afflictions.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:30
- 30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord,
- I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my
- God, and the rock of my salvation.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:31
- 31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out
- of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake
- at the appearance of sin?
-
- 2 Nephi 4:32
- 32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because
- that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt
- thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I
- may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in
- the plain road!
-
- 2 Nephi 4:33
- 33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy
- righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape
- before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me!
- Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way--but that thou
- wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the
- ways of mine enemy.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:34
- 34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee
- forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know
- that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh.
- Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh
- his arm.
-
- 2 Nephi 4:35
- 35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh.
- Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will
- lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God,
- the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever
- ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.
-
- 2 Nephi 5
- Chapter 5
-
- 2 Nephi 5:1
- 1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cry much unto the
- Lord my God, because of the anger of my brethren.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:2
- 2 But behold, their anger did increase against me, insomuch that
- they did seek to take away my life.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:3
- 3 Yea, they did murmur against me, saying: Our younger brother
- thinks to rule over us; and we have had much trial because of
- him; wherefore, now let us slay him, that we may not be afflicted
- more because of his words. For behold, we will not have him to
- be our ruler; for it belongs unto us, who are the elder brethren,
- to rule over this people.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:4
- 4 Now I do not write upon these plates all the words which they
- murmured against me. But it sufficeth me to say, that they did
- seek to take away my life.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:5
- 5 And it came to pass that the Lord did warn me, that I, Nephi,
- should depart from them and flee into the wilderness, and all
- those who would go with me.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:6
- 6 Wherefore, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did take my family,
- and also Zoram and his family, and Sam, mine elder brother and
- his family, and Jacob and Joseph, my younger brethren, and also
- my sisters, and all those who would go with me. And all those
- who would go with me were those who believed in the warnings and
- the revelations of God; wherefore, they did hearken unto my
- words.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:7
- 7 And we did take our tents and whatsoever things were possible
- for us, and did journey in the wilderness for the space of many
- days. And after we had journeyed for the space of many days we
- did pitch our tents.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:8
- 8 And my people would that we should call the name of the place
- Nephi; wherefore, we did call it Nephi.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:9
- 9 And all those who were with me did take upon them to call
- themselves the people of Nephi.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:10
- 10 And we did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes,
- and the commandments of the Lord in all things according to the
- law of Moses.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:11
- 11 And the Lord was with us; and we did prosper exceedingly; for
- we did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance. And we
- began to raise flocks, and herds, and animals of every kind.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:12
- 12 And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were
- engraven upon the plates of brass; and also the ball, or compass,
- which was prepared for my father by the hand of the Lord,
- according to that which is written.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:13
- 13 And it came to pass that we began to prosper exceedingly, and
- to multiply in the land.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:14
- 14 And I, Nephi, did take the sword of Laban, and after the
- manner of it did make many swords, lest by any means the people
- who were now called Lamanites should come upon us and destroy us;
- for I knew their hatred towards me and my children and those who
- were called my people.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:15
- 15 And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in
- all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and
- of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which
- were in great abundance.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:16
- 16 And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I did construct it
- after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built
- of so many precious things; for they were not to be found upon
- the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon's
- temple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the
- temple of Solomon; and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly
- fine.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:17
- 17 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cause my people to be
- industrious, and to labor with their hands.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:18
- 18 And it came to pass that they would that I should be their
- king. But I, Nephi, was desirous that they should have no king;
- nevertheless, I did for them according to that which was in my
- power.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:19
- 19 And behold, the words of the Lord had been fulfilled unto my
- brethren, which he spake concerning them, that I should be their
- ruler and their teacher. Wherefore, I had been their ruler and
- their teacher, according to the commandments of the Lord, until
- the time they sought to take away my life.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:20
- 20 Wherefore, the word of the Lord was fulfilled which he spake
- unto me, saying that: Inasmuch as they will not hearken unto thy
- words they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And
- behold, they were cut off from his presence.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:21
- 21 And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a
- sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had
- hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto
- a flint; wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and
- delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the
- Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:22
- 22 And thus saith the Lord God: I will cause that they shall be
- loathsome unto thy people, save they shall repent of their
- iniquities.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:23
- 23 And cursed shall be the seed of him that mixeth with their
- seed; for they shall be cursed even with the same cursing. And
- the Lord spake it, and it was done.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:24
- 24 And because of their cursing which was upon them they did
- become an idle people, full of mischief and subtlety, and did
- seek in the wilderness for beasts of prey.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:25
- 25 And the Lord God said unto me: They shall be a scourge unto
- thy seed, to stir them up in remembrance of me; and inasmuch as
- they will not remember me, and hearken unto my words, they shall
- scourge them even unto destruction.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:26
- 26 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did consecrate Jacob and
- Joseph, that they should be priests and teachers over the land of
- my people.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:27
- 27 And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of
- happiness.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:28
- 28 And thirty years had passed away from the time we left
- Jerusalem.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:29
- 29 And I, Nephi, had kept the records upon my plates, which I
- had made, of my people thus far.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:30
- 30 And it came to pass that the Lord God said unto me: Make
- other plates; and thou shalt engraven many things upon them which
- are good in my sight, for the profit of thy people.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:31
- 31 Wherefore, I, Nephi, to be obedient to the commandments of
- the Lord, went and made these plates upon which I have engraven
- these things.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:32
- 32 And I engraved that which is pleasing unto God. And if my
- people are pleased with the things of God they will be pleased
- with mine engravings which are upon these plates.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:33
- 33 And if my people desire to know the more particular part of
- the history of my people they must search mine other plates.
-
- 2 Nephi 5:34
- 34 And it sufficeth me to say that forty years had passed away,
- and we had already had wars and contentions with our brethren.
-
- 2 Nephi 6
- Chapter 6
-
- 2 Nephi 6:1
- 1 The words of Jacob, the brother of Nephi, which he spake unto
- the people of Nephi:
-
- 2 Nephi 6:2
- 2 Behold, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, having been called of
- God, and ordained after the manner of his holy order, and having
- been consecrated by my brother Nephi, unto whom ye look as a king
- or a protector, and on whom ye depend for safety, behold ye know
- that I have spoken unto you exceedingly many things.
-
- 2 Nephi 6:3
- 3 Nevertheless, I speak unto you again; for I am desirous for
- the welfare of your souls. Yea, mine anxiety is great for you;
- and ye yourselves know that it ever has been. For I have
- exhorted you with all diligence; and I have taught you the words
- of my father; and I have spoken unto you concerning all things
- which are written, from the creation of the world.
-
- 2 Nephi 6:4
- 4 And now, behold, I would speak unto you concerning things
- which are, and which are to come; wherefore, I will read you the
- words of Isaiah. And they are the words which my brother has
- desired that I should speak unto you. And I speak unto you for
- your sakes, that ye may learn and glorify the name of your God.
-
- 2 Nephi 6:5
- 5 And now, the words which I shall read are they which Isaiah
- spake concerning all the house of Israel; wherefore, they may be
- likened unto you, for ye are of the house of Israel. And there
- are many things which have been spoken by Isaiah which may be
- likened unto you, because ye are of the house of Israel.
-
- 2 Nephi 6:6
- 6 And now these are the words: Thus saith the Lord God: Behold,
- I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard
- to the people; and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and
- thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
-
- 2 Nephi 6:7
- 7 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy
- nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their faces
- towards the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou
- shalt know that I am the Lord; for they shall not be ashamed that
- wait for me.
-
- 2 Nephi 6:8
- 8 And now I, Jacob, would speak somewhat concerning these words.
-
- For behold, the Lord has shown me that those who were at
- Jerusalem, from whence we came, have been slain and carried away
- captive.
-
- 2 Nephi 6:9
- 9 Nevertheless, the Lord has shown unto me that they should
- return again. And he also has shown unto me that the Lord God,
- the Holy One of Israel, should manifest himself unto them in the
- flesh; and after he should manifest himself they should scourge
- him and crucify him, according to the words of the angel who
- spake it unto me.
-
- 2 Nephi 6:10
- 10 And after they have hardened their hearts and stiffened their
- necks against the Holy One of Israel, behold the judgments of the
- Holy One of Israel shall come upon them. And the day cometh that
- they shall be smitten and afflicted.
-
- 2 Nephi 6:11
- 11 Wherefore, after they are driven to and fro, for thus saith
- the angel, many shall be afflicted in the flesh, and shall not be
- suffered to perish, because of the prayers of the faithful; they
- shall be scattered, and smitten, and hated; nevertheless, the
- Lord will be merciful unto them, that when they shall come to the
- knowledge of their Redeemer, they shall be gathered together
- again to the lands of their inheritance.
-
- 2 Nephi 6:12
- 12 And blessed are the Gentiles, they of whom the prophet has
- written; for behold, if it so be that they shall repent and fight
- not against Zion, and do not unite themselves to that great and
- abominable church, they shall be saved; for the Lord God will
- fulfil his covenants which he has made unto his children; and for
- this cause the prophet has written these things.
-
- 2 Nephi 6:13
- 13 Wherefore, they that fight against Zion and the covenant
- people of the Lord shall lick up the dust of their feet; and the
- people of the Lord shall not be ashamed. For the people of the
- Lord are they who wait for him; for they still wait for the
- coming of the Messiah.
-
- 2 Nephi 6:14
- 14 And behold, according to the words of the prophet, the
- Messiah will set himself again the second time to recover them;
- wherefore, he will manifest himself unto them in power and great
- glory, unto the destruction of their enemies, when that day
- cometh when they shall believe in him; and none will he destroy
- that believe in him.
-
- 2 Nephi 6:15
- 15 And they that believe not in him shall be destroyed, both by
- fire, and by tempest, and by earthquakes, and by bloodsheds, and
- by pestilence, and by famine. And they shall know that the Lord
- is God, the Holy One of Israel.
-
- 2 Nephi 6:16
- 16 For shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful
- captive delivered?
-
- 2 Nephi 6:17
- 17 But thus saith the Lord: Even the captives of the mighty
- shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be
- delivered; for the Mighty God shall deliver his covenant people.
- For thus saith the Lord: I will contend with them that contendeth
- with thee--
-
- 2 Nephi 6:18
- 18 And I will feed them that oppress thee, with their own flesh;
- and they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet
- wine; and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Savior and
- thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
-
- 2 Nephi 7
- Chapter 7
-
- 2 Nephi 7:1
- 1 Yea, for thus saith the Lord: Have I put thee away, or have I
- cast thee off forever? For thus saith the Lord: Where is the
- bill of your mother's divorcement? To whom have I put thee away,
- or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Yea, to whom have I
- sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves,
- and for your transgressions is your mother put away.
-
- 2 Nephi 7:2
- 2 Wherefore, when I came, there was no man; when I called, yea,
- there was none to answer. O house of Israel, is my hand
- shortened at all that it cannot redeem, or have I no power to
- deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make their
- rivers a wilderness and their fish to stink because the waters
- are dried up, and they die because of thirst.
-
- 2 Nephi 7:3
- 3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth
- their covering.
-
- 2 Nephi 7:4
- 4 The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I
- should know how to speak a word in season unto thee, O house of
- Israel. When ye are weary he waketh morning by morning. He
- waketh mine ear to hear as the learned.
-
- 2 Nephi 7:5
- 5 The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious,
- neither turned away back.
-
- 2 Nephi 7:6
- 6 I gave my back to the smiter, and my cheeks to them that
- plucked off the hair. I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
-
- 2 Nephi 7:7
- 7 For the Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be
- confounded. Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I
- know that I shall not be ashamed.
-
- 2 Nephi 7:8
- 8 And the Lord is near, and he justifieth me. Who will contend
- with me? Let us stand together. Who is mine adversary? Let him
- come near me, and I will smite him with the strength of my mouth.
-
- 2 Nephi 7:9
- 9 For the Lord God will help me. And all they who shall condemn
- me, behold, all they shall wax old as a garment, and the moth
- shall eat them up.
-
- 2 Nephi 7:10
- 10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the
- voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light?
-
- 2 Nephi 7:11
- 11 Behold all ye that kindle fire, that compass yourselves about
- with sparks, walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks
- which ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand--ye shall
- lie down in sorrow.
-
- 2 Nephi 8
- Chapter 8
-
- 2 Nephi 8:1
- 1 Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness. Look
- unto the rock from whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit
- from whence ye are digged.
-
- 2 Nephi 8:2
- 2 Look unto Abraham, your father, and unto Sarah, she that bare
- you; for I called him alone, and blessed him.
-
- 2 Nephi 8:3
- 3 For the Lord shall comfort Zion, he will comfort all her waste
- places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert
- like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness shall be found
- therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.
-
- 2 Nephi 8:4
- 4 Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation;
- for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to
- rest for a light for the people.
-
- 2 Nephi 8:5
- 5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine
- arm shall judge the people. The isles shall wait upon me, and on
- mine arm shall they trust.
-
- 2 Nephi 8:6
- 6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth
- beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the
- earth shall wax old like a garment; and they that dwell therein
- shall die in like manner. But my salvation shall be forever, and
- my righteousness shall not be abolished.
-
- 2 Nephi 8:7
- 7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in
- whose heart I have written my law, fear ye not the reproach of
- men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
-
- 2 Nephi 8:8
- 8 For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm
- shall eat them like wool. But my righteousness shall be forever,
- and my salvation from generation to generation.
-
- 2 Nephi 8:9
- 9 Awake, awake! Put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake as in
- the ancient days. Art thou not he that hath cut Rahab, and
- wounded the dragon?
-
- 2 Nephi 8:10
- 10 Art thou not he who hath dried the sea, the waters of the
- great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the
- ransomed to pass over?
-
- 2 Nephi 8:11
- 11 Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come
- with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy and holiness shall be
- upon their heads; and they shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow
- and mourning shall flee away.
-
- 2 Nephi 8:12
- 12 I am he; yea, I am he that comforteth you. Behold, who art
- thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of man, who shall die, and of
- the son of man, who shall be made like unto grass?
-
- 2 Nephi 8:13
- 13 And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth
- the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth, and hast
- feared continually every day, because of the fury of the
- oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? And where is the fury
- of the oppressor?
-
- 2 Nephi 8:14
- 14 The captive exile hasteneth, that he may be loosed, and that
- he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail.
-
- 2 Nephi 8:15
- 15 But I am the Lord thy God, whose waves roared; the Lord of
- Hosts is my name.
-
- 2 Nephi 8:16
- 16 And I have put my words in thy mouth, and have covered thee
- in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens and lay
- the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion: Behold, thou art
- my people.
-
- 2 Nephi 8:17
- 17 Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the
- hand of the Lord the cup of his fury--thou hast drunken the dregs
- of the cup of trembling wrung out--
-
- 2 Nephi 8:18
- 18 And none to guide her among all the sons she hath brought
- forth; neither that taketh her by the hand, of all the sons she
- hath brought up.
-
- 2 Nephi 8:19
- 19 These two sons are come unto thee, who shall be sorry for
- thee--thy desolation and destruction, and the famine and the
- sword--and by whom shall I comfort thee?
-
- 2 Nephi 8:20
- 20 Thy sons have fainted, save these two; they lie at the head
- of all the streets; as a wild bull in a net, they are full of the
- fury of the Lord, the rebuke of thy God.
-
- 2 Nephi 8:21
- 21 Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, and not
- with wine:
-
- 2 Nephi 8:22
- 22 Thus saith thy Lord, the Lord and thy God pleadeth the cause
- of his people; behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of
- trembling, the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more
- drink it again.
-
- 2 Nephi 8:23
- 23 But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee;
- who have said to thy soul: Bow down, that we may go over--and
- thou hast laid thy body as the ground and as the street to them
- that went over.
-
- 2 Nephi 8:24
- 24 Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy
- beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for henceforth
- there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the
- unclean.
-
- 2 Nephi 8:25
- 25 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit down, O Jerusalem;
- loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of
- Zion.
-
- 2 Nephi 9
- Chapter 9
-
- 2 Nephi 9:1
- 1 And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things that ye
- might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has
- covenanted with all the house of Israel--
-
- 2 Nephi 9:2
- 2 That he has spoken unto the Jews, by the mouth of his holy
- prophets, even from the beginning down, from generation to
- generation, until the time comes that they shall be restored to
- the true church and fold of God; when they shall be gathered home
- to the lands of their inheritance, and shall be established in
- all their lands of promise.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:3
- 3 Behold, my beloved brethren, I speak unto you these things
- that ye may rejoice, and lift up your heads forever, because of
- the blessings which the Lord God shall bestow upon your children.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:4
- 4 For I know that ye have searched much, many of you, to know of
- things to come; wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must
- waste away and die; nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see God.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:5
- 5 Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show
- himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is
- expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the
- great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto
- man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become
- subject unto him.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:6
- 6 For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful
- plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of
- resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by
- reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression;
- and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence
- of the Lord.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:7
- 7 Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement--save it
- should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on
- incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man
- must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this
- flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother
- earth, to rise no more.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:8
- 8 O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! For behold, if the
- flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that
- angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and
- became the devil, to rise no more.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:9
- 9 And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become
- devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of
- our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like
- unto himself; yea, to that being who beguiled our first parents,
- who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and
- stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of
- murder and all manner of secret works of darkness.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:10
- 10 O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for
- our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that
- monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and
- also the death of the spirit.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:11
- 11 And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy
- One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the
- temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:12
- 12 And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual
- death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell;
- wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell
- must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver
- up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will
- be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the
- resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:13
- 13 O how great the plan of our God! For on the other hand, the
- paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and
- the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit
- and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become
- incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a
- perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our
- knowledge shall be perfect.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:14
- 14 Wherefore, we shall have a perfect knowledge of all our
- guilt, and our uncleanness, and our nakedness; and the righteous
- shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their
- righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe
- of righteousness.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:15
- 15 And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed
- from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become
- immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy
- One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they
- be judged according to the holy judgment of God.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:16
- 16 And assuredly, as the Lord liveth, for the Lord God hath
- spoken it, and it is his eternal word, which cannot pass away,
- that they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they
- who are filthy shall be filthy still; wherefore, they who are
- filthy are the devil and his angels; and they shall go away into
- everlasting fire; prepared for them; and their torment is as a
- lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and
- ever and has no end.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:17
- 17 O the greatness and the justice of our God! For he executeth
- all his words, and they have gone forth out of his mouth, and his
- law must be fulfilled.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:18
- 18 But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of
- Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they
- who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame
- of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared
- for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be
- full forever.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:19
- 19 O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of
- Israel! For he delivereth his saints from that awful monster the
- devil, and death, and hell, and that lake of fire and brimstone,
- which is endless torment.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:20
- 20 O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all
- things, and there is not anything save he knows it.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:21
- 21 And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they
- will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains
- of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men,
- women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:22
- 22 And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon
- all men, that all might stand before him at the great and
- judgment day.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:23
- 23 And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be
- baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of
- Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:24
- 24 And if they will not repent and believe in his name, and be
- baptized in his name, and endure to the end, they must be damned;
- for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:25
- 25 Wherefore, he has given a law; and where there is no law
- given there is no punishment; and where there is no punishment
- there is no condemnation; and where there is no condemnation the
- mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, because
- of the atonement; for they are delivered by the power of him.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:26
- 26 For the atonement satisfieth the demands of his justice upon
- all those who have not the law given to them, that they are
- delivered from that awful monster, death and hell, and the devil,
- and the lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment; and
- they are restored to that God who gave them breath, which is the
- Holy One of Israel.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:27
- 27 But wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has all the
- commandments of God, like unto us, and that transgresseth them,
- and that wasteth the days of his probation, for awful is his
- state!
-
- 2 Nephi 9:28
- 28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the
- frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned
- they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel
- of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves,
- wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not.
-
- And they shall perish.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:29
- 29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels
- of God.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:30
- 30 But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the
- world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they
- persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures;
- wherefore, their treasure is their God. And behold, their
- treasure shall perish with them also.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:31
- 31 And wo unto the deaf that will not hear; for they shall
- perish.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:32
- 32 Wo unto the blind that will not see; for they shall perish
- also.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:33
- 33 Wo unto the uncircumcised of heart, for a knowledge of their
- iniquities shall smite them at the last day.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:34
- 34 Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:35
- 35 Wo unto the murderer who deliberately killeth, for he shall
- die.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:36
- 36 Wo unto them who commit whoredoms, for they shall be thrust
- down to hell.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:37
- 37 Yea, wo unto those that worship idols, for the devil of all
- devils delighteth in them.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:38
- 38 And, in fine, wo unto all those who die in their sins; for
- they shall return to God, and behold his face, and remain in
- their sins.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:39
- 39 O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in
- transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of
- yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be
- carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life
- eternal.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:40
- 40 O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the
- greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have
- spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile
- against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I
- know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness;
- but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are
- not shaken.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:41
- 41 O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy
- One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for
- man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and
- the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he
- employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it
- be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is
- his name.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:42
- 42 And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and
- the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of
- their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches--yea, they are
- they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things
- away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in
- the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:43
- 43 But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from
- them forever--yea, that happiness which is prepared for the
- saints.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:44
- 44 O, my beloved brethren, remember my words. Behold, I take
- off my garments, and I shake them before you; I pray the God of
- my salvation that he view me with his all-searching eye;
- wherefore, ye shall know at the last day, when all men shall be
- judged of their works, that the God of Israel did witness that I
- shook your iniquities from my soul, and that I stand with
- brightness before him, and am rid of your blood.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:45
- 45 O, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins; shake off
- the chains of him that would bind you fast; come unto that God
- who is the rock of your salvation.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:46
- 46 Prepare your souls for that glorious day when justice shall
- be administered unto the righteous, even the day of judgment,
- that ye may not shrink with awful fear; that ye may not remember
- your awful guilt in perfectness, and be constrained to exclaim:
- Holy, holy are thy judgments, O Lord God Almighty--but I know my
- guilt; I transgressed thy law, and my transgressions are mine;
- and the devil hath obtained me, that I am a prey to his awful
- misery.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:47
- 47 But behold, my brethren, is it expedient that I should awake
- you to an awful reality of these things? Would I harrow up your
- souls if your minds were pure? Would I be plain unto you
- according to the plainness of the truth if ye were freed from
- sin?
-
- 2 Nephi 9:48
- 48 Behold, if ye were holy I would speak unto you of holiness;
- but as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as a teacher, it must
- needs be expedient that I teach you the consequences of sin.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:49
- 49 Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in
- righteousness; and I will praise the holy name of my God.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:50
- 50 Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the
- waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come
- buy wine and milk without money and without price.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:51
- 51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth,
- nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently
- unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come
- unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth
- not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in
- fatness.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:52
- 52 Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God;
- pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy
- name by night. Let your hearts rejoice.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:53
- 53 And behold how great the covenants of the Lord, and how great
- his condescensions unto the children of men; and because of his
- greatness, and his grace and mercy, he has promised unto us that
- our seed shall not utterly be destroyed, according to the flesh,
- but that he would preserve them; and in future generations they
- shall become a righteous branch unto the house of Israel.
-
- 2 Nephi 9:54
- 54 And now, my brethren, I would speak unto you more; but on the
- morrow I will declare unto you the remainder of my words. Amen.
-
- 2 Nephi 10
- Chapter 10
-
- 2 Nephi 10:1
- 1 And now I, Jacob, speak unto you again, my beloved brethren,
- concerning this righteous branch of which I have spoken.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:2
- 2 For behold, the promises which we have obtained are promises
- unto us according to the flesh; wherefore, as it has been shown
- unto me that many of our children shall perish in the flesh
- because of unbelief, nevertheless, God will be merciful unto
- many; and our children shall be restored, that they may come to
- that which will give them the true knowledge of their Redeemer.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:3
- 3 Wherefore, as I said unto you, it must needs be expedient that
- Christ--for in the last night the angel spake unto me that this
- should be his name--should come among the Jews, among those who
- are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify
- him--for thus it behooveth our God, and there is none other
- nation on earth that would crucify their God.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:4
- 4 For should the mighty miracles be wrought among other nations
- they would repent, and know that he be their God.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:5
- 5 But because of priestcrafts and iniquities, they at Jerusalem
- will stiffen their necks against him, that he be crucified.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:6
- 6 Wherefore, because of their iniquities, destructions, famines,
- pestilences, and bloodshed shall come upon them; and they who
- shall not be destroyed shall be scattered among all nations.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:7
- 7 But behold, thus saith the Lord God: When the day cometh that
- they shall believe in me, that I am Christ, then have I
- covenanted with their fathers that they shall be restored in the
- flesh, upon the earth, unto the lands of their inheritance.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:8
- 8 And it shall come to pass that they shall be gathered in from
- their long dispersion, from the isles of the sea, and from the
- four parts of the earth; and the nations of the Gentiles shall be
- great in the eyes of me, saith God, in carrying them forth to the
- lands of their inheritance.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:9
- 9 Yea, the kings of the Gentiles shall be nursing fathers unto
- them, and their queens shall become nursing mothers; wherefore,
- the promises of the Lord are great unto the Gentiles, for he hath
- spoken it, and who can dispute?
-
- 2 Nephi 10:10
- 10 But behold, this land, said God, shall be a land of thine
- inheritance, and the Gentiles shall be blessed upon the land.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:11
- 11 And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles,
- and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up
- unto the Gentiles.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:12
- 12 And I will fortify this land against all other nations.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:13
- 13 And he that fighteth against Zion shall perish, saith God.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:14
- 14 For he that raiseth up a king against me shall perish, for I,
- the Lord, the king of heaven, will be their king, and I will be a
- light unto them forever, that hear my words.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:15
- 15 Wherefore, for this cause, that my covenants may be fulfilled
- which I have made unto the children of men, that I will do unto
- them while they are in the flesh, I must needs destroy the secret
- works of darkness, and of murders, and of abominations.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:16
- 16 Wherefore, he that fighteth against Zion, both Jew and
- Gentile, both bond and free, both male and female, shall perish;
- for they are they who are the whore of all the earth; for they
- who are not for me are against me, saith our God.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:17
- 17 For I will fulfil my promises which I have made unto the
- children of men, that I will do unto them while they are in the
- flesh--
-
- 2 Nephi 10:18
- 18 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, thus saith our God: I will
- afflict thy seed by the hand of the Gentiles; nevertheless, I
- will soften the hearts of the Gentiles, that they shall be like
- unto a father to them; wherefore, the Gentiles shall be blessed
- and numbered among the house of Israel.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:19
- 19 Wherefore, I will consecrate this land unto thy seed, and
- them who shall be numbered among thy seed, forever, for the land
- of their inheritance; for it is a choice land, saith God unto me,
- above all other lands, wherefore I will have all men that dwell
- thereon that they shall worship me, saith God.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:20
- 20 And now, my beloved brethren, seeing that our merciful God
- has given us so great knowledge concerning these things, let us
- remember him, and lay aside our sins, and not hang down our
- heads, for we are not cast off; nevertheless, we have been driven
- out of the land of our inheritance; but we have been led to a
- better land, for the Lord has made the sea our path, and we are
- upon an isle of the sea.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:21
- 21 But great are the promises of the Lord unto them who are upon
- the isles of the sea; wherefore as it says isles, there must
- needs be more than this, and they are inhabited also by our
- brethren.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:22
- 22 For behold, the Lord God has led away from time to time from
- the house of Israel, according to his will and pleasure. And now
- behold, the Lord remembereth all them who have been broken off,
- wherefore he remembereth us also.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:23
- 23 Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are
- free to act for yourselves--to choose the way of everlasting
- death or the way of eternal life.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:24
- 24 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the
- will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and
- remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in
- and through the grace of God that ye are saved.
-
- 2 Nephi 10:25
- 25 Wherefore, may God raise you from death by the power of the
- resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the power of the
- atonement, that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of
- God, that ye may praise him through grace divine. Amen.
-
- 2 Nephi 11
- Chapter 11
-
- 2 Nephi 11:1
- 1 And now, Jacob spake many more things to my people at that
- time; nevertheless only these things have I caused to be written,
- for the things which I have written sufficeth me.
-
- 2 Nephi 11:2
- 2 And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my
- soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my
- people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he
- verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him.
-
- 2 Nephi 11:3
- 3 And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him;
- wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to
- prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words
- of three, God hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless,
- God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words.
-
- 2 Nephi 11:4
- 4 Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth
- of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses
- been given; and all things which have been given of God from the
- beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him.
-
- 2 Nephi 11:5
- 5 And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which
- he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his
- grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and
- eternal plan of deliverance from death.
-
- 2 Nephi 11:6
- 6 And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save
- Christ should come all men must perish.
-
- 2 Nephi 11:7
- 7 For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no
- God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there
- is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his
- own time.
-
- 2 Nephi 11:8
- 8 And now I write some of the words of Isaiah, that whoso of my
- people shall see these words may lift up their hearts and rejoice
- for all men. Now these are the words, and ye may liken them unto
- you and unto all men.
-
- 2 Nephi 12
- Chapter 12
-
- 2 Nephi 12:1
- 1 The word that Isaiah, the son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah
- and Jerusalem:
-
- 2 Nephi 12:2
- 2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, when the mountain
- of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the
- mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations
- shall flow unto it.
-
- 2 Nephi 12:3
- 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to
- the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and
- he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for
- out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from
- Jerusalem.
-
- 2 Nephi 12:4
- 4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many
- people: and they shall beat their swords into plow-shares, and
- their spears into pruning-hooks--nation shall not lift up sword
- against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
-
- 2 Nephi 12:5
- 5 O house of Jacob, come ye and let us walk in the light of the
- Lord; yea, come, for ye have all gone astray, every one to his
- wicked ways.
-
- 2 Nephi 12:6
- 6 Therefore, O Lord, thou hast forsaken thy people, the house of
- Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and hearken
- unto soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves
- in the children of strangers.
-
- 2 Nephi 12:7
- 7 Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there
- any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses,
- neither is there any end of their chariots.
-
- 2 Nephi 12:8
- 8 Their land is also full of idols; they worship the work of
- their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.
-
- 2 Nephi 12:9
- 9 And the mean man boweth not down, and the great man humbleth
- himself not, therefore, forgive him not.
-
- 2 Nephi 12:10
- 10 O ye wicked ones, enter into the rock, and hide thee in the
- dust, for the fear of the Lord and the glory of his majesty shall
- smite thee.
-
- 2 Nephi 12:11
- 11 And it shall come to pass that the lofty looks of man shall
- be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and
- the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.
-
- 2 Nephi 12:12
- 12 For the day of the Lord of Hosts soon cometh upon all
- nations, yea, upon every one; yea, upon the proud and lofty, and
- upon every one who is lifted up, and he shall be brought low.
-
- 2 Nephi 12:13
- 13 Yea, and the day of the Lord shall come upon all the cedars
- of Lebanon, for they are high and lifted up; and upon all the
- oaks of Bashan;
-
- 2 Nephi 12:14
- 14 And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills, and
- upon all the nations which are lifted up, and upon every people;
-
- 2 Nephi 12:15
- 15 And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall;
-
- 2 Nephi 12:16
- 16 And upon all the ships of the sea, and upon all the ships of
- Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.
-
- 2 Nephi 12:17
- 17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the
- haughtiness of men shall be made low; and the Lord alone shall be
- exalted in that day.
-
- 2 Nephi 12:18
- 18 And the idols he shall utterly abolish.
-
- 2 Nephi 12:19
- 19 And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the
- caves of the earth, for the fear of the Lord shall come upon them
- and the glory of his majesty shall smite them, when he ariseth to
- shake terribly the earth.
-
- 2 Nephi 12:20
- 20 In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his
- idols of gold, which he hath made for himself to worship, to the
- moles and to the bats;
-
- 2 Nephi 12:21
- 21 To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the
- ragged rocks, for the fear of the Lord shall come upon them and
- the majesty of his glory shall smite them, when he ariseth to
- shake terribly the earth.
-
- 2 Nephi 12:22
- 22 Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for
- wherein is he to be accounted of?
-
- 2 Nephi 13
- Chapter 13
-
- 2 Nephi 13:1
- 1 For behold, the Lord, the Lord of Hosts, doth take away from
- Jerusalem, and from Judah, the stay and the staff, the whole
- staff of bread, and the whole stay of water--
-
- 2 Nephi 13:2
- 2 The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the
- prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient;
-
- 2 Nephi 13:3
- 3 The captain of fifty, and the honorable man, and the
- counselor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator.
-
- 2 Nephi 13:4
- 4 And I will give children unto them to be their princes, and
- babes shall rule over them.
-
- 2 Nephi 13:5
- 5 And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and
- every one by his neighbor; the child shall behave himself proudly
- against the ancient, and the base against the honorable.
-
- 2 Nephi 13:6
- 6 When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his
- father, and shall say: Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and
- let not this ruin come under thy hand--
-
- 2 Nephi 13:7
- 7 In that day shall he swear, saying: I will not be a healer;
- for in my house there is neither bread nor clothing; make me not
- a ruler of the people.
-
- 2 Nephi 13:8
- 8 For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen, because their
- tongues and their doings have been against the Lord, to provoke
- the eyes of his glory.
-
- 2 Nephi 13:9
- 9 The show of their countenance doth witness against them, and
- doth declare their sin to be even as Sodom, and they cannot hide
- it. Wo unto their souls, for they have rewarded evil unto
- themselves!
-
- 2 Nephi 13:10
- 10 Say unto the righteous that it is well with them; for they
- shall eat the fruit of their doings.
-
- 2 Nephi 13:11
- 11 Wo unto the wicked, for they shall perish; for the reward of
- their hands shall be upon them!
-
- 2 Nephi 13:12
- 12 And my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule
- over them. O my people, they who lead thee cause thee to err and
- destroy the way of thy paths.
-
- 2 Nephi 13:13
- 13 The Lord standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the
- people.
-
- 2 Nephi 13:14
- 14 The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of his
- people and the princes thereof; for ye have eaten up the vineyard
- and the spoil of the poor in your houses.
-
- 2 Nephi 13:15
- 15 What mean ye? Ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the
- faces of the poor, saith the Lord God of Hosts.
-
- 2 Nephi 13:16
- 16 Moreover, the Lord saith: Because the daughters of Zion are
- haughty, and walk with stretched-forth necks and wanton eyes,
- walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their
- feet--
-
- 2 Nephi 13:17
- 17 Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the
- head of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will discover their
- secret parts.
-
- 2 Nephi 13:18
- 18 In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their
- tinkling ornaments, and cauls, and round tires like the moon;
-
- 2 Nephi 13:19
- 19 The chains and the bracelets, and the mufflers;
-
- 2 Nephi 13:20
- 20 The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the
- headbands, and the tablets, and the ear-rings;
-
- 2 Nephi 13:21
- 21 The rings, and nose jewels;
-
- 2 Nephi 13:22
- 22 The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the
- wimples, and the crisping-pins;
-
- 2 Nephi 13:23
- 23 The glasses, and the fine linen, and hoods, and the veils.
-
- 2 Nephi 13:24
- 24 And it shall come to pass, instead of sweet smell there shall
- be stink; and instead of a girdle, a rent; and instead of well
- set hair, baldness; and instead of a stomacher, a girding of
- sackcloth; burning instead of beauty.
-
- 2 Nephi 13:25
- 25 Thy men shall fall by the sword and thy mighty in the war.
-
- 2 Nephi 13:26
- 26 And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she shall be
- desolate, and shall sit upon the ground.
-
- 2 Nephi 14
- Chapter 14
-
- 2 Nephi 14:1
- 1 And in that day, seven women shall take hold of one man,
- saying: We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel; only
- let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach.
-
- 2 Nephi 14:2
- 2 In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and
- glorious; the fruit of the earth excellent and comely to them
- that are escaped of Israel.
-
- 2 Nephi 14:3
- 3 And it shall come to pass, they that are left in Zion and
- remain in Jerusalem shall be called holy, every one that is
- written among the living in Jerusalem--
-
- 2 Nephi 14:4
- 4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the
- daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem
- from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment and by the
- spirit of burning.
-
- 2 Nephi 14:5
- 5 And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of mount
- Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the
- shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory of
- Zion shall be a defence.
-
- 2 Nephi 14:6
- 6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime
- from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and a covert from storm
- and from rain.
-
- 2 Nephi 15
- Chapter 15
-
- 2 Nephi 15:1
- 1 And then will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved,
- touching his vineyard. My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very
- fruitful hill.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:2
- 2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and
- planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst
- of it, and also made a wine-press therein; and he looked that it
- should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:3
- 3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge,
- I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:4
- 4 What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not
- done in it? Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth
- grapes it brought forth wild grapes.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:5
- 5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my
- vineyard--I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be
- eaten up; and I will break down the wall thereof, and it shall be
- trodden down;
-
- 2 Nephi 15:6
- 6 And I will lay it waste; it shall not be pruned nor digged;
- but there shall come up briers and thorns; I will also command
- the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:7
- 7 For the vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the house of Israel,
- and the men of Judah his pleasant plant; and he looked for
- judgment, and behold, oppression; for righteousness, but behold,
- a cry.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:8
- 8 Wo unto them that join house to house, till there can be no
- place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!
-
- 2 Nephi 15:9
- 9 In mine ears, said the Lord of Hosts, of a truth many houses
- shall be desolate, and great and fair cities without inhabitant.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:10
- 10 Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed
- of a homer shall yield an ephah.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:11
- 11 Wo unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may
- follow strong drink, that continue until night, and wine inflame
- them!
-
- 2 Nephi 15:12
- 12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine
- are in their feasts; but they regard not the work of the Lord,
- neither consider the operation of his hands.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:13
- 13 Therefore, my people are gone into captivity, because they
- have no knowledge; and their honorable men are famished, and
- their multitude dried up with thirst.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:14
- 14 Therefore, hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth
- without measure; and their glory, and their multitude, and their
- pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:15
- 15 And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man
- shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:16
- 16 But the Lord of Hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God
- that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:17
- 17 Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste
- places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:18
- 18 Wo unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin
- as it were with a cart rope;
-
- 2 Nephi 15:19
- 19 That say: Let him make speed, hasten his work, that we may
- see it; and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh
- and come, that we may know it.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:20
- 20 Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put
- darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for
- sweet, and sweet for bitter!
-
- 2 Nephi 15:21
- 21 Wo unto the wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own
- sight!
-
- 2 Nephi 15:22
- 22 Wo unto the mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to
- mingle strong drink;
-
- 2 Nephi 15:23
- 23 Who justify the wicked for reward, and take away the
- righteousness of the righteous from him!
-
- 2 Nephi 15:24
- 24 Therefore, as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame
- consumeth the chaff, their root shall be rottenness, and their
- blossoms shall go up as dust; because they have cast away the law
- of the Lord of Hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of
- Israel.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:25
- 25 Therefore, is the anger of the Lord kindled against his
- people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and
- hath smitten them; and the hills did tremble, and their carcasses
- were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is
- not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:26
- 26 And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and
- will hiss unto them from the end of the earth; and behold, they
- shall come with speed swiftly; none shall be weary nor stumble
- among them.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:27
- 27 None shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of
- their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken;
-
- 2 Nephi 15:28
- 28 Whose arrows shall be sharp, and all their bows bent, and
- their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels
- like a whirlwind, their roaring like a lion.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:29
- 29 They shall roar like young lions; yea, they shall roar, and
- lay hold of the prey, and shall carry away safe, and none shall
- deliver.
-
- 2 Nephi 15:30
- 30 And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring
- of the sea; and if they look unto the land, behold, darkness and
- sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.
-
- 2 Nephi 16
- Chapter 16
-
- 2 Nephi 16:1
- 1 In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord sitting
- upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the
- temple.
-
- 2 Nephi 16:2
- 2 Above it stood the seraphim; each one had six wings; with
- twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet,
- and with twain he did fly.
-
- 2 Nephi 16:3
- 3 And one cried unto another, and said: Holy, holy, holy, is the
- Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.
-
- 2 Nephi 16:4
- 4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that
- cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
-
- 2 Nephi 16:5
- 5 Then said I: Wo is unto me! for I am undone; because I am a
- man of unclean lips; and I dwell in the midst of a people of
- unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of
- Hosts.
-
- 2 Nephi 16:6
- 6 Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a live coal in
- his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar;
-
- 2 Nephi 16:7
- 7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said: Lo, this has touched
- thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
-
- 2 Nephi 16:8
- 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send,
- and who will go for us? Then I said: Here am I; send me.
-
- 2 Nephi 16:9
- 9 And he said: Go and tell this people--Hear ye indeed, but they
- understood not; and see ye indeed, but they perceived not.
-
- 2 Nephi 16:10
- 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy,
- and shut their eyes--lest they see with their eyes, and hear with
- their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted and
- be healed.
-
- 2 Nephi 16:11
- 11 Then said I: Lord, how long? And he said: Until the cities
- be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the
- land be utterly desolate;
-
- 2 Nephi 16:12
- 12 And the Lord have removed men far away, for there shall be a
- great forsaking in the midst of the land.
-
- 2 Nephi 16:13
- 13 But yet there shall be a tenth, and they shall return, and
- shall be eaten, as a teil-tree, and as an oak whose substance is
- in them when they cast their leaves; so the holy seed shall be
- the substance thereof.
-
- 2 Nephi 17
- Chapter 17
-
- 2 Nephi 17:1
- 1 And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the
- son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin, king of Syria, and
- Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward
- Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:2
- 2 And it was told the house of David, saying: Syria is
- confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart
- of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:3
- 3 Then said the Lord unto Isaiah: Go forth now to meet Ahaz,
- thou and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the
- upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field;
-
- 2 Nephi 17:4
- 4 And say unto him: Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither
- be faint-hearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands,
- for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of
- Remaliah.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:5
- 5 Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken
- evil counsel against thee, saying:
-
- 2 Nephi 17:6
- 6 Let us go up against Judah and vex it, and let us make a
- breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, yea,
- the son of Tabeal.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:7
- 7 Thus saith the Lord God: It shall not stand, neither shall it
- come to pass.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:8
- 8 For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus,
- Rezin; and within three score and five years shall Ephraim be
- broken that it be not a people.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:9
- 9 And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is
- Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe surely ye shall not be
- established.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:10
- 10 Moreover, the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying:
-
- 2 Nephi 17:11
- 11 Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the
- depths, or in the heights above.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:12
- 12 But Ahaz said: I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:13
- 13 And he said: Hear ye now, O house of David; is it a small
- thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
-
- 2 Nephi 17:14
- 14 Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign--Behold, a
- virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his
- name Immanuel.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:15
- 15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the
- evil and to choose the good.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:16
- 16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil and choose
- the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both
- her kings.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:17
- 17 The Lord shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon
- thy father's house, days that have not come from the day that
- Ephraim departed from Judah, the king of Assyria.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:18
- 18 And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall
- hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of Egypt, and for
- the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:19
- 19 And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the
- desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all
- thorns, and upon all bushes.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:20
- 20 In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is
- hired, by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the
- head, and the hair of the feet; and it shall also consume the
- beard.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:21
- 21 And it shall come to pass in that day, a man shall nourish a
- young cow and two sheep;
-
- 2 Nephi 17:22
- 22 And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk they
- shall give he shall eat butter; for butter and honey shall every
- one eat that is left in the land.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:23
- 23 And it shall come to pass in that day, every place shall be,
- where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings,
- which shall be for briers and thorns.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:24
- 24 With arrows and with bows shall men come thither, because all
- the land shall become briers and thorns.
-
- 2 Nephi 17:25
- 25 And all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there
- shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns; but it
- shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and the treading of
- lesser cattle.
-
- 2 Nephi 18
- Chapter 18
-
- 2 Nephi 18:1
- 1 Moreover, the word of the Lord said unto me: Take thee a great
- roll, and write in it with a man's pen, concerning
- Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
-
- 2 Nephi 18:2
- 2 And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the
- priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.
-
- 2 Nephi 18:3
- 3 And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived and bare a
- son. Then said the Lord to me: Call his name,
- Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
-
- 2 Nephi 18:4
- 4 For behold, the child shall not have knowledge to cry, My
- father, and my mother, before the riches of Damascus and the
- spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.
-
- 2 Nephi 18:5
- 5 The Lord spake also unto me again, saying:
-
- 2 Nephi 18:6
- 6 Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that
- go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;
-
- 2 Nephi 18:7
- 7 Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the
- waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria
- and all his glory; and he shall come up over all his channels,
- and go over all his banks.
-
- 2 Nephi 18:8
- 8 And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go
- over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of
- his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.
-
- 2 Nephi 18:9
- 9 Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in
- pieces; and give ear all ye of far countries; gird yourselves,
- and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall
- be broken in pieces.
-
- 2 Nephi 18:10
- 10 Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the
- word, and it shall not stand; for God is with us.
-
- 2 Nephi 18:11
- 11 For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and
- instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people,
- saying:
-
- 2 Nephi 18:12
- 12 Say ye not, A confederacy, to all to whom this people shall
- say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
-
- 2 Nephi 18:13
- 13 Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear,
- and let him be your dread.
-
- 2 Nephi 18:14
- 14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of
- stumbling, and for a rock of offense to both the houses of
- Israel, for a gin and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
-
- 2 Nephi 18:15
- 15 And many among them shall stumble and fall, and be broken,
- and be snared, and be taken.
-
- 2 Nephi 18:16
- 16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
-
- 2 Nephi 18:17
- 17 And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the
- house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
-
- 2 Nephi 18:18
- 18 Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are
- for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of Hosts, which
- dwelleth in Mount Zion.
-
- 2 Nephi 18:19
- 19 And when they shall say unto you: Seek unto them that have
- familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and mutter--should
- not a people seek unto their God for the living to hear from the
- dead?
-
- 2 Nephi 18:20
- 20 To the law and to the testimony; and if they speak not
- according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
-
- 2 Nephi 18:21
- 21 And they shall pass through it hardly bestead and hungry; and
- it shall come to pass that when they shall be hungry, they shall
- fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look
- upward.
-
- 2 Nephi 18:22
- 22 And they shall look unto the earth and behold trouble, and
- darkness, dimness of anguish, and shall be driven to darkness.
-
- 2 Nephi 19
- Chapter 19
-
- 2 Nephi 19:1
- 1 Nevertheless, the dimness shall not be such as was in her
- vexation, when at first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun,
- and the land of Naphtali, and afterwards did more grievously
- afflict by the way of the Red Sea beyond Jordan in Galilee of the
- nations.
-
- 2 Nephi 19:2
- 2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light;
- they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them
- hath the light shined.
-
- 2 Nephi 19:3
- 3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and increased the joy--they
- joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men
- rejoice when they divide the spoil.
-
- 2 Nephi 19:4
- 4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of
- his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor.
-
- 2 Nephi 19:5
- 5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and
- garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel
- of fire.
-
- 2 Nephi 19:6
- 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the
- government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be
- called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting
- Father, The Prince of Peace.
-
- 2 Nephi 19:7
- 7 Of the increase of government and peace there is no end, upon
- the throne of David, and upon his kingdom to order it, and to
- establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth, even
- forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this.
-
- 2 Nephi 19:8
- 8 The Lord sent his word unto Jacob and it hath lighted upon
- Israel.
-
- 2 Nephi 19:9
- 9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the
- inhabitants of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of
- heart:
-
- 2 Nephi 19:10
- 10 The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn
- stones; the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into
- cedars.
-
- 2 Nephi 19:11
- 11 Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin
- against him, and join his enemies together;
-
- 2 Nephi 19:12
- 12 The Syrians before and the Philistines behind; and they shall
- devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not
- turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
-
- 2 Nephi 19:13
- 13 For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them,
- neither do they seek the Lord of Hosts.
-
- 2 Nephi 19:14
- 14 Therefore will the Lord cut off from Israel head and tail,
- branch and rush in one day.
-
- 2 Nephi 19:15
- 15 The ancient, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth
- lies, he is the tail.
-
- 2 Nephi 19:16
- 16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they
- that are led of them are destroyed.
-
- 2 Nephi 19:17
- 17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men,
- neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows; for
- every one of them is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth
- speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but
- his hand is stretched out still.
-
- 2 Nephi 19:18
- 18 For wickedness burneth as the fire; it shall devour the
- briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the
- forests, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.
-
- 2 Nephi 19:19
- 19 Through the wrath of the Lord of Hosts is the land darkened,
- and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire; no man shall
- spare his brother.
-
- 2 Nephi 19:20
- 20 And he shall snatch on the right hand and be hungry; and he
- shall eat on the left hand and they shall not be satisfied; they
- shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm--
-
- 2 Nephi 19:21
- 21 Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; they together shall
- be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but
- his hand is stretched out still.
-
- 2 Nephi 20
- Chapter 20
-
- 2 Nephi 20:1
- 1 Wo unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write
- grievousness which they have prescribed;
-
- 2 Nephi 20:2
- 2 To turn away the needy from judgment, and to take away the
- right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey,
- and that they may rob the fatherless!
-
- 2 Nephi 20:3
- 3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the
- desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for
- help? and where will ye leave your glory?
-
- 2 Nephi 20:4
- 4 Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they
- shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned
- away, but his hand is stretched out still.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:5
- 5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand
- is their indignation.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:6
- 6 I will send him against a hypocritical nation, and against the
- people of my wrath will I give him a charge to take the spoil,
- and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the
- streets.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:7
- 7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so;
- but in his heart it is to destroy and cut off nations not a few.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:8
- 8 For he saith: Are not my princes altogether kings?
-
- 2 Nephi 20:9
- 9 Is not Calno as Carchemish? Is not Hamath as Arpad? Is not
- Samaria as Damascus?
-
- 2 Nephi 20:10
- 10 As my hand hath founded the kingdoms of the idols, and whose
- graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;
-
- 2 Nephi 20:11
- 11 Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do
- to Jerusalem and to her idols?
-
- 2 Nephi 20:12
- 12 Wherefore it shall come to pass that when the Lord hath
- performed his whole work upon Mount Zion and upon Jerusalem, I
- will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria,
- and the glory of his high looks.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:13
- 13 For he saith: By the strength of my hand and by my wisdom I
- have done these things; for I am prudent; and I have moved the
- borders of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I
- have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man;
-
- 2 Nephi 20:14
- 14 And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people;
- and as one gathereth eggs that are left have I gathered all the
- earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the
- mouth, or peeped.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:15
- 15 Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith?
- Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if
- the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as
- if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood!
-
- 2 Nephi 20:16
- 16 Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of Hosts, send among his
- fat ones, leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning
- like the burning of a fire.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:17
- 17 And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One
- for a flame, and shall burn and shall devour his thorns and his
- briers in one day;
-
- 2 Nephi 20:18
- 18 And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his
- fruitful field, both soul and body; and they shall be as when a
- standard-bearer fainteth.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:19
- 19 And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a
- child may write them.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:20
- 20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of
- Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no
- more again stay upon him that smote them, but shall stay upon the
- Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:21
- 21 The remnant shall return, yea, even the remnant of Jacob,
- unto the mighty God.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:22
- 22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a
- remnant of them shall return; the consumption decreed shall
- overflow with righteousness.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:23
- 23 For the Lord God of Hosts shall make a consumption, even
- determined in all the land.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:24
- 24 Therefore, thus saith the Lord God of Hosts: O my people that
- dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian; he shall smite
- thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after
- the manner of Egypt.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:25
- 25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease,
- and mine anger in their destruction.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:26
- 26 And the Lord of Hosts shall stir up a scourge for him
- according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb; and as
- his rod was upon the sea so shall he lift it up after the manner
- of Egypt.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:27
- 27 And it shall come to pass in that day that his burden shall
- be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy
- neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:28
- 28 He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he
- hath laid up his carriages.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:29
- 29 They are gone over the passage; they have taken up their
- lodging at Geba; Ramath is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:30
- 30 Lift up the voice, O daughter of Gallim; cause it to be heard
- unto Laish, O poor Anathoth.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:31
- 31 Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather
- themselves to flee.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:32
- 32 As yet shall he remain at Nob that day; he shall shake his
- hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of
- Jerusalem.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:33
- 33 Behold, the Lord, the Lord of Hosts shall lop the bough with
- terror; and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down; and the
- haughty shall be humbled.
-
- 2 Nephi 20:34
- 34 And he shall cut down the thickets of the forests with iron,
- and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.
-
- 2 Nephi 21
- Chapter 21
-
- 2 Nephi 21:1
- 1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and
- a branch shall grow out of his roots.
-
- 2 Nephi 21:2
- 2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of
- wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the
- spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;
-
- 2 Nephi 21:3
- 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the
- Lord; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither
- reprove after the hearing of his ears.
-
- 2 Nephi 21:4
- 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove
- with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the
- earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips
- shall he slay the wicked.
-
- 2 Nephi 21:5
- 5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and
- faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
-
- 2 Nephi 21:6
- 6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall
- lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and
- fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
-
- 2 Nephi 21:7
- 7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall
- lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
-
- 2 Nephi 21:8
- 8 And the suckling child shall play on the hole of the asp, and
- the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice's den.
-
- 2 Nephi 21:9
- 9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for
- the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the
- waters cover the sea.
-
- 2 Nephi 21:10
- 10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall
- stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek;
- and his rest shall be glorious.
-
- 2 Nephi 21:11
- 11 And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall set
- his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his
- people which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and
- from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and
- from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
-
- 2 Nephi 21:12
- 12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall
- assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the
- dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
-
- 2 Nephi 21:13
- 13 The envy of Ephraim also shall depart, and the adversaries of
- Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah
- shall not vex Ephraim.
-
- 2 Nephi 21:14
- 14 But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines
- towards the west; they shall spoil them of the east together;
- they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of
- Ammon shall obey them.
-
- 2 Nephi 21:15
- 15 And the Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian
- sea; and with his mighty wind he shall shake his hand over the
- river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go
- over dry shod.
-
- 2 Nephi 21:16
- 16 And there shall be a highway for the remnant of his people
- which shall be left, from Assyria, like as it was to Israel in
- the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.
-
- 2 Nephi 22
- Chapter 22
-
- 2 Nephi 22:1
- 1 And in that day thou shalt say: O Lord, I will praise thee;
- though thou wast angry with me thine anger is turned away, and
- thou comfortedst me.
-
- 2 Nephi 22:2
- 2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid;
- for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also has
- become my salvation.
-
- 2 Nephi 22:3
- 3 Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of
- salvation.
-
- 2 Nephi 22:4
- 4 And in that day shall ye say: Praise the Lord, call upon his
- name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his
- name is exalted.
-
- 2 Nephi 22:5
- 5 Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things; this is
- known in all the earth.
-
- 2 Nephi 22:6
- 6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the
- Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
-
- 2 Nephi 23
- Chapter 23
-
- 2 Nephi 23:1
- 1 The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:2
- 2 Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice
- unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the
- nobles.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:3
- 3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my
- mighty ones, for mine anger is not upon them that rejoice in my
- highness.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:4
- 4 The noise of the multitude in the mountains like as of a great
- people, a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered
- together, the Lord of Hosts mustereth the hosts of the battle.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:5
- 5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, yea, the
- Lord, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole
- land.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:6
- 6 Howl ye, for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as
- a destruction from the Almighty.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:7
- 7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, every man's heart shall
- melt;
-
- 2 Nephi 23:8
- 8 And they shall be afraid; pangs and sorrows shall take hold of
- them; they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be
- as flames.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:9
- 9 Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and
- fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and he shall destroy the
- sinners thereof out of it.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:10
- 10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall
- not give their light; the sun shall be darkened in his going
- forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:11
- 11 And I will punish the world for evil, and the wicked for
- their iniquity; I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease,
- and will lay down the haughtiness of the terrible.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:12
- 12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man
- than the golden wedge of Ophir.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:13
- 13 Therefore, I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall
- remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of Hosts, and
- in the day of his fierce anger.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:14
- 14 And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man
- taketh up; and they shall every man turn to his own people, and
- flee every one into his own land.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:15
- 15 Every one that is proud shall be thrust through; yea, and
- every one that is joined to the wicked shall fall by the sword.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:16
- 16 Their children, also shall be dashed to pieces before their
- eyes; their houses shall be spoiled and their wives ravished.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:17
- 17 Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall
- not regard silver and gold, nor shall they delight in it.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:18
- 18 Their bows shall also dash the young men to pieces, and they
- shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eyes shall not
- spare children.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:19
- 19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the
- Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and
- Gomorrah.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:20
- 20 It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in
- from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch
- tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:21
- 21 But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their
- houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell
- there, and satyrs shall dance there.
-
- 2 Nephi 23:22
- 22 And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their
- desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces; and her
- time is near to come, and her day shall not be prolonged. For I
- will destroy her speedily; yea, for I will be merciful unto my
- people, but the wicked shall perish.
-
- 2 Nephi 24
- Chapter 24
-
- 2 Nephi 24:1
- 1 For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose
- Israel, and set them in their own land; and the strangers shall
- be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:2
- 2 And the people shall take them and bring them to their place;
- yea, from far unto the ends of the earth; and they shall return
- to their lands of promise. And the house of Israel shall possess
- them, and the land of the Lord shall be for servants and
- handmaids; and they shall take them captives unto whom they were
- captives; and they shall rule over their oppressors.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:3
- 3 And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall give
- thee rest, from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard
- bondage wherein thou wast made to serve.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:4
- 4 And it shall come to pass in that day, that thou shalt take up
- this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say: How hath the
- oppressor ceased, the golden city ceased!
-
- 2 Nephi 24:5
- 5 The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, the scepters of
- the rulers.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:6
- 6 He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he
- that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none
- hindereth.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:7
- 7 The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet; they break forth
- into singing.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:8
- 8 Yea, the fir-trees rejoice at thee, and also the cedars of
- Lebanon, saying: Since thou art laid down no feller is come up
- against us.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:9
- 9 Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy
- coming; it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones
- of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings
- of the nations.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:10
- 10 All they shall speak and say unto thee: Art thou also become
- weak as we? Art thou become like unto us?
-
- 2 Nephi 24:11
- 11 Thy pomp is brought down to the grave; the noise of thy viols
- is not heard; the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover
- thee.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:12
- 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the
- morning! Art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the
- nations!
-
- 2 Nephi 24:13
- 13 For thou hast said in thy heart: I will ascend into heaven, I
- will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon
- the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north;
-
- 2 Nephi 24:14
- 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like
- the Most High.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:15
- 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the
- pit.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:16
- 16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and shall
- consider thee, and shall say: Is this the man that made the earth
- to tremble, that did shake kingdoms?
-
- 2 Nephi 24:17
- 17 And made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities
- thereof, and opened not the house of his prisoners?
-
- 2 Nephi 24:18
- 18 All the kings of the nations, yea, all of them, lie in glory,
- every one of them in his own house.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:19
- 19 But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch,
- and the remnant of those that are slain, thrust through with a
- sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcass
- trodden under feet.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:20
- 20 Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou
- hast destroyed thy land and slain thy people; the seed of
- evil-doers shall never be renowned.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:21
- 21 Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquities of
- their fathers, that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor
- fill the face of the world with cities.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:22
- 22 For I will rise up against them, saith the Lord of Hosts, and
- cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew,
- saith the Lord.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:23
- 23 I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools
- of water; and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction,
- saith the Lord of Hosts.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:24
- 24 The Lord of Hosts hath sworn, saying: Surely as I have
- thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so
- shall it stand--
-
- 2 Nephi 24:25
- 25 That I will bring the Assyrian in my land, and upon my
- mountains tread him under foot; then shall his yoke depart from
- off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:26
- 26 This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth;
- and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all nations.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:27
- 27 For the Lord of Hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul?
- And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?
-
- 2 Nephi 24:28
- 28 In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:29
- 29 Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him
- that smote thee is broken; for out of the serpent's root shall
- come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying
- serpent.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:30
- 30 And the first-born of the poor shall feed, and the needy
- shall lie down in safety; and I will kill thy root with famine,
- and he shall slay thy remnant.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:31
- 31 Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, art
- dissolved; for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none
- shall be alone in his appointed times.
-
- 2 Nephi 24:32
- 32 What shall then answer the messengers of the nations? That
- the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall
- trust in it.
-
- 2 Nephi 25
- Chapter 25
-
- 2 Nephi 25:1
- 1 Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I
- have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah. For
- behold, Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my
- people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of
- prophesying among the Jews.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:2
- 2 For I, Nephi, have not taught them many things concerning the
- manner of the Jews; for their works were works of darkness, and
- their doings were doings of abominations.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:3
- 3 Wherefore, I write unto my people, unto all those that shall
- receive hereafter these things which I write, that they may know
- the judgments of God, that they come upon all nations, according
- to the word which he hath spoken.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:4
- 4 Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the house of
- Israel, and give ear unto my words; for because the words of
- Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto
- all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy. But I
- give unto you a prophecy, according to the spirit which is in me;
- wherefore I shall prophesy according to the plainness which hath
- been with me from the time that I came out from Jerusalem with my
- father; for behold, my soul delighteth in plainness unto my
- people, that they may learn.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:5
- 5 Yea, and my soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah, for I came
- out from Jerusalem, and mine eyes hath beheld the things of the
- Jews, and I know that the Jews do understand the things of the
- prophets, and there is none other people that understand the
- things which were spoken unto the Jews like unto them, save it be
- that they are taught after the manner of the things of the Jews.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:6
- 6 But behold, I, Nephi, have not taught my children after the
- manner of the Jews; but behold, I, of myself, have dwelt at
- Jerusalem, wherefore I know concerning the regions round about;
- and I have made mention unto my children concerning the judgments
- of God, which hath come to pass among the Jews, unto my children,
- according to all that which Isaiah hath spoken, and I do not
- write them.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:7
- 7 But behold, I proceed with mine own prophecy, according to my
- plainness; in the which I know that no man can err; nevertheless,
- in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled men
- shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to
- pass.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:8
- 8 Wherefore, they are of worth unto the children of men, and he
- that supposeth that they are not, unto them will I speak
- particularly, and confine the words unto mine own people; for I
- know that they shall be of great worth unto them in the last
- days; for in that day shall they understand them; wherefore, for
- their good have I written them.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:9
- 9 And as one generation hath been destroyed among the Jews
- because of iniquity, even so have they been destroyed from
- generation to generation according to their iniquities; and never
- hath any of them been destroyed save it were foretold them by the
- prophets of the Lord.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:10
- 10 Wherefore, it hath been told them concerning the destruction
- which should come upon them, immediately after my father left
- Jerusalem; nevertheless, they hardened their hearts; and
- according to my prophecy they have been destroyed, save it be
- those which are carried away captive into Babylon.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:11
- 11 And now this I speak because of the spirit which is in me.
- And notwithstanding they have been carried away they shall return
- again, and possess the land of Jerusalem; wherefore, they shall
- be restored again to the land of their inheritance.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:12
- 12 But, behold, they shall have wars, and rumors of wars; and
- when the day cometh that the Only Begotten of the Father, yea,
- even the Father of heaven and of earth, shall manifest himself
- unto them in the flesh, behold, they will reject him, because of
- their iniquities, and the hardness of their hearts, and the
- stiffness of their necks.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:13
- 13 Behold, they will crucify him; and after he is laid in a
- sepulchre for the space of three days he shall rise from the
- dead, with healing in his wings; and all those who shall believe
- on his name shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my
- soul delighteth to prophesy concerning him, for I have seen his
- day, and my heart doth magnify his holy name.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:14
- 14 And behold it shall come to pass that after the Messiah hath
- risen from the dead, and hath manifested himself unto his people,
- unto as many as will believe on his name, behold, Jerusalem shall
- be destroyed again; for wo unto them that fight against God and
- the people of his church.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:15
- 15 Wherefore, the Jews shall be scattered among all nations;
- yea, and also Babylon shall be destroyed; wherefore, the Jews
- shall be scattered by other nations.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:16
- 16 And after they have been scattered, and the Lord God hath
- scourged them by other nations for the space of many generations,
- yea, even down from generation to generation until they shall be
- persuaded to believe in Christ, the Son of God, and the
- atonement, which is infinite for all mankind--and when that day
- shall come that they shall believe in Christ, and worship the
- Father in his name, with pure hearts and clean hands, and look
- not forward any more for another Messiah, then, at that time, the
- day will come that it must needs be expedient that they should
- believe these things.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:17
- 17 And the Lord will set his hand again the second time to
- restore his people from their lost and fallen state. Wherefore,
- he will proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder among the
- children of men.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:18
- 18 Wherefore, he shall bring forth his words unto them, which
- words shall judge them at the last day, for they shall be given
- them for the purpose of convincing them of the true Messiah, who
- was rejected by them; and unto the convincing of them that they
- need not look forward any more for a Messiah to come, for there
- should not any come, save it should be a false Messiah which
- should deceive the people; for there is save one Messiah spoken
- of by the prophets, and that Messiah is he who should be rejected
- of the Jews.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:19
- 19 For according to the words of the prophets, the Messiah
- cometh in six hundred years from the time that my father left
- Jerusalem; and according to the words of the prophets, and also
- the word of the angel of God, his name shall be Jesus Christ, the
- Son of God.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:20
- 20 And now, my brethren, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot
- err. And as the Lord God liveth that brought Israel up out of
- the land of Egypt, and gave unto Moses power that he should heal
- the nations after they had been bitten by the poisonous serpents,
- if they would cast their eyes unto the serpent which he did raise
- up before them, and also gave him power that he should smite the
- rock and the water should come forth; yea, behold I say unto you,
- that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there
- is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus
- Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:21
- 21 Wherefore, for this cause hath the Lord God promised unto me
- that these things which I write shall be kept and preserved, and
- handed down unto my seed, from generation to generation, that the
- promise may be fulfilled unto Joseph, that his seed should never
- perish as long as the earth should stand.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:22
- 22 Wherefore, these things shall go from generation to
- generation as long as the earth shall stand; and they shall go
- according to the will and pleasure of God; and the nations who
- shall possess them shall be judged of them according to the words
- which are written.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:23
- 23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children,
- and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled
- to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after
- all we can do.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:24
- 24 And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of
- Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the
- law shall be fulfilled.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:25
- 25 For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath
- become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of
- our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:26
- 26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of
- Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our
- prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may
- look for a remission of their sins.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:27
- 27 Wherefore, we speak concerning the law that our children may
- know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness
- of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ,
- and know for what end the law was given. And after the law is
- fulfilled in Christ, that they need not harden their hearts
- against him when the law ought to be done away.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:28
- 28 And now behold, my people, ye are a stiffnecked people;
- wherefore, I have spoken plainly unto you, that ye cannot
- misunderstand. And the words which I have spoken shall stand as
- a testimony against you; for they are sufficient to teach any man
- the right way; for the right way is to believe in Christ and deny
- him not; for by denying him ye also deny the prophets and the
- law.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:29
- 29 And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to
- believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One
- of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him
- with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and
- if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.
-
- 2 Nephi 25:30
- 30 And, inasmuch as it shall be expedient, ye must keep the
- performances and ordinances of God until the law shall be
- fulfilled which was given unto Moses.
-
- 2 Nephi 26
- Chapter 26
-
- 2 Nephi 26:1
- 1 And after Christ shall have risen from the dead he shall show
- himself unto you, my children, and my beloved brethren; and the
- words which he shall speak unto you shall be the law which ye
- shall do.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:2
- 2 For behold, I say unto you that I have beheld that many
- generations shall pass away, and there shall be great wars and
- contentions among my people.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:3
- 3 And after the Messiah shall come there shall be signs given
- unto my people of his birth, and also of his death and
- resurrection; and great and terrible shall that day be unto the
- wicked, for they shall perish; and they perish because they cast
- out the prophets, and the saints, and stone them, and slay them;
- wherefore the cry of the blood of the saints shall ascend up to
- God from the ground against them.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:4
- 4 Wherefore, all those who are proud, and that do wickedly, the
- day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, for
- they shall be as stubble.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:5
- 5 And they that kill the prophets, and the saints, the depths of
- the earth shall swallow them up, saith the Lord of Hosts; and
- mountains shall cover them, and whirlwinds shall carry them away,
- and buildings shall fall upon them and crush them to pieces and
- grind them to powder.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:6
- 6 And they shall be visited with thunderings, and lightnings,
- and earthquakes, and all manner of destructions, for the fire of
- the anger of the Lord shall be kindled against them, and they
- shall be as stubble, and the day that cometh shall consume them,
- saith the Lord of Hosts.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:7
- 7 O the pain, and the anguish of my soul for the loss of the
- slain of my people! For I, Nephi, have seen it, and it well nigh
- consumeth me before the presence of the Lord; but I must cry unto
- my God: Thy ways are just.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:8
- 8 But behold, the righteous that hearken unto the words of the
- prophets, and destroy them not, but look forward unto Christ with
- steadfastness for the signs which are given, notwithstanding all
- persecution--behold, they are they which shall not perish.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:9
- 9 But the Son of righteousness shall appear unto them; and he
- shall heal them, and they shall have peace with him, until three
- generations shall have passed away, and many of the fourth
- generation shall have passed away in righteousness.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:10
- 10 And when these things have passed away a speedy destruction
- cometh unto my people; for, notwithstanding the pains of my soul,
- I have seen it; wherefore, I know that it shall come to pass; and
- they sell themselves for naught; for, for the reward of their
- pride and their foolishness they shall reap destruction; for
- because they yield unto the devil and choose works of darkness
- rather than light, therefore they must go down to hell.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:11
- 11 For the Spirit of the Lord will not always strive with man.
- And when the Spirit ceaseth to strive with man then cometh speedy
- destruction, and this grieveth my soul.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:12
- 12 And as I spake concerning the convincing of the Jews, that
- Jesus is the very Christ, it must needs be that the Gentiles be
- convinced also that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God;
-
- 2 Nephi 26:13
- 13 And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in
- him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation,
- kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and
- wonders, among the children of men according to their faith.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:14
- 14 But behold, I prophesy unto you concerning the last days;
- concerning the days when the Lord God shall bring these things
- forth unto the children of men.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:15
- 15 After my seed and the seed of my brethren shall have dwindled
- in unbelief, and shall have been smitten by the Gentiles; yea,
- after the Lord God shall have camped against them round about,
- and shall have laid siege against them with a mount, and raised
- forts against them; and after they shall have been brought down
- low in the dust, even that they are not, yet the words of the
- righteous shall be written, and the prayers of the faithful shall
- be heard, and all those who have dwindled in unbelief shall not
- be forgotten.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:16
- 16 For those who shall be destroyed shall speak unto them out of
- the ground, and their speech shall be low out of the dust, and
- their voice shall be as one that hath a familiar spirit; for the
- Lord God will give unto him power, that he may whisper concerning
- them, even as it were out of the ground; and their speech shall
- whisper out of the dust.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:17
- 17 For thus saith the Lord God: They shall write the things
- which shall be done among them, and they shall be written and
- sealed up in a book, and those who have dwindled in unbelief
- shall not have them, for they seek to destroy the things of God.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:18
- 18 Wherefore, as those who have been destroyed have been
- destroyed speedily; and the multitude of their terrible ones
- shall be as chaff that passeth away--yea, thus saith the Lord
- God: It shall be at an instant, suddenly--
-
- 2 Nephi 26:19
- 19 And it shall come to pass, that those who have dwindled in
- unbelief shall be smitten by the hand of the Gentiles.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:20
- 20 And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes,
- and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling
- block, that they have built up many churches; nevertheless, they
- put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto
- themselves their own wisdom and their own learning, that they may
- get gain and grind upon the face of the poor.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:21
- 21 And there are many churches built up which cause envyings,
- and strifes, and malice.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:22
- 22 And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of
- old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the
- founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and
- works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a
- flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:23
- 23 For behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the Lord
- God worketh not in darkness.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:24
- 24 He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the
- world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own
- life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth
- none that they shall not partake of his salvation.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:25
- 25 Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me?
- Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye
- ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without
- price.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:26
- 26 Behold, hath he commanded any that they should depart out of
- the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say
- unto you, Nay.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:27
- 27 Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his
- salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free
- for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should
- persuade all men to repentance.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:28
- 28 Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not
- partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men
- are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are
- forbidden.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:29
- 29 He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for,
- behold priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for
- a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the
- world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:30
- 30 Behold, the Lord hath forbidden this thing; wherefore, the
- Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have
- charity, which charity is love, and except they should have
- charity they were nothing. Wherefore, if they should have
- charity they would not suffer the laborer in Zion to perish.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:31
- 31 But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they
- labor for money they shall perish.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:32
- 32 And again, the Lord God hath commanded that men should not
- murder; that they should not lie; that they should not steal;
- that they should not take the name of the Lord their God in vain;
- that they should not envy; that they should not have malice; that
- they should not contend one with another; that they should not
- commit whoredoms; and that they should do none of these things;
- for whoso doeth them shall perish.
-
- 2 Nephi 26:33
- 33 For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth
- that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth
- nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he
- inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness;
- and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and
- free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all
- are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.
-
- 2 Nephi 27
- Chapter 27
-
- 2 Nephi 27:1
- 1 But, behold, in the last days, or in the days of the
- Gentiles--yea, behold all the nations of the Gentiles and also
- the Jews, both those who shall come upon this land and those who
- shall be upon other lands, yea, even upon all the lands of the
- earth, behold, they will be drunken with iniquity and all manner
- of abominations--
-
- 2 Nephi 27:2
- 2 And when that day shall come they shall be visited of the Lord
- of Hosts, with thunder and with earthquake, and with a great
- noise, and with storm, and with tempest, and with the flame of
- devouring fire.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:3
- 3 And all the nations that fight against Zion, and that distress
- her, shall be as a dream of a night vision; yea, it shall be unto
- them, even as unto a hungry man which dreameth, and behold he
- eateth but he awaketh and his soul is empty; or like unto a
- thirsty man which dreameth, and behold he drinketh but he awaketh
- and behold he is faint, and his soul hath appetite; yea, even so
- shall the multitude of all the nations be that fight against
- Mount Zion.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:4
- 4 For behold, all ye that doeth iniquity, stay yourselves and
- wonder, for ye shall cry out, and cry; yea, ye shall be drunken
- but not with wine, ye shall stagger but not with strong drink.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:5
- 5 For behold, the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of
- deep sleep. For behold, ye have closed your eyes, and ye have
- rejected the prophets; and your rulers, and the seers hath he
- covered because of your iniquity.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:6
- 6 And it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall bring forth
- unto you the words of a book, and they shall be the words of them
- which have slumbered.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:7
- 7 And behold the book shall be sealed; and in the book shall be
- a revelation from God, from the beginning of the world to the
- ending thereof.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:8
- 8 Wherefore, because of the things which are sealed up, the
- things which are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the
- wickedness and abominations of the people. Wherefore the book
- shall be kept from them.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:9
- 9 But the book shall be delivered unto a man, and he shall
- deliver the words of the book, which are the words of those who
- have slumbered in the dust, and he shall deliver these words unto
- another;
-
- 2 Nephi 27:10
- 10 But the words which are sealed he shall not deliver, neither
- shall he deliver the book. For the book shall be sealed by the
- power of God, and the revelation which was sealed shall be kept
- in the book until the own due time of the Lord, that they may
- come forth; for behold, they reveal all things from the
- foundation of the world unto the end thereof.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:11
- 11 And the day cometh that the words of the book which were
- sealed shall be read upon the house tops; and they shall be read
- by the power of Christ; and all things shall be revealed unto the
- children of men which ever have been among the children of men,
- and which ever will be even unto the end of the earth.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:12
- 12 Wherefore, at that day when the book shall be delivered unto
- the man of whom I have spoken, the book shall be hid from the
- eyes of the world, that the eyes of none shall behold it save it
- be that three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of God,
- besides him to whom the book shall be delivered; and they shall
- testify to the truth of the book and the things therein.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:13
- 13 And there is none other which shall view it, save it be a few
- according to the will of God, to bear testimony of his word unto
- the children of men; for the Lord God hath said that the words of
- the faithful should speak as if it were from the dead.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:14
- 14 Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to bring forth the words
- of the book; and in the mouth of as many witnesses as seemeth him
- good will he establish his word; and wo be unto him that
- rejecteth the word of God!
-
- 2 Nephi 27:15
- 15 But behold, it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall say
- unto him to whom he shall deliver the book: Take these words
- which are not sealed and deliver them to another, that he may
- show them unto the learned, saying: Read this, I pray thee. And
- the learned shall say: Bring hither the book, and I will read
- them.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:16
- 16 And now, because of the glory of the world and to get gain
- will they say this, and not for the glory of God.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:17
- 17 And the man shall say: I cannot bring the book, for it is
- sealed.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:18
- 18 Then shall the learned say: I cannot read it.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:19
- 19 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that the Lord God will
- deliver again the book and the words thereof to him that is not
- learned; and the man that is not learned shall say: I am not
- learned.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:20
- 20 Then shall the Lord God say unto him: The learned shall not
- read them, for they have rejected them, and I am able to do mine
- own work; wherefore thou shalt read the words which I shall give
- unto thee.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:21
- 21 Touch not the things which are sealed, for I will bring them
- forth in mine own due time; for I will show unto the children of
- men that I am able to do mine own work.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:22
- 22 Wherefore, when thou hast read the words which I have
- commanded thee, and obtained the witnesses which I have promised
- unto thee, then shalt thou seal up the book again, and hide it up
- unto me, that I may preserve the words which thou hast not read,
- until I shall see fit in mine own wisdom to reveal all things
- unto the children of men.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:23
- 23 For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will
- show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and
- forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be
- according to their faith.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:24
- 24 And again it shall come to pass that the Lord shall say unto
- him that shall read the words that shall be delivered him:
-
- 2 Nephi 27:25
- 25 Forasmuch as this people draw near unto me with their mouth,
- and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their hearts
- far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precepts
- of men--
-
- 2 Nephi 27:26
- 26 Therefore, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this
- people, yea, a marvelous work and a wonder, for the wisdom of
- their wise and learned shall perish, and the understanding of
- their prudent shall be hid.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:27
- 27 And wo unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from
- the Lord! And their works are in the dark; and they say: Who
- seeth us, and who knoweth us? And they also say: Surely, your
- turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's
- clay. But behold, I will show unto them, saith the Lord of
- Hosts, that I know all their works. For shall the work say of
- him that made it, he made me not? Or shall the thing framed say
- of him that framed it, he had no understanding?
-
- 2 Nephi 27:28
- 28 But behold, saith the Lord of Hosts: I will show unto the
- children of men that it is yet a very little while and Lebanon
- shall be turned into a fruitful field; and the fruitful field
- shall be esteemed as a forest.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:29
- 29 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book,
- and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of
- darkness.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:30
- 30 And the meek also shall increase, and their joy shall be in
- the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of
- Israel.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:31
- 31 For assuredly as the Lord liveth they shall see that the
- terrible one is brought to naught, and the scorner is consumed,
- and all that watch for iniquity are cut off;
-
- 2 Nephi 27:32
- 32 And they that make a man an offender for a word, and lay a
- snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just
- for a thing of naught.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:33
- 33 Therefore, thus saith the Lord, who redeemed Abraham,
- concerning the house of Jacob: Jacob shall not now be ashamed,
- neither shall his face now wax pale.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:34
- 34 But when he seeth his children, the work of my hands, in the
- midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy
- One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.
-
- 2 Nephi 27:35
- 35 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding,
- and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
-
- 2 Nephi 28
- Chapter 28
-
- 2 Nephi 28:1
- 1 And now, behold, my brethren, I have spoken unto you,
- according as the Spirit hath constrained me; wherefore, I know
- that they must surely come to pass.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:2
- 2 And the things which shall be written out of the book shall be
- of great worth unto the children of men, and especially unto our
- seed, which is a remnant of the house of Israel.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:3
- 3 For it shall come to pass in that day that the churches which
- are built up, and not unto the Lord, when the one shall say unto
- the other: Behold, I, I am the Lord's; and the others shall say:
- I, I am the Lord's; and thus shall every one say that hath built
- up churches, and not unto the Lord--
-
- 2 Nephi 28:4
- 4 And they shall contend one with another; and their priests
- shall contend one with another, and they shall teach with their
- learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:5
- 5 And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel; and
- they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our
- precept; for behold there is no God today, for the Lord and the
- Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto
- men;
-
- 2 Nephi 28:6
- 6 Behold, hearken ye unto my precept; if they shall say there is
- a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, believe it not; for
- this day he is not a God of miracles; he hath done his work.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:7
- 7 Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and
- be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:8
- 8 And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and
- be merry; nevertheless, fear God--he will justify in committing a
- little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because
- of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in
- this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so
- be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and
- at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:9
- 9 Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this
- manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed
- up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels
- from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:10
- 10 And the blood of the saints shall cry from the ground against
- them.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:11
- 11 Yea, they have all gone out of the way; they have become
- corrupted.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:12
- 12 Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false
- doctrine, their churches have become corrupted, and their
- churches are lifted up; because of pride they are puffed up.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:13
- 13 They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries; they rob
- the poor because of their fine clothing; and they persecute the
- meek and the poor in heart, because in their pride they are
- puffed up.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:14
- 14 They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of
- pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have
- all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of
- Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they
- do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:15
- 15 O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up
- in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false
- doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the
- right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord
- God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell!
-
- 2 Nephi 28:16
- 16 Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught
- and revile against that which is good, and say that is of no
- worth! For the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily
- visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day that they are
- fully ripe in iniquity they shall perish.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:17
- 17 But behold, if the inhabitants of the earth shall repent of
- their wickedness and abominations they shall not be destroyed,
- saith the Lord of Hosts.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:18
- 18 But behold, that great and abominable church, the whore of
- all the earth, must tumble to the earth, and great must be the
- fall thereof.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:19
- 19 For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which
- belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the
- devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains, and they be
- stirred up to anger, and perish;
-
- 2 Nephi 28:20
- 20 For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the
- children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is
- good.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:21
- 21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal
- security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion
- prospereth, all is well--and thus the devil cheateth their souls,
- and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:22
- 22 And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there
- is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is
- none--and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them
- with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:23
- 23 Yea, they are grasped with death, and hell; and death, and
- hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must
- stand before the throne of God, and be judged according to their
- works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them,
- even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:24
- 24 Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!
-
- 2 Nephi 28:25
- 25 Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!
-
- 2 Nephi 28:26
- 26 Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men,
- and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!
-
- 2 Nephi 28:27
- 27 Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need
- no more!
-
- 2 Nephi 28:28
- 28 And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry
- because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon
- the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a
- sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:29
- 29 Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of
- God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!
-
- 2 Nephi 28:30
- 30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the
- children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a
- little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto
- my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall
- learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and
- from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be
- taken away even that which they have.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:31
- 31 Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh
- his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their
- precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.
-
- 2 Nephi 28:32
- 32 Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For
- notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day
- to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto
- them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me;
- for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord
- God of Hosts.
-
- 2 Nephi 29
- Chapter 29
-
- 2 Nephi 29:1
- 1 But behold, there shall be many--at that day when I shall
- proceed to do a marvelous work among them, that I may remember my
- covenants which I have made unto the children of men, that I may
- set my hand again the second time to recover my people, which are
- of the house of Israel;
-
- 2 Nephi 29:2
- 2 And also, that I may remember the promises which I have made
- unto thee, Nephi, and also unto thy father, that I would remember
- your seed; and that the words of your seed should proceed forth
- out of my mouth unto your seed; and my words shall hiss forth
- unto the ends of the earth, for a standard unto my people, which
- are of the house of Israel;
-
- 2 Nephi 29:3
- 3 And because my words shall hiss forth--many of the Gentiles
- shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there
- cannot be any more Bible.
-
- 2 Nephi 29:4
- 4 But thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall have a Bible;
- and it shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant
- people. And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they
- receive from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles mean? Do they
- remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews,
- and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the
- Gentiles?
-
- 2 Nephi 29:5
- 5 O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient
- covenant people? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and have hated
- them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will
- return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord have
- not forgotten my people.
-
- 2 Nephi 29:6
- 6 Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and
- we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by
- the Jews?
-
- 2 Nephi 29:7
- 7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not
- that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I
- remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule
- in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth
- my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations
- of the earth?
-
- 2 Nephi 29:8
- 8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my
- word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness
- unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto
- another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like
- unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the
- testimony of the two nations shall run together also.
-
- 2 Nephi 29:9
- 9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same
- yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words
- according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken
- one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my
- work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of
- man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.
-
- 2 Nephi 29:10
- 10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose
- that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I
- have not caused more to be written.
-
- 2 Nephi 29:11
- 11 For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and
- in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea,
- that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out
- of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every
- man according to their works, according to that which is written.
-
- 2 Nephi 29:12
- 12 For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write
- it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write
- it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of
- Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I
- shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall
- write it.
-
- 2 Nephi 29:13
- 13 And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words
- of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the
- Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the
- lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have
- the words of the Nephites and the Jews.
-
- 2 Nephi 29:14
- 14 And it shall come to pass that my people, which are of the
- house of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the lands of their
- possessions; and my word also shall be gathered in one. And I
- will show unto them that fight against my word and against my
- people, who are of the house of Israel, that I am God, and that I
- covenanted with Abraham that I would remember his seed forever.
-
- 2 Nephi 30
- Chapter 30
-
- 2 Nephi 30:1
- 1 And now behold, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you;
- for I, Nephi, would not suffer that ye should suppose that ye are
- more righteous than the Gentiles shall be. For behold, except ye
- shall keep the commandments of God ye shall all likewise perish;
- and because of the words which have been spoken ye need not
- suppose that the Gentiles are utterly destroyed.
-
- 2 Nephi 30:2
- 2 For behold, I say unto you that as many of the Gentiles as
- will repent are the covenant people of the Lord; and as many of
- the Jews as will not repent shall be cast off; for the Lord
- covenanteth with none save it be with them that repent and
- believe in his Son, who is the Holy One of Israel.
-
- 2 Nephi 30:3
- 3 And now, I would prophesy somewhat more concerning the Jews
- and the Gentiles. For after the book of which I have spoken
- shall come forth, and be written unto the Gentiles, and sealed up
- again unto the Lord, there shall be many which shall believe the
- words which are written; and they shall carry them forth unto the
- remnant of our seed.
-
- 2 Nephi 30:4
- 4 And then shall the remnant of our seed know concerning us, how
- that we came out from Jerusalem, and that they are descendants of
- the Jews.
-
- 2 Nephi 30:5
- 5 And the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be declared among them;
- wherefore, they shall be restored unto the knowledge of their
- fathers, and also to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which was had
- among their fathers.
-
- 2 Nephi 30:6
- 6 And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a
- blessing unto them from the hand of God; and their scales of
- darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; and many
- generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a
- pure and delightsome people.
-
- 2 Nephi 30:7
- 7 And it shall come to pass that the Jews which are scattered
- also shall begin to believe in Christ; and they shall begin to
- gather in upon the face of the land; and as many as shall believe
- in Christ shall also become a delightsome people.
-
- 2 Nephi 30:8
- 8 And it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall commence his
- work among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, to bring
- about the restoration of his people upon the earth.
-
- 2 Nephi 30:9
- 9 And with righteousness shall the Lord God judge the poor, and
- reprove with equity for the meek of the earth. And he shall
- smite the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of
- his lips shall he slay the wicked.
-
- 2 Nephi 30:10
- 10 For the time speedily cometh that the Lord God shall cause a
- great division among the people, and the wicked will he destroy;
- and he will spare his people, yea, even if it so be that he must
- destroy the wicked by fire.
-
- 2 Nephi 30:11
- 11 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and
- faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
-
- 2 Nephi 30:12
- 12 And then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb; and the leopard
- shall lie down with the kid, and the calf, and the young lion,
- and the fatling, together; and a little child shall lead them.
-
- 2 Nephi 30:13
- 13 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall
- lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
-
- 2 Nephi 30:14
- 14 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and
- the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice's den.
-
- 2 Nephi 30:15
- 15 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for
- the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the
- waters cover the sea.
-
- 2 Nephi 30:16
- 16 Wherefore, the things of all nations shall be made known;
- yea, all things shall be made known unto the children of men.
-
- 2 Nephi 30:17
- 17 There is nothing which is secret save it shall be revealed;
- there is no work of darkness save it shall be made manifest in
- the light; and there is nothing which is sealed upon the earth
- save it shall be loosed.
-
- 2 Nephi 30:18
- 18 Wherefore, all things which have been revealed unto the
- children of men shall at that day be revealed; and Satan shall
- have power over the hearts of the children of men no more, for a
- long time. And now, my beloved brethren, I make an end of my
- sayings.
-
- 2 Nephi 31
- Chapter 31
-
- 2 Nephi 31:1
- 1 And now I, Nephi, make an end of my prophesying unto you, my
- beloved brethren. And I cannot write but a few things, which I
- know must surely come to pass; neither can I write but a few of
- the words of my brother Jacob.
-
- 2 Nephi 31:2
- 2 Wherefore, the things which I have written sufficeth me, save
- it be a few words which I must speak concerning the doctrine of
- Christ; wherefore, I shall speak unto you plainly, according to
- the plainness of my prophesying.
-
- 2 Nephi 31:3
- 3 For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner
- doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord
- God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men
- according to their language, unto their understanding.
-
- 2 Nephi 31:4
- 4 Wherefore, I would that ye should remember that I have spoken
- unto you concerning that prophet which the Lord showed unto me,
- that should baptize the Lamb of God, which should take away the
- sins of the world.
-
- 2 Nephi 31:5
- 5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need
- to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how
- much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even
- by water!
-
- 2 Nephi 31:6
- 6 And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the
- Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by
- water?
-
- 2 Nephi 31:7
- 7 Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being
- holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the
- flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto
- the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his
- commandments.
-
- 2 Nephi 31:8
- 8 Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost
- descended upon him in the form of a dove.
-
- 2 Nephi 31:9
- 9 And again, it showeth unto the children of men the
- straightness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by
- which they should enter, he having set the example before them.
-
- 2 Nephi 31:10
- 10 And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me.
- Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall
- be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?
-
- 2 Nephi 31:11
- 11 And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in
- the name of my Beloved Son.
-
- 2 Nephi 31:12
- 12 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that
- is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy
- Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things
- which ye have seen me do.
-
- 2 Nephi 31:13
- 13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall
- follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy
- and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of
- your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take
- upon you the name of Christ, by baptism--yea, by following your
- Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word,
- behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh
- the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak
- with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of
- Israel.
-
- 2 Nephi 31:14
- 14 But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the
- Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and
- witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my
- commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the
- baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new
- tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this
- should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not
- known me.
-
- 2 Nephi 31:15
- 15 And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words
- of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the
- end, the same shall be saved.
-
- 2 Nephi 31:16
- 16 And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a
- man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son
- of the living God, he cannot be saved.
-
- 2 Nephi 31:17
- 17 Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen
- that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause
- have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by
- which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is
- repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of
- your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.
-
- 2 Nephi 31:18
- 18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to
- eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done
- according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye
- have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and
- the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made,
- that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.
-
- 2 Nephi 31:19
- 19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this
- strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I
- say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by
- the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly
- upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.
-
- 2 Nephi 31:20
- 20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in
- Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God
- and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting
- upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus
- saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
-
- 2 Nephi 31:21
- 21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and
- there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man
- can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the
- doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father,
- and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without
- end. Amen.
-
- 2 Nephi 32
- Chapter 32
-
- 2 Nephi 32:1
- 1 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder
- somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after
- ye have entered in by the way. But, behold, why do ye ponder
- these things in your hearts?
-
- 2 Nephi 32:2
- 2 Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had
- received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels?
-
- And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it
- were by the Holy Ghost?
-
- 2 Nephi 32:3
- 3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they
- speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast
- upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will
- tell you all things what ye should do.
-
- 2 Nephi 32:4
- 4 Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot
- understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye
- knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must
- perish in the dark.
-
- 2 Nephi 32:5
- 5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by
- the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all
- things what ye should do.
-
- 2 Nephi 32:6
- 6 Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no
- more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto
- you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in
- the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye
- observe to do.
-
- 2 Nephi 32:7
- 7 And now I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit stoppeth mine
- utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and
- the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of
- men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great
- knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain
- as word can be.
-
- 2 Nephi 32:8
- 8 And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still
- in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning
- this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which
- teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the
- evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he
- must not pray.
-
- 2 Nephi 32:9
- 9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not
- faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in
- the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of
- Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that
- thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.
-
- 2 Nephi 33
- Chapter 33
-
- 2 Nephi 33:1
- 1 And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were
- taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto
- speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost
- the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the
- children of men.
-
- 2 Nephi 33:2
- 2 But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against
- the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they
- cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things
- of naught.
-
- 2 Nephi 33:3
- 3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem
- it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray
- continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by
- night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I
- know that he will hear my cry.
-
- 2 Nephi 33:4
- 4 And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for
- the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in
- weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to
- do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it
- speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to
- endure to the end, which is life eternal.
-
- 2 Nephi 33:5
- 5 And it speaketh harshly against sin, according to the
- plainness of the truth; wherefore, no man will be angry at the
- words which I have written save he shall be of the spirit of the
- devil.
-
- 2 Nephi 33:6
- 6 I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus,
- for he hath redeemed my soul from hell.
-
- 2 Nephi 33:7
- 7 I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I
- shall meet many souls spotless at his judgment-seat.
-
- 2 Nephi 33:8
- 8 I have charity for the Jew--I say Jew, because I mean them
- from whence I came.
-
- 2 Nephi 33:9
- 9 I also have charity for the Gentiles. But behold, for none of
- these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and
- enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which
- leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day
- of probation.
-
- 2 Nephi 33:10
- 10 And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends
- of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and
- if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye
- shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they
- are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they
- teach all men that they should do good.
-
- 2 Nephi 33:11
- 11 And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye--for Christ
- will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his
- words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face
- before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of
- him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.
-
- 2 Nephi 33:12
- 12 And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us,
- if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last
- day.
-
- 2 Nephi 33:13
- 13 And now, my beloved brethren, all those who are of the house
- of Israel, and all ye ends of the earth, I speak unto you as the
- voice of one crying from the dust: Farewell until that great day
- shall come.
-
- 2 Nephi 33:14
- 14 And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and
- respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words
- which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God,
- behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall
- condemn you at the last day.
-
- 2 Nephi 33:15
- 15 For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the
- judgment bar; for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must
- obey. Amen.
-
- Jacob
- THE BOOK OF JACOB
- THE BROTHER OF NEPHI
- The words of his preaching unto his brethren. He confoundeth a
- man who seeketh to overthrow the doctrine of Christ. A few words
- concerning the history of the people of Nephi.
-
- Jacob 1
- Chapter 1
-
- Jacob 1:1
- 1 For behold, it came to pass that fifty and five years had
- passed away from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem; wherefore,
- Nephi gave me, Jacob, a commandment concerning the small plates,
- upon which these things are engraven.
-
- Jacob 1:2
- 2 And he gave me, Jacob, a commandment that I should write upon
- these plates a few of the things which I consider to be most
- precious; that I should not touch, save it were lightly,
- concerning the history of this people which are called the people
- of Nephi.
-
- Jacob 1:3
- 3 For he said that the history of his people should be engraven
- upon his other plates, and that I should preserve these plates
- and hand them down unto my seed, from generation to generation.
-
- Jacob 1:4
- 4 And if there were preaching which was sacred, or revelation
- which was great, or prophesying, that I should engraven the heads
- of them upon these plates, and touch upon them as much as it were
- possible, for Christ's sake, and for the sake of our people.
-
- Jacob 1:5
- 5 For because of faith and great anxiety, it truly had been made
- manifest unto us concerning our people, what things should happen
- unto them.
-
- Jacob 1:6
- 6 And we also had many revelations, and the spirit of much
- prophecy; wherefore, we knew of Christ and his kingdom, which
- should come.
-
- Jacob 1:7
- 7 Wherefore we labored diligently among our people, that we
- might persuade them to come unto Christ, and partake of the
- goodness of God, that they might enter into his rest, lest by any
- means he should swear in his wrath they should not enter in, as
- in the provocation in the days of temptation while the children
- of Israel were in the wilderness.
-
- Jacob 1:8
- 8 Wherefore, we would to God that we could persuade all men not
- to rebel against God, to provoke him to anger, but that all men
- would believe in Christ, and view his death, and suffer his cross
- and bear the shame of the world; wherefore, I, Jacob, take it
- upon me to fulfil the commandment of my brother Nephi.
-
- Jacob 1:9
- 9 Now Nephi began to be old, and he saw that he must soon die;
- wherefore, he anointed a man to be a king and a ruler over his
- people now, according to the reigns of the kings.
-
- Jacob 1:10
- 10 The people having loved Nephi exceedingly, he having been a
- great protector for them, having wielded the sword of Laban in
- their defence, and having labored in all his days for their
- welfare--
-
- Jacob 1:11
- 11 Wherefore, the people were desirous to retain in remembrance
- his name. And whoso should reign in his stead were called by the
- people, second Nephi, third Nephi, and so forth, according to the
- reigns of the kings; and thus they were called by the people, let
- them be of whatever name they would.
-
- Jacob 1:12
- 12 And it came to pass that Nephi died.
-
- Jacob 1:13
- 13 Now the people which were not Lamanites were Nephites;
- nevertheless, they were called Nephites, Jacobites, Josephites,
- Zoramites, Lamanites, Lemuelites, and Ishmaelites.
-
- Jacob 1:14
- 14 But I, Jacob, shall not hereafter distinguish them by these
- names, but I shall call them Lamanites that seek to destroy the
- people of Nephi, and those who are friendly to Nephi I shall call
- Nephites, or the people of Nephi, according to the reigns of the
- kings.
-
- Jacob 1:15
- 15 And now it came to pass that the people of Nephi, under the
- reign of the second king, began to grow hard in their hearts, and
- indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices, such as like
- unto David of old desiring many wives and concubines, and also
- Solomon, his son.
-
- Jacob 1:16
- 16 Yea, and they also began to search much gold and silver, and
- began to be lifted up somewhat in pride.
-
- Jacob 1:17
- 17 Wherefore I, Jacob, gave unto them these words as I taught
- them in the temple, having first obtained mine errand from the
- Lord.
-
- Jacob 1:18
- 18 For I, Jacob, and my brother Joseph had been consecrated
- priests and teachers of this people, by the hand of Nephi.
-
- Jacob 1:19
- 19 And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us
- the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own
- heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all
- diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood
- might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would
- come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the
- last day.
-
- Jacob 2
- Chapter 2
-
- Jacob 2:1
- 1 The words which Jacob, the brother of Nephi, spake unto the
- people of Nephi, after the death of Nephi:
-
- Jacob 2:2
- 2 Now, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, according to the
- responsibility which I am under to God, to magnify mine office
- with soberness, and that I might rid my garments of your sins, I
- come up into the temple this day that I might declare unto you
- the word of God.
-
- Jacob 2:3
- 3 And ye yourselves know that I have hitherto been diligent in
- the office of my calling; but I this day am weighed down with
- much more desire and anxiety for the welfare of your souls than I
- have hitherto been.
-
- Jacob 2:4
- 4 For behold, as yet, ye have been obedient unto the word of the
- Lord, which I have given unto you.
-
- Jacob 2:5
- 5 But behold, hearken ye unto me, and know that by the help of
- the all-powerful Creator of heaven and earth I can tell you
- concerning your thoughts, how that ye are beginning to labor in
- sin, which sin appeareth very abominable unto me, yea, and
- abominable unto God.
-
- Jacob 2:6
- 6 Yea, it grieveth my soul and causeth me to shrink with shame
- before the presence of my Maker, that I must testify unto you
- concerning the wickedness of your hearts.
-
- Jacob 2:7
- 7 And also it grieveth me that I must use so much boldness of
- speech concerning you, before your wives and your children, many
- of whose feelings are exceedingly tender and chaste and delicate
- before God, which thing is pleasing unto God;
-
- Jacob 2:8
- 8 And it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the
- pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded
- soul.
-
- Jacob 2:9
- 9 Wherefore, it burdeneth my soul that I should be constrained,
- because of the strict commandment which I have received from God,
- to admonish you according to your crimes, to enlarge the wounds
- of those who are already wounded, instead of consoling and
- healing their wounds; and those who have not been wounded,
- instead of feasting upon the pleasing word of God have daggers
- placed to pierce their souls and wound their delicate minds.
-
- Jacob 2:10
- 10 But, notwithstanding the greatness of the task, I must do
- according to the strict commands of God, and tell you concerning
- your wickedness and abominations, in the presence of the pure in
- heart, and the broken heart, and under the glance of the piercing
- eye of the Almighty God.
-
- Jacob 2:11
- 11 Wherefore, I must tell you the truth according to the
- plainness of the word of God. For behold, as I inquired of the
- Lord, thus came the word unto me, saying: Jacob, get thou up
- into the temple on the morrow, and declare the word which I shall
- give thee unto this people.
-
- Jacob 2:12
- 12 And now behold, my brethren, this is the word which I declare
- unto you, that many of you have begun to search for gold, and for
- silver, and for all manner of precious ores, in the which this
- land, which is a land of promise unto you and to your seed, doth
- abound most plentifully.
-
- Jacob 2:13
- 13 And the hand of providence hath smiled upon you most
- pleasingly, that you have obtained many riches; and because some
- of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your brethren
- ye are lifted up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff
- necks and high heads because of the costliness of your apparel,
- and persecute your brethren because ye suppose that ye are better
- than they.
-
- Jacob 2:14
- 14 And now, my brethren, do ye suppose that God justifieth you
- in this thing? Behold, I say unto you, Nay. But he condemneth
- you, and if ye persist in these things his judgments must
- speedily come unto you.
-
- Jacob 2:15
- 15 O that he would show you that he can pierce you, and with one
- glance of his eye he can smite you to the dust!
-
- Jacob 2:16
- 16 O that he would rid you from this iniquity and abomination.
- And, O that ye would listen unto the word of his commands, and
- let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls!
-
- Jacob 2:17
- 17 Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar
- with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like
- unto you.
-
- Jacob 2:18
- 18 But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of
- God.
-
- Jacob 2:19
- 19 And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain
- riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to
- do good--to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to
- liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the
- afflicted.
-
- Jacob 2:20
- 20 And now, my brethren, I have spoken unto you concerning
- pride; and those of you which have afflicted your neighbor, and
- persecuted him because ye were proud in your hearts, of the
- things which God hath given you, what say ye of it?
-
- Jacob 2:21
- 21 Do ye not suppose that such things are abominable unto him
- who created all flesh? And the one being is as precious in his
- sight as the other. And all flesh is of the dust; and for the
- selfsame end hath he created them, that they should keep his
- commandments and glorify him forever.
-
- Jacob 2:22
- 22 And now I make an end of speaking unto you concerning this
- pride. And were it not that I must speak unto you concerning a
- grosser crime, my heart would rejoice exceedingly because of you.
-
- Jacob 2:23
- 23 But the word of God burdens me because of your grosser
- crimes. For behold, thus saith the Lord: This people begin to
- wax in iniquity; they understand not the scriptures, for they
- seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the
- things which were written concerning David, and Solomon his son.
-
- Jacob 2:24
- 24 Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and
- concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.
-
- Jacob 2:25
- 25 Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, I have led this people forth
- out of the land of Jerusalem, by the power of mine arm, that I
- might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit of the
- loins of Joseph.
-
- Jacob 2:26
- 26 Wherefore, I the Lord God will not suffer that this people
- shall do like unto them of old.
-
- Jacob 2:27
- 27 Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of
- the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be
- one wife; and concubines he shall have none;
-
- Jacob 2:28
- 28 For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And
- whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of
- Hosts.
-
- Jacob 2:29
- 29 Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments, saith the
- Lord of Hosts, or cursed be the land for their sakes.
-
- Jacob 2:30
- 30 For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto
- me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto
- these things.
-
- Jacob 2:31
- 31 For behold, I, the Lord, have seen the sorrow, and heard the
- mourning of the daughters of my people in the land of Jerusalem,
- yea, and in all the lands of my people, because of the wickedness
- and abominations of their husbands.
-
- Jacob 2:32
- 32 And I will not suffer, saith the Lord of Hosts, that the
- cries of the fair daughters of this people, which I have led out
- of the land of Jerusalem, shall come up unto me against the men
- of my people, saith the Lord of Hosts.
-
- Jacob 2:33
- 33 For they shall not lead away captive the daughters of my
- people because of their tenderness, save I shall visit them with
- a sore curse, even unto destruction; for they shall not commit
- whoredoms, like unto them of old, saith the Lord of Hosts.
-
- Jacob 2:34
- 34 And now behold, my brethren, ye know that these commandments
- were given to our father, Lehi; wherefore, ye have known them
- before; and ye have come unto great condemnation; for ye have
- done these things which ye ought not to have done.
-
- Jacob 2:35
- 35 Behold, ye have done greater iniquities than the Lamanites,
- our brethren. Ye have broken the hearts of your tender wives,
- and lost the confidence of your children, because of your bad
- examples before them; and the sobbings of their hearts ascend up
- to God against you. And because of the strictness of the word of
- God, which cometh down against you, many hearts died, pierced
- with deep wounds.
-
- Jacob 3
- Chapter 3
-
- Jacob 3:1
- 1 But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in
- heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him
- with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your
- afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice
- upon those who seek your destruction.
-
- Jacob 3:2
- 2 O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and
- receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye
- may, if your minds are firm, forever.
-
- Jacob 3:3
- 3 But, wo, wo, unto you that are not pure in heart, that are
- filthy this day before God; for except ye repent the land is
- cursed for your sakes; and the Lamanites, which are not filthy
- like unto you, nevertheless they are cursed with a sore cursing,
- shall scourge you even unto destruction.
-
- Jacob 3:4
- 4 And the time speedily cometh, that except ye repent they shall
- possess the land of your inheritance, and the Lord God will lead
- away the righteous out from among you.
-
- Jacob 3:5
- 5 Behold, the Lamanites your brethren, whom ye hate because of
- their filthiness and the cursing which hath come upon their
- skins, are more righteous than you; for they have not forgotten
- the commandment of the Lord, which was given unto our
- father--that they should have save it were one wife, and
- concubines they should have none, and there should not be
- whoredoms committed among them.
-
- Jacob 3:6
- 6 And now, this commandment they observe to keep; wherefore,
- because of this observance, in keeping this commandment, the Lord
- God will not destroy them, but will be merciful unto them; and
- one day they shall become a blessed people.
-
- Jacob 3:7
- 7 Behold, their husbands love their wives, and their wives love
- their husbands; and their husbands and their wives love their
- children; and their unbelief and their hatred towards you is
- because of the iniquity of their fathers; wherefore, how much
- better are you than they, in the sight of your great Creator?
-
- Jacob 3:8
- 8 O my brethren, I fear that unless ye shall repent of your sins
- that their skins will be whiter than yours, when ye shall be
- brought with them before the throne of God.
-
- Jacob 3:9
- 9 Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, which is the word of
- God, that ye revile no more against them because of the darkness
- of their skins; neither shall ye revile against them because of
- their filthiness; but ye shall remember your own filthiness, and
- remember that their filthiness came because of their fathers.
-
- Jacob 3:10
- 10 Wherefore, ye shall remember your children, how that ye have
- grieved their hearts because of the example that ye have set
- before them; and also, remember that ye may, because of your
- filthiness, bring your children unto destruction, and their sins
- be heaped upon your heads at the last day.
-
- Jacob 3:11
- 11 O my brethren, hearken unto my words; arouse the faculties of
- your souls; shake yourselves that ye may awake from the slumber
- of death; and loose yourselves from the pains of hell that ye may
- not become angels to the devil, to be cast into that lake of fire
- and brimstone which is the second death.
-
- Jacob 3:12
- 12 And now I, Jacob, spake many more things unto the people of
- Nephi, warning them against fornication and lasciviousness, and
- every kind of sin, telling them the awful consequences of them.
-
- Jacob 3:13
- 13 And a hundredth part of the proceedings of this people, which
- now began to be numerous, cannot be written upon these plates;
- but many of their proceedings are written upon the larger plates,
- and their wars, and their contentions, and the reigns of their
- kings.
-
- Jacob 3:14
- 14 These plates are called the plates of Jacob, and they were
- made by the hand of Nephi. And I make an end of speaking these
- words.
-
- Jacob 4
- Chapter 4
-
- Jacob 4:1
- 1 Now behold, it came to pass that I, Jacob, having ministered
- much unto my people in word, (and I cannot write but a little of
- my words, because of the difficulty of engraving our words upon
- plates) and we know that the things which we write upon plates
- must remain;
-
- Jacob 4:2
- 2 But whatsoever things we write upon anything save it be upon
- plates must perish and vanish away; but we can write a few words
- upon plates, which will give our children, and also our beloved
- brethren, a small degree of knowledge concerning us, or
- concerning their fathers--
-
- Jacob 4:3
- 3 Now in this thing we do rejoice; and we labor diligently to
- engraven these words upon plates, hoping that our beloved
- brethren and our children will receive them with thankful hearts,
- and look upon them that they may learn with joy and not with
- sorrow, neither with contempt, concerning their first parents.
-
- Jacob 4:4
- 4 For, for this intent have we written these things, that they
- may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory
- many hundred years before his coming; and not only we ourselves
- had a hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which
- were before us.
-
- Jacob 4:5
- 5 Behold, they believed in Christ and worshiped the Father in
- his name, and also we worship the Father in his name. And for
- this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to
- him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for
- righteousness, even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the
- wilderness to be obedient unto the commands of God in offering up
- his son Isaac, which is a similitude of God and his Only Begotten
- Son.
-
- Jacob 4:6
- 6 Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many
- revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these
- witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken,
- insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the
- very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea.
-
- Jacob 4:7
- 7 Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may
- know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto
- the children of men, that we have power to do these things.
-
- Jacob 4:8
- 8 Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How
- unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is
- impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man
- knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore,
- brethren, despise not the revelations of God.
-
- Jacob 4:9
- 9 For behold, by the power of his word man came upon the face of
- the earth, which earth was created by the power of his word.
- Wherefore, if God being able to speak and the world was, and to
- speak and man was created, O then, why not able to command the
- earth, or the workmanship of his hands upon the face of it,
- according to his will and pleasure?
-
- Jacob 4:10
- 10 Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to
- take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that
- he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over
- all his works.
-
- Jacob 4:11
- 11 Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through
- the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain
- a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which
- is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto
- God, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in him
- before he manifesteth himself in the flesh.
-
- Jacob 4:12
- 12 And now, beloved, marvel not that I tell you these things;
- for why not speak of the atonement of Christ, and attain to a
- perfect knowledge of him, as to attain to the knowledge of a
- resurrection and the world to come?
-
- Jacob 4:13
- 13 Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to
- the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and
- lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are,
- and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are
- manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But
- behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also
- spake them unto prophets of old.
-
- Jacob 4:14
- 14 But behold, the Jews were a stiffnecked people; and they
- despised the words of plainness, and killed the prophets, and
- sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore,
- because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking
- beyond the mark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away
- his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things
- which they cannot understand, because they desired it. And
- because they desired it God hath done it, that they may stumble.
-
- Jacob 4:15
- 15 And now I, Jacob, am led on by the Spirit unto prophesying;
- for I perceive by the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that
- by the stumbling of the Jews they will reject the stone upon
- which they might build and have safe foundation.
-
- Jacob 4:16
- 16 But behold, according to the scriptures, this stone shall
- become the great, and the last, and the only sure foundation,
- upon which the Jews can build.
-
- Jacob 4:17
- 17 And now, my beloved, how is it possible that these, after
- having rejected the sure foundation, can ever build upon it, that
- it may become the head of their corner?
-
- Jacob 4:18
- 18 Behold, my beloved brethren, I will unfold this mystery unto
- you; if I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in
- the Spirit, and stumble because of my over anxiety for you.
-
- Jacob 5
- Chapter 5
-
- Jacob 5:1
- 1 Behold, my brethren, do ye not remember to have read the words
- of the prophet Zenos, which he spake unto the house of Israel,
- saying:
-
- Jacob 5:2
- 2 Hearken, O ye house of Israel, and hear the words of me, a
- prophet of the Lord.
-
- Jacob 5:3
- 3 For behold, thus saith the Lord, I will liken thee, O house of
- Israel, like unto a tame olive-tree, which a man took and
- nourished in his vineyard; and it grew, and waxed old, and began
- to decay.
-
- Jacob 5:4
- 4 And it came to pass that the master of the vineyard went
- forth, and he saw that his olive-tree began to decay; and he
- said: I will prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it, that
- perhaps it may shoot forth young and tender branches, and it
- perish not.
-
- Jacob 5:5
- 5 And it came to pass that he pruned it, and digged about it,
- and nourished it according to his word.
-
- Jacob 5:6
- 6 And it came to pass that after many days it began to put forth
- somewhat a little, young and tender branches; but behold, the
- main top thereof began to perish.
-
- Jacob 5:7
- 7 And it came to pass that the master of the vineyard saw it,
- and he said unto his servant: It grieveth me that I should lose
- this tree; wherefore, go and pluck the branches from a wild
- olive-tree, and bring them hither unto me; and we will pluck off
- those main branches which are beginning to wither away, and we
- will cast them into the fire that they may be burned.
-
- Jacob 5:8
- 8 And behold, saith the Lord of the vineyard, I take away many
- of these young and tender branches, and I will graft them
- whithersoever I will; and it mattereth not that if it so be that
- the root of this tree will perish, I may preserve the fruit
- thereof unto myself; wherefore, I will take these young and
- tender branches, and I will graft them whithersoever I will.
-
- Jacob 5:9
- 9 Take thou the branches of the wild olive-tree, and graft them
- in, in the stead thereof; and these which I have plucked off I
- will cast into the fire and burn them, that they may not cumber
- the ground of my vineyard.
-
- Jacob 5:10
- 10 And it came to pass that the servant of the Lord of the
- vineyard did according to the word of the Lord of the vineyard,
- and grafted in the branches of the wild olive-tree.
-
- Jacob 5:11
- 11 And the Lord of the vineyard caused that it should be digged
- about, and pruned, and nourished, saying unto his servant: It
- grieveth me that I should lose this tree; wherefore, that perhaps
- I might preserve the roots thereof that they perish not, that I
- might preserve them unto myself, I have done this thing.
-
- Jacob 5:12
- 12 Wherefore, go thy way; watch the tree, and nourish it,
- according to my words.
-
- Jacob 5:13
- 13 And these will I place in the nethermost part of my vineyard,
- whithersoever I will, it mattereth not unto thee; and I do it
- that I may preserve unto myself the natural branches of the tree;
- and also, that I may lay up fruit thereof against the season,
- unto myself; for it grieveth me that I should lose this tree and
- the fruit thereof.
-
- Jacob 5:14
- 14 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard went his
- way, and hid the natural branches of the tame olive-tree in the
- nethermost parts of the vineyard, some in one and some in
- another, according to his will and pleasure.
-
- Jacob 5:15
- 15 And it came to pass that a long time passed away, and the
- Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: Come, let us go down
- into the vineyard, that we may labor in the vineyard.
-
- Jacob 5:16
- 16 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard, and also
- the servant, went down into the vineyard to labor. And it came
- to pass that the servant said unto his master: Behold, look here;
- behold the tree.
-
- Jacob 5:17
- 17 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard looked and
- beheld the tree in the which the wild olive branches had been
- grafted; and it had sprung forth and begun to bear fruit. And he
- beheld that it was good; and the fruit thereof was like unto the
- natural fruit.
-
- Jacob 5:18
- 18 And he said unto the servant: Behold, the branches of the
- wild tree have taken hold of the moisture of the root thereof,
- that the root thereof hath brought forth much strength; and
- because of the much strength of the root thereof the wild
- branches have brought forth tame fruit. Now, if we had not
- grafted in these branches, the tree thereof would have perished.
- And now, behold, I shall lay up much fruit, which the tree
- thereof hath brought forth; and the fruit thereof I shall lay up
- against the season, unto mine own self.
-
- Jacob 5:19
- 19 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto
- the servant: Come, let us go to the nethermost part of the
- vineyard, and behold if the natural branches of the tree have not
- brought forth much fruit also, that I may lay up of the fruit
- thereof against the season, unto mine own self.
-
- Jacob 5:20
- 20 And it came to pass that they went forth whither the master
- had hid the natural branches of the tree, and he said unto the
- servant: Behold these; and he beheld the first that it had
- brought forth much fruit; and he beheld also that it was good.
- And he said unto the servant: Take of the fruit thereof, and lay
- it up against the season, that I may preserve it unto mine own
- self; for behold, said he, this long time have I nourished it,
- and it hath brought forth much fruit.
-
- Jacob 5:21
- 21 And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master:
- How comest thou hither to plant this tree, or this branch of the
- tree? For behold, it was the poorest spot in all the land of thy
- vineyard.
-
- Jacob 5:22
- 22 And the Lord of the vineyard said unto him: Counsel me not; I
- knew that it was a poor spot of ground; wherefore, I said unto
- thee, I have nourished it this long time, and thou beholdest that
- it hath brought forth much fruit.
-
- Jacob 5:23
- 23 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto
- his servant: Look hither; behold I have planted another branch of
- the tree also; and thou knowest that this spot of ground was
- poorer than the first. But, behold the tree. I have nourished
- it this long time, and it hath brought forth much fruit;
- therefore, gather it, and lay it up against the season, that I
- may preserve it unto mine own self.
-
- Jacob 5:24
- 24 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said again
- unto his servant: Look hither, and behold another branch also,
- which I have planted; behold that I have nourished it also, and
- it hath brought forth fruit.
-
- Jacob 5:25
- 25 And he said unto the servant: Look hither and behold the
- last. Behold, this have I planted in a good spot of ground; and
- I have nourished it this long time, and only a part of the tree
- hath brought forth tame fruit, and the other part of the tree
- hath brought forth wild fruit; behold, I have nourished this tree
- like unto the others.
-
- Jacob 5:26
- 26 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto
- the servant: Pluck off the branches that have not brought forth
- good fruit, and cast them into the fire.
-
- Jacob 5:27
- 27 But behold, the servant said unto him: Let us prune it, and
- dig about it, and nourish it a little longer, that perhaps it may
- bring forth good fruit unto thee, that thou canst lay it up
- against the season.
-
- Jacob 5:28
- 28 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard and the
- servant of the Lord of the vineyard did nourish all the fruit of
- the vineyard.
-
- Jacob 5:29
- 29 And it came to pass that a long time had passed away, and the
- Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: Come, let us go down
- into the vineyard, that we may labor again in the vineyard. For
- behold, the time draweth near, and the end soon cometh;
- wherefore, I must lay up fruit against the season, unto mine own
- self.
-
- Jacob 5:30
- 30 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard and the
- servant went down into the vineyard; and they came to the tree
- whose natural branches had been broken off, and the wild branches
- had been grafted in; and behold all sorts of fruit did cumber the
- tree.
-
- Jacob 5:31
- 31 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard did taste
- of the fruit, every sort according to its number. And the Lord
- of the vineyard said: Behold, this long time have we nourished
- this tree, and I have laid up unto myself against the season much
- fruit.
-
- Jacob 5:32
- 32 But behold, this time it hath brought forth much fruit, and
- there is none of it which is good. And behold, there are all
- kinds of bad fruit; and it profiteth me nothing, notwithstanding
- all our labor; and now it grieveth me that I should lose this
- tree.
-
- Jacob 5:33
- 33 And the Lord of the vineyard said unto the servant: What
- shall we do unto the tree, that I may preserve again good fruit
- thereof unto mine own self?
-
- Jacob 5:34
- 34 And the servant said unto his master: Behold, because thou
- didst graft in the branches of the wild olive-tree they have
- nourished the roots, that they are alive and they have not
- perished; wherefore thou beholdest that they are yet good.
-
- Jacob 5:35
- 35 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto
- his servant: The tree profiteth me nothing, and the roots thereof
- profit me nothing so long as it shall bring forth evil fruit.
-
- Jacob 5:36
- 36 Nevertheless, I know that the roots are good, and for mine
- own purpose I have preserved them; and because of their much
- strength they have hitherto brought forth, from the wild
- branches, good fruit.
-
- Jacob 5:37
- 37 But behold, the wild branches have grown and have overrun the
- roots thereof; and because that the wild branches have overcome
- the roots thereof it hath brought forth much evil fruit; and
- because that it hath brought forth so much evil fruit thou
- beholdest that it beginneth to perish; and it will soon become
- ripened, that it may be cast into the fire, except we should do
- something for it to preserve it.
-
- Jacob 5:38
- 38 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto
- his servant: Let us go down into the nethermost parts of the
- vineyard, and behold if the natural branches have also brought
- forth evil fruit.
-
- Jacob 5:39
- 39 And it came to pass that they went down into the nethermost
- parts of the vineyard. And it came to pass that they beheld that
- the fruit of the natural branches had become corrupt also; yea,
- the first and the second and also the last; and they had all
- become corrupt.
-
- Jacob 5:40
- 40 And the wild fruit of the last had overcome that part of the
- tree which brought forth good fruit, even that the branch had
- withered away and died.
-
- Jacob 5:41
- 41 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard wept, and
- said unto the servant: What could I have done more for my
- vineyard?
-
- Jacob 5:42
- 42 Behold, I knew that all the fruit of the vineyard, save it
- were these, had become corrupted. And now these which have once
- brought forth good fruit have also become corrupted; and now all
- the trees of my vineyard are good for nothing save it be to be
- hewn down and cast into the fire.
-
- Jacob 5:43
- 43 And behold this last, whose branch hath withered away, I did
- plant in a good spot of ground; yea, even that which was choice
- unto me above all other parts of the land of my vineyard.
-
- Jacob 5:44
- 44 And thou beheldest that I also cut down that which cumbered
- this spot of ground, that I might plant this tree in the stead
- thereof.
-
- Jacob 5:45
- 45 And thou beheldest that a part thereof brought forth good
- fruit, and a part thereof brought forth wild fruit; and because I
- plucked not the branches thereof and cast them into the fire,
- behold, they have overcome the good branch that it hath withered
- away.
-
- Jacob 5:46
- 46 And now, behold, notwithstanding all the care which we have
- taken of my vineyard, the trees thereof have become corrupted,
- that they bring forth no good fruit; and these I had hoped to
- preserve, to have laid up fruit thereof against the season, unto
- mine own self. But, behold, they have become like unto the wild
- olive-tree, and they are of no worth but to be hewn down and cast
- into the fire; and it grieveth me that I should lose them.
-
- Jacob 5:47
- 47 But what could I have done more in my vineyard? Have I
- slackened mine hand, that I have not nourished it, Nay, I have
- nourished it, and I have digged about it, and I have pruned it,
- and I have dunged it; and I have stretched forth mine hand almost
- all the day long, and the end draweth nigh. And it grieveth me
- that I should hew down all the trees of my vineyard, and cast
- them into the fire that they should be burned. Who is it that
- has corrupted my vineyard?
-
- Jacob 5:48
- 48 And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: Is
- it not the loftiness of thy vineyard--have not the branches
- thereof overcome the roots which are good? And because the
- branches have overcome the roots thereof, behold they grew faster
- than the strength of the roots, taking strength unto themselves.
- Behold, I say, is not this the cause that the trees of thy
- vineyard have become corrupted?
-
- Jacob 5:49
- 49 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto
- the servant: Let us go to and hew down the trees of the vineyard
- and cast them into the fire, that they shall not cumber the
- ground of my vineyard, for I have done all. What could I have
- done more for my vineyard?
-
- Jacob 5:50
- 50 But, behold, the servant said unto the Lord of the vineyard:
- Spare it a little longer.
-
- Jacob 5:51
- 51 And the Lord said: Yea, I will spare it a little longer, for
- it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard.
-
- Jacob 5:52
- 52 Wherefore, let us take of the branches of these which I have
- planted in the nethermost parts of my vineyard, and let us graft
- them into the tree from whence they came; and let us pluck from
- the tree those branches whose fruit is most bitter, and graft in
- the natural branches of the tree in the stead thereof.
-
- Jacob 5:53
- 53 And this will I do that the tree may not perish, that,
- perhaps, I may preserve unto myself the roots thereof for mine
- own purpose.
-
- Jacob 5:54
- 54 And, behold, the roots of the natural branches of the tree
- which I planted whithersoever I would are yet alive; wherefore,
- that I may preserve them also for mine own purpose, I will take
- of the branches of this tree, and I will graft them in unto them.
-
- Yea, I will graft in unto them the branches of their mother tree,
- that I may preserve the roots also unto mine own self, that when
- they shall be sufficiently strong perhaps they may bring forth
- good fruit unto me, and I may yet have glory in the fruit of my
- vineyard.
-
- Jacob 5:55
- 55 And it came to pass that they took from the natural tree
- which had become wild, and grafted in unto the natural trees,
- which also had become wild.
-
- Jacob 5:56
- 56 And they also took of the natural trees which had become
- wild, and grafted into their mother tree.
-
- Jacob 5:57
- 57 And the Lord of the vineyard said unto the servant: Pluck not
- the wild branches from the trees, save it be those which are most
- bitter; and in them ye shall graft according to that which I have
- said.
-
- Jacob 5:58
- 58 And we will nourish again the trees of the vineyard, and we
- will trim up the branches thereof; and we will pluck from the
- trees those branches which are ripened, that must perish, and
- cast them into the fire.
-
- Jacob 5:59
- 59 And this I do that, perhaps, the roots thereof may take
- strength because of their goodness; and because of the change of
- the branches, that the good may overcome the evil.
-
- Jacob 5:60
- 60 And because that I have preserved the natural branches and
- the roots thereof, and that I have grafted in the natural
- branches again into their mother tree, and have preserved the
- roots of their mother tree, that, perhaps, the trees of my
- vineyard may bring forth again good fruit; and that I may have
- joy again in the fruit of my vineyard, and, perhaps, that I may
- rejoice exceedingly that I have preserved the roots and the
- branches of the first fruit--
-
- Jacob 5:61
- 61 Wherefore, go to, and call servants, that we may labor
- diligently with our might in the vineyard, that we may prepare
- the way, that I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which
- natural fruit is good and the most precious above all other
- fruit.
-
- Jacob 5:62
- 62 Wherefore, let us go to and labor with our might this last
- time, for behold the end draweth nigh, and this is for the last
- time that I shall prune my vineyard.
-
- Jacob 5:63
- 63 Graft in the branches; begin at the last that they may be
- first, and that the first may be last, and dig about the trees,
- both old and young, the first and the last; and the last and the
- first, that all may be nourished once again for the last time.
-
- Jacob 5:64
- 64 Wherefore, dig about them, and prune them, and dung them once
- more, for the last time, for the end draweth nigh. And if it be
- so that these last grafts shall grow, and bring forth the natural
- fruit, then shall ye prepare the way for them, that they may
- grow.
-
- Jacob 5:65
- 65 And as they begin to grow ye shall clear away the branches
- which bring forth bitter fruit, according to the strength of the
- good and the size thereof; and ye shall not clear away the bad
- thereof all at once, lest the roots thereof should be too strong
- for the graft, and the graft thereof shall perish, and I lose the
- trees of my vineyard.
-
- Jacob 5:66
- 66 For it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my
- vineyard; wherefore ye shall clear away the bad according as the
- good shall grow, that the root and the top may be equal in
- strength, until the good shall overcome the bad, and the bad be
- hewn down and cast into the fire, that they cumber not the ground
- of my vineyard; and thus will I sweep away the bad out of my
- vineyard.
-
- Jacob 5:67
- 67 And the branches of the natural tree will I graft in again
- into the natural tree;
-
- Jacob 5:68
- 68 And the branches of the natural tree will I graft into the
- natural branches of the tree; and thus will I bring them together
- again, that they shall bring forth the natural fruit, and they
- shall be one.
-
- Jacob 5:69
- 69 And the bad shall be cast away, yea, even out of all the land
- of my vineyard; for behold, only this once will I prune my
- vineyard.
-
- Jacob 5:70
- 70 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent his
- servant; and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded
- him, and brought other servants; and they were few.
-
- Jacob 5:71
- 71 And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor
- in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last
- time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at
- hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your
- might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up
- unto myself against the time which will soon come.
-
- Jacob 5:72
- 72 And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with
- their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with
- them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the
- vineyard in all things.
-
- Jacob 5:73
- 73 And there began to be the natural fruit again in the
- vineyard; and the natural branches began to grow and thrive
- exceedingly; and the wild branches began to be plucked off and to
- be cast away; and they did keep the root and the top thereof
- equal, according to the strength thereof.
-
- Jacob 5:74
- 74 And thus they labored, with all diligence, according to the
- commandments of the Lord of the vineyard, even until the bad had
- been cast away out of the vineyard, and the Lord had preserved
- unto himself that the trees had become again the natural fruit;
- and they became like unto one body; and the fruits were equal;
- and the Lord of the vineyard had preserved unto himself the
- natural fruit, which was most precious unto him from the
- beginning.
-
- Jacob 5:75
- 75 And it came to pass that when the Lord of the vineyard saw
- that his fruit was good, and that his vineyard was no more
- corrupt, he called up his servants, and said unto them: Behold,
- for this last time have we nourished my vineyard; and thou
- beholdest that I have done according to my will; and I have
- preserved the natural fruit, that it is good, even like as it was
- in the beginning. And blessed art thou; for because ye have been
- diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my
- commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit,
- that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away,
- behold ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit of my
- vineyard.
-
- Jacob 5:76
- 76 For behold, for a long time will I lay up of the fruit of my
- vineyard unto mine own self against the season, which speedily
- cometh; and for the last time have I nourished my vineyard, and
- pruned it, and dug about it, and dunged it; wherefore I will lay
- up unto mine own self of the fruit, for a long time, according to
- that which I have spoken.
-
- Jacob 5:77
- 77 And when the time cometh that evil fruit shall again come
- into my vineyard, then will I cause the good and the bad to be
- gathered; and the good will I preserve unto myself, and the bad
- will I cast away into its own place. And then cometh the season
- and the end; and my vineyard will I cause to be burned with fire.
-
- Jacob 6
- Chapter 6
-
- Jacob 6:1
- 1 And now, behold, my brethren, as I said unto you that I would
- prophesy, behold, this is my prophecy--that the things which this
- prophet Zenos spake, concerning the house of Israel, in the which
- he likened them unto a tame olive-tree, must surely come to pass.
-
- Jacob 6:2
- 2 And the day that he shall set his hand again the second time
- to recover his people, is the day, yea, even the last time, that
- the servants of the Lord shall go forth in his power, to nourish
- and prune his vineyard; and after that the end soon cometh.
-
- Jacob 6:3
- 3 And how blessed are they who have labored diligently in his
- vineyard; and how cursed are they who shall be cast out into
- their own place! And the world shall be burned with fire.
-
- Jacob 6:4
- 4 And how merciful is our God unto us, for he remembereth the
- house of Israel, both roots and branches; and he stretches forth
- his hands unto them all the day long; and they are a stiffnecked
- and a gainsaying people; but as many as will not harden their
- hearts shall be saved in the kingdom of God.
-
- Jacob 6:5
- 5 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of
- soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of
- heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while
- his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day,
- harden not your hearts.
-
- Jacob 6:6
- 6 Yea, today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts;
- for why will ye die?
-
- Jacob 6:7
- 7 For behold, after ye have been nourished by the good word of
- God all the day long, will ye bring forth evil fruit, that ye
- must be hewn down and cast into the fire?
-
- Jacob 6:8
- 8 Behold, will ye reject these words? Will ye reject the words
- of the prophets; and will ye reject all the words which have been
- spoken concerning Christ, after so many have spoken concerning
- him; and deny the good word of Christ, and the power of God, and
- the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit, and make
- a mock of the great plan of redemption, which hath been laid for
- you?
-
- Jacob 6:9
- 9 Know ye not that if ye will do these things, that the power of
- the redemption and the resurrection, which is in Christ, will
- bring you to stand with shame and awful guilt before the bar of
- God?
-
- Jacob 6:10
- 10 And according to the power of justice, for justice cannot be
- denied, ye must go away into that lake of fire and brimstone,
- whose flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up
- forever and ever, which lake of fire and brimstone is endless
- torment.
-
- Jacob 6:11
- 11 O then, my beloved brethren, repent ye, and enter in at the
- strait gate, and continue in the way which is narrow, until ye
- shall obtain eternal life.
-
- Jacob 6:12
- 12 O be wise; what can I say more?
-
- Jacob 6:13
- 13 Finally, I bid you farewell, until I shall meet you before
- the pleasing bar of God, which bar striketh the wicked with awful
- dread and fear. Amen.
-
- Jacob 7
- Chapter 7
-
- Jacob 7:1
- 1 And now it came to pass after some years had passed away,
- there came a man among the people of Nephi, whose name was
- Sherem.
-
- Jacob 7:2
- 2 And it came to pass that he began to preach among the people,
- and to declare unto them that there should be no Christ. And he
- preached many things which were flattering unto the people; and
- this he did that he might overthrow the doctrine of Christ.
-
- Jacob 7:3
- 3 And he labored diligently that he might lead away the hearts
- of the people, insomuch that he did lead away many hearts; and he
- knowing that I, Jacob, had faith in Christ who should come, he
- sought much opportunity that he might come unto me.
-
- Jacob 7:4
- 4 And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the
- language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery,
- and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil.
-
- Jacob 7:5
- 5 And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding
- the many revelations and the many things which I had seen
- concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they
- had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the
- Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore,
- I could not be shaken.
-
- Jacob 7:6
- 6 And it came to pass that he came unto me, and on this wise did
- he speak unto me, saying: Brother Jacob, I have sought much
- opportunity that I might speak unto you; for I have heard and
- also know that thou goest about much, preaching that which ye
- call the gospel, or the doctrine of Christ.
-
- Jacob 7:7
- 7 And ye have led away much of this people that they pervert the
- right way of God, and keep not the law of Moses which is the
- right way; and convert the law of Moses into the worship of a
- being which ye say shall come many hundred years hence. And now
- behold, I, Sherem, declare unto you that this is blasphemy; for
- no man knoweth of such things; for he cannot tell of things to
- come. And after this manner did Sherem contend against me.
-
- Jacob 7:8
- 8 But behold, the Lord God poured in his Spirit into my soul,
- insomuch that I did confound him in all his words.
-
- Jacob 7:9
- 9 And I said unto him: Deniest thou the Christ who shall come?
- And he said: If there should be a Christ, I would not deny him;
- but I know that there is no Christ, neither has been, nor ever
- will be.
-
- Jacob 7:10
- 10 And I said unto him: Believest thou the scriptures? And he
- said, Yea.
-
- Jacob 7:11
- 11 And I said unto him: Then ye do not understand them; for they
- truly testify of Christ. Behold, I say unto you that none of the
- prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken
- concerning this Christ.
-
- Jacob 7:12
- 12 And this is not all--it has been made manifest unto me, for I
- have heard and seen; and it also has been made manifest unto me
- by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, I know if there should
- be no atonement made all mankind must be lost.
-
- Jacob 7:13
- 13 And it came to pass that he said unto me: Show me a sign by
- this power of the Holy Ghost, in the which ye know so much.
-
- Jacob 7:14
- 14 And I said unto him: What am I that I should tempt God to
- show unto thee a sign in the thing which thou knowest to be true?
-
- Yet thou wilt deny it, because thou art of the devil.
- Nevertheless, not my will be done; but if God shall smite thee,
- let that be a sign unto thee that he has power, both in heaven
- and in earth; and also, that Christ shall come. And thy will, O
- Lord, be done, and not mine.
-
- Jacob 7:15
- 15 And it came to pass that when I, Jacob, had spoken these
- words, the power of the Lord came upon him, insomuch that he fell
- to the earth. And it came to pass that he was nourished for the
- space of many days.
-
- Jacob 7:16
- 16 And it came to pass that he said unto the people: Gather
- together on the morrow, for I shall die; wherefore, I desire to
- speak unto the people before I shall die.
-
- Jacob 7:17
- 17 And it came to pass that on the morrow the multitude were
- gathered together; and he spake plainly unto them and denied the
- things which he had taught them, and confessed the Christ, and
- the power of the Holy Ghost, and the ministering of angels.
-
- Jacob 7:18
- 18 And he spake plainly unto them, that he had been deceived by
- the power of the devil. And he spake of hell, and of eternity,
- and of eternal punishment.
-
- Jacob 7:19
- 19 And he said: I fear lest I have committed the unpardonable
- sin, for I have lied unto God; for I denied the Christ, and said
- that I believed the scriptures; and they truly testify of him.
- And because I have thus lied unto God I greatly fear lest my case
- shall be awful; but I confess unto God.
-
- Jacob 7:20
- 20 And it came to pass that when he had said these words he
- could say no more, and he gave up the ghost.
-
- Jacob 7:21
- 21 And when the multitude had witnessed that he spake these
- things as he was about to give up the ghost, they were astonished
- exceedingly; insomuch that the power of God came down upon them,
- and they were overcome that they fell to the earth.
-
- Jacob 7:22
- 22 Now, this thing was pleasing unto me, Jacob, for I had
- requested it of my Father who was in heaven; for he had heard my
- cry and answered my prayer.
-
- Jacob 7:23
- 23 And it came to pass that peace and the love of God was
- restored again among the people; and they searched the
- scriptures, and hearkened no more to the words of this wicked
- man.
-
- Jacob 7:24
- 24 And it came to pass that many means were devised to reclaim
- and restore the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth; but it
- all was vain, for they delighted in wars and bloodshed, and they
- had an eternal hatred against us, their brethren. And they
- sought by the power of their arms to destroy us continually.
-
- Jacob 7:25
- 25 Wherefore, the people of Nephi did fortify against them with
- their arms, and with all their might, trusting in the God and
- rock of their salvation; wherefore, they became as yet,
- conquerors of their enemies.
-
- Jacob 7:26
- 26 And it came to pass that I, Jacob, began to be old; and the
- record of this people being kept on the other plates of Nephi,
- wherefore, I conclude this record, declaring that I have written
- according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time
- passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it
- were unto us a dream, we being a lonesome and a solemn people,
- wanderers, cast out from Jerusalem, born in tribulation, in a
- wilderness, and hated of our brethren, which caused wars and
- contentions; wherefore, we did mourn out our days.
-
- Jacob 7:27
- 27 And I, Jacob, saw that I must soon go down to my grave;
- wherefore, I said unto my son Enos: Take these plates. And I
- told him the things which my brother Nephi had commanded me, and
- he promised obedience unto the commands. And I make an end of my
- writing upon these plates, which writing has been small; and to
- the reader I bid farewell, hoping that many of my brethren may
- read my words. Brethren, adieu.
-
- Enos 1
- THE BOOK OF ENOS
-
- Enos 1:1
- 1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that
- he was a just man--for he taught me in his language, and also in
- the nurture and admonition of the Lord--and blessed be the name
- of my God for it--
-
- Enos 1:2
- 2 And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God,
- before I received a remission of my sins.
-
- Enos 1:3
- 3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words
- which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life,
- and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.
-
- Enos 1:4
- 4 And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and
- I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own
- soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the
- night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the
- heavens.
-
- Enos 1:5
- 5 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are
- forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.
-
- Enos 1:6
- 6 And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt
- was swept away.
-
- Enos 1:7
- 7 And I said: Lord, how is it done?
-
- Enos 1:8
- 8 And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou
- hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away
- before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to,
- thy faith hath made thee whole.
-
- Enos 1:9
- 9 Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began
- to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites;
- wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them.
-
- Enos 1:10
- 10 And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold, the
- voice of the Lord came into my mind again, saying: I will visit
- thy brethren according to their diligence in keeping my
- commandments. I have given unto them this land, and it is a holy
- land; and I curse it not save it be for the cause of iniquity;
- wherefore, I will visit thy brethren according as I have said;
- and their transgressions will I bring down with sorrow upon their
- own heads.
-
- Enos 1:11
- 11 And after I, Enos, had heard these words, my faith began to
- be unshaken in the Lord; and I prayed unto him with many long
- strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites.
-
- Enos 1:12
- 12 And it came to pass that after I had prayed and labored with
- all diligence, the Lord said unto me: I will grant unto thee
- according to thy desires, because of thy faith.
-
- Enos 1:13
- 13 And now behold, this was the desire which I desired of
- him--that if it should so be, that my people, the Nephites,
- should fall into transgression, and by any means be destroyed,
- and the Lamanites should not be destroyed, that the Lord God
- would preserve a record of my people, the Nephites; even if it so
- be by the power of his holy arm, that it might be brought forth
- at some future day unto the Lamanites, that, perhaps, they might
- be brought unto salvation--
-
- Enos 1:14
- 14 For at the present our strugglings were vain in restoring
- them to the true faith. And they swore in their wrath that, if
- it were possible, they would destroy our records and us, and also
- all the traditions of our fathers.
-
- Enos 1:15
- 15 Wherefore, I knowing that the Lord God was able to preserve
- our records, I cried unto him continually, for he had said unto
- me: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye
- shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it.
-
- Enos 1:16
- 16 And I had faith, and I did cry unto God that he would
- preserve the records; and he covenanted with me that he would
- bring them forth unto the Lamanites in his own due time.
-
- Enos 1:17
- 17 And I, Enos, knew it would be according to the covenant which
- he had made; wherefore my soul did rest.
-
- Enos 1:18
- 18 And the Lord said unto me: Thy fathers have also required of
- me this thing; and it shall be done unto them according to their
- faith; for their faith was like unto thine.
-
- Enos 1:19
- 19 And now it came to pass that I, Enos, went about among the
- people of Nephi, prophesying of things to come, and testifying of
- the things which I had heard and seen.
-
- Enos 1:20
- 20 And I bear record that the people of Nephi did seek
- diligently to restore the Lamanites unto the true faith in God.
- But our labors were vain; their hatred was fixed, and they were
- led by their evil nature that they became wild, and ferocious,
- and a bloodthirsty people, full of idolatry and filthiness;
- feeding upon beasts of prey; dwelling in tents, and wandering
- about in the wilderness with a short skin girdle about their
- loins and their heads shaven; and their skill was in the bow, and
- in the cimeter, and the ax. And many of them did eat nothing
- save it was raw meat; and they were continually seeking to
- destroy us.
-
- Enos 1:21
- 21 And it came to pass that the people of Nephi did till the
- land, and raise all manner of grain, and of fruit, and flocks of
- herds, and flocks of all manner of cattle of every kind, and
- goats, and wild goats, and also many horses.
-
- Enos 1:22
- 22 And there were exceedingly many prophets among us. And the
- people were a stiffnecked people, hard to understand.
-
- Enos 1:23
- 23 And there was nothing save it was exceeding harshness,
- preaching and prophesying of wars, and contentions, and
- destructions, and continually reminding them of death, and the
- duration of eternity, and the judgments and the power of God, and
- all these things--stirring them up continually to keep them in
- the fear of the Lord. I say there was nothing short of these
- things, and exceedingly great plainness of speech, would keep
- them from going down speedily to destruction. And after this
- manner do I write concerning them.
-
- Enos 1:24
- 24 And I saw wars between the Nephites and Lamanites in the
- course of my days.
-
- Enos 1:25
- 25 And it came to pass that I began to be old, and an hundred
- and seventy and nine years had passed away from the time that our
- father Lehi left Jerusalem.
-
- Enos 1:26
- 26 And I saw that I must soon go down to my grave, having been
- wrought upon by the power of God that I must preach and prophesy
- unto this people, and declare the word according to the truth
- which is in Christ. And I have declared it in all my days, and
- have rejoiced in it above that of the world.
-
- Enos 1:27
- 27 And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my
- Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in
- the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand
- before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will
- say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared
- for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen.
-
- Jarom 1
- THE BOOK OF JAROM
-
- Jarom 1:1
- 1 Now behold, I, Jarom, write a few words according to the
- commandment of my father, Enos, that our genealogy may be kept.
-
- Jarom 1:2
- 2 And as these plates are small, and as these things are written
- for the intent of the benefit of our brethren the Lamanites,
- wherefore, it must needs be that I write a little; but I shall
- not write the things of my prophesying, nor of my revelations.
- For what could I write more than my fathers have written? For
- have not they revealed the plan of salvation? I say unto you,
- Yea; and this sufficeth me.
-
- Jarom 1:3
- 3 Behold, it is expedient that much should be done among this
- people, because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness
- of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the
- stiffness of their necks; nevertheless, God is exceedingly
- merciful unto them, and has not as yet swept them off from the
- face of the land.
-
- Jarom 1:4
- 4 And there are many among us who have many revelations, for
- they are not all stiffnecked. And as many as are not stiffnecked
- and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh
- manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith.
-
- Jarom 1:5
- 5 And now, behold, two hundred years had passed away, and the
- people of Nephi had waxed strong in the land. They observed to
- keep the law of Moses and the sabbath day holy unto the Lord.
- And they profaned not; neither did they blaspheme. And the laws
- of the land were exceedingly strict.
-
- Jarom 1:6
- 6 And they were scattered upon much of the face of the land, and
- the Lamanites also. And they were exceedingly more numerous than
- were they of the Nephites; and they loved murder and would drink
- the blood of beasts.
-
- Jarom 1:7
- 7 And it came to pass that they came many times against us, the
- Nephites, to battle. But our kings and our leaders were mighty
- men in the faith of the Lord; and they taught the people the ways
- of the Lord; wherefore, we withstood the Lamanites and swept them
- away out of our lands, and began to fortify our cities, or
- whatsoever place of our inheritance.
-
- Jarom 1:8
- 8 And we multiplied exceedingly, and spread upon the face of the
- land, and became exceedingly rich in gold, and in silver, and in
- precious things, and in fine workmanship of wood, in buildings,
- and in machinery, and also in iron and copper, and brass and
- steel, making all manner of tools of every kind to till the
- ground, and weapons of war--yea, the sharp pointed arrow, and the
- quiver, and the dart, and the javelin, and all preparations for
- war.
-
- Jarom 1:9
- 9 And thus being prepared to meet the Lamanites, they did not
- prosper against us. But the word of the Lord was verified, which
- he spake unto our fathers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will keep
- my commandments ye shall prosper in the land.
-
- Jarom 1:10
- 10 And it came to pass that the prophets of the Lord did
- threaten the people of Nephi, according to the word of God, that
- if they did not keep the commandments, but should fall into
- transgression, they should be destroyed from off the face of the
- land.
-
- Jarom 1:11
- 11 Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers,
- did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the
- people to diligence; teaching the law of Moses, and the intent
- for which it was given; persuading them to look forward unto the
- Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was.
- And after this manner did they teach them.
-
- Jarom 1:12
- 12 And it came to pass that by so doing they kept them from
- being destroyed upon the face of the land; for they did prick
- their hearts with the word, continually stirring them up unto
- repentance.
-
- Jarom 1:13
- 13 And it came to pass that two hundred and thirty and eight
- years had passed away--after the manner of wars, and contentions,
- and dissensions, for the space of much of the time.
-
- Jarom 1:14
- 14 And I, Jarom, do not write more, for the plates are small.
- But behold, my brethren, ye can go to the other plates of Nephi;
- for behold, upon them the records of our wars are engraven,
- according to the writings of the kings, or those which they
- caused to be written.
-
- Jarom 1:15
- 15 And I deliver these plates into the hands of my son Omni,
- that they may be kept according to the commandments of my
- fathers.
-
- Omni 1
- THE BOOK OF OMNI
-
- Omni 1:1
- 1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Omni, being commanded by my
- father, Jarom, that I should write somewhat upon these plates, to
- preserve our genealogy--
-
- Omni 1:2
- 2 Wherefore, in my days, I would that ye should know that I
- fought much with the sword to preserve my people, the Nephites,
- from falling into the hands of their enemies, the Lamanites. But
- behold, I of myself am a wicked man, and I have not kept the
- statutes and the commandments of the Lord as I ought to have
- done.
-
- Omni 1:3
- 3 And it came to pass that two hundred and seventy and six years
- had passed away, and we had many seasons of peace; and we had
- many seasons of serious war and bloodshed. Yea, and in fine, two
- hundred and eighty and two years had passed away, and I had kept
- these plates according to the commandments of my fathers; and I
- conferred them upon my son Amaron. And I make an end.
-
- Omni 1:4
- 4 And now I, Amaron, write the things whatsoever I write, which
- are few, in the book of my father.
-
- Omni 1:5
- 5 Behold, it came to pass that three hundred and twenty years
- had passed away, and the more wicked part of the Nephites were
- destroyed.
-
- Omni 1:6
- 6 For the Lord would not suffer, after he had led them out of
- the land of Jerusalem and kept and preserved them from falling
- into the hands of their enemies, yea, he would not suffer that
- the words should not be verified, which he spake unto our
- fathers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my
- commandments ye shall not prosper in the land.
-
- Omni 1:7
- 7 Wherefore, the Lord did visit them in great judgment;
- nevertheless, he did spare the righteous that they should not
- perish, but did deliver them out of the hands of their enemies.
-
- Omni 1:8
- 8 And it came to pass that I did deliver the plates unto my
- brother Chemish.
-
- Omni 1:9
- 9 Now I, Chemish, write what few things I write, in the same
- book with my brother; for behold, I saw the last which he wrote,
- that he wrote it with his own hand; and he wrote it in the day
- that he delivered them unto me. And after this manner we keep
- the records, for it is according to the commandments of our
- fathers. And I make an end.
-
- Omni 1:10
- 10 Behold, I, Abinadom, am the son of Chemish. Behold, it came
- to pass that I saw much war and contention between my people, the
- Nephites, and the Lamanites; and I, with my own sword, have taken
- the lives of many of the Lamanites in the defence of my brethren.
-
- Omni 1:11
- 11 And behold, the record of this people is engraven upon plates
- which is had by the kings, according to the generations; and I
- know of no revelation save that which has been written, neither
- prophecy; wherefore, that which is sufficient is written. And I
- make an end.
-
- Omni 1:12
- 12 Behold, I am Amaleki, the son of Abinadom. Behold, I will
- speak unto you somewhat concerning Mosiah, who was made king over
- the land of Zarahemla; for behold, he being warned of the Lord
- that he should flee out of the land of Nephi, and as many as
- would hearken unto the voice of the Lord should also depart out
- of the land with him, into the wilderness--
-
- Omni 1:13
- 13 And it came to pass that he did according as the Lord had
- commanded him. And they departed out of the land into the
- wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord;
- and they were led by many preachings and prophesyings. And they
- were admonished continually by the word of God; and they were led
- by the power of his arm, through the wilderness, until they came
- down into the land which is called the land of Zarahemla.
-
- Omni 1:14
- 14 And they discovered a people, who were called the people of
- Zarahemla. Now, there was great rejoicing among the people of
- Zarahemla; and also Zarahemla did rejoice exceedingly, because
- the Lord had sent the people of Mosiah with the plates of brass
- which contained the record of the Jews.
-
- Omni 1:15
- 15 Behold, it came to pass that Mosiah discovered that the
- people of Zarahemla came out from Jerusalem at the time that
- Zedekiah, king of Judah, was carried away captive into Babylon.
-
- Omni 1:16
- 16 And they journeyed in the wilderness, and were brought by the
- hand of the Lord across the great waters, into the land where
- Mosiah discovered them; and they had dwelt there from that time
- forth.
-
- Omni 1:17
- 17 And at the time that Mosiah discovered them, they had become
- exceedingly numerous. Nevertheless, they had had many wars and
- serious contentions, and had fallen by the sword from time to
- time; and their language had become corrupted; and they had
- brought no records with them; and they denied the being of their
- Creator; and Mosiah, nor the people of Mosiah, could understand
- them.
-
- Omni 1:18
- 18 But it came to pass that Mosiah caused that they should be
- taught in his language. And it came to pass that after they were
- taught in the language of Mosiah, Zarahemla gave a genealogy of
- his fathers, according to his memory; and they are written, but
- not in these plates.
-
- Omni 1:19
- 19 And it came to pass that the people of Zarahemla, and of
- Mosiah, did unite together; and Mosiah was appointed to be their
- king.
-
- Omni 1:20
- 20 And it came to pass in the days of Mosiah, there was a large
- stone brought unto him with engravings on it; and he did
- interpret the engravings by the gift and power of God.
-
- Omni 1:21
- 21 And they gave an account of one Coriantumr, and the slain of
- his people. And Coriantumr was discovered by the people of
- Zarahemla; and he dwelt with them for the space of nine moons.
-
- Omni 1:22
- 22 It also spake a few words concerning his fathers. And his
- first parents came out from the tower, at the time the Lord
- confounded the language of the people; and the severity of the
- Lord fell upon them according to his judgments, which are just;
- and their bones lay scattered in the land northward.
-
- Omni 1:23
- 23 Behold, I, Amaleki, was born in the days of Mosiah; and I
- have lived to see his death; and Benjamin, his son, reigneth in
- his stead.
-
- Omni 1:24
- 24 And behold, I have seen, in the days of king Benjamin, a
- serious war and much bloodshed between the Nephites and the
- Lamanites. But behold, the Nephites did obtain much advantage
- over them; yea, insomuch that king Benjamin did drive them out of
- the land of Zarahemla.
-
- Omni 1:25
- 25 And it came to pass that I began to be old; and, having no
- seed, and knowing king Benjamin to be a just man before the Lord,
- wherefore, I shall deliver up these plates unto him, exhorting
- all men to come unto God, the Holy One of Israel, and believe in
- prophesying, and in revelations, and in the ministering of
- angels, and in the gift of speaking with tongues, and in the gift
- of interpreting languages, and in all things which are good; for
- there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord; and
- that which is evil cometh from the devil.
-
- Omni 1:26
- 26 And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come
- unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his
- salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him,
- and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue
- in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord
- liveth ye will be saved.
-
- Omni 1:27
- 27 And now I would speak somewhat concerning a certain number
- who went up into the wilderness to return to the land of Nephi;
- for there was a large number who were desirous to possess the
- land of their inheritance.
-
- Omni 1:28
- 28 Wherefore, they went up into the wilderness. And their
- leader being a strong and mighty man, and a stiffnecked man,
- wherefore he caused a contention among them; and they were all
- slain, save fifty, in the wilderness, and they returned again to
- the land of Zarahemla.
-
- Omni 1:29
- 29 And it came to pass that they also took others to a
- considerable number, and took their journey again into the
- wilderness.
-
- Omni 1:30
- 30 And I, Amaleki, had a brother, who also went with them; and I
- have not since known concerning them. And I am about to lie down
- in my grave; and these plates are full. And I make an end of my
- speaking.
-
- Words of Mormon 1
- THE WORDS OF MORMON
-
- Words of Mormon 1:1
- 1 And now I, Mormon, being about to deliver up the record which
- I have been making into the hands of my son Moroni, behold I have
- witnessed almost all the destruction of my people, the Nephites.
-
- Words of Mormon 1:2
- 2 And it is many hundred years after the coming of Christ that I
- deliver these records into the hands of my son; and it supposeth
- me that he will witness the entire destruction of my people. But
- may God grant that he may survive them, that he may write
- somewhat concerning them, and somewhat concerning Christ, that
- perhaps some day it may profit them.
-
- Words of Mormon 1:3
- 3 And now, I speak somewhat concerning that which I have
- written; for after I had made an abridgment from the plates of
- Nephi, down to the reign of this king Benjamin, of whom Amaleki
- spake, I searched among the records which had been delivered into
- my hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small
- account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this
- king Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi.
-
- Words of Mormon 1:4
- 4 And the things which are upon these plates pleasing me,
- because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ; and my fathers
- knowing that many of them have been fulfilled; yea, and I also
- know that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us
- down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond
- this day must surely come to pass--
-
- Words of Mormon 1:5
- 5 Wherefore, I chose these things, to finish my record upon
- them, which remainder of my record I shall take from the plates
- of Nephi; and I cannot write the hundredth part of the things of
- my people.
-
- Words of Mormon 1:6
- 6 But behold, I shall take these plates, which contain these
- prophesyings and revelations, and put them with the remainder of
- my record, for they are choice unto me; and I know they will be
- choice unto my brethren.
-
- Words of Mormon 1:7
- 7 And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me,
- according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in
- me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all
- things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do
- according to his will.
-
- Words of Mormon 1:8
- 8 And my prayer to God is concerning my brethren, that they may
- once again come to the knowledge of God, yea, the redemption of
- Christ; that they may once again be a delightsome people.
-
- Words of Mormon 1:9
- 9 And now I, Mormon, proceed to finish out my record, which I
- take from the plates of Nephi; and I make it according to the
- knowledge and the understanding which God has given me.
-
- Words of Mormon 1:10
- 10 Wherefore, it came to pass that after Amaleki had delivered
- up these plates into the hands of king Benjamin, he took them and
- put them with the other plates, which contained records which had
- been handed down by the kings, from generation to generation
- until the days of king Benjamin.
-
- Words of Mormon 1:11
- 11 And they were handed down from king Benjamin, from generation
- to generation until they have fallen into my hands. And I,
- Mormon, pray to God that they may be preserved from this time
- henceforth. And I know that they will be preserved; for there
- are great things written upon them, out of which my people and
- their brethren shall be judged at the great and last day,
- according to the word of God which is written.
-
- Words of Mormon 1:12
- 12 And now, concerning this king Benjamin--he had somewhat of
- contentions among his own people.
-
- Words of Mormon 1:13
- 13 And it came to pass also that the armies of the Lamanites
- came down out of the land of Nephi, to battle against his people.
-
- But behold, king Benjamin gathered together his armies, and he
- did stand against them; and he did fight with the strength of his
- own arm, with the sword of Laban.
-
- Words of Mormon 1:14
- 14 And in the strength of the Lord they did contend against
- their enemies, until they had slain many thousands of the
- Lamanites. And it came to pass that they did contend against the
- Lamanites until they had driven them out of all the lands of
- their inheritance.
-
- Words of Mormon 1:15
- 15 And it came to pass that after there had been false Christs,
- and their mouths had been shut, and they punished according to
- their crimes;
-
- Words of Mormon 1:16
- 16 And after there had been false prophets, and false preachers
- and teachers among the people, and all these having been punished
- according to their crimes; and after there having been much
- contention and many dissensions away unto the Lamanites, behold,
- it came to pass that king Benjamin, with the assistance of the
- holy prophets who were among his people--
-
- Words of Mormon 1:17
- 17 For behold, king Benjamin was a holy man, and he did reign
- over his people in righteousness; and there were many holy men in
- the land, and they did speak the word of God with power and with
- authority; and they did use much sharpness because of the
- stiffneckedness of the people--
-
- Words of Mormon 1:18
- 18 Wherefore, with the help of these, king Benjamin, by laboring
- with all the might of his body and the faculty of his whole soul,
- and also the prophets, did once more establish peace in the land.
-
- Mosiah
- THE BOOK OF MOSIAH
-
- Mosiah 1
- Chapter 1
-
- Mosiah 1:1
- 1 And now there was no more contention in all the land of
- Zarahemla, among all the people who belonged to king Benjamin, so
- that king Benjamin had continual peace all the remainder of his
- days.
-
- Mosiah 1:2
- 2 And it came to pass that he had three sons; and he called
- their names Mosiah, and Helorum, and Helaman. And he caused that
- they should be taught in all the language of his fathers, that
- thereby they might become men of understanding; and that they
- might know concerning the prophecies which had been spoken by the
- mouths of their fathers, which were delivered them by the hand of
- the Lord.
-
- Mosiah 1:3
- 3 And he also taught them concerning the records which were
- engraven on the plates of brass, saying: My sons, I would that ye
- should remember that were it not for these plates, which contain
- these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in
- ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries
- of God.
-
- Mosiah 1:4
- 4 For it were not possible that our father, Lehi, could have
- remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children,
- except it were for the help of these plates; for he having been
- taught in the language of the Egyptians therefore he could read
- these engravings, and teach them to his children, that thereby
- they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the
- commandments of God, even down to this present time.
-
- Mosiah 1:5
- 5 I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which
- have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might
- read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments
- always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled
- in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the
- Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do
- not believe them when they are taught them, because of the
- traditions of their fathers, which are not correct.
-
- Mosiah 1:6
- 6 O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings
- are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also
- the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of
- our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they
- are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them
- before our eyes.
-
- Mosiah 1:7
- 7 And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search
- them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye
- should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the
- land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our
- fathers.
-
- Mosiah 1:8
- 8 And many more things did king Benjamin teach his sons, which
- are not written in this book.
-
- Mosiah 1:9
- 9 And it came to pass that after king Benjamin had made an end
- of teaching his sons, that he waxed old, and he saw that he must
- very soon go the way of all the earth; therefore, he thought it
- expedient that he should confer the kingdom upon one of his sons.
-
- Mosiah 1:10
- 10 Therefore, he had Mosiah brought before him; and these are
- the words which he spake unto him, saying: My son, I would that
- ye should make a proclamation throughout all this land among all
- this people, or the people of Zarahemla, and the people of Mosiah
- who dwell in the land, that thereby they may be gathered
- together; for on the morrow I shall proclaim unto this my people
- out of mine own mouth that thou art a king and a ruler over this
- people, whom the Lord our God hath given us.
-
- Mosiah 1:11
- 11 And moreover, I shall give this people a name, that thereby
- they may be distinguished above all the people which the Lord God
- hath brought out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I do because
- they have been a diligent people in keeping the commandments of
- the Lord.
-
- Mosiah 1:12
- 12 And I give unto them a name that never shall be blotted out,
- except it be through transgression.
-
- Mosiah 1:13
- 13 Yea, and moreover I say unto you, that if this highly favored
- people of the Lord should fall into transgression, and become a
- wicked and an adulterous people, that the Lord will deliver them
- up, that thereby they become weak like unto their brethren; and
- he will no more preserve them by his matchless and marvelous
- power, as he has hitherto preserved our fathers.
-
- Mosiah 1:14
- 14 For I say unto you, that if he had not extended his arm in
- the preservation of our fathers they must have fallen into the
- hands of the Lamanites, and become victims to their hatred.
-
- Mosiah 1:15
- 15 And it came to pass that after king Benjamin had made an end
- of these sayings to his son, that he gave him charge concerning
- all the affairs of the kingdom.
-
- Mosiah 1:16
- 16 And moreover, he also gave him charge concerning the records
- which were engraven on the plates of brass; and also the plates
- of Nephi; and also, the sword of Laban, and the ball or director,
- which led our fathers through the wilderness, which was prepared
- by the hand of the Lord that thereby they might be led, every one
- according to the heed and diligence which they gave unto him.
-
- Mosiah 1:17
- 17 Therefore, as they were unfaithful they did not prosper nor
- progress in their journey, but were driven back, and incurred the
- displeasure of God upon them; and therefore they were smitten
- with famine and sore afflictions, to stir them up in remembrance
- of their duty.
-
- Mosiah 1:18
- 18 And now, it came to pass that Mosiah went and did as his
- father had commanded him, and proclaimed unto all the people who
- were in the land of Zarahemla that thereby they might gather
- themselves together, to go up to the temple to hear the words
- which his father should speak unto them.
-
- Mosiah 2
- Chapter 2
-
- Mosiah 2:1
- 1 And it came to pass that after Mosiah had done as his father
- had commanded him, and had made a proclamation throughout all the
- land, that the people gathered themselves together throughout all
- the land, that they might go up to the temple to hear the words
- which king Benjamin should speak unto them.
-
- Mosiah 2:2
- 2 And there were a great number, even so many that they did not
- number them; for they had multiplied exceedingly and waxed great
- in the land.
-
- Mosiah 2:3
- 3 And they also took of the firstlings of their flocks, that
- they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings according to the
- law of Moses;
-
- Mosiah 2:4
- 4 And also that they might give thanks to the Lord their God,
- who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had
- delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had
- appointed just men to be their teachers, and also a just man to
- be their king, who had established peace in the land of
- Zarahemla, and who had taught them to keep the commandments of
- God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God
- and all men.
-
- Mosiah 2:5
- 5 And it came to pass that when they came up to the temple, they
- pitched their tents round about, every man according to his
- family, consisting of his wife, and his sons, and his daughters,
- and their sons, and their daughters, from the eldest down to the
- youngest, every family being separate one from another.
-
- Mosiah 2:6
- 6 And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man
- having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that
- thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which
- king Benjamin should speak unto them;
-
- Mosiah 2:7
- 7 For the multitude being so great that king Benjamin could not
- teach them all within the walls of the temple, therefore he
- caused a tower to be erected, that thereby his people might hear
- the words which he should speak unto them.
-
- Mosiah 2:8
- 8 And it came to pass that he began to speak to his people from
- the tower; and they could not all hear his words because of the
- greatness of the multitude; therefore he caused that the words
- which he spake should be written and sent forth among those that
- were not under the sound of his voice, that they might also
- receive his words.
-
- Mosiah 2:9
- 9 And these are the words which he spake and caused to be
- written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled
- yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall
- speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up
- hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you
- should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and
- your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the
- mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.
-
- Mosiah 2:10
- 10 I have not commanded you to come up hither that ye should
- fear me, or that ye should think that I of myself am more than a
- mortal man.
-
- Mosiah 2:11
- 11 But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of
- infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen by this
- people, and consecrated by my father, and was suffered by the
- hand of the Lord that I should be a ruler and a king over this
- people; and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power,
- to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord
- hath granted unto me.
-
- Mosiah 2:12
- 12 I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days
- in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold
- nor silver nor any manner of riches of you;
-
- Mosiah 2:13
- 13 Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in
- dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that
- ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor
- even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of
- wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the
- commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded
- you--
-
- Mosiah 2:14
- 14 And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I
- might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and
- that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be
- borne--and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves
- are witnesses this day.
-
- Mosiah 2:15
- 15 Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might
- boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse
- you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can
- answer a clear conscience before God this day.
-
- Mosiah 2:16
- 16 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I
- had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for
- I have only been in the service of God.
-
- Mosiah 2:17
- 17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom;
- that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow
- beings ye are only in the service of your God.
-
- Mosiah 2:18
- 18 Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call
- your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to
- serve one another?
-
- Mosiah 2:19
- 19 And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent
- his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God,
- do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your
- heavenly King!
-
- Mosiah 2:20
- 20 I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all
- the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess,
- to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you,
- and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye
- should live in peace one with another--
-
- Mosiah 2:21
- 21 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created
- you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by
- lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to
- your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to
- another--I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls
- yet ye would be unprofitable servants.
-
- Mosiah 2:22
- 22 And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his
- commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his
- commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth
- vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his
- commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.
-
- Mosiah 2:23
- 23 And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted
- unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.
-
- Mosiah 2:24
- 24 And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath
- commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you;
- and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto
- him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what
- have ye to boast?
-
- Mosiah 2:25
- 25 And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer you,
- Nay. Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the
- earth; yet ye were created of the dust of the earth; but behold,
- it belongeth to him who created you.
-
- Mosiah 2:26
- 26 And I, even I, whom ye call your king, am no better than ye
- yourselves are; for I am also of the dust. And ye behold that I
- am old, and am about to yield up this mortal frame to its mother
- earth.
-
- Mosiah 2:27
- 27 Therefore, as I said unto you that I had served you, walking
- with a clear conscience before God, even so I at this time have
- caused that ye should assemble yourselves together, that I might
- be found blameless, and that your blood should not come upon me,
- when I shall stand to be judged of God of the things whereof he
- hath commanded me concerning you.
-
- Mosiah 2:28
- 28 I say unto you that I have caused that ye should assemble
- yourselves together that I might rid my garments of your blood,
- at this period of time when I am about to go down to my grave,
- that I might go down in peace, and my immortal spirit may join
- the choirs above in singing the praises of a just God.
-
- Mosiah 2:29
- 29 And moreover, I say unto you that I have caused that ye
- should assemble yourselves together, that I might declare unto
- you that I can no longer be your teacher, nor your king;
-
- Mosiah 2:30
- 30 For even at this time, my whole frame doth tremble
- exceedingly while attempting to speak unto you; but the Lord God
- doth support me, and hath suffered me that I should speak unto
- you, and hath commanded me that I should declare unto you this
- day, that my son Mosiah is a king and a ruler over you.
-
- Mosiah 2:31
- 31 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should do as ye have
- hitherto done. As ye have kept my commandments, and also the
- commandments of my father, and have prospered, and have been kept
- from falling into the hands of your enemies, even so if ye shall
- keep the commandments of my son, or the commandments of God which
- shall be delivered unto you by him, ye shall prosper in the land,
- and your enemies shall have no power over you.
-
- Mosiah 2:32
- 32 But, O my people, beware lest there shall arise contentions
- among you, and ye list to obey the evil spirit, which was spoken
- of by my father Mosiah.
-
- Mosiah 2:33
- 33 For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth to
- obey that spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth
- and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own
- soul; for he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment,
- having transgressed the law of God contrary to his own knowledge.
-
- Mosiah 2:34
- 34 I say unto you, that there are not any among you, except it
- be your little children that have not been taught concerning
- these things, but what knoweth that ye are eternally indebted to
- your heavenly Father, to render to him all that you have and are;
- and also have been taught concerning the records which contain
- the prophecies which have been spoken by the holy prophets, even
- down to the time our father, Lehi, left Jerusalem;
-
- Mosiah 2:35
- 35 And also, all that has been spoken by our fathers until now.
- And behold, also, they spake that which was commanded them of the
- Lord; therefore, they are just and true.
-
- Mosiah 2:36
- 36 And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have
- known and have been taught all these things, if ye should
- transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye
- do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may
- have no place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths that ye may
- be blessed, prospered, and preserved--
-
- Mosiah 2:37
- 37 I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh
- out in open rebellion against God; therefore he listeth to obey
- the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness;
- therefore, the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in
- unholy temples.
-
- Mosiah 2:38
- 38 Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth
- an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his
- immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth
- cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill
- his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an
- unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever.
-
- Mosiah 2:39
- 39 And now I say unto you, that mercy hath no claim on that man;
- therefore his final doom is to endure a never-ending torment.
-
- Mosiah 2:40
- 40 O, all ye old men, and also ye young men, and you little
- children who can understand my words, for I have spoken plainly
- unto you that ye might understand, I pray that ye should awake to
- a remembrance of the awful situation of those that have fallen
- into transgression.
-
- Mosiah 2:41
- 41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the
- blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of
- God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal
- and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are
- received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a
- state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these
- things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
-
- Mosiah 3
- Chapter 3
-
- Mosiah 3:1
- 1 And again my brethren, I would call your attention, for I have
- somewhat more to speak unto you; for behold, I have things to
- tell you concerning that which is to come.
-
- Mosiah 3:2
- 2 And the things which I shall tell you are made known unto me
- by an angel from God. And he said unto me: Awake; and I awoke,
- and behold he stood before me.
-
- Mosiah 3:3
- 3 And he said unto me: Awake, and hear the words which I shall
- tell thee; for behold, I am come to declare unto you the glad
- tidings of great joy.
-
- Mosiah 3:4
- 4 For the Lord hath heard thy prayers, and hath judged of thy
- righteousness, and hath sent me to declare unto thee that thou
- mayest rejoice; and that thou mayest declare unto thy people,
- that they may also be filled with joy.
-
- Mosiah 3:5
- 5 For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with
- power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all
- eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the
- children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and
- shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as
- healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the
- blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing
- all manner of diseases.
-
- Mosiah 3:6
- 6 And he shall cast out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell
- in the hearts of the children of men.
-
- Mosiah 3:7
- 7 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger,
- thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be
- unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great
- shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of
- his people.
-
- Mosiah 3:8
- 8 And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the
- Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the
- beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.
-
- Mosiah 3:9
- 9 And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto
- the children of men even through faith on his name; and even
- after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he
- hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him.
-
- Mosiah 3:10
- 10 And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, he
- standeth to judge the world; and behold, all these things are
- done that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of
- men.
-
- Mosiah 3:11
- 11 For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those
- who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not
- knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly
- sinned.
-
- Mosiah 3:12
- 12 But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against
- God! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through
- repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.
-
- Mosiah 3:13
- 13 And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the
- children of men, to declare these things to every kindred,
- nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that
- Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their
- sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he
- had already come among them.
-
- Mosiah 3:14
- 14 Yet the Lord God saw that his people were a stiffnecked
- people, and he appointed unto them a law, even the law of Moses.
-
- Mosiah 3:15
- 15 And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows showed he
- unto them, concerning his coming; and also holy prophets spake
- unto them concerning his coming; and yet they hardened their
- hearts, and understood not that the law of Moses availeth nothing
- except it were through the atonement of his blood.
-
- Mosiah 3:16
- 16 And even if it were possible that little children could sin
- they could not be saved; but I say unto you they are blessed; for
- behold, as in Adam, or by nature, they fall, even so the blood of
- Christ atoneth for their sins.
-
- Mosiah 3:17
- 17 And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other
- name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come
- unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ,
- the Lord Omnipotent.
-
- Mosiah 3:18
- 18 For behold he judgeth, and his judgment is just; and the
- infant perisheth not that dieth in his infancy; but men drink
- damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and
- become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and
- is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ,
- the Lord Omnipotent.
-
- Mosiah 3:19
- 19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the
- fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to
- the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man
- and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord,
- and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full
- of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit
- to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
-
- Mosiah 3:20
- 20 And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come when
- the knowledge of the Savior shall spread throughout every nation,
- kindred, tongue, and people.
-
- Mosiah 3:21
- 21 And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found
- blameless before God, except it be little children, only through
- repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent.
-
- Mosiah 3:22
- 22 And even at this time, when thou shalt have taught thy people
- the things which the Lord thy God hath commanded thee, even then
- are they found no more blameless in the sight of God, only
- according to the words which I have spoken unto thee.
-
- Mosiah 3:23
- 23 And now I have spoken the words which the Lord God hath
- commanded me.
-
- Mosiah 3:24
- 24 And thus saith the Lord: They shall stand as a bright
- testimony against this people, at the judgment day; whereof they
- shall be judged, every man according to his works, whether they
- be good, or whether they be evil.
-
- Mosiah 3:25
- 25 And if they be evil they are consigned to an awful view of
- their own guilt and abominations, which doth cause them to shrink
- from the presence of the Lord into a state of misery and endless
- torment, from whence they can no more return; therefore they have
- drunk damnation to their own souls.
-
- Mosiah 3:26
- 26 Therefore, they have drunk out of the cup of the wrath of
- God, which justice could no more deny unto them than it could
- deny that Adam should fall because of his partaking of the
- forbidden fruit; therefore, mercy could have claim on them no
- more forever.
-
- Mosiah 3:27
- 27 And their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose
- flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and
- ever. Thus hath the Lord commanded me. Amen.
-
- Mosiah 4
- Chapter 4
-
- Mosiah 4:1
- 1 And now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an
- end of speaking the words which had been delivered unto him by
- the angel of the Lord, that he cast his eyes round about on the
- multitude, and behold they had fallen to the earth, for the fear
- of the Lord had come upon them.
-
- Mosiah 4:2
- 2 And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even
- less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with
- one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of
- Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our
- hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son
- of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall
- come down among the children of men.
-
- Mosiah 4:3
- 3 And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the
- Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy,
- having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of
- conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in
- Jesus Christ who should come, according to the words which king
- Benjamin had spoken unto them.
-
- Mosiah 4:4
- 4 And king Benjamin again opened his mouth and began to speak
- unto them, saying: My friends and my brethren, my kindred and my
- people, I would again call your attention, that ye may hear and
- understand the remainder of my words which I shall speak unto
- you.
-
- Mosiah 4:5
- 5 For behold, if the knowledge of the goodness of God at this
- time has awakened you to a sense of your nothingness, and your
- worthless and fallen state--
-
- Mosiah 4:6
- 6 I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness
- of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his
- patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and
- also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation
- of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that
- should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in
- keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the
- end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body--
-
- Mosiah 4:7
- 7 I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through
- the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world
- for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who
- are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world.
-
- Mosiah 4:8
- 8 And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is
- none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither
- are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the
- conditions which I have told you.
-
- Mosiah 4:9
- 9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all
- things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all
- wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that
- man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can
- comprehend.
-
- Mosiah 4:10
- 10 And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and
- forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in
- sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you
- believe all these things see that ye do them.
-
- Mosiah 4:11
- 11 And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye
- have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have
- known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have
- received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly
- great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember,
- and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your
- own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you,
- unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of
- humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing
- steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was
- spoken by the mouth of the angel.
-
- Mosiah 4:12
- 12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always
- rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a
- remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the
- glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which
- is just and true.
-
- Mosiah 4:13
- 13 And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to
- live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that
- which is his due.
-
- Mosiah 4:14
- 14 And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or
- naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of
- God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil,
- who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath
- been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all
- righteousness.
-
- Mosiah 4:15
- 15 But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and
- soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve
- one another.
-
- Mosiah 4:16
- 16 And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need
- of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him
- that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar
- putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to
- perish.
-
- Mosiah 4:17
- 17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his
- misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him
- of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not
- suffer, for his punishments are just--
-
- Mosiah 4:18
- 18 But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath
- great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he
- hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the
- kingdom of God.
-
- Mosiah 4:19
- 19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend
- upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we
- have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver,
- and for all the riches which we have of every kind?
-
- Mosiah 4:20
- 20 And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his
- name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he
- suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his
- Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled
- with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that
- ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy.
-
- Mosiah 4:21
- 21 And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are
- dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth
- grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith,
- believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart
- of the substance that ye have one to another.
-
- Mosiah 4:22
- 22 And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you
- for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much
- more just will be your condemnation for withholding your
- substance, which doth not belong to you but to God, to whom also
- your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of
- the thing which thou hast done.
-
- Mosiah 4:23
- 23 I say unto you, wo be unto that man, for his substance shall
- perish with him; and now, I say these things unto those who are
- rich as pertaining to the things of this world.
-
- Mosiah 4:24
- 24 And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not and yet have
- sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all you who
- deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your
- hearts that: I give not because I have not, but if I had I would
- give.
-
- Mosiah 4:25
- 25 And now, if ye say this in your hearts ye remain guiltless,
- otherwise ye are condemned; and your condemnation is just for ye
- covet that which ye have not received.
-
- Mosiah 4:26
- 26 And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken
- unto you--that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your
- sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God--I
- would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every
- man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry,
- clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their
- relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their
- wants.
-
- Mosiah 4:27
- 27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order;
- for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has
- strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent,
- that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must
- be done in order.
-
- Mosiah 4:28
- 28 And I would that ye should remember, that whosoever among you
- borroweth of his neighbor should return the thing that he
- borroweth, according as he doth agree, or else thou shalt commit
- sin; and perhaps thou shalt cause thy neighbor to commit sin
- also.
-
- Mosiah 4:29
- 29 And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may
- commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many
- that I cannot number them.
-
- Mosiah 4:30
- 30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch
- yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds,
- and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of
- what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto
- the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember,
- and perish not.
-
- Mosiah 5
- Chapter 5
-
- Mosiah 5:1
- 1 And now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had thus
- spoken to his people, he sent among them, desiring to know of his
- people if they believed the words which he had spoken unto them.
-
- Mosiah 5:2
- 2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all
- the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of
- their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord
- Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our
- hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do
- good continually.
-
- Mosiah 5:3
- 3 And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of God,
- and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that
- which is to come; and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all
- things.
-
- Mosiah 5:4
- 4 And it is the faith which we have had on the things which our
- king has spoken unto us that has brought us to this great
- knowledge, whereby we do rejoice with such exceedingly great joy.
-
- Mosiah 5:5
- 5 And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do
- his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things
- that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we
- may not bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been
- spoken by the angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the
- wrath of God.
-
- Mosiah 5:6
- 6 And now, these are the words which king Benjamin desired of
- them; and therefore he said unto them: Ye have spoken the words
- that I desired; and the covenant which ye have made is a
- righteous covenant.
-
- Mosiah 5:7
- 7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall
- be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters;
- for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say
- that your hearts are changed through faith on his name;
- therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his
- daughters.
-
- Mosiah 5:8
- 8 And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other
- head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given
- whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take
- upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the
- covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your
- lives.
-
- Mosiah 5:9
- 9 And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be
- found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by
- which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ.
-
- Mosiah 5:10
- 10 And now it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall not take
- upon him the name of Christ must be called by some other name;
- therefore, he findeth himself on the left hand of God.
-
- Mosiah 5:11
- 11 And I would that ye should remember also, that this is the
- name that I said I should give unto you that never should be
- blotted out, except it be through transgression; therefore, take
- heed that ye do not transgress, that the name be not blotted out
- of your hearts.
-
- Mosiah 5:12
- 12 I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the
- name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the
- left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye
- shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.
-
- Mosiah 5:13
- 13 For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and
- who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and
- intents of his heart?
-
- Mosiah 5:14
- 14 And again, doth a man take an ass which belongeth to his
- neighbor, and keep him? I say unto you, Nay; he will not even
- suffer that he shall feed among his flocks, but will drive him
- away, and cast him out. I say unto you, that even so shall it be
- among you if ye know not the name by which ye are called.
-
- Mosiah 5:15
- 15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable,
- always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God
- Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven,
- that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through
- the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created
- all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.
-
- Mosiah 6
- Chapter 6
-
- Mosiah 6:1
- 1 And now, king Benjamin thought it was expedient, after having
- finished speaking to the people, that he should take the names of
- all those who had entered into a covenant with God to keep his
- commandments.
-
- Mosiah 6:2
- 2 And it came to pass that there was not one soul, except it
- were little children, but who had entered into the covenant and
- had taken upon them the name of Christ.
-
- Mosiah 6:3
- 3 And again, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an
- end of all these things, and had consecrated his son Mosiah to be
- a ruler and a king over his people, and had given him all the
- charges concerning the kingdom, and also had appointed priests to
- teach the people, that thereby they might hear and know the
- commandments of God, and to stir them up in remembrance of the
- oath which they had made, he dismissed the multitude, and they
- returned, every one, according to their families, to their own
- houses.
-
- Mosiah 6:4
- 4 And Mosiah began to reign in his father's stead. And he began
- to reign in the thirtieth year of his age, making in the whole,
- about four hundred and seventy-six years from the time that Lehi
- left Jerusalem.
-
- Mosiah 6:5
- 5 And king Benjamin lived three years and he died.
-
- Mosiah 6:6
- 6 And it came to pass that king Mosiah did walk in the ways of
- the Lord, and did observe his judgments and his statutes, and did
- keep his commandments in all things whatsoever he commanded him.
-
- Mosiah 6:7
- 7 And king Mosiah did cause his people that they should till the
- earth. And he also, himself, did till the earth, that thereby he
- might not become burdensome to his people, that he might do
- according to that which his father had done in all things. And
- there was no contention among all his people for the space of
- three years.
-
- Mosiah 7
- Chapter 7
-
- Mosiah 7:1
- 1 And now, it came to pass that after king Mosiah had had
- continual peace for the space of three years, he was desirous to
- know concerning the people who went up to dwell in the land of
- Lehi-Nephi, or in the city of Lehi-Nephi; for his people had
- heard nothing from them from the time they left the land of
- Zarahemla; therefore, they wearied him with their teasings.
-
- Mosiah 7:2
- 2 And it came to pass that king Mosiah granted that sixteen of
- their strong men might go up to the land of Lehi-Nephi to inquire
- concerning their brethren.
-
- Mosiah 7:3
- 3 And it came to pass that on the morrow they started to go up,
- having with them one Ammon, he being a strong and mighty man, and
- a descendant of Zarahemla; and he was also their leader.
-
- Mosiah 7:4
- 4 And now, they knew not the course they should travel in the
- wilderness to go up to the land of Lehi-Nephi; therefore they
- wandered many days in the wilderness, even forty days did they
- wander.
-
- Mosiah 7:5
- 5 And when they had wandered forty days they came to a hill,
- which is north of the land of Shilom, and there they pitched
- their tents.
-
- Mosiah 7:6
- 6 And Ammon took three of his brethren, and their names were
- Amaleki, Helem, and Hem, and they went down into the land of
- Nephi.
-
- Mosiah 7:7
- 7 And behold, they met the king of the people who were in the
- land of Nephi, and in the land of Shilom; and they were
- surrounded by the king's guard, and were taken, and were bound,
- and were committed to prison.
-
- Mosiah 7:8
- 8 And it came to pass when they had been in prison two days they
- were again brought before the king, and their bands were loosed;
- and they stood before the king, and were permitted, or rather
- commanded, that they should answer the questions which he should
- ask them.
-
- Mosiah 7:9
- 9 And he said unto them: Behold, I am Limhi, the son of Noah,
- who was the son of Zeniff, who came up out of the land of
- Zarahemla to inherit this land, which was the land of their
- fathers, who was made a king by the voice of the people.
-
- Mosiah 7:10
- 10 And now, I desire to know the cause whereby ye were so bold
- as to come near the walls of the city, when I, myself, was with
- my guards without the gate?
-
- Mosiah 7:11
- 11 And now, for this cause have I suffered that ye should be
- preserved, that I might inquire of you, or else I should have
- caused that my guards should have put you to death. Ye are
- permitted to speak.
-
- Mosiah 7:12
- 12 And now, when Ammon saw that he was permitted to speak, he
- went forth and bowed himself before the king; and rising again he
- said: O king, I am very thankful before God this day that I am
- yet alive, and am permitted to speak; and I will endeavor to
- speak with boldness;
-
- Mosiah 7:13
- 13 For I am assured that if ye had known me ye would not have
- suffered that I should have worn these bands. For I am Ammon,
- and am a descendant of Zarahemla, and have come up out of the
- land of Zarahemla to inquire concerning our brethren, whom Zeniff
- brought up out of that land.
-
- Mosiah 7:14
- 14 And now, it came to pass that after Limhi had heard the words
- of Ammon, he was exceedingly glad, and said: Now, I know of a
- surety that my brethren who were in the land of Zarahemla are yet
- alive. And now, I will rejoice; and on the morrow I will cause
- that my people shall rejoice also.
-
- Mosiah 7:15
- 15 For behold, we are in bondage to the Lamanites, and are taxed
- with a tax which is grievous to be borne. And now, behold, our
- brethren will deliver us out of our bondage, or out of the hands
- of the Lamanites, and we will be their slaves; for it is better
- that we be slaves to the Nephites than to pay tribute to the king
- of the Lamanites.
-
- Mosiah 7:16
- 16 And now, king Limhi commanded his guards that they should no
- more bind Ammon nor his brethren, but caused that they should go
- to the hill which was north of Shilom, and bring their brethren
- into the city, that thereby they might eat, and drink, and rest
- themselves from the labors of their journey; for they had
- suffered many things; they had suffered hunger, thirst, and
- fatigue.
-
- Mosiah 7:17
- 17 And now, it came to pass on the morrow that king Limhi sent a
- proclamation among all his people, that thereby they might gather
- themselves together to the temple to hear the words which he
- should speak unto them.
-
- Mosiah 7:18
- 18 And it came to pass that when they had gathered themselves
- together that he spake unto them in this wise, saying: O ye, my
- people, lift up your heads and be comforted; for behold, the time
- is at hand, or is not far distant, when we shall no longer be in
- subjection to our enemies, notwithstanding our many strugglings,
- which have been in vain; yet I trust there remaineth an effectual
- struggle to be made.
-
- Mosiah 7:19
- 19 Therefore, lift up your heads, and rejoice, and put your
- trust in God, in that God who was the God of Abraham, and Isaac,
- and Jacob; and also, that God who brought the children of Israel
- out of the land of Egypt, and caused that they should walk
- through the Red Sea on dry ground, and fed them with manna that
- they might not perish in the wilderness; and many more things did
- he do for them.
-
- Mosiah 7:20
- 20 And again, that same God has brought our fathers out of the
- land of Jerusalem, and has kept and preserved his people even
- until now; and behold, it is because of our iniquities and
- abominations that he has brought us into bondage.
-
- Mosiah 7:21
- 21 And ye all are witnesses this day, that Zeniff, who was made
- king over this people, he being over-zealous to inherit the land
- of his fathers, therefore being deceived by the cunning and
- craftiness of king Laman, who having entered into a treaty with
- king Zeniff, and having yielded up into his hands the possessions
- of a part of the land, or even the city of Lehi-Nephi, and the
- city of Shilom; and the land round about--
-
- Mosiah 7:22
- 22 And all this he did, for the sole purpose of bringing this
- people into subjection or into bondage. And behold, we at this
- time do pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites, to the amount
- of one half of our corn, and our barley, and even all our grain
- of every kind, and one half of the increase of our flocks and our
- herds; and even one half of all we have or possess the king of
- the Lamanites doth exact of us, or our lives.
-
- Mosiah 7:23
- 23 And now, is not this grievous to be borne? And is not this,
- our affliction, great? Now behold, how great reason we have to
- mourn.
-
- Mosiah 7:24
- 24 Yea, I say unto you, great are the reasons which we have to
- mourn; for behold how many of our brethren have been slain, and
- their blood has been spilt in vain, and all because of iniquity.
-
- Mosiah 7:25
- 25 For if this people had not fallen into transgression the Lord
- would not have suffered that this great evil should come upon
- them. But behold, they would not hearken unto his words; but
- there arose contentions among them, even so much that they did
- shed blood among themselves.
-
- Mosiah 7:26
- 26 And a prophet of the Lord have they slain; yea, a chosen man
- of God, who told them of their wickedness and abominations, and
- prophesied of many things which are to come, yea, even the coming
- of Christ.
-
- Mosiah 7:27
- 27 And because he said unto them that Christ was the God, the
- Father of all things, and said that he should take upon him the
- image of man, and it should be the image after which man was
- created in the beginning; or in other words, he said that man was
- created after the image of God, and that God should come down
- among the children of men, and take upon him flesh and blood, and
- go forth upon the face of the earth--
-
- Mosiah 7:28
- 28 And now, because he said this, they did put him to death; and
- many more things did they do which brought down the wrath of God
- upon them. Therefore, who wondereth that they are in bondage,
- and that they are smitten with sore afflictions?
-
- Mosiah 7:29
- 29 For behold, the Lord hath said: I will not succor my people
- in the day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways
- that they prosper not; and their doings shall be as a stumbling
- block before them.
-
- Mosiah 7:30
- 30 And again, he saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they
- shall reap the chaff thereof in the whirlwind; and the effect
- thereof is poison.
-
- Mosiah 7:31
- 31 And again he saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they
- shall reap the east wind, which bringeth immediate destruction.
-
- Mosiah 7:32
- 32 And now, behold, the promise of the Lord is fulfilled, and ye
- are smitten and afflicted.
-
- Mosiah 7:33
- 33 But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart,
- and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of
- mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and
- pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.
-
- Mosiah 8
- Chapter 8
-
- Mosiah 8:1
- 1 And it came to pass that after king Limhi had made an end of
- speaking to his people, for he spake many things unto them and
- only a few of them have I written in this book, he told his
- people all the things concerning their brethren who were in the
- land of Zarahemla.
-
- Mosiah 8:2
- 2 And he caused that Ammon should stand up before the multitude,
- and rehearse unto them all that had happened unto their brethren
- from the time that Zeniff went up out of the land even until the
- time that he himself came up out of the land.
-
- Mosiah 8:3
- 3 And he also rehearsed unto them the last words which king
- Benjamin had taught them, and explained them to the people of
- king Limhi, so that they might understand all the words which he
- spake.
-
- Mosiah 8:4
- 4 And it came to pass that after he had done all this, that king
- Limhi dismissed the multitude, and caused that they should return
- every one unto his own house.
-
- Mosiah 8:5
- 5 And it came to pass that he caused that the plates which
- contained the record of his people from the time that they left
- the land of Zarahemla, should be brought before Ammon, that he
- might read them.
-
- Mosiah 8:6
- 6 Now, as soon as Ammon had read the record, the king inquired
- of him to know if he could interpret languages, and Ammon told
- him that he could not.
-
- Mosiah 8:7
- 7 And the king said unto him: Being grieved for the afflictions
- of my people, I caused that forty and three of my people should
- take a journey into the wilderness, that thereby they might find
- the land of Zarahemla, that we might appeal unto our brethren to
- deliver us out of bondage.
-
- Mosiah 8:8
- 8 And they were lost in the wilderness for the space of many
- days, yet they were diligent, and found not the land of Zarahemla
- but returned to this land, having traveled in a land among many
- waters, having discovered a land which was covered with bones of
- men, and of beasts, and was also covered with ruins of buildings
- of every kind, having discovered a land which had been peopled
- with a people who were as numerous as the hosts of Israel.
-
- Mosiah 8:9
- 9 And for a testimony that the things that they had said are
- true they have brought twenty-four plates which are filled with
- engravings, and they are of pure gold.
-
- Mosiah 8:10
- 10 And behold, also, they have brought breastplates, which are
- large, and they are of brass and of copper, and are perfectly
- sound.
-
- Mosiah 8:11
- 11 And again, they have brought swords, the hilts thereof have
- perished, and the blades thereof were cankered with rust; and
- there is no one in the land that is able to interpret the
- language or the engravings that are on the plates. Therefore I
- said unto thee: Canst thou translate?
-
- Mosiah 8:12
- 12 And I say unto thee again: Knowest thou of any one that can
- translate? For I am desirous that these records should be
- translated into our language; for, perhaps, they will give us a
- knowledge of a remnant of the people who have been destroyed,
- from whence these records came; or, perhaps, they will give us a
- knowledge of this very people who have been destroyed; and I am
- desirous to know the cause of their destruction.
-
- Mosiah 8:13
- 13 Now Ammon said unto him: I can assuredly tell thee, O king,
- of a man that can translate the records; for he has wherewith
- that he can look, and translate all records that are of ancient
- date; and it is a gift from God. And the things are called
- interpreters, and no man can look in them except he be commanded,
- lest he should look for that he ought not and he should perish.
- And whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is called
- seer.
-
- Mosiah 8:14
- 14 And behold, the king of the people who are in the land of
- Zarahemla is the man that is commanded to do these things, and
- who has this high gift from God.
-
- Mosiah 8:15
- 15 And the king said that a seer is greater than a prophet.
-
- Mosiah 8:16
- 16 And Ammon said that a seer is a revelator and a prophet also;
- and a gift which is greater can no man have, except he should
- possess the power of God, which no man can; yet a man may have
- great power given him from God.
-
- Mosiah 8:17
- 17 But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of
- things which are to come, and by them shall all things be
- revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and
- hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known
- shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known
- by them which otherwise could not be known.
-
- Mosiah 8:18
- 18 Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might
- work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to
- his fellow beings.
-
- Mosiah 8:19
- 19 And now, when Ammon had made an end of speaking these words
- the king rejoiced exceedingly, and gave thanks to God, saying:
- Doubtless a great mystery is contained within these plates, and
- these interpreters were doubtless prepared for the purpose of
- unfolding all such mysteries to the children of men.
-
- Mosiah 8:20
- 20 O how marvelous are the works of the Lord, and how long doth
- he suffer with his people; yea, and how blind and impenetrable
- are the understandings of the children of men; for they will not
- seek wisdom, neither do they desire that she should rule over
- them!
-
- Mosiah 8:21
- 21 Yea, they are as a wild flock which fleeth from the shepherd,
- and scattereth, and are driven, and are devoured by the beasts of
- the forest.
-
- Mosiah 9
- Chapter 9
-
- Mosiah 9:1
- 1 I, Zeniff, having been taught in all the language of the
- Nephites, and having had a knowledge of the land of Nephi, or of
- the land of our fathers' first inheritance, and having been sent
- as a spy among the Lamanites that I might spy out their forces,
- that our army might come upon them and destroy them--but when I
- saw that which was good among them I was desirous that they
- should not be destroyed.
-
- Mosiah 9:2
- 2 Therefore, I contended with my brethren in the wilderness for
- I would that our ruler should make a treaty with them; but he
- being an austere and a bloodthirsty man commanded that I should
- be slain; but I was rescued by the shedding of much blood; for
- father fought against father, and brother against brother, until
- the greater number of our army was destroyed in the wilderness;
- and we returned, those of us that were spared, to the land of
- Zarahemla, to relate that tale to their wives and their children.
-
- Mosiah 9:3
- 3 And yet, I being over-zealous to inherit the land of our
- fathers, collected as many as were desirous to go up to possess
- the land, and started again on our journey into the wilderness to
- go up to the land; but we were smitten with famine and sore
- afflictions; for we were slow to remember the Lord our God.
-
- Mosiah 9:4
- 4 Nevertheless, after many days' wandering in the wilderness we
- pitched our tents in the place where our brethren were slain,
- which was near to the land of our fathers.
-
- Mosiah 9:5
- 5 And it came to pass that I went again with four of my men into
- the city, in unto the king, that I might know of the disposition
- of the king, and that I might know if I might go in with my
- people and possess the land in peace.
-
- Mosiah 9:6
- 6 And I went in unto the king, and he covenanted with me that I
- might possess the land of Lehi-Nephi, and the land of Shilom.
-
- Mosiah 9:7
- 7 And he also commanded that his people should depart out of the
- land, and I and my people went into the land that we might
- possess it.
-
- Mosiah 9:8
- 8 And we began to build buildings, and to repair the walls of
- the city, yea, even the walls of the city of Lehi-Nephi, and the
- city of Shilom.
-
- Mosiah 9:9
- 9 And we began to till the ground, yea, even with all manner of
- seeds, with seeds of corn, and of wheat, and of barley, and with
- neas, and with sheum, and with seeds of all manner of fruits; and
- we did begin to multiply and prosper in the land.
-
- Mosiah 9:10
- 10 Now it was the cunning and the craftiness of king Laman, to
- bring my people into bondage, that he yielded up the land that we
- might possess it.
-
- Mosiah 9:11
- 11 Therefore it came to pass, that after we had dwelt in the
- land for the space of twelve years that king Laman began to grow
- uneasy, lest by any means my people should wax strong in the
- land, and that they could not overpower them and bring them into
- bondage.
-
- Mosiah 9:12
- 12 Now they were a lazy and an idolatrous people; therefore they
- were desirous to bring us into bondage, that they might glut
- themselves with the labors of our hands; yea, that they might
- feast themselves upon the flocks of our fields.
-
- Mosiah 9:13
- 13 Therefore it came to pass that king Laman began to stir up
- his people that they should contend with my people; therefore
- there began to be wars and contentions in the land.
-
- Mosiah 9:14
- 14 For, in the thirteenth year of my reign in the land of Nephi,
- away on the south of the land of Shilom, when my people were
- watering and feeding their flocks, and tilling their lands, a
- numerous host of Lamanites came upon them and began to slay them,
- and to take off their flocks, and the corn of their fields.
-
- Mosiah 9:15
- 15 Yea, and it came to pass that they fled, all that were not
- overtaken, even into the city of Nephi, and did call upon me for
- protection.
-
- Mosiah 9:16
- 16 And it came to pass that I did arm them with bows, and with
- arrows, with swords, and with cimeters, and with clubs, and with
- slings, and with all manner of weapons which we could invent, and
- I and my people did go forth against the Lamanites to battle.
-
- Mosiah 9:17
- 17 Yea, in the strength of the Lord did we go forth to battle
- against the Lamanites; for I and my people did cry mightily to
- the Lord that he would deliver us out of the hands of our
- enemies, for we were awakened to a remembrance of the deliverance
- of our fathers.
-
- Mosiah 9:18
- 18 And God did hear our cries and did answer our prayers; and we
- did go forth in his might; yea, we did go forth against the
- Lamanites, and in one day and a night we did slay three thousand
- and forty-three; we did slay them even until we had driven them
- out of our land.
-
- Mosiah 9:19
- 19 And I, myself, with mine own hands, did help to bury their
- dead. And behold, to our great sorrow and lamentation, two
- hundred and seventy-nine of our brethren were slain.
-
- Mosiah 10
- Chapter 10
-
- Mosiah 10:1
- 1 And it came to pass that we again began to establish the
- kingdom and we again began to possess the land in peace. And I
- caused that there should be weapons of war made of every kind,
- that thereby I might have weapons for my people against the time
- the Lamanites should come up again to war against my people.
-
- Mosiah 10:2
- 2 And I set guards round about the land, that the Lamanites
- might not come upon us again unawares and destroy us; and thus I
- did guard my people and my flocks, and keep them from falling
- into the hands of our enemies.
-
- Mosiah 10:3
- 3 And it came to pass that we did inherit the land of our
- fathers for many years, yea, for the space of twenty and two
- years.
-
- Mosiah 10:4
- 4 And I did cause that the men should till the ground, and raise
- all manner of grain and all manner of fruit of every kind.
-
- Mosiah 10:5
- 5 And I did cause that the women should spin, and toil, and
- work, and work all manner of fine linen, yea, and cloth of every
- kind, that we might clothe our nakedness; and thus we did prosper
- in the land--thus we did have continual peace in the land for the
- space of twenty and two years.
-
- Mosiah 10:6
- 6 And it came to pass that king Laman died, and his son began to
- reign in his stead. And he began to stir his people up in
- rebellion against my people; therefore they began to prepare for
- war, and to come up to battle against my people.
-
- Mosiah 10:7
- 7 But I had sent my spies out round about the land of Shemlon,
- that I might discover their preparations, that I might guard
- against them, that they might not come upon my people and destroy
- them.
-
- Mosiah 10:8
- 8 And it came to pass that they came up upon the north of the
- land of Shilom, with their numerous hosts, men armed with bows,
- and with arrows, and with swords, and with cimeters, and with
- stones, and with slings; and they had their heads shaved that
- they were naked; and they were girded with a leathern girdle
- about their loins.
-
- Mosiah 10:9
- 9 And it came to pass that I caused that the women and children
- of my people should be hid in the wilderness; and I also caused
- that all my old men that could bear arms, and also all my young
- men that were able to bear arms, should gather themselves
- together to go to battle against the Lamanites; and I did place
- them in their ranks, every man according to his age.
-
- Mosiah 10:10
- 10 And it came to pass that we did go up to battle against the
- Lamanites; and I, even I, in my old age, did go up to battle
- against the Lamanites. And it came to pass that we did go up in
- the strength of the Lord to battle.
-
- Mosiah 10:11
- 11 Now, the Lamanites knew nothing concerning the Lord, nor the
- strength of the Lord, therefore they depended upon their own
- strength. Yet they were a strong people, as to the strength of
- men.
-
- Mosiah 10:12
- 12 They were a wild, and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people,
- believing in the tradition of their fathers, which is
- this--Believing that they were driven out of the land of
- Jerusalem because of the iniquities of their fathers, and that
- they were wronged in the wilderness by their brethren, and they
- were also wronged while crossing the sea;
-
- Mosiah 10:13
- 13 And again, that they were wronged while in the land of their
- first inheritance, after they had crossed the sea, and all this
- because that Nephi was more faithful in keeping the commandments
- of the Lord--therefore he was favored of the Lord, for the Lord
- heard his prayers and answered them, and he took the lead of
- their journey in the wilderness.
-
- Mosiah 10:14
- 14 And his brethren were wroth with him because they understood
- not the dealings of the Lord; they were also wroth with him upon
- the waters because they hardened their hearts against the Lord.
-
- Mosiah 10:15
- 15 And again, they were wroth with him when they had arrived in
- the promised land, because they said that he had taken the ruling
- of the people out of their hands; and they sought to kill him.
-
- Mosiah 10:16
- 16 And again, they were wroth with him because he departed into
- the wilderness as the Lord had commanded him, and took the
- records which were engraven on the plates of brass, for they said
- that he robbed them.
-
- Mosiah 10:17
- 17 And thus they have taught their children that they should
- hate them, and that they should murder them, and that they should
- rob and plunder them, and do all they could to destroy them;
- therefore they have an eternal hatred towards the children of
- Nephi.
-
- Mosiah 10:18
- 18 For this very cause has king Laman, by his cunning, and lying
- craftiness, and his fair promises, deceived me, that I have
- brought this my people up into this land, that they may destroy
- them; yea, and we have suffered these many years in the land.
-
- Mosiah 10:19
- 19 And now I, Zeniff, after having told all these things unto my
- people concerning the Lamanites, I did stimulate them to go to
- battle with their might, putting their trust in the Lord;
- therefore, we did contend with them, face to face.
-
- Mosiah 10:20
- 20 And it came to pass that we did drive them again out of our
- land; and we slew them with a great slaughter, even so many that
- we did not number them.
-
- Mosiah 10:21
- 21 And it came to pass that we returned again to our own land,
- and my people again began to tend their flocks, and to till their
- ground.
-
- Mosiah 10:22
- 22 And now I, being old, did confer the kingdom upon one of my
- sons; therefore, I say no more. And may the Lord bless my
- people. Amen.
-
- Mosiah 11
- Chapter 11
-
- Mosiah 11:1
- 1 And now it came to pass that Zeniff conferred the kingdom upon
- Noah, one of his sons; therefore Noah began to reign in his
- stead; and he did not walk in the ways of his father.
-
- Mosiah 11:2
- 2 For behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but he
- did walk after the desires of his own heart. And he had many
- wives and concubines. And he did cause his people to commit sin,
- and do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord. Yea,
- and they did commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness.
-
- Mosiah 11:3
- 3 And he laid a tax of one fifth part of all they possessed, a
- fifth part of their gold and of their silver, and a fifth part of
- their ziff, and of their copper, and of their brass and their
- iron; and a fifth part of their fatlings; and also a fifth part
- of all their grain.
-
- Mosiah 11:4
- 4 And all this did he take to support himself, and his wives and
- his concubines; and also his priests, and their wives and their
- concubines; thus he had changed the affairs of the kingdom.
-
- Mosiah 11:5
- 5 For he put down all the priests that had been consecrated by
- his father, and consecrated new ones in their stead, such as were
- lifted up in the pride of their hearts.
-
- Mosiah 11:6
- 6 Yea, and thus they were supported in their laziness, and in
- their idolatry, and in their whoredoms, by the taxes which king
- Noah had put upon his people; thus did the people labor
- exceedingly to support iniquity.
-
- Mosiah 11:7
- 7 Yea, and they also became idolatrous, because they were
- deceived by the vain and flattering words of the king and
- priests; for they did speak flattering things unto them.
-
- Mosiah 11:8
- 8 And it came to pass that king Noah built many elegant and
- spacious buildings; and he ornamented them with fine work of
- wood, and of all manner of precious things, of gold, and of
- silver, and of iron, and of brass, and of ziff, and of copper;
-
- Mosiah 11:9
- 9 And he also built him a spacious palace, and a throne in the
- midst thereof, all of which was of fine wood and was ornamented
- with gold and silver and with precious things.
-
- Mosiah 11:10
- 10 And he also caused that his workmen should work all manner of
- fine work within the walls of the temple, of fine wood, and of
- copper, and of brass.
-
- Mosiah 11:11
- 11 And the seats which were set apart for the high priests,
- which were above all the other seats, he did ornament with pure
- gold; and he caused a breastwork to be built before them, that
- they might rest their bodies and their arms upon while they
- should speak lying and vain words to his people.
-
- Mosiah 11:12
- 12 And it came to pass that he built a tower near the temple;
- yea, a very high tower, even so high that he could stand upon the
- top thereof and overlook the land of Shilom, and also the land of
- Shemlon, which was possessed by the Lamanites; and he could even
- look over all the land round about.
-
- Mosiah 11:13
- 13 And it came to pass that he caused many buildings to be built
- in the land Shilom; and he caused a great tower to be built on
- the hill north of the land Shilom, which had been a resort for
- the children of Nephi at the time they fled out of the land; and
- thus he did do with the riches which he obtained by the taxation
- of his people.
-
- Mosiah 11:14
- 14 And it came to pass that he placed his heart upon his riches,
- and he spent his time in riotous living with his wives and his
- concubines; and so did also his priests spend their time with
- harlots.
-
- Mosiah 11:15
- 15 And it came to pass that he planted vineyards round about in
- the land; and he built wine-presses, and made wine in abundance;
- and therefore he became a wine-bibber, and also his people.
-
- Mosiah 11:16
- 16 And it came to pass that the Lamanites began to come in upon
- his people, upon small numbers, and to slay them in their fields,
- and while they were tending their flocks.
-
- Mosiah 11:17
- 17 And king Noah sent guards round about the land to keep them
- off; but he did not send a sufficient number, and the Lamanites
- came upon them and killed them, and drove many of their flocks
- out of the land; thus the Lamanites began to destroy them, and to
- exercise their hatred upon them.
-
- Mosiah 11:18
- 18 And it came to pass that king Noah sent his armies against
- them, and they were driven back, or they drove them back for a
- time; therefore, they returned rejoicing in their spoil.
-
- Mosiah 11:19
- 19 And now, because of this great victory they were lifted up in
- the pride of their hearts; they did boast in their own strength,
- saying that their fifty could stand against thousands of the
- Lamanites; and thus they did boast, and did delight in blood, and
- the shedding of the blood of their brethren, and this because of
- the wickedness of their king and priests.
-
- Mosiah 11:20
- 20 And it came to pass that there was a man among them whose
- name was Abinadi; and he went forth among them, and began to
- prophesy, saying: Behold, thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he
- commanded me, saying, Go forth, and say unto this people, thus
- saith the Lord--Wo be unto this people, for I have seen their
- abominations, and their wickedness, and their whoredoms; and
- except they repent I will visit them in mine anger.
-
- Mosiah 11:21
- 21 And except they repent and turn to the Lord their God,
- behold, I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies; yea,
- and they shall be brought into bondage; and they shall be
- afflicted by the hand of their enemies.
-
- Mosiah 11:22
- 22 And it shall come to pass that they shall know that I am the
- Lord their God, and am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of
- my people.
-
- Mosiah 11:23
- 23 And it shall come to pass that except this people repent and
- turn unto the Lord their God, they shall be brought into bondage;
- and none shall deliver them, except it be the Lord the Almighty
- God.
-
- Mosiah 11:24
- 24 Yea, and it shall come to pass that when they shall cry unto
- me I will be slow to hear their cries; yea, and I will suffer
- them that they be smitten by their enemies.
-
- Mosiah 11:25
- 25 And except they repent in sackcloth and ashes, and cry
- mightily to the Lord their God, I will not hear their prayers,
- neither will I deliver them out of their afflictions; and thus
- saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me.
-
- Mosiah 11:26
- 26 Now it came to pass that when Abinadi had spoken these words
- unto them they were wroth with him, and sought to take away his
- life; but the Lord delivered him out of their hands.
-
- Mosiah 11:27
- 27 Now when king Noah had heard of the words which Abinadi had
- spoken unto the people, he was also wroth; and he said: Who is
- Abinadi, that I and my people should be judged of him, or who is
- the Lord, that shall bring upon my people such great affliction?
-
- Mosiah 11:28
- 28 I command you to bring Abinadi hither, that I may slay him,
- for he has said these things that he might stir up my people to
- anger one with another, and to raise contentions among my people;
- therefore I will slay him.
-
- Mosiah 11:29
- 29 Now the eyes of the people were blinded; therefore they
- hardened their hearts against the words of Abinadi, and they
- sought from that time forward to take him. And king Noah
- hardened his heart against the word of the Lord, and he did not
- repent of his evil doings.
-
- Mosiah 12
- Chapter 12
-
- Mosiah 12:1
- 1 And it came to pass that after the space of two years that
- Abinadi came among them in disguise, that they knew him not, and
- began to prophesy among them, saying: Thus has the Lord commanded
- me, saying--Abinadi, go and prophesy unto this my people, for
- they have hardened their hearts against my words; they have
- repented not of their evil doings; therefore, I will visit them
- in my anger, yea, in my fierce anger will I visit them in their
- iniquities and abominations.
-
- Mosiah 12:2
- 2 Yea, wo be unto this generation! And the Lord said unto me:
- Stretch forth thy hand and prophesy saying: Thus saith the Lord,
- it shall come to pass that this generation, because of their
- iniquities, shall be brought into bondage, and shall be smitten
- on the cheek; yea, and shall be driven by men, and shall be
- slain; and the vultures of the air, and the dogs, yea, and the
- wild beasts, shall devour their flesh.
-
- Mosiah 12:3
- 3 And it shall come to pass that the life of king Noah shall be
- valued even as a garment in a hot furnace; for he shall know that
- I am the Lord.
-
- Mosiah 12:4
- 4 And it shall come to pass that I will smite this my people
- with sore afflictions, yea, with famine and with pestilence; and
- I will cause that they shall howl all the day long.
-
- Mosiah 12:5
- 5 Yea, and I will cause that they shall have burdens lashed upon
- their backs; and they shall be driven before like a dumb ass.
-
- Mosiah 12:6
- 6 And it shall come to pass that I will send forth hail among
- them, and it shall smite them; and they shall also be smitten
- with the east wind; and insects shall pester their land also, and
- devour their grain.
-
- Mosiah 12:7
- 7 And they shall be smitten with a great pestilence--and all
- this will I do because of their iniquities and abominations.
-
- Mosiah 12:8
- 8 And it shall come to pass that except they repent I will
- utterly destroy them from off the face of the earth; yet they
- shall leave a record behind them, and I will preserve them for
- other nations which shall possess the land; yea, even this will I
- do that I may discover the abominations of this people to other
- nations. And many things did Abinadi prophesy against this
- people.
-
- Mosiah 12:9
- 9 And it came to pass that they were angry with him; and they
- took him and carried him bound before the king, and said unto the
- king: Behold, we have brought a man before thee who has
- prophesied evil concerning thy people, and saith that God will
- destroy them.
-
- Mosiah 12:10
- 10 And he also prophesieth evil concerning thy life, and saith
- that thy life shall be as a garment in a furnace of fire.
-
- Mosiah 12:11
- 11 And again, he saith that thou shalt be as a stalk, even as a
- dry stalk of the field, which is run over by the beasts and
- trodden under foot.
-
- Mosiah 12:12
- 12 And again, he saith thou shalt be as the blossoms of a
- thistle, which, when it is fully ripe, if the wind bloweth, it is
- driven forth upon the face of the land. And he pretendeth the
- Lord hath spoken it. And he saith all this shall come upon thee
- except thou repent, and this because of thine iniquities.
-
- Mosiah 12:13
- 13 And now, O king, what great evil hast thou done, or what
- great sins have thy people committed, that we should be condemned
- of God or judged of this man?
-
- Mosiah 12:14
- 14 And now, O king, behold, we are guiltless, and thou, O king,
- hast not sinned; therefore, this man has lied concerning you, and
- he has prophesied in vain.
-
- Mosiah 12:15
- 15 And behold, we are strong, we shall not come into bondage, or
- be taken captive by our enemies; yea, and thou hast prospered in
- the land, and thou shalt also prosper.
-
- Mosiah 12:16
- 16 Behold, here is the man, we deliver him into thy hands; thou
- mayest do with him as seemeth thee good.
-
- Mosiah 12:17
- 17 And it came to pass that king Noah caused that Abinadi should
- be cast into prison; and he commanded that the priests should
- gather themselves together that he might hold a council with them
- what he should do with him.
-
- Mosiah 12:18
- 18 And it came to pass that they said unto the king: Bring him
- hither that we may question him; and the king commanded that he
- should be brought before them.
-
- Mosiah 12:19
- 19 And they began to question him, that they might cross him,
- that thereby they might have wherewith to accuse him; but he
- answered them boldly, and withstood all their questions, yea, to
- their astonishment; for he did withstand them in all their
- questions, and did confound them in all their words.
-
- Mosiah 12:20
- 20 And it came to pass that one of them said unto him: What
- meaneth the words which are written, and which have been taught
- by our fathers, saying:
-
- Mosiah 12:21
- 21 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that
- bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good
- tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion,
- Thy God reigneth;
-
- Mosiah 12:22
- 22 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together
- shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord
- shall bring again Zion;
-
- Mosiah 12:23
- 23 Break forth into joy; sing together ye waste places of
- Jerusalem; for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath
- redeemed Jerusalem;
-
- Mosiah 12:24
- 24 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the
- nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of
- our God?
-
- Mosiah 12:25
- 25 And now Abinadi said unto them: Are you priests, and pretend
- to teach this people, and to understand the spirit of
- prophesying, and yet desire to know of me what these things mean?
-
- Mosiah 12:26
- 26 I say unto you, wo be unto you for perverting the ways of the
- Lord! For if ye understand these things ye have not taught them;
- therefore, ye have perverted the ways of the Lord.
-
- Mosiah 12:27
- 27 Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore,
- ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people?
-
- Mosiah 12:28
- 28 And they said: We teach the law of Moses.
-
- Mosiah 12:29
- 29 And again he said unto them: If ye teach the law of Moses why
- do ye not keep it? Why do ye set your hearts upon riches? Why
- do ye commit whoredoms and spend your strength with harlots, yea,
- and cause this people to commit sin, that the Lord has cause to
- send me to prophesy against this people, yea, even a great evil
- against this people?
-
- Mosiah 12:30
- 30 Know ye not that I speak the truth? Yea, ye know that I
- speak the truth; and you ought to tremble before God.
-
- Mosiah 12:31
- 31 And it shall come to pass that ye shall be smitten for your
- iniquities, for ye have said that ye teach the law of Moses. And
- what know ye concerning the law of Moses? Doth salvation come by
- the law of Moses? What say ye?
-
- Mosiah 12:32
- 32 And they answered and said that salvation did come by the law
- of Moses.
-
- Mosiah 12:33
- 33 But now Abinadi said unto them: I know if ye keep the
- commandments of God ye shall be saved; yea, if ye keep the
- commandments which the Lord delivered unto Moses in the mount of
- Sinai, saying:
-
- Mosiah 12:34
- 34 I am the Lord thy God, who hath brought thee out of the land
- of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
-
- Mosiah 12:35
- 35 Thou shalt have no other God before me.
-
- Mosiah 12:36
- 36 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any
- likeness of any thing in heaven above, or things which are in the
- earth beneath.
-
- Mosiah 12:37
- 37 Now Abinadi said unto them, Have ye done all this? I say
- unto you, Nay, ye have not. And have ye taught this people that
- they should do all these things? I say unto you, Nay, ye have
- not.
-
- Mosiah 13
- Chapter 13
-
- Mosiah 13:1
- 1 And now when the king had heard these words, he said unto his
- priests: Away with this fellow, and slay him; for what have we to
- do with him, for he is mad.
-
- Mosiah 13:2
- 2 And they stood forth and attempted to lay their hands on him;
- but he withstood them, and said unto them:
-
- Mosiah 13:3
- 3 Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands
- upon me, for I have not delivered the message which the Lord sent
- me to deliver; neither have I told you that which ye requested
- that I should tell; therefore, God will not suffer that I shall
- be destroyed at this time.
-
- Mosiah 13:4
- 4 But I must fulfil the commandments wherewith God has commanded
- me; and because I have told you the truth ye are angry with me.
- And again, because I have spoken the word of God ye have judged
- me that I am mad.
-
- Mosiah 13:5
- 5 Now it came to pass after Abinadi had spoken these words that
- the people of king Noah durst not lay their hands on him, for the
- Spirit of the Lord was upon him; and his face shone with
- exceeding luster, even as Moses' did while in the mount of Sinai,
- while speaking with the Lord.
-
- Mosiah 13:6
- 6 And he spake with power and authority from God; and he
- continued his words, saying:
-
- Mosiah 13:7
- 7 Ye see that ye have not power to slay me, therefore I finish
- my message. Yea, and I perceive that it cuts you to your hearts
- because I tell you the truth concerning your iniquities.
-
- Mosiah 13:8
- 8 Yea, and my words fill you with wonder and amazement, and with
- anger.
-
- Mosiah 13:9
- 9 But I finish my message; and then it matters not whither I go,
- if it so be that I am saved.
-
- Mosiah 13:10
- 10 But this much I tell you, what you do with me, after this,
- shall be as a type and a shadow of things which are to come.
-
- Mosiah 13:11
- 11 And now I read unto you the remainder of the commandments of
- God, for I perceive that they are not written in your hearts; I
- perceive that ye have studied and taught iniquity the most part
- of your lives.
-
- Mosiah 13:12
- 12 And now, ye remember that I said unto you: Thou shall not
- make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of things which
- are in heaven above, or which are in the earth beneath, or which
- are in the water under the earth.
-
- Mosiah 13:13
- 13 And again: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor
- serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the
- iniquities of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and
- fourth generations of them that hate me;
-
- Mosiah 13:14
- 14 And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and
- keep my commandments.
-
- Mosiah 13:15
- 15 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for
- the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in
- vain.
-
- Mosiah 13:16
- 16 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
-
- Mosiah 13:17
- 17 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work;
-
- Mosiah 13:18
- 18 But the seventh day, the sabbath of the Lord thy God, thou
- shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy
- man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy
- stranger that is within thy gates;
-
- Mosiah 13:19
- 19 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and the sea,
- and all that in them is; wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath
- day, and hallowed it.
-
- Mosiah 13:20
- 20 Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long
- upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
-
- Mosiah 13:21
- 21 Thou shalt not kill.
-
- Mosiah 13:22
- 22 Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal.
-
- Mosiah 13:23
- 23 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
-
- Mosiah 13:24
- 24 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not
- covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his
- maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy
- neighbor's.
-
- Mosiah 13:25
- 25 And it came to pass that after Abinadi had made an end of
- these sayings that he said unto them: Have ye taught this people
- that they should observe to do all these things for to keep these
- commandments?
-
- Mosiah 13:26
- 26 I say unto you, Nay; for if ye had, the Lord would not have
- caused me to come forth and to prophesy evil concerning this
- people.
-
- Mosiah 13:27
- 27 And now ye have said that salvation cometh by the law of
- Moses. I say unto you that it is expedient that ye should keep
- the law of Moses as yet; but I say unto you, that the time shall
- come when it shall no more be expedient to keep the law of Moses.
-
- Mosiah 13:28
- 28 And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by
- the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God
- himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people,
- that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of
- Moses.
-
- Mosiah 13:29
- 29 And now I say unto you that it was expedient that there
- should be a law given to the children of Israel, yea, even a very
- strict law; for they were a stiffnecked people, quick to do
- iniquity, and slow to remember the Lord their God;
-
- Mosiah 13:30
- 30 Therefore there was a law given them, yea, a law of
- performances and of ordinances, a law which they were to observe
- strictly from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of God and
- their duty towards him.
-
- Mosiah 13:31
- 31 But behold, I say unto you, that all these things were types
- of things to come.
-
- Mosiah 13:32
- 32 And now, did they understand the law? I say unto you, Nay,
- they did not all understand the law; and this because of the
- hardness of their hearts; for they understood not that there
- could not any man be saved except it were through the redemption
- of God.
-
- Mosiah 13:33
- 33 For behold, did not Moses prophesy unto them concerning the
- coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people?
- Yea, and even all the prophets who have prophesied ever since the
- world began--have they not spoken more or less concerning these
- things?
-
- Mosiah 13:34
- 34 Have they not said that God himself should come down among
- the children of men, and take upon him the form of man, and go
- forth in mighty power upon the face of the earth?
-
- Mosiah 13:35
- 35 Yea, and have they not said also that he should bring to pass
- the resurrection of the dead, and that he, himself, should be
- oppressed and afflicted?
-
- Mosiah 14
- Chapter 14
-
- Mosiah 14:1
- 1 Yea, even doth not Isaiah say: Who hath believed our report,
- and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
-
- Mosiah 14:2
- 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a
- root out of dry ground; he hath no form nor comeliness; and when
- we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him.
-
- Mosiah 14:3
- 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and
- acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him;
- he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
-
- Mosiah 14:4
- 4 Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet
- we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
-
- Mosiah 14:5
- 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for
- our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and
- with his stripes we are healed.
-
- Mosiah 14:6
- 6 All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one
- to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of
- us all.
-
- Mosiah 14:7
- 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his
- mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep
- before her shearers is dumb so he opened not his mouth.
-
- Mosiah 14:8
- 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment; and who shall
- declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of
- the living; for the transgressions of my people was he stricken.
-
- Mosiah 14:9
- 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in
- his death; because he had done no evil, neither was any deceit in
- his mouth.
-
- Mosiah 14:10
- 10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to
- grief; when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin he shall
- see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the
- Lord shall prosper in his hand.
-
- Mosiah 14:11
- 11 He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied;
- by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he
- shall bear their iniquities.
-
- Mosiah 14:12
- 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he
- shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured
- out his soul unto death; and he was numbered with the
- transgressors; and he bore the sins of many, and made
- intercession for the transgressors.
-
- Mosiah 15
- Chapter 15
-
- Mosiah 15:1
- 1 And now Abinadi said unto them: I would that ye should
- understand that God himself shall come down among the children of
- men, and shall redeem his people.
-
- Mosiah 15:2
- 2 And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of
- God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father,
- being the Father and the Son--
-
- Mosiah 15:3
- 3 The Father, because he was conceived by the power of God; and
- the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and Son--
-
- Mosiah 15:4
- 4 And they are one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of heaven
- and of earth.
-
- Mosiah 15:5
- 5 And thus the flesh becoming subject to the Spirit, or the Son
- to the Father, being one God, suffereth temptation, and yieldeth
- not to the temptation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and
- scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people.
-
- Mosiah 15:6
- 6 And after all this, after working many mighty miracles among
- the children of men, he shall be led, yea, even as Isaiah said,
- as a sheep before the shearer is dumb, so he opened not his
- mouth.
-
- Mosiah 15:7
- 7 Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh
- becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being
- swallowed up in the will of the Father.
-
- Mosiah 15:8
- 8 And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the
- victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for
- the children of men--
-
- Mosiah 15:9
- 9 Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being
- filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing
- betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken
- upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having
- redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice.
-
- Mosiah 15:10
- 10 And now I say unto you, who shall declare his generation?
- Behold, I say unto you, that when his soul has been made an
- offering for sin he shall see his seed. And now what say ye?
- And who shall be his seed?
-
- Mosiah 15:11
- 11 Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of
- the prophets, yea, all the holy prophets who have prophesied
- concerning the coming of the Lord--I say unto you, that all those
- who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord
- would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for
- a remission of their sins, I say unto you, that these are his
- seed, or they are heirs of the kingdom of God.
-
- Mosiah 15:12
- 12 For these are they whose sins he has borne; these are they
- for whom he has died, to redeem them from their transgressions.
- And now, are they not his seed?
-
- Mosiah 15:13
- 13 Yea, and are not the prophets, every one that has opened his
- mouth to prophesy, that has not fallen into transgression, I mean
- all the holy prophets ever since the world began? I say unto you
- that they are his seed.
-
- Mosiah 15:14
- 14 And these are they who have published peace, who have brought
- good tidings of good, who have published salvation; and said unto
- Zion: Thy God reigneth!
-
- Mosiah 15:15
- 15 And O how beautiful upon the mountains were their feet!
-
- Mosiah 15:16
- 16 And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of
- those that are still publishing peace!
-
- Mosiah 15:17
- 17 And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of
- those who shall hereafter publish peace, yea, from this time
- henceforth and forever!
-
- Mosiah 15:18
- 18 And behold, I say unto you, this is not all. For O how
- beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth
- good tidings, that is the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord,
- who has redeemed his people; yea, him who has granted salvation
- unto his people;
-
- Mosiah 15:19
- 19 For were it not for the redemption which he hath made for his
- people, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, I
- say unto you, were it not for this, all mankind must have
- perished.
-
- Mosiah 15:20
- 20 But behold, the bands of death shall be broken, and the Son
- reigneth, and hath power over the dead; therefore, he bringeth to
- pass the resurrection of the dead.
-
- Mosiah 15:21
- 21 And there cometh a resurrection, even a first resurrection;
- yea, even a resurrection of those that have been, and who are,
- and who shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ--for so
- shall he be called.
-
- Mosiah 15:22
- 22 And now, the resurrection of all the prophets, and all those
- that have believed in their words, or all those that have kept
- the commandments of God, shall come forth in the first
- resurrection; therefore, they are the first resurrection.
-
- Mosiah 15:23
- 23 They are raised to dwell with God who has redeemed them; thus
- they have eternal life through Christ, who has broken the bands
- of death.
-
- Mosiah 15:24
- 24 And these are those who have part in the first resurrection;
- and these are they that have died before Christ came, in their
- ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them. And thus the
- Lord bringeth about the restoration of these; and they have a
- part in the first resurrection, or have eternal life, being
- redeemed by the Lord.
-
- Mosiah 15:25
- 25 And little children also have eternal life.
-
- Mosiah 15:26
- 26 But behold, and fear, and tremble before God, for ye ought to
- tremble; for the Lord redeemeth none such that rebel against him
- and die in their sins; yea, even all those that have perished in
- their sins ever since the world began, that have wilfully
- rebelled against God, that have known the commandments of God,
- and would not keep them; these are they that have no part in the
- first resurrection.
-
- Mosiah 15:27
- 27 Therefore ought ye not to tremble? For salvation cometh to
- none such; for the Lord hath redeemed none such; yea, neither can
- the Lord redeem such; for he cannot deny himself; for he cannot
- deny justice when it has its claim.
-
- Mosiah 15:28
- 28 And now I say unto you that the time shall come that the
- salvation of the Lord shall be declared to every nation, kindred,
- tongue, and people.
-
- Mosiah 15:29
- 29 Yea, Lord, thy watchmen shall lift up their voice; with the
- voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye,
- when the Lord shall bring again Zion.
-
- Mosiah 15:30
- 30 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of
- Jerusalem; for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath
- redeemed Jerusalem.
-
- Mosiah 15:31
- 31 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the
- nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of
- our God.
-
- Mosiah 16
- Chapter 16
-
- Mosiah 16:1
- 1 And now, it came to pass that after Abinadi had spoken these
- words he stretched forth his hand and said: The time shall come
- when all shall see the salvation of the Lord; when every nation,
- kindred, tongue, and people shall see eye to eye and shall
- confess before God that his judgments are just.
-
- Mosiah 16:2
- 2 And then shall the wicked be cast out, and they shall have
- cause to howl, and weep, and wail, and gnash their teeth; and
- this because they would not hearken unto the voice of the Lord;
- therefore the Lord redeemeth them not.
-
- Mosiah 16:3
- 3 For they are carnal and devilish, and the devil has power over
- them; yea, even that old serpent that did beguile our first
- parents, which was the cause of their fall; which was the cause
- of all mankind becoming carnal, sensual, devilish, knowing evil
- from good, subjecting themselves to the devil.
-
- Mosiah 16:4
- 4 Thus all mankind were lost; and behold, they would have been
- endlessly lost were it not that God redeemed his people from
- their lost and fallen state.
-
- Mosiah 16:5
- 5 But remember that he that persists in his own carnal nature,
- and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God,
- remaineth in his fallen state and the devil hath all power over
- him. Therefore, he is as though there was no redemption made,
- being an enemy to God; and also is the devil an enemy to God.
-
- Mosiah 16:6
- 6 And now if Christ had not come into the world, speaking of
- things to come as though they had already come, there could have
- been no redemption.
-
- Mosiah 16:7
- 7 And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the
- bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that
- death should have no sting, there could have been no
- resurrection.
-
- Mosiah 16:8
- 8 But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no
- victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.
-
- Mosiah 16:9
- 9 He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that
- is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life
- which is endless, that there can be no more death.
-
- Mosiah 16:10
- 10 Even this mortal shall put on immortality, and this
- corruption shall put on incorruption, and shall be brought to
- stand before the bar of God, to be judged of him according to
- their works whether they be good or whether they be evil--
-
- Mosiah 16:11
- 11 If they be good, to the resurrection of endless life and
- happiness; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of endless
- damnation, being delivered up to the devil, who hath subjected
- them, which is damnation--
-
- Mosiah 16:12
- 12 Having gone according to their own carnal wills and desires;
- having never called upon the Lord while the arms of mercy were
- extended towards them; for the arms of mercy were extended
- towards them, and they would not; they being warned of their
- iniquities and yet they would not depart from them; and they were
- commanded to repent and yet they would not repent.
-
- Mosiah 16:13
- 13 And now, ought ye not to tremble and repent of your sins, and
- remember that only in and through Christ ye can be saved?
-
- Mosiah 16:14
- 14 Therefore, if ye teach the law of Moses, also teach that it
- is a shadow of those things which are to come--
-
- Mosiah 16:15
- 15 Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord,
- who is the very Eternal Father. Amen.
-
- Mosiah 17
- Chapter 17
-
- Mosiah 17:1
- 1 And now it came to pass that when Abinadi had finished these
- sayings, that the king commanded that the priests should take him
- and cause that he should be put to death.
-
- Mosiah 17:2
- 2 But there was one among them whose name was Alma, he also
- being a descendant of Nephi. And he was a young man, and he
- believed the words which Abinadi had spoken, for he knew
- concerning the iniquity which Abinadi has testified against them;
- therefore he began to plead with the king that he would not be
- angry with Abinadi, but suffer that he might depart in peace.
-
- Mosiah 17:3
- 3 But the king was more wroth, and caused that Alma should be
- cast out from among them, and sent his servants after him that
- they might slay him.
-
- Mosiah 17:4
- 4 But he fled from before them and hid himself that they found
- him not. And he being concealed for many days did write all the
- words which Abinadi had spoken.
-
- Mosiah 17:5
- 5 And it came to pass that the king caused that his guards
- should surround Abinadi and take him; and they bound him and cast
- him into prison.
-
- Mosiah 17:6
- 6 And after three days, having counseled with his priests, he
- caused that he should again be brought before him.
-
- Mosiah 17:7
- 7 And he said unto him: Abinadi, we have found an accusation
- against thee, and thou art worthy of death.
-
- Mosiah 17:8
- 8 For thou hast said that God himself should come down among the
- children of men; and now, for this cause thou shalt be put to
- death unless thou wilt recall all the words which thou hast
- spoken evil concerning me and my people.
-
- Mosiah 17:9
- 9 Now Abinadi said unto him: I say unto you, I will not recall
- the words which I have spoken unto you concerning this people,
- for they are true; and that ye may know of their surety I have
- suffered myself that I have fallen into your hands.
-
- Mosiah 17:10
- 10 Yea, and I will suffer even until death, and I will not
- recall my words, and they shall stand as a testimony against you.
-
- And if ye slay me ye will shed innocent blood, and this shall
- also stand as a testimony against you at the last day.
-
- Mosiah 17:11
- 11 And now king Noah was about to release him, for he feared his
- word; for he feared that the judgments of God would come upon
- him.
-
- Mosiah 17:12
- 12 But the priests lifted up their voices against him, and began
- to accuse him, saying: He has reviled the king. Therefore the
- king was stirred up in anger against him, and he delivered him up
- that he might be slain.
-
- Mosiah 17:13
- 13 And it came to pass that they took him and bound him, and
- scourged his skin with faggots, yea, even unto death.
-
- Mosiah 17:14
- 14 And now when the flames began to scorch him, he cried unto
- them, saying:
-
- Mosiah 17:15
- 15 Behold, even as ye have done unto me, so shall it come to
- pass that thy seed shall cause that many shall suffer the pains
- that I do suffer, even the pains of death by fire; and this
- because they believe in the salvation of the Lord their God.
-
- Mosiah 17:16
- 16 And it will come to pass that ye shall be afflicted with all
- manner of diseases because of your iniquities.
-
- Mosiah 17:17
- 17 Yea, and ye shall be smitten on every hand, and shall be
- driven and scattered to and fro, even as a wild flock is driven
- by wild and ferocious beasts.
-
- Mosiah 17:18
- 18 And in that day ye shall be hunted, and ye shall be taken by
- the hand of your enemies, and then ye shall suffer, as I suffer,
- the pains of death by fire.
-
- Mosiah 17:19
- 19 Thus God executeth vengeance upon those that destroy his
- people. O God, receive my soul.
-
- Mosiah 17:20
- 20 And now, when Abinadi had said these words, he fell, having
- suffered death by fire; yea, having been put to death because he
- would not deny the commandments of God, having sealed the truth
- of his words by his death.
-
- Mosiah 18
- Chapter 18
-
- Mosiah 18:1
- 1 And now, it came to pass that Alma, who had fled from the
- servants of king Noah, repented of his sins and iniquities, and
- went about privately among the people, and began to teach the
- words of Abinadi--
-
- Mosiah 18:2
- 2 Yea, concerning that which was to come, and also concerning
- the resurrection of the dead, and the redemption of the people,
- which was to be brought to pass through the power, and
- sufferings, and death of Christ, and his resurrection and
- ascension into heaven.
-
- Mosiah 18:3
- 3 And as many as would hear his word he did teach. And he
- taught them privately, that it might not come to the knowledge of
- the king. And many did believe his words.
-
- Mosiah 18:4
- 4 And it came to pass that as many as did believe him did go
- forth to a place which was called Mormon, having received its
- name from the king, being in the borders of the land having been
- infested, by times or at seasons, by wild beasts.
-
- Mosiah 18:5
- 5 Now, there was in Mormon a fountain of pure water, and Alma
- resorted thither, there being near the water a thicket of small
- trees, where he did hide himself in the daytime from the searches
- of the king.
-
- Mosiah 18:6
- 6 And it came to pass that as many as believed him went thither
- to hear his words.
-
- Mosiah 18:7
- 7 And it came to pass after many days there were a goodly number
- gathered together at the place of Mormon, to hear the words of
- Alma. Yea, all were gathered together that believed on his word,
- to hear him. And he did teach them, and did preach unto them
- repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord.
-
- Mosiah 18:8
- 8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are
- the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye
- are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his
- people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they
- may be light;
-
- Mosiah 18:9
- 9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and
- comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as
- witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all
- places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be
- redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first
- resurrection, that ye may have eternal life--
-
- Mosiah 18:10
- 10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts,
- what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as
- a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with
- him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he
- may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
-
- Mosiah 18:11
- 11 And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped
- their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our
- hearts.
-
- Mosiah 18:12
- 12 And now it came to pass that Alma took Helam, he being one of
- the first, and went and stood forth in the water, and cried,
- saying: O Lord, pour out thy Spirit upon thy servant, that he may
- do this work with holiness of heart.
-
- Mosiah 18:13
- 13 And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was
- upon him, and he said: Helam, I baptize thee, having authority
- from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into a
- covenant to serve him until you are dead as to the mortal body;
- and may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you; and may he
- grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ,
- whom he has prepared from the foundation of the world.
-
- Mosiah 18:14
- 14 And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helam were
- buried in the water; and they arose and came forth out of the
- water rejoicing, being filled with the Spirit.
-
- Mosiah 18:15
- 15 And again, Alma took another, and went forth a second time
- into the water, and baptized him according to the first, only he
- did not bury himself again in the water.
-
- Mosiah 18:16
- 16 And after this manner he did baptize every one that went
- forth to the place of Mormon; and they were in number about two
- hundred and four souls; yea, and they were baptized in the waters
- of Mormon, and were filled with the grace of God.
-
- Mosiah 18:17
- 17 And they were called the church of God, or the church of
- Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that
- whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was
- added to his church.
-
- Mosiah 18:18
- 18 And it came to pass that Alma, having authority from God,
- ordained priests; even one priest to every fifty of their number
- did he ordain to preach unto them, and to teach them concerning
- the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
-
- Mosiah 18:19
- 19 And he commanded them that they should teach nothing save it
- were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by
- the mouth of the holy prophets.
-
- Mosiah 18:20
- 20 Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing
- save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed
- his people.
-
- Mosiah 18:21
- 21 And he commanded them that there should be no contention one
- with another, but that they should look forward with one eye,
- having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit
- together in unity and in love one towards another.
-
- Mosiah 18:22
- 22 And thus he commanded them to preach. And thus they became
- the children of God.
-
- Mosiah 18:23
- 23 And he commanded them that they should observe the sabbath
- day, and keep it holy, and also every day they should give thanks
- to the Lord their God.
-
- Mosiah 18:24
- 24 And he also commanded them that the priests whom he had
- ordained should labor with their own hands for their support.
-
- Mosiah 18:25
- 25 And there was one day in every week that was set apart that
- they should gather themselves together to teach the people, and
- to worship the Lord their God, and also, as often as it was in
- their power, to assemble themselves together.
-
- Mosiah 18:26
- 26 And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their
- support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of
- God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the
- knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority
- from God.
-
- Mosiah 18:27
- 27 And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should
- impart of their substance, every one according to that which he
- had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly;
- and of him that had but little, but little should be required;
- and to him that had not should be given.
-
- Mosiah 18:28
- 28 And thus they should impart of their substance of their own
- free will and good desires towards God, and to those priests that
- stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul.
-
- Mosiah 18:29
- 29 And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and
- they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both
- temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their
- wants.
-
- Mosiah 18:30
- 30 And now it came to pass that all this was done in Mormon,
- yea, by the waters of Mormon, in the forest that was near the
- waters of Mormon; yea, the place of Mormon, the waters of Mormon,
- the forest of Mormon, how beautiful are they to the eyes of them
- who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer; yea, and how
- blessed are they, for they shall sing to his praise forever.
-
- Mosiah 18:31
- 31 And these things were done in the borders of the land, that
- they might not come to the knowledge of the king.
-
- Mosiah 18:32
- 32 But behold, it came to pass that the king, having discovered
- a movement among the people, sent his servants to watch them.
- Therefore on the day that they were assembling themselves
- together to hear the word of the Lord they were discovered unto
- the king.
-
- Mosiah 18:33
- 33 And now the king said that Alma was stirring up the people to
- rebellion against him; therefore he sent his army to destroy
- them.
-
- Mosiah 18:34
- 34 And it came to pass that Alma and the people of the Lord were
- apprised of the coming of the king's army; therefore they took
- their tents and their families and departed into the wilderness.
-
- Mosiah 18:35
- 35 And they were in number about four hundred and fifty souls.
-
- Mosiah 19
- Chapter 19
-
- Mosiah 19:1
- 1 And it came to pass that the army of the king returned, having
- searched in vain for the people of the Lord.
-
- Mosiah 19:2
- 2 And now behold, the forces of the king were small, having been
- reduced, and there began to be a division among the remainder of
- the people.
-
- Mosiah 19:3
- 3 And the lesser part began to breathe out threatenings against
- the king, and there began to be a great contention among them.
-
- Mosiah 19:4
- 4 And now there was a man among them whose name was Gideon, and
- he being a strong man and an enemy to the king, therefore he drew
- his sword, and swore in his wrath that he would slay the king.
-
- Mosiah 19:5
- 5 And it came to pass that he fought with the king; and when the
- king saw that he was about to overpower him, he fled and ran and
- got upon the tower which was near the temple.
-
- Mosiah 19:6
- 6 And Gideon pursued after him and was about to get upon the
- tower to slay the king, and the king cast his eyes round about
- towards the land of Shemlon, and behold, the army of the
- Lamanites were within the borders of the land.
-
- Mosiah 19:7
- 7 And now the king cried out in the anguish of his soul, saying:
- Gideon, spare me, for the Lamanites are upon us, and they will
- destroy us; yea, they will destroy my people.
-
- Mosiah 19:8
- 8 And now the king was not so much concerned about his people as
- he was about his own life; nevertheless, Gideon did spare his
- life.
-
- Mosiah 19:9
- 9 And the king commanded the people that they should flee before
- the Lamanites, and he himself did go before them, and they did
- flee into the wilderness, with their women and their children.
-
- Mosiah 19:10
- 10 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did pursue them, and
- did overtake them, and began to slay them.
-
- Mosiah 19:11
- 11 Now it came to pass that the king commanded them that all the
- men should leave their wives and their children, and flee before
- the Lamanites.
-
- Mosiah 19:12
- 12 Now there were many that would not leave them, but had rather
- stay and perish with them. And the rest left their wives and
- their children and fled.
-
- Mosiah 19:13
- 13 And it came to pass that those who tarried with their wives
- and their children caused that their fair daughters should stand
- forth and plead with the Lamanites that they would not slay them.
-
- Mosiah 19:14
- 14 And it came to pass that the Lamanites had compassion on
- them, for they were charmed with the beauty of their women.
-
- Mosiah 19:15
- 15 Therefore the Lamanites did spare their lives, and took them
- captives and carried them back to the land of Nephi, and granted
- unto them that they might possess the land, under the conditions
- that they would deliver up king Noah into the hands of the
- Lamanites, and deliver up their property, even one half of all
- they possessed, one half of their gold, and their silver, and all
- their precious things, and thus they should pay tribute to the
- king of the Lamanites from year to year.
-
- Mosiah 19:16
- 16 And now there was one of the sons of the king among those
- that were taken captive, whose name was Limhi.
-
- Mosiah 19:17
- 17 And now Limhi was desirous that his father should not be
- destroyed; nevertheless, Limhi was not ignorant of the iniquities
- of his father, he himself being a just man.
-
- Mosiah 19:18
- 18 And it came to pass that Gideon sent men into the wilderness
- secretly, to search for the king and those that were with him.
- And it came to pass that they met the people in the wilderness,
- all save the king and his priests.
-
- Mosiah 19:19
- 19 Now they had sworn in their hearts that they would return to
- the land of Nephi, and if their wives and their children were
- slain, and also those that had tarried with them, that they would
- seek revenge, and also perish with them.
-
- Mosiah 19:20
- 20 And the king commanded them that they should not return; and
- they were angry with the king, and caused that he should suffer,
- even unto death by fire.
-
- Mosiah 19:21
- 21 And they were about to take the priests also and put them to
- death, and they fled before them.
-
- Mosiah 19:22
- 22 And it came to pass that they were about to return to the
- land of Nephi, and they met the men of Gideon. And the men of
- Gideon told them of all that had happened to their wives and
- their children; and that the Lamanites had granted unto them that
- they might possess the land by paying a tribute to the Lamanites
- of one half of all they possessed.
-
- Mosiah 19:23
- 23 And the people told the men of Gideon that they had slain the
- king, and his priests had fled from them farther into the
- wilderness.
-
- Mosiah 19:24
- 24 And it came to pass that after they had ended the ceremony,
- that they returned to the land of Nephi, rejoicing, because their
- wives and their children were not slain; and they told Gideon
- what they had done to the king.
-
- Mosiah 19:25
- 25 And it came to pass that the king of the Lamanites made an
- oath unto them, that his people should not slay them.
-
- Mosiah 19:26
- 26 And also Limhi, being the son of the king, having the kingdom
- conferred upon him by the people, made oath unto the king of the
- Lamanites that his people should pay tribute unto him, even one
- half of all they possessed.
-
- Mosiah 19:27
- 27 And it came to pass that Limhi began to establish the kingdom
- and to establish peace among his people.
-
- Mosiah 19:28
- 28 And the king of the Lamanites set guards round about the
- land, that he might keep the people of Limhi in the land, that
- they might not depart into the wilderness; and he did support his
- guards out of the tribute which he did receive from the Nephites.
-
- Mosiah 19:29
- 29 And now king Limhi did have continual peace in his kingdom
- for the space of two years, that the Lamanites did not molest
- them nor seek to destroy them.
-
- Mosiah 20
- Chapter 20
-
- Mosiah 20:1
- 1 Now there was a place in Shemlon where the daughters of the
- Lamanites did gather themselves together to sing, and to dance,
- and to make themselves merry.
-
- Mosiah 20:2
- 2 And it came to pass that there was one day a small number of
- them gathered together to sing and to dance.
-
- Mosiah 20:3
- 3 And now the priests of king Noah, being ashamed to return to
- the city of Nephi, yea, and also fearing that the people would
- slay them, therefore they durst not return to their wives and
- their children.
-
- Mosiah 20:4
- 4 And having tarried in the wilderness, and having discovered
- the daughters of the Lamanites, they laid and watched them;
-
- Mosiah 20:5
- 5 And when there were but few of them gathered together to
- dance, they came forth out of their secret places and took them
- and carried them into the wilderness; yea, twenty and four of the
- daughters of the Lamanites they carried into the wilderness.
-
- Mosiah 20:6
- 6 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites found that their
- daughters had been missing, they were angry with the people of
- Limhi, for they thought it was the people of Limhi.
-
- Mosiah 20:7
- 7 Therefore they sent their armies forth; yea, even the king
- himself went before his people; and they went up to the land of
- Nephi to destroy the people of Limhi.
-
- Mosiah 20:8
- 8 And now Limhi had discovered them from the tower, even all
- their preparations for war did he discover; therefore he gathered
- his people together, and laid wait for them in the fields and in
- the forests.
-
- Mosiah 20:9
- 9 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites had come up, that
- the people of Limhi began to fall upon them from their waiting
- places, and began to slay them.
-
- Mosiah 20:10
- 10 And it came to pass that the battle became exceedingly sore,
- for they fought like lions for their prey.
-
- Mosiah 20:11
- 11 And it came to pass that the people of Limhi began to drive
- the Lamanites before them; yet they were not half so numerous as
- the Lamanites. But they fought for their lives, and for their
- wives, and for their children; therefore they exerted themselves
- and like dragons did they fight.
-
- Mosiah 20:12
- 12 And it came to pass that they found the king of the Lamanites
- among the number of their dead; yet he was not dead, having been
- wounded and left upon the ground, so speedy was the flight of his
- people.
-
- Mosiah 20:13
- 13 And they took him and bound up his wounds, and brought him
- before Limhi, and said: Behold, here is the king of the
- Lamanites; he having received a wound has fallen among their
- dead, and they have left him; and behold, we have brought him
- before you; and now let us slay him
-
- Mosiah 20:14
- 14 But Limhi said unto them: Ye shall not slay him, but bring
- him hither that I may see him. And they brought him. And Limhi
- said unto him: What cause have ye to come up to war against my
- people? Behold, my people have not broken the oath that I made
- unto you; therefore, why should ye break the oath which ye made
- unto my people?
-
- Mosiah 20:15
- 15 And now the king said: I have broken the oath because thy
- people did carry away the daughters of my people; therefore, in
- my anger I did cause my people to come up to war against thy
- people.
-
- Mosiah 20:16
- 16 And now Limhi had heard nothing concerning this matter;
- therefore he said: I will search among my people and whosoever
- has done this thing shall perish. Therefore he caused a search
- to be made among his people.
-
- Mosiah 20:17
- 17 Now when Gideon had heard these things, he being the king's
- captain, he went forth and said unto the king: I pray thee
- forbear, and do not search this people, and lay not this thing to
- their charge.
-
- Mosiah 20:18
- 18 For do ye not remember the priests of thy father, whom this
- people sought to destroy? And are they not in the wilderness?
- And are not they the ones who have stolen the daughters of the
- Lamanites?
-
- Mosiah 20:19
- 19 And now, behold, and tell the king of these things, that he
- may tell his people that they may be pacified towards us; for
- behold they are already preparing to come against us; and behold
- also there are but few of us.
-
- Mosiah 20:20
- 20 And behold, they come with their numerous hosts; and except
- the king doth pacify them towards us we must perish.
-
- Mosiah 20:21
- 21 For are not the words of Abinadi fulfilled, which he
- prophesied against us--and all this because we would not hearken
- unto the words of the Lord, and turn from our iniquities?
-
- Mosiah 20:22
- 22 And now let us pacify the king, and we fulfil the oath which
- we have made unto him; for it is better that we should be in
- bondage than that we should lose our lives; therefore, let us put
- a stop to the shedding of so much blood.
-
- Mosiah 20:23
- 23 And now Limhi told the king all the things concerning his
- father, and the priests that had fled into the wilderness, and
- attributed the carrying away of their daughters to them.
-
- Mosiah 20:24
- 24 And it came to pass that the king was pacified towards his
- people; and he said unto them: Let us go forth to meet my people,
- without arms; and I swear unto you with an oath that my people
- shall not slay thy people.
-
- Mosiah 20:25
- 25 And it came to pass that they followed the king, and went
- forth without arms to meet the Lamanites. And it came to pass
- that they did meet the Lamanites; and the king of the Lamanites
- did bow himself down before them, and did plead in behalf of the
- people of Limhi.
-
- Mosiah 20:26
- 26 And when the Lamanites saw the people of Limhi, that they
- were without arms, they had compassion on them and were pacified
- towards them, and returned with their king in peace to their own
- land.
-
- Mosiah 21
- Chapter 21
-
- Mosiah 21:1
- 1 And it came to pass that Limhi and his people returned to the
- city of Nephi, and began to dwell in the land again in peace.
-
- Mosiah 21:2
- 2 And it came to pass that after many days the Lamanites began
- again to be stirred up in anger against the Nephites, and they
- began to come into the borders of the land round about.
-
- Mosiah 21:3
- 3 Now they durst not slay them, because of the oath which their
- king had made unto Limhi; but they would smite them on their
- cheeks, and exercise authority over them; and began to put heavy
- burdens upon their backs, and drive them as they would a dumb
- ass--
-
- Mosiah 21:4
- 4 Yea, all this was done that the word of the Lord might be
- fulfilled.
-
- Mosiah 21:5
- 5 And now the afflictions of the Nephites were great, and there
- was no way that they could deliver themselves out of their hands,
- for the Lamanites had surrounded them on every side.
-
- Mosiah 21:6
- 6 And it came to pass that the people began to murmur with the
- king because of their afflictions; and they began to be desirous
- to go against them to battle. And they did afflict the king
- sorely with their complaints; therefore he granted unto them that
- they should do according to their desires.
-
- Mosiah 21:7
- 7 And they gathered themselves together again, and put on their
- armor, and went forth against the Lamanites to drive them out of
- their land.
-
- Mosiah 21:8
- 8 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did beat them, and
- drove them back, and slew many of them.
-
- Mosiah 21:9
- 9 And now there was a great mourning and lamentation among the
- people of Limhi, the widow mourning for her husband, the son and
- the daughter mourning for their father, and the brothers for
- their brethren.
-
- Mosiah 21:10
- 10 Now there were a great many widows in the land, and they did
- cry mightily from day to day, for a great fear of the Lamanites
- had come upon them.
-
- Mosiah 21:11
- 11 And it came to pass that their continual cries did stir up
- the remainder of the people of Limhi to anger against the
- Lamanites; and they went again to battle, but they were driven
- back again, suffering much loss.
-
- Mosiah 21:12
- 12 Yea, they went again even the third time, and suffered in the
- like manner; and those that were not slain returned again to the
- city of Nephi.
-
- Mosiah 21:13
- 13 And they did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting
- themselves to the yoke of bondage, submitting themselves to be
- smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to
- the desires of their enemies.
-
- Mosiah 21:14
- 14 And they did humble themselves even in the depths of
- humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day
- long did they cry unto their God that he would deliver them out
- of their afflictions.
-
- Mosiah 21:15
- 15 And now the Lord was slow to hear their cry because of their
- iniquities; nevertheless the Lord did hear their cries, and began
- to soften the hearts of the Lamanites that they began to ease
- their burdens; yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver them out
- of bondage.
-
- Mosiah 21:16
- 16 And it came to pass that they began to prosper by degrees in
- the land, and began to raise grain more abundantly, and flocks,
- and herds, that they did not suffer with hunger.
-
- Mosiah 21:17
- 17 Now there was a great number of women, more than there was of
- men; therefore king Limhi commanded that every man should impart
- to the support of the widows and their children, that they might
- not perish with hunger; and this they did because of the
- greatness of their number that had been slain.
-
- Mosiah 21:18
- 18 Now the people of Limhi kept together in a body as much as it
- was possible, and secured their grain and their flocks;
-
- Mosiah 21:19
- 19 And the king himself did not trust his person without the
- walls of the city, unless he took his guards with him, fearing
- that he might by some means fall into the hands of the Lamanites.
-
- Mosiah 21:20
- 20 And he caused that his people should watch the land round
- about, that by some means they might take those priests that fled
- into the wilderness, who had stolen the daughters of the
- Lamanites, and that had caused such a great destruction to come
- upon them.
-
- Mosiah 21:21
- 21 For they were desirous to take them that they might punish
- them; for they had come into the land of Nephi by night, and
- carried off their grain and many of their precious things;
- therefore they laid wait for them.
-
- Mosiah 21:22
- 22 And it came to pass that there was no more disturbance
- between the Lamanites and the people of Limhi, even until the
- time that Ammon and his brethren came into the land.
-
- Mosiah 21:23
- 23 And the king having been without the gates of the city with
- his guard, discovered Ammon and his brethren; and supposing them
- to be priests of Noah therefore he caused that they should be
- taken, and bound, and cast into prison. And had they been the
- priests of Noah he would have caused that they should be put to
- death.
-
- Mosiah 21:24
- 24 But when he found that they were not, but that they were his
- brethren, and had come from the land of Zarahemla, he was filled
- with exceedingly great joy.
-
- Mosiah 21:25
- 25 Now king Limhi had sent, previous to the coming of Ammon, a
- small number of men to search for the land of Zarahemla; but they
- could not find it, and they were lost in the wilderness.
-
- Mosiah 21:26
- 26 Nevertheless, they did find a land which had been peopled;
- yea, a land which was covered with dry bones; yea, a land which
- had been peopled and which had been destroyed; and they, having
- supposed it to be the land of Zarahemla, returned to the land of
- Nephi, having arrived in the borders of the land not many days
- before the coming of Ammon.
-
- Mosiah 21:27
- 27 And they brought a record with them, even a record of the
- people whose bones they had found; and it was engraven on plates
- of ore.
-
- Mosiah 21:28
- 28 And now Limhi was again filled with joy in learning from the
- mouth of Ammon that king Mosiah had a gift from God, whereby he
- could interpret such engravings; yea, and Ammon also did rejoice.
-
- Mosiah 21:29
- 29 Yet Ammon and his brethren were filled with sorrow because so
- many of their brethren had been slain;
-
- Mosiah 21:30
- 30 And also that king Noah and his priests had caused the people
- to commit so many sins and iniquities against God; and they also
- did mourn for the death of Abinadi; and also for the departure of
- Alma and the people that went with him, who had formed a church
- of God through the strength and power of God, and faith on the
- words which had been spoken by Abinadi.
-
- Mosiah 21:31
- 31 Yea, they did mourn for their departure, for they knew not
- whither they had fled. Now they would have gladly joined with
- them, for they themselves had entered into a covenant with God to
- serve him and keep his commandments.
-
- Mosiah 21:32
- 32 And now since the coming of Ammon, king Limhi had also
- entered into a covenant with God, and also many of his people, to
- serve him and keep his commandments.
-
- Mosiah 21:33
- 33 And it came to pass that king Limhi and many of his people
- were desirous to be baptized; but there was none in the land that
- had authority from God. And Ammon declined doing this thing,
- considering himself an unworthy servant.
-
- Mosiah 21:34
- 34 Therefore they did not at that time form themselves into a
- church, waiting upon the Spirit of the Lord. Now they were
- desirous to become even as Alma and his brethren, who had fled
- into the wilderness.
-
- Mosiah 21:35
- 35 They were desirous to be baptized as a witness and a
- testimony that they were willing to serve God with all their
- hearts; nevertheless they did prolong the time; and an account of
- their baptism shall be given hereafter.
-
- Mosiah 21:36
- 36 And now all the study of Ammon and his people, and king Limhi
- and his people, was to deliver themselves out of the hands of the
- Lamanites and from bondage.
-
- Mosiah 22
- Chapter 22
-
- Mosiah 22:1
- 1 And now it came to pass that Ammon and king Limhi began to
- consult with the people how they should deliver themselves out of
- bondage; and even they did cause that all the people should
- gather themselves together; and this they did that they might
- have the voice of the people concerning the matter.
-
- Mosiah 22:2
- 2 And it came to pass that they could find no way to deliver
- themselves out of bondage, except it were to take their women and
- children, and their flocks, and their herds, and their tents, and
- depart into the wilderness; for the Lamanites being so numerous,
- it was impossible for the people of Limhi to contend with them,
- thinking to deliver themselves out of bondage by the sword.
-
- Mosiah 22:3
- 3 Now it came to pass that Gideon went forth and stood before
- the king, and said unto him: Now O king, thou hast hitherto
- hearkened unto my words many times when we have been contending
- with our brethren, the Lamanites.
-
- Mosiah 22:4
- 4 And now O king, if thou hast not found me to be an
- unprofitable servant, or if thou hast hitherto listened to my
- words in any degree, and they have been of service to thee, even
- so I desire that thou wouldst listen to my words at this time,
- and I will be thy servant and deliver this people out of bondage.
-
- Mosiah 22:5
- 5 And the king granted unto him that he might speak. And Gideon
- said unto him:
-
- Mosiah 22:6
- 6 Behold the back pass, through the back wall, on the back side
- of the city. The Lamanites, or the guards of the Lamanites, by
- night are drunken; therefore let us send a proclamation among all
- this people that they gather together their flocks and herds,
- that they may drive them into the wilderness by night.
-
- Mosiah 22:7
- 7 And I will go according to thy command and pay the last
- tribute of wine to the Lamanites, and they will be drunken; and
- we will pass through the secret pass on the left of their camp
- when they are drunken and asleep.
-
- Mosiah 22:8
- 8 Thus we will depart with our women and our children, our
- flocks, and our herds into the wilderness; and we will travel
- around the land of Shilom.
-
- Mosiah 22:9
- 9 And it came to pass that the king hearkened unto the words of
- Gideon.
-
- Mosiah 22:10
- 10 And king Limhi caused that his people should gather their
- flocks together; and he sent the tribute of wine to the
- Lamanites; and he also sent more wine, as a present unto them;
- and they did drink freely of the wine which king Limhi did send
- unto them.
-
- Mosiah 22:11
- 11 And it came to pass that the people of king Limhi did depart
- by night into the wilderness with their flocks and their herds,
- and they went round about the land of Shilom in the wilderness,
- and bent their course towards the land of Zarahemla, being led by
- Ammon and his brethren.
-
- Mosiah 22:12
- 12 And they had taken all their gold, and silver, and their
- precious things, which they could carry, and also their
- provisions with them, into the wilderness; and they pursued their
- journey.
-
- Mosiah 22:13
- 13 And after being many days in the wilderness they arrived in
- the land of Zarahemla, and joined Mosiah's people, and became his
- subjects.
-
- Mosiah 22:14
- 14 And it came to pass that Mosiah received them with joy; and
- he also received their records, and also the records which had
- been found by the people of Limhi.
-
- Mosiah 22:15
- 15 And now it came to pass when the Lamanites had found that the
- people of Limhi had departed out of the land by night, that they
- sent an army into the wilderness to pursue them;
-
- Mosiah 22:16
- 16 And after they had pursued them two days, they could no
- longer follow their tracks; therefore they were lost in the
- wilderness.
-
- Mosiah 23
- Chapter 23
-
- Mosiah 23:1
- 1 Now Alma, having been warned of the Lord that the armies of
- king Noah would come upon them, and having made it known to his
- people, therefore they gathered together their flocks, and took
- of their grain, and departed into the wilderness before the
- armies of king Noah.
-
- Mosiah 23:2
- 2 And the Lord did strengthen them, that the people of king Noah
- could not overtake them to destroy them.
-
- Mosiah 23:3
- 3 And they fled eight days' journey into the wilderness.
-
- Mosiah 23:4
- 4 And they came to a land, yea, even a very beautiful and
- pleasant land, a land of pure water.
-
- Mosiah 23:5
- 5 And they pitched their tents, and began to till the ground,
- and began to build buildings; yea, they were industrious, and did
- labor exceedingly.
-
- Mosiah 23:6
- 6 And the people were desirous that Alma should be their king,
- for he was beloved by his people.
-
- Mosiah 23:7
- 7 But he said unto them: Behold, it is not expedient that we
- should have a king; for thus saith the Lord: Ye shall not esteem
- one flesh above another, or one man shall not think himself above
- another; therefore I say unto you it is not expedient that ye
- should have a king.
-
- Mosiah 23:8
- 8 Nevertheless, if it were possible that ye could always have
- just men to be your kings it would be well for you to have a
- king.
-
- Mosiah 23:9
- 9 But remember the iniquity of king Noah and his priests; and I
- myself was caught in a snare, and did many things which were
- abominable in the sight of the Lord, which caused me sore
- repentance;
-
- Mosiah 23:10
- 10 Nevertheless, after much tribulation, the Lord did hear my
- cries, and did answer my prayers, and has made me an instrument
- in his hands in bringing so many of you to a knowledge of his
- truth.
-
- Mosiah 23:11
- 11 Nevertheless, in this I do not glory, for I am unworthy to
- glory of myself.
-
- Mosiah 23:12
- 12 And now I say unto you, ye have been oppressed by king Noah,
- and have been in bondage to him and his priests, and have been
- brought into iniquity by them; therefore ye were bound with the
- bands of iniquity.
-
- Mosiah 23:13
- 13 And now as ye have been delivered by the power of God out of
- these bonds; yea, even out of the hands of king Noah and his
- people, and also from the bonds of iniquity, even so I desire
- that ye should stand fast in this liberty wherewith ye have been
- made free, and that ye trust no man to be a king over you.
-
- Mosiah 23:14
- 14 And also trust no one to be your teacher nor your minister,
- except he be a man of God, walking in his ways and keeping his
- commandments.
-
- Mosiah 23:15
- 15 Thus did Alma teach his people, that every man should love
- his neighbor as himself, that there should be no contention among
- them.
-
- Mosiah 23:16
- 16 And now, Alma was their high priest, he being the founder of
- their church.
-
- Mosiah 23:17
- 17 And it came to pass that none received authority to preach or
- to teach except it were by him from God. Therefore he
- consecrated all their priests and all their teachers; and none
- were consecrated except they were just men.
-
- Mosiah 23:18
- 18 Therefore they did watch over their people, and did nourish
- them with things pertaining to righteousness.
-
- Mosiah 23:19
- 19 And it came to pass that they began to prosper exceedingly in
- the land; and they called the land Helam.
-
- Mosiah 23:20
- 20 And it came to pass that they did multiply and prosper
- exceedingly in the land of Helam; and they built a city, which
- they called the city of Helam.
-
- Mosiah 23:21
- 21 Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea,
- he trieth their patience and their faith.
-
- Mosiah 23:22
- 22 Nevertheless--whosoever putteth his trust in him the same
- shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with
- this people.
-
- Mosiah 23:23
- 23 For behold, I will show unto you that they were brought into
- bondage, and none could deliver them but the Lord their God, yea,
- even the God of Abraham and Isaac and of Jacob.
-
- Mosiah 23:24
- 24 And it came to pass that he did deliver them, and he did show
- forth his mighty power unto them, and great were their
- rejoicings.
-
- Mosiah 23:25
- 25 For behold, it came to pass that while they were in the land
- of Helam, yea, in the city of Helam, while tilling the land round
- about, behold an army of the Lamanites was in the borders of the
- land.
-
- Mosiah 23:26
- 26 Now it came to pass that the brethren of Alma fled from their
- fields, and gathered themselves together in the city of Helam;
- and they were much frightened because of the appearance of the
- Lamanites.
-
- Mosiah 23:27
- 27 But Alma went forth and stood among them, and exhorted them
- that they should not be frightened, but that they should remember
- the Lord their God and he would deliver them.
-
- Mosiah 23:28
- 28 Therefore they hushed their fears, and began to cry unto the
- Lord that he would soften the hearts of the Lamanites, that they
- would spare them, and their wives, and their children.
-
- Mosiah 23:29
- 29 And it came to pass the the Lord did soften the hearts of the
- Lamanites. And Alma and his brethren went forth and delivered
- themselves up into their hands; and the Lamanites took possession
- of the land of Helam.
-
- Mosiah 23:30
- 30 Now the armies of the Lamanites, which had followed after the
- people of king Limhi, had been lost in the wilderness for many
- days.
-
- Mosiah 23:31
- 31 And behold, they had found those priests of king Noah, in a
- place which they called Amulon; and they had begun to possess the
- land of Amulon and had begun to till the ground.
-
- Mosiah 23:32
- 32 Now the name of the leader of those priests was Amulon.
-
- Mosiah 23:33
- 33 And it came to pass that Amulon did plead with the Lamanites;
- and he also sent forth their wives, who were the daughters of the
- Lamanites, to plead with their brethren, that they should not
- destroy their husbands.
-
- Mosiah 23:34
- 34 And the Lamanites had compassion on Amulon and his brethren,
- and did not destroy them, because of their wives.
-
- Mosiah 23:35
- 35 And Amulon and his brethren did join the Lamanites, and they
- were traveling in the wilderness in search of the land of Nephi
- when they discovered the land of Helam, which was possessed by
- Alma and his brethren.
-
- Mosiah 23:36
- 36 And it came to pass that the Lamanites promised unto Alma and
- his brethren, that if they would show them the way which led to
- the land of Nephi that they would grant unto them their lives and
- their liberty.
-
- Mosiah 23:37
- 37 But after Alma had shown them the way that led to the land of
- Nephi the Lamanites would not keep their promise; but they set
- guards round about the land of Helam, over Alma and his brethren.
-
- Mosiah 23:38
- 38 And the remainder of them went to the land of Nephi; and a
- part of them returned to the land of Helam, and also brought with
- them the wives and the children of the guards who had been left
- in the land.
-
- Mosiah 23:39
- 39 And the king of the Lamanites had granted unto Amulon that he
- should be a king and a ruler over his people, who were in the
- land of Helam; nevertheless he should have no power to do
- anything contrary to the will of the king of the Lamanites.
-
- Mosiah 24
- Chapter 24
-
- Mosiah 24:1
- 1 And it came to pass that Amulon did gain favor in the eyes of
- the king of the Lamanites; therefore, the king of the Lamanites
- granted unto him and his brethren that they should be appointed
- teachers over his people, yea, even over the people who were in
- the land of Shemlon, and in the land of Shilom, and in the land
- of Amulon.
-
- Mosiah 24:2
- 2 For the Lamanites had taken possession of all these lands;
- therefore, the king of the Lamanites had appointed kings over all
- these lands.
-
- Mosiah 24:3
- 3 And now the name of the king of the Lamanites was Laman, being
- called after the name of his father; and therefore he was called
- king Laman. And he was king over a numerous people.
-
- Mosiah 24:4
- 4 And he appointed teachers of the brethren of Amulon in every
- land which was possessed by his people; and thus the language of
- Nephi began to be taught among all the people of the Lamanites.
-
- Mosiah 24:5
- 5 And they were a people friendly one with another; nevertheless
- they knew not God; neither did the brethren of Amulon teach them
- anything concerning the Lord their God, neither the law of Moses;
- nor did they teach them the words of Abinadi;
-
- Mosiah 24:6
- 6 But they taught them that they should keep their record, and
- that they might write one to another.
-
- Mosiah 24:7
- 7 And thus the Lamanites began to increase in riches, and began
- to trade one with another and wax great, and began to be a
- cunning and a wise people, as to the wisdom of the world, yea, a
- very cunning people, delighting in all manner of wickedness and
- plunder, except it were among their own brethren.
-
- Mosiah 24:8
- 8 And now it came to pass that Amulon began to exercise
- authority over Alma and his brethren, and began to persecute him,
- and cause that his children should persecute their children.
-
- Mosiah 24:9
- 9 For Amulon knew Alma, that he had been one of the king's
- priests, and that it was he that believed the words of Abinadi
- and was driven out before the king, and therefore he was wroth
- with him; for he was subject to king Laman, yet he exercised
- authority over them, and put tasks upon them, and put
- task-masters over them.
-
- Mosiah 24:10
- 10 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that
- they began to cry mightily to God.
-
- Mosiah 24:11
- 11 And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries;
- and he put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should
- be found calling upon God should be put to death.
-
- Mosiah 24:12
- 12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the
- Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did
- know the thoughts of their hearts.
-
- Mosiah 24:13
- 13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them
- in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good
- comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me;
- and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of
- bondage.
-
- Mosiah 24:14
- 14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your
- shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even
- while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as
- witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that
- I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
-
- Mosiah 24:15
- 15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon
- Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did
- strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease,
- and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will
- of the Lord.
-
- Mosiah 24:16
- 16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their
- patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying:
- Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of
- bondage.
-
- Mosiah 24:17
- 17 And he said unto Alma: Thou shalt go before this people, and
- I will go with thee and deliver this people out of bondage.
-
- Mosiah 24:18
- 18 Now it came to pass that Alma and his people in the
- night-time gathered their flocks together, and also of their
- grain; yea, even all the night-time were they gathering the
- flocks together.
-
- Mosiah 24:19
- 19 And in the morning the Lord caused a deep sleep to come upon
- the Lamanites, yea, and all their task-masters were in a profound
- sleep.
-
- Mosiah 24:20
- 20 And Alma and his people departed into the wilderness; and
- when they had traveled all day they pitched their tents in a
- valley, and they called the valley Alma, because he led their way
- in the wilderness.
-
- Mosiah 24:21
- 21 Yea, and in the valley of Alma they poured out their thanks
- to God because he had been merciful unto them, and eased their
- burdens, and had delivered them out of bondage; for they were in
- bondage, and none could deliver them except it were the Lord
- their God.
-
- Mosiah 24:22
- 22 And they gave thanks to God, yea, all their men and all their
- women and all their children that could speak lifted their voices
- in the praises of their God.
-
- Mosiah 24:23
- 23 And now the Lord said unto Alma: Haste thee and get thou and
- this people out of this land, for the Lamanites have awakened and
- do pursue thee; therefore get thee out of this land, and I will
- stop the Lamanites in this valley that they come no further in
- pursuit of this people.
-
- Mosiah 24:24
- 24 And it came to pass that they departed out of the valley, and
- took their journey into the wilderness.
-
- Mosiah 24:25
- 25 And after they had been in the wilderness twelve days they
- arrived in the land of Zarahemla; and king Mosiah did also
- receive them with joy.
-
- Mosiah 25
- Chapter 25
-
- Mosiah 25:1
- 1 And now king Mosiah caused that all the people should be
- gathered together.
-
- Mosiah 25:2
- 2 Now there were not so many of the children of Nephi, or so
- many of those who were descendants of Nephi, as there were of the
- people of Zarahemla, who was a descendant of Mulek, and those who
- came with him into the wilderness.
-
- Mosiah 25:3
- 3 And there were not so many of the people of Nephi and of the
- people of Zarahemla as there were of the Lamanites; yea, they
- were not half so numerous.
-
- Mosiah 25:4
- 4 And now all the people of Nephi were assembled together, and
- also all the people of Zarahemla, and they were gathered together
- in two bodies.
-
- Mosiah 25:5
- 5 And it came to pass that Mosiah did read, and caused to be
- read, the records of Zeniff to his people; yea, he read the
- records of the people of Zeniff, from the time they left the land
- of Zarahemla until they returned again.
-
- Mosiah 25:6
- 6 And he also read the account of Alma and his brethren, and all
- their afflictions, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla
- until the time they returned again.
-
- Mosiah 25:7
- 7 And now, when Mosiah had made an end of reading the records,
- his people who tarried in the land were struck with wonder and
- amazement.
-
- Mosiah 25:8
- 8 For they knew not what to think; for when they beheld those
- that had been delivered out of bondage they were filled with
- exceedingly great joy.
-
- Mosiah 25:9
- 9 And again, when they thought of their brethren who had been
- slain by the Lamanites they were filled with sorrow, and even
- shed many tears of sorrow.
-
- Mosiah 25:10
- 10 And again, when they thought of the immediate goodness of
- God, and his power in delivering Alma and his brethren out of the
- hands of the Lamanites and of bondage, they did raise their
- voices and give thanks to God.
-
- Mosiah 25:11
- 11 And again, when they thought upon the Lamanites, who were
- their brethren, of their sinful and polluted state, they were
- filled with pain and anguish for the welfare of their souls.
-
- Mosiah 25:12
- 12 And it came to pass that those who were the children of
- Amulon and his brethren, who had taken to wife the daughters of
- the Lamanites, were displeased with the conduct of their fathers,
- and they would no longer be called by the names of their fathers,
- therefore they took upon themselves the name of Nephi, that they
- might be called the children of Nephi and be numbered among those
- who were called Nephites.
-
- Mosiah 25:13
- 13 And now all the people of Zarahemla were numbered with the
- Nephites, and this because the kingdom had been conferred upon
- none but those who were descendants of Nephi.
-
- Mosiah 25:14
- 14 And now it came to pass that when Mosiah had made an end of
- speaking and reading to the people, he desired that Alma should
- also speak to the people.
-
- Mosiah 25:15
- 15 And Alma did speak unto them, when they were assembled
- together in large bodies, and he went from one body to another,
- preaching unto the people repentance and faith on the Lord.
-
- Mosiah 25:16
- 16 And he did exhort the people of Limhi and his brethren, all
- those that had been delivered out of bondage, that they should
- remember that it was the Lord that did deliver them.
-
- Mosiah 25:17
- 17 And it came to pass that after Alma had taught the people
- many things, and had made an end of speaking to them, that king
- Limhi was desirous that he might be baptized; and all his people
- were desirous that they might be baptized also.
-
- Mosiah 25:18
- 18 Therefore, Alma did go forth into the water and did baptize
- them; yea, he did baptize them after the manner he did his
- brethren in the waters of Mormon; yea, and as many as he did
- baptize did belong to the church of God; and this because of
- their belief on the words of Alma.
-
- Mosiah 25:19
- 19 And it came to pass that king Mosiah granted unto Alma that
- he might establish churches throughout all the land of Zarahemla;
- and gave him power to ordain priests and teachers over every
- church.
-
- Mosiah 25:20
- 20 Now this was done because there were so many people that they
- could not all be governed by one teacher; neither could they all
- hear the word of God in one assembly;
-
- Mosiah 25:21
- 21 Therefore they did assemble themselves together in different
- bodies, being called churches; every church having their priests
- and their teachers, and every priest preaching the word according
- as it was delivered to him by the mouth of Alma.
-
- Mosiah 25:22
- 22 And thus, notwithstanding there being many churches they were
- all one church, yea, even the church of God; for there was
- nothing preached in all the churches except it were repentance
- and faith in God.
-
- Mosiah 25:23
- 23 And now there were seven churches in the land of Zarahemla.
- And it came to pass that whosoever were desirous to take upon
- them the name of Christ, or of God, they did join the churches of
- God;
-
- Mosiah 25:24
- 24 And they were called the people of God. And the Lord did
- pour out his Spirit upon them, and they were blessed, and
- prospered in the land.
-
- Mosiah 26
- Chapter 26
-
- Mosiah 26:1
- 1 Now it came to pass that there were many of the rising
- generation that could not understand the words of king Benjamin,
- being little children at the time he spake unto his people; and
- they did not believe the tradition of their fathers.
-
- Mosiah 26:2
- 2 They did not believe what had been said concerning the
- resurrection of the dead, neither did they believe concerning the
- coming of Christ.
-
- Mosiah 26:3
- 3 And now because of their unbelief they could not understand
- the word of God; and their hearts were hardened.
-
- Mosiah 26:4
- 4 And they would not be baptized; neither would they join the
- church. And they were a separate people as to their faith, and
- remained so ever after, even in their carnal and sinful state;
- for they would not call upon the Lord their God.
-
- Mosiah 26:5
- 5 And now in the reign of Mosiah they were not half so numerous
- as the people of God; but because of the dissensions among the
- brethren they became more numerous.
-
- Mosiah 26:6
- 6 For it came to pass that they did deceive many with their
- flattering words, who were in the church, and did cause them to
- commit many sins; therefore it became expedient that those who
- committed sin, that were in the church, should be admonished by
- the church.
-
- Mosiah 26:7
- 7 And it came to pass that they were brought before the priests,
- and delivered up unto the priests by the teachers; and the
- priests brought them before Alma, who was the high priest.
-
- Mosiah 26:8
- 8 Now king Mosiah had given Alma the authority over the church.
-
- Mosiah 26:9
- 9 And it came to pass that Alma did not know concerning them;
- but there were many witnesses against them; yea, the people stood
- and testified of their iniquity in abundance.
-
- Mosiah 26:10
- 10 Now there had not any such thing happened before in the
- church; therefore Alma was troubled in his spirit, and he caused
- that they should be brought before the king.
-
- Mosiah 26:11
- 11 And he said unto the king: Behold, here are many whom we have
- brought before thee, who are accused of their brethren; yea, and
- they have been taken in divers iniquities. And they do not
- repent of their iniquities; therefore we have brought them before
- thee, that thou mayest judge them according to their crimes.
-
- Mosiah 26:12
- 12 But king Mosiah said unto Alma: Behold, I judge them not;
- therefore I deliver them into thy hands to be judged.
-
- Mosiah 26:13
- 13 And now the spirit of Alma was again troubled; and he went
- and inquired of the Lord what he should do concerning this
- matter, for he feared that he should do wrong in the sight of
- God.
-
- Mosiah 26:14
- 14 And it came to pass that after he had poured out his whole
- soul to God, the voice of the Lord came to him, saying:
-
- Mosiah 26:15
- 15 Blessed art thou, Alma, and blessed are they who were
- baptized in the waters of Mormon. Thou art blessed because of
- thy exceeding faith in the words alone of my servant Abinadi.
-
- Mosiah 26:16
- 16 And blessed are they because of their exceeding faith in the
- words alone which thou hast spoken unto them.
-
- Mosiah 26:17
- 17 And blessed art thou because thou hast established a church
- among this people; and they shall be established, and they shall
- be my people.
-
- Mosiah 26:18
- 18 Yea, blessed is this people who are willing to bear my name;
- for in my name shall they be called; and they are mine.
-
- Mosiah 26:19
- 19 And because thou hast inquired of me concerning the
- transgressor, thou art blessed.
-
- Mosiah 26:20
- 20 Thou art my servant; and I covenant with thee that thou shalt
- have eternal life; and thou shalt serve me and go forth in my
- name, and shalt gather together my sheep.
-
- Mosiah 26:21
- 21 And he that will hear my voice shall be my sheep; and him
- shall ye receive into the church, and him will I also receive.
-
- Mosiah 26:22
- 22 For behold, this is my church; whosoever is baptized shall be
- baptized unto repentance. And whomsoever ye receive shall
- believe in my name; and him will I freely forgive.
-
- Mosiah 26:23
- 23 For it is I that taketh upon me the sins of the world; for it
- is I that hath created them; and it is I that granteth unto him
- that believeth unto the end a place at my right hand.
-
- Mosiah 26:24
- 24 For behold, in my name are they called; and if they know me
- they shall come forth, and shall have a place eternally at my
- right hand.
-
- Mosiah 26:25
- 25 And it shall come to pass that when the second trump shall
- sound then shall they that never knew me come forth and shall
- stand before me.
-
- Mosiah 26:26
- 26 And then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, that I
- am their Redeemer; but they would not be redeemed.
-
- Mosiah 26:27
- 27 And then I will confess unto them that I never knew them; and
- they shall depart into everlasting fire prepared for the devil
- and his angels.
-
- Mosiah 26:28
- 28 Therefore I say unto you, that he that will not hear my
- voice, the same shall ye not receive into my church, for him I
- will not receive at the last day.
-
- Mosiah 26:29
- 29 Therefore I say unto you, Go; and whosoever transgresseth
- against me, him shall ye judge according to the sins which he has
- committed; and if he confess his sins before thee and me, and
- repenteth in the sincerity of his heart, him shall ye forgive,
- and I will forgive him also.
-
- Mosiah 26:30
- 30 Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them
- their trespasses against me.
-
- Mosiah 26:31
- 31 And ye shall also forgive one another your trespasses; for
- verily I say unto you, he that forgiveth not his neighbor's
- trespasses when he says that he repents, the same hath brought
- himself under condemnation.
-
- Mosiah 26:32
- 32 Now I say unto you, Go; and whosoever will not repent of his
- sins the same shall not be numbered among my people; and this
- shall be observed from this time forward.
-
- Mosiah 26:33
- 33 And it came to pass when Alma had heard these words he wrote
- them down that he might have them, and that he might judge the
- people of that church according to the commandments of God.
-
- Mosiah 26:34
- 34 And it came to pass that Alma went and judged those that had
- been taken in iniquity, according to the word of the Lord.
-
- Mosiah 26:35
- 35 And whosoever repented of their sins and did confess them,
- them he did number among the people of the church;
-
- Mosiah 26:36
- 36 And those that would not confess their sins and repent of
- their iniquity, the same were not numbered among the people of
- the church, and their names were blotted out.
-
- Mosiah 26:37
- 37 And it came to pass that Alma did regulate all the affairs of
- the church; and they began again to have peace and to prosper
- exceedingly in the affairs of the church, walking circumspectly
- before God, receiving many, and baptizing many.
-
- Mosiah 26:38
- 38 And now all these things did Alma and his fellow laborers do
- who were over the church, walking in all diligence, teaching the
- word of God in all things, suffering all manner of afflictions,
- being persecuted by all those who did not belong to the church of
- God.
-
- Mosiah 26:39
- 39 And they did admonish their brethren; and they were also
- admonished, every one by the word of God, according to his sins,
- or to the sins which he had committed, being commanded of God to
- pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all things.
-
- Mosiah 27
- Chapter 27
-
- Mosiah 27:1
- 1 And now it came to pass that the persecutions which were
- inflicted on the church by the unbelievers became so great that
- the church began to murmur, and complain to their leaders
- concerning the matter; and they did complain to Alma. And Alma
- laid the case before their king, Mosiah. And Mosiah consulted
- with his priests.
-
- Mosiah 27:2
- 2 And it came to pass that king Mosiah sent a proclamation
- throughout the land round about that there should not any
- unbeliever persecute any of those who belonged to the church of
- God.
-
- Mosiah 27:3
- 3 And there was a strict command throughout all the churches
- that there should be no persecutions among them, that there
- should be an equality among all men;
-
- Mosiah 27:4
- 4 That they should let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their
- peace; that every man should esteem his neighbor as himself,
- laboring with their own hands for their support.
-
- Mosiah 27:5
- 5 Yea, and all their priests and teachers should labor with
- their own hands for their support, in all cases save it were in
- sickness, or in much want; and doing these things, they did
- abound in the grace of God.
-
- Mosiah 27:6
- 6 And there began to be much peace again in the land; and the
- people began to be very numerous, and began to scatter abroad
- upon the face of the earth, yea, on the north and on the south,
- on the east and on the west, building large cities and villages
- in all quarters of the land.
-
- Mosiah 27:7
- 7 And the Lord did visit them and prosper them, and they became
- a large and wealthy people.
-
- Mosiah 27:8
- 8 Now the sons of Mosiah were numbered among the unbelievers;
- and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he
- being called Alma, after his father; nevertheless, he became a
- very wicked and an idolatrous man. And he was a man of many
- words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he
- led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities.
-
- Mosiah 27:9
- 9 And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the
- church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing
- much dissension among the people; giving a chance for the enemy
- of God to exercise his power over them.
-
- Mosiah 27:10
- 10 And now it came to pass that while he was going about to
- destroy the church of God, for he did go about secretly with the
- sons of Mosiah seeking to destroy the church, and to lead astray
- the people of the Lord, contrary to the commandments of God, or
- even the king--
-
- Mosiah 27:11
- 11 And as I said unto you, as they were going about rebelling
- against God, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto them;
- and he descended as it were in a cloud; and he spake as it were
- with a voice of thunder, which caused the earth to shake upon
- which they stood;
-
- Mosiah 27:12
- 12 And so great was their astonishment, that they fell to the
- earth, and understood not the words which he spake unto them.
-
- Mosiah 27:13
- 13 Nevertheless he cried again, saying: Alma, arise and stand
- forth, for why persecutest thou the church of God? For the Lord
- hath said: This is my church, and I will establish it; and
- nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my
- people.
-
- Mosiah 27:14
- 14 And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the
- prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma,
- who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning
- thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth;
- therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the
- power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants
- might be answered according to their faith.
-
- Mosiah 27:15
- 15 And now behold, can ye dispute the power of God? For behold,
- doth not my voice shake the earth? And can ye not also behold me
- before you? And I am sent from God.
-
- Mosiah 27:16
- 16 Now I say unto thee: Go, and remember the captivity of thy
- fathers in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and
- remember how great things he has done for them; for they were in
- bondage, and he has delivered them. And now I say unto thee,
- Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that
- their prayers may be answered, and this even if thou wilt of
- thyself be cast off.
-
- Mosiah 27:17
- 17 And now it came to pass that these were the last words which
- the angel spake unto Alma, and he departed.
-
- Mosiah 27:18
- 18 And now Alma and those that were with him fell again to the
- earth, for great was their astonishment; for with their own eyes
- they had beheld an angel of the Lord; and his voice was as
- thunder, which shook the earth; and they knew that there was
- nothing save the power of God that could shake the earth and
- cause it to tremble as though it would part asunder.
-
- Mosiah 27:19
- 19 And now the astonishment of Alma was so great that he became
- dumb, that he could not open his mouth; yea, and he became weak,
- even that he could not move his hands; therefore he was taken by
- those that were with him, and carried helpless, even until he was
- laid before his father.
-
- Mosiah 27:20
- 20 And they rehearsed unto his father all that had happened unto
- them; and his father rejoiced, for he knew that it was the power
- of God.
-
- Mosiah 27:21
- 21 And he caused that a multitude should be gathered together
- that they might witness what the Lord had done for his son, and
- also for those that were with him.
-
- Mosiah 27:22
- 22 And he caused that the priests should assemble themselves
- together; and they began to fast, and to pray to the Lord their
- God that he would open the mouth of Alma, that he might speak,
- and also that his limbs might receive their strength--that the
- eyes of the people might be opened to see and know of the
- goodness and glory of God.
-
- Mosiah 27:23
- 23 And it came to pass after they had fasted and prayed for the
- space of two days and two nights, the limbs of Alma received
- their strength, and he stood up and began to speak unto them,
- bidding them to be of good comfort:
-
- Mosiah 27:24
- 24 For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been
- redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit.
-
- Mosiah 27:25
- 25 And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea,
- men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be
- born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and
- fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God,
- becoming his sons and daughters;
-
- Mosiah 27:26
- 26 And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this,
- they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.
-
- Mosiah 27:27
- 27 I say unto you, unless this be the case, they must be cast
- off; and this I know, because I was like to be cast off.
-
- Mosiah 27:28
- 28 Nevertheless, after wading through much tribulations,
- repenting nigh unto death, the Lord in mercy hath seen fit to
- snatch me out of an everlasting burning, and I am born of God.
-
- Mosiah 27:29
- 29 My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and
- bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold
- the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal
- torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more.
-
- Mosiah 27:30
- 30 I rejected my Redeemer, and denied that which had been spoken
- of by our fathers; but now that they may foresee that he will
- come, and that he remembereth every creature of his creating, he
- will make himself manifest unto all.
-
- Mosiah 27:31
- 31 Yea, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before
- him. Yea, even at the last day, when all men shall stand to be
- judged of him, then shall they confess that he is God; then shall
- they confess, who live without God in the world, that the
- judgment of an everlasting punishment is just upon them; and they
- shall quake, and tremble, and shrink beneath the glance of his
- all-searching eye.
-
- Mosiah 27:32
- 32 And now it came to pass that Alma began from this time
- forward to teach the people, and those who were with Alma at the
- time the angel appeared unto them, traveling round about through
- all the land, publishing to all the people the things which they
- had heard and seen, and preaching the word of God in much
- tribulation, being greatly persecuted by those who were
- unbelievers, being smitten by many of them.
-
- Mosiah 27:33
- 33 But notwithstanding all this, they did impart much
- consolation to the church, confirming their faith, and exhorting
- them with long-suffering and much travail to keep the
- commandments of God.
-
- Mosiah 27:34
- 34 And four of them were the sons of Mosiah; and their names
- were Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and Himni; these were the names
- of the sons of Mosiah.
-
- Mosiah 27:35
- 35 And they traveled throughout all the lands of Zarahemla, and
- among all the people who were under the reign of king Mosiah,
- zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done
- to the church, confessing all their sins, and publishing all the
- things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the
- scriptures to all who desired to hear them.
-
- Mosiah 27:36
- 36 And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in
- bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the
- knowledge of their Redeemer.
-
- Mosiah 27:37
- 37 And how blessed are they! For they did publish peace; they
- did publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the
- people that the Lord reigneth.
-
- Mosiah 28
- Chapter 28
-
- Mosiah 28:1
- 1 Now it came to pass that after the sons of Mosiah had done all
- these things, they took a small number with them and returned to
- their father, the king, and desired of him that he would grant
- unto them that they might, with these whom they had selected, go
- up to the land of Nephi that they might preach the things which
- they had heard, and that they might impart the word of God to
- their brethren, the Lamanites--
-
- Mosiah 28:2
- 2 That perhaps they might bring them to the knowledge of the
- Lord their God, and convince them of the iniquity of their
- fathers; and that perhaps they might cure them of their hatred
- towards the Nephites, that they might also be brought to rejoice
- in the Lord their God, that they might become friendly to one
- another, and that there should be no more contentions in all the
- land which the Lord their God had given them.
-
- Mosiah 28:3
- 3 Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to
- every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul
- should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should
- endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble.
-
- Mosiah 28:4
- 4 And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they
- were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his
- infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much
- anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and
- fearing that they should be cast off forever.
-
- Mosiah 28:5
- 5 And it came to pass that they did plead with their father many
- days that they might go up to the land of Nephi.
-
- Mosiah 28:6
- 6 And king Mosiah went and inquired of the Lord if he should let
- his sons go up among the Lamanites to preach the word.
-
- Mosiah 28:7
- 7 And the Lord said unto Mosiah: Let them go up, for many shall
- believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life; and I
- will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites.
-
- Mosiah 28:8
- 8 And it came to pass that Mosiah granted that they might go and
- do according to their request.
-
- Mosiah 28:9
- 9 And they took their journey into the wilderness to go up to
- preach the word among the Lamanites; and I shall give an account
- of their proceedings hereafter.
-
- Mosiah 28:10
- 10 Now king Mosiah had no one to confer the kingdom upon, for
- there was not any of his sons who would accept of the kingdom.
-
- Mosiah 28:11
- 11 Therefore he took the records which were engraven on the
- plates of brass, and also the plates of Nephi, and all the things
- which he had kept and preserved according to the commandments of
- God, after having translated and caused to be written the records
- which were on the plates of gold which had been found by the
- people of Limhi, which were delivered to him by the hand of
- Limhi;
-
- Mosiah 28:12
- 12 And this he did because of the great anxiety of his people;
- for they were desirous beyond measure to know concerning those
- people who had been destroyed.
-
- Mosiah 28:13
- 13 And now he translated them by the means of those two stones
- which were fastened into the two rims of a bow.
-
- Mosiah 28:14
- 14 Now these things were prepared from the beginning, and were
- handed down from generation to generation, for the purpose of
- interpreting languages;
-
- Mosiah 28:15
- 15 And they have been kept and preserved by the hand of the
- Lord, that he should discover to every creature who should
- possess the land the iniquities and abominations of his people;
-
- Mosiah 28:16
- 16 And whosoever has these things is called seer, after the
- manner of old times.
-
- Mosiah 28:17
- 17 Now after Mosiah had finished translating these records,
- behold, it gave an account of the people who were destroyed, from
- the time that they were destroyed back to the building of the
- great tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language of the
- people and they were scattered abroad upon the face of all the
- earth, yea, and even from that time back until the creation of
- Adam.
-
- Mosiah 28:18
- 18 Now this account did cause the people of Mosiah to mourn
- exceedingly, yea, they were filled with sorrow; nevertheless it
- gave them much knowledge, in the which they did rejoice.
-
- Mosiah 28:19
- 19 And this account shall be written hereafter; for behold, it
- is expedient that all people should know the things which are
- written in this account.
-
- Mosiah 28:20
- 20 And now, as I said unto you, that after king Mosiah had done
- these things, he took the plates of brass, and all the things
- which he had kept, and conferred them upon Alma, who was the son
- of Alma; yea, all the records, and also the interpreters, and
- conferred them upon him, and commanded him that he should keep
- and preserve them, and also keep a record of the people, handing
- them down from one generation to another, even as they had been
- handed down from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem.
-
- Mosiah 29
- Chapter 29
-
- Mosiah 29:1
- 1 Now when Mosiah had done this he sent out throughout all the
- land, among all the people, desiring to know their will
- concerning who should be their king.
-
- Mosiah 29:2
- 2 And it came to pass that the voice of the people came, saying:
- We are desirous that Aaron thy son should be our king and our
- ruler.
-
- Mosiah 29:3
- 3 Now Aaron had gone up to the land of Nephi, therefore the king
- could not confer the kingdom upon him; neither would Aaron take
- upon him the kingdom; neither were any of the sons of Mosiah
- willing to take upon them the kingdom.
-
- Mosiah 29:4
- 4 Therefore king Mosiah sent again among the people; yea, even a
- written word sent he among the people. And these were the words
- that were written, saying:
-
- Mosiah 29:5
- 5 Behold, O ye my people, or my brethren, for I esteem you as
- such, I desire that ye should consider the cause which ye are
- called to consider--for ye are desirous to have a king.
-
- Mosiah 29:6
- 6 Now I declare unto you that he to whom the kingdom doth
- rightly belong has declined, and will not take upon him the
- kingdom.
-
- Mosiah 29:7
- 7 And now if there should be another appointed in his stead,
- behold I fear there would rise contentions among you. And who
- knoweth but what my son, to whom the kingdom doth belong, should
- turn to be angry and draw away a part of this people after him,
- which would cause wars and contentions among you, which would be
- the cause of shedding much blood and perverting the way of the
- Lord, yea, and destroy the souls of many people.
-
- Mosiah 29:8
- 8 Now I say unto you let us be wise and consider these things,
- for we have no right to destroy my son, neither should we have
- any right to destroy another if he should be appointed in his
- stead.
-
- Mosiah 29:9
- 9 And if my son should turn again to his pride and vain things
- he would recall the things which he had said, and claim his right
- to the kingdom, which would cause him and also this people to
- commit much sin.
-
- Mosiah 29:10
- 10 And now let us be wise and look forward to these things, and
- do that which will make for the peace of this people.
-
- Mosiah 29:11
- 11 Therefore I will be your king the remainder of my days;
- nevertheless, let us appoint judges, to judge this people
- according to our law; and we will newly arrange the affairs of
- this people, for we will appoint wise men to be judges, that will
- judge this people according to the commandments of God.
-
- Mosiah 29:12
- 12 Now it is better that a man should be judged of God than of
- man, for the judgments of God are always just, but the judgments
- of man are not always just.
-
- Mosiah 29:13
- 13 Therefore, if it were possible that you could have just men
- to be your kings, who would establish the laws of God, and judge
- this people according to his commandments, yea, if ye could have
- men for your kings who would do even as my father Benjamin did
- for this people--I say unto you, if this could always be the case
- then it would be expedient that ye should always have kings to
- rule over you.
-
- Mosiah 29:14
- 14 And even I myself have labored with all the power and
- faculties which I have possessed, to teach you the commandments
- of God, and to establish peace throughout the land, that there
- should be no wars nor contentions, no stealing, nor plundering,
- nor murdering, nor any manner of iniquity;
-
- Mosiah 29:15
- 15 And whosoever has committed iniquity, him have I punished
- according to the crime which he has committed, according to the
- law which has been given to us by our fathers.
-
- Mosiah 29:16
- 16 Now I say unto you, that because all men are not just it is
- not expedient that ye should have a king or kings to rule over
- you.
-
- Mosiah 29:17
- 17 For behold, how much iniquity doth one wicked king cause to
- be committed, yea, and what great destruction!
-
- Mosiah 29:18
- 18 Yea, remember king Noah, his wickedness and his abominations,
- and also the wickedness and abominations of his people. Behold
- what great destruction did come upon them; and also because of
- their iniquities they were brought into bondage.
-
- Mosiah 29:19
- 19 And were it not for the interposition of their all-wise
- Creator, and this because of their sincere repentance, they must
- unavoidably remain in bondage until now.
-
- Mosiah 29:20
- 20 But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble
- themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him
- he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work
- with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending
- the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him.
-
- Mosiah 29:21
- 21 And behold, now I say unto you, ye cannot dethrone an
- iniquitous king save it be through much contention, and the
- shedding of much blood.
-
- Mosiah 29:22
- 22 For behold, he has his friends in iniquity, and he keepeth
- his guards about him; and he teareth up the laws of those who
- have reigned in righteousness before him; and he trampleth under
- his feet the commandments of God;
-
- Mosiah 29:23
- 23 And he enacteth laws, and sendeth them forth among his
- people, yea, laws after the manner of his own wickedness; and
- whosoever doth not obey his laws he causeth to be destroyed; and
- whosoever doth rebel against him he will send his armies against
- them to war, and if he can he will destroy them; and thus an
- unrighteous king doth pervert the ways of all righteousness.
-
- Mosiah 29:24
- 24 And now behold I say unto you, it is not expedient that such
- abominations should come upon you.
-
- Mosiah 29:25
- 25 Therefore, choose you by the voice of this people, judges,
- that ye may be judged according to the laws which have been given
- you by our fathers, which are correct, and which were given them
- by the hand of the Lord.
-
- Mosiah 29:26
- 26 Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth
- anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for
- the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right;
- therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law--to do your
- business by the voice of the people.
-
- Mosiah 29:27
- 27 And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth
- choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will
- come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great
- destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.
-
- Mosiah 29:28
- 28 And now if ye have judges, and they do not judge you
- according to the law which has been given, ye can cause that they
- may be judged of a higher judge.
-
- Mosiah 29:29
- 29 If your higher judges do not judge righteous judgments, ye
- shall cause that a small number of your lower judges should be
- gathered together, and they shall judge your higher judges,
- according to the voice of the people.
-
- Mosiah 29:30
- 30 And I command you to do these things in the fear of the Lord;
- and I command you to do these things, and that ye have no king;
- that if these people commit sins and iniquities they shall be
- answered upon their own heads.
-
- Mosiah 29:31
- 31 For behold I say unto you, the sins of many people have been
- caused by the iniquities of their kings; therefore their
- iniquities are answered upon the heads of their kings.
-
- Mosiah 29:32
- 32 And now I desire that this inequality should be no more in
- this land, especially among this my people; but I desire that
- this land be a land of liberty, and every man may enjoy his
- rights and privileges alike, so long as the Lord sees fit that we
- may live and inherit the land, yea, even as long as any of our
- posterity remains upon the face of the land.
-
- Mosiah 29:33
- 33 And many more things did king Mosiah write unto them,
- unfolding unto them all the trials and troubles of a righteous
- king, yea, all the travails of soul for their people, and also
- all the murmurings of the people to their king; and he explained
- it all unto them.
-
- Mosiah 29:34
- 34 And he told them that these things ought not to be; but that
- the burden should come upon all the people, that every man might
- bear his part.
-
- Mosiah 29:35
- 35 And he also unfolded unto them all the disadvantages they
- labored under, by having an unrighteous king to rule over them;
-
- Mosiah 29:36
- 36 Yea, all his iniquities and abominations, and all the wars,
- and contentions, and bloodshed, and the stealing, and the
- plundering, and the committing of whoredoms, and all manner of
- iniquities which cannot be enumerated--telling them that these
- things ought not to be, that they were expressly repugnant to the
- commandments of God.
-
- Mosiah 29:37
- 37 And now it came to pass, after king Mosiah had sent these
- things forth among the people they were convinced of the truth of
- his words.
-
- Mosiah 29:38
- 38 Therefore they relinquished their desires for a king, and
- became exceedingly anxious that every man should have an equal
- chance throughout all the land; yea, and every man expressed a
- willingness to answer for his own sins.
-
- Mosiah 29:39
- 39 Therefore, it came to pass that they assembled themselves
- together in bodies throughout the land, to cast in their voices
- concerning who should be their judges, to judge them according to
- the law which had been given them; and they were exceedingly
- rejoiced because of the liberty which had been granted unto them.
-
- Mosiah 29:40
- 40 And they did wax strong in love towards Mosiah; yea, they did
- esteem him more than any other man; for they did not look upon
- him as a tyrant who was seeking for gain, yea, for that lucre
- which doth corrupt the soul; for he had not exacted riches of
- them, neither had he delighted in the shedding of blood; but he
- had established peace in the land, and he had granted unto his
- people that they should be delivered from all manner of bondage;
- therefore they did esteem him, yea, exceedingly, beyond measure.
-
- Mosiah 29:41
- 41 And it came to pass that they did appoint judges to rule over
- them, or to judge them according to the law; and this they did
- throughout all the land.
-
- Mosiah 29:42
- 42 And it came to pass that Alma was appointed to be the first
- chief judge, he being also the high priest, his father having
- conferred the office upon him, and having given him the charge
- concerning all the affairs of the church.
-
- Mosiah 29:43
- 43 And now it came to pass that Alma did walk in the ways of the
- Lord, and he did keep his commandments, and he did judge
- righteous judgments; and there was continual peace through the
- land.
-
- Mosiah 29:44
- 44 And thus commenced the reign of the judges throughout all the
- land of Zarahemla, among all the people who were called the
- Nephites; and Alma was the first and chief judge.
-
- Mosiah 29:45
- 45 And now it came to pass that his father died, being eighty
- and two years old, having lived to fulfil the commandments of
- God.
-
- Mosiah 29:46
- 46 And it came to pass that Mosiah died also, in the thirty and
- third year of his reign, being sixty and three years old; making
- in the whole, five hundred and nine years from the time Lehi left
- Jerusalem.
-
- Mosiah 29:47
- 47 And thus ended the reign of the kings over the people of
- Nephi; and thus ended the days of Alma, who was the founder of
- their church.
-
- Alma
- THE BOOK OF ALMA
- THE SON OF ALMA
- The account of Alma, who was the son of Alma the first, and chief
- judge over the people of Nephi, and also the high priest over the
- Church. An account of the reign of the judges, and the wars and
- contentions among the people. And also an account of a war
- between the Nephites and the Lamanites, according to the record
- of Alma, the first and chief judge.
-
- Alma 1
- Chapter 1
-
- Alma 1:1
- 1 Now it came to pass that in the first year of the reign of the
- judges over the people of Nephi, from this time forward, king
- Mosiah having gone the way of all the earth, having warred a good
- warfare, walking uprightly before God, leaving none to reign in
- his stead; nevertheless he had established laws, and they were
- acknowledged by the people; therefore they were obliged to abide
- by the laws which he had made.
-
- Alma 1:2
- 2 And it came to pass that in the first year of the reign of
- Alma in the judgment-seat, there was a man brought before him to
- be judged, a man who was large, and was noted for his much
- strength.
-
- Alma 1:3
- 3 And he had gone about among the people, preaching to them that
- which he termed to be the word of God, bearing down against the
- church; declaring unto the people that every priest and teacher
- ought to become popular; and they ought not to labor with their
- hands, but that they ought to be supported by the people.
-
- Alma 1:4
- 4 And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should
- be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor
- tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for
- the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and,
- in the end, all men should have eternal life.
-
- Alma 1:5
- 5 And it came to pass that he did teach these things so much
- that many did believe on his words, even so many that they began
- to support him and give him money.
-
- Alma 1:6
- 6 And he began to be lifted up in the pride of his heart, and to
- wear very costly apparel, yea, and even began to establish a
- church after the manner of his preaching.
-
- Alma 1:7
- 7 And it came to pass as he was going, to preach to those who
- believed on his word, he met a man who belonged to the church of
- God, yea, even one of their teachers; and he began to contend
- with him sharply, that he might lead away the people of the
- church; but the man withstood him, admonishing him with the words
- of God.
-
- Alma 1:8
- 8 Now the name of the man was Gideon; and it was he who was an
- instrument in the hands of God in delivering the people of Limhi
- out of bondage.
-
- Alma 1:9
- 9 Now, because Gideon withstood him with the words of God he was
- wroth with Gideon, and drew his sword and began to smite him.
- Now Gideon being stricken with many years, therefore he was not
- able to withstand his blows, therefore he was slain by the sword.
-
- Alma 1:10
- 10 And the man who slew him was taken by the people of the
- church, and was brought before Alma, to be judged according to
- the crimes which he had committed.
-
- Alma 1:11
- 11 And it came to pass that he stood before Alma and pleaded for
- himself with much boldness.
-
- Alma 1:12
- 12 But Alma said unto him: Behold, this is the first time that
- priestcraft has been introduced among this people. And behold,
- thou art not only guilty of priestcraft, but hast endeavored to
- enforce it by the sword; and were priestcraft to be enforced
- among this people it would prove their entire destruction.
-
- Alma 1:13
- 13 And thou hast shed the blood of a righteous man, yea, a man
- who has done much good among this people; and were we to spare
- thee his blood would come upon us for vengeance.
-
- Alma 1:14
- 14 Therefore thou art condemned to die, according to the law
- which has been given us by Mosiah, our last king; and it has been
- acknowledged by this people; therefore this people must abide by
- the law.
-
- Alma 1:15
- 15 And it came to pass that they took him; and his name was
- Nehor; and they carried him upon the top of the hill Manti, and
- there he was caused, or rather did acknowledge, between the
- heavens and the earth, that what he had taught to the people was
- contrary to the word of God; and there he suffered an ignominious
- death.
-
- Alma 1:16
- 16 Nevertheless, this did not put an end to the spreading of
- priestcraft through the land; for there were many who loved the
- vain things of the world, and they went forth preaching false
- doctrines; and this they did for the sake of riches and honor.
-
- Alma 1:17
- 17 Nevertheless, they durst not lie, if it were known, for fear
- of the law, for liars were punished; therefore they pretended to
- preach according to their belief; and now the law could have no
- power on any man for his belief.
-
- Alma 1:18
- 18 And they durst not steal, for fear of the law, for such were
- punished; neither durst they rob, nor murder, for he that
- murdered was punished unto death.
-
- Alma 1:19
- 19 But it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the
- church of God began to persecute those that did belong to the
- church of God, and had taken upon them the name of Christ.
-
- Alma 1:20
- 20 Yea, they did persecute them, and afflict them with all
- manner of words, and this because of their humility; because they
- were not proud in their own eyes, and because they did impart the
- word of God, one with another, without money and without price.
-
- Alma 1:21
- 21 Now there was a strict law among the people of the church
- that there should not any man, belonging to the church, arise and
- persecute those that did not belong to the church, and that there
- should be no persecution among themselves.
-
- Alma 1:22
- 22 Nevertheless, there were many among them who began to be
- proud, and began to contend warmly with their adversaries, even
- unto blows; yea, they would smite one another with their fists.
-
- Alma 1:23
- 23 Now this was in the second year of the reign of Alma, and it
- was a cause of much affliction to the church; yea, it was the
- cause of much trial with the church.
-
- Alma 1:24
- 24 For the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were
- blotted out, that they were remembered no more among the people
- of God. And also many withdrew themselves from among them.
-
- Alma 1:25
- 25 Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in
- the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in
- keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with patience the
- persecution which was heaped upon them.
-
- Alma 1:26
- 26 And when the priests left their labor to impart the word of
- God unto the people, the people also left their labors to hear
- the word of God. And when the priest had imparted unto them the
- word of God they all returned again diligently unto their labors;
- and the priest, not esteeming himself above his hearers, for the
- preacher was no better than the hearer, neither was the teacher
- any better than the learner; and thus they were all equal, and
- they did all labor, every man according to his strength.
-
- Alma 1:27
- 27 And they did impart of their substance, every man according
- to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick,
- and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they
- were neat and comely.
-
- Alma 1:28
- 28 And thus they did establish the affairs of the church; and
- thus they began to have continual peace again, notwithstanding
- all their persecutions.
-
- Alma 1:29
- 29 And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began
- to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever
- they stood in need--an abundance of flocks and herds, and
- fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold,
- and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and
- fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth.
-
- Alma 1:30
- 30 And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not
- send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were
- athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and
- they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were
- liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male
- and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no
- respect to persons as to those who stood in need.
-
- Alma 1:31
- 31 And thus they did prosper and become far more wealthy than
- those who did not belong to their church.
-
- Alma 1:32
- 32 For those who did not belong to their church did indulge
- themselves in sorceries, and in idolatry or idleness, and in
- babblings, and in envyings and strife; wearing costly apparel;
- being lifted up in the pride of their own eyes; persecuting,
- lying, thieving, robbing, committing whoredoms, and murdering,
- and all manner of wickedness; nevertheless, the law was put in
- force upon all those who did transgress it, inasmuch as it was
- possible.
-
- Alma 1:33
- 33 And it came to pass that by thus exercising the law upon
- them, every man suffering according to that which he had done,
- they became more still, and durst not commit any wickedness if it
- were known; therefore, there was much peace among the people of
- Nephi until the fifth year of the reign of the judges.
-
- Alma 2
- Chapter 2
-
- Alma 2:1
- 1 And it came to pass in the commencement of the fifth year of
- their reign there began to be a contention among the people; for
- a certain man, being called Amlici, he being a very cunning man,
- yea, a wise man as to the wisdom of the world, he being after the
- order of the man that slew Gideon by the sword, who was executed
- according to the law--
-
- Alma 2:2
- 2 Now this Amlici had, by his cunning, drawn away much people
- after him; even so much that they began to be very powerful; and
- they began to endeavor to establish Amlici to be king over the
- people.
-
- Alma 2:3
- 3 Now this was alarming to the people of the church, and also to
- all those who had not been drawn away after the persuasions of
- Amlici; for they knew that according to their law that such
- things must be established by the voice of the people.
-
- Alma 2:4
- 4 Therefore, if it were possible that Amlici should gain the
- voice of the people, he, being a wicked man, would deprive them
- of their rights and privileges of the church; for it was his
- intent to destroy the church of God.
-
- Alma 2:5
- 5 And it came to pass that the people assembled themselves
- together throughout all the land, every man according to his
- mind, whether it were for or against Amlici, in separate bodies,
- having much dispute and wonderful contentions one with another.
-
- Alma 2:6
- 6 And thus they did assemble themselves together to cast in
- their voices concerning the matter; and they were laid before the
- judges.
-
- Alma 2:7
- 7 And it came to pass that the voice of the people came against
- Amlici, that he was not made king over the people.
-
- Alma 2:8
- 8 Now this did cause much joy in the hearts of those who were
- against him; but Amlici did stir up those who were in his favor
- to anger against those who were not in his favor.
-
- Alma 2:9
- 9 And it came to pass that they gathered themselves together,
- and did consecrate Amlici to be their king.
-
- Alma 2:10
- 10 Now when Amlici was made king over them he commanded them
- that they should take up arms against their brethren; and this he
- did that he might subject them to him.
-
- Alma 2:11
- 11 Now the people of Amlici were distinguished by the name of
- Amlici, being called Amlicites; and the remainder were called
- Nephites, or the people of God.
-
- Alma 2:12
- 12 Therefore the people of the Nephites were aware of the intent
- of the Amlicites, and therefore they did prepare to meet them;
- yea, they did arm themselves with swords, and with cimeters, and
- with bows, and with arrows, and with stones, and with slings, and
- with all manner of weapons of war, of every kind.
-
- Alma 2:13
- 13 And thus they were prepared to meet the Amlicites at the time
- of their coming. And there were appointed captains, and higher
- captains, and chief captains, according to their numbers.
-
- Alma 2:14
- 14 And it came to pass that Amlici did arm his men with all
- manner of weapons of war of every kind; and he also appointed
- rulers and leaders over his people, to lead them to war against
- their brethren.
-
- Alma 2:15
- 15 And it came to pass that the Amlicites came upon the hill
- Amnihu, which was east of the river Sidon, which ran by the land
- of Zarahemla, and there they began to make war with the Nephites.
-
- Alma 2:16
- 16 Now Alma, being the chief judge and the governor of the
- people of Nephi, therefore he went up with his people, yea, with
- his captains, and chief captains, yea, at the head of his armies,
- against the Amlicites to battle.
-
- Alma 2:17
- 17 And they began to slay the Amlicites upon the hill east of
- Sidon. And the Amlicites did contend with the Nephites with
- great strength, insomuch that many of the Nephites did fall
- before the Amlicites.
-
- Alma 2:18
- 18 Nevertheless the Lord did strengthen the hand of the
- Nephites, that they slew the Amlicites with great slaughter, that
- they began to flee before them.
-
- Alma 2:19
- 19 And it came to pass that the Nephites did pursue the
- Amlicites all that day, and did slay them with much slaughter,
- insomuch that there were slain of the Amlicites twelve thousand
- five hundred thirty and two souls; and there were slain of the
- Nephites six thousand five hundred sixty and two souls.
-
- Alma 2:20
- 20 And it came to pass that when Alma could pursue the Amlicites
- no longer he caused that his people should pitch their tents in
- the valley of Gideon, the valley being called after that Gideon
- who was slain by the hand of Nehor with the sword; and in this
- valley the Nephites did pitch their tents for the night.
-
- Alma 2:21
- 21 And Alma sent spies to follow the remnant of the Amlicites,
- that he might know of their plans and their plots, whereby he
- might guard himself against them, that he might preserve his
- people from being destroyed.
-
- Alma 2:22
- 22 Now those whom he had sent out to watch the camp of the
- Amlicites were called Zeram, and Amnor, and Manti, and Limher;
- these were they who went out with their men to watch the camp of
- the Amlicites.
-
- Alma 2:23
- 23 And it came to pass that on the morrow they returned into the
- camp of the Nephites in great haste, being greatly astonished,
- and struck with much fear, saying:
-
- Alma 2:24
- 24 Behold, we followed the camp of the Amlicites, and to our
- great astonishment, in the land of Minon, above the land of
- Zarahemla, in the course of the land of Nephi, we saw a numerous
- host of the Lamanites; and behold, the Amlicites have joined
- them;
-
- Alma 2:25
- 25 And they are upon our brethren in that land; and they are
- fleeing before them with their flocks, and their wives, and their
- children, towards our city; and except we make haste they obtain
- possession of our city, and our fathers, and our wives, and our
- children be slain.
-
- Alma 2:26
- 26 And it came to pass that the people of Nephi took their
- tents, and departed out of the valley of Gideon towards their
- city, which was the city of Zarahemla.
-
- Alma 2:27
- 27 And behold, as they were crossing the river Sidon, the
- Lamanites and the Amlicites, being as numerous almost, as it
- were, as the sands of the sea, came upon them to destroy them.
-
- Alma 2:28
- 28 Nevertheless, the Nephites being strengthened by the hand of
- the Lord, having prayed mightily to him that he would deliver
- them out of the hands of their enemies, therefore the Lord did
- hear their cries, and did strengthen them, and the Lamanites and
- the Amlicites did fall before them.
-
- Alma 2:29
- 29 And it came to pass that Alma fought with Amlici with the
- sword, face to face; and they did contend mightily, one with
- another.
-
- Alma 2:30
- 30 And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God, being
- exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Lord, have mercy and
- spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save
- and preserve this people.
-
- Alma 2:31
- 31 Now when Alma had said these words he contended again with
- Amlici; and he was strengthened, insomuch that he slew Amlici
- with the sword.
-
- Alma 2:32
- 32 And he also contended with the king of the Lamanites; but the
- king of the Lamanites fled back from before Alma and sent his
- guards to contend with Alma.
-
- Alma 2:33
- 33 But Alma, with his guards, contended with the guards of the
- king of the Lamanites until he slew and drove them back.
-
- Alma 2:34
- 34 And thus he cleared the ground, or rather the bank, which was
- on the west of the river Sidon, throwing the bodies of the
- Lamanites who had been slain into the waters of Sidon, that
- thereby his people might have room to cross and contend with the
- Lamanites and the Amlicites on the west side of the river Sidon.
-
- Alma 2:35
- 35 And it came to pass that when they had all crossed the river
- Sidon that the Lamanites and the Amlicites began to flee before
- them, notwithstanding they were so numerous that they could not
- be numbered.
-
- Alma 2:36
- 36 And they fled before the Nephites towards the wilderness
- which was west and north, away beyond the borders of the land;
- and the Nephites did pursue them with their might, and did slay
- them.
-
- Alma 2:37
- 37 Yea, they were met on every hand, and slain and driven, until
- they were scattered on the west, and on the north, until they had
- reached the wilderness, which was called Hermounts; and it was
- that part of the wilderness which was infested by wild and
- ravenous beasts.
-
- Alma 2:38
- 38 And it came to pass that many died in the wilderness of their
- wounds, and were devoured by those beasts and also the vultures
- of the air; and their bones have been found, and have been heaped
- up on the earth.
-
- Alma 3
- Chapter 3
-
- Alma 3:1
- 1 And it came to pass that the Nephites who were not slain by
- the weapons of war, after having buried those who had been
- slain--now the number of the slain were not numbered, because of
- the greatness of their number--after they had finished burying
- their dead they all returned to their lands, and to their houses,
- and their wives, and their children.
-
- Alma 3:2
- 2 Now many women and children had been slain with the sword, and
- also many of their flocks and their herds; and also many of their
- fields of grain were destroyed, for they were trodden down by the
- hosts of men.
-
- Alma 3:3
- 3 And now as many of the Lamanites and the Amlicites who had
- been slain upon the bank of the river Sidon were cast into the
- waters of Sidon; and behold their bones are in the depths of the
- sea, and they are many.
-
- Alma 3:4
- 4 And the Amlicites were distinguished from the Nephites, for
- they had marked themselves with red in their foreheads after the
- manner of the Lamanites; nevertheless they had not shorn their
- heads like unto the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 3:5
- 5 Now the heads of the Lamanites were shorn; and they were
- naked, save it were skin which was girded about their loins, and
- also their armor, which was girded about them, and their bows,
- and their arrows, and their stones, and their slings, and so
- forth.
-
- Alma 3:6
- 6 And the skins of the Lamanites were dark, according to the
- mark which was set upon their fathers, which was a curse upon
- them because of their transgression and their rebellion against
- their brethren, who consisted of Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph, and
- Sam, who were just and holy men.
-
- Alma 3:7
- 7 And their brethren sought to destroy them, therefore they were
- cursed; and the Lord God set a mark upon them, yea, upon Laman
- and Lemuel, and also the sons of Ishmael, and Ishmaelitish women.
-
- Alma 3:8
- 8 And this was done that their seed might be distinguished from
- the seed of their brethren, that thereby the Lord God might
- preserve his people, that they might not mix and believe in
- incorrect traditions which would prove their destruction.
-
- Alma 3:9
- 9 And it came to pass that whosoever did mingle his seed with
- that of the Lamanites did bring the same curse upon his seed.
-
- Alma 3:10
- 10 Therefore, whosoever suffered himself to be led away by the
- Lamanites was called under that head, and there was a mark set
- upon him.
-
- Alma 3:11
- 11 And it came to pass that whosoever would not believe in the
- tradition of the Lamanites, but believed those records which were
- brought out of the land of Jerusalem, and also in the tradition
- of their fathers, which were correct, who believed in the
- commandments of God and kept them, were called the Nephites, or
- the people of Nephi, from that time forth--
-
- Alma 3:12
- 12 And it is they who have kept the records which are true of
- their people, and also of the people of the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 3:13
- 13 Now we will return again to the Amlicites, for they also had
- a mark set upon them; yea, they set the mark upon themselves,
- yea, even a mark of red upon their foreheads.
-
- Alma 3:14
- 14 Thus the word of God is fulfilled, for these are the words
- which he said to Nephi: Behold, the Lamanites have I cursed, and
- I will set a mark on them that they and their seed may be
- separated from thee and thy seed, from this time henceforth and
- forever, except they repent of their wickedness and turn to me
- that I may have mercy upon them.
-
- Alma 3:15
- 15 And again: I will set a mark upon him that mingleth his seed
- with thy brethren, that they may be cursed also.
-
- Alma 3:16
- 16 And again: I will set a mark upon him that fighteth against
- thee and thy seed.
-
- Alma 3:17
- 17 And again, I say he that departeth from thee shall no more be
- called thy seed; and I will bless thee, and whomsoever shall be
- called thy seed, henceforth and forever; and these were the
- promises of the Lord unto Nephi and to his seed.
-
- Alma 3:18
- 18 Now the Amlicites knew not that they were fulfilling the
- words of God when they began to mark themselves in their
- foreheads; nevertheless they had come out in open rebellion
- against God; therefore it was expedient that the curse should
- fall upon them.
-
- Alma 3:19
- 19 Now I would that ye should see that they brought upon
- themselves the curse; and even so doth every man that is cursed
- bring upon himself his own condemnation.
-
- Alma 3:20
- 20 Now it came to pass that not many days after the battle which
- was fought in the land of Zarahemla, by the Lamanites and the
- Amlicites, that there was another army of the Lamanites came in
- upon the people of Nephi, in the same place where the first army
- met the Amlicites.
-
- Alma 3:21
- 21 And it came to pass that there was an army sent to drive them
- out of their land.
-
- Alma 3:22
- 22 Now Alma himself being afflicted with a wound did not go up
- to battle at this time against the Lamanites;
-
- Alma 3:23
- 23 But he sent up a numerous army against them; and they went up
- and slew many of the Lamanites, and drove the remainder of them
- out of the borders of their land.
-
- Alma 3:24
- 24 And then they returned again and began to establish peace in
- the land, being troubled no more for a time with their enemies.
-
- Alma 3:25
- 25 Now all these things were done, yea, all these wars and
- contentions were commenced and ended in the fifth year of the
- reign of the judges.
-
- Alma 3:26
- 26 And in one year were thousands and tens of thousands of souls
- sent to the eternal world, that they might reap their rewards
- according to their works, whether they were good or whether they
- were bad, to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery, according
- to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a good
- spirit or a bad one.
-
- Alma 3:27
- 27 For every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth to obey,
- and this according to the words of the spirit of prophecy;
- therefore let it be according to the truth. And thus endeth the
- fifth year of the reign of the judges.
-
- Alma 4
- Chapter 4
-
- Alma 4:1
- 1 Now it came to pass in the sixth year of the reign of the
- judges over the people of Nephi, there were no contentions nor
- wars in the land of Zarahemla;
-
- Alma 4:2
- 2 But the people were afflicted, yea, greatly afflicted for the
- loss of their brethren, and also for the loss of their flocks and
- herds, and also for the loss of their fields of grain, which were
- trodden under foot and destroyed by the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 4:3
- 3 And so great were their afflictions that every soul had cause
- to mourn; and they believed that it was the judgments of God sent
- upon them because of their wickedness and their abominations;
- therefore they were awakened to a remembrance of their duty.
-
- Alma 4:4
- 4 And they began to establish the church more fully; yea, and
- many were baptized in the waters of Sidon and were joined to the
- church of God; yea, they were baptized by the hand of Alma, who
- had been consecrated the high priest over the people of the
- church, by the hand of his father Alma.
-
- Alma 4:5
- 5 And it came to pass in the seventh year of the reign of the
- judges there were about three thousand five hundred souls that
- united themselves to the church of God and were baptized. And
- thus endeth the seventh year of the reign of the judges over the
- people of Nephi; and there was continual peace in all that time.
-
- Alma 4:6
- 6 And it came to pass in the eighth year of the reign of the
- judges, that the people of the church began to wax proud, because
- of their exceeding riches, and their fine silks, and their
- fine-twined linen, and because of their many flocks and herds,
- and their gold and their silver, and all manner of precious
- things, which they had obtained by their industry; and in all
- these things were they lifted up in the pride of their eyes, for
- they began to wear very costly apparel.
-
- Alma 4:7
- 7 Now this was the cause of much affliction to Alma, yea, and to
- many of the people whom Alma had consecrated to be teachers, and
- priests, and elders over the church; yea, many of them were
- sorely grieved for the wickedness which they saw had begun to be
- among their people.
-
- Alma 4:8
- 8 For they saw and beheld with great sorrow that the people of
- the church began to be lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and
- to set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the
- world, that they began to be scornful, one towards another, and
- they began to persecute those that did not believe according to
- their own will and pleasure.
-
- Alma 4:9
- 9 And thus, in this eighth year of the reign of the judges,
- there began to be great contentions among the people of the
- church; yea, there were envyings, and strife, and malice, and
- persecutions, and pride, even to exceed the pride of those who
- did not belong to the church of God.
-
- Alma 4:10
- 10 And thus ended the eighth year of the reign of the judges;
- and the wickedness of the church was a great stumbling-block to
- those who did not belong to the church; and thus the church began
- to fail in its progress.
-
- Alma 4:11
- 11 And it came to pass in the commencement of the ninth year,
- Alma saw the wickedness of the church, and he saw also that the
- example of the church began to lead those who were unbelievers on
- from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the
- destruction of the people.
-
- Alma 4:12
- 12 Yea, he saw great inequality among the people, some lifting
- themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their
- backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and
- those who were athirst, and those who were sick and afflicted.
-
- Alma 4:13
- 13 Now this was a great cause for lamentations among the people,
- while others were abasing themselves, succoring those who stood
- in need of their succor, such as imparting their substance to the
- poor and the needy, feeding the hungry, and suffering all manner
- of afflictions, for Christ's sake, who should come according to
- the spirit of prophecy;
-
- Alma 4:14
- 14 Looking forward to that day, thus retaining a remission of
- their sins; being filled with great joy because of the
- resurrection of the dead, according to the will and power and
- deliverance of Jesus Christ from the bands of death.
-
- Alma 4:15
- 15 And now it came to pass that Alma, having seen the
- afflictions of the humble followers of God, and the persecutions
- which were heaped upon them by the remainder of his people, and
- seeing all their inequality, began to be very sorrowful;
- nevertheless the Spirit of the Lord did not fail him.
-
- Alma 4:16
- 16 And he selected a wise man who was among the elders of the
- church, and gave him power according to the voice of the people,
- that he might have power to enact laws according to the laws
- which had been given, and to put them in force according to the
- wickedness and the crimes of the people.
-
- Alma 4:17
- 17 Now this man's name was Nephihah, and he was appointed chief
- judge; and he sat in the judgment-seat to judge and to govern the
- people.
-
- Alma 4:18
- 18 Now Alma did not grant unto him the office of being high
- priest over the church, but he retained the office of high priest
- unto himself; but he delivered the judgment-seat unto Nephihah.
-
- Alma 4:19
- 19 And this he did that he himself might go forth among his
- people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the
- word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their
- duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the
- pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his
- people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in
- bearing down in pure testimony against them.
-
- Alma 4:20
- 20 And thus in the commencement of the ninth year of the reign
- of the judges over the people of Nephi, Alma delivered up the
- judgment-seat to Nephihah, and confined himself wholly to the
- high priesthood of the holy order of God, to the testimony of the
- word, according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy.
-
- Alma 5
- Chapter 5
-
- Alma 5:1
- 1 Now it came to pass that Alma began to deliver the word of God
- unto the people, first in the land of Zarahemla, and from thence
- throughout all the land.
-
- Alma 5:2
- 2 And these are the words which he spake to the people in the
- church which was established in the city of Zarahemla, according
- to his own record, saying:
-
- Alma 5:3
- 3 I, Alma, having been consecrated by my father, Alma, to be a
- high priest over the church of God, he having power and authority
- from God to do these things, behold, I say unto you that he began
- to establish a church in the land which was in the borders of
- Nephi; yea, the land which was called the land of Mormon; yea,
- and he did baptize his brethren in the waters of Mormon.
-
- Alma 5:4
- 4 And behold, I say unto you, they were delivered out of the
- hands of the people of king Noah, by the mercy and power of God.
-
- Alma 5:5
- 5 And behold, after that, they were brought into bondage by the
- hands of the Lamanites in the wilderness; yea, I say unto you,
- they were in captivity, and again the Lord did deliver them out
- of bondage by the power of his word; and we were brought into
- this land, and here we began to establish the church of God
- throughout this land also.
-
- Alma 5:6
- 6 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, you that belong
- to this church, have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the
- captivity of your fathers? Yea, and have you sufficiently
- retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards
- them? And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance
- that he has delivered their souls from hell?
-
- Alma 5:7
- 7 Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of
- a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the
- midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by
- the light of the everlasting word; yea, they were encircled about
- by the bands of death, and the chains of hell, and an everlasting
- destruction did await them.
-
- Alma 5:8
- 8 And now I ask of you, my brethren, were they destroyed?
- Behold, I say unto you, Nay, they were not.
-
- Alma 5:9
- 9 And again I ask, were the bands of death broken, and the
- chains of hell which encircled them about, were they loosed? I
- say unto you, Yea, they were loosed, and their souls did expand,
- and they did sing redeeming love. And I say unto you that they
- are saved.
-
- Alma 5:10
- 10 And now I ask of you on what conditions are they saved? Yea,
- what grounds had they to hope for salvation? What is the cause
- of their being loosed from the bands of death, yea, and also the
- chains of hell?
-
- Alma 5:11
- 11 Behold, I can tell you--did not my father Alma believe in the
- words which were delivered by the mouth of Abinadi? And was he
- not a holy prophet? Did he not speak the words of God, and my
- father Alma believe them?
-
- Alma 5:12
- 12 And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought
- in his heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true.
-
- Alma 5:13
- 13 And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a
- mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled
- themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And
- behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were
- saved.
-
- Alma 5:14
- 14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have
- ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in
- your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in
- your hearts?
-
- Alma 5:15
- 15 Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created
- you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this
- mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in
- incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the
- deeds which have been done in the mortal body?
-
- Alma 5:16
- 16 I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear
- the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me
- ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of
- righteousness upon the face of the earth?
-
- Alma 5:17
- 17 Or do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lord
- in that day, and say--Lord, our works have been righteous works
- upon the face of the earth--and that he will save you?
-
- Alma 5:18
- 18 Or otherwise, can ye imagine yourselves brought before the
- tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse,
- having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect
- remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrance that ye
- have set at defiance the commandments of God?
-
- Alma 5:19
- 19 I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure
- heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having
- the image of God engraven upon your countenances?
-
- Alma 5:20
- 20 I say unto you, can ye think of being saved when you have
- yielded yourselves to become subjects to the devil?
-
- Alma 5:21
- 21 I say unto you, ye will know at that day that ye cannot be
- saved; for there can no man be saved except his garments are
- washed white; yea, his garments must be purified until they are
- cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has
- been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people
- from their sins.
-
- Alma 5:22
- 22 And now I ask of you, my brethren, how will any of you feel,
- if ye shall stand before the bar of God, having your garments
- stained with blood and all manner of filthiness? Behold, what
- will these things testify against you?
-
- Alma 5:23
- 23 Behold will they not testify that ye are murderers, yea, and
- also that ye are guilty of all manner of wickedness?
-
- Alma 5:24
- 24 Behold, my brethren, do ye suppose that such an one can have
- a place to sit down in the kingdom of God, with Abraham, with
- Isaac, and with Jacob, and also all the holy prophets, whose
- garments are cleansed and are spotless, pure and white?
-
- Alma 5:25
- 25 I say unto you, Nay; except ye make our Creator a liar from
- the beginning, or suppose that he is a liar from the beginning,
- ye cannot suppose that such can have place in the kingdom of
- heaven; but they shall be cast out for they are the children of
- the kingdom of the devil.
-
- Alma 5:26
- 26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have
- experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the
- song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?
-
- Alma 5:27
- 27 Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God?
- Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within
- yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your
- garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of
- Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?
-
- Alma 5:28
- 28 Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are
- not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare
- quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an
- one hath not eternal life.
-
- Alma 5:29
- 29 Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of
- envy? I say unto you that such an one is not prepared; and I
- would that he should prepare quickly, for the hour is close at
- hand, and he knoweth not when the time shall come; for such an
- one is not found guiltless.
-
- Alma 5:30
- 30 And again I say unto you, is there one among you that doth
- make a mock of his brother, or that heapeth upon him
- persecutions?
-
- Alma 5:31
- 31 Wo unto such an one, for he is not prepared, and the time is
- at hand that he must repent or he cannot be saved!
-
- Alma 5:32
- 32 Yea, even wo unto all ye workers of iniquity; repent, repent,
- for the Lord God hath spoken it!
-
- Alma 5:33
- 33 Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms
- of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I
- will receive you.
-
- Alma 5:34
- 34 Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit
- of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and
- the waters of life freely;
-
- Alma 5:35
- 35 Yea, come unto me and bring forth works of righteousness, and
- ye shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire--
-
- Alma 5:36
- 36 For behold, the time is at hand that whosoever bringeth forth
- not good fruit, or whosoever doeth not the works of
- righteousness, the same have cause to wail and mourn.
-
- Alma 5:37
- 37 O ye workers of iniquity; ye that are puffed up in the vain
- things of the world, ye that have professed to have known the
- ways of righteousness nevertheless have gone astray, as sheep
- having no shepherd, notwithstanding a shepherd hath called after
- you and is still calling after you, but ye will not hearken unto
- his voice!
-
- Alma 5:38
- 38 Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you;
- yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of
- Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good
- shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not
- the sheep of the good shepherd.
-
- Alma 5:39
- 39 And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what
- fold are ye? Behold, I say unto you, that the devil is your
- shepherd, and ye are of his fold; and now, who can deny this?
- Behold, I say unto you, whosoever denieth this is a liar and a
- child of the devil.
-
- Alma 5:40
- 40 For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God,
- and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil.
-
- Alma 5:41
- 41 Therefore, if a man bringeth forth good works he hearkeneth
- unto the voice of the good shepherd, and he doth follow him; but
- whosoever bringeth forth evil works, the same becometh a child of
- the devil, for he hearkeneth unto his voice, and doth follow him.
-
- Alma 5:42
- 42 And whosoever doeth this must receive his wages of him;
- therefore, for his wages he receiveth death, as to things
- pertaining unto righteousness, being dead unto all good works.
-
- Alma 5:43
- 43 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should hear me, for I
- speak in the energy of my soul; for behold, I have spoken unto
- you plainly that ye cannot err, or have spoken according to the
- commandments of God.
-
- Alma 5:44
- 44 For I am called to speak after this manner, according to the
- holy order of God, which is in Christ Jesus; yea, I am commanded
- to stand and testify unto this people the things which have been
- spoken by our fathers concerning the things which are to come.
-
- Alma 5:45
- 45 And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these
- things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that
- these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye
- suppose that I know of their surety?
-
- Alma 5:46
- 46 Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the
- Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days
- that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of
- myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them
- manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of
- revelation which is in me.
-
- Alma 5:47
- 47 And moreover, I say unto you that it has thus been revealed
- unto me, that the words which have been spoken by our fathers are
- true, even so according to the spirit of prophecy which is in me,
- which is also by the manifestation of the Spirit of God.
-
- Alma 5:48
- 48 I say unto you, that I know of myself that whatsoever I shall
- say unto you, concerning that which is to come, is true; and I
- say unto you, that I know that Jesus Christ shall come, yea, the
- Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, and mercy,
- and truth. And behold, it is he that cometh to take away the
- sins of the world, yea, the sins of every man who steadfastly
- believeth on his name.
-
- Alma 5:49
- 49 And now I say unto you that this is the order after which I
- am called, yea, to preach unto my beloved brethren, yea, and
- every one that dwelleth in the land; yea, to preach unto all,
- both old and young, both bond and free; yea, I say unto you the
- aged, and also the middle aged, and the rising generation; yea,
- to cry unto them that they must repent and be born again.
-
- Alma 5:50
- 50 Yea, thus saith the Spirit: Repent, all ye ends of the earth,
- for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand; yea, the Son of God
- cometh in his glory, in his might, majesty, power, and dominion.
- Yea, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, that the Spirit saith:
- Behold the glory of the King of all the earth; and also the King
- of heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of
- men.
-
- Alma 5:51
- 51 And also the Spirit saith unto me, yea, crieth unto me with a
- mighty voice, saying: Go forth and say unto this people--Repent,
- for except ye repent ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of
- heaven.
-
- Alma 5:52
- 52 And again I say unto you, the Spirit saith: Behold, the ax is
- laid at the root of the tree; therefore every tree that bringeth
- not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire,
- yea, a fire which cannot be consumed, even an unquenchable fire.
- Behold, and remember, the Holy One hath spoken it.
-
- Alma 5:53
- 53 And now my beloved brethren, I say unto you, can ye withstand
- these sayings; yea, can ye lay aside these things, and trample
- the Holy One under your feet; yea, can ye be puffed up in the
- pride of your hearts; yea, will ye still persist in the wearing
- of costly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of
- the world, upon your riches?
-
- Alma 5:54
- 54 Yea, will ye persist in supposing that ye are better one than
- another; yea, will ye persist in the persecution of your
- brethren, who humble themselves and do walk after the holy order
- of God, wherewith they have been brought into this church, having
- been sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and they do bring forth works
- which are meet for repentance--
-
- Alma 5:55
- 55 Yea, and will you persist in turning your backs upon the
- poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them?
-
- Alma 5:56
- 56 And finally, all ye that will persist in your wickedness, I
- say unto you that these are they who shall be hewn down and cast
- into the fire except they speedily repent.
-
- Alma 5:57
- 57 And now I say unto you, all you that are desirous to follow
- the voice of the good shepherd, come ye out from the wicked, and
- be ye separate, and touch not their unclean things; and behold,
- their names shall be blotted out, that the names of the wicked
- shall not be numbered among the names of the righteous, that the
- word of God may be fulfilled, which saith: The names of the
- wicked shall not be mingled with the names of my people;
-
- Alma 5:58
- 58 For the names of the righteous shall be written in the book
- of life, and unto them will I grant an inheritance at my right
- hand. And now, my brethren, what have ye to say against this? I
- say unto you, if ye speak against it, it matters not, for the
- word of God must be fulfilled.
-
- Alma 5:59
- 59 For what shepherd is there among you having many sheep doth
- not watch over them, that the wolves enter not and devour his
- flock? And behold, if a wolf enter his flock doth he not drive
- him out? Yea, and at the last, if he can, he will destroy him.
-
- Alma 5:60
- 60 And now I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call after
- you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you
- into his fold, and ye are his sheep; and he commandeth you that
- ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you, that ye may not be
- destroyed.
-
- Alma 5:61
- 61 And now I, Alma, do command you in the language of him who
- hath commanded me, that ye observe to do the words which I have
- spoken unto you.
-
- Alma 5:62
- 62 I speak by way of command unto you that belong to the church;
- and unto those who do not belong to the church I speak by way of
- invitation, saying: Come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye
- also may be partakers of the fruit of the tree of life.
-
- Alma 6
- Chapter 6
-
- Alma 6:1
- 1 And now it came to pass that after Alma had made an end of
- speaking unto the people of the church, which was established in
- the city of Zarahemla, he ordained priests and elders, by laying
- on his hands according to the order of God, to preside and watch
- over the church.
-
- Alma 6:2
- 2 And it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the
- church who repented of their sins were baptized unto repentance,
- and were received into the church.
-
- Alma 6:3
- 3 And it also came to pass that whosoever did belong to the
- church that did not repent of their wickedness and humble
- themselves before God--I mean those who were lifted up in the
- pride of their hearts--the same were rejected, and their names
- were blotted out, that their names were not numbered among those
- of the righteous.
-
- Alma 6:4
- 4 And thus they began to establish the order of the church in
- the city of Zarahemla.
-
- Alma 6:5
- 5 Now I would that ye should understand that the word of God was
- liberal unto all, that none were deprived of the privilege of
- assembling themselves together to hear the word of God.
-
- Alma 6:6
- 6 Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that they
- should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and
- mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who
- knew not God.
-
- Alma 6:7
- 7 And now it came to pass that when Alma had made these
- regulations he departed from them, yea, from the church which was
- in the city of Zarahemla, and went over upon the east of the
- river Sidon, into the valley of Gideon, there having been a city
- built, which was called the city of Gideon, which was in the
- valley that was called Gideon, being called after the man who was
- slain by the hand of Nehor with the sword.
-
- Alma 6:8
- 8 And Alma went and began to declare the word of God unto the
- church which was established in the valley of Gideon, according
- to the revelation of the truth of the word which had been spoken
- by his fathers, and according to the spirit of prophecy which was
- in him, according to the testimony of Jesus Christ, the Son of
- God, who should come to redeem his people from their sins, and
- the holy order by which he was called. And thus it is written.
- Amen.
-
- Alma 7
- Chapter 7
-
- Alma 7:1
- 1 Behold my beloved brethren, seeing that I have been permitted
- to come unto you, therefore I attempt to address you in my
- language; yea, by my own mouth, seeing that it is the first time
- that I have spoken unto you by the words of my mouth, I having
- been wholly confined to the judgment-seat, having had much
- business that I could not come unto you.
-
- Alma 7:2
- 2 And even I could not have come now at this time were it not
- that the judgment-seat hath been given to another, to reign in my
- stead; and the Lord in much mercy hath granted that I should come
- unto you.
-
- Alma 7:3
- 3 And behold, I have come having great hopes and much desire
- that I should find that ye had humbled yourselves before God, and
- that ye had continued in the supplicating of his grace, that I
- should find that ye were blameless before him, that I should find
- that ye were not in the awful dilemma that our brethren were in
- at Zarahemla.
-
- Alma 7:4
- 4 But blessed be the name of God, that he hath given me to know,
- yea, hath given unto me the exceedingly great joy of knowing that
- they are established again in the way of his righteousness.
-
- Alma 7:5
- 5 And I trust, according to the Spirit of God which is in me,
- that I shall also have joy over you; nevertheless I do not desire
- that my joy over you should come by the cause of so much
- afflictions and sorrow which I have had for the brethren at
- Zarahemla, for behold, my joy cometh over them after wading
- through much affliction and sorrow.
-
- Alma 7:6
- 6 But behold, I trust that ye are not in a state of so much
- unbelief as were your brethren; I trust that ye are not lifted up
- in the pride of your hearts; yea, I trust that ye have not set
- your hearts upon riches and the vain things of the world; yea, I
- trust that you do not worship idols, but that ye do worship the
- true and living God, and that ye look forward for the remission
- of your sins, with an everlasting faith, which is to come.
-
- Alma 7:7
- 7 For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and
- behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they
- all--for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer
- liveth and cometh among his people.
-
- Alma 7:8
- 8 Behold, I do not say that he will come among us at the time of
- his dwelling in his mortal tabernacle; for behold, the Spirit
- hath not said unto me that this should be the case. Now as to
- this thing I do not know; but this much I do know, that the Lord
- God hath power to do all things which are according to his word.
-
- Alma 7:9
- 9 But behold, the Spirit hath said this much unto me, saying:
- Cry unto this people, saying--Repent ye, and prepare the way of
- the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold,
- the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon
- the face of the earth.
-
- Alma 7:10
- 10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is
- the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and
- chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the
- power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son
- of God.
-
- Alma 7:11
- 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and
- temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be
- fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the
- sicknesses of his people.
-
- Alma 7:12
- 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands
- of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their
- infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according
- to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to
- succor his people according to their infirmities.
-
- Alma 7:13
- 13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of
- God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him
- the sins of his people, that he might blot out their
- transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now
- behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
-
- Alma 7:14
- 14 Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again;
- for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit
- the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto
- repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may
- have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the
- world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all
- unrighteousness.
-
- Alma 7:15
- 15 Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every
- sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to
- destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that
- ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant
- with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this
- day by going into the waters of baptism.
-
- Alma 7:16
- 16 And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God
- from thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto him,
- yea, he will remember that I have said unto him, he shall have
- eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit,
- which testifieth in me.
-
- Alma 7:17
- 17 And now my beloved brethren, do you believe these things?
- Behold, I say unto you, yea, I know that ye believe them; and the
- way that I know that ye believe them is by the manifestation of
- the Spirit which is in me. And now because your faith is strong
- concerning that, yea, concerning the things which I have spoken,
- great is my joy.
-
- Alma 7:18
- 18 For as I said unto you from the beginning, that I had much
- desire that ye were not in the state of dilemma like your
- brethren, even so I have found that my desires have been
- gratified.
-
- Alma 7:19
- 19 For I perceive that ye are in the paths of righteousness; I
- perceive that ye are in the path which leads to the kingdom of
- God; yea, I perceive that ye are making his paths straight.
-
- Alma 7:20
- 20 I perceive that it has been made known unto you, by the
- testimony of his word, that he cannot walk in crooked paths;
- neither doth he vary from that which he hath said; neither hath
- he a shadow of turning from the right to the left, or from that
- which is right to that which is wrong; therefore, his course is
- one eternal round.
-
- Alma 7:21
- 21 And he doth not dwell in unholy temples; neither can
- filthiness or anything which is unclean be received into the
- kingdom of God; therefore I say unto you the time shall come,
- yea, and it shall be at the last day, that he who is filthy shall
- remain in his filthiness.
-
- Alma 7:22
- 22 And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto
- you that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God, that
- ye may walk blameless before him, that ye may walk after the holy
- order of God, after which ye have been received.
-
- Alma 7:23
- 23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive
- and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and
- long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in
- keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for
- whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal;
- always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do
- receive.
-
- Alma 7:24
- 24 And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye
- will always abound in good works.
-
- Alma 7:25
- 25 And may the Lord bless you, and keep your garments spotless,
- that ye may at last be brought to sit down with Abraham, Isaac,
- and Jacob, and the holy prophets who have been ever since the
- world began, having your garments spotless even as their garments
- are spotless, in the kingdom of heaven to go no more out.
-
- Alma 7:26
- 26 And now my beloved brethren, I have spoken these words unto
- you according to the Spirit which testifieth in me; and my soul
- doth exceedingly rejoice, because of the exceeding diligence and
- heed which ye have given unto my word.
-
- Alma 7:27
- 27 And now, may the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your
- houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that
- you possess, your women and your children, according to your
- faith and good works, from this time forth and forever. And thus
- I have spoken. Amen.
-
- Alma 8
- Chapter 8
-
- Alma 8:1
- 1 And now it came to pass that Alma returned from the land of
- Gideon, after having taught the people of Gideon many things
- which cannot be written, having established the order of the
- church, according as he had before done in the land of Zarahemla,
- yea, he returned to his own house at Zarahemla to rest himself
- from the labors which he had performed.
-
- Alma 8:2
- 2 And thus ended the ninth year of the reign of the judges over
- the people of Nephi.
-
- Alma 8:3
- 3 And it came to pass in the commencement of the tenth year of
- the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, that Alma
- departed from thence and took his journey over into the land of
- Melek, on the west of the river Sidon, on the west by the borders
- of the wilderness.
-
- Alma 8:4
- 4 And he began to teach the people in the land of Melek
- according to the holy order of God, by which he had been called;
- and he began to teach the people throughout all the land of
- Melek.
-
- Alma 8:5
- 5 And it came to pass that the people came to him throughout all
- the borders of the land which was by the wilderness side. And
- they were baptized throughout all the land;
-
- Alma 8:6
- 6 So that when he had finished his work at Melek he departed
- thence, and traveled three days' journey on the north of the land
- of Melek; and he came to a city which was called Ammonihah.
-
- Alma 8:7
- 7 Now it was the custom of the people of Nephi to call their
- lands, and their cities, and their villages, yea, even all their
- small villages, after the name of him who first possessed them;
- and thus it was with the land of Ammonihah.
-
- Alma 8:8
- 8 And it came to pass that when Alma had come to the city of
- Ammonihah he began to preach the word of God unto them.
-
- Alma 8:9
- 9 Now Satan had gotten great hold upon the hearts of the people
- of the city of Ammonihah; therefore they would not hearken unto
- the words of Alma.
-
- Alma 8:10
- 10 Nevertheless Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with
- God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit upon the
- people who were in the city; that he would also grant that he
- might baptize them unto repentance.
-
- Alma 8:11
- 11 Nevertheless, they hardened their hearts, saying unto him:
- Behold, we know that thou art Alma; and we know that thou art
- high priest over the church which thou hast established in many
- parts of the land, according to your tradition; and we are not of
- thy church, and we do not believe in such foolish traditions.
-
- Alma 8:12
- 12 And now we know that because we are not of thy church we know
- that thou hast no power over us; and thou hast delivered up the
- judgment-seat unto Nephihah; therefore thou art not the chief
- judge over us.
-
- Alma 8:13
- 13 Now when the people had said this, and withstood all his
- words, and reviled him, and spit upon him, and caused that he
- should be cast out of their city, he departed thence and took his
- journey towards the city which was called Aaron.
-
- Alma 8:14
- 14 And it came to pass that while he was journeying thither,
- being weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation
- and anguish of soul, because of the wickedness of the people who
- were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass while Alma was
- thus weighed down with sorrow, behold an angel of the Lord
- appeared unto him, saying:
-
- Alma 8:15
- 15 Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and
- rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been
- faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which
- thou receivedst thy first message from him. Behold, I am he that
- delivered it unto you.
-
- Alma 8:16
- 16 And behold, I am sent to command thee that thou return to the
- city of Ammonihah, and preach again unto the people of the city;
- yea, preach unto them. Yea, say unto them, except they repent
- the Lord God will destroy them.
-
- Alma 8:17
- 17 For behold, they do study at this time that they may destroy
- the liberty of thy people, (for thus saith the Lord) which is
- contrary to the statutes, and judgments, and commandments which
- he has given unto his people.
-
- Alma 8:18
- 18 Now it came to pass that after Alma had received his message
- from the angel of the Lord he returned speedily to the land of
- Ammonihah. And he entered the city by another way, yea, by the
- way which is on the south of the city of Ammonihah.
-
- Alma 8:19
- 19 And as he entered the city he was an hungered, and he said to
- a man: Will ye give to an humble servant of God something to eat?
-
- Alma 8:20
- 20 And the man said unto him: I am a Nephite, and I know that
- thou art a holy prophet of God, for thou art the man whom an
- angel said in a vision: Thou shalt receive. Therefore, go with
- me into my house and I will impart unto thee of my food; and I
- know that thou wilt be a blessing unto me and my house.
-
- Alma 8:21
- 21 And it came to pass that the man received him into his house;
- and the man was called Amulek; and he brought forth bread and
- meat and set before Alma.
-
- Alma 8:22
- 22 And it came to pass that Alma ate bread and was filled; and
- he blessed Amulek and his house, and he gave thanks unto God.
-
- Alma 8:23
- 23 And after he had eaten and was filled he said unto Amulek: I
- am Alma, and am the high priest over the church of God throughout
- the land.
-
- Alma 8:24
- 24 And behold, I have been called to preach the word of God
- among all this people, according to the spirit of revelation and
- prophecy; and I was in this land and they would not receive me,
- but they cast me out and I was about to set my back towards this
- land forever.
-
- Alma 8:25
- 25 But behold, I have been commanded that I should turn again
- and prophesy unto this people, yea, and to testify against them
- concerning their iniquities.
-
- Alma 8:26
- 26 And now, Amulek, because thou hast fed me and taken me in,
- thou art blessed; for I was an hungered, for I had fasted many
- days.
-
- Alma 8:27
- 27 And Alma tarried many days with Amulek before he began to
- preach unto the people.
-
- Alma 8:28
- 28 And it came to pass that the people did wax more gross in
- their iniquities.
-
- Alma 8:29
- 29 And the word came to Alma, saying: Go; and also say unto my
- servant Amulek, go forth and prophesy unto this people,
- saying--Repent ye, for thus saith the Lord, except ye repent I
- will visit this people in mine anger; yea, and I will not turn my
- fierce anger away.
-
- Alma 8:30
- 30 And Alma went forth, and also Amulek, among the people, to
- declare the words of God unto them; and they were filled with the
- Holy Ghost.
-
- Alma 8:31
- 31 And they had power given unto them, insomuch that they could
- not be confined in dungeons; neither was it possible that any man
- could slay them; nevertheless they did not exercise their power
- until they were bound in bands and cast into prison. Now, this
- was done that the Lord might show forth his power in them.
-
- Alma 8:32
- 32 And it came to pass that they went forth and began to preach
- and to prophesy unto the people, according to the spirit and
- power which the Lord had given them.
-
- Alma 9
- Chapter 9
-
- Alma 9:1
- 1 And again, I, Alma, having been commanded of God that I should
- take Amulek and go forth and preach again unto this people, or
- the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass as
- I began to preach unto them, they began to contend with me,
- saying:
-
- Alma 9:2
- 2 Who art thou? Suppose ye that we shall believe the testimony
- of one man, although he should preach unto us that the earth
- should pass away?
-
- Alma 9:3
- 3 Now they understood not the words which they spake; for they
- knew not that the earth should pass away.
-
- Alma 9:4
- 4 And they said also: We will not believe thy words if thou
- shouldst prophesy that this great city should be destroyed in one
- day.
-
- Alma 9:5
- 5 Now they knew not that God could do such marvelous works, for
- they were a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked people.
-
- Alma 9:6
- 6 And they said: Who is God, that sendeth no more authority than
- one man among this people, to declare unto them the truth of such
- great and marvelous things?
-
- Alma 9:7
- 7 And they stood forth to lay their hands on me; but behold,
- they did not. And I stood with boldness to declare unto them,
- yea, I did boldly testify unto them, saying:
-
- Alma 9:8
- 8 Behold, O ye wicked and perverse generation, how have ye
- forgotten the tradition of your fathers; yea, how soon ye have
- forgotten the commandments of God.
-
- Alma 9:9
- 9 Do ye not remember that our father, Lehi, was brought out of
- Jerusalem by the hand of God? Do ye not remember that they were
- all led by him through the wilderness?
-
- Alma 9:10
- 10 And have ye forgotten so soon how many times he delivered our
- fathers out of the hands of their enemies, and preserved them
- from being destroyed, even by the hands of their own brethren?
-
- Alma 9:11
- 11 Yea, and if it had not been for his matchless power, and his
- mercy, and his long-suffering towards us, we should unavoidably
- have been cut off from the face of the earth long before this
- period of time, and perhaps been consigned to a state of endless
- misery and woe.
-
- Alma 9:12
- 12 Behold, now I say unto you that he commandeth you to repent;
- and except ye repent, ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of
- God. But behold, this is not all--he has commanded you to
- repent, or he will utterly destroy you from off the face of the
- earth; yea, he will visit you in his anger, and in his fierce
- anger he will not turn away.
-
- Alma 9:13
- 13 Behold, do ye not remember the words which he spake unto
- Lehi, saying that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye
- shall prosper in the land? And again it is said that: Inasmuch
- as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from the
- presence of the Lord.
-
- Alma 9:14
- 14 Now I would that ye should remember, that inasmuch as the
- Lamanites have not kept the commandments of God, they have been
- cut off from the presence of the Lord. Now we see that the word
- of the Lord has been verified in this thing, and the Lamanites
- have been cut off from his presence, from the beginning of their
- transgressions in the land.
-
- Alma 9:15
- 15 Nevertheless I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable
- for them in the day of judgment than for you, if ye remain in
- your sins, yea, and even more tolerable for them in this life
- than for you, except ye repent.
-
- Alma 9:16
- 16 For there are many promises which are extended to the
- Lamanites; for it is because of the traditions of their fathers
- that caused them to remain in their state of ignorance; therefore
- the Lord will be merciful unto them and prolong their existence
- in the land.
-
- Alma 9:17
- 17 And at some period of time they will be brought to believe in
- his word, and to know of the incorrectness of the traditions of
- their fathers; and many of them will be saved, for the Lord will
- be merciful unto all who call on his name.
-
- Alma 9:18
- 18 But behold, I say unto you that if ye persist in your
- wickedness that your days shall not be prolonged in the land, for
- the Lamanites shall be sent upon you; and if ye repent not they
- shall come in a time when you know not, and ye shall be visited
- with utter destruction; and it shall be according to the fierce
- anger of the Lord.
-
- Alma 9:19
- 19 For he will not suffer you that ye shall live in your
- iniquities, to destroy his people. I say unto you, Nay; he would
- rather suffer that the Lamanites might destroy all his people who
- are called the people of Nephi, if it were possible that they
- could fall into sins and transgressions, after having had so much
- light and so much knowledge given unto them of the Lord their
- God;
-
- Alma 9:20
- 20 Yea, after having been such a highly favored people of the
- Lord; yea, after having been favored above every other nation,
- kindred, tongue, or people; after having had all things made
- known unto them, according to their desires, and their faith, and
- prayers, of that which has been, and which is, and which is to
- come;
-
- Alma 9:21
- 21 Having been visited by the Spirit of God; having conversed
- with angels, and having been spoken unto by the voice of the
- Lord; and having the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of
- revelation, and also many gifts, the gift of speaking with
- tongues, and the gift of preaching, and the gift of the Holy
- Ghost, and the gift of translation;
-
- Alma 9:22
- 22 Yea, and after having been delivered of God out of the land
- of Jerusalem, by the hand of the Lord; having been saved from
- famine, and from sickness, and all manner of diseases of every
- kind; and they having waxed strong in battle, that they might not
- be destroyed; having been brought out of bondage time after time,
- and having been kept and preserved until now; and they have been
- prospered until they are rich in all manner of things--
-
- Alma 9:23
- 23 And now behold I say unto you, that if this people, who have
- received so many blessings from the hand of the Lord, should
- transgress contrary to the light and knowledge which they do
- have, I say unto you that if this be the case, that if they
- should fall into transgression, it would be far more tolerable
- for the Lamanites than for them.
-
- Alma 9:24
- 24 For behold, the promises of the Lord are extended to the
- Lamanites, but they are not unto you if ye transgress; for has
- not the Lord expressly promised and firmly decreed, that if ye
- will rebel against him that ye shall utterly be destroyed from
- off the face of the earth?
-
- Alma 9:25
- 25 And now for this cause, that ye may not be destroyed, the
- Lord has sent his angel to visit many of his people, declaring
- unto them that they must go forth and cry mightily unto this
- people, saying: Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is nigh at
- hand;
-
- Alma 9:26
- 26 And not many days hence the Son of God shall come in his
- glory; and his glory shall be the glory of the Only Begotten of
- the Father, full of grace, equity, and truth, full of patience,
- mercy, and long-suffering, quick to hear the cries of his people
- and to answer their prayers.
-
- Alma 9:27
- 27 And behold, he cometh to redeem those who will be baptized
- unto repentance, through faith on his name.
-
- Alma 9:28
- 28 Therefore, prepare ye the way of the Lord, for the time is at
- hand that all men shall reap a reward of their works, according
- to that which they have been--if they have been righteous they
- shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the power
- and deliverance of Jesus Christ; and if they have been evil they
- shall reap the damnation of their souls, according to the power
- and captivation of the devil.
-
- Alma 9:29
- 29 Now behold, this is the voice of the angel, crying unto the
- people.
-
- Alma 9:30
- 30 And now, my beloved brethren, for ye are my brethren, and ye
- ought to be beloved, and ye ought to bring forth works which are
- meet for repentance, seeing that your hearts have been grossly
- hardened against the word of God, and seeing that ye are a lost
- and a fallen people.
-
- Alma 9:31
- 31 Now it came to pass that when I, Alma, had spoken these
- words, behold, the people were wroth with me because I said unto
- them that they were a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked people.
-
- Alma 9:32
- 32 And also because I said unto them that they were a lost and a
- fallen people they were angry with me, and sought to lay their
- hands upon me, that they might cast me into prison.
-
- Alma 9:33
- 33 But it came to pass that the Lord did not suffer them that
- they should take me at that time and cast me into prison.
-
- Alma 9:34
- 34 And it came to pass that Amulek went and stood forth, and
- began to preach unto them also. And now the words of Amulek are
- not all written, nevertheless a part of his words are written in
- this book.
-
- Alma 10
- Chapter 10
-
- Alma 10:1
- 1 Now these are the words which Amulek preached unto the people
- who were in the land of Ammonihah, saying:
-
- Alma 10:2
- 2 I am Amulek; I am the son of Giddonah, who was the son of
- Ishmael, who was a descendant of Aminadi; and it was the same
- Aminadi who interpreted the writing which was upon the wall of
- the temple, which was written by the finger of God.
-
- Alma 10:3
- 3 And Aminadi was a descendant of Nephi, who was the son of
- Lehi, who came out of the land of Jerusalem, who was a descendant
- of Manasseh, who was the son of Joseph who was sold into Egypt by
- the hands of his brethren.
-
- Alma 10:4
- 4 And behold, I am also a man of no small reputation among all
- those who know me; yea, and behold, I have many kindreds and
- friends, and I have also acquired much riches by the hand of my
- industry.
-
- Alma 10:5
- 5 Nevertheless, after all this, I never have known much of the
- ways of the Lord, and his mysteries and marvelous power. I said
- I never had known much of these things; but behold, I mistake,
- for I have seen much of his mysteries and his marvelous power;
- yea, even in the preservation of the lives of this people.
-
- Alma 10:6
- 6 Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many
- times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these
- things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling
- against God, in the wickedness of my heart, even until the fourth
- day of this seventh month, which is in the tenth year of the
- reign of the judges.
-
- Alma 10:7
- 7 As I was journeying to see a very near kindred, behold an
- angel of the Lord appeared unto me and said: Amulek, return to
- thine own house, for thou shalt feed a prophet of the Lord; yea,
- a holy man, who is a chosen man of God; for he has fasted many
- days because of the sins of this people, and he is an hungered,
- and thou shalt receive him into thy house and feed him, and he
- shall bless thee and thy house; and the blessing of the Lord
- shall rest upon thee and thy house.
-
- Alma 10:8
- 8 And it came to pass that I obeyed the voice of the angel, and
- returned towards my house. And as I was going thither I found
- the man whom the angel said unto me: Thou shalt receive into thy
- house--and behold it was this same man who has been speaking unto
- you concerning the things of God.
-
- Alma 10:9
- 9 And the angel said unto me he is a holy man; wherefore I know
- he is a holy man because it was said by an angel of God.
-
- Alma 10:10
- 10 And again, I know that the things whereof he hath testified
- are true; for behold I say unto you, that as the Lord liveth,
- even so has he sent his angel to make these things manifest unto
- me; and this he has done while this Alma hath dwelt at my house.
-
- Alma 10:11
- 11 For behold, he hath blessed mine house, he hath blessed me,
- and my women, and my children, and my father and my kinsfolk;
- yea, even all my kindred hath he blessed, and the blessing of the
- Lord hath rested upon us according to the words which he spake.
-
- Alma 10:12
- 12 And now, when Amulek had spoken these words the people began
- to be astonished, seeing there was more than one witness who
- testified of the things whereof they were accused, and also of
- the things which were to come, according to the spirit of
- prophecy which was in them.
-
- Alma 10:13
- 13 Nevertheless, there were some among them who thought to
- question them, that by their cunning devices they might catch
- them in their words, that they might find witness against them,
- that they might deliver them to their judges that they might be
- judged according to the law, and that they might be slain or cast
- into prison, according to the crime which they could make appear
- or witness against them.
-
- Alma 10:14
- 14 Now it was those men who sought to destroy them, who were
- lawyers, who were hired or appointed by the people to administer
- the law at their times of trials, or at the trials of the crimes
- of the people before the judges.
-
- Alma 10:15
- 15 Now these lawyers were learned in all the arts and cunning of
- the people; and this was to enable them that they might be
- skilful in their profession.
-
- Alma 10:16
- 16 And it came to pass that they began to question Amulek, that
- thereby they might make him cross his words, or contradict the
- words which he should speak.
-
- Alma 10:17
- 17 Now they knew not that Amulek could know of their designs.
- But it came to pass as they began to question him, he perceived
- their thoughts, and he said unto them: O ye wicked and perverse
- generation, ye lawyers and hypocrites, for ye are laying the
- foundation of the devil; for ye are laying traps and snares to
- catch the holy ones of God.
-
- Alma 10:18
- 18 Ye are laying plans to pervert the ways of the righteous, and
- to bring down the wrath of God upon your heads, even to the utter
- destruction of this people.
-
- Alma 10:19
- 19 Yea, well did Mosiah say, who was our last king, when he was
- about to deliver up the kingdom, having no one to confer it upon,
- causing that this people should be governed by their own
- voices--yea, well did he say that if the time should come that
- the voice of this people should choose iniquity, that is, if the
- time should come that this people should fall into transgression,
- they would be ripe for destruction.
-
- Alma 10:20
- 20 And now I say unto you that well doth the Lord judge of your
- iniquities; well doth he cry unto this people, by the voice of
- his angels: Repent ye, repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at
- hand.
-
- Alma 10:21
- 21 Yea, well doth he cry, by the voice of his angels that: I
- will come down among my people, with equity and justice in my
- hands.
-
- Alma 10:22
- 22 Yea, and I say unto you that if it were not for the prayers
- of the righteous, who are now in the land, that ye would even now
- be visited with utter destruction; yet it would not be by flood,
- as were the people in the days of Noah, but it would be by
- famine, and by pestilence, and the sword.
-
- Alma 10:23
- 23 But it is by the prayers of the righteous that ye are spared;
- now therefore, if ye will cast out the righteous from among you
- then will not the Lord stay his hand; but in his fierce anger he
- will come out against you; then ye shall be smitten by famine,
- and by pestilence, and by the sword; and the time is soon at hand
- except ye repent.
-
- Alma 10:24
- 24 And now it came to pass that the people were more angry with
- Amulek, and they cried out, saying: This man doth revile against
- our laws which are just, and our wise lawyers whom we have
- selected.
-
- Alma 10:25
- 25 But Amulek stretched forth his hand, and cried the mightier
- unto them, saying: O ye wicked and perverse generation, why hath
- Satan got such great hold upon your hearts? Why will ye yield
- yourselves unto him that he may have power over you, to blind
- your eyes, that ye will not understand the words which are
- spoken, according to their truth?
-
- Alma 10:26
- 26 For behold, have I testified against your law? Ye do not
- understand; ye say that I have spoken against your law; but I
- have not, but I have spoken in favor of your law, to your
- condemnation.
-
- Alma 10:27
- 27 And now behold, I say unto you, that the foundation of the
- destruction of this people is beginning to be laid by the
- unrighteousness of your lawyers and your judges.
-
- Alma 10:28
- 28 And now it came to pass that when Amulek had spoken these
- words the people cried out against him, saying: Now we know that
- this man is a child of the devil, for he hath lied unto us; for
- he hath spoken against our law. And now he says that he has not
- spoken against it.
-
- Alma 10:29
- 29 And again, he has reviled against our lawyers, and our
- judges.
-
- Alma 10:30
- 30 And it came to pass that the lawyers put it into their hearts
- that they should remember these things against him.
-
- Alma 10:31
- 31 And there was one among them whose name was Zeezrom. Now he
- was the foremost to accuse Amulek and Alma, he being one of the
- most expert among them, having much business to do among the
- people.
-
- Alma 10:32
- 32 Now the object of these lawyers was to get gain; and they got
- gain according to their employ.
-
- Alma 11
- Chapter 11
-
- Alma 11:1
- 1 Now it was in the law of Mosiah that every man who was a judge
- of the law, or those who were appointed to be judges, should
- receive wages according to the time which they labored to judge
- those who were brought before them to be judged.
-
- Alma 11:2
- 2 Now if a man owed another, and he would not pay that which he
- did owe, he was complained of to the judge; and the judge
- executed authority, and sent forth officers that the man should
- be brought before him; and he judged the man according to the law
- and the evidences which were brought against him, and thus the
- man was compelled to pay that which he owed, or be stripped, or
- be cast out from among the people as a thief and a robber.
-
- Alma 11:3
- 3 And the judge received for his wages according to his time--a
- senine of gold for a day, or a senum of silver, which is equal to
- a senine of gold; and this is according to the law which was
- given.
-
- Alma 11:4
- 4 Now these are the names of the different pieces of their gold,
- and of their silver, according to their value. And the names are
- given by the Nephites, for they did not reckon after the manner
- of the Jews who were at Jerusalem; neither did they measure after
- the manner of the Jews; but they altered their reckoning and
- their measure, according to the minds and the circumstances of
- the people, in every generation, until the reign of the judges,
- they having been established by king Mosiah.
-
- Alma 11:5
- 5 Now the reckoning is thus--a senine of gold, a seon of gold, a
- shum of gold, and a limnah of gold.
-
- Alma 11:6
- 6 A senum of silver, an amnor of silver, an ezrom of silver, and
- an onti of silver.
-
- Alma 11:7
- 7 A senum of silver was equal to a senine of gold, and either
- for a measure of barley, and also for a measure of every kind of
- grain.
-
- Alma 11:8
- 8 Now the amount of a seon of gold was twice the value of a
- senine.
-
- Alma 11:9
- 9 And a shum of gold was twice the value of a seon.
-
- Alma 11:10
- 10 And a limnah of gold was the value of them all.
-
- Alma 11:11
- 11 And an amnor of silver was as great as two senums.
-
- Alma 11:12
- 12 And an ezrom of silver was as great as four senums.
-
- Alma 11:13
- 13 And an onti was as great as them all.
-
- Alma 11:14
- 14 Now this is the value of the lesser numbers of their
- reckoning--
-
- Alma 11:15
- 15 A shiblon is half of a senum; therefore, a shiblon for half a
- measure of barley.
-
- Alma 11:16
- 16 And a shiblum is a half of a shiblon.
-
- Alma 11:17
- 17 And a leah is the half of a shiblum.
-
- Alma 11:18
- 18 Now this is their number, according to their reckoning.
-
- Alma 11:19
- 19 Now an antion of gold is equal to three shiblons.
-
- Alma 11:20
- 20 Now, it was for the sole purpose to get gain, because they
- received their wages according to their employ, therefore, they
- did stir up the people to riotings, and all manner of
- disturbances and wickedness, that they might have more employ,
- that they might get money according to the suits which were
- brought before them; therefore they did stir up the people
- against Alma and Amulek.
-
- Alma 11:21
- 21 And this Zeezrom began to question Amulek, saying: Will ye
- answer me a few questions which I shall ask you? Now Zeezrom was
- a man who was expert in the devices of the devil, that he might
- destroy that which was good; therefore, he said unto Amulek: Will
- ye answer the questions which I shall put unto you?
-
- Alma 11:22
- 22 And Amulek said unto him: Yea, if it be according to the
- Spirit of the Lord, which is in me; for I shall say nothing which
- is contrary to the Spirit of the Lord. And Zeezrom said unto
- him: Behold, here are six onties of silver, and all these will I
- give thee if thou wilt deny the existence of a Supreme Being.
-
- Alma 11:23
- 23 Now Amulek said: O thou child of hell, why tempt ye me?
- Knowest thou that the righteous yieldeth to no such temptations?
-
- Alma 11:24
- 24 Believest thou that there is no God? I say unto you, Nay,
- thou knowest that there is a God, but thou lovest that lucre more
- than him.
-
- Alma 11:25
- 25 And now thou hast lied before God unto me. Thou saidst unto
- me--Behold these six onties, which are of great worth, I will
- give unto thee--when thou hadst it in thy heart to retain them
- from me; and it was only thy desire that I should deny the true
- and living God, that thou mightest have cause to destroy me. And
- now behold, for this great evil thou shalt have thy reward.
-
- Alma 11:26
- 26 And Zeezrom said unto him: Thou sayest there is a true and
- living God?
-
- Alma 11:27
- 27 And Amulek said: Yea, there is a true and living God.
-
- Alma 11:28
- 28 Now Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God?
-
- Alma 11:29
- 29 And he answered, No.
-
- Alma 11:30
- 30 Now Zeezrom said unto him again: How knowest thou these
- things?
-
- Alma 11:31
- 31 And he said: An angel hath made them known unto me.
-
- Alma 11:32
- 32 And Zeezrom said again: Who is he that shall come? Is it the
- Son of God?
-
- Alma 11:33
- 33 And he said unto him, Yea.
-
- Alma 11:34
- 34 And Zeezrom said again: Shall he save his people in their
- sins? And Amulek answered and said unto him: I say unto you he
- shall not, for it is impossible for him to deny his word.
-
- Alma 11:35
- 35 Now Zeezrom said unto the people: See that ye remember these
- things; for he said there is but one God; yet he saith that the
- Son of God shall come, but he shall not save his people--as
- though he had authority to command God.
-
- Alma 11:36
- 36 Now Amulek saith again unto him: Behold thou hast lied, for
- thou sayest that I spake as though I had authority to command God
- because I said he shall not save his people in their sins.
-
- Alma 11:37
- 37 And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their
- sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no
- unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how
- can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven?
- Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins.
-
- Alma 11:38
- 38 Now Zeezrom saith again unto him: Is the Son of God the very
- Eternal Father?
-
- Alma 11:39
- 39 And Amulek said unto him: Yea, he is the very Eternal Father
- of heaven and of earth, and all things which in them are; he is
- the beginning and the end, the first and the last;
-
- Alma 11:40
- 40 And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he
- shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on
- his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and
- salvation cometh to none else.
-
- Alma 11:41
- 41 Therefore the wicked remain as though there had been no
- redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death;
- for behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and
- stand before God, and be judged according to their works.
-
- Alma 11:42
- 42 Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and
- the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death,
- that all shall be raised from this temporal death.
-
- Alma 11:43
- 43 The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its
- perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper
- frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought
- to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a
- bright recollection of all our guilt.
-
- Alma 11:44
- 44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young,
- both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the
- righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their
- heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect
- frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be
- arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father,
- and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged
- according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be
- evil.
-
- Alma 11:45
- 45 Now, behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the death of
- the mortal body, and also concerning the resurrection of the
- mortal body. I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to
- an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death
- unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with
- their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming
- spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption.
-
- Alma 11:46
- 46 Now, when Amulek had finished these words the people began
- again to be astonished, and also Zeezrom began to tremble. And
- thus ended the words of Amulek, or this is all that I have
- written.
-
- Alma 12
- Chapter 12
-
- Alma 12:1
- 1 Now Alma, seeing that the words of Amulek had silenced
- Zeezrom, for he beheld that Amulek had caught him in his lying
- and deceiving to destroy him, and seeing that he began to tremble
- under a consciousness of his guilt, he opened his mouth and began
- to speak unto him, and to establish the words of Amulek, and to
- explain things beyond, or to unfold the scriptures beyond that
- which Amulek had done.
-
- Alma 12:2
- 2 Now the words that Alma spake unto Zeezrom were heard by the
- people round about; for the multitude was great, and he spake on
- this wise:
-
- Alma 12:3
- 3 Now Zeezrom, seeing that thou hast been taken in thy lying and
- craftiness, for thou hast not lied unto men only but thou hast
- lied unto God; for behold, he knows all thy thoughts, and thou
- seest that thy thoughts are made known unto us by his Spirit;
-
- Alma 12:4
- 4 And thou seest that we know that thy plan was a very subtle
- plan, as to the subtlety of the devil, for to lie and to deceive
- this people that thou mightest set them against us, to revile us
- and to cast us out--
-
- Alma 12:5
- 5 Now this was a plan of thine adversary, and he hath exercised
- his power in thee. Now I would that ye should remember that what
- I say unto thee I say unto all.
-
- Alma 12:6
- 6 And behold I say unto you all that this was a snare of the
- adversary, which he has laid to catch this people, that he might
- bring you into subjection unto him, that he might encircle you
- about with his chains, that he might chain you down to
- everlasting destruction, according to the power of his captivity.
-
- Alma 12:7
- 7 Now when Alma had spoken these words, Zeezrom began to tremble
- more exceedingly, for he was convinced more and more of the power
- of God; and he was also convinced that Alma and Amulek had a
- knowledge of him, for he was convinced that they knew the
- thoughts and intents of his heart; for power was given unto them
- that they might know of these things according to the spirit of
- prophecy.
-
- Alma 12:8
- 8 And Zeezrom began to inquire of them diligently, that he might
- know more concerning the kingdom of God. And he said unto Alma:
- What does this mean which Amulek hath spoken concerning the
- resurrection of the dead, that all shall rise from the dead, both
- the just and the unjust, and are brought to stand before God to
- be judged according to their works?
-
- Alma 12:9
- 9 And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying:
- It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless
- they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart
- only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant
- unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence
- which they give unto him.
-
- Alma 12:10
- 10 And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same
- receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not
- harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the
- word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God
- until he know them in full.
-
- Alma 12:11
- 11 And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the
- lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his
- mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led
- by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by
- the chains of hell.
-
- Alma 12:12
- 12 And Amulek hath spoken plainly concerning death, and being
- raised from this mortality to a state of immortality, and being
- brought before the bar of God, to be judged according to our
- works.
-
- Alma 12:13
- 13 Then if our hearts have been hardened, yea, if we have
- hardened our hearts against the word, insomuch that it has not
- been found in us, then will our state be awful, for then we shall
- be condemned.
-
- Alma 12:14
- 14 For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will
- condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will
- also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to
- look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command
- the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his
- presence.
-
- Alma 12:15
- 15 But this cannot be; we must come forth and stand before him
- in his glory, and in his power, and in his might, majesty, and
- dominion, and acknowledge to our everlasting shame that all his
- judgments are just; that he is just in all his works, and that he
- is merciful unto the children of men, and that he has all power
- to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth
- fruit meet for repentance.
-
- Alma 12:16
- 16 And now behold, I say unto you then cometh a death, even a
- second death, which is a spiritual death; then is a time that
- whosoever dieth in his sins, as to a temporal death, shall also
- die a spiritual death; yea, he shall die as to things pertaining
- unto righteousness.
-
- Alma 12:17
- 17 Then is the time when their torments shall be as a lake of
- fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever;
- and then is the time that they shall be chained down to an
- everlasting destruction, according to the power and captivity of
- Satan, he having subjected them according to his will.
-
- Alma 12:18
- 18 Then, I say unto you, they shall be as though there had been
- no redemption made; for they cannot be redeemed according to
- God's justice; and they cannot die, seeing there is no more
- corruption.
-
- Alma 12:19
- 19 Now it came to pass that when Alma had made an end of
- speaking these words, the people began to be more astonished;
-
- Alma 12:20
- 20 But there was one Antionah, who was a chief ruler among them,
- came forth and said unto him: What is this that thou hast said,
- that man should rise from the dead and be changed from this
- mortal to an immortal state that the soul can never die?
-
- Alma 12:21
- 21 What does the scripture mean, which saith that God placed
- cherubim and a flaming sword on the east of the garden of Eden,
- lest our first parents should enter and partake of the fruit of
- the tree of life, and live forever? And thus we see that there
- was no possible chance that they should live forever.
-
- Alma 12:22
- 22 Now Alma said unto him: This is the thing which I was about
- to explain, now we see that Adam did fall by the partaking of the
- forbidden fruit, according to the word of God; and thus we see,
- that by his fall, all mankind became a lost and fallen people.
-
- Alma 12:23
- 23 And now behold, I say unto you that if it had been possible
- for Adam to have partaken of the fruit of the tree of life at
- that time, there would have been no death, and the word would
- have been void, making God a liar, for he said: If thou eat thou
- shalt surely die.
-
- Alma 12:24
- 24 And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death
- which has been spoken of by Amulek, which is the temporal death;
- nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he might
- repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time
- to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state
- which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection
- of the dead.
-
- Alma 12:25
- 25 Now, if it had not been for the plan of redemption, which was
- laid from the foundation of the world, there could have been no
- resurrection of the dead; but there was a plan of redemption
- laid, which shall bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, of
- which has been spoken.
-
- Alma 12:26
- 26 And now behold, if it were possible that our first parents
- could have gone forth and partaken of the tree of life they would
- have been forever miserable, having no preparatory state; and
- thus the plan of redemption would have been frustrated, and the
- word of God would have been void, taking none effect.
-
- Alma 12:27
- 27 But behold, it was not so; but it was appointed unto men that
- they must die; and after death, they must come to judgment, even
- that same judgment of which we have spoken, which is the end.
-
- Alma 12:28
- 28 And after God had appointed that these things should come
- unto man, behold, then he saw that it was expedient that man
- should know concerning the things whereof he had appointed unto
- them;
-
- Alma 12:29
- 29 Therefore he sent angels to converse with them, who caused
- men to behold of his glory.
-
- Alma 12:30
- 30 And they began from that time forth to call on his name;
- therefore God conversed with men, and made known unto them the
- plan of redemption, which had been prepared from the foundation
- of the world; and this he made known unto them according to their
- faith and repentance and their holy works.
-
- Alma 12:31
- 31 Wherefore, he gave commandments unto men, they having first
- transgressed the first commandments as to things which were
- temporal, and becoming as Gods, knowing good from evil, placing
- themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act
- according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to
- do good--
-
- Alma 12:32
- 32 Therefore God gave unto them commandments, after having made
- known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do
- evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an
- everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness; for
- on such the plan of redemption could have no power, for the works
- of justice could not be destroyed, according to the supreme
- goodness of God.
-
- Alma 12:33
- 33 But God did call on men, in the name of his Son, (this being
- the plan of redemption which was laid) saying: If ye will repent
- and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you,
- through mine Only Begotten Son;
-
- Alma 12:34
- 34 Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart,
- he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto
- a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.
-
- Alma 12:35
- 35 And whosoever will harden his heart and will do iniquity,
- behold, I swear in my wrath that he shall not enter into my rest.
-
- Alma 12:36
- 36 And now, my brethren, behold I say unto you, that if ye will
- harden your hearts ye shall not enter into the rest of the Lord;
- therefore your iniquity provoketh him that he sendeth down his
- wrath upon you as in the first provocation, yea, according to his
- word in the last provocation as well as the first, to the
- everlasting destruction of your souls; therefore, according to
- his word, unto the last death, as well as the first.
-
- Alma 12:37
- 37 And now, my brethren, seeing we know these things, and they
- are true, let us repent, and harden not our hearts, that we
- provoke not the Lord our God to pull down his wrath upon us in
- these his second commandments which he has given unto us; but let
- us enter into the rest of God, which is prepared according to his
- word.
-
- Alma 13
- Chapter 13
-
- Alma 13:1
- 1 And again, my brethren, I would cite your minds forward to the
- time when the Lord God gave these commandments unto his children;
- and I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained
- priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his
- Son, to teach these things unto the people.
-
- Alma 13:2
- 2 And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in
- a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to
- look forward to his Son for redemption.
-
- Alma 13:3
- 3 And this is the manner after which they were ordained--being
- called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to
- the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and
- good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil;
- therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly
- great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy
- calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory
- redemption for such.
-
- Alma 13:4
- 4 And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account
- of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on
- account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their
- minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had as
- great privilege as their brethren.
-
- Alma 13:5
- 5 Or in fine, in the first place they were on the same standing
- with their brethren; thus this holy calling being prepared from
- the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their
- hearts, being in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten
- Son, who was prepared--
-
- Alma 13:6
- 6 And thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto
- the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to teach his
- commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter
- into his rest--
-
- Alma 13:7
- 7 This high priesthood being after the order of his Son, which
- order was from the foundation of the world; or in other words,
- being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared
- from eternity to all eternity, according to his foreknowledge of
- all things--
-
- Alma 13:8
- 8 Now they were ordained after this manner--being called with a
- holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon
- them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and
- ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end--
-
- Alma 13:9
- 9 Thus they become high priests forever, after the order of the
- Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, who is without beginning of
- days or end of years, who is full of grace, equity, and truth.
- And thus it is. Amen.
-
- Alma 13:10
- 10 Now, as I said concerning the holy order, or this high
- priesthood, there were many who were ordained and became high
- priests of God; and it was on account of their exceeding faith
- and repentance, and their righteousness before God, they choosing
- to repent and work righteousness rather than to perish;
-
- Alma 13:11
- 11 Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were
- sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the
- blood of the Lamb.
-
- Alma 13:12
- 12 Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having
- their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God,
- could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence; and there
- were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered
- into the rest of the Lord their God.
-
- Alma 13:13
- 13 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble
- yourselves before God, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance,
- that ye may also enter into that rest.
-
- Alma 13:14
- 14 Yea, humble yourselves even as the people in the days of
- Melchizedek, who was also a high priest after this same order
- which I have spoken, who also took upon him the high priesthood
- forever.
-
- Alma 13:15
- 15 And it was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes;
- yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one-tenth part of all
- he possessed.
-
- Alma 13:16
- 16 Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that
- thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being
- a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that they
- might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that
- they might enter into the rest of the Lord.
-
- Alma 13:17
- 17 Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem; and
- his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination; yea,
- they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of
- wickedness;
-
- Alma 13:18
- 18 But Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith, and received
- the office of the high priesthood according to the holy order of
- God, did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did
- repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his
- days; therefore he was called the prince of peace, for he was the
- king of Salem; and he did reign under his father.
-
- Alma 13:19
- 19 Now, there were many before him, and also there were many
- afterwards, but none were greater; therefore, of him they have
- more particularly made mention.
-
- Alma 13:20
- 20 Now I need not rehearse the matter; what I have said may
- suffice. Behold, the scriptures are before you; if ye will wrest
- them it shall be to your own destruction.
-
- Alma 13:21
- 21 And now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words
- unto them, he stretched forth his hand unto them and cried with a
- mighty voice, saying: Now is the time to repent, for the day of
- salvation draweth nigh;
-
- Alma 13:22
- 22 Yea, and the voice of the Lord, by the mouth of angels, doth
- declare it unto all nations; yea, doth declare it, that they may
- have glad tidings of great joy; yea, and he doth sound these glad
- tidings among all his people, yea, even to them that are
- scattered abroad upon the face of the earth; wherefore they have
- come unto us.
-
- Alma 13:23
- 23 And they are made known unto us in plain terms, that we may
- understand, that we cannot err; and this because of our being
- wanderers in a strange land; therefore, we are thus highly
- favored, for we have these glad tidings declared unto us in all
- parts of our vineyard.
-
- Alma 13:24
- 24 For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in
- our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of
- the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming
- in his glory.
-
- Alma 13:25
- 25 And now we only wait to hear the joyful news declared unto us
- by the mouth of angels, of his coming; for the time cometh, we
- know not how soon. Would to God that it might be in my day; but
- let it be sooner or later, in it I will rejoice.
-
- Alma 13:26
- 26 And it shall be made known unto just and holy men, by the
- mouth of angels, at the time of his coming, that the words of our
- fathers may be fulfilled, according to that which they have
- spoken concerning him, which was according to the spirit of
- prophecy which was in them.
-
- Alma 13:27
- 27 And now, my brethren, I wish from the inmost part of my
- heart, yea, with great anxiety even unto pain, that ye would
- hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins, and not
- procrastinate the day of your repentance;
-
- Alma 13:28
- 28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call
- on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not
- be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the
- Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of
- love and all long-suffering;
-
- Alma 13:29
- 29 Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive
- eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts, that
- ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest.
-
- Alma 13:30
- 30 And may the Lord grant unto you repentance, that ye may not
- bring down his wrath upon you, that ye may not be bound down by
- the chains of hell, that ye may not suffer the second death.
-
- Alma 13:31
- 31 And Alma spake many more words unto the people, which are not
- written in this book.
-
- Alma 14
- Chapter 14
-
- Alma 14:1
- 1 And it came to pass after he had made an end of speaking unto
- the people many of them did believe on his words, and began to
- repent, and to search the scriptures.
-
- Alma 14:2
- 2 But the more part of them were desirous that they might
- destroy Alma and Amulek; for they were angry with Alma, because
- of the plainness of his words unto Zeezrom; and they also said
- that Amulek had lied unto them, and had reviled against their law
- and also against their lawyers and judges.
-
- Alma 14:3
- 3 And they were also angry with Alma and Amulek; and because
- they had testified so plainly against their wickedness, they
- sought to put them away privily.
-
- Alma 14:4
- 4 But it came to pass that they did not; but they took them and
- bound them with strong cords, and took them before the chief
- judge of the land.
-
- Alma 14:5
- 5 And the people went forth and witnessed against
- them--testifying that they had reviled against the law, and their
- lawyers and judges of the land, and also of all the people that
- were in the land; and also testified that there was but one God,
- and that he should send his Son among the people, but he should
- not save them; and many such things did the people testify
- against Alma and Amulek. Now this was done before the chief
- judge of the land.
-
- Alma 14:6
- 6 And it came to pass that Zeezrom was astonished at the words
- which had been spoken; and he also knew concerning the blindness
- of the minds, which he had caused among the people by his lying
- words; and his soul began to be harrowed up under a consciousness
- of his own guilt; yea, he began to be encircled about by the
- pains of hell.
-
- Alma 14:7
- 7 And it came to pass that he began to cry unto the people,
- saying: Behold, I am guilty, and these men are spotless before
- God. And he began to plead for them from that time forth; but
- they reviled him, saying: Art thou also possessed with the devil?
-
- And they spit upon him, and cast him out from among them, and
- also all those who believed in the words which had been spoken by
- Alma and Amulek; and they cast them out, and sent men to cast
- stones at them.
-
- Alma 14:8
- 8 And they brought their wives and children together, and
- whosoever believed or had been taught to believe in the word of
- God they caused that they should be cast into the fire, and they
- also brought forth their records which contained the holy
- scriptures, and cast them into the fire also, that they might be
- burned and destroyed by fire.
-
- Alma 14:9
- 9 And it came to pass that they took Alma and Amulek, and
- carried them forth to the place of martyrdom, that they might
- witness the destruction of those who were consumed by fire.
-
- Alma 14:10
- 10 And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who
- were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto
- Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us
- stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which is
- in us, and save them from the flames.
-
- Alma 14:11
- 11 But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I
- must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth
- them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may
- do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them,
- according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments
- which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and
- the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them,
- yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day.
-
- Alma 14:12
- 12 Now Amulek said unto Alma: Behold, perhaps they will burn us
- also.
-
- Alma 14:13
- 13 And Alma said: Be it according to the will of the Lord. But,
- behold, our work is not finished; therefore they burn us not.
-
- Alma 14:14
- 14 Now it came to pass that when the bodies of those who had
- been cast into the fire were consumed, and also the records which
- were cast in with them, the chief judge of the land came and
- stood before Alma and Amulek, as they were bound; and he smote
- them with his hand upon their cheeks, and said unto them: After
- what ye have seen, will ye preach again unto this people, that
- they shall be cast into a lake of fire and brimstone?
-
- Alma 14:15
- 15 Behold, ye see that ye had not power to save those who had
- been cast into the fire; neither has God saved them because they
- were of thy faith. And the judge smote them again upon their
- cheeks, and asked: What say ye for yourselves?
-
- Alma 14:16
- 16 Now this judge was after the order and faith of Nehor, who
- slew Gideon.
-
- Alma 14:17
- 17 And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek answered him
- nothing; and he smote them again, and delivered them to the
- officers to be cast into prison.
-
- Alma 14:18
- 18 And when they had been cast into prison three days, there
- came many lawyers, and judges, and priests, and teachers, who
- were of the profession of Nehor; and they came in unto the prison
- to see them, and they questioned them about many words; but they
- answered them nothing.
-
- Alma 14:19
- 19 And it came to pass that the judge stood before them, and
- said: Why do ye not answer the words of this people? Know ye not
- that I have power to deliver you up unto the flames? And he
- commanded them to speak; but they answered nothing.
-
- Alma 14:20
- 20 And it came to pass that they departed and went their ways,
- but came again on the morrow; and the judge also smote them again
- on their cheeks. And many came forth also, and smote them,
- saying: Will ye stand again and judge this people, and condemn
- our law? If ye have such great power why do ye not deliver
- yourselves?
-
- Alma 14:21
- 21 And many such things did they say unto them, gnashing their
- teeth upon them, and spitting upon them, and saying: How shall we
- look when we are damned?
-
- Alma 14:22
- 22 And many such things, yea, all manner of such things did they
- say unto them; and thus they did mock them for many days. And
- they did withhold food from them that they might hunger, and
- water that they might thirst; and they also did take from them
- their clothes that they were naked; and thus they were bound with
- strong cords, and confined in prison.
-
- Alma 14:23
- 23 And it came to pass after they had thus suffered for many
- days, (and it was on the twelfth day, in the tenth month, in the
- tenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi)
- that the chief judge over the land of Ammonihah and many of their
- teachers and their lawyers went in unto the prison where Alma and
- Amulek were bound with cords.
-
- Alma 14:24
- 24 And the chief judge stood before them, and smote them again,
- and said unto them: If ye have the power of God deliver
- yourselves from these bands, and then we will believe that the
- Lord will destroy this people according to your words.
-
- Alma 14:25
- 25 And it came to pass that they all went forth and smote them,
- saying the same words, even until the last; and when the last had
- spoken unto them the power of God was upon Alma and Amulek, and
- they rose and stood upon their feet.
-
- Alma 14:26
- 26 And Alma cried, saying: How long shall we suffer these great
- afflictions, O Lord? O Lord, give us strength according to our
- faith which is in Christ, even unto deliverance. And they broke
- the cords with which they were bound; and when the people saw
- this, they began to flee, for the fear of destruction had come
- upon them.
-
- Alma 14:27
- 27 And it came to pass that so great was their fear that they
- fell to the earth, and did not obtain the outer door of the
- prison; and the earth shook mightily, and the walls of the prison
- were rent in twain, so that they fell to the earth; and the chief
- judge, and the lawyers, and priests, and teachers, who smote upon
- Alma and Amulek, were slain by the fall thereof.
-
- Alma 14:28
- 28 And Alma and Amulek came forth out of the prison, and they
- were not hurt; for the Lord had granted unto them power,
- according to their faith which was in Christ. And they
- straightway came forth out of the prison; and they were loosed
- from their bands; and the prison had fallen to the earth, and
- every soul within the walls thereof, save it were Alma and
- Amulek, was slain; and they straightway came forth into the city.
-
- Alma 14:29
- 29 Now the people having heard a great noise came running
- together by multitudes to know the cause of it; and when they saw
- Alma and Amulek coming forth out of the prison, and the walls
- thereof had fallen to the earth, they were struck with great
- fear, and fled from the presence of Alma and Amulek even as a
- goat fleeth with her young from two lions; and thus they did flee
- from the presence of Alma and Amulek.
-
- Alma 15
- Chapter 15
-
- Alma 15:1
- 1 And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek were commanded to
- depart out of that city; and they departed, and came out even
- into the land of Sidom; and behold, there they found all the
- people who had departed out of the land of Ammonihah, who had
- been cast out and stoned, because they believed in the words of
- Alma.
-
- Alma 15:2
- 2 And they related unto them all that had happened unto their
- wives and children, and also concerning themselves, and of their
- power of deliverance.
-
- Alma 15:3
- 3 And also Zeezrom lay sick at Sidom, with a burning fever,
- which was caused by the great tribulations of his mind on account
- of his wickedness, for he supposed that Alma and Amulek were no
- more; and he supposed that they had been slain because of his
- iniquity. And this great sin, and his many other sins, did
- harrow up his mind until it did become exceedingly sore, having
- no deliverance; therefore he began to be scorched with a burning
- heat.
-
- Alma 15:4
- 4 Now, when he heard that Alma and Amulek were in the land of
- Sidom, his heart began to take courage; and he sent a message
- immediately unto them, desiring them to come unto him.
-
- Alma 15:5
- 5 And it came to pass that they went immediately, obeying the
- message which he had sent unto them; and they went in unto the
- house unto Zeezrom; and they found him upon his bed, sick, being
- very low with a burning fever; and his mind also was exceedingly
- sore because of his iniquities; and when he saw them he stretched
- forth his hand, and besought them that they would heal him.
-
- Alma 15:6
- 6 And it came to pass that Alma said unto him, taking him by the
- hand: Believest thou in the power of Christ unto salvation?
-
- Alma 15:7
- 7 And he answered and said: Yea, I believe all the words that
- thou hast taught.
-
- Alma 15:8
- 8 And Alma said: If thou believest in the redemption of Christ
- thou canst be healed.
-
- Alma 15:9
- 9 And he said: Yea, I believe according to thy words.
-
- Alma 15:10
- 10 And then Alma cried unto the Lord, saying: O Lord our God,
- have mercy on this man, and heal him according to his faith which
- is in Christ.
-
- Alma 15:11
- 11 And when Alma had said these words, Zeezrom leaped upon his
- feet, and began to walk; and this was done to the great
- astonishment of all the people; and the knowledge of this went
- forth throughout all the land of Sidom.
-
- Alma 15:12
- 12 And Alma baptized Zeezrom unto the Lord; and he began from
- that time forth to preach unto the people.
-
- Alma 15:13
- 13 And Alma established a church in the land of Sidom, and
- consecrated priests and teachers in the land, to baptize unto the
- Lord whosoever were desirous to be baptized.
-
- Alma 15:14
- 14 And it came to pass that they were many; for they did flock
- in from all the region round about Sidom, and were baptized.
-
- Alma 15:15
- 15 But as to the people that were in the land of Ammonihah, they
- yet remained a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked people; and they
- repented not of their sins, ascribing all the power of Alma and
- Amulek to the devil; for they were of the profession of Nehor,
- and did not believe in the repentance of their sins.
-
- Alma 15:16
- 16 And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek, Amulek having
- forsaken all his gold, and silver, and his precious things, which
- were in the land of Ammonihah, for the word of God, he being
- rejected by those who were once his friends and also by his
- father and his kindred;
-
- Alma 15:17
- 17 Therefore, after Alma having established the church at Sidom,
- seeing a great check, yea, seeing that the people were checked as
- to the pride of their hearts, and began to humble themselves
- before God, and began to assemble themselves together at their
- sanctuaries to worship God before the altar, watching and praying
- continually, that they might be delivered from Satan, and from
- death, and from destruction--
-
- Alma 15:18
- 18 Now as I said, Alma having seen all these things, therefore
- he took Amulek and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took
- him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his
- tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord.
-
- Alma 15:19
- 19 And thus ended the tenth year of the reign of the judges over
- the people of Nephi.
-
- Alma 16
- Chapter 16
-
- Alma 16:1
- 1 And it came to pass in the eleventh year of the reign of the
- judges over the people of Nephi, on the fifth day of the second
- month, there having been much peace in the land of Zarahemla,
- there having been no wars nor contentions for a certain number of
- years, even until the fifth day of the second month in the
- eleventh year, there was a cry of war heard throughout the land.
-
- Alma 16:2
- 2 For behold, the armies of the Lamanites had come in upon the
- wilderness side, into the borders of the land, even into the city
- of Ammonihah, and began to slay the people and destroy the city.
-
- Alma 16:3
- 3 And now it came to pass, before the Nephites could raise a
- sufficient army to drive them out of the land, they had destroyed
- the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, and also some
- around the borders of Noah, and taken others captive into the
- wilderness.
-
- Alma 16:4
- 4 Now it came to pass that the Nephites were desirous to obtain
- those who had been carried away captive into the wilderness.
-
- Alma 16:5
- 5 Therefore, he that had been appointed chief captain over the
- armies of the Nephites, (and his name was Zoram, and he had two
- sons, Lehi and Aha)--now Zoram and his two sons, knowing that
- Alma was high priest over the church, and having heard that he
- had the spirit of prophecy, therefore they went unto him and
- desired of him to know whither the Lord would that they should go
- into the wilderness in search of their brethren, who had been
- taken captive by the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 16:6
- 6 And it came to pass that Alma inquired of the Lord concerning
- the matter. And Alma returned and said unto them: Behold, the
- Lamanites will cross the river Sidon in the south wilderness,
- away up beyond the borders of the land of Manti. And behold
- there shall ye meet them, on the east of the river Sidon, and
- there the Lord will deliver unto thee thy brethren who have been
- taken captive by the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 16:7
- 7 And it came to pass that Zoram and his sons crossed over the
- river Sidon, with their armies, and marched away beyond the
- borders of Manti into the south wilderness, which was on the east
- side of the river Sidon.
-
- Alma 16:8
- 8 And they came upon the armies of the Lamanites, and the
- Lamanites were scattered and driven into the wilderness; and they
- took their brethren who had been taken captive by the Lamanites,
- and there was not one soul of them had been lost that were taken
- captive. And they were brought by their brethren to possess
- their own lands.
-
- Alma 16:9
- 9 And thus ended the eleventh year of the judges, the Lamanites
- having been driven out of the land, and the people of Ammonihah
- were destroyed; yea, every living soul of the Ammonihahites was
- destroyed, and also their great city, which they said God could
- not destroy, because of its greatness.
-
- Alma 16:10
- 10 But behold, in one day it was left desolate; and the
- carcasses were mangled by dogs and wild beasts of the wilderness.
-
- Alma 16:11
- 11 Nevertheless, after many days their dead bodies were heaped
- up upon the face of the earth, and they were covered with a
- shallow covering. And now so great was the scent thereof that
- the people did not go in to possess the land of Ammonihah for
- many years. And it was called Desolation of Nehors; for they
- were of the profession of Nehor, who were slain; and their lands
- remained desolate.
-
- Alma 16:12
- 12 And the Lamanites did not come again to war against the
- Nephites until the fourteenth year of the reign of the judges
- over the people of Nephi. And thus for three years did the
- people of Nephi have continual peace in all the land.
-
- Alma 16:13
- 13 And Alma and Amulek went forth preaching repentance to the
- people in their temples, and in their sanctuaries, and also in
- their synagogues, which were built after the manner of the Jews.
-
- Alma 16:14
- 14 And as many as would hear their words, unto them they did
- impart the word of God, without any respect of persons,
- continually.
-
- Alma 16:15
- 15 And thus did Alma and Amulek go forth, and also many more who
- had been chosen for the work, to preach the word throughout all
- the land. And the establishment of the church became general
- throughout the land, in all the region round about, among all the
- people of the Nephites.
-
- Alma 16:16
- 16 And there was no inequality among them; the Lord did pour out
- his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of
- the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the
- word which should be taught among them at the time of his
- coming--
-
- Alma 16:17
- 17 That they might not be hardened against the word, that they
- might not be unbelieving, and go on to destruction, but that they
- might receive the word with joy, and as a branch be grafted into
- the true vine, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord
- their God.
-
- Alma 16:18
- 18 Now those priests who did go forth among the people did
- preach against all lyings, and deceivings, and envyings, and
- strifes, and malice, and revilings, and stealing, robbing,
- plundering, murdering, committing adultery, and all manner of
- lasciviousness, crying that these things ought not so to be--
-
- Alma 16:19
- 19 Holding forth things which must shortly come; yea, holding
- forth the coming of the Son of God, his sufferings and death, and
- also the resurrection of the dead.
-
- Alma 16:20
- 20 And many of the people did inquire concerning the place where
- the Son of God should come; and they were taught that he would
- appear unto them after his resurrection; and this the people did
- hear with great joy and gladness.
-
- Alma 16:21
- 21 And now after the church had been established throughout all
- the land--having got the victory over the devil, and the word of
- God being preached in its purity in all the land, and the Lord
- pouring out his blessings upon the people--thus ended the
- fourteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of
- Nephi.
-
- Alma 17
- Chapter 17
-
- Alma 17:1
- 1 And now it came to pass that as Alma was journeying from the
- land of Gideon southward, away to the land of Manti, behold, to
- his astonishment, he met with the sons of Mosiah journeying
- towards the land of Zarahemla.
-
- Alma 17:2
- 2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel
- first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly
- to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were
- still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in
- the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound
- understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently,
- that they might know the word of God.
-
- Alma 17:3
- 3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer,
- and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the
- spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with
- power and authority of God.
-
- Alma 17:4
- 4 And they had been teaching the word of God for the space of
- fourteen years among the Lamanites, having had much success in
- bringing many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, by the power of
- their words many were brought before the altar of God, to call on
- his name and confess their sins before him.
-
- Alma 17:5
- 5 Now these are the circumstances which attended them in their
- journeyings, for they had many afflictions; they did suffer much,
- both in body and in mind, such as hunger, thirst and fatigue, and
- also much labor in the spirit.
-
- Alma 17:6
- 6 Now these were their journeyings: Having taken leave of their
- father, Mosiah, in the first year of the judges; having refused
- the kingdom which their father was desirous to confer upon them,
- and also this was the minds of the people;
-
- Alma 17:7
- 7 Nevertheless they departed out of the land of Zarahemla, and
- took their swords, and their spears, and their bows, and their
- arrows, and their slings; and this they did that they might
- provide food for themselves while in the wilderness.
-
- Alma 17:8
- 8 And thus they departed into the wilderness with their numbers
- which they had selected, to go up to the land of Nephi, to preach
- the word of God unto the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 17:9
- 9 And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the
- wilderness, and they fasted much and prayed much that the Lord
- would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them,
- and abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the
- hands of God to bring, if it were possible, their brethren, the
- Lamanites, to the knowledge of the truth, to the knowledge of the
- baseness of the traditions of their fathers, which were not
- correct.
-
- Alma 17:10
- 10 And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his
- Spirit, and said unto them: Be comforted. And they were
- comforted.
-
- Alma 17:11
- 11 And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the
- Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be
- patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth
- good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of
- thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.
-
- Alma 17:12
- 12 And it came to pass that the hearts of the sons of Mosiah,
- and also those who were with them, took courage to go forth unto
- the Lamanites to declare unto them the word of God.
-
- Alma 17:13
- 13 And it came to pass when they had arrived in the borders of
- the land of the Lamanites, that they separated themselves and
- departed one from another, trusting in the Lord that they should
- meet again at the close of their harvest; for they supposed that
- great was the work which they had undertaken.
-
- Alma 17:14
- 14 And assuredly it was great, for they had undertaken to preach
- the word of God to a wild and a hardened and a ferocious people;
- a people who delighted in murdering the Nephites, and robbing and
- plundering them; and their hearts were set upon riches, or upon
- gold and silver, and precious stones; yet they sought to obtain
- these things by murdering and plundering, that they might not
- labor for them with their own hands.
-
- Alma 17:15
- 15 Thus they were a very indolent people, many of whom did
- worship idols, and the curse of God had fallen upon them because
- of the traditions of their fathers; notwithstanding the promises
- of the Lord were extended unto them on the conditions of
- repentance.
-
- Alma 17:16
- 16 Therefore, this was the cause for which the sons of Mosiah
- had undertaken the work, that perhaps they might bring them unto
- repentance; that perhaps they might bring them to know of the
- plan of redemption.
-
- Alma 17:17
- 17 Therefore they separated themselves one from another, and
- went forth among them, every man alone, according to the word and
- power of God which was given unto him.
-
- Alma 17:18
- 18 Now Ammon being the chief among them, or rather he did
- administer unto them, and he departed from them, after having
- blessed them according to their several stations, having imparted
- the word of God unto them, or administered unto them before his
- departure; and thus they took their several journeys throughout
- the land.
-
- Alma 17:19
- 19 And Ammon went to the land of Ishmael, the land being called
- after the sons of Ishmael, who also became Lamanites.
-
- Alma 17:20
- 20 And as Ammon entered the land of Ishmael, the Lamanites took
- him and bound him, as was their custom to bind all the Nephites
- who fell into their hands, and carry them before the king; and
- thus it was left to the pleasure of the king to slay them, or to
- retain them in captivity, or to cast them into prison, or to cast
- them out of his land, according to his will and pleasure.
-
- Alma 17:21
- 21 And thus Ammon was carried before the king who was over the
- land of Ishmael; and his name was Lamoni; and he was a descendant
- of Ishmael.
-
- Alma 17:22
- 22 And the king inquired of Ammon if it were his desire to dwell
- in the land among the Lamanites, or among his people.
-
- Alma 17:23
- 23 And Ammon said unto him: Yea, I desire to dwell among this
- people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die.
-
- Alma 17:24
- 24 And it came to pass that king Lamoni was much pleased with
- Ammon, and caused that his bands should be loosed; and he would
- that Ammon should take one of his daughters to wife.
-
- Alma 17:25
- 25 But Ammon said unto him: Nay, but I will be thy servant.
- Therefore Ammon became a servant to king Lamoni. And it came to
- pass that he was set among other servants to watch the flocks of
- Lamoni, according to the custom of the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 17:26
- 26 And after he had been in the service of the king three days,
- as he was with the Lamanitish servants going forth with their
- flocks to the place of water, which was called the water of
- Sebus, and all the Lamanites drive their flocks hither, that they
- may have water--
-
- Alma 17:27
- 27 Therefore, as Ammon and the servants of the king were driving
- forth their flocks to this place of water, behold, a certain
- number of the Lamanites, who had been with their flocks to water,
- stood and scattered the flocks of Ammon and the servants of the
- king, and they scattered them insomuch that they fled many ways.
-
- Alma 17:28
- 28 Now the servants of the king began to murmur, saying: Now the
- king will slay us, as he has our brethren because their flocks
- were scattered by the wickedness of these men. And they began to
- weep exceedingly, saying: Behold, our flocks are scattered
- already.
-
- Alma 17:29
- 29 Now they wept because of the fear of being slain. Now when
- Ammon saw this his heart was swollen within him with joy; for,
- said he, I will show forth my power unto these my
- fellow-servants, or the power which is in me, in restoring these
- flocks unto the king, that I may win the hearts of these my
- fellow-servants, that I may lead them to believe in my words.
-
- Alma 17:30
- 30 And now, these were the thoughts of Ammon, when he saw the
- afflictions of those whom he termed to be his brethren.
-
- Alma 17:31
- 31 And it came to pass that he flattered them by his words,
- saying: My brethren, be of good cheer and let us go in search of
- the flocks, and we will gather them together and bring them back
- unto the place of water; and thus we will preserve the flocks
- unto the king and he will not slay us.
-
- Alma 17:32
- 32 And it came to pass that they went in search of the flocks,
- and they did follow Ammon, and they rushed forth with much
- swiftness and did head the flocks of the king, and did gather
- them together again to the place of water.
-
- Alma 17:33
- 33 And those men again stood to scatter their flocks; but Ammon
- said unto his brethren: Encircle the flocks round about that they
- flee not; and I go and contend with these men who do scatter our
- flocks.
-
- Alma 17:34
- 34 Therefore, they did as Ammon commanded them, and he went
- forth and stood to contend with those who stood by the waters of
- Sebus; and they were in number not a few.
-
- Alma 17:35
- 35 Therefore they did not fear Ammon, for they supposed that one
- of their men could slay him according to their pleasure, for they
- knew not that the Lord had promised Mosiah that he would deliver
- his sons out of their hands; neither did they know anything
- concerning the Lord; therefore they delighted in the destruction
- of their brethren; and for this cause they stood to scatter the
- flocks of the king.
-
- Alma 17:36
- 36 But Ammon stood forth and began to cast stones at them with
- his sling; yea, with mighty power he did sling stones amongst
- them; and thus he slew a certain number of them insomuch that
- they began to be astonished at his power; nevertheless they were
- angry because of the slain of their brethren, and they were
- determined that he should fall; therefore, seeing that they could
- not hit him with their stones, they came forth with clubs to slay
- him.
-
- Alma 17:37
- 37 But behold, every man that lifted his club to smite Ammon, he
- smote off their arms with his sword; for he did withstand their
- blows by smiting their arms with the edge of his sword, insomuch
- that they began to be astonished, and began to flee before him;
- yea, and they were not few in number; and he caused them to flee
- by the strength of his arm.
-
- Alma 17:38
- 38 Now six of them had fallen by the sling, but he slew none
- save it were their leader with his sword; and he smote off as
- many of their arms as were lifted against him, and they were not
- a few.
-
- Alma 17:39
- 39 And when he had driven them afar off, he returned and they
- watered their flocks and returned them to the pasture of the
- king, and then went in unto the king, bearing the arms which had
- been smitten off by the sword of Ammon, of those who sought to
- slay him; and they were carried in unto the king for a testimony
- of the things which they had done.
-
- Alma 18
- Chapter 18
-
- Alma 18:1
- 1 And it came to pass that king Lamoni caused that his servants
- should stand forth and testify to all the things which they had
- seen concerning the matter.
-
- Alma 18:2
- 2 And when they had all testified to the things which they had
- seen, and he had learned of the faithfulness of Ammon in
- preserving his flocks, and also of his great power in contending
- against those who sought to slay him, he was astonished
- exceedingly, and said: Surely, this is more than a man. Behold,
- is not this the Great Spirit who doth send such great punishments
- upon this people, because of their murders?
-
- Alma 18:3
- 3 And they answered the king, and said: Whether he be the Great
- Spirit or a man, we know not; but this much we do know, that he
- cannot be slain by the enemies of the king; neither can they
- scatter the king's flocks when he is with us, because of his
- expertness and great strength; therefore, we know that he is a
- friend to the king. And now, O king, we do not believe that a
- man has such great power, for we know he cannot be slain.
-
- Alma 18:4
- 4 And now, when the king heard these words, he said unto them:
- Now I know that it is the Great Spirit; and he has come down at
- this time to preserve your lives, that I might not slay you as I
- did your brethren. Now this is the Great Spirit of whom our
- fathers have spoken.
-
- Alma 18:5
- 5 Now this was the tradition of Lamoni, which he had received
- from his father, that there was a Great Spirit. Notwithstanding
- they believed in a Great Spirit they supposed that whatsoever
- they did was right; nevertheless, Lamoni began to fear
- exceedingly, with fear lest he had done wrong in slaying his
- servants;
-
- Alma 18:6
- 6 For he had slain many of them because their brethren had
- scattered their flocks at the place of water; and thus, because
- they had had their flocks scattered they were slain.
-
- Alma 18:7
- 7 Now it was the practice of these Lamanites to stand by the
- waters of Sebus to scatter the flocks of the people, that thereby
- they might drive away many that were scattered unto their own
- land, it being a practice of plunder among them.
-
- Alma 18:8
- 8 And it came to pass that king Lamoni inquired of his servants,
- saying: Where is this man that has such great power?
-
- Alma 18:9
- 9 And they said unto him: Behold, he is feeding thy horses. Now
- the king had commanded his servants, previous to the time of the
- watering of their flocks, that they should prepare his horses and
- chariots, and conduct him forth to the land of Nephi; for there
- had been a great feast appointed at the land of Nephi, by the
- father of Lamoni, who was king over all the land.
-
- Alma 18:10
- 10 Now when king Lamoni heard that Ammon was preparing his
- horses and his chariots he was more astonished, because of the
- faithfulness of Ammon, saying: Surely there has not been any
- servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this
- man; for even he doth remember all my commandments to execute
- them.
-
- Alma 18:11
- 11 Now I surely know that this is the Great Spirit, and I would
- desire him that he come in unto me, but I durst not.
-
- Alma 18:12
- 12 And it came to pass that when Ammon had made ready the horses
- and the chariots for the king and his servants, he went in unto
- the king, and he saw that the countenance of the king was
- changed; therefore he was about to return out of his presence.
-
- Alma 18:13
- 13 And one of the king's servants said unto him, Rabbanah, which
- is, being interpreted, powerful or great king, considering their
- kings to be powerful; and thus he said unto him: Rabbanah, the
- king desireth thee to stay.
-
- Alma 18:14
- 14 Therefore Ammon turned himself unto the king, and said unto
- him: What wilt thou that I should do for thee, O king? And the
- king answered him not for the space of an hour, according to
- their time, for he knew not what he should say unto him.
-
- Alma 18:15
- 15 And it came to pass that Ammon said unto him again: What
- desirest thou of me? But the king answered him not.
-
- Alma 18:16
- 16 And it came to pass that Ammon, being filled with the Spirit
- of God, therefore he perceived the thoughts of the king. And he
- said unto him: Is it because thou hast heard that I defended thy
- servants and thy flocks, and slew seven of their brethren with
- the sling and with the sword, and smote off the arms of others,
- in order to defend thy flocks and thy servants; behold, is it
- this that causeth thy marvelings?
-
- Alma 18:17
- 17 I say unto you, what is it, that thy marvelings are so great?
-
- Behold, I am a man, and am thy servant; therefore, whatsoever
- thou desirest which is right, that will I do.
-
- Alma 18:18
- 18 Now when the king had heard these words, he marveled again,
- for he beheld that Ammon could discern his thoughts; but
- notwithstanding this, king Lamoni did open his mouth, and said
- unto him: Who art thou? Art thou that Great Spirit, who knows
- all things?
-
- Alma 18:19
- 19 Ammon answered and said unto him: I am not.
-
- Alma 18:20
- 20 And the king said: How knowest thou the thoughts of my heart?
-
- Thou mayest speak boldly, and tell me concerning these things;
- and also tell me by what power ye slew and smote off the arms of
- my brethren that scattered my flocks--
-
- Alma 18:21
- 21 And now, if thou wilt tell me concerning these things,
- whatsoever thou desirest I will give unto thee; and if it were
- needed, I would guard thee with my armies; but I know that thou
- art more powerful than all they; nevertheless, whatsoever thou
- desirest of me I will grant it unto thee.
-
- Alma 18:22
- 22 Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, he said unto Lamoni: Wilt
- thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do
- these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee.
-
- Alma 18:23
- 23 And the king answered him, and said: Yea, I will believe all
- thy words. And thus he was caught with guile.
-
- Alma 18:24
- 24 And Ammon began to speak unto him with boldness, and said
- unto him: Believest thou that there is a God?
-
- Alma 18:25
- 25 And he answered, and said unto him: I do not know what that
- meaneth.
-
- Alma 18:26
- 26 And then Ammon said: Believest thou that there is a Great
- Spirit?
-
- Alma 18:27
- 27 And he said, Yea.
-
- Alma 18:28
- 28 And Ammon said: This is God. And Ammon said unto him again:
- Believest thou that this Great Spirit, who is God, created all
- things which are in heaven and in the earth?
-
- Alma 18:29
- 29 And he said: Yea, I believe that he created all things which
- are in the earth; but I do not know the heavens.
-
- Alma 18:30
- 30 And Ammon said unto him: The heavens is a place where God
- dwells and all his holy angels.
-
- Alma 18:31
- 31 And king Lamoni said: Is it above the earth?
-
- Alma 18:32
- 32 And Ammon said: Yea, and he looketh down upon all the
- children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the
- heart; for by his hand were they all created from the beginning.
-
- Alma 18:33
- 33 And king Lamoni said: I believe all these things which thou
- hast spoken. Art thou sent from God?
-
- Alma 18:34
- 34 Ammon said unto him: I am a man; and man in the beginning was
- created after the image of God, and I am called by his Holy
- Spirit to teach these things unto this people, that they may be
- brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true;
-
- Alma 18:35
- 35 And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me
- knowledge, and also power according to my faith and desires which
- are in God.
-
- Alma 18:36
- 36 Now when Ammon had said these words, he began at the creation
- of the world, and also the creation of Adam, and told him all the
- things concerning the fall of man, and rehearsed and laid before
- him the records and the holy scriptures of the people, which had
- been spoken by the prophets, even down to the time that their
- father, Lehi, left Jerusalem.
-
- Alma 18:37
- 37 And he also rehearsed unto them (for it was unto the king and
- to his servants) all the journeyings of their fathers in the
- wilderness, and all their sufferings with hunger and thirst, and
- their travail, and so forth.
-
- Alma 18:38
- 38 And he also rehearsed unto them concerning the rebellions of
- Laman and Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael, yea, all their
- rebellions did he relate unto them; and he expounded unto them
- all the records and scriptures from the time that Lehi left
- Jerusalem down to the present time.
-
- Alma 18:39
- 39 But this is not all; for he expounded unto them the plan of
- redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world;
- and he also made known unto them concerning the coming of Christ,
- and all the works of the Lord did he make known unto them.
-
- Alma 18:40
- 40 And it came to pass that after he had said all these things,
- and expounded them to the king, that the king believed all his
- words.
-
- Alma 18:41
- 41 And he began to cry unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, have
- mercy; according to thy abundant mercy which thou hast had upon
- the people of Nephi, have upon me, and my people.
-
- Alma 18:42
- 42 And now, when he had said this, he fell unto the earth, as if
- he were dead.
-
- Alma 18:43
- 43 And it came to pass that his servants took him and carried
- him in unto his wife, and laid him upon a bed; and he lay as if
- he were dead for the space of two days and two nights; and his
- wife, and his sons, and his daughters mourned over him, after the
- manner of the Lamanites, greatly lamenting his loss.
-
- Alma 19
- Chapter 19
-
- Alma 19:1
- 1 And it came to pass that after two days and two nights they
- were about to take his body and lay it in a sepulchre, which they
- had made for the purpose of burying their dead.
-
- Alma 19:2
- 2 Now the queen having heard of the fame of Ammon, therefore she
- sent and desired that he should come in unto her.
-
- Alma 19:3
- 3 And it came to pass that Ammon did as he was commanded, and
- went in unto the queen, and desired to know what she would that
- he should do.
-
- Alma 19:4
- 4 And she said unto him: The servants of my husband have made it
- known unto me that thou art a prophet of a holy God, and that
- thou hast power to do many mighty works in his name;
-
- Alma 19:5
- 5 Therefore, if this is the case, I would that ye should go in
- and see my husband, for he has been laid upon his bed for the
- space of two days and two nights; and some say that he is not
- dead, but others say that he is dead and that he stinketh, and
- that he ought to be placed in the sepulchre; but as for myself,
- to me he doth not stink.
-
- Alma 19:6
- 6 Now, this was what Ammon desired, for he knew that king Lamoni
- was under the power of God; he knew that the dark veil of
- unbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the light which
- did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God,
- which was a marvelous light of his goodness--yea, this light had
- infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been
- dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in
- his soul, yea, he knew that this had overcome his natural frame,
- and he was carried away in God--
-
- Alma 19:7
- 7 Therefore, what the queen desired of him was his only desire.
- Therefore, he went in to see the king according as the queen had
- desired him; and he saw the king, and he knew that he was not
- dead.
-
- Alma 19:8
- 8 And he said unto the queen: He is not dead, but he sleepeth in
- God, and on the morrow he shall rise again; therefore bury him
- not.
-
- Alma 19:9
- 9 And Ammon said unto her: Believest thou this? And she said
- unto him: I have had no witness save thy word, and the word of
- our servants; nevertheless I believe that it shall be according
- as thou hast said.
-
- Alma 19:10
- 10 And Ammon said unto her: Blessed art thou because of thy
- exceeding faith; I say unto thee, woman, there has not been such
- great faith among all the people of the Nephites.
-
- Alma 19:11
- 11 And it came to pass that she watched over the bed of her
- husband, from that time even until that time on the morrow which
- Ammon had appointed that he should rise.
-
- Alma 19:12
- 12 And it came to pass that he arose, according to the words of
- Ammon; and as he arose, he stretched forth his hand unto the
- woman, and said: Blessed be the name of God, and blessed art
- thou.
-
- Alma 19:13
- 13 For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have seen my Redeemer;
- and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall
- redeem all mankind who believe on his name. Now, when he had
- said these words, his heart was swollen within him, and he sunk
- again with joy; and the queen also sunk down, being overpowered
- by the Spirit.
-
- Alma 19:14
- 14 Now Ammon seeing the Spirit of the Lord poured out according
- to his prayers upon the Lamanites, his brethren, who had been the
- cause of so much mourning among the Nephites, or among all the
- people of God because of their iniquities and their traditions,
- he fell upon his knees, and began to pour out his soul in prayer
- and thanksgiving to God for what he had done for his brethren;
- and he was also overpowered with joy; and thus they all three had
- sunk to the earth.
-
- Alma 19:15
- 15 Now, when the servants of the king had seen that they had
- fallen, they also began to cry unto God, for the fear of the Lord
- had come upon them also, for it was they who had stood before the
- king and testified unto him concerning the great power of Ammon.
-
- Alma 19:16
- 16 And it came to pass that they did call on the name of the
- Lord, in their might, even until they had all fallen to the
- earth, save it were one of the Lamanitish women, whose name was
- Abish, she having been converted unto the Lord for many years, on
- account of a remarkable vision of her father--
-
- Alma 19:17
- 17 Thus, having been converted to the Lord, and never having
- made it known, therefore, when she saw that all the servants of
- Lamoni had fallen to the earth, and also her mistress, the queen,
- and the king, and Ammon lay prostrate upon the earth, she knew
- that it was the power of God; and supposing that this
- opportunity, by making known unto the people what had happened
- among them, that by beholding this scene it would cause them to
- believe in the power of God, therefore she ran forth from house
- to house, making it known unto the people.
-
- Alma 19:18
- 18 And they began to assemble themselves together unto the house
- of the king. And there came a multitude, and to their
- astonishment they beheld the king, and the queen, and their
- servants prostrate upon the earth, and they all lay there as
- though they were dead; and they also saw Ammon, and behold, he
- was a Nephite.
-
- Alma 19:19
- 19 And now the people began to murmur among themselves; some
- saying that it was a great evil that had come upon them, or upon
- the king and his house, because he had suffered that the Nephite
- should remain in the land.
-
- Alma 19:20
- 20 But others rebuked them, saying: The king hath brought this
- evil upon his house, because he slew his servants who had had
- their flocks scattered at the waters of Sebus.
-
- Alma 19:21
- 21 And they were also rebuked by those men who had stood at the
- waters of Sebus and scattered the flocks which belonged to the
- king, for they were angry with Ammon because of the number which
- he had slain of their brethren at the waters of Sebus, while
- defending the flocks of the king.
-
- Alma 19:22
- 22 Now, one of them, whose brother had been slain with the sword
- of Ammon, being exceedingly angry with Ammon, drew his sword and
- went forth that he might let it fall upon Ammon, to slay him; and
- as he lifted the sword to smite him, behold, he fell dead.
-
- Alma 19:23
- 23 Now we see that Ammon could not be slain, for the Lord had
- said unto Mosiah, his father: I will spare him, and it shall be
- unto him according to thy faith--therefore, Mosiah trusted him
- unto the Lord.
-
- Alma 19:24
- 24 And it came to pass that when the multitude beheld that the
- man had fallen dead, who lifted the sword to slay Ammon, fear
- came upon them all, and they durst not put forth their hands to
- touch him or any of those who had fallen; and they began to
- marvel again among themselves what could be the cause of this
- great power, or what all these things could mean.
-
- Alma 19:25
- 25 And it came to pass that there were many among them who said
- that Ammon was the Great Spirit, and others said he was sent by
- the Great Spirit;
-
- Alma 19:26
- 26 But others rebuked them all, saying that he was a monster,
- who had been sent from the Nephites to torment them.
-
- Alma 19:27
- 27 And there were some who said that Ammon was sent by the Great
- Spirit to afflict them because of their iniquities; and that it
- was the Great Spirit that had always attended the Nephites, who
- had ever delivered them out of their hands; and they said that it
- was this Great Spirit who had destroyed so many of their
- brethren, the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 19:28
- 28 And thus the contention began to be exceedingly sharp among
- them. And while they were thus contending, the woman servant who
- had caused the multitude to be gathered together came, and when
- she saw the contention which was among the multitude she was
- exceedingly sorrowful, even unto tears.
-
- Alma 19:29
- 29 And it came to pass that she went and took the queen by the
- hand, that perhaps she might raise her from the ground; and as
- soon as she touched her hand she arose and stood upon her feet,
- and cried with a loud voice, saying: O blessed Jesus, who has
- saved me from an awful hell! O blessed God, have mercy on this
- people!
-
- Alma 19:30
- 30 And when she had said this, she clasped her hands, being
- filled with joy, speaking many words which were not understood;
- and when she had done this, she took the king, Lamoni, by the
- hand, and behold he arose and stood upon his feet.
-
- Alma 19:31
- 31 And he, immediately, seeing the contention among his people,
- went forth and began to rebuke them, and to teach them the words
- which he had heard from the mouth of Ammon; and as many as heard
- his words believed, and were converted unto the Lord.
-
- Alma 19:32
- 32 But there were many among them who would not hear his words;
- therefore they went their way.
-
- Alma 19:33
- 33 And it came to pass that when Ammon arose he also
- administered unto them, and also did all the servants of Lamoni;
- and they did all declare unto the people the selfsame thing--that
- their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do
- evil.
-
- Alma 19:34
- 34 And behold, many did declare unto the people that they had
- seen angels and had conversed with them; and thus they had told
- them things of God, and of his righteousness.
-
- Alma 19:35
- 35 And it came to pass that there were many that did believe in
- their words; and as many as did believe were baptized; and they
- became a righteous people, and they did establish a church among
- them.
-
- Alma 19:36
- 36 And thus the work of the Lord did commence among the
- Lamanites; thus the Lord did begin to pour out his Spirit upon
- them; and we see that his arm is extended to all people who will
- repent and believe on his name.
-
- Alma 20
- Chapter 20
-
- Alma 20:1
- 1 And it came to pass that when they had established a church in
- that land, that king Lamoni desired that Ammon should go with him
- to the land of Nephi, that he might show him unto his father.
-
- Alma 20:2
- 2 And the voice of the Lord came to Ammon saying: Thou shalt not
- go up to the land of Nephi, for behold, the king will seek thy
- life; but thou shalt go to the land of Middoni; for behold, thy
- brother Aaron, and also Muloki and Ammah are in prison.
-
- Alma 20:3
- 3 Now it came to pass that when Ammon had heard this, he said
- unto Lamoni: Behold, my brother and brethren are in prison at
- Middoni, and I go that I may deliver them.
-
- Alma 20:4
- 4 Now Lamoni said unto Ammon: I know, in the strength of the
- Lord thou canst do all things. But behold, I will go with thee
- to the land of Middoni; for the king of the land of Middoni,
- whose name is Antiomno, is a friend unto me; therefore I go to
- the land of Middoni, that I may flatter the king of the land, and
- he will cast thy brethren out of prison. Now Lamoni said unto
- him: Who told thee that thy brethren were in prison?
-
- Alma 20:5
- 5 And Ammon said unto him: No one hath told me, save it be God;
- and he said unto me--Go and deliver thy brethren, for they are in
- prison in the land of Middoni.
-
- Alma 20:6
- 6 Now when Lamoni had heard this he caused that his servants
- should make ready his horses and his chariots.
-
- Alma 20:7
- 7 And he said unto Ammon: Come, I will go with thee down to the
- land of Middoni, and there I will plead with the king that he
- will cast thy brethren out of prison.
-
- Alma 20:8
- 8 And it came to pass that as Ammon and Lamoni were journeying
- thither, they met the father of Lamoni, who was king over all the
- land.
-
- Alma 20:9
- 9 And behold, the father of Lamoni said unto him: Why did ye not
- come to the feast on that great day when I made a feast unto my
- sons, and unto my people?
-
- Alma 20:10
- 10 And he also said: Whither art thou going with this Nephite,
- who is one of the children of a liar?
-
- Alma 20:11
- 11 And it came to pass that Lamoni rehearsed unto him whither he
- was going, for he feared to offend him.
-
- Alma 20:12
- 12 And he also told him all the cause of his tarrying in his own
- kingdom, that he did not go unto his father to the feast which he
- had prepared.
-
- Alma 20:13
- 13 And now when Lamoni had rehearsed unto him all these things,
- behold, to his astonishment, his father was angry with him, and
- said: Lamoni, thou art going to deliver these Nephites, who are
- sons of a liar. Behold, he robbed our fathers; and now his
- children are also come amongst us that they may, by their cunning
- and their lyings, deceive us, that they again may rob us of our
- property.
-
- Alma 20:14
- 14 Now the father of Lamoni commanded him that he should slay
- Ammon with the sword. And he also commanded him that he should
- not go to the land of Middoni, but that he should return with him
- to the land of Ishmael.
-
- Alma 20:15
- 15 But Lamoni said unto him: I will not slay Ammon, neither will
- I return to the land of Ishmael, but I go to the land of Middoni
- that I may release the brethren of Ammon, for I know that they
- are just men and holy prophets of the true God.
-
- Alma 20:16
- 16 Now when his father had heard these words, he was angry with
- him, and he drew his sword that he might smite him to the earth.
-
- Alma 20:17
- 17 But Ammon stood forth and said unto him: Behold, thou shalt
- not slay thy son; nevertheless, it were better that he should
- fall than thee, for behold, he has repented of his sins; but if
- thou shouldst fall at this time, in thine anger, thy soul could
- not be saved.
-
- Alma 20:18
- 18 And again, it is expedient that thou shouldst forbear; for if
- thou shouldst slay thy son, he being an innocent man, his blood
- would cry from the ground to the Lord his God, for vengeance to
- come upon thee; and perhaps thou wouldst lose thy soul.
-
- Alma 20:19
- 19 Now when Ammon had said these words unto him, he answered
- him, saying: I know that if I should slay my son, that I should
- shed innocent blood; for it is thou that hast sought to destroy
- him.
-
- Alma 20:20
- 20 And he stretched forth his hand to slay Ammon. But Ammon
- withstood his blows, and also smote his arm that he could not use
- it.
-
- Alma 20:21
- 21 Now when the king saw that Ammon could slay him, he began to
- plead with Ammon that he would spare his life.
-
- Alma 20:22
- 22 But Ammon raised his sword, and said unto him: Behold, I will
- smite thee except thou wilt grant unto me that my brethren may be
- cast out of prison.
-
- Alma 20:23
- 23 Now the king, fearing he should lose his life, said: If thou
- wilt spare me I will grant unto thee whatsoever thou wilt ask,
- even to half of the kingdom.
-
- Alma 20:24
- 24 Now when Ammon saw that he had wrought upon the old king
- according to his desire, he said unto him: If thou wilt grant
- that my brethren may be cast out of prison, and also that Lamoni
- may retain his kingdom, and that ye be not displeased with him,
- but grant that he may do according to his own desires in
- whatsoever thing he thinketh, then will I spare thee; otherwise I
- will smite thee to the earth.
-
- Alma 20:25
- 25 Now when Ammon had said these words, the king began to
- rejoice because of his life.
-
- Alma 20:26
- 26 And when he saw that Ammon had no desire to destroy him, and
- when he also saw the great love he had for his son Lamoni, he was
- astonished exceedingly, and said: Because this is all that thou
- hast desired, that I would release thy brethren, and suffer that
- my son Lamoni should retain his kingdom, behold, I will grant
- unto you that my son may retain his kingdom from this time and
- forever; and I will govern him no more--
-
- Alma 20:27
- 27 And I will also grant unto thee that thy brethren may be cast
- out of prison, and thou and thy brethren may come unto me, in my
- kingdom; for I shall greatly desire to see thee. For the king
- was greatly astonished at the words which he had spoken, and also
- at the words which had been spoken by his son Lamoni, therefore
- he was desirous to learn them.
-
- Alma 20:28
- 28 And it came to pass that Ammon and Lamoni proceeded on their
- journey towards the land of Middoni. And Lamoni found favor in
- the eyes of the king of the land; therefore the brethren of Ammon
- were brought forth out of prison.
-
- Alma 20:29
- 29 And when Ammon did meet them he was exceedingly sorrowful,
- for behold they were naked, and their skins were worn exceedingly
- because of being bound with strong cords. And they also had
- suffered hunger, thirst, and all kinds of afflictions;
- nevertheless they were patient in all their sufferings.
-
- Alma 20:30
- 30 And, as it happened, it was their lot to have fallen into the
- hands of a more hardened and a more stiffnecked people; therefore
- they would not hearken unto their words, and they had cast them
- out, and had smitten them, and had driven them from house to
- house, and from place to place, even until they had arrived in
- the land of Middoni; and there they were taken and cast into
- prison, and bound with strong cords, and kept in prison for many
- days, and were delivered by Lamoni and Ammon.
-
- Alma 21
- Chapter 21
-
- Alma 21:1
- 1 Now when Ammon and his brethren separated themselves in the
- borders of the land of the Lamanites, behold Aaron took his
- journey towards the land which was called by the Lamanites,
- Jerusalem, calling it after the land of their fathers' nativity;
- and it was away joining the borders of Mormon.
-
- Alma 21:2
- 2 Now the Lamanites and the Amalekites and the people of Amulon
- had built a great city, which was called Jerusalem.
-
- Alma 21:3
- 3 Now the Lamanites of themselves were sufficiently hardened,
- but the Amalekites and the Amulonites were still harder;
- therefore they did cause the Lamanites that they should harden
- their hearts, that they should wax strong in wickedness and their
- abominations.
-
- Alma 21:4
- 4 And it came to pass that Aaron came to the city of Jerusalem,
- and first began to preach to the Amalekites. And he began to
- preach to them in their synagogues, for they had built synagogues
- after the order of the Nehors; for many of the Amalekites and the
- Amulonites were after the order of the Nehors
-
- Alma 21:5
- 5 Therefore, as Aaron entered into one of their synagogues to
- preach unto the people, and as he was speaking unto them, behold
- there arose an Amalekite and began to contend with him, saying:
- What is that thou hast testified? Hast thou seen an angel? Why
- do not angels appear unto us? Behold are not this people as good
- as thy people?
-
- Alma 21:6
- 6 Thou also sayest, except we repent we shall perish. How
- knowest thou the thought and intent of our hearts? How knowest
- thou that we have cause to repent? How knowest thou that we are
- not a righteous people? Behold, we have built sanctuaries, and
- we do assemble ourselves together to worship God. We do believe
- that God will save all men.
-
- Alma 21:7
- 7 Now Aaron said unto him: Believest thou that the Son of God
- shall come to redeem mankind from their sins?
-
- Alma 21:8
- 8 And the man said unto him: We do not believe that thou knowest
- any such thing. We do not believe in these foolish traditions.
- We do not believe that thou knowest of things to come, neither do
- we believe that thy fathers and also that our fathers did know
- concerning the things which they spake, of that which is to come.
-
- Alma 21:9
- 9 Now Aaron began to open the scriptures unto them concerning
- the coming of Christ, and also concerning the resurrection of the
- dead, and that there could be no redemption for mankind save it
- were through the death and sufferings of Christ, and the
- atonement of his blood.
-
- Alma 21:10
- 10 And it came to pass as he began to expound these things unto
- them they were angry with him, and began to mock him; and they
- would not hear the words which he spake.
-
- Alma 21:11
- 11 Therefore, when he saw that they would not hear his words, he
- departed out of their synagogue, and came over to a village which
- was called Ani-Anti, and there he found Muloki preaching the word
- unto them; and also Ammah and his brethren. And they contended
- with many about the word.
-
- Alma 21:12
- 12 And it came to pass that they saw that the people would
- harden their hearts, therefore they departed and came over into
- the land of Middoni. And they did preach the word unto many, and
- few believed on the words which they taught.
-
- Alma 21:13
- 13 Nevertheless, Aaron and a certain number of his brethren were
- taken and cast into prison, and the remainder of them fled out of
- the land of Middoni unto the regions round about.
-
- Alma 21:14
- 14 And those who were cast into prison suffered many things, and
- they were delivered by the hand of Lamoni and Ammon, and they
- were fed and clothed.
-
- Alma 21:15
- 15 And they went forth again to declare the word, and thus they
- were delivered for the first time out of prison; and thus they
- had suffered.
-
- Alma 21:16
- 16 And they went forth whithersoever they were led by the Spirit
- of the Lord, preaching the word of God in every synagogue of the
- Amalekites, or in every assembly of the Lamanites where they
- could be admitted.
-
- Alma 21:17
- 17 And it came to pass that the Lord began to bless them,
- insomuch that they brought many to the knowledge of the truth;
- yea, they did convince many of their sins, and of the traditions
- of their fathers, which were not correct.
-
- Alma 21:18
- 18 And it came to pass that Ammon and Lamoni returned from the
- land of Middoni to the land of Ishmael, which was the land of
- their inheritance.
-
- Alma 21:19
- 19 And king Lamoni would not suffer that Ammon should serve him,
- or be his servant.
-
- Alma 21:20
- 20 But he caused that there should be synagogues built in the
- land of Ishmael; and he caused that his people, or the people who
- were under his reign, should assemble themselves together.
-
- Alma 21:21
- 21 And he did rejoice over them, and he did teach them many
- things. And he did also declare unto them that they were a
- people who were under him, and that they were a free people, that
- they were free from the oppressions of the king, his father; for
- that his father had granted unto him that he might reign over the
- people who were in the land of Ishmael, and in all the land round
- about.
-
- Alma 21:22
- 22 And he also declared unto them that they might have the
- liberty of worshiping the Lord their God according to their
- desires, in whatsoever place they were in, if it were in the land
- which was under the reign of king Lamoni.
-
- Alma 21:23
- 23 And Ammon did preach unto the people of king Lamoni; and it
- came to pass that he did teach them all things concerning things
- pertaining to righteousness. And he did exhort them daily, with
- all diligence; and they gave heed unto his word, and they were
- zealous for keeping the commandments of God.
-
- Alma 22
- Chapter 22
-
- Alma 22:1
- 1 Now, as Ammon was thus teaching the people of Lamoni
- continually, we will return to the account of Aaron and his
- brethren; for after he departed from the land of Middoni he was
- led by the Spirit to the land of Nephi, even to the house of the
- king which was over all the land save it were the land of
- Ishmael; and he was the father of Lamoni.
-
- Alma 22:2
- 2 And it came to pass that he went in unto him into the king's
- palace, with his brethren, and bowed himself before the king, and
- said unto him: Behold, O king, we are the brethren of Ammon, whom
- thou hast delivered out of prison.
-
- Alma 22:3
- 3 And now, O king, if thou wilt spare our lives, we will be thy
- servants. And the king said unto them: Arise, for I will grant
- unto you your lives, and I will not suffer that ye shall be my
- servants; but I will insist that ye shall administer unto me; for
- I have been somewhat troubled in mind because of the generosity
- and the greatness of the words of thy brother Ammon; and I desire
- to know the cause why he has not come up out of Middoni with
- thee.
-
- Alma 22:4
- 4 And Aaron said unto the king: Behold, the Spirit of the Lord
- has called him another way; he has gone to the land of Ishmael,
- to teach the people of Lamoni.
-
- Alma 22:5
- 5 Now the king said unto them: What is this that ye have said
- concerning the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, this is the thing
- which doth trouble me.
-
- Alma 22:6
- 6 And also, what is this that Ammon said--If ye will repent ye
- shall be saved, and if ye will not repent, ye shall be cast off
- at the last day?
-
- Alma 22:7
- 7 And Aaron answered him and said unto him: Believest thou that
- there is a God? And the king said: I know that the Amalekites
- say that there is a God, and I have granted unto them that they
- should build sanctuaries, that they may assemble themselves
- together to worship him. And if now thou sayest there is a God,
- behold I will believe.
-
- Alma 22:8
- 8 And now when Aaron heard this, his heart began to rejoice, and
- he said: Behold, assuredly as thou livest, O king, there is a
- God.
-
- Alma 22:9
- 9 And the king said: Is God that Great Spirit that brought our
- fathers out of the land of Jerusalem?
-
- Alma 22:10
- 10 And Aaron said unto him: Yea, he is that Great Spirit, and he
- created all things both in heaven and in earth. Believest thou
- this?
-
- Alma 22:11
- 11 And he said: Yea, I believe that the Great Spirit created all
- things, and I desire that ye should tell me concerning all these
- things, and I will believe thy words.
-
- Alma 22:12
- 12 And it came to pass that when Aaron saw that the king would
- believe his words, he began from the creation of Adam, reading
- the scriptures unto the king--how God created man after his own
- image, and that God gave him commandments, and that because of
- transgression, man had fallen.
-
- Alma 22:13
- 13 And Aaron did expound unto him the scriptures from the
- creation of Adam, laying the fall of man before him, and their
- carnal state and also the plan of redemption, which was prepared
- from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all
- whosoever would believe on his name.
-
- Alma 22:14
- 14 And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of
- himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their
- sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he
- breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no
- victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in
- the hopes of glory; and Aaron did expound all these things unto
- the king.
-
- Alma 22:15
- 15 And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these
- things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have
- this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I
- do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted
- out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled
- with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold,
- said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake
- my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.
-
- Alma 22:16
- 16 But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou
- wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy
- sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in
- faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive
- the hope which thou desirest.
-
- Alma 22:17
- 17 And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the
- king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he
- did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying:
-
- Alma 22:18
- 18 O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there
- is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto
- me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may
- be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now
- when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were
- dead.
-
- Alma 22:19
- 19 And it came to pass that his servants ran and told the queen
- all that had happened unto the king. And she came in unto the
- king; and when she saw him lay as if he were dead, and also Aaron
- and his brethren standing as though they had been the cause of
- his fall, she was angry with them, and commanded that her
- servants, or the servants of the king, should take them and slay
- them.
-
- Alma 22:20
- 20 Now the servants had seen the cause of the king's fall,
- therefore they durst not lay their hands on Aaron and his
- brethren; and they pled with the queen saying: Why commandest
- thou that we should slay these men, when behold one of them is
- mightier than us all? Therefore we shall fall before them.
-
- Alma 22:21
- 21 Now when the queen saw the fear of the servants she also
- began to fear exceedingly, lest there should some evil come upon
- her. And she commanded her servants that they should go and call
- the people, that they might slay Aaron and his brethren.
-
- Alma 22:22
- 22 Now when Aaron saw the determination of the queen, he, also
- knowing the hardness of the hearts of the people, feared lest
- that a multitude should assemble themselves together, and there
- should be a great contention and a disturbance among them;
- therefore he put forth his hand and raised the king from the
- earth, and said unto him: Stand. And he stood upon his feet,
- receiving his strength.
-
- Alma 22:23
- 23 Now this was done in the presence of the queen and many of
- the servants. And when they saw it they greatly marveled, and
- began to fear. And the king stood forth, and began to minister
- unto them. And he did minister unto them, insomuch that his
- whole household were converted unto the Lord.
-
- Alma 22:24
- 24 Now there was a multitude gathered together because of the
- commandment of the queen, and there began to be great murmurings
- among them because of Aaron and his brethren.
-
- Alma 22:25
- 25 But the king stood forth among them and administered unto
- them. And they were pacified towards Aaron and those who were
- with him.
-
- Alma 22:26
- 26 And it came to pass that when the king saw that the people
- were pacified, he caused that Aaron and his brethren should stand
- forth in the midst of the multitude, and that they should preach
- the word unto them.
-
- Alma 22:27
- 27 And it came to pass that the king sent a proclamation
- throughout all the land, amongst all his people who were in all
- his land, who were in all the regions round about, which was
- bordering even to the sea, on the east and on the west, and which
- was divided from the land of Zarahemla by a narrow strip of
- wilderness, which ran from the sea east even to the sea west, and
- round about on the borders of the seashore, and the borders of
- the wilderness which was on the north by the land of Zarahemla,
- through the borders of Manti, by the head of the river Sidon,
- running from the east towards the west--and thus were the
- Lamanites and the Nephites divided.
-
- Alma 22:28
- 28 Now, the more idle part of the Lamanites lived in the
- wilderness, and dwelt in tents; and they were spread through the
- wilderness on the west, in the land of Nephi; yea, and also on
- the west of the land of Zarahemla, in the borders by the
- seashore, and on the west in the land of Nephi, in the place of
- their fathers' first inheritance, and thus bordering along by the
- seashore.
-
- Alma 22:29
- 29 And also there were many Lamanites on the east by the
- seashore, whither the Nephites had driven them. And thus the
- Nephites were nearly surrounded by the Lamanites; nevertheless
- the Nephites had taken possession of all the northern parts of
- the land bordering on the wilderness, at the head of the river
- Sidon, from the east to the west, round about on the wilderness
- side; on the north, even until they came to the land which they
- called Bountiful.
-
- Alma 22:30
- 30 And it bordered upon the land which they called Desolation,
- it being so far northward that it came into the land which had
- been peopled and been destroyed, of whose bones we have spoken,
- which was discovered by the people of Zarahemla, it being the
- place of their first landing.
-
- Alma 22:31
- 31 And they came from there up into the south wilderness. Thus
- the land on the northward was called Desolation, and the land on
- the southward was called Bountiful, it being the wilderness which
- is filled with all manner of wild animals of every kind, a part
- of which had come from the land northward for food.
-
- Alma 22:32
- 32 And now, it was only the distance of a day and a half's
- journey for a Nephite, on the line Bountiful and the land
- Desolation, from the east to the west sea; and thus the land of
- Nephi and the land of Zarahemla were nearly surrounded by water,
- there being a small neck of land between the land northward and
- the land southward.
-
- Alma 22:33
- 33 And it came to pass that the Nephites had inhabited the land
- Bountiful, even from the east unto the west sea, and thus the
- Nephites in their wisdom, with their guards and their armies, had
- hemmed in the Lamanites on the south, that thereby they should
- have no more possession on the north, that they might not overrun
- the land northward.
-
- Alma 22:34
- 34 Therefore the Lamanites could have no more possessions only
- in the land of Nephi, and the wilderness round about. Now this
- was wisdom in the Nephites--as the Lamanites were an enemy to
- them, they would not suffer their afflictions on every hand, and
- also that they might have a country whither they might flee,
- according to their desires.
-
- Alma 22:35
- 35 And now I, after having said this, return again to the
- account of Ammon and Aaron, Omner and Himni, and their brethren.
-
- Alma 23
- Chapter 23
-
- Alma 23:1
- 1 Behold, now it came to pass that the king of the Lamanites
- sent a proclamation among all his people, that they should not
- lay their hands on Ammon, or Aaron, or Omner, or Himni, nor
- either of their brethren who should go forth preaching the word
- of God, in whatsoever place they should be, in any part of their
- land.
-
- Alma 23:2
- 2 Yea, he sent a decree among them, that they should not lay
- their hands on them to bind them, or to cast them into prison;
- neither should they spit upon them, nor smite them, nor cast them
- out of their synagogues, nor scourge them; neither should they
- cast stones at them, but that they should have free access to
- their houses, and also their temples, and their sanctuaries.
-
- Alma 23:3
- 3 And thus they might go forth and preach the word according to
- their desires, for the king had been converted unto the Lord, and
- all his household; therefore he sent his proclamation throughout
- the land unto his people, that the word of God might have no
- obstruction, but that it might go forth throughout all the land,
- that his people might be convinced concerning the wicked
- traditions of their fathers, and that they might be convinced
- that they were all brethren, and that they ought not to murder,
- nor to plunder, nor to steal, nor to commit adultery, nor to
- commit any manner of wickedness.
-
- Alma 23:4
- 4 And now it came to pass that when the king had sent forth this
- proclamation, that Aaron and his brethren went forth from city to
- city, and from one house of worship to another, establishing
- churches, and consecrating priests and teachers throughout the
- land among the Lamanites, to preach and to teach the word of God
- among them; and thus they began to have great success.
-
- Alma 23:5
- 5 And thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord, yea,
- thousands were brought to believe in the traditions of the
- Nephites; and they were taught the records and prophecies which
- were handed down even to the present time.
-
- Alma 23:6
- 6 And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed,
- or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through
- the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit
- of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working
- miracles in them--yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as
- many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were
- converted unto the Lord, never did fall away.
-
- Alma 23:7
- 7 For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the
- weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God
- any more, neither against any of their brethren.
-
- Alma 23:8
- 8 Now, these are they who were converted unto the Lord:
-
- Alma 23:9
- 9 The people of the Lamanites who were in the land of Ishmael;
-
- Alma 23:10
- 10 And also of the people of the Lamanites who were in the land
- of Middoni;
-
- Alma 23:11
- 11 And also of the people of the Lamanites who were in the city
- of Nephi;
-
- Alma 23:12
- 12 And also of the people of the Lamanites who were in the land
- of Shilom, and who were in the land of Shemlon, and in the city
- of Lemuel, and in the city of Shimnilom.
-
- Alma 23:13
- 13 And these are the names of the cities of the Lamanites which
- were converted unto the Lord; and these are they that laid down
- the weapons of their rebellion, yea, all their weapons of war;
- and they were all Lamanites.
-
- Alma 23:14
- 14 And the Amalekites were not converted, save only one; neither
- were any of the Amulonites; but they did harden their hearts, and
- also the hearts of the Lamanites in that part of the land
- wheresoever they dwelt, yea, and all their villages and all their
- cities.
-
- Alma 23:15
- 15 Therefore, we have named all the cities of the Lamanites in
- which they did repent and come to the knowledge of the truth, and
- were converted.
-
- Alma 23:16
- 16 And now it came to pass that the king and those who were
- converted were desirous that they might have a name, that thereby
- they might be distinguished from their brethren; therefore the
- king consulted with Aaron and many of their priests, concerning
- the name that they should take upon them, that they might be
- distinguished.
-
- Alma 23:17
- 17 And it came to pass that they called their names
- Anti-Nephi-Lehies; and they were called by this name and were no
- more called Lamanites.
-
- Alma 23:18
- 18 And they began to be a very industrious people; yea, and they
- were friendly with the Nephites; therefore, they did open a
- correspondence with them, and the curse of God did no more follow
- them.
-
- Alma 24
- Chapter 24
-
- Alma 24:1
- 1 And it came to pass that the Amalekites and the Amulonites and
- the Lamanites who were in the land of Amulon, and also in the
- land of Helam, and who were in the land of Jerusalem, and in
- fine, in all the land round about, who had not been converted and
- had not taken upon them the name of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, were stirred
- up by the Amalekites and by the Amulonites to anger against their
- brethren.
-
- Alma 24:2
- 2 And their hatred became exceedingly sore against them, even
- insomuch that they began to rebel against their king, insomuch
- that they would not that he should be their king; therefore, they
- took up arms against the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi.
-
- Alma 24:3
- 3 Now the king conferred the kingdom upon his son, and he called
- his name Anti-Nephi-Lehi.
-
- Alma 24:4
- 4 And the king died in that selfsame year that the Lamanites
- began to make preparations for war against the people of God.
-
- Alma 24:5
- 5 Now when Ammon and his brethren and all those who had come up
- with him saw the preparations of the Lamanites to destroy their
- brethren, they came forth to the land of Midian, and there Ammon
- met all his brethren; and from thence they came to the land of
- Ishmael that they might hold a council with Lamoni and also with
- his brother Anti-Nephi-Lehi, what they should do to defend
- themselves against the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 24:6
- 6 Now there was not one soul among all the people who had been
- converted unto the Lord that would take up arms against their
- brethren; nay, they would not even make any preparations for war;
- yea, and also their king commanded them that they should not.
-
- Alma 24:7
- 7 Now, these are the words which he said unto the people
- concerning the matter: I thank my God, my beloved people, that
- our great God has in goodness sent these our brethren, the
- Nephites, unto us to preach unto us, and to convince us of the
- traditions of our wicked fathers.
-
- Alma 24:8
- 8 And behold, I thank my great God that he has given us a
- portion of his Spirit to soften our hearts, that we have opened a
- correspondence with these brethren, the Nephites.
-
- Alma 24:9
- 9 And behold, I also thank my God, that by opening this
- correspondence we have been convinced of our sins, and of the
- many murders which we have committed.
-
- Alma 24:10
- 10 And I also thank my God, yea, my great God, that he hath
- granted unto us that we might repent of these things, and also
- that he hath forgiven us of those our many sins and murders which
- we have committed, and taken away the guilt from our hearts,
- through the merits of his Son.
-
- Alma 24:11
- 11 And now behold, my brethren, since it has been all that we
- could do, (as we were the most lost of all mankind) to repent of
- all our sins and the many murders which we have committed, and to
- get God to take them away from our hearts, for it was all we
- could do to repent sufficiently before God that he would take
- away our stain--
-
- Alma 24:12
- 12 Now, my best beloved brethren, since God hath taken away our
- stains, and our swords have become bright, then let us stain our
- swords no more with the blood of our brethren.
-
- Alma 24:13
- 13 Behold, I say unto you, Nay, let us retain our swords that
- they be not stained with the blood of our brethren; for perhaps,
- if we should stain our swords again they can no more be washed
- bright through the blood of the Son of our great God, which shall
- be shed for the atonement of our sins.
-
- Alma 24:14
- 14 And the great God has had mercy on us, and made these things
- known unto us that we might not perish; yea, and he has made
- these things known unto us beforehand, because he loveth our
- souls as well as he loveth our children; therefore, in his mercy
- he doth visit us by his angels, that the plan of salvation might
- be made known unto us as well as unto future generations.
-
- Alma 24:15
- 15 Oh, how merciful is our God! And now behold, since it has
- been as much as we could do to get our stains taken away from us,
- and our swords are made bright, let us hide them away that they
- may be kept bright, as a testimony to our God at the last day, or
- at the day that we shall be brought to stand before him to be
- judged, that we have not stained our swords in the blood of our
- brethren since he imparted his word unto us and has made us clean
- thereby.
-
- Alma 24:16
- 16 And now, my brethren, if our brethren seek to destroy us,
- behold, we will hide away our swords, yea, even we will bury them
- deep in the earth, that they may be kept bright, as a testimony
- that we have never used them, at the last day; and if our
- brethren destroy us, behold, we shall go to our God and shall be
- saved.
-
- Alma 24:17
- 17 And now it came to pass that when the king had made an end of
- these sayings, and all the people were assembled together, they
- took their swords, and all the weapons which were used for the
- shedding of man's blood, and they did bury them up deep in the
- earth.
- Alma 24:18
- 18 And this they did, it being in their view a testimony to God,
- and also to men, that they never would use weapons again for the
- shedding of man's blood; and this they did, vouching and
- covenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their
- brethren they would give up their own lives; and rather than take
- away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather than
- spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with
- their hands.
-
- Alma 24:19
- 19 And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought to
- believe and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer
- even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they
- buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war,
- for peace.
-
- Alma 24:20
- 20 And it came to pass that their brethren, the Lamanites, made
- preparations for war, and came up to the land of Nephi for the
- purpose of destroying the king, and to place another in his
- stead, and also of destroying the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi out
- of the land.
-
- Alma 24:21
- 21 Now when the people saw that they were coming against them
- they went out to meet them, and prostrated themselves before them
- to the earth, and began to call on the name of the Lord; and thus
- they were in this attitude when the Lamanites began to fall upon
- them, and began to slay them with the sword.
-
- Alma 24:22
- 22 And thus without meeting any resistance, they did slay a
- thousand and five of them; and we know that they are blessed, for
- they have gone to dwell with their God.
-
- Alma 24:23
- 23 Now when the Lamanites saw that their brethren would not flee
- from the sword, neither would they turn aside to the right hand
- or to the left, but that they would lie down and perish, and
- praised God even in the very act of perishing under the sword--
-
- Alma 24:24
- 24 Now when the Lamanites saw this they did forbear from slaying
- them; and there were many whose hearts had swollen in them for
- those of their brethren who had fallen under the sword, for they
- repented of the things which they had done.
-
- Alma 24:25
- 25 And it came to pass that they threw down their weapons of
- war, and they would not take them again, for they were stung for
- the murders which they had committed; and they came down even as
- their brethren, relying upon the mercies of those whose arms were
- lifted to slay them.
-
- Alma 24:26
- 26 And it came to pass that the people of God were joined that
- day by more than the number who had been slain; and those who had
- been slain were righteous people, therefore we have no reason to
- doubt but what they were saved.
-
- Alma 24:27
- 27 And there was not a wicked man slain among them; but there
- were more than a thousand brought to the knowledge of the truth;
- thus we see that the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation
- of his people.
-
- Alma 24:28
- 28 Now the greatest number of those of the Lamanites who slew so
- many of their brethren were Amalekites and Amulonites, the
- greatest number of whom were after the order of the Nehors.
-
- Alma 24:29
- 29 Now, among those who joined the people of the Lord, there
- were none who were Amalekites or Amulonites, or who were of the
- order of Nehor, but they were actual descendants of Laman and
- Lemuel.
-
- Alma 24:30
- 30 And thus we can plainly discern, that after a people have
- been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have had great
- knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have
- fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more
- hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had
- never known these things.
-
- Alma 25
- Chapter 25
-
- Alma 25:1
- 1 And behold, now it came to pass that those Lamanites were more
- angry because they had slain their brethren; therefore they swore
- vengeance upon the Nephites; and they did no more attempt to slay
- the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi at that time.
-
- Alma 25:2
- 2 But they took their armies and went over into the borders of
- the land of Zarahemla, and fell upon the people who were in the
- land of Ammonihah, and destroyed them.
-
- Alma 25:3
- 3 And after that, they had many battles with the Nephites, in
- the which they were driven and slain.
-
- Alma 25:4
- 4 And among the Lamanites who were slain were almost all the
- seed of Amulon and his brethren, who were the priests of Noah,
- and they were slain by the hands of the Nephites;
-
- Alma 25:5
- 5 And the remainder, having fled into the east wilderness, and
- having usurped the power and authority over the Lamanites, caused
- that many of the Lamanites should perish by fire because of their
- belief--
-
- Alma 25:6
- 6 For many of them, after having suffered much loss and so many
- afflictions, began to be stirred up in remembrance of the words
- which Aaron and his brethren had preached to them in their land;
- therefore they began to disbelieve the traditions of their
- fathers, and to believe in the Lord, and that he gave great power
- unto the Nephites; and thus there were many of them converted in
- the wilderness.
-
- Alma 25:7
- 7 And it came to pass that those rulers who were the remnant of
- the children of Amulon caused that they should be put to death,
- yea, all those that believed in these things.
-
- Alma 25:8
- 8 Now this martyrdom caused that many of their brethren should
- be stirred up to anger; and there began to be contention in the
- wilderness; and the Lamanites began to hunt the seed of Amulon
- and his brethren and began to slay them; and they fled into the
- east wilderness.
-
- Alma 25:9
- 9 And behold they are hunted at this day by the Lamanites. Thus
- the words of Abinadi were brought to pass, which he said
- concerning the seed of the priests who caused that he should
- suffer death by fire.
-
- Alma 25:10
- 10 For he said unto them: What ye shall do unto me shall be a
- type of things to come.
-
- Alma 25:11
- 11 And now Abinadi was the first that suffered death by fire
- because of his belief in God; now this is what he meant, that
- many should suffer death by fire, according as he had suffered.
-
- Alma 25:12
- 12 And he said unto the priests of Noah that their seed should
- cause many to be put to death, in the like manner as he was, and
- that they should be scattered abroad and slain, even as a sheep
- having no shepherd is driven and slain by wild beasts; and now
- behold, these words were verified, for they were driven by the
- Lamanites, and they were hunted, and they were smitten.
-
- Alma 25:13
- 13 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that they
- could not overpower the Nephites they returned again to their own
- land; and many of them came over to dwell in the land of Ishmael
- and the land of Nephi, and did join themselves to the people of
- God, who were the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi.
-
- Alma 25:14
- 14 And they did also bury their weapons of war, according as
- their brethren had, and they began to be a righteous people; and
- they did walk in the ways of the Lord, and did observe to keep
- his commandments and his statutes.
-
- Alma 25:15
- 15 Yea, and they did keep the law of Moses; for it was expedient
- that they should keep the law of Moses as yet, for it was not all
- fulfilled. But notwithstanding the law of Moses, they did look
- forward to the coming of Christ, considering that the law of
- Moses was a type of his coming, and believing that they must keep
- those outward performances until the time that he should be
- revealed unto them.
-
- Alma 25:16
- 16 Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the law of
- Moses; but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith
- in Christ; and thus they did retain a hope through faith, unto
- eternal salvation, relying upon the spirit of prophecy, which
- spake of those things to come.
-
- Alma 25:17
- 17 And now behold, Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and Himni, and
- their brethren did rejoice exceedingly, for the success which
- they had had among the Lamanites, seeing that the Lord had
- granted unto them according to their prayers, and that he had
- also verified his word unto them in every particular.
-
- Alma 26
- Chapter 26
-
- Alma 26:1
- 1 And now, these are the words of Ammon to his brethren, which
- say thus: My brothers and my brethren, behold I say unto you, how
- great reason have we to rejoice; for could we have supposed when
- we started from the land of Zarahemla that God would have granted
- unto us such great blessings?
-
- Alma 26:2
- 2 And now, I ask, what great blessings has he bestowed upon us?
- Can ye tell?
-
- Alma 26:3
- 3 Behold, I answer for you; for our brethren, the Lamanites,
- were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how
- many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God!
- And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that
- we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about
- this great work.
-
- Alma 26:4
- 4 Behold, thousands of them do rejoice, and have been brought
- into the fold of God.
-
- Alma 26:5
- 5 Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did
- thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the
- day long did ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves!
- And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not
- wasted.
-
- Alma 26:6
- 6 Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at the last
- day; yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the whirlwinds;
- but when the storm cometh they shall be gathered together in
- their place, that the storm cannot penetrate to them; yea,
- neither shall they be driven with fierce winds whithersoever the
- enemy listeth to carry them.
-
- Alma 26:7
- 7 But behold, they are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest,
- and they are his; and he will raise them up at the last day.
-
- Alma 26:8
- 8 Blessed be the name of our God; let us sing to his praise,
- yea, let us give thanks to his holy name, for he doth work
- righteousness forever.
-
- Alma 26:9
- 9 For if we had not come up out of the land of Zarahemla, these
- our dearly beloved brethren, who have so dearly beloved us, would
- still have been racked with hatred against us, yea, and they
- would also have been strangers to God.
-
- Alma 26:10
- 10 And it came to pass that when Ammon had said these words, his
- brother Aaron rebuked him, saying: Ammon, I fear that thy joy
- doth carry thee away unto boasting.
-
- Alma 26:11
- 11 But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength,
- nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart
- is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.
-
- Alma 26:12
- 12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak;
- therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God,
- for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty
- miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise
- his name forever.
-
- Alma 26:13
- 13 Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from
- the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love,
- and this because of the power of his word which is in us,
- therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?
-
- Alma 26:14
- 14 Yea, we have reason to praise him forever, for he is the Most
- High God, and has loosed our brethren from the chains of hell.
-
- Alma 26:15
- 15 Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and
- destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting
- light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled
- about with the matchless bounty of his love; yea, and we have
- been instruments in his hands of doing this great and marvelous
- work.
-
- Alma 26:16
- 16 Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea,
- we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God
- forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who
- can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his
- long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto
- you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
-
- Alma 26:17
- 17 Who could have supposed that our God would have been so
- merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and
- polluted state?
-
- Alma 26:18
- 18 Behold, we went forth even in wrath, with mighty threatenings
- to destroy his church.
-
- Alma 26:19
- 19 Oh then, why did he not consign us to an awful destruction,
- yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us,
- and doom us to eternal despair?
-
- Alma 26:20
- 20 Oh, my soul, almost as it were, fleeth at the thought.
- Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great
- mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and
- misery, even to the salvation of our souls.
-
- Alma 26:21
- 21 And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that
- knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth
- these things, save it be the penitent.
-
- Alma 26:22
- 22 Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth
- forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing--unto
- such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it
- shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed;
- yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls
- to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these
- our brethren to repentance.
-
- Alma 26:23
- 23 Now do ye remember, my brethren, that we said unto our
- brethren in the land of Zarahemla, we go up to the land of Nephi,
- to preach unto our brethren, the Lamanites, and they laughed us
- to scorn?
-
- Alma 26:24
- 24 For they said unto us: Do ye suppose that ye can bring the
- Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth? Do ye suppose that ye
- can convince the Lamanites of the incorrectness of the traditions
- of their fathers, as stiffnecked a people as they are; whose
- hearts delight in the shedding of blood; whose days have been
- spent in the grossest iniquity; whose ways have been the ways of
- a transgressor from the beginning? Now my brethren, ye remember
- that this was their language.
-
- Alma 26:25
- 25 And moreover they did say: Let us take up arms against them,
- that we destroy them and their iniquity out of the land, lest
- they overrun us and destroy us.
-
- Alma 26:26
- 26 But behold, my beloved brethren, we came into the wilderness
- not with the intent to destroy our brethren, but with the intent
- that perhaps we might save some few of their souls.
-
- Alma 26:27
- 27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn
- back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy
- brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine
- afflictions, and I will give unto you success.
-
- Alma 26:28
- 28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them;
- and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered
- every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house,
- relying upon the mercies of the world--not upon the mercies of
- the world alone but upon the mercies of God.
-
- Alma 26:29
- 29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we
- have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them
- upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and
- their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and
- mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have
- been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into
- prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been
- delivered again.
-
- Alma 26:30
- 30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this,
- that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we
- supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the
- means of saving some.
-
- Alma 26:31
- 31 Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our
- labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many;
- yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love
- towards their brethren and also towards us.
-
- Alma 26:32
- 32 For behold, they had rather sacrifice their lives than even
- to take the life of their enemy; and they have buried their
- weapons of war deep in the earth, because of their love towards
- their brethren.
-
- Alma 26:33
- 33 And now behold I say unto you, has there been so great love
- in all the land? Behold, I say unto you, Nay, there has not,
- even among the Nephites.
-
- Alma 26:34
- 34 For behold, they would take up arms against their brethren;
- they would not suffer themselves to be slain. But behold how
- many of these have laid down their lives; and we know that they
- have gone to their God, because of their love and of their hatred
- to sin.
-
- Alma 26:35
- 35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you,
- there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we,
- since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto
- boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all
- understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful
- Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe
- on his name.
-
- Alma 26:36
- 36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my
- life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption
- from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has
- been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of
- Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I
- say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us,
- wanderers in a strange land.
-
- Alma 26:37
- 37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people,
- whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and
- his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy,
- and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my
- God forever. Amen.
-
- Alma 27
- Chapter 27
-
- Alma 27:1
- 1 Now it came to pass that when those Lamanites who had gone to
- war against the Nephites had found, after their many struggles to
- destroy them, that it was in vain to seek their destruction, they
- returned again to the land of Nephi.
-
- Alma 27:2
- 2 And it came to pass that the Amalekites, because of their
- loss, were exceedingly angry. And when they saw that they could
- not seek revenge from the Nephites, they began to stir up the
- people in anger against their brethren, the people of
- Anti-Nephi-Lehi; therefore they began again to destroy them.
-
- Alma 27:3
- 3 Now this people again refused to take their arms, and they
- suffered themselves to be slain according to the desires of their
- enemies.
-
- Alma 27:4
- 4 Now when Ammon and his brethren saw this work of destruction
- among those whom they so dearly beloved, and among those who had
- so dearly beloved them--for they were treated as though they were
- angels sent from God to save them from everlasting
- destruction--therefore, when Ammon and his brethren saw this
- great work of destruction, they were moved with compassion, and
- they said unto the king:
-
- Alma 27:5
- 5 Let us gather together this people of the Lord, and let us go
- down to the land of Zarahemla to our brethren the Nephites, and
- flee out of the hands of our enemies, that we be not destroyed.
-
- Alma 27:6
- 6 But the king said unto them: Behold, the Nephites will destroy
- us, because of the many murders and sins we have committed
- against them.
-
- Alma 27:7
- 7 And Ammon said: I will go and inquire of the Lord, and if he
- say unto us, go down unto our brethren, will ye go?
-
- Alma 27:8
- 8 And the king said unto him: Yea, if the Lord saith unto us go,
- we will go down unto our brethren, and we will be their slaves
- until we repair unto them the many murders and sins which we have
- committed against them.
-
- Alma 27:9
- 9 But Ammon said unto him: It is against the law of our
- brethren, which was established by my father, that there should
- be any slaves among them; therefore let us go down and rely upon
- the mercies of our brethren.
-
- Alma 27:10
- 10 But the king said unto him: Inquire of the Lord, and if he
- saith unto us go, we will go; otherwise we will perish in the
- land.
-
- Alma 27:11
- 11 And it came to pass that Ammon went and inquired of the Lord,
- and the Lord said unto him:
-
- Alma 27:12
- 12 Get this people out of this land, that they perish not; for
- Satan has great hold on the hearts of the Amalekites, who do stir
- up the Lamanites to anger against their brethren to slay them;
- therefore get thee out of this land; and blessed are this people
- in this generation, for I will preserve them.
-
- Alma 27:13
- 13 And now it came to pass that Ammon went and told the king all
- the words which the Lord had said unto him.
-
- Alma 27:14
- 14 And they gathered together all their people, yea, all the
- people of the Lord, and did gather together all their flocks and
- herds, and departed out of the land, and came into the wilderness
- which divided the land of Nephi from the land of Zarahemla, and
- came over near the borders of the land.
-
- Alma 27:15
- 15 And it came to pass that Ammon said unto them: Behold, I and
- my brethren will go forth into the land of Zarahemla, and ye
- shall remain here until we return; and we will try the hearts of
- our brethren, whether they will that ye shall come into their
- land.
-
- Alma 27:16
- 16 And it came to pass that as Ammon was going forth into the
- land, that he and his brethren met Alma, over in the place of
- which has been spoken; and behold, this was a joyful meeting.
-
- Alma 27:17
- 17 Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea,
- he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the exhausting
- of his strength; and he fell again to the earth.
-
- Alma 27:18
- 18 Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which
- none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of
- happiness.
-
- Alma 27:19
- 19 Now the joy of Alma in meeting his brethren was truly great,
- and also the joy of Aaron, of Omner, and Himni; but behold their
- joy was not that to exceed their strength.
-
- Alma 27:20
- 20 And now it came to pass that Alma conducted his brethren back
- to the land of Zarahemla; even to his own house. And they went
- and told the chief judge all the things that had happened unto
- them in the land of Nephi, among their brethren, the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 27:21
- 21 And it came to pass that the chief judge sent a proclamation
- throughout all the land, desiring the voice of the people
- concerning the admitting their brethren, who were the people of
- Anti-Nephi-Lehi.
-
- Alma 27:22
- 22 And it came to pass that the voice of the people came,
- saying: Behold, we will give up the land of Jershon, which is on
- the east by the sea, which joins the land Bountiful, which is on
- the south of the land Bountiful; and this land Jershon is the
- land which we will give unto our brethren for an inheritance.
-
- Alma 27:23
- 23 And behold, we will set our armies between the land Jershon
- and the land Nephi, that we may protect our brethren in the land
- Jershon; and this we do for our brethren, on account of their
- fear to take up arms against their brethren lest they should
- commit sin; and this their great fear came because of their sore
- repentance which they had, on account of their many murders and
- their awful wickedness.
-
- Alma 27:24
- 24 And now behold, this will we do unto our brethren, that they
- may inherit the land Jershon; and we will guard them from their
- enemies with our armies, on condition that they will give us a
- portion of their substance to assist us that we may maintain our
- armies.
-
- Alma 27:25
- 25 Now, it came to pass that when Ammon had heard this, he
- returned to the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, and also Alma with
- him, into the wilderness, where they had pitched their tents, and
- made known unto them all these things. And Alma also related
- unto them his conversion, with Ammon and Aaron, and his brethren.
-
- Alma 27:26
- 26 And it came to pass that it did cause great joy among them.
- And they went down into the land of Jershon, and took possession
- of the land of Jershon; and they were called by the Nephites the
- people of Ammon; therefore they were distinguished by that name
- ever after.
-
- Alma 27:27
- 27 And they were among the people of Nephi, and also numbered
- among the people who were of the church of God. And they were
- also distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also towards
- men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things;
- and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end.
-
- Alma 27:28
- 28 And they did look upon shedding the blood of their brethren
- with the greatest abhorrence; and they never could be prevailed
- upon to take up arms against their brethren; and they never did
- look upon death with any degree of terror, for their hope and
- views of Christ and the resurrection; therefore, death was
- swallowed up to them by the victory of Christ over it.
-
- Alma 27:29
- 29 Therefore, they would suffer death in the most aggravating
- and distressing manner which could be inflicted by their
- brethren, before they would take the sword or cimeter to smite
- them.
-
- Alma 27:30
- 30 And thus they were a zealous and beloved people, a highly
- favored people of the Lord.
-
- Alma 28
- Chapter 28
-
- Alma 28:1
- 1 And now it came to pass that after the people of Ammon were
- established in the land of Jershon, and a church also established
- in the land of Jershon, and the armies of the Nephites were set
- round about the land of Jershon, yea, in all the borders round
- about the land of Zarahemla; behold the armies of the Lamanites
- had followed their brethren into the wilderness.
-
- Alma 28:2
- 2 And thus there was a tremendous battle; yea, even such an one
- as never had been known among all the people in the land from the
- time Lehi left Jerusalem; yea, and tens of thousands of the
- Lamanites were slain and scattered abroad.
-
- Alma 28:3
- 3 Yea, and also there was a tremendous slaughter among the
- people of Nephi; nevertheless, the Lamanites were driven and
- scattered, and the people of Nephi returned again to their land.
-
- Alma 28:4
- 4 And now this was a time that there was a great mourning and
- lamentation heard throughout all the land, among all the people
- of Nephi--
-
- Alma 28:5
- 5 Yea, the cry of widows mourning for their husbands, and also
- of fathers mourning for their sons, and the daughter for the
- brother, yea, the brother for the father; and thus the cry of
- mourning was heard among all of them, mourning for their kindred
- who had been slain.
-
- Alma 28:6
- 6 And now surely this was a sorrowful day; yea, a time of
- solemnity, and a time of much fasting and prayer.
-
- Alma 28:7
- 7 And thus endeth the fifteenth year of the reign of the judges
- over the people of Nephi;
-
- Alma 28:8
- 8 And this is the account of Ammon and his brethren, their
- journeyings in the land of Nephi, their sufferings in the land,
- their sorrows, and their afflictions, and their incomprehensible
- joy, and the reception and safety of the brethren in the land of
- Jershon. And now may the Lord, the Redeemer of all men, bless
- their souls forever.
-
- Alma 28:9
- 9 And this is the account of the wars and contentions among the
- Nephites, and also the wars between the Nephites and the
- Lamanites; and the fifteenth year of the reign of the judges is
- ended.
-
- Alma 28:10
- 10 And from the first year to the fifteenth has brought to pass
- the destruction of many thousand lives; yea, it has brought to
- pass an awful scene of bloodshed.
-
- Alma 28:11
- 11 And the bodies of many thousands are laid low in the earth,
- while the bodies of many thousands are moldering in heaps upon
- the face of the earth; yea, and many thousands are mourning for
- the loss of their kindred, because they have reason to fear,
- according to the promises of the Lord, that they are consigned to
- a state of endless wo.
-
- Alma 28:12
- 12 While many thousands of others truly mourn for the loss of
- their kindred, yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and even
- know, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are raised
- to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never-ending
- happiness.
-
- Alma 28:13
- 13 And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of
- sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by
- the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of
- men.
-
- Alma 28:14
- 14 And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor
- in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of
- sorrow, and also of rejoicing--sorrow because of death and
- destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ
- unto life.
-
- Alma 29
- Chapter 29
-
- Alma 29:1
- 1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart,
- that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a
- voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!
-
- Alma 29:2
- 2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of
- thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should
- repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow
- upon all the face of the earth.
-
- Alma 29:3
- 3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to
- be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.
-
- Alma 29:4
- 4 I ought not to harrow up in my desires, the firm decree of a
- just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their
- desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that
- he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are
- unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto
- salvation or unto destruction.
-
- Alma 29:5
- 5 Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men;
- he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that
- knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his
- desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or
- remorse of conscience.
-
- Alma 29:6
- 6 Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more
- than to perform the work to which I have been called?
-
- Alma 29:7
- 7 Why should I desire that I were an angel, that I could speak
- unto all the ends of the earth?
-
- Alma 29:8
- 8 For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own
- nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he
- seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord
- doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true.
-
- Alma 29:9
- 9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in
- it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord
- hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may
- be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to
- repentance; and this is my joy.
-
- Alma 29:10
- 10 And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent,
- and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with
- joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even
- that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his
- merciful arm which he extended towards me.
-
- Alma 29:11
- 11 Yea, and I also remember the captivity of my fathers; for I
- surely do know that the Lord did deliver them out of bondage, and
- by this did establish his church; yea, the Lord God, the God of
- Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, did deliver them
- out of bondage.
-
- Alma 29:12
- 12 Yea, I have always remembered the captivity of my fathers;
- and that same God who delivered them out of the hands of the
- Egyptians did deliver them out of bondage.
-
- Alma 29:13
- 13 Yea, and that same God did establish his church among them;
- yea, and that same God hath called me by a holy calling, to
- preach the word unto this people, and hath given me much success,
- in the which my joy is full.
-
- Alma 29:14
- 14 But I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more
- full because of the success of my brethren, who have been up to
- the land of Nephi.
-
- Alma 29:15
- 15 Behold, they have labored exceedingly, and have brought forth
- much fruit; and how great shall be their reward!
-
- Alma 29:16
- 16 Now, when I think of the success of these my brethren my soul
- is carried away, even to the separation of it from the body, as
- it were, so great is my joy.
-
- Alma 29:17
- 17 And now may God grant unto these, my brethren, that they may
- sit down in the kingdom of God; yea, and also all those who are
- the fruit of their labors that they may go no more out, but that
- they may praise him forever. And may God grant that it may be
- done according to my words, even as I have spoken. Amen.
-
- Alma 30
- Chapter 30
-
- Alma 30:1
- 1 Behold, now it came to pass that after the people of Ammon
- were established in the land of Jershon, yea, and also after the
- Lamanites were driven out of the land, and their dead were buried
- by the people of the land--
-
- Alma 30:2
- 2 Now their dead were not numbered because of the greatness of
- their numbers; neither were the dead of the Nephites
- numbered--but it came to pass after they had buried their dead,
- and also after the days of fasting, and mourning, and prayer,
- (and it was in the sixteenth year of the reign of the judges over
- the people of Nephi) there began to be continual peace throughout
- all the land.
-
- Alma 30:3
- 3 Yea, and the people did observe to keep the commandments of
- the Lord; and they were strict in observing the ordinances of
- God, according to the law of Moses; for they were taught to keep
- the law of Moses until it should be fulfilled.
-
- Alma 30:4
- 4 And thus the people did have no disturbance in all the
- sixteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of
- Nephi.
-
- Alma 30:5
- 5 And it came to pass that in the commencement of the
- seventeenth year of the reign of the judges, there was continual
- peace.
-
- Alma 30:6
- 6 But it came to pass in the latter end of the seventeenth year,
- there came a man into the land of Zarahemla, and he was
- Anti-Christ, for he began to preach unto the people against the
- prophecies which had been spoken by the prophets, concerning the
- coming of Christ.
-
- Alma 30:7
- 7 Now there was no law against a man's belief; for it was
- strictly contrary to the commands of God that there should be a
- law which should bring men on to unequal grounds.
-
- Alma 30:8
- 8 For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day, whom ye will
- serve.
-
- Alma 30:9
- 9 Now if a man desired to serve God, it was his privilege; or
- rather, if he believed in God it was his privilege to serve him;
- but if he did not believe in him there was no law to punish him.
-
- Alma 30:10
- 10 But if he murdered he was punished unto death; and if he
- robbed he was also punished; and if he stole he was also
- punished; and if he committed adultery he was also punished; yea,
- for all this wickedness they were punished.
-
- Alma 30:11
- 11 For there was a law that men should be judged according to
- their crimes. Nevertheless, there was no law against a man's
- belief; therefore, a man was punished only for the crimes which
- he had done; therefore all men were on equal grounds.
-
- Alma 30:12
- 12 And this Anti-Christ, whose name was Korihor, (and the law
- could have no hold upon him) began to preach unto the people that
- there should be no Christ. And after this manner did he preach,
- saying:
-
- Alma 30:13
- 13 O ye that are bound down under a foolish and a vain hope, why
- do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things? Why do ye look
- for a Christ? For no man can know of anything which is to come.
-
- Alma 30:14
- 14 Behold, these things which ye call prophecies, which ye say
- are handed down by holy prophets, behold, they are foolish
- traditions of your fathers.
-
- Alma 30:15
- 15 How do ye know of their surety? Behold, ye cannot know of
- things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that there
- shall be a Christ.
-
- Alma 30:16
- 16 Ye look forward and say that ye see a remission of your sins.
-
- But behold, it is the effect of a frenzied mind; and this
- derangement of your minds comes because of the traditions of your
- fathers, which lead you away into a belief of things which are
- not so.
-
- Alma 30:17
- 17 And many more such things did he say unto them, telling them
- that there could be no atonement made for the sins of men, but
- every man fared in this life according to the management of the
- creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius,
- and that every man conquered according to his strength; and
- whatsoever a man did was no crime.
-
- Alma 30:18
- 18 And thus he did preach unto them, leading away the hearts of
- many, causing them to lift up their heads in their wickedness,
- yea, leading away many women, and also men, to commit
- whoredoms--telling them that when a man was dead, that was the
- end thereof.
-
- Alma 30:19
- 19 Now this man went over to the land of Jershon also, to preach
- these things among the people of Ammon, who were once the people
- of the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 30:20
- 20 But behold they were more wise than many of the Nephites; for
- they took him, and bound him, and carried him before Ammon, who
- was a high priest over that people.
-
- Alma 30:21
- 21 And it came to pass that he caused that he should be carried
- out of the land. And he came over into the land of Gideon, and
- began to preach unto them also; and here he did not have much
- success, for he was taken and bound and carried before the high
- priest, and also the chief judge over the land.
-
- Alma 30:22
- 22 And it came to pass that the high priest said unto him: Why
- do ye go about perverting the ways of the Lord? Why do ye teach
- this people that there shall be no Christ, to interrupt their
- rejoicings? Why do ye speak against all the prophecies of the
- holy prophets?
-
- Alma 30:23
- 23 Now the high priest's name was Giddonah. And Korihor said
- unto him: Because I do not teach the foolish traditions of your
- fathers, and because I do not teach this people to bind
- themselves down under the foolish ordinances and performances
- which are laid down by ancient priests, to usurp power and
- authority over them, to keep them in ignorance, that they may not
- lift up their heads, but be brought down according to thy words.
-
- Alma 30:24
- 24 Ye say that this people is a free people. Behold, I say they
- are in bondage. Ye say that those ancient prophecies are true.
- Behold, I say that ye do not know that they are true.
-
- Alma 30:25
- 25 Ye say that this people is a guilty and a fallen people,
- because of the transgression of a parent. Behold, I say that a
- child is not guilty because of its parents.
-
- Alma 30:26
- 26 And ye also say that Christ shall come. But behold, I say
- that ye do not know that there shall be a Christ. And ye say
- also that he shall be slain for the sins of the world--
-
- Alma 30:27
- 27 And thus ye lead away this people after the foolish
- traditions of your fathers, and according to your own desires;
- and ye keep them down, even as it were in bondage, that ye may
- glut yourselves with the labors of their hands, that they durst
- not look up with boldness, and that they durst not enjoy their
- rights and privileges.
-
- Alma 30:28
- 28 Yea, they durst not make use of that which is their own lest
- they should offend their priests, who do yoke them according to
- their desires, and have brought them to believe, by their
- traditions and their dreams and their whims and their visions and
- their pretended mysteries, that they should, if they did not do
- according to their words, offend some unknown being, who they say
- is God--a being who never has been seen or known, who never was
- nor ever will be.
-
- Alma 30:29
- 29 Now when the high priest and the chief judge saw the hardness
- of his heart, yea, when they saw that he would revile even
- against God, they would not make any reply to his words; but they
- caused that he should be bound; and they delivered him up into
- the hands of the officers, and sent him to the land of Zarahemla,
- that he might be brought before Alma, and the chief judge who was
- governor over all the land.
-
- Alma 30:30
- 30 And it came to pass that when he was brought before Alma and
- the chief judge, he did go on in the same manner as he did in the
- land of Gideon; yea, he went on to blaspheme.
-
- Alma 30:31
- 31 And he did rise up in great swelling words before Alma, and
- did revile against the priests and teachers, accusing them of
- leading away the people after the silly traditions of their
- fathers, for the sake of glutting on the labors of the people.
-
- Alma 30:32
- 32 Now Alma said unto him: Thou knowest that we do not glut
- ourselves upon the labors of this people; for behold I have
- labored even from the commencement of the reign of the judges
- until now, with mine own hands for my support, notwithstanding my
- many travels round about the land to declare the word of God unto
- my people.
-
- Alma 30:33
- 33 And notwithstanding the many labors which I have performed in
- the church, I have never received so much as even one senine for
- my labor; neither has any of my brethren, save it were in the
- judgment-seat; and then we have received only according to law
- for our time.
-
- Alma 30:34
- 34 And now, if we do not receive anything for our labors in the
- church, what doth it profit us to labor in the church save it
- were to declare the truth, that we may have rejoicings in the joy
- of our brethren?
-
- Alma 30:35
- 35 Then why sayest thou that we preach unto this people to get
- gain, when thou, of thyself, knowest that we receive no gain?
- And now, believest thou that we deceive this people, that causes
- such joy in their hearts?
-
- Alma 30:36
- 36 And Korihor answered him, Yea.
-
- Alma 30:37
- 37 And then Alma said unto him: Believest thou that there is a
- God?
-
- Alma 30:38
- 38 And he answered, Nay.
-
- Alma 30:39
- 39 Now Alma said unto him: Will ye deny again that there is a
- God, and also deny the Christ? For behold, I say unto you, I
- know there is a God, and also that Christ shall come.
-
- Alma 30:40
- 40 And now what evidence have ye that there is no God, or that
- Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be
- your word only.
-
- Alma 30:41
- 41 But, behold, I have all things as a testimony that these
- things are true; and ye also have all things as a testimony unto
- you that they are true; and will ye deny them? Believest thou
- that these things are true?
-
- Alma 30:42
- 42 Behold, I know that thou believest, but thou art possessed
- with a lying spirit, and ye have put off the Spirit of God that
- it may have no place in you; but the devil has power over you,
- and he doth carry you about, working devices that he may destroy
- the children of God.
-
- Alma 30:43
- 43 And now Korihor said unto Alma: If thou wilt show me a sign,
- that I may be convinced that there is a God, yea, show unto me
- that he hath power, and then will I be convinced of the truth of
- thy words.
-
- Alma 30:44
- 44 But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye
- tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have
- the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy
- prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all
- things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things
- that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also
- all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that
- there is a Supreme Creator.
-
- Alma 30:45
- 45 And yet do ye go about, leading away the hearts of this
- people, testifying unto them there is no God? And yet will ye
- deny against all these witnesses? And he said: Yea, I will deny,
- except ye shall show me a sign.
-
- Alma 30:46
- 46 And now it came to pass that Alma said unto him: Behold, I am
- grieved because of the hardness of your heart, yea, that ye will
- still resist the spirit of the truth, that thy soul may be
- destroyed.
-
- Alma 30:47
- 47 But behold, it is better that thy soul should be lost than
- that thou shouldst be the means of bringing many souls down to
- destruction, by thy lying and by thy flattering words; therefore
- if thou shalt deny again, behold God shall smite thee, that thou
- shalt become dumb, that thou shalt never open thy mouth any more,
- that thou shalt not deceive this people any more.
-
- Alma 30:48
- 48 Now Korihor said unto him: I do not deny the existence of a
- God, but I do not believe that there is a God; and I say also,
- that ye do not know that there is a God; and except ye show me a
- sign, I will not believe.
-
- Alma 30:49
- 49 Now Alma said unto him: This will I give unto thee for a
- sign, that thou shalt be struck dumb, according to my words; and
- I say, that in the name of God, ye shall be struck dumb, that ye
- shall no more have utterance.
-
- Alma 30:50
- 50 Now when Alma had said these words, Korihor was struck dumb,
- that he could not have utterance, according to the words of Alma.
-
- Alma 30:51
- 51 And now when the chief judge saw this, he put forth his hand
- and wrote unto Korihor, saying: Art thou convinced of the power
- of God? In whom did ye desire that Alma should show forth his
- sign? Would ye that he should afflict others, to show unto thee
- a sign? Behold, he has showed unto you a sign; and now will ye
- dispute more?
-
- Alma 30:52
- 52 And Korihor put forth his hand and wrote, saying: I know that
- I am dumb, for I cannot speak; and I know that nothing save it
- were the power of God could bring this upon me; yea, and I always
- knew that there was a God.
-
- Alma 30:53
- 53 But behold, the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto
- me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and reclaim this
- people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God. And
- he said unto me: There is no God; yea, and he taught me that
- which I should say. And I have taught his words; and I taught
- them because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind; and I
- taught them, even until I had much success, insomuch that I
- verily believed that they were true; and for this cause I
- withstood the truth, even until I have brought this great curse
- upon me.
-
- Alma 30:54
- 54 Now when he had said this, he besought that Alma should pray
- unto God, that the curse might be taken from him.
-
- Alma 30:55
- 55 But Alma said unto him: If this curse should be taken from
- thee thou wouldst again lead away the hearts of this people;
- therefore, it shall be unto thee even as the Lord will.
-
- Alma 30:56
- 56 And it came to pass that the curse was not taken off of
- Korihor; but he was cast out, and went about from house to house
- begging for his food.
-
- Alma 30:57
- 57 Now the knowledge of what had happened unto Korihor was
- immediately published throughout all the land; yea, the
- proclamation was sent forth by the chief judge to all the people
- in the land, declaring unto those who had believed in the words
- of Korihor that they must speedily repent, lest the same
- judgments would come unto them.
-
- Alma 30:58
- 58 And it came to pass that they were all convinced of the
- wickedness of Korihor; therefore they were all converted again
- unto the Lord; and this put an end to the iniquity after the
- manner of Korihor. And Korihor did go about from house to house,
- begging food for his support.
-
- Alma 30:59
- 59 And it came to pass that as he went forth among the people,
- yea, among a people who had separated themselves from the
- Nephites and called themselves Zoramites, being led by a man
- whose name was Zoram--and as he went forth amongst them, behold,
- he was run upon and trodden down, even until he was dead.
-
- Alma 30:60
- 60 And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the
- Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support his
- children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to
- hell.
-
- Alma 31
- Chapter 31
-
- Alma 31:1
- 1 Now it came to pass that after the end of Korihor, Alma having
- received tidings that the Zoramites were perverting the ways of
- the Lord, and that Zoram, who was their leader, was leading the
- hearts of the people to bow down to dumb idols, his heart again
- began to sicken because of the iniquity of the people.
-
- Alma 31:2
- 2 For it was the cause of great sorrow to Alma to know of
- iniquity among his people; therefore his heart was exceedingly
- sorrowful because of the separation of the Zoramites from the
- Nephites.
-
- Alma 31:3
- 3 Now the Zoramites had gathered themselves together in a land
- which they called Antionum, which was east of the land of
- Zarahemla, which lay nearly bordering upon the seashore, which
- was south of the land of Jershon, which also bordered upon the
- wilderness south, which wilderness was full of the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 31:4
- 4 Now the Nephites greatly feared that the Zoramites would enter
- into a correspondence with the Lamanites, and that it would be
- the means of great loss on the part of the Nephites.
-
- Alma 31:5
- 5 And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to
- lead the people to do that which was just--yea, it had had more
- powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or
- anything else, which had happened unto them--therefore Alma
- thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the
- word of God.
-
- Alma 31:6
- 6 Therefore he took Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner; and Himni he
- did leave in the church in Zarahemla; but the former three he
- took with him, and also Amulek and Zeezrom, who were at Melek;
- and he also took two of his sons.
-
- Alma 31:7
- 7 Now the eldest of his sons he took not with him, and his name
- was Helaman; but the names of those whom he took with him were
- Shiblon and Corianton; and these are the names of those who went
- with him among the Zoramites, to preach unto them the word.
-
- Alma 31:8
- 8 Now the Zoramites were dissenters from the Nephites; therefore
- they had had the word of God preached unto them.
-
- Alma 31:9
- 9 But they had fallen into great errors, for they would not
- observe to keep the commandments of God, and his statutes,
- according to the law of Moses.
-
- Alma 31:10
- 10 Neither would they observe the performances of the church, to
- continue in prayer and supplication to God daily, that they might
- not enter into temptation.
-
- Alma 31:11
- 11 Yea, in fine, they did pervert the ways of the Lord in very
- many instances; therefore, for this cause, Alma and his brethren
- went into the land to preach the word unto them.
-
- Alma 31:12
- 12 Now, when they had come into the land, behold, to their
- astonishment they found that the Zoramites had built synagogues,
- and that they did gather themselves together on one day of the
- week, which day they did call the day of the Lord; and they did
- worship after a manner which Alma and his brethren had never
- beheld;
-
- Alma 31:13
- 13 For they had a place built up in the center of their
- synagogue, a place for standing, which was high above the head,
- and the top thereof would only admit one person.
-
- Alma 31:14
- 14 Therefore, whosoever desired to worship must go forth and
- stand upon the top thereof, and stretch forth his hands towards
- heaven, and cry with a loud voice, saying:
-
- Alma 31:15
- 15 Holy, holy God; we believe that thou art God, and we believe
- that thou art holy, and that thou wast a spirit, and that thou
- art a spirit, and that thou wilt be a spirit forever.
-
- Alma 31:16
- 16 Holy God, we believe that thou hast separated us from our
- brethren; and we do not believe in the tradition of our brethren,
- which was handed down to them by the childishness of their
- fathers; but we believe that thou hast elected us to be thy holy
- children; and also thou hast made it known unto us that there
- shall be no Christ.
-
- Alma 31:17
- 17 But thou art the same yesterday, today, and forever; and thou
- hast elected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around us are
- elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell; for the which
- holiness, O God, we thank thee; and we also thank thee that thou
- hast elected us, that we may not be led away after the foolish
- traditions of our brethren, which doth bind them down to a belief
- of Christ, which doth lead their hearts to wander far from thee,
- our God.
-
- Alma 31:18
- 18 And again we thank thee, O God, that we are a chosen and a
- holy people. Amen.
-
- Alma 31:19
- 19 Now it came to pass that after Alma and his brethren and his
- sons had heard these prayers, they were astonished beyond all
- measure.
-
- Alma 31:20
- 20 For behold, every man did go forth and offer up these same
- prayers.
-
- Alma 31:21
- 21 Now the place was called by them Rameumptom, which, being
- interpreted, is the holy stand.
-
- Alma 31:22
- 22 Now, from this stand they did offer up, every man, the
- selfsame prayer unto God, thanking their God that they were
- chosen of him, and that he did not lead them away after the
- tradition of their brethren, and that their hearts were not
- stolen away to believe in things to come, which they knew nothing
- about.
-
- Alma 31:23
- 23 Now, after the people had all offered up thanks after this
- manner, they returned to their homes, never speaking of their God
- again until they had assembled themselves together again to the
- holy stand, to offer up thanks after their manner.
-
- Alma 31:24
- 24 Now when Alma saw this his heart was grieved; for he saw that
- they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that their
- hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner
- of fine goods.
-
- Alma 31:25
- 25 Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto
- great boasting, in their pride.
-
- Alma 31:26
- 26 And he lifted up his voice to heaven, and cried, saying: O,
- how long, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that thy servants shall dwell
- here below in the flesh, to behold such gross wickedness among
- the children of men?
-
- Alma 31:27
- 27 Behold, O God, they cry unto thee, and yet their hearts are
- swallowed up in their pride. Behold, O God, they cry unto thee
- with their mouths, while they are puffed up, even to greatness,
- with the vain things of the world.
-
- Alma 31:28
- 28 Behold, O my God, their costly apparel, and their ringlets,
- and their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold, and all their
- precious things which they are ornamented with; and behold, their
- hearts are set upon them, and yet they cry unto thee and say--We
- thank thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee, while
- others shall perish.
-
- Alma 31:29
- 29 Yea, and they say that thou hast made it known unto them that
- there shall be no Christ.
-
- Alma 31:30
- 30 O Lord God, how long wilt thou suffer that such wickedness
- and infidelity shall be among this people? O Lord, wilt thou
- give me strength, that I may bear with mine infirmities. For I
- am infirm, and such wickedness among this people doth pain my
- soul.
-
- Alma 31:31
- 31 O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort
- my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may
- have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions
- which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people.
-
- Alma 31:32
- 32 O Lord, wilt thou comfort my soul, and give unto me success,
- and also my fellow laborers who are with me--yea, Ammon, and
- Aaron, and Omner, and also Amulek and Zeezrom and also my two
- sons--yea, even all these wilt thou comfort, O Lord. Yea, wilt
- thou comfort their souls in Christ.
-
- Alma 31:33
- 33 Wilt thou grant unto them that they may have strength, that
- they may bear their afflictions which shall come upon them
- because of the iniquities of this people.
-
- Alma 31:34
- 34 O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in
- bringing them again unto thee in Christ.
-
- Alma 31:35
- 35 Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them
- are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and
- wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee.
-
- Alma 31:36
- 36 Now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words, that
- he clapped his hands upon all them who were with him. And
- behold, as he clapped his hands upon them, they were filled with
- the Holy Spirit.
-
- Alma 31:37
- 37 And after that they did separate themselves one from another,
- taking no thought for themselves what they should eat, or what
- they should drink, or what they should put on.
-
- Alma 31:38
- 38 And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not,
- neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength,
- that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were
- swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the
- prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith.
-
- Alma 32
- Chapter 32
-
- Alma 32:1
- 1 And it came to pass that they did go forth, and began to
- preach the word of God unto the people, entering into their
- synagogues, and into their houses; yea, and even they did preach
- the word in their streets.
-
- Alma 32:2
- 2 And it came to pass that after much labor among them, they
- began to have success among the poor class of people; for behold,
- they were cast out of the synagogues because of the coarseness of
- their apparel--
-
- Alma 32:3
- 3 Therefore they were not permitted to enter into their
- synagogues to worship God, being esteemed as filthiness;
- therefore they were poor; yea, they were esteemed by their
- brethren as dross; therefore they were poor as to things of the
- world; and also they were poor in heart.
-
- Alma 32:4
- 4 Now, as Alma was teaching and speaking unto the people upon
- the hill Onidah, there came a great multitude unto him, who were
- those of whom we have been speaking, of whom were poor in heart,
- because of their poverty as to the things of the world.
-
- Alma 32:5
- 5 And they came unto Alma; and the one who was the foremost
- among them said unto him: Behold, what shall these my brethren
- do, for they are despised of all men because of their poverty,
- yea, and more especially by our priests; for they have cast us
- out of our synagogues which we have labored abundantly to build
- with our own hands; and they have cast us out because of our
- exceeding poverty; and we have no place to worship our God; and
- behold, what shall we do?
-
- Alma 32:6
- 6 And now when Alma heard this, he turned him about, his face
- immediately towards him, and he beheld with great joy; for he
- beheld that their afflictions had truly humbled them and that
- they were in a preparation to hear the word.
-
- Alma 32:7
- 7 Therefore he did say no more to the other multitude; but he
- stretched forth his hand, and cried unto those whom he beheld,
- who were truly penitent, and said unto them:
-
- Alma 32:8
- 8 I behold that ye are lowly in heart; and if so, blessed are
- ye.
-
- Alma 32:9
- 9 Behold thy brother hath said, What shall we do?--for we are
- cast out of our synagogues, that we cannot worship our God.
-
- Alma 32:10
- 10 Behold I say unto you, do ye suppose that ye cannot worship
- God save it be in your synagogues only?
-
- Alma 32:11
- 11 Moreover, I would ask, do ye suppose that ye must not worship
- God only once in a week?
-
- Alma 32:12
- 12 I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of your
- synagogues, that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn wisdom;
- for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom; for it is
- because that ye are cast out, that ye are despised of your
- brethren because of your exceeding poverty, that ye are brought
- to a lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be
- humble.
-
- Alma 32:13
- 13 And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are
- ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh
- repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy;
- and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall
- be saved.
-
- Alma 32:14
- 14 And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled
- to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are
- more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word?
-
- Alma 32:15
- 15 Yea, he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his
- sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed--yea,
- much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble
- because of their exceeding poverty.
-
- Alma 32:16
- 16 Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without
- being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed
- is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without
- stubbornness of heart, yea, without being brought to know the
- word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe.
-
- Alma 32:17
- 17 Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a
- sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall
- believe.
-
- Alma 32:18
- 18 Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for
- if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he
- knoweth it.
-
- Alma 32:19
- 19 And now, how much more cursed is he that knoweth the will of
- God and doeth it not, than he that only believeth, or only hath
- cause to believe, and falleth into transgression?
-
- Alma 32:20
- 20 Now of this thing ye must judge. Behold, I say unto you,
- that it is on the one hand even as it is on the other; and it
- shall be unto every man according to his work.
-
- Alma 32:21
- 21 And now as I said concerning faith--faith is not to have a
- perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope
- for things which are not seen, which are true.
-
- Alma 32:22
- 22 And now, behold, I say unto you, and I would that ye should
- remember, that God is merciful unto all who believe on his name;
- therefore he desireth, in the first place, that ye should
- believe, yea, even on his word.
-
- Alma 32:23
- 23 And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not
- only men but women also. Now this is not all; little children do
- have words given unto them many times which confound the wise and
- the learned.
-
- Alma 32:24
- 24 And now, my beloved brethren, as ye have desired to know of
- me what ye shall do because ye are afflicted and cast out--now I
- do not desire that ye should suppose that I mean to judge you
- only according to that which is true--
-
- Alma 32:25
- 25 For I do not mean that ye all of you have been compelled to
- humble yourselves; for I verily believe that there are some among
- you who would humble themselves, let them be in whatsoever
- circumstances they might.
-
- Alma 32:26
- 26 Now, as I said concerning faith--that it was not a perfect
- knowledge--even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their
- surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a
- perfect knowledge.
-
- Alma 32:27
- 27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even
- to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith,
- yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this
- desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can
- give place for a portion of my words.
-
- Alma 32:28
- 28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give
- place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be
- a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your
- unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it
- will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these
- swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves--It must
- needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for
- it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten
- my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.
-
- Alma 32:29
- 29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto
- you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect
- knowledge.
-
- Alma 32:30
- 30 But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and
- beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good;
- for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow.
- And now behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it
- will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a
- good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow.
-
- Alma 32:31
- 31 And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say
- unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own
- likeness.
-
- Alma 32:32
- 32 Therefore, if a seed groweth it is good, but if it groweth
- not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast away.
-
- Alma 32:33
- 33 And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and
- planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to
- grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good.
-
- Alma 32:34
- 34 And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your
- knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant;
- and this because ye know, for ye know that the word hath swelled
- your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your
- understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth
- begin to expand.
-
- Alma 32:35
- 35 O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is
- light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is
- discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now
- behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge
- perfect?
-
- Alma 32:36
- 36 Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your
- faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed
- that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good.
-
- Alma 32:37
- 37 And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let
- us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may
- grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye
- nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and
- bring forth fruit.
-
- Alma 32:38
- 38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its
- nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat
- of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it
- withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.
-
- Alma 32:39
- 39 Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it
- because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is
- because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree,
- therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof.
-
- Alma 32:40
- 40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward
- with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of
- the fruit of the tree of life.
-
- Alma 32:41
- 41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it
- beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with
- patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take
- root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting
- life.
-
- Alma 32:42
- 42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your
- patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in
- you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is
- most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which
- is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is
- pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are
- filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.
-
- Alma 32:43
- 43 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith,
- and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for
- the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.
-
- Alma 33
- Chapter 33
-
- Alma 33:1
- 1 Now after Alma had spoken these words, they sent forth unto
- him desiring to know whether they should believe in one God, that
- they might obtain this fruit of which he had spoken, or how they
- should plant the seed, or the word of which he had spoken, which
- he said must be planted in their hearts; or in what manner they
- should begin to exercise their faith.
-
- Alma 33:2
- 2 And Alma said unto them: Behold, ye have said that ye could
- not worship your God because ye are cast out of your synagogues.
- But behold, I say unto you, if ye suppose that ye cannot worship
- God, ye do greatly err, and ye ought to search the scriptures; if
- ye suppose that they have taught you this, ye do not understand
- them.
-
- Alma 33:3
- 3 Do ye remember to have read what Zenos, the prophet of old,
- has said concerning prayer or worship?
-
- Alma 33:4
- 4 For he said: Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my
- prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast
- merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies,
- and thou didst turn them to me.
-
- Alma 33:5
- 5 Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto
- thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou
- didst hear me.
-
- Alma 33:6
- 6 And again, O God, when I did turn to my house thou didst hear
- me in my prayer.
-
- Alma 33:7
- 7 And when I did turn unto my closet, O Lord, and prayed unto
- thee, thou didst hear me.
-
- Alma 33:8
- 8 Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto
- thee, to be heard of thee and not of men, and thou wilt hear
- them.
-
- Alma 33:9
- 9 Yea, O God, thou hast been merciful unto me, and heard my
- cries in the midst of thy congregations.
-
- Alma 33:10
- 10 Yea, and thou hast also heard me when I have been cast out
- and have been despised by mine enemies; yea, thou didst hear my
- cries, and wast angry with mine enemies, and thou didst visit
- them in thine anger with speedy destruction.
-
- Alma 33:11
- 11 And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my
- sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus
- merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine
- afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy
- judgments away from me, because of thy Son.
-
- Alma 33:12
- 12 And now Alma said unto them: Do ye believe those scriptures
- which have been written by them of old?
-
- Alma 33:13
- 13 Behold, if ye do, ye must believe what Zenos said; for,
- behold he said: Thou hast turned away thy judgments because of
- thy Son.
-
- Alma 33:14
- 14 Now behold, my brethren, I would ask if ye have read the
- scriptures? If ye have, how can ye disbelieve on the Son of God?
-
- Alma 33:15
- 15 For it is not written that Zenos alone spake of these things,
- but Zenock also spake of these things--
-
- Alma 33:16
- 16 For behold, he said: Thou art angry, O Lord, with this
- people, because they will not understand thy mercies which thou
- hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son.
-
- Alma 33:17
- 17 And now, my brethren, ye see that a second prophet of old has
- testified of the Son of God, and because the people would not
- understand his words they stoned him to death.
-
- Alma 33:18
- 18 But behold, this is not all; these are not the only ones who
- have spoken concerning the Son of God.
-
- Alma 33:19
- 19 Behold, he was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a type was
- raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it
- might live. And many did look and live.
-
- Alma 33:20
- 20 But few understood the meaning of those things, and this
- because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who
- were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they
- perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did
- not believe that it would heal them.
-
- Alma 33:21
- 21 O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about
- your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly,
- or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be
- slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might
- perish?
-
- Alma 33:22
- 22 If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about
- your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will
- come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to
- atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead,
- which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall
- stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day,
- according to their works.
-
- Alma 33:23
- 23 And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word
- in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it
- by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up
- in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you
- that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And
- even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen.
-
- Alma 34
- Chapter 34
-
- Alma 34:1
- 1 And now it came to pass that after Alma had spoken these words
- unto them he sat down upon the ground, and Amulek arose and began
- to teach them, saying:
-
- Alma 34:2
- 2 My brethren, I think that it is impossible that ye should be
- ignorant of the things which have been spoken concerning the
- coming of Christ, who is taught by us to be the Son of God; yea,
- I know that these things were taught unto you bountifully before
- your dissension from among us.
-
- Alma 34:3
- 3 And as ye have desired of my beloved brother that he should
- make known unto you what ye should do, because of your
- afflictions; and he hath spoken somewhat unto you to prepare your
- minds; yea, and he hath exhorted you unto faith and to patience--
-
- Alma 34:4
- 4 Yea, even that ye would have so much faith as even to plant
- the word in your hearts, that ye may try the experiment of its
- goodness.
-
- Alma 34:5
- 5 And we have beheld that the great question which is in your
- minds is whether the word be in the Son of God, or whether there
- shall be no Christ.
-
- Alma 34:6
- 6 And ye also beheld that my brother has proved unto you, in
- many instances, that the word is in Christ unto salvation.
-
- Alma 34:7
- 7 My brother has called upon the words of Zenos, that redemption
- cometh through the Son of God, and also upon the words of Zenock;
- and also he has appealed unto Moses, to prove that these things
- are true.
-
- Alma 34:8
- 8 And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these
- things are true. Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that
- Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the
- transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the
- sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
-
- Alma 34:9
- 9 For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for
- according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an
- atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea,
- all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must
- perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient
- should be made.
-
- Alma 34:10
- 10 For it is expedient that there should be a great and last
- sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither
- of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but
- it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.
-
- Alma 34:11
- 11 Now there is not any man that can sacrifice his own blood
- which will atone for the sins of another. Now, if a man
- murdereth, behold will our law, which is just, take the life of
- his brother? I say unto you, Nay.
-
- Alma 34:12
- 12 But the law requireth the life of him who hath murdered;
- therefore there can be nothing which is short of an infinite
- atonement which will suffice for the sins of the world.
-
- Alma 34:13
- 13 Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and
- last sacrifice; and then shall there be, or it is expedient there
- should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the law of
- Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every jot and
- tittle, and none shall have passed away.
-
- Alma 34:14
- 14 And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit
- pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and
- last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.
-
- Alma 34:15
- 15 And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall
- believe on his name; this being the intent of this last
- sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth
- justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have
- faith unto repentance.
-
- Alma 34:16
- 16 And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and
- encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no
- faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands
- of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto
- repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of
- redemption.
-
- Alma 34:17
- 17 Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may
- begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to
- call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;
-
- Alma 34:18
- 18 Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.
-
- Alma 34:19
- 19 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.
-
- Alma 34:20
- 20 Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your
- flocks.
-
- Alma 34:21
- 21 Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household,
- both morning, mid-day, and evening.
-
- Alma 34:22
- 22 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.
-
- Alma 34:23
- 23 Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all
- righteousness.
-
- Alma 34:24
- 24 Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may
- prosper in them.
-
- Alma 34:25
- 25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.
-
- Alma 34:26
- 26 But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your
- closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.
-
- Alma 34:27
- 27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts
- be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your
- welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.
-
- Alma 34:28
- 28 And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not
- suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these
- things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not
- the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have,
- to those who stand in need--I say unto you, if ye do not any of
- these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you
- nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.
-
- Alma 34:29
- 29 Therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as
- dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and
- is trodden under foot of men.
-
- Alma 34:30
- 30 And now, my brethren, I would that, after ye have received so
- many witnesses, seeing that the holy scriptures testify of these
- things, ye come forth and bring fruit unto repentance.
-
- Alma 34:31
- 31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your
- hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of
- your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not
- your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be
- brought about unto you.
-
- Alma 34:32
- 32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet
- God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to
- perform their labors.
-
- Alma 34:33
- 33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many
- witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not
- procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after
- this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity,
- behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then
- cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor
- performed.
-
- Alma 34:34
- 34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that
- I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say
- this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the
- time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have
- power to possess your body in that eternal world.
-
- Alma 34:35
- 35 For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your
- repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to
- the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the
- Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in
- you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final
- state of the wicked.
-
- Alma 34:36
- 36 And this I know, because the Lord hath said he dwelleth not
- in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth he
- dwell; yea, and he has also said that the righteous shall sit
- down in his kingdom, to go no more out; but their garments should
- be made white through the blood of the Lamb.
-
- Alma 34:37
- 37 And now, my beloved brethren, I desire that ye should
- remember these things, and that ye should work out your salvation
- with fear before God, and that ye should no more deny the coming
- of Christ;
-
- Alma 34:38
- 38 That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye
- receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble
- yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place
- ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in
- thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he
- doth bestow upon you.
-
- Alma 34:39
- 39 Yea, and I also exhort you, my brethren, that ye be watchful
- unto prayer continually, that ye may not be led away by the
- temptations of the devil, that he may not overpower you, that ye
- may not become his subjects at the last day; for behold, he
- rewardeth you no good thing.
-
- Alma 34:40
- 40 And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have
- patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions; that
- ye do not revile against those who do cast you out because of
- your exceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them;
-
- Alma 34:41
- 41 But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions,
- with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your
- afflictions.
-
- Alma 35
- Chapter 35
-
- Alma 35:1
- 1 Now it came to pass that after Amulek had made an end of these
- words, they withdrew themselves from the multitude and came over
- into the land of Jershon.
-
- Alma 35:2
- 2 Yea, and the rest of the brethren, after they had preached the
- word unto the Zoramites, also came over into the land of Jershon.
-
- Alma 35:3
- 3 And it came to pass that after the more popular part of the
- Zoramites had consulted together concerning the words which had
- been preached unto them, they were angry because of the word, for
- it did destroy their craft; therefore they would not hearken unto
- the words.
-
- Alma 35:4
- 4 And they sent and gathered together throughout all the land
- all the people, and consulted with them concerning the words
- which had been spoken.
-
- Alma 35:5
- 5 Now their rulers and their priests and their teachers did not
- let the people know concerning their desires; therefore they
- found out privily the minds of all the people.
-
- Alma 35:6
- 6 And it came to pass that after they had found out the minds of
- all the people, those who were in favor of the words which had
- been spoken by Alma and his brethren were cast out of the land;
- and they were many; and they came over also into the land of
- Jershon.
-
- Alma 35:7
- 7 And it came to pass that Alma and his brethren did minister
- unto them.
-
- Alma 35:8
- 8 Now the people of the Zoramites were angry with the people of
- Ammon who were in Jershon, and the chief ruler of the Zoramites,
- being a very wicked man, sent over unto the people of Ammon
- desiring them that they should cast out of their land all those
- who came over from them into their land.
-
- Alma 35:9
- 9 And he breathed out many threatenings against them. And now
- the people of Ammon did not fear their words; therefore they did
- not cast them out, but they did receive all the poor of the
- Zoramites that came over unto them; and they did nourish them,
- and did clothe them, and did give unto them lands for their
- inheritance; and they did administer unto them according to their
- wants.
-
- Alma 35:10
- 10 Now this did stir up the Zoramites to anger against the
- people of Ammon, and they began to mix with the Lamanites and to
- stir them up also to anger against them.
-
- Alma 35:11
- 11 And thus the Zoramites and the Lamanites began to make
- preparations for war against the people of Ammon, and also
- against the Nephites.
-
- Alma 35:12
- 12 And thus ended the seventeenth year of the reign of the
- judges over the people of Nephi.
-
- Alma 35:13
- 13 And the people of Ammon departed out of the land of Jershon,
- and came over into the land of Melek, and gave place in the land
- of Jershon for the armies of the Nephites, that they might
- contend with the armies of the Lamanites and the armies of the
- Zoramites; and thus commenced a war betwixt the Lamanites and the
- Nephites, in the eighteenth year of the reign of the judges; and
- an account shall be given of their wars hereafter.
-
- Alma 35:14
- 14 And Alma, and Ammon, and their brethren, and also the two
- sons of Alma returned to the land of Zarahemla, after having been
- instruments in the hands of God of bringing many of the Zoramites
- to repentance; and as many as were brought to repentance were
- driven out of their land; but they have lands for their
- inheritance in the land of Jershon, and they have taken up arms
- to defend themselves, and their wives, and children, and their
- lands.
-
- Alma 35:15
- 15 Now Alma, being grieved for the iniquity of his people, yea
- for the wars, and the bloodsheds, and the contentions which were
- among them; and having been to declare the word, or sent to
- declare the word, among all the people in every city; and seeing
- that the hearts of the people began to wax hard, and that they
- began to be offended because of the strictness of the word, his
- heart was exceedingly sorrowful.
-
- Alma 35:16
- 16 Therefore, he caused that his sons should be gathered
- together, that he might give unto them every one his charge,
- separately, concerning the things pertaining unto righteousness.
- And we have an account of his commandments, which he gave unto
- them according to his own record.
-
- Alma 36
- Chapter 36
-
- Alma 36:1
- 1 My son, give ear to my words; for I swear unto you, that
- inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall
- prosper in the land.
-
- Alma 36:2
- 2 I would that ye should do as I have done, in remembering the
- captivity of our fathers; for they were in bondage, and none
- could deliver them except it was the God of Abraham, and the God
- of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he surely did deliver them in
- their afflictions.
-
- Alma 36:3
- 3 And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and
- therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and
- learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust
- in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles,
- and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.
-
- Alma 36:4
- 4 And I would not that ye think that I know of myself--not of
- the temporal but of the spiritual, not of the carnal mind but of
- God.
-
- Alma 36:5
- 5 Now, behold, I say unto you, if I had not been born of God I
- should not have known these things; but God has, by the mouth of
- his holy angel, made these things known unto me, not of any
- worthiness of myself.
-
- Alma 36:6
- 6 For I went about with the sons of Mosiah, seeking to destroy
- the church of God; but behold, God sent his holy angel to stop us
- by the way.
-
- Alma 36:7
- 7 And behold, he spake unto us, as it were the voice of thunder,
- and the whole earth did tremble beneath our feet; and we all fell
- to the earth, for the fear of the Lord came upon us.
-
- Alma 36:8
- 8 But behold, the voice said unto me: Arise. And I arose and
- stood up, and beheld the angel.
-
- Alma 36:9
- 9 And he said unto me: If thou wilt of thyself be destroyed,
- seek no more to destroy the church of God.
-
- Alma 36:10
- 10 And it came to pass that I fell to the earth; and it was for
- the space of three days and three nights that I could not open my
- mouth, neither had I the use of my limbs.
-
- Alma 36:11
- 11 And the angel spake more things unto me, which were heard by
- my brethren, but I did not hear them; for when I heard the
- words--If thou wilt be destroyed of thyself, seek no more to
- destroy the church of God--I was struck with such great fear and
- amazement lest perhaps I should be destroyed, that I fell to the
- earth and I did hear no more.
-
- Alma 36:12
- 12 But I was racked with eternal torment, for my soul was
- harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins.
-
- Alma 36:13
- 13 Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I
- was tormented with the pains of hell; yea, I saw that I had
- rebelled against my God, and that I had not kept his holy
- commandments.
-
- Alma 36:14
- 14 Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather led
- them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my
- iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of
- my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror.
-
- Alma 36:15
- 15 Oh, thought I, that I could be banished and become extinct
- both soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in the
- presence of my God, to be judged of my deeds.
-
- Alma 36:16
- 16 And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked,
- even with the pains of a damned soul.
-
- Alma 36:17
- 17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment,
- while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I
- remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people
- concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone
- for the sins of the world.
-
- Alma 36:18
- 18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within
- my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in
- the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting
- chains of death.
-
- Alma 36:19
- 19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my
- pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no
- more.
-
- Alma 36:20
- 20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea,
- my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!
-
- Alma 36:21
- 21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so
- exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say
- unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so
- exquisite and sweet as was my joy.
-
- Alma 36:22
- 22 Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God
- sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of
- angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea,
- and my soul did long to be there.
-
- Alma 36:23
- 23 But behold, my limbs did receive their strength again, and I
- stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people that I had
- been born of God.
-
- Alma 36:24
- 24 Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored
- without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I
- might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did
- taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with
- the Holy Ghost.
-
- Alma 36:25
- 25 Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give me
- exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors;
-
- Alma 36:26
- 26 For because of the word which he has imparted unto me,
- behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have
- tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they
- do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and
- the knowledge which I have is of God.
-
- Alma 36:27
- 27 And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every
- kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has
- delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea,
- and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me.
-
- Alma 36:28
- 28 And I know that he will raise me up at the last day, to dwell
- with him in glory; yea, and I will praise him forever, for he has
- brought our fathers out of Egypt, and he has swallowed up the
- Egyptians in the Red Sea; and he led them by his power into the
- promised land; yea, and he has delivered them out of bondage and
- captivity from time to time.
-
- Alma 36:29
- 29 Yea, and he has also brought our fathers out of the land of
- Jerusalem; and he has also, by his everlasting power, delivered
- them out of bondage and captivity, from time to time even down to
- the present day; and I have always retained in remembrance their
- captivity; yea, and ye also ought to retain in remembrance, as I
- have done, their captivity.
-
- Alma 36:30
- 30 But behold, my son, this is not all; for ye ought to know as
- I do know, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God
- ye shall prosper in the land; and ye ought to know also, that
- inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God ye shall be
- cut off from his presence. Now this is according to his word.
-
- Alma 37
- Chapter 37
-
- Alma 37:1
- 1 And now, my son Helaman, I command you that ye take the
- records which have been entrusted with me;
-
- Alma 37:2
- 2 And I also command you that ye keep a record of this people,
- according as I have done, upon the plates of Nephi, and keep all
- these things sacred which I have kept, even as I have kept them;
- for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept.
-
- Alma 37:3
- 3 And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings,
- which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which
- have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning--
-
- Alma 37:4
- 4 Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they
- should be kept and handed down from one generation to another,
- and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they
- should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people,
- that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon.
-
- Alma 37:5
- 5 And now behold, if they are kept they must retain their
- brightness; yea, and they will retain their brightness; yea, and
- also shall all the plates which do contain that which is holy
- writ.
-
- Alma 37:6
- 6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold
- I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things
- brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound
- the wise.
-
- Alma 37:7
- 7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great
- and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth
- confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.
-
- Alma 37:8
- 8 And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things
- should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of
- this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways,
- and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation
- of their souls.
-
- Alma 37:9
- 9 Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these
- records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his
- brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the
- Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these
- records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is,
- they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to
- rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer.
-
- Alma 37:10
- 10 And who knoweth but what they will be the means of bringing
- many thousands of them, yea, and also many thousands of our
- stiffnecked brethren, the Nephites, who are now hardening their
- hearts in sin and iniquities, to the knowledge of their Redeemer?
-
- Alma 37:11
- 11 Now these mysteries are not yet fully made known unto me;
- therefore I shall forbear.
-
- Alma 37:12
- 12 And it may suffice if I only say they are preserved for a
- wise purpose, which purpose is known unto God; for he doth
- counsel in wisdom over all his works, and his paths are straight,
- and his course is one eternal round.
-
- Alma 37:13
- 13 O remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict are the
- commandments of God. And he said: If ye will keep my
- commandments ye shall prosper in the land--but if ye keep not his
- commandments ye shall be cut off from his presence.
-
- Alma 37:14
- 14 And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you with
- these things, which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, and
- also which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him,
- that he may show forth his power unto future generations.
-
- Alma 37:15
- 15 And now behold, I tell you by the spirit of prophecy, that if
- ye transgress the commandments of God, behold, these things which
- are sacred shall be taken away from you by the power of God, and
- ye shall be delivered up unto Satan, that he may sift you as
- chaff before the wind.
-
- Alma 37:16
- 16 But if ye keep the commandments of God, and do with these
- things which are sacred according to that which the Lord doth
- command you, (for you must appeal unto the Lord for all things
- whatsoever ye must do with them) behold, no power of earth or
- hell can take them from you, for God is powerful to the
- fulfilling of all his words.
-
- Alma 37:17
- 17 For he will fulfil all his promises which he shall make unto
- you, for he has fulfilled his promises which he has made unto our
- fathers.
-
- Alma 37:18
- 18 For he promised unto them that he would preserve these things
- for a wise purpose in him, that he might show forth his power
- unto future generations.
-
- Alma 37:19
- 19 And now behold, one purpose hath he fulfilled, even to the
- restoration of many thousands of the Lamanites to the knowledge
- of the truth; and he hath shown forth his power in them, and he
- will also still show forth his power in them unto future
- generations; therefore they shall be preserved.
-
- Alma 37:20
- 20 Therefore I command you, my son Helaman, that ye be diligent
- in fulfilling all my words, and that ye be diligent in keeping
- the commandments of God as they are written.
-
- Alma 37:21
- 21 And now, I will speak unto you concerning those twenty-four
- plates, that ye keep them, that the mysteries and the works of
- darkness, and their secret works, or the secret works of those
- people who have been destroyed, may be made manifest unto this
- people; yea, all their murders, and robbings, and their
- plunderings, and all their wickedness and abominations, may be
- made manifest unto this people; yea, and that ye preserve these
- interpreters.
-
- Alma 37:22
- 22 For behold, the Lord saw that his people began to work in
- darkness, yea, work secret murders and abominations; therefore
- the Lord said, if they did not repent they should be destroyed
- from off the face of the earth.
-
- Alma 37:23
- 23 And the Lord said: I will prepare unto my servant Gazelem, a
- stone, which shall shine forth in darkness unto light, that I may
- discover unto my people who serve me, that I may discover unto
- them the works of their brethren, yea, their secret works, their
- works of darkness, and their wickedness and abominations.
-
- Alma 37:24
- 24 And now, my son, these interpreters were prepared that the
- word of God might be fulfilled, which he spake, saying:
-
- Alma 37:25
- 25 I will bring forth out of darkness unto light all their
- secret works and their abominations; and except they repent I
- will destroy them from off the face of the earth; and I will
- bring to light all their secrets and abominations, unto every
- nation that shall hereafter possess the land.
-
- Alma 37:26
- 26 And now, my son, we see that they did not repent; therefore
- they have been destroyed, and thus far the word of God has been
- fulfilled; yea, their secret abominations have been brought out
- of darkness and made known unto us.
-
- Alma 37:27
- 27 And now, my son, I command you that ye retain all their
- oaths, and their covenants, and their agreements in their secret
- abominations; yea, and all their signs and their wonders ye shall
- keep from this people, that they know them not, lest peradventure
- they should fall into darkness also and be destroyed.
-
- Alma 37:28
- 28 For behold, there is a curse upon all this land, that
- destruction shall come upon all those workers of darkness,
- according to the power of God, when they are fully ripe;
- therefore I desire that this people might not be destroyed.
-
- Alma 37:29
- 29 Therefore ye shall keep these secret plans of their oaths and
- their covenants from this people, and only their wickedness and
- their murders and their abominations shall ye make known unto
- them; and ye shall teach them to abhor such wickedness and
- abominations and murders; and ye shall also teach them that these
- people were destroyed on account of their wickedness and
- abominations and their murders.
-
- Alma 37:30
- 30 For behold, they murdered all the prophets of the Lord who
- came among them to declare unto them concerning their iniquities;
- and the blood of those whom they murdered did cry unto the Lord
- their God for vengeance upon those who were their murderers; and
- thus the judgments of God did come upon these workers of darkness
- and secret combinations.
-
- Alma 37:31
- 31 Yea, and cursed be the land forever and ever unto those
- workers of darkness and secret combinations, even unto
- destruction, except they repent before they are fully ripe.
-
- Alma 37:32
- 32 And now, my son, remember the words which I have spoken unto
- you; trust not those secret plans unto this people, but teach
- them an everlasting hatred against sin and iniquity.
-
- Alma 37:33
- 33 Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus
- Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly
- in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil,
- with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.
-
- Alma 37:34
- 34 Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek
- and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls.
-
- Alma 37:35
- 35 O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea,
- learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.
-
- Alma 37:36
- 36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy
- doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be
- in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord;
- yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord
- forever.
-
- Alma 37:37
- 37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct
- thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto
- the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou
- risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God;
- and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
-
- Alma 37:38
- 38 And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing
- which our fathers call a ball, or director--or our fathers called
- it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord
- prepared it.
-
- Alma 37:39
- 39 And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so
- curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto
- our fathers the course which they should travel in the
- wilderness.
-
- Alma 37:40
- 40 And it did work for them according to their faith in God;
- therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that
- those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it
- was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other
- miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day.
-
- Alma 37:41
- 41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small
- means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful,
- and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those
- marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their
- journey;
-
- Alma 37:42
- 42 Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel
- a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst,
- because of their transgressions.
-
- Alma 37:43
- 43 And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these
- things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful
- to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal)
- they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are
- spiritual.
-
- Alma 37:44
- 44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ,
- which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it
- was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would
- point unto them a straight course to the promised land.
-
- Alma 37:45
- 45 And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just
- as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following
- its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if
- we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into
- a far better land of promise.
-
- Alma 37:46
- 46 O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness
- of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it
- prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even
- so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we
- may live forever.
-
- Alma 37:47
- 47 And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred
- things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this
- people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell.
-
- Alma 38
- Chapter 38
-
- Alma 38:1
- 1 My son, give ear to my words, for I say unto you, even as I
- said unto Helaman, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the
- commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as
- ye will not keep the commandments of God ye shall be cut off from
- his presence.
-
- Alma 38:2
- 2 And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you,
- because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as
- you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God,
- even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his
- commandments; for blessed is he that endureth to the end.
-
- Alma 38:3
- 3 I say unto you, my son, that I have had great joy in thee
- already, because of thy faithfulness and thy diligence, and thy
- patience and thy long-suffering among the people of the
- Zoramites.
-
- Alma 38:4
- 4 For I know that thou wast in bonds; yea, and I also know that
- thou wast stoned for the word's sake; and thou didst bear all
- these things with patience because the Lord was with thee; and
- now thou knowest that the Lord did deliver thee.
-
- Alma 38:5
- 5 And now my son, Shiblon, I would that ye should remember, that
- as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall
- be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your
- afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
-
- Alma 38:6
- 6 Now, my son, I would not that ye should think that I know
- these things of myself, but it is the Spirit of God which is in
- me which maketh these things known unto me; for if I had not been
- born of God I should not have known these things.
-
- Alma 38:7
- 7 But behold, the Lord in his great mercy sent his angel to
- declare unto me that I must stop the work of destruction among
- his people; yea, and I have seen an angel face to face, and he
- spake with me, and his voice was as thunder, and it shook the
- whole earth.
-
- Alma 38:8
- 8 And it came to pass that I was three days and three nights in
- the most bitter pain and anguish of soul; and never, until I did
- cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive a
- remission of my sins. But behold, I did cry unto him and I did
- find peace to my soul.
-
- Alma 38:9
- 9 And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn
- wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or
- means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ.
- Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is
- the word of truth and righteousness.
-
- Alma 38:10
- 10 And now, as ye have begun to teach the word even so I would
- that ye should continue to teach; and I would that ye would be
- diligent and temperate in all things.
-
- Alma 38:11
- 11 See that ye are not lifted up unto pride; yea, see that ye do
- not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength.
-
- Alma 38:12
- 12 Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye
- bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see
- that ye refrain from idleness.
-
- Alma 38:13
- 13 Do not pray as the Zoramites do, for ye have seen that they
- pray to be heard of men, and to be praised for their wisdom.
-
- Alma 38:14
- 14 Do not say: O God, I thank thee that we are better than our
- brethren; but rather say: O Lord, forgive my unworthiness, and
- remember my brethren in mercy--yea, acknowledge your unworthiness
- before God at all times.
-
- Alma 38:15
- 15 And may the Lord bless your soul, and receive you at the last
- day into his kingdom, to sit down in peace. Now go, my son, and
- teach the word unto this people. Be sober. My son, farewell.
-
- Alma 39
- Chapter 39
-
- Alma 39:1
- 1 And now, my son, I have somewhat more to say unto thee than
- what I said unto thy brother; for behold, have ye not observed
- the steadiness of thy brother, his faithfulness, and his
- diligence in keeping the commandments of God? Behold, has he not
- set a good example for thee?
-
- Alma 39:2
- 2 For thou didst not give so much heed unto my words as did thy
- brother, among the people of the Zoramites. Now this is what I
- have against thee; thou didst go on unto boasting in thy strength
- and thy wisdom.
-
- Alma 39:3
- 3 And this is not all, my son. Thou didst do that which was
- grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake the ministry, and did go
- over into the land of Siron, among the borders of the Lamanites,
- after the harlot Isabel.
-
- Alma 39:4
- 4 Yea, she did steal away the hearts of many; but this was no
- excuse for thee, my son. Thou shouldst have tended to the
- ministry wherewith thou wast entrusted.
-
- Alma 39:5
- 5 Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in
- the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save
- it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?
-
- Alma 39:6
- 6 For behold, if ye deny the Holy Ghost when it once has had
- place in you, and ye know that ye deny it, behold, this is a sin
- which is unpardonable; yea, and whosoever murdereth against the
- light and knowledge of God, it is not easy for him to obtain
- forgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my son, that it is not easy for
- him to obtain a forgiveness.
-
- Alma 39:7
- 7 And now, my son, I would to God that ye had not been guilty of
- so great a crime. I would not dwell upon your crimes, to harrow
- up your soul, if it were not for your good.
-
- Alma 39:8
- 8 But behold, ye cannot hide your crimes from God; and except ye
- repent they will stand as a testimony against you at the last
- day.
-
- Alma 39:9
- 9 Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your
- sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross
- yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in
- nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it
- upon you, and cross yourself in these things.
-
- Alma 39:10
- 10 And I command you to take it upon you to counsel with your
- elder brothers in your undertakings; for behold, thou art in thy
- youth, and ye stand in need to be nourished by your brothers.
- And give heed to their counsel.
-
- Alma 39:11
- 11 Suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain or foolish
- thing; suffer not the devil to lead away your heart again after
- those wicked harlots. Behold, O my son, how great iniquity ye
- brought upon the Zoramites; for when they saw your conduct they
- would not believe in my words.
-
- Alma 39:12
- 12 And now the Spirit of the Lord doth say unto me: Command thy
- children to do good, lest they lead away the hearts of many
- people to destruction; therefore I command you, my son, in the
- fear of God, that ye refrain from your iniquities;
-
- Alma 39:13
- 13 That ye turn to the Lord with all your mind, might, and
- strength; that ye lead away the hearts of no more to do wickedly;
- but rather return unto them, and acknowledge your faults and that
- wrong which ye have done.
-
- Alma 39:14
- 14 Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for
- behold, you cannot carry them with you.
-
- Alma 39:15
- 15 And now, my son, I would say somewhat unto you concerning the
- coming of Christ. Behold, I say unto you, that it is he that
- surely shall come to take away the sins of the world; yea, he
- cometh to declare glad tidings of salvation unto his people.
-
- Alma 39:16
- 16 And now, my son, this was the ministry unto which ye were
- called, to declare these glad tidings unto this people to prepare
- their minds; or rather that salvation might come unto them, that
- they may prepare the minds of their children to hear the word at
- the time of his coming.
-
- Alma 39:17
- 17 And now I will ease your mind somewhat on this subject.
- Behold, you marvel why these things should be known so long
- beforehand. Behold, I say unto you, is not a soul at this time
- as precious unto God as a soul will be at the time of his coming?
-
- Alma 39:18
- 18 Is it not as necessary that the plan of redemption should be
- made known unto this people as well as unto their children?
-
- Alma 39:19
- 19 Is it not as easy at this time for the Lord to send his angel
- to declare these glad tidings unto us as unto our children, or as
- after the time of his coming?
-
- Alma 40
- Chapter 40
-
- Alma 40:1
- 1 Now my son, here is somewhat more I would say unto thee; for I
- perceive that thy mind is worried concerning the resurrection of
- the dead.
-
- Alma 40:2
- 2 Behold, I say unto you, that there is no resurrection--or, I
- would say, in other words, that this mortal does not put on
- immortality, this corruption does not put on incorruption--until
- after the coming of Christ.
-
- Alma 40:3
- 3 Behold, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead. But
- behold, my son, the resurrection is not yet. Now, I unfold unto
- you a mystery; nevertheless, there are many mysteries which are
- kept, that no one knoweth them save God himself. But I show unto
- you one thing which I have inquired diligently of God that I
- might know--that is concerning the resurrection.
-
- Alma 40:4
- 4 Behold, there is a time appointed that all shall come forth
- from the dead. Now when this time cometh no one knows; but God
- knoweth the time which is appointed.
-
- Alma 40:5
- 5 Now, whether there shall be one time, or a second time, or a
- third time, that men shall come forth from the dead, it mattereth
- not; for God knoweth all these things; and it sufficeth me to
- know that this is the case--that there is a time appointed that
- all shall rise from the dead.
-
- Alma 40:6
- 6 Now there must needs be a space betwixt the time of death and
- the time of the resurrection.
-
- Alma 40:7
- 7 And now I would inquire what becometh of the souls of men from
- this time of death to the time appointed for the resurrection?
-
- Alma 40:8
- 8 Now whether there is more than one time appointed for men to
- rise it mattereth not; for all do not die at once, and this
- mattereth not; all is as one day with God, and time only is
- measured unto men.
-
- Alma 40:9
- 9 Therefore, there is a time appointed unto men that they shall
- rise from the dead; and there is a space between the time of
- death and the resurrection. And now, concerning this space of
- time, what becometh of the souls of men is the thing which I have
- inquired diligently of the Lord to know; and this is the thing of
- which I do know.
-
- Alma 40:10
- 10 And when the time cometh when all shall rise, then shall they
- know that God knoweth all the times which are appointed unto man.
-
- Alma 40:11
- 11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the
- resurrection--Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel,
- that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from
- this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be
- good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.
-
- Alma 40:12
- 12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who
- are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is
- called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they
- shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.
-
- Alma 40:13
- 13 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the
- wicked, yea, who are evil--for behold, they have no part nor
- portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil
- works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did
- enter into them, and take possession of their house--and these
- shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping,
- and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own
- iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.
-
- Alma 40:14
- 14 Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in
- darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery
- indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in
- this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time
- of their resurrection.
-
- Alma 40:15
- 15 Now, there are some that have understood that this state of
- happiness and this state of misery of the soul, before the
- resurrection, was a first resurrection. Yea, I admit it may be
- termed a resurrection, the raising of the spirit or the soul and
- their consignation to happiness or misery, according to the words
- which have been spoken.
-
- Alma 40:16
- 16 And behold, again it hath been spoken, that there is a first
- resurrection, a resurrection of all those who have been, or who
- are, or who shall be, down to the resurrection of Christ from the
- dead.
-
- Alma 40:17
- 17 Now, we do not suppose that this first resurrection, which is
- spoken of in this manner, can be the resurrection of the souls
- and their consignation to happiness or misery. Ye cannot suppose
- that this is what it meaneth.
-
- Alma 40:18
- 18 Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but it meaneth the reuniting of
- the soul with the body, of those from the days of Adam down to
- the resurrection of Christ.
-
- Alma 40:19
- 19 Now, whether the souls and the bodies of those of whom has
- been spoken shall all be reunited at once, the wicked as well as
- the righteous, I do not say; let it suffice; that I say that they
- all come forth; or in other words, their resurrection cometh to
- pass before the resurrection of those who die after the
- resurrection of Christ.
-
- Alma 40:20
- 20 Now, my son, I do not say that their resurrection cometh at
- the resurrection of Christ; but behold, I give it as my opinion,
- that the souls and the bodies are reunited, of the righteous, at
- the resurrection of Christ, and his ascension into heaven.
-
- Alma 40:21
- 21 But whether it be at his resurrection or after, I do not say;
- but this much I say, that there is a space between death and the
- resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or
- in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead
- shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be
- brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their
- works.
-
- Alma 40:22
- 22 Yea, this bringeth about the restoration of those things of
- which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets.
-
- Alma 40:23
- 23 The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the
- soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its
- body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all
- things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame.
-
- Alma 40:24
- 24 And now, my son, this is the restoration of which has been
- spoken by the mouths of the prophets--
-
- Alma 40:25
- 25 And then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of
- God.
-
- Alma 40:26
- 26 But behold, an awful death cometh upon the wicked; for they
- die as to things pertaining to things of righteousness; for they
- are unclean, and no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God;
- but they are cast out, and consigned to partake of the fruits of
- their labors or their works, which have been evil; and they drink
- the dregs of a bitter cup.
-
- Alma 41
- Chapter 41
-
- Alma 41:1
- 1 And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the
- restoration of which has been spoken; for behold, some have
- wrested the scriptures, and have gone far astray because of this
- thing. And I perceive that thy mind has been worried also
- concerning this thing. But behold, I will explain it unto thee.
-
- Alma 41:2
- 2 I say unto thee, my son, that the plan of restoration is
- requisite with the justice of God; for it is requisite that all
- things should be restored to their proper order. Behold, it is
- requisite and just, according to the power and resurrection of
- Christ, that the soul of man should be restored to its body, and
- that every part of the body should be restored to itself.
-
- Alma 41:3
- 3 And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be
- judged according to their works; and if their works were good in
- this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they
- should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is
- good.
-
- Alma 41:4
- 4 And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them
- for evil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to their
- proper order, every thing to its natural frame--mortality raised
- to immortality, corruption to incorruption--raised to endless
- happiness to inherit the kingdom of God, or to endless misery to
- inherit the kingdom of the devil, the one on one hand, the other
- on the other--
-
- Alma 41:5
- 5 The one raised to happiness according to his desires of
- happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the
- other to evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has
- desired to do evil all the day long even so shall he have his
- reward of evil when the night cometh.
-
- Alma 41:6
- 6 And so it is on the other hand. If he hath repented of his
- sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even
- so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness.
-
- Alma 41:7
- 7 These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are
- they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless
- night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they
- are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil.
-
- Alma 41:8
- 8 Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is
- prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved.
-
- Alma 41:9
- 9 And now behold, my son, do not risk one more offense against
- your God upon those points of doctrine, which ye have hitherto
- risked to commit sin.
-
- Alma 41:10
- 10 Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning
- restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness.
- Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.
-
- Alma 41:11
- 11 And now, my son, all men that are in a state of nature, or I
- would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of bitterness and
- in the bonds of iniquity; they are without God in the world, and
- they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are
- in a state contrary to the nature of happiness.
-
- Alma 41:12
- 12 And now behold, is the meaning of the word restoration to
- take a thing of a natural state and place it in an unnatural
- state, or to place it in a state opposite to its nature?
-
- Alma 41:13
- 13 O, my son, this is not the case; but the meaning of the word
- restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for
- carnal, or devilish for devilish--good for that which is good;
- righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is
- just; merciful for that which is merciful.
-
- Alma 41:14
- 14 Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto your
- brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good
- continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive
- your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye
- shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a
- righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have
- good rewarded unto you again.
-
- Alma 41:15
- 15 For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again,
- and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully
- condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all.
-
- Alma 42
- Chapter 42
-
- Alma 42:1
- 1 And now, my son, I perceive there is somewhat more which doth
- worry your mind, which ye cannot understand--which is concerning
- the justice of God in the punishment of the sinner; for ye do try
- to suppose that it is injustice that the sinner should be
- consigned to a state of misery.
-
- Alma 42:2
- 2 Now behold, my son, I will explain this thing unto thee. For
- behold, after the Lord God sent our first parents forth from the
- garden of Eden, to till the ground, from whence they were
- taken--yea, he drew out the man, and he placed at the east end of
- the garden of Eden, cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned
- every way, to keep the tree of life--
-
- Alma 42:3
- 3 Now, we see that the man had become as God, knowing good and
- evil; and lest he should put forth his hand, and take also of the
- tree of life, and eat and live forever, the Lord God placed
- cherubim and the flaming sword, that he should not partake of the
- fruit--
-
- Alma 42:4
- 4 And thus we see, that there was a time granted unto man to
- repent, yea, a probationary time, a time to repent and serve God.
-
- Alma 42:5
- 5 For behold, if Adam had put forth his hand immediately, and
- partaken of the tree of life, he would have lived forever,
- according to the word of God, having no space for repentance;
- yea, and also the word of God would have been void, and the great
- plan of salvation would have been frustrated.
-
- Alma 42:6
- 6 But behold, it was appointed unto man to die--therefore, as
- they were cut off from the tree of life they should be cut off
- from the face of the earth--and man became lost forever, yea,
- they became fallen man.
-
- Alma 42:7
- 7 And now, ye see by this that our first parents were cut off
- both temporally and spiritually from the presence of the Lord;
- and thus we see they became subjects to follow after their own
- will.
-
- Alma 42:8
- 8 Now behold, it was not expedient that man should be reclaimed
- from this temporal death, for that would destroy the great plan
- of happiness.
-
- Alma 42:9
- 9 Therefore, as the soul could never die, and the fall had
- brought upon all mankind a spiritual death as well as a temporal,
- that is, they were cut off from the presence of the Lord, it was
- expedient that mankind should be reclaimed from this spiritual
- death.
-
- Alma 42:10
- 10 Therefore, as they had become carnal, sensual, and devilish,
- by nature, this probationary state became a state for them to
- prepare; it became a preparatory state.
-
- Alma 42:11
- 11 And now remember, my son, if it were not for the plan of
- redemption, (laying it aside) as soon as they were dead their
- souls were miserable, being cut off from the presence of the
- Lord.
-
- Alma 42:12
- 12 And now, there was no means to reclaim men from this fallen
- state, which man had brought upon himself because of his own
- disobedience;
-
- Alma 42:13
- 13 Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could
- not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in
- this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except
- it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except
- it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice
- could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God.
-
- Alma 42:14
- 14 And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were
- in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned
- them forever to be cut off from his presence.
-
- Alma 42:15
- 15 And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except
- an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for
- the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to
- appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just
- God, and a merciful God also.
-
- Alma 42:16
- 16 Now, repentance could not come unto men except there were a
- punishment, which also was eternal as the life of the soul should
- be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as
- eternal also as the life of the soul.
-
- Alma 42:17
- 17 Now, how could a man repent except he should sin? How could
- he sin if there was no law? How could there be a law save there
- was a punishment?
-
- Alma 42:18
- 18 Now, there was a punishment affixed, and a just law given,
- which brought remorse of conscience unto man.
-
- Alma 42:19
- 19 Now, if there was no law given--if a man murdered he should
- die--would he be afraid he would die if he should murder?
-
- Alma 42:20
- 20 And also, if there was no law given against sin men would not
- be afraid to sin.
-
- Alma 42:21
- 21 And if there was no law given, if men sinned what could
- justice do, or mercy either, for they would have no claim upon
- the creature?
-
- Alma 42:22
- 22 But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a
- repentance granted; which repentance mercy claimeth; otherwise,
- justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law
- inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would
- be destroyed, and God would cease to be God.
-
- Alma 42:23
- 23 But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the
- penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the
- atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the
- resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of
- God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged
- according to their works, according to the law and justice.
-
- Alma 42:24
- 24 For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also
- mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly
- penitent are saved.
-
- Alma 42:25
- 25 What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto
- you, Nay; not one whit. If so, God would cease to be God.
-
- Alma 42:26
- 26 And thus God bringeth about his great and eternal purposes,
- which were prepared from the foundation of the world. And thus
- cometh about the salvation and the redemption of men, and also
- their destruction and misery.
-
- Alma 42:27
- 27 Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come may come and partake
- of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the
- same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be
- restored unto him according to his deeds.
-
- Alma 42:28
- 28 If he has desired to do evil, and has not repented in his
- days, behold, evil shall be done unto him, according to the
- restoration of God.
-
- Alma 42:29
- 29 And now, my son, I desire that ye should let these things
- trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with
- that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance.
-
- Alma 42:30
- 30 O my son, I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no
- more. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point
- because of your sins, by denying the justice of God; but do you
- let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering
- have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the
- dust in humility.
-
- Alma 42:31
- 31 And now, O my son, ye are called of God to preach the word
- unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word
- with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto
- repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon
- them. And may God grant unto you even according to my words.
- Amen.
-
- Alma 43
- Chapter 43
-
- Alma 43:1
- 1 And now it came to pass that the sons of Alma did go forth
- among the people, to declare the word unto them. And Alma, also,
- himself, could not rest, and he also went forth.
-
- Alma 43:2
- 2 Now we shall say no more concerning their preaching, except
- that they preached the word, and the truth, according to the
- spirit of prophecy and revelation; and they preached after the
- holy order of God by which they were called.
-
- Alma 43:3
- 3 And now I return to an account of the wars between the
- Nephites and the Lamanites, in the eighteenth year of the reign
- of the judges.
-
- Alma 43:4
- 4 For behold, it came to pass that the Zoramites became
- Lamanites; therefore, in the commencement of the eighteenth year
- the people of the Nephites saw that the Lamanites were coming
- upon them; therefore they made preparations for war; yea, they
- gathered together their armies in the land of Jershon.
-
- Alma 43:5
- 5 And it came to pass that the Lamanites came with their
- thousands; and they came into the land of Antionum, which is the
- land of the Zoramites; and a man by the name of Zerahemnah was
- their leader.
-
- Alma 43:6
- 6 And now, as the Amalekites were of a more wicked and murderous
- disposition than the Lamanites were, in and of themselves,
- therefore, Zerahemnah appointed chief captains over the
- Lamanites, and they were all Amalekites and Zoramites.
-
- Alma 43:7
- 7 Now this he did that he might preserve their hatred towards
- the Nephites, that he might bring them into subjection to the
- accomplishment of his designs.
-
- Alma 43:8
- 8 For behold, his designs were to stir up the Lamanites to anger
- against the Nephites; this he did that he might usurp great power
- over them, and also that he might gain power over the Nephites by
- bringing them into bondage.
-
- Alma 43:9
- 9 And now the design of the Nephites was to support their lands,
- and their houses, and their wives, and their children, that they
- might preserve them from the hands of their enemies; and also
- that they might preserve their rights and their privileges, yea,
- and also their liberty, that they might worship God according to
- their desires.
-
- Alma 43:10
- 10 For they knew that if they should fall into the hands of the
- Lamanites, that whosoever should worship God in spirit and in
- truth, the true and the living God, the Lamanites would destroy.
-
- Alma 43:11
- 11 Yea, and they also knew the extreme hatred of the Lamanites
- towards their brethren, who were the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi,
- who were called the people of Ammon--and they would not take up
- arms, yea, they had entered into a covenant and they would not
- break it--therefore, if they should fall into the hands of the
- Lamanites they would be destroyed.
-
- Alma 43:12
- 12 And the Nephites would not suffer that they should be
- destroyed; therefore they gave them lands for their inheritance.
-
- Alma 43:13
- 13 And the people of Ammon did give unto the Nephites a large
- portion of their substance to support their armies; and thus the
- Nephites were compelled, alone, to withstand against the
- Lamanites, who were a compound of Laman and Lemuel, and the sons
- of Ishmael, and all those who had dissented from the Nephites,
- who were Amalekites and Zoramites, and the descendants of the
- priests of Noah.
-
- Alma 43:14
- 14 Now those descendants were as numerous, nearly, as were the
- Nephites; and thus the Nephites were obliged to contend with
- their brethren, even unto bloodshed.
-
- Alma 43:15
- 15 And it came to pass as the armies of the Lamanites had
- gathered together in the land of Antionum, behold, the armies of
- the Nephites were prepared to meet them in the land of Jershon.
-
- Alma 43:16
- 16 Now, the leader of the Nephites, or the man who had been
- appointed to be the chief captain over the Nephites--now the
- chief captain took the command of all the armies of the
- Nephites--and his name was Moroni;
-
- Alma 43:17
- 17 And Moroni took all the command, and the government of their
- wars. And he was only twenty and five years old when he was
- appointed chief captain over the armies of the Nephites.
-
- Alma 43:18
- 18 And it came to pass that he met the Lamanites in the borders
- of Jershon, and his people were armed with swords, and with
- cimeters, and all manner of weapons of war.
-
- Alma 43:19
- 19 And when the armies of the Lamanites saw that the people of
- Nephi, or that Moroni, had prepared his people with breastplates
- and with arm-shields, yea, and also shields to defend their
- heads, and also they were dressed with thick clothing--
-
- Alma 43:20
- 20 Now the army of Zerahemnah was not prepared with any such
- thing; they had only their swords and their cimeters, their bows
- and their arrows, their stones and their slings; and they were
- naked, save it were a skin which was girded about their loins;
- yea, all were naked, save it were the Zoramites and the
- Amalekites;
-
- Alma 43:21
- 21 But they were not armed with breastplates, nor
- shields--therefore, they were exceedingly afraid of the armies of
- the Nephites because of their armor, notwithstanding their number
- being so much greater than the Nephites.
-
- Alma 43:22
- 22 Behold, now it came to pass that they durst not come against
- the Nephites in the borders of Jershon; therefore they departed
- out of the land of Antionum into the wilderness, and took their
- journey round about in the wilderness, away by the head of the
- river Sidon, that they might come into the land of Manti and take
- possession of the land; for they did not suppose that the armies
- of Moroni would know whither they had gone.
-
- Alma 43:23
- 23 But it came to pass, as soon as they had departed into the
- wilderness Moroni sent spies into the wilderness to watch their
- camp; and Moroni, also, knowing of the prophecies of Alma, sent
- certain men unto him, desiring him that he should inquire of the
- Lord whither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend
- themselves against the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 43:24
- 24 And it came to pass that the word of the Lord came unto Alma,
- and Alma informed the messengers of Moroni, that the armies of
- the Lamanites were marching round about in the wilderness, that
- they might come over into the land of Manti, that they might
- commence an attack upon the weaker part of the people. And those
- messengers went and delivered the message unto Moroni.
-
- Alma 43:25
- 25 Now Moroni, leaving a part of his army in the land of
- Jershon, lest by any means a part of the Lamanites should come
- into that land and take possession of the city, took the
- remaining part of his army and marched over into the land of
- Manti.
-
- Alma 43:26
- 26 And he caused that all the people in that quarter of the land
- should gather themselves together to battle against the
- Lamanites, to defend their lands and their country, their rights
- and their liberties; therefore they were prepared against the
- time of the coming of the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 43:27
- 27 And it came to pass that Moroni caused that his army should
- be secreted in the valley which was near the bank of the river
- Sidon, which was on the west of the river Sidon in the
- wilderness.
-
- Alma 43:28
- 28 And Moroni placed spies round about, that he might know when
- the camp of the Lamanites should come.
-
- Alma 43:29
- 29 And now, as Moroni knew the intention of the Lamanites, that
- it was their intention to destroy their brethren, or to subject
- them and bring them into bondage that they might establish a
- kingdom unto themselves over all the land;
-
- Alma 43:30
- 30 And he also knowing that it was the only desire of the
- Nephites to preserve their lands, and their liberty, and their
- church, therefore he thought it no sin that he should defend them
- by stratagem; therefore, he found by his spies which course the
- Lamanites were to take.
-
- Alma 43:31
- 31 Therefore, he divided his army and brought a part over into
- the valley, and concealed them on the east, and on the south of
- the hill Riplah;
-
- Alma 43:32
- 32 And the remainder he concealed in the west valley, on the
- west of the river Sidon, and so down into the borders of the land
- Manti.
-
- Alma 43:33
- 33 And thus having placed his army according to his desire, he
- was prepared to meet them.
-
- Alma 43:34
- 34 And it came to pass that the Lamanites came up on the north
- of the hill, where a part of the army of Moroni was concealed.
-
- Alma 43:35
- 35 And as the Lamanites had passed the hill Riplah, and came
- into the valley, and began to cross the river Sidon, the army
- which was concealed on the south of the hill, which was led by a
- man whose name was Lehi, and he led his army forth and encircled
- the Lamanites about on the east in their rear.
-
- Alma 43:36
- 36 And it came to pass that the Lamanites, when they saw the
- Nephites coming upon them in their rear, turned them about and
- began to contend with the army of Lehi.
-
- Alma 43:37
- 37 And the work of death commenced on both sides, but it was
- more dreadful on the part of the Lamanites, for their nakedness
- was exposed to the heavy blows of the Nephites with their swords
- and their cimeters, which brought death almost at every stroke.
-
- Alma 43:38
- 38 While on the other hand, there was now and then a man fell
- among the Nephites, by their swords and the loss of blood, they
- being shielded from the more vital parts of the body, or the more
- vital parts of the body being shielded from the strokes of the
- Lamanites, by their breastplates, and their arm-shields, and
- their head-plates; and thus the Nephites did carry on the work of
- death among the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 43:39
- 39 And it came to pass that the Lamanites became frightened,
- because of the great destruction among them, even until they
- began to flee towards the river Sidon.
-
- Alma 43:40
- 40 And they were pursued by Lehi and his men; and they were
- driven by Lehi into the waters of Sidon, and they crossed the
- waters of Sidon. And Lehi retained his armies upon the bank of
- the river Sidon that they should not cross.
-
- Alma 43:41
- 41 And it came to pass that Moroni and his army met the
- Lamanites in the valley, on the other side of the river Sidon,
- and began to fall upon them and to slay them.
-
- Alma 43:42
- 42 And the Lamanites did flee again before them, towards the
- land of Manti; and they were met again by the armies of Moroni.
-
- Alma 43:43
- 43 Now in this case the Lamanites did fight exceedingly; yea,
- never had the Lamanites been known to fight with such exceedingly
- great strength and courage, no, not even from the beginning.
-
- Alma 43:44
- 44 And they were inspired by the Zoramites and the Amalekites,
- who were their chief captains and leaders, and by Zerahemnah, who
- was their chief captain, or their chief leader and commander;
- yea, they did fight like dragons, and many of the Nephites were
- slain by their hands, yea, for they did smite in two many of
- their head-plates, and they did pierce many of their
- breastplates, and they did smite off many of their arms; and thus
- the Lamanites did smite in their fierce anger.
-
- Alma 43:45
- 45 Nevertheless, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause,
- for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were
- fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and
- their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship
- and their church.
-
- Alma 43:46
- 46 And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which
- they owed to their God; for the Lord had said unto them, and also
- unto their fathers, that: Inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the
- first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves
- to be slain by the hands of your enemies.
-
- Alma 43:47
- 47 And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend your
- families even unto bloodshed. Therefore for this cause were the
- Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and
- their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights,
- and their religion.
-
- Alma 43:48
- 48 And it came to pass that when the men of Moroni saw the
- fierceness and the anger of the Lamanites, they were about to
- shrink and flee from them. And Moroni, perceiving their intent,
- sent forth and inspired their hearts with these thoughts--yea,
- the thoughts of their lands, their liberty, yea, their freedom
- from bondage.
-
- Alma 43:49
- 49 And it came to pass that they turned upon the Lamanites, and
- they cried with one voice unto the Lord their God, for their
- liberty and their freedom from bondage.
-
- Alma 43:50
- 50 And they began to stand against the Lamanites with power; and
- in that selfsame hour that they cried unto the Lord for their
- freedom, the Lamanites began to flee before them; and they fled
- even to the waters of Sidon.
-
- Alma 43:51
- 51 Now, the Lamanites were more numerous, yea, by more than
- double the number of the Nephites; nevertheless, they were driven
- insomuch that they were gathered together in one body in the
- valley, upon the bank by the river Sidon.
-
- Alma 43:52
- 52 Therefore the armies of Moroni encircled them about, yea,
- even on both sides of the river, for behold, on the east were the
- men of Lehi.
-
- Alma 43:53
- 53 Therefore when Zerahemnah saw the men of Lehi on the east of
- the river Sidon, and the armies of Moroni on the west of the
- river Sidon, that they were encircled about by the Nephites, they
- were struck with terror.
-
- Alma 43:54
- 54 Now Moroni, when he saw their terror, commanded his men that
- they should stop shedding their blood.
-
- Alma 44
- Chapter 44
-
- Alma 44:1
- 1 And it came to pass that they did stop and withdrew a pace
- from them. And Moroni said unto Zerahemnah: Behold, Zerahemnah,
- that we do not desire to be men of blood. Ye know that ye are in
- our hands, yet we do not desire to slay you.
-
- Alma 44:2
- 2 Behold, we have not come out to battle against you that we
- might shed your blood for power; neither do we desire to bring
- any one to the yoke of bondage. But this is the very cause for
- which ye have come against us; yea, and ye are angry with us
- because of our religion.
-
- Alma 44:3
- 3 But now, ye behold that the Lord is with us; and ye behold
- that he has delivered you into our hands. And now I would that
- ye should understand that this is done unto us because of our
- religion and our faith in Christ. And now ye see that ye cannot
- destroy this our faith.
-
- Alma 44:4
- 4 Now ye see that this is the true faith of God; yea, ye see
- that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we
- are faithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and
- never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we
- should fall into transgression and deny our faith.
-
- Alma 44:5
- 5 And now, Zerahemnah, I command you, in the name of that
- all-powerful God, who has strengthened our arms that we have
- gained power over you, by our faith, by our religion, and by our
- rites of worship, and by our church, and by the sacred support
- which we owe to our wives and our children, by that liberty which
- binds us to our lands and our country; yea, and also by the
- maintenance of the sacred word of God, to which we owe all our
- happiness; and by all that is most dear unto us--
-
- Alma 44:6
- 6 Yea, and this is not all; I command you by all the desires
- which ye have for life, that ye deliver up your weapons of war
- unto us, and we will seek not your blood, but we will spare your
- lives, if ye will go your way and come not again to war against
- us.
-
- Alma 44:7
- 7 And now, if ye do not this, behold, ye are in our hands, and I
- will command my men that they shall fall upon you, and inflict
- the wounds of death in your bodies, that ye may become extinct;
- and then we will see who shall have power over this people; yea,
- we will see who shall be brought into bondage.
-
- Alma 44:8
- 8 And now it came to pass that when Zerahemnah had heard these
- sayings he came forth and delivered up his sword and his cimeter,
- and his bow into the hands of Moroni, and said unto him: Behold,
- here are our weapons of war; we will deliver them up unto you,
- but we will not suffer ourselves to take an oath unto you, which
- we know that we shall break, and also our children; but take our
- weapons of war, and suffer that we may depart into the
- wilderness; otherwise we will retain our swords, and we will
- perish or conquer.
-
- Alma 44:9
- 9 Behold, we are not of your faith; we do not believe that it is
- God that has delivered us into your hands; but we believe that it
- is your cunning that has preserved you from our swords. Behold,
- it is your breastplates and your shields that have preserved you.
-
- Alma 44:10
- 10 And now when Zerahemnah had made an end of speaking these
- words, Moroni returned the sword and the weapons of war, which he
- had received, unto Zerahemnah, saying: Behold, we will end the
- conflict.
-
- Alma 44:11
- 11 Now I cannot recall the words which I have spoken, therefore
- as the Lord liveth, ye shall not depart except ye depart with an
- oath that ye will not return again against us to war. Now as ye
- are in our hands we will spill your blood upon the ground, or ye
- shall submit to the conditions which I have proposed.
-
- Alma 44:12
- 12 And now when Moroni had said these words, Zerahemnah retained
- his sword, and he was angry with Moroni, and he rushed forward
- that he might slay Moroni; but as he raised his sword, behold,
- one of Moroni's soldiers smote it even to the earth, and it broke
- by the hilt; and he also smote Zerahemnah that he took off his
- scalp and it fell to the earth. And Zerahemnah withdrew from
- before them into the midst of his soldiers.
-
- Alma 44:13
- 13 And it came to pass that the soldier who stood by, who smote
- off the scalp of Zerahemnah, took up the scalp from off the
- ground by the hair, and laid it upon the point of his sword, and
- stretched it forth unto them, saying unto them with a loud voice:
-
- Alma 44:14
- 14 Even as this scalp has fallen to the earth, which is the
- scalp of your chief, so shall ye fall to the earth except ye will
- deliver up your weapons of war and depart with a covenant of
- peace.
-
- Alma 44:15
- 15 Now there were many, when they heard these words and saw the
- scalp which was upon the sword, that were struck with fear; and
- many came forth and threw down their weapons of war at the feet
- of Moroni, and entered into a covenant of peace. And as many as
- entered into a covenant they suffered to depart into the
- wilderness.
-
- Alma 44:16
- 16 Now it came to pass that Zerahemnah was exceedingly wroth,
- and he did stir up the remainder of his soldiers to anger, to
- contend more powerfully against the Nephites.
-
- Alma 44:17
- 17 And now Moroni was angry, because of the stubbornness of the
- Lamanites; therefore he commanded his people that they should
- fall upon them and slay them. And it came to pass that they
- began to slay them; yea, and the Lamanites did contend with their
- swords and their might.
-
- Alma 44:18
- 18 But behold, their naked skins and their bare heads were
- exposed to the sharp swords of the Nephites; yea, behold they
- were pierced and smitten, yea, and did fall exceedingly fast
- before the swords of the Nephites; and they began to be swept
- down, even as the soldier of Moroni had prophesied.
-
- Alma 44:19
- 19 Now Zerahemnah, when he saw that they were all about to be
- destroyed, cried mightily unto Moroni, promising that he would
- covenant and also his people with them, if they would spare the
- remainder of their lives, that they never would come to war again
- against them.
-
- Alma 44:20
- 20 And it came to pass that Moroni caused that the work of death
- should cease again among the people. And he took the weapons of
- war from the Lamanites; and after they had entered into a
- covenant with him of peace they were suffered to depart into the
- wilderness.
-
- Alma 44:21
- 21 Now the number of their dead was not numbered because of the
- greatness of the number; yea, the number of their dead was
- exceedingly great, both on the Nephites and on the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 44:22
- 22 And it came to pass that they did cast their dead into the
- waters of Sidon, and they have gone forth and are buried in the
- depths of the sea.
-
- Alma 44:23
- 23 And the armies of the Nephites, or of Moroni, returned and
- came to their houses and their lands.
-
- Alma 44:24
- 24 And thus ended the eighteenth year of the reign of the judges
- over the people of Nephi. And thus ended the record of Alma,
- which was written upon the plates of Nephi.
-
- Alma 45
- Chapter 45
-
- Alma 45:1
- 1 Behold, now it came to pass that the people of Nephi were
- exceedingly rejoiced, because the Lord had again delivered them
- out of the hands of their enemies; therefore they gave thanks
- unto the Lord their God; yea, and they did fast much and pray
- much, and they did worship God with exceedingly great joy.
-
- Alma 45:2
- 2 And it came to pass in the nineteenth year of the reign of the
- judges over the people of Nephi, that Alma came unto his son
- Helaman and said unto him: Believest thou the words which I spake
- unto thee concerning those records which have been kept?
-
- Alma 45:3
- 3 And Helaman said unto him: Yea, I believe.
-
- Alma 45:4
- 4 And Alma said again: Believest thou in Jesus Christ, who shall
- come?
-
- Alma 45:5
- 5 And he said: Yea, I believe all the words which thou hast
- spoken.
-
- Alma 45:6
- 6 And Alma said unto him again: Will ye keep my commandments?
-
- Alma 45:7
- 7 And he said: Yea, I will keep thy commandments with all my
- heart.
-
- Alma 45:8
- 8 Then Alma said unto him: Blessed art thou; and the Lord shall
- prosper thee in this land.
-
- Alma 45:9
- 9 But behold, I have somewhat to prophesy unto thee; but what I
- prophesy unto thee ye shall not make known; yea, what I prophesy
- unto thee shall not be made known, even until the prophecy is
- fulfilled; therefore write the words which I shall say.
-
- Alma 45:10
- 10 And these are the words: Behold, I perceive that this very
- people, the Nephites, according to the spirit of revelation which
- is in me, in four hundred years from the time that Jesus Christ
- shall manifest himself unto them, shall dwindle in unbelief.
-
- Alma 45:11
- 11 Yea, and then shall they see wars and pestilences, yea,
- famines and bloodshed, even until the people of Nephi shall
- become extinct--
-
- Alma 45:12
- 12 Yea, and this because they shall dwindle in unbelief and fall
- into the works of darkness, and lasciviousness, and all manner of
- iniquities; yea, I say unto you, that because they shall sin
- against so great light and knowledge, yea, I say unto you, that
- from that day, even the fourth generation shall not all pass away
- before this great iniquity shall come.
-
- Alma 45:13
- 13 And when that great day cometh, behold, the time very soon
- cometh that those who are now, or the seed of those who are now
- numbered among the people of Nephi, shall no more be numbered
- among the people of Nephi.
-
- Alma 45:14
- 14 But whosoever remaineth, and is not destroyed in that great
- and dreadful day, shall be numbered among the Lamanites, and
- shall become like unto them, all, save it be a few who shall be
- called the disciples of the Lord; and them shall the Lamanites
- pursue even until they shall become extinct. And now, because of
- iniquity, this prophecy shall be fulfilled.
-
- Alma 45:15
- 15 And now it came to pass that after Alma had said these things
- to Helaman, he blessed him, and also his other sons; and he also
- blessed the earth for the righteous' sake.
-
- Alma 45:16
- 16 And he said: Thus saith the Lord God--Cursed shall be the
- land, yea, this land, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and
- people, unto destruction, which do wickedly, when they are fully
- ripe; and as I have said so shall it be; for this is the cursing
- and the blessing of God upon the land, for the Lord cannot look
- upon sin with the least degree of allowance.
-
- Alma 45:17
- 17 And now, when Alma had said these words he blessed the
- church, yea, all those who should stand fast in the faith from
- that time henceforth.
-
- Alma 45:18
- 18 And when Alma had done this he departed out of the land of
- Zarahemla, as if to go into the land of Melek. And it came to
- pass that he was never heard of more; as to his death or burial
- we know not of.
-
- Alma 45:19
- 19 Behold, this we know, that he was a righteous man; and the
- saying went abroad in the church that he was taken up by the
- Spirit, or buried by the hand of the Lord, even as Moses. But
- behold, the scriptures saith the Lord took Moses unto himself;
- and we suppose that he has also received Alma in the spirit, unto
- himself; therefore, for this cause we know nothing concerning his
- death and burial.
-
- Alma 45:20
- 20 And now it came to pass in the commencement of the nineteenth
- year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, that
- Helaman went forth among the people to declare the word unto
- them.
-
- Alma 45:21
- 21 For behold, because of their wars with the Lamanites and the
- many little dissensions and disturbances which had been among the
- people, it became expedient that the word of God should be
- declared among them, yea, and that a regulation should be made
- throughout the church.
-
- Alma 45:22
- 22 Therefore, Helaman and his brethren went forth to establish
- the church again in all the land, yea, in every city throughout
- all the land which was possessed by the people of Nephi. And it
- came to pass that they did appoint priests and teachers
- throughout all the land, over all the churches.
-
- Alma 45:23
- 23 And now it came to pass that after Helaman and his brethren
- had appointed priests and teachers over the churches that there
- arose a dissension among them, and they would not give heed to
- the words of Helaman and his brethren;
-
- Alma 45:24
- 24 But they grew proud, being lifted up in their hearts, because
- of their exceedingly great riches; therefore they grew rich in
- their own eyes, and would not give heed to their words, to walk
- uprightly before God.
-
- Alma 46
- Chapter 46
-
- Alma 46:1
- 1 And it came to pass that as many as would not hearken to the
- words of Helaman and his brethren were gathered together against
- their brethren.
-
- Alma 46:2
- 2 And now behold, they were exceedingly wroth, insomuch that
- they were determined to slay them.
-
- Alma 46:3
- 3 Now the leader of those who were wroth against their brethren
- was a large and a strong man; and his name was Amalickiah.
-
- Alma 46:4
- 4 And Amalickiah was desirous to be a king; and those people who
- were wroth were also desirous that he should be their king; and
- they were the greater part of them the lower judges of the land,
- and they were seeking for power.
-
- Alma 46:5
- 5 And they had been led by the flatteries of Amalickiah, that if
- they would support him and establish him to be their king that he
- would make them rulers over the people.
-
- Alma 46:6
- 6 Thus they were led away by Amalickiah to dissensions,
- notwithstanding the preaching of Helaman and his brethren, yea,
- notwithstanding their exceedingly great care over the church, for
- they were high priests over the church.
-
- Alma 46:7
- 7 And there were many in the church who believed in the
- flattering words of Amalickiah, therefore they dissented even
- from the church; and thus were the affairs of the people of Nephi
- exceedingly precarious and dangerous, notwithstanding their great
- victory which they had had over the Lamanites, and their great
- rejoicings which they had had because of their deliverance by the
- hand of the Lord.
-
- Alma 46:8
- 8 Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord
- their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity, and to be led away by
- the evil one.
-
- Alma 46:9
- 9 Yea, and we also see the great wickedness one very wicked man
- can cause to take place among the children of men.
-
- Alma 46:10
- 10 Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning
- device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the
- hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy
- the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which
- God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon
- the face of the land for the righteous' sake.
-
- Alma 46:11
- 11 And now it came to pass that when Moroni, who was the chief
- commander of the armies of the Nephites, had heard of these
- dissensions, he was angry with Amalickiah.
-
- Alma 46:12
- 12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a
- piece thereof, and wrote upon it--In memory of our God, our
- religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our
- children--and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.
-
- Alma 46:13
- 13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and
- his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took
- the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he
- called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the
- earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of
- liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band
- of Christians remain to possess the land--
-
- Alma 46:14
- 14 For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged
- to the church of God, called by those who did not belong to the
- church.
-
- Alma 46:15
- 15 And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea,
- all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them,
- gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called,
- because of their belief in Christ who should come.
-
- Alma 46:16
- 16 And therefore, at this time, Moroni prayed that the cause of
- the Christians, and the freedom of the land might be favored.
-
- Alma 46:17
- 17 And it came to pass that when he had poured out his soul to
- God, he named all the land which was south of the land
- Desolation, yea, and in fine, all the land, both on the north and
- on the south--A chosen land, and the land of liberty.
-
- Alma 46:18
- 18 And he said: Surely God shall not suffer that we, who are
- despised because we take upon us the name of Christ, shall be
- trodden down and destroyed, until we bring it upon us by our own
- transgressions.
-
- Alma 46:19
- 19 And when Moroni had said these words, he went forth among the
- people, waving the rent part of his garment in the air, that all
- might see the writing which he had written upon the rent part,
- and crying with a loud voice, saying:
-
- Alma 46:20
- 20 Behold, whosoever will maintain this title upon the land, let
- them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and enter into a
- covenant that they will maintain their rights, and their
- religion, that the Lord God may bless them.
-
- Alma 46:21
- 21 And it came to pass that when Moroni had proclaimed these
- words, behold, the people came running together with their armor
- girded about their loins, rending their garments in token, or as
- a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God; or,
- in other words, if they should transgress the commandments of
- God, or fall into transgression, and be ashamed to take upon them
- the name of Christ, the Lord should rend them even as they had
- rent their garments.
-
- Alma 46:22
- 22 Now this was the covenant which they made, and they cast
- their garments at the feet of Moroni, saying: We covenant with
- our God, that we shall be destroyed, even as our brethren in the
- land northward, if we shall fall into transgression; yea, he may
- cast us at the feet of our enemies, even as we have cast our
- garments at thy feet to be trodden under foot, if we shall fall
- into transgression.
-
- Alma 46:23
- 23 Moroni said unto them: Behold, we are a remnant of the seed
- of Jacob; yea, we are a remnant of the seed of Joseph, whose coat
- was rent by his brethren into many pieces; yea, and now behold,
- let us remember to keep the commandments of God, or our garments
- shall be rent by our brethren, and we be cast into prison, or be
- sold, or be slain.
-
- Alma 46:24
- 24 Yea, let us preserve our liberty as a remnant of Joseph; yea,
- let us remember the words of Jacob, before his death, for behold,
- he saw that a part of the remnant of the coat of Joseph was
- preserved and had not decayed. And he said--Even as this remnant
- of garment of my son hath been preserved, so shall a remnant of
- the seed of my son be preserved by the hand of God, and be taken
- unto himself, while the remainder of the seed of Joseph shall
- perish, even as the remnant of his garment.
-
- Alma 46:25
- 25 Now behold, this giveth my soul sorrow; nevertheless, my soul
- hath joy in my son, because of that part of his seed which shall
- be taken unto God.
-
- Alma 46:26
- 26 Now behold, this was the language of Jacob.
-
- Alma 46:27
- 27 And now who knoweth but what the remnant of the seed of
- Joseph, which shall perish as his garment, are those who have
- dissented from us? Yea, and even it shall be ourselves if we do
- not stand fast in the faith of Christ.
-
- Alma 46:28
- 28 And now it came to pass that when Moroni had said these words
- he went forth, and also sent forth in all the parts of the land
- where there were dissensions, and gathered together all the
- people who were desirous to maintain their liberty, to stand
- against Amalickiah and those who had dissented, who were called
- Amalickiahites.
-
- Alma 46:29
- 29 And it came to pass that when Amalickiah saw that the people
- of Moroni were more numerous than the Amalickiahites--and he also
- saw that his people were doubtful concerning the justice of the
- cause in which they had undertaken--therefore, fearing that he
- should not gain the point, he took those of his people who would
- and departed into the land of Nephi.
-
- Alma 46:30
- 30 Now Moroni thought it was not expedient that the Lamanites
- should have any more strength; therefore he thought to cut off
- the people of Amalickiah, or to take them and bring them back,
- and put Amalickiah to death; yea, for he knew that he would stir
- up the Lamanites to anger against them, and cause them to come to
- battle against them; and this he knew that Amalickiah would do
- that he might obtain his purposes.
-
- Alma 46:31
- 31 Therefore Moroni thought it was expedient that he should take
- his armies, who had gathered themselves together, and armed
- themselves, and entered into a covenant to keep the peace--and it
- came to pass that he took his army and marched out with his tents
- into the wilderness, to cut off the course of Amalickiah in the
- wilderness.
-
- Alma 46:32
- 32 And it came to pass that he did according to his desires, and
- marched forth into the wilderness, and headed the armies of
- Amalickiah.
-
- Alma 46:33
- 33 And it came to pass that Amalickiah fled with a small number
- of his men, and the remainder were delivered up into the hands of
- Moroni and were taken back into the land of Zarahemla.
-
- Alma 46:34
- 34 Now, Moroni being a man who was appointed by the chief judges
- and the voice of the people, therefore he had power according to
- his will with the armies of the Nephites, to establish and to
- exercise authority over them.
-
- Alma 46:35
- 35 And it came to pass that whomsoever of the Amalickiahites
- that would not enter into a covenant to support the cause of
- freedom, that they might maintain a free government, he caused to
- be put to death; and there were but few who denied the covenant
- of freedom.
-
- Alma 46:36
- 36 And it came to pass also, that he caused the title of liberty
- to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the land, which
- was possessed by the Nephites; and thus Moroni planted the
- standard of liberty among the Nephites.
-
- Alma 46:37
- 37 And they began to have peace again in the land; and thus they
- did maintain peace in the land until nearly the end of the
- nineteenth year of the reign of the judges.
-
- Alma 46:38
- 38 And Helaman and the high priests did also maintain order in
- the church; yea, even for the space of four years did they have
- much peace and rejoicing in the church.
-
- Alma 46:39
- 39 And it came to pass that there were many who died, firmly
- believing that their souls were redeemed by the Lord Jesus
- Christ; thus they went out of the world rejoicing.
-
- Alma 46:40
- 40 And there were some who died with fevers, which at some
- seasons of the year were very frequent in the land--but not so
- much so with fevers, because of the excellent qualities of the
- many plants and roots which God had prepared to remove the cause
- of diseases, to which men were subject by the nature of the
- climate--
-
- Alma 46:41
- 41 But there were many who died with old age; and those who died
- in the faith of Christ are happy in him, as we must needs
- suppose.
-
- Alma 47
- Chapter 47
-
- Alma 47:1
- 1 Now we will return in our record to Amalickiah and those who
- had fled with him into the wilderness; for, behold, he had taken
- those who went with him, and went up in the land of Nephi among
- the Lamanites, and did stir up the Lamanites to anger against the
- people of Nephi, insomuch that the king of the Lamanites sent a
- proclamation throughout all his land, among all his people, that
- they should gather themselves together again to go to battle
- against the Nephites.
-
- Alma 47:2
- 2 And it came to pass that when the proclamation had gone forth
- among them they were exceedingly afraid; yea, they feared to
- displease the king, and they also feared to go to battle against
- the Nephites lest they should lose their lives. And it came to
- pass that they would not, or the more part of them would not,
- obey the commandments of the king.
-
- Alma 47:3
- 3 And now it came to pass that the king was wroth because of
- their disobedience; therefore he gave Amalickiah the command of
- that part of his army which was obedient unto his commands, and
- commanded him that he should go forth and compel them to arms.
-
- Alma 47:4
- 4 Now behold, this was the desire of Amalickiah; for he being a
- very subtle man to do evil therefore he laid the plan in his
- heart to dethrone the king of the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 47:5
- 5 And now he had got the command of those parts of the Lamanites
- who were in favor of the king; and he sought to gain favor of
- those who were not obedient; therefore he went forward to the
- place which was called Onidah, for thither had all the Lamanites
- fled; for they discovered the army coming, and, supposing that
- they were coming to destroy them, therefore they fled to Onidah,
- to the place of arms.
-
- Alma 47:6
- 6 And they had appointed a man to be a king and a leader over
- them, being fixed in their minds with a determined resolution
- that they would not be subjected to go against the Nephites.
-
- Alma 47:7
- 7 And it came to pass that they had gathered themselves together
- upon the top of the mount which was called Antipas, in
- preparation to battle.
-
- Alma 47:8
- 8 Now it was not Amalickiah's intention to give them battle
- according to the commandments of the king; but behold, it was his
- intention to gain favor with the armies of the Lamanites, that he
- might place himself at their head and dethrone the king and take
- possession of the kingdom.
-
- Alma 47:9
- 9 And behold, it came to pass that he caused his army to pitch
- their tents in the valley which was near the mount Antipas.
-
- Alma 47:10
- 10 And it came to pass that when it was night he sent a secret
- embassy into the mount Antipas, desiring that the leader of those
- who were upon the mount, whose name was Lehonti, that he should
- come down to the foot of the mount, for he desired to speak with
- him.
-
- Alma 47:11
- 11 And it came to pass that when Lehonti received the message he
- durst not go down to the foot of the mount. And it came to pass
- that Amalickiah sent again the second time, desiring him to come
- down. And it came to pass that Lehonti would not; and he sent
- again the third time.
-
- Alma 47:12
- 12 And it came to pass that when Amalickiah found that he could
- not get Lehonti to come down off from the mount, he went up into
- the mount, nearly to Lehonti's camp; and he sent again the fourth
- time his message unto Lehonti, desiring that he would come down,
- and that he would bring his guards with him.
-
- Alma 47:13
- 13 And it came to pass that when Lehonti had come down with his
- guards to Amalickiah, that Amalickiah desired him to come down
- with his army in the night-time, and surround those men in their
- camps over whom the king had given him command, and that he would
- deliver them up into Lehonti's hands, if he would make him
- (Amalickiah) a second leader over the whole army.
-
- Alma 47:14
- 14 And it came to pass that Lehonti came down with his men and
- surrounded the men of Amalickiah, so that before they awoke at
- the dawn of day they were surrounded by the armies of Lehonti.
-
- Alma 47:15
- 15 And it came to pass that when they saw that they were
- surrounded, they plead with Amalickiah that he would suffer them
- to fall in with their brethren, that they might not be destroyed.
-
- Now this was the very thing which Amalickiah desired.
-
- Alma 47:16
- 16 And it came to pass that he delivered his men, contrary to
- the commands of the king. Now this was the thing that Amalickiah
- desired, that he might accomplish his designs in dethroning the
- king.
-
- Alma 47:17
- 17 Now it was the custom among the Lamanites, if their chief
- leader was killed, to appoint the second leader to be their chief
- leader.
-
- Alma 47:18
- 18 And it came to pass that Amalickiah caused that one of his
- servants should administer poison by degrees to Lehonti, that he
- died.
-
- Alma 47:19
- 19 Now, when Lehonti was dead, the Lamanites appointed
- Amalickiah to be their leader and their chief commander.
-
- Alma 47:20
- 20 And it came to pass that Amalickiah marched with his armies
- (for he had gained his desires) to the land of Nephi, to the city
- of Nephi, which was the chief city.
-
- Alma 47:21
- 21 And the king came out to meet him with his guards, for he
- supposed that Amalickiah had fulfilled his commands, and that
- Amalickiah had gathered together so great an army to go against
- the Nephites to battle.
-
- Alma 47:22
- 22 But behold, as the king came out to meet him Amalickiah
- caused that his servants should go forth to meet the king. And
- they went and bowed themselves before the king, as if to
- reverence him because of his greatness.
-
- Alma 47:23
- 23 And it came to pass that the king put forth his hand to raise
- them, as was the custom with the Lamanites, as a token of peace,
- which custom they had taken from the Nephites.
-
- Alma 47:24
- 24 And it came to pass that when he had raised the first from
- the ground, behold he stabbed the king to the heart; and he fell
- to the earth.
-
- Alma 47:25
- 25 Now the servants of the king fled; and the servants of
- Amalickiah raised a cry, saying:
-
- Alma 47:26
- 26 Behold, the servants of the king have stabbed him to the
- heart, and he has fallen and they have fled; behold, come and
- see.
-
- Alma 47:27
- 27 And it came to pass that Amalickiah commanded that his armies
- should march forth and see what had happened to the king; and
- when they had come to the spot, and found the king lying in his
- gore, Amalickiah pretended to be wroth, and said: Whosoever loved
- the king, let him go forth, and pursue his servants that they may
- be slain.
-
- Alma 47:28
- 28 And it came to pass that all they who loved the king, when
- they heard these words, came forth and pursued after the servants
- of the king.
-
- Alma 47:29
- 29 Now when the servants of the king saw an army pursuing after
- them, they were frightened again, and fled into the wilderness,
- and came over into the land of Zarahemla and joined the people of
- Ammon.
-
- Alma 47:30
- 30 And the army which pursued after them returned, having
- pursued after them in vain; and thus Amalickiah, by his fraud,
- gained the hearts of the people.
-
- Alma 47:31
- 31 And it came to pass on the morrow he entered the city Nephi
- with his armies, and took possession of the city.
-
- Alma 47:32
- 32 And now it came to pass that the queen, when she had heard
- that the king was slain--for Amalickiah had sent an embassy to
- the queen informing her that the king had been slain by his
- servants, that he had pursued them with his army, but it was in
- vain, and they had made their escape--
-
- Alma 47:33
- 33 Therefore, when the queen had received this message she sent
- unto Amalickiah, desiring him that he would spare the people of
- the city; and she also desired him that he should come in unto
- her; and she also desired him that he should bring witnesses with
- him to testify concerning the death of the king.
-
- Alma 47:34
- 34 And it came to pass that Amalickiah took the same servant
- that slew the king, and all them who were with him, and went in
- unto the queen, unto the place where she sat; and they all
- testified unto her that the king was slain by his own servants;
- and they said also: They have fled; does not this testify against
- them? And thus they satisfied the queen concerning the death of
- the king.
-
- Alma 47:35
- 35 And it came to pass that Amalickiah sought the favor of the
- queen, and took her unto him to wife; and thus by his fraud, and
- by the assistance of his cunning servants, he obtained the
- kingdom; yea, he was acknowledged king throughout all the land,
- among all the people of the Lamanites, who were composed of the
- Lamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites, and all the
- dissenters of the Nephites, from the reign of Nephi down to the
- present time.
-
- Alma 47:36
- 36 Now these dissenters, having the same instruction and the
- same information of the Nephites, yea, having been instructed in
- the same knowledge of the Lord, nevertheless, it is strange to
- relate, not long after their dissensions they became more
- hardened and impenitent, and more wild, wicked and ferocious than
- the Lamanites--drinking in with the traditions of the Lamanites;
- giving way to indolence, and all manner of lasciviousness; yea,
- entirely forgetting the Lord their God.
-
- Alma 48
- Chapter 48
-
- Alma 48:1
- 1 And now it came to pass that, as soon as Amalickiah had
- obtained the kingdom he began to inspire the hearts of the
- Lamanites against the people of Nephi; yea, he did appoint men to
- speak unto the Lamanites from their towers, against the Nephites.
-
- Alma 48:2
- 2 And thus he did inspire their hearts against the Nephites,
- insomuch that in the latter end of the nineteenth year of the
- reign of the judges, he having accomplished his designs thus far,
- yea, having been made king over the Lamanites, he sought also to
- reign over all the land, yea, and all the people who were in the
- land, the Nephites as well as the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 48:3
- 3 Therefore he had accomplished his design, for he had hardened
- the hearts of the Lamanites and blinded their minds, and stirred
- them up to anger, insomuch that he had gathered together a
- numerous host to go to battle against the Nephites.
-
- Alma 48:4
- 4 For he was determined, because of the greatness of the number
- of his people, to overpower the Nephites and to bring them into
- bondage.
-
- Alma 48:5
- 5 And thus he did appoint chief captains of the Zoramites, they
- being the most acquainted with the strength of the Nephites, and
- their places of resort, and the weakest parts of their cities;
- therefore he appointed them to be chief captains over his armies.
-
- Alma 48:6
- 6 And it came to pass that they took their camp, and moved forth
- toward the land of Zarahemla in the wilderness.
-
- Alma 48:7
- 7 Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been
- obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand,
- had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto
- the Lord their God.
-
- Alma 48:8
- 8 Yea, he had been strengthening the armies of the Nephites, and
- erecting small forts, or places of resort; throwing up banks of
- earth round about to enclose his armies, and also building walls
- of stone to encircle them about, round about their cities and the
- borders of their lands; yea, all round about the land.
-
- Alma 48:9
- 9 And in their weakest fortifications he did place the greater
- number of men; and thus he did fortify and strengthen the land
- which was possessed by the Nephites.
-
- Alma 48:10
- 10 And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their
- lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that
- they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might
- maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of
- Christians.
-
- Alma 48:11
- 11 And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a
- perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in
- bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the
- freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and
- slavery;
-
- Alma 48:12
- 12 Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his
- God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon
- his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and
- safety of his people.
-
- Alma 48:13
- 13 Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ,
- and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights,
- and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.
-
- Alma 48:14
- 14 Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against
- their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were
- necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an
- offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against
- an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives.
-
- Alma 48:15
- 15 And this was their faith, that by so doing God would prosper
- them in the land, or in other words, if they were faithful in
- keeping the commandments of God that he would prosper them in the
- land; yea, warn them to flee, or to prepare for war, according to
- their danger;
-
- Alma 48:16
- 16 And also, that God would make it known unto them whither they
- should go to defend themselves against their enemies, and by so
- doing, the Lord would deliver them; and this was the faith of
- Moroni, and his heart did glory in it; not in the shedding of
- blood but in doing good, in preserving his people, yea, in
- keeping the commandments of God, yea, and resisting iniquity.
-
- Alma 48:17
- 17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and
- were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very
- powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil
- would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.
-
- Alma 48:18
- 18 Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, yea,
- and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his
- sons, for they were all men of God.
-
- Alma 48:19
- 19 Now behold, Helaman and his brethren were no less serviceable
- unto the people than was Moroni; for they did preach the word of
- God, and they did baptize unto repentance all men whosoever would
- hearken unto their words.
-
- Alma 48:20
- 20 And thus they went forth, and the people did humble
- themselves because of their words, insomuch that they were highly
- favored of the Lord, and thus they were free from wars and
- contentions among themselves, yea, even for the space of four
- years.
-
- Alma 48:21
- 21 But, as I have said, in the latter end of the nineteenth
- year, yea, notwithstanding their peace amongst themselves, they
- were compelled reluctantly to contend with their brethren, the
- Lamanites.
-
- Alma 48:22
- 22 Yea, and in fine, their wars never did cease for the space of
- many years with the Lamanites, notwithstanding their much
- reluctance.
-
- Alma 48:23
- 23 Now, they were sorry to take up arms against the Lamanites,
- because they did not delight in the shedding of blood; yea, and
- this was not all--they were sorry to be the means of sending so
- many of their brethren out of this world into an eternal world,
- unprepared to meet their God.
-
- Alma 48:24
- 24 Nevertheless, they could not suffer to lay down their lives,
- that their wives and their children should be massacred by the
- barbarous cruelty of those who were once their brethren, yea, and
- had dissented from their church, and had left them and had gone
- to destroy them by joining the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 48:25
- 25 Yea, they could not bear that their brethren should rejoice
- over the blood of the Nephites, so long as there were any who
- should keep the commandments of God, for the promise of the Lord
- was, if they should keep his commandments they should prosper in
- the land.
-
- Alma 49
- Chapter 49
-
- Alma 49:1
- 1 And now it came to pass in the eleventh month of the
- nineteenth year, on the tenth day of the month, the armies of the
- Lamanites were seen approaching towards the land of Ammonihah.
-
- Alma 49:2
- 2 And behold, the city had been rebuilt, and Moroni had
- stationed an army by the borders of the city, and they had cast
- up dirt around about to shield them from the arrows and the
- stones of the Lamanites; for behold, they fought with stones and
- with arrows.
-
- Alma 49:3
- 3 Behold, I said that the city of Ammonihah had been rebuilt. I
- say unto you, yea, that it was in part rebuilt; and because the
- Lamanites had destroyed it once because of the iniquity of the
- people, they supposed that it would again become an easy prey for
- them.
-
- Alma 49:4
- 4 But behold, how great was their disappointment; for behold,
- the Nephites had dug up a ridge of earth round about them, which
- was so high that the Lamanites could not cast their stones and
- their arrows at them that they might take effect, neither could
- they come upon them save it was by their place of entrance.
-
- Alma 49:5
- 5 Now at this time the chief captains of the Lamanites were
- astonished exceedingly, because of the wisdom of the Nephites in
- preparing their places of security.
-
- Alma 49:6
- 6 Now the leaders of the Lamanites had supposed, because of the
- greatness of their numbers, yea, they supposed that they should
- be privileged to come upon them as they had hitherto done; yea,
- and they had also prepared themselves with shields, and with
- breastplates; and they had also prepared themselves with garments
- of skins, yea, very thick garments to cover their nakedness.
-
- Alma 49:7
- 7 And being thus prepared they supposed that they should easily
- overpower and subject their brethren to the yoke of bondage, or
- slay and massacre them according to their pleasure.
-
- Alma 49:8
- 8 But behold, to their uttermost astonishment, they were
- prepared for them, in a manner which never had been known among
- the children of Lehi. Now they were prepared for the Lamanites,
- to battle after the manner of the instructions of Moroni.
-
- Alma 49:9
- 9 And it came to pass that the Lamanites, or the Amalickiahites,
- were exceedingly astonished at their manner of preparation for
- war.
-
- Alma 49:10
- 10 Now, if king Amalickiah had come down out of the land of
- Nephi, at the head of his army, perhaps he would have caused the
- Lamanites to have attacked the Nephites at the city of Ammonihah;
- for behold, he did care not for the blood of his people.
-
- Alma 49:11
- 11 But behold, Amalickiah did not come down himself to battle.
- And behold, his chief captains durst not attack the Nephites at
- the city of Ammonihah, for Moroni had altered the management of
- affairs among the Nephites, insomuch that the Lamanites were
- disappointed in their places of retreat and they could not come
- upon them.
-
- Alma 49:12
- 12 Therefore they retreated into the wilderness, and took their
- camp and marched towards the land of Noah, supposing that to be
- the next best place for them to come against the Nephites.
-
- Alma 49:13
- 13 For they knew not that Moroni had fortified, or had built
- forts of security, for every city in all the land round about;
- therefore, they marched forward to the land of Noah with a firm
- determination; yea, their chief captains came forward and took an
- oath that they would destroy the people of that city.
-
- Alma 49:14
- 14 But behold, to their astonishment, the city of Noah, which
- had hitherto been a weak place, had now, by the means of Moroni,
- become strong, yea, even to exceed the strength of the city
- Ammonihah.
-
- Alma 49:15
- 15 And now, behold, this was wisdom in Moroni; for he had
- supposed that they would be frightened at the city Ammonihah; and
- as the city of Noah had hitherto been the weakest part of the
- land, therefore they would march thither to battle; and thus it
- was according to his desires.
-
- Alma 49:16
- 16 And behold, Moroni had appointed Lehi to be chief captain
- over the men of that city; and it was that same Lehi who fought
- with the Lamanites in the valley on the east of the river Sidon.
-
- Alma 49:17
- 17 And now behold it came to pass, that when the Lamanites had
- found that Lehi commanded the city they were again disappointed,
- for they feared Lehi exceedingly; nevertheless their chief
- captains had sworn with an oath to attack the city; therefore,
- they brought up their armies.
-
- Alma 49:18
- 18 Now behold, the Lamanites could not get into their forts of
- security by any other way save by the entrance, because of the
- highness of the bank which had been thrown up, and the depth of
- the ditch which had been dug round about, save it were by the
- entrance.
-
- Alma 49:19
- 19 And thus were the Nephites prepared to destroy all such as
- should attempt to climb up to enter the fort by any other way, by
- casting over stones and arrows at them.
-
- Alma 49:20
- 20 Thus they were prepared, yea, a body of their strongest men,
- with their swords and their slings, to smite down all who should
- attempt to come into their place of security by the place of
- entrance; and thus were they prepared to defend themselves
- against the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 49:21
- 21 And it came to pass that the captains of the Lamanites
- brought up their armies before the place of entrance, and began
- to contend with the Nephites, to get into their place of
- security; but behold, they were driven back from time to time,
- insomuch that they were slain with an immense slaughter.
-
- Alma 49:22
- 22 Now when they found that they could not obtain power over the
- Nephites by the pass, they began to dig down their banks of earth
- that they might obtain a pass to their armies, that they might
- have an equal chance to fight; but behold, in these attempts they
- were swept off by the stones and arrows which were thrown at
- them; and instead of filling up their ditches by pulling down the
- banks of earth, they were filled up in a measure with their dead
- and wounded bodies.
-
- Alma 49:23
- 23 Thus the Nephites had all power over their enemies; and thus
- the Lamanites did attempt to destroy the Nephites until their
- chief captains were all slain; yea, and more than a thousand of
- the Lamanites were slain; while, on the other hand, there was not
- a single soul of the Nephites which was slain.
-
- Alma 49:24
- 24 There were about fifty who were wounded, who had been exposed
- to the arrows of the Lamanites through the pass, but they were
- shielded by their shields, and their breastplates, and their
- head-plates, insomuch that their wounds were upon their legs,
- many of which were very severe.
-
- Alma 49:25
- 25 And it came to pass, that when the Lamanites saw that their
- chief captains were all slain they fled into the wilderness. And
- it came to pass that they returned to the land of Nephi, to
- inform their king, Amalickiah, who was a Nephite by birth,
- concerning their great loss.
-
- Alma 49:26
- 26 And it came to pass that he was exceedingly angry with his
- people, because he had not obtained his desire over the Nephites;
- he had not subjected them to the yoke of bondage.
-
- Alma 49:27
- 27 Yea, he was exceedingly wroth, and he did curse God, and also
- Moroni, swearing with an oath that he would drink his blood; and
- this because Moroni had kept the commandments of God in preparing
- for the safety of his people.
-
- Alma 49:28
- 28 And it came to pass, that on the other hand, the people of
- Nephi did thank the Lord their God, because of his matchless
- power in delivering them from the hands of their enemies.
-
- Alma 49:29
- 29 And thus ended the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges
- over the people of Nephi.
-
- Alma 49:30
- 30 Yea, and there was continual peace among them, and
- exceedingly great prosperity in the church because of their heed
- and diligence which they gave unto the word of God, which was
- declared unto them by Helaman, and Shiblon, and Corianton, and
- Ammon and his brethren, yea, and by all those who had been
- ordained by the holy order of God, being baptized unto
- repentance, and sent forth to preach among the people.
-
- Alma 50
- Chapter 50
-
- Alma 50:1
- 1 And now it came to pass that Moroni did not stop making
- preparations for war, or to defend his people against the
- Lamanites; for he caused that his armies should commence in the
- commencement of the twentieth year of the reign of the judges,
- that they should commence in digging up heaps of earth round
- about all the cities, throughout all the land which was possessed
- by the Nephites.
-
- Alma 50:2
- 2 And upon the top of these ridges of earth he caused that there
- should be timbers, yea, works of timbers built up to the height
- of a man, round about the cities.
-
- Alma 50:3
- 3 And he caused that upon those works of timbers there should be
- a frame of pickets built upon the timbers round about; and they
- were strong and high.
-
- Alma 50:4
- 4 And he caused towers to be erected that overlooked those works
- of pickets, and he caused places of security to be built upon
- those towers, that the stones and the arrows of the Lamanites
- could not hurt them.
-
- Alma 50:5
- 5 And they were prepared that they could cast stones from the
- top thereof, according to their pleasure and their strength, and
- slay him who should attempt to approach near the walls of the
- city.
-
- Alma 50:6
- 6 Thus Moroni did prepare strongholds against the coming of
- their enemies, round about every city in all the land.
-
- Alma 50:7
- 7 And it came to pass that Moroni caused that his armies should
- go forth into the east wilderness; yea, and they went forth and
- drove all the Lamanites who were in the east wilderness into
- their own lands, which were south of the land of Zarahemla.
-
- Alma 50:8
- 8 And the land of Nephi did run in a straight course from the
- east sea to the west.
-
- Alma 50:9
- 9 And it came to pass that when Moroni had driven all the
- Lamanites out of the east wilderness, which was north of the
- lands of their own possessions, he caused that the inhabitants
- who were in the land of Zarahemla and in the land round about
- should go forth into the east wilderness, even to the borders by
- the seashore, and possess the land.
-
- Alma 50:10
- 10 And he also placed armies on the south, in the borders of
- their possessions, and caused them to erect fortifications that
- they might secure their armies and their people from the hands of
- their enemies.
-
- Alma 50:11
- 11 And thus he cut off all the strongholds of the Lamanites in
- the east wilderness, yea, and also on the west, fortifying the
- line between the Nephites and the Lamanites, between the land of
- Zarahemla and the land of Nephi, from the west sea, running by
- the head of the river Sidon--the Nephites possessing all the land
- northward, yea, even all the land which was northward of the land
- Bountiful, according to their pleasure.
-
- Alma 50:12
- 12 Thus Moroni, with his armies, which did increase daily
- because of the assurance of protection which his works did bring
- forth unto them, did seek to cut off the strength and the power
- of the Lamanites from off the lands of their possessions, that
- they should have no power upon the lands of their possession.
-
- Alma 50:13
- 13 And it came to pass that the Nephites began the foundation of
- a city, and they called the name of the city Moroni; and it was
- by the east sea; and it was on the south by the line of the
- possessions of the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 50:14
- 14 And they also began a foundation for a city between the city
- of Moroni and the city of Aaron, joining the borders of Aaron and
- Moroni; and they called the name of the city, or the land,
- Nephihah.
-
- Alma 50:15
- 15 And they also began in that same year to build many cities on
- the north, one in a particular manner which they called Lehi,
- which was in the north by the borders of the seashore.
-
- Alma 50:16
- 16 And thus ended the twentieth year.
-
- Alma 50:17
- 17 And in these prosperous circumstances were the people of
- Nephi in the commencement of the twenty and first year of the
- reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.
-
- Alma 50:18
- 18 And they did prosper exceedingly, and they became exceedingly
- rich; yea, and they did multiply and wax strong in the land.
-
- Alma 50:19
- 19 And thus we see how merciful and just are all the dealings of
- the Lord, to the fulfilling of all his words unto the children of
- men; yea, we can behold that his words are verified, even at this
- time, which he spake unto Lehi, saying:
-
- Alma 50:20
- 20 Blessed art thou and thy children; and they shall be blessed,
- inasmuch as they shall keep my commandments they shall prosper in
- the land. But remember, inasmuch as they will not keep my
- commandments they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.
-
- Alma 50:21
- 21 And we see that these promises have been verified to the
- people of Nephi; for it has been their quarrelings and their
- contentions, yea, their murderings, and their plunderings, their
- idolatry, their whoredoms, and their abominations, which were
- among themselves, which brought upon them their wars and their
- destructions.
-
- Alma 50:22
- 22 And those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of
- the Lord were delivered at all times, whilst thousands of their
- wicked brethren have been consigned to bondage, or to perish by
- the sword, or to dwindle in unbelief, and mingle with the
- Lamanites.
-
- Alma 50:23
- 23 But behold there never was a happier time among the people of
- Nephi, since the days of Nephi, than in the days of Moroni, yea,
- even at this time, in the twenty and first year of the reign of
- the judges.
-
- Alma 50:24
- 24 And it came to pass that the twenty and second year of the
- reign of the judges also ended in peace; yea, and also the twenty
- and third year.
-
- Alma 50:25
- 25 And it came to pass that in the commencement of the twenty
- and fourth year of the reign of the judges, there would also have
- been peace among the people of Nephi had it not been for a
- contention which took place among them concerning the land of
- Lehi, and the land of Morianton, which joined upon the borders of
- Lehi; both of which were on the borders by the seashore.
-
- Alma 50:26
- 26 For behold, the people who possessed the land of Morianton
- did claim a part of the land of Lehi; therefore there began to be
- a warm contention between them, insomuch that the people of
- Morianton took up arms against their brethren, and they were
- determined by the sword to slay them.
-
- Alma 50:27
- 27 But behold, the people who possessed the land of Lehi fled to
- the camp of Moroni, and appealed unto him for assistance; for
- behold they were not in the wrong.
-
- Alma 50:28
- 28 And it came to pass that when the people of Morianton, who
- were led by a man whose name was Morianton, found that the people
- of Lehi had fled to the camp of Moroni, they were exceedingly
- fearful lest the army of Moroni should come upon them and destroy
- them.
-
- Alma 50:29
- 29 Therefore, Morianton put it into their hearts that they
- should flee to the land which was northward, which was covered
- with large bodies of water, and take possession of the land which
- was northward.
-
- Alma 50:30
- 30 And behold, they would have carried this plan into effect,
- (which would have been a cause to have been lamented) but behold,
- Morianton being a man of much passion, therefore he was angry
- with one of his maid servants, and he fell upon her and beat her
- much.
-
- Alma 50:31
- 31 And it came to pass that she fled, and came over to the camp
- of Moroni, and told Moroni all things concerning the matter, and
- also concerning their intentions to flee into the land northward.
-
- Alma 50:32
- 32 Now behold, the people who were in the land Bountiful, or
- rather Moroni, feared that they would hearken to the words of
- Morianton and unite with his people, and thus he would obtain
- possession of those parts of the land, which would lay a
- foundation for serious consequences among the people of Nephi,
- yea, which consequences would lead to the overthrow of their
- liberty.
-
- Alma 50:33
- 33 Therefore Moroni sent an army, with their camp, to head the
- people of Morianton, to stop their flight into the land
- northward.
-
- Alma 50:34
- 34 And it came to pass that they did not head them until they
- had come to the borders of the land Desolation; and there they
- did head them, by the narrow pass which led by the sea into the
- land northward, yea, by the sea, on the west and on the east.
-
- Alma 50:35
- 35 And it came to pass that the army which was sent by Moroni,
- which was led by a man whose name was Teancum, did meet the
- people of Morianton; and so stubborn were the people of
- Morianton, (being inspired by his wickedness and his flattering
- words) that a battle commenced between them, in the which Teancum
- did slay Morianton and defeat his army, and took them prisoners,
- and returned to the camp of Moroni. And thus ended the twenty
- and fourth year of the reign of the judges over the people of
- Nephi.
-
- Alma 50:36
- 36 And thus were the people of Morianton brought back. And upon
- their covenanting to keep the peace they were restored to the
- land of Morianton, and a union took place between them and the
- people of Lehi; and they were also restored to their lands.
-
- Alma 50:37
- 37 And it came to pass that in the same year that the people of
- Nephi had peace restored unto them, that Nephihah, the second
- chief judge, died, having filled the judgment-seat with perfect
- uprightness before God.
-
- Alma 50:38
- 38 Nevertheless, he had refused Alma to take possession of those
- records and those things which were esteemed by Alma and his
- fathers to be most sacred; therefore Alma had conferred them upon
- his son, Helaman.
-
- Alma 50:39
- 39 Behold, it came to pass that the son of Nephihah was
- appointed to fill the judgment-seat, in the stead of his father;
- yea, he was appointed chief judge and governor over the people,
- with an oath and sacred ordinance to judge righteously, and to
- keep the peace and the freedom of the people, and to grant unto
- them their sacred privileges to worship the Lord their God, yea,
- to support and maintain the cause of God all his days, and to
- bring the wicked to justice according to their crime.
-
- Alma 50:40
- 40 Now behold, his name was Pahoran. And Pahoran did fill the
- seat of his father, and did commence his reign in the end of the
- twenty and fourth year, over the people of Nephi.
-
- Alma 51
- Chapter 51
-
- Alma 51:1
- 1 And now it came to pass in the commencement of the twenty and
- fifth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi,
- they having established peace between the people of Lehi and the
- people of Morianton concerning their lands, and having commenced
- the twenty and fifth year in peace;
-
- Alma 51:2
- 2 Nevertheless, they did not long maintain an entire peace in
- the land, for there began to be a contention among the people
- concerning the chief judge Pahoran; for behold, there were a part
- of the people who desired that a few particular points of the law
- should be altered.
-
- Alma 51:3
- 3 But behold, Pahoran would not alter nor suffer the law to be
- altered; therefore, he did not hearken to those who had sent in
- their voices with their petitions concerning the altering of the
- law.
-
- Alma 51:4
- 4 Therefore, those who were desirous that the law should be
- altered were angry with him, and desired that he should no longer
- be chief judge over the land; therefore there arose a warm
- dispute concerning the matter, but not unto bloodshed.
-
- Alma 51:5
- 5 And it came to pass that those who were desirous that Pahoran
- should be dethroned from the judgment-seat were called king-men,
- for they were desirous that the law should be altered in a manner
- to overthrow the free government and to establish a king over the
- land.
-
- Alma 51:6
- 6 And those who were desirous that Pahoran should remain chief
- judge over the land took upon them the name of freemen; and thus
- was the division among them, for the freemen had sworn or
- covenanted to maintain their rights and the privileges of their
- religion by a free government.
-
- Alma 51:7
- 7 And it came to pass that this matter of their contention was
- settled by the voice of the people. And it came to pass that the
- voice of the people came in favor of the freemen, and Pahoran
- retained the judgment-seat, which caused much rejoicing among the
- brethren of Pahoran and also many of the people of liberty, who
- also put the king-men to silence, that they durst not oppose but
- were obliged to maintain the cause of freedom.
-
- Alma 51:8
- 8 Now those who were in favor of kings were those of high birth,
- and they sought to be kings; and they were supported by those who
- sought power and authority over the people.
-
- Alma 51:9
- 9 But behold, this was a critical time for such contentions to
- be among the people of Nephi; for behold, Amalickiah had again
- stirred up the hearts of the people of the Lamanites against the
- people of the Nephites, and he was gathering together soldiers
- from all parts of his land, and arming them, and preparing for
- war with all diligence; for he had sworn to drink the blood of
- Moroni.
-
- Alma 51:10
- 10 But behold, we shall see that his promise which he made was
- rash; nevertheless, he did prepare himself and his armies to come
- to battle against the Nephites.
-
- Alma 51:11
- 11 Now his armies were not so great as they had hitherto been,
- because of the many thousands who had been slain by the hand of
- the Nephites; but notwithstanding their great loss, Amalickiah
- had gathered together a wonderfully great army, insomuch that he
- feared not to come down to the land of Zarahemla.
-
- Alma 51:12
- 12 Yea, even Amalickiah did himself come down, at the head of
- the Lamanites. And it was in the twenty and fifth year of the
- reign of the judges; and it was at the same time that they had
- begun to settle the affairs of their contentions concerning the
- chief judge, Pahoran.
-
- Alma 51:13
- 13 And it came to pass that when the men who were called
- king-men had heard that the Lamanites were coming down to battle
- against them, they were glad in their hearts; and they refused to
- take up arms, for they were so wroth with the chief judge, and
- also with the people of liberty, that they would not take up arms
- to defend their country.
-
- Alma 51:14
- 14 And it came to pass that when Moroni saw this, and also saw
- that the Lamanites were coming into the borders of the land, he
- was exceedingly wroth because of the stubbornness of those people
- whom he had labored with so much diligence to preserve; yea, he
- was exceedingly wroth; his soul was filled with anger against
- them.
-
- Alma 51:15
- 15 And it came to pass that he sent a petition, with the voice
- of the people, unto the governor of the land, desiring that he
- should read it, and give him (Moroni) power to compel those
- dissenters to defend their country or to put them to death.
-
- Alma 51:16
- 16 For it was his first care to put an end to such contentions
- and dissensions among the people; for behold, this had been
- hitherto a cause of all their destruction. And it came to pass
- that it was granted according to the voice of the people.
-
- Alma 51:17
- 17 And it came to pass that Moroni commanded that his army
- should go against those king-men, to pull down their pride and
- their nobility and level them with the earth, or they should take
- up arms and support the cause of liberty.
-
- Alma 51:18
- 18 And it came to pass that the armies did march forth against
- them; and they did pull down their pride and their nobility,
- insomuch that as they did lift their weapons of war to fight
- against the men of Moroni they were hewn down and leveled to the
- earth.
-
- Alma 51:19
- 19 And it came to pass that there were four thousand of those
- dissenters who were hewn down by the sword; and those of their
- leaders who were not slain in battle were taken and cast into
- prison, for there was no time for their trials at this period.
-
- Alma 51:20
- 20 And the remainder of those dissenters, rather than be smitten
- down to the earth by the sword, yielded to the standard of
- liberty, and were compelled to hoist the title of liberty upon
- their towers, and in their cities, and to take up arms in defence
- of their country.
-
- Alma 51:21
- 21 And thus Moroni put an end to those king-men, that there were
- not any known by the appellation of king-men; and thus he put an
- end to the stubbornness and the pride of those people who
- professed the blood of nobility; but they were brought down to
- humble themselves like unto their brethren, and to fight
- valiantly for their freedom from bondage.
-
- Alma 51:22
- 22 Behold, it came to pass that while Moroni was thus breaking
- down the wars and contentions among his own people, and
- subjecting them to peace and civilization, and making regulations
- to prepare for war against the Lamanites, behold, the Lamanites
- had come into the land of Moroni, which was in the borders by the
- seashore.
-
- Alma 51:23
- 23 And it came to pass that the Nephites were not sufficiently
- strong in the city of Moroni; therefore Amalickiah did drive
- them, slaying many. And it came to pass that Amalickiah took
- possession of the city, yea, possession of all their
- fortifications.
-
- Alma 51:24
- 24 And those who fled out of the city of Moroni came to the city
- of Nephihah; and also the people of the city of Lehi gathered
- themselves together, and made preparations and were ready to
- receive the Lamanites to battle.
-
- Alma 51:25
- 25 But it came to pass that Amalickiah would not suffer the
- Lamanites to go against the city of Nephihah to battle, but kept
- them down by the seashore, leaving men in every city to maintain
- and defend it.
-
- Alma 51:26
- 26 And thus he went on, taking possession of many cities, the
- city of Nephihah, and the city of Lehi, and the city of
- Morianton, and the city of Omner, and the city of Gid, and the
- city of Mulek, all of which were on the east borders by the
- seashore.
-
- Alma 51:27
- 27 And thus had the Lamanites obtained, by the cunning of
- Amalickiah, so many cities, by their numberless hosts, all of
- which were strongly fortified after the manner of the
- fortifications of Moroni; all of which afforded strongholds for
- the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 51:28
- 28 And it came to pass that they marched to the borders of the
- land Bountiful, driving the Nephites before them and slaying
- many.
-
- Alma 51:29
- 29 But it came to pass that they were met by Teancum, who had
- slain Morianton and had headed his people in his flight.
-
- Alma 51:30
- 30 And it came to pass that he headed Amalickiah also, as he was
- marching forth with his numerous army that he might take
- possession of the land Bountiful, and also the land northward.
-
- Alma 51:31
- 31 But behold he met with a disappointment by being repulsed by
- Teancum and his men, for they were great warriors; for every man
- of Teancum did exceed the Lamanites in their strength and in
- their skill of war, insomuch that they did gain advantage over
- the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 51:32
- 32 And it came to pass that they did harass them, insomuch that
- they did slay them even until it was dark. And it came to pass
- that Teancum and his men did pitch their tents in the borders of
- the land Bountiful; and Amalickiah did pitch his tents in the
- borders on the beach by the seashore, and after this manner were
- they driven.
-
- Alma 51:33
- 33 And it came to pass that when the night had come, Teancum and
- his servant stole forth and went out by night, and went into the
- camp of Amalickiah; and behold, sleep had overpowered them
- because of their much fatigue, which was caused by the labors and
- heat of the day.
-
- Alma 51:34
- 34 And it came to pass that Teancum stole privily into the tent
- of the king, and put a javelin to his heart; and he did cause the
- death of the king immediately that he did not awake his servants.
-
- Alma 51:35
- 35 And he returned again privily to his own camp, and behold,
- his men were asleep, and he awoke them and told them all the
- things that he had done.
-
- Alma 51:36
- 36 And he caused that his armies should stand in readiness, lest
- the Lamanites had awakened and should come upon them.
-
- Alma 51:37
- 37 And thus endeth the twenty and fifth year of the reign of the
- judges over the people of Nephi; and thus endeth the days of
- Amalickiah.
-
- Alma 52
- Chapter 52
-
- Alma 52:1
- 1 And now, it came to pass in the twenty and sixth year of the
- reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, behold, when the
- Lamanites awoke on the first morning of the first month, behold,
- they found Amalickiah was dead in his own tent; and they also saw
- that Teancum was ready to give them battle on that day.
-
- Alma 52:2
- 2 And now, when the Lamanites saw this they were affrighted; and
- they abandoned their design in marching into the land northward,
- and retreated with all their army into the city of Mulek, and
- sought protection in their fortifications.
-
- Alma 52:3
- 3 And it came to pass that the brother of Amalickiah was
- appointed king over the people; and his name was Ammoron; thus
- king Ammoron, the brother of king Amalickiah, was appointed to
- reign in his stead.
-
- Alma 52:4
- 4 And it came to pass that he did command that his people should
- maintain those cities, which they had taken by the shedding of
- blood; for they had not taken any cities save they had lost much
- blood.
-
- Alma 52:5
- 5 And now, Teancum saw that the Lamanites were determined to
- maintain those cities which they had taken, and those parts of
- the land which they had obtained possession of; and also seeing
- the enormity of their number, Teancum thought it was not
- expedient that he should attempt to attack them in their forts.
-
- Alma 52:6
- 6 But he kept his men round about, as if making preparations for
- war; yea, and truly he was preparing to defend himself against
- them, by casting up walls round about and preparing places of
- resort.
-
- Alma 52:7
- 7 And it came to pass that he kept thus preparing for war until
- Moroni had sent a large number of men to strengthen his army.
-
- Alma 52:8
- 8 And Moroni also sent orders unto him that he should retain all
- the prisoners who fell into his hands; for as the Lamanites had
- taken many prisoners, that he should retain all the prisoners of
- the Lamanites as a ransom for those whom the Lamanites had taken.
-
- Alma 52:9
- 9 And he also sent orders unto him that he should fortify the
- land Bountiful, and secure the narrow pass which led into the
- land northward, lest the Lamanites should obtain that point and
- should have power to harass them on every side.
-
- Alma 52:10
- 10 And Moroni also sent unto him, desiring him that he would be
- faithful in maintaining that quarter of the land, and that he
- would seek every opportunity to scourge the Lamanites in that
- quarter, as much as was in his power, that perhaps he might take
- again by stratagem or some other way those cities which had been
- taken out of their hands; and that he also would fortify and
- strengthen the cities round about, which had not fallen into the
- hands of the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 52:11
- 11 And he also said unto him, I would come unto you, but behold,
- the Lamanites are upon us in the borders of the land by the west
- sea; and behold, I go against them, therefore I cannot come unto
- you.
-
- Alma 52:12
- 12 Now, the king (Ammoron) had departed out of the land of
- Zarahemla, and had made known unto the queen concerning the death
- of his brother, and had gathered together a large number of men,
- and had marched forth against the Nephites on the borders by the
- west sea.
-
- Alma 52:13
- 13 And thus he was endeavoring to harass the Nephites, and to
- draw away a part of their forces to that part of the land, while
- he had commanded those whom he had left to possess the cities
- which he had taken, that they should also harass the Nephites on
- the borders by the east sea, and should take possession of their
- lands as much as it was in their power, according to the power of
- their armies.
-
- Alma 52:14
- 14 And thus were the Nephites in those dangerous circumstances
- in the ending of the twenty and sixth year of the reign of the
- judges over the people of Nephi.
-
- Alma 52:15
- 15 But behold, it came to pass in the twenty and seventh year of
- the reign of the judges, that Teancum, by the command of
- Moroni--who had established armies to protect the south and the
- west borders of the land, and had begun his march towards the
- land Bountiful, that he might assist Teancum with his men in
- retaking the cities which they had lost--
-
- Alma 52:16
- 16 And it came to pass that Teancum had received orders to make
- an attack upon the city of Mulek, and retake it if it were
- possible.
-
- Alma 52:17
- 17 And it came to pass that Teancum made preparations to make an
- attack upon the city of Mulek, and march forth with his army
- against the Lamanites; but he saw that it was impossible that he
- could overpower them while they were in their fortifications;
- therefore he abandoned his designs and returned again to the city
- Bountiful, to wait for the coming of Moroni, that he might
- receive strength to his army.
-
- Alma 52:18
- 18 And it came to pass that Moroni did arrive with his army at
- the land of Bountiful, in the latter end of the twenty and
- seventh year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.
-
- Alma 52:19
- 19 And in the commencement of the twenty and eighth year, Moroni
- and Teancum and many of the chief captains held a council of
- war--what they should do to cause the Lamanites to come out
- against them to battle; or that they might by some means flatter
- them out of their strongholds, that they might gain advantage
- over them and take again the city of Mulek.
-
- Alma 52:20
- 20 And it came to pass they sent embassies to the army of the
- Lamanites, which protected the city of Mulek, to their leader,
- whose name was Jacob, desiring him that he would come out with
- his armies to meet them upon the plains between the two cities.
- But behold, Jacob, who was a Zoramite, would not come out with
- his army to meet them upon the plains.
-
- Alma 52:21
- 21 And it came to pass that Moroni, having no hopes of meeting
- them upon fair grounds, therefore, he resolved upon a plan that
- he might decoy the Lamanites out of their strongholds.
-
- Alma 52:22
- 22 Therefore he caused that Teancum should take a small number
- of men and march down near the seashore; and Moroni and his army,
- by night, marched in the wilderness, on the west of the city
- Mulek; and thus, on the morrow, when the guards of the Lamanites
- had discovered Teancum, they ran and told it unto Jacob, their
- leader.
-
- Alma 52:23
- 23 And it came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites did
- march forth against Teancum, supposing by their numbers to
- overpower Teancum because of the smallness of his numbers. And
- as Teancum saw the armies of the Lamanites coming out against him
- he began to retreat down by the seashore, northward.
-
- Alma 52:24
- 24 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that he began
- to flee, they took courage and pursued them with vigor. And
- while Teancum was thus leading away the Lamanites who were
- pursuing them in vain, behold, Moroni commanded that a part of
- his army who were with him should march forth into the city, and
- take possession of it.
-
- Alma 52:25
- 25 And thus they did, and slew all those who had been left to
- protect the city, yea, all those who would not yield up their
- weapons of war.
-
- Alma 52:26
- 26 And thus Moroni had obtained possession of the city Mulek
- with a part of his army, while he marched with the remainder to
- meet the Lamanites when they should return from the pursuit of
- Teancum.
-
- Alma 52:27
- 27 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did pursue Teancum
- until they came near the city Bountiful, and then they were met
- by Lehi and a small army, which had been left to protect the city
- Bountiful.
-
- Alma 52:28
- 28 And now behold, when the chief captains of the Lamanites had
- beheld Lehi with his army coming against them, they fled in much
- confusion, lest perhaps they should not obtain the city Mulek
- before Lehi should overtake them; for they were wearied because
- of their march, and the men of Lehi were fresh.
-
- Alma 52:29
- 29 Now the Lamanites did not know that Moroni had been in their
- rear with his army; and all they feared was Lehi and his men.
-
- Alma 52:30
- 30 Now Lehi was not desirous to overtake them till they should
- meet Moroni and his army.
-
- Alma 52:31
- 31 And it came to pass that before the Lamanites had retreated
- far they were surrounded by the Nephites, by the men of Moroni on
- one hand, and the men of Lehi on the other, all of whom were
- fresh and full of strength; but the Lamanites were wearied
- because of their long march.
-
- Alma 52:32
- 32 And Moroni commanded his men that they should fall upon them
- until they had given up their weapons of war.
-
- Alma 52:33
- 33 And it came to pass that Jacob, being their leader, being
- also a Zoramite, and having an unconquerable spirit, he led the
- Lamanites forth to battle with exceeding fury against Moroni.
-
- Alma 52:34
- 34 Moroni being in their course of march, therefore Jacob was
- determined to slay them and cut his way through to the city of
- Mulek. But behold, Moroni and his men were more powerful;
- therefore they did not give way before the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 52:35
- 35 And it came to pass that they fought on both hands with
- exceeding fury; and there were many slain on both sides; yea, and
- Moroni was wounded and Jacob was killed.
-
- Alma 52:36
- 36 And Lehi pressed upon their rear with such fury with his
- strong men, that the Lamanites in the rear delivered up their
- weapons of war; and the remainder of them, being much confused,
- knew not whither to go or to strike.
-
- Alma 52:37
- 37 Now Moroni seeing their confusion, he said unto them: If ye
- will bring forth your weapons of war and deliver them up, behold
- we will forbear shedding your blood.
-
- Alma 52:38
- 38 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites had heard these
- words, their chief captains, all those who were not slain, came
- forth and threw down their weapons of war at the feet of Moroni,
- and also commanded their men that they should do the same.
-
- Alma 52:39
- 39 But behold, there were many that would not; and those who
- would not deliver up their swords were taken and bound, and their
- weapons of war were taken from them, and they were compelled to
- march with their brethren forth into the land Bountiful.
-
- Alma 52:40
- 40 And now the number of prisoners who were taken exceeded more
- than the number of those who had been slain, yea, more than those
- who had been slain on both sides.
-
- Alma 53
- Chapter 53
-
- Alma 53:1
- 1 And it came to pass that they did set guards over the
- prisoners of the Lamanites, and did compel them to go forth and
- bury their dead, yea, and also the dead of the Nephites who were
- slain; and Moroni placed men over them to guard them while they
- should perform their labors.
-
- Alma 53:2
- 2 And Moroni went to the city of Mulek with Lehi, and took
- command of the city and gave it unto Lehi. Now behold, this Lehi
- was a man who had been with Moroni in the more part of all his
- battles; and he was a man like unto Moroni, and they rejoiced in
- each other's safety; yea, they were beloved by each other, and
- also beloved by all the people of Nephi.
-
- Alma 53:3
- 3 And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had finished
- burying their dead and also the dead of the Nephites, they were
- marched back into the land Bountiful; and Teancum, by the orders
- of Moroni, caused that they should commence laboring in digging a
- ditch round about the land, or the city, Bountiful.
-
- Alma 53:4
- 4 And he caused that they should build a breastwork of timbers
- upon the inner bank of the ditch; and they cast up dirt out of
- the ditch against the breastwork of timbers; 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 earth, to
- an exceeding height.
-
- Alma 53:5
- 5 And this city became an exceeding stronghold ever after; and
- in this city they did guard the prisoners of the Lamanites; yea,
- even within a wall which they had caused them to build with their
- own hands. Now Moroni was compelled to cause the Lamanites to
- labor, because it was easy to guard them while at their labor;
- and he desired all his forces when he should make an attack upon
- the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 53:6
- 6 And it came to pass that Moroni had thus gained a victory over
- one of the greatest of the armies of the Lamanites, and had
- obtained possession of the city of Mulek, which was one of the
- strongest holds of the Lamanites in the land of Nephi; and thus
- he had also built a stronghold to retain his prisoners.
-
- Alma 53:7
- 7 And it came to pass that he did no more attempt a battle with
- the Lamanites in that year, but he did employ his men in
- preparing for war, yea, and in making fortifications to guard
- against the Lamanites, yea, and also delivering their women and
- their children from famine and affliction, and providing food for
- their armies.
-
- Alma 53:8
- 8 And now it came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites, on
- the west sea, south, while in the absence of Moroni on account of
- some intrigue amongst the Nephites, which caused dissensions
- amongst them, had gained some ground over the Nephites, yea,
- insomuch that they had obtained possession of a number of their
- cities in that part of the land.
-
- Alma 53:9
- 9 And thus because of iniquity amongst themselves, yea, because
- of dissensions and intrigue among themselves they were placed in
- the most dangerous circumstances.
-
- Alma 53:10
- 10 And now behold, I have somewhat to say concerning the people
- of Ammon, who in the beginning, were Lamanites; but by Ammon and
- his brethren, or rather by the power and word of God, they had
- been converted unto the Lord; and they had been brought down into
- the land of Zarahemla, and had ever since been protected by the
- Nephites.
-
- Alma 53:11
- 11 And because of their oath they had been kept from taking up
- arms against their brethren; for they had taken an oath that they
- never would shed blood more; and according to their oath they
- would have perished; yea, they would have suffered themselves to
- have fallen into the hands of their brethren, had it not been for
- the pity and the exceeding love which Ammon and his brethren had
- had for them.
-
- Alma 53:12
- 12 And for this cause they were brought down into the land of
- Zarahemla; and they ever had been protected by the Nephites.
-
- Alma 53:13
- 13 But it came to pass that when they saw the danger, and the
- many afflictions and tribulations which the Nephites bore for
- them, they were moved with compassion and were desirous to take
- up arms in the defence of their country.
-
- Alma 53:14
- 14 But behold, as they were about to take their weapons of war,
- they were overpowered by the persuasions of Helaman and his
- brethren, for they were about to break the oath which they had
- made.
-
- Alma 53:15
- 15 And Helaman feared lest by so doing they should lose their
- souls; therefore all those who had entered into this covenant
- were compelled to behold their brethren wade through their
- afflictions, in their dangerous circumstances at this time.
-
- Alma 53:16
- 16 But behold, it came to pass they had many sons, who had not
- entered into a covenant that they would not take their weapons of
- war to defend themselves against their enemies; therefore they
- did assemble themselves together at this time, as many as were
- able to take up arms, and they called themselves Nephites.
-
- Alma 53:17
- 17 And they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of
- the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of
- their lives; yea, even they covenanted that they never would give
- up their liberty, but they would fight in all cases to protect
- the Nephites and themselves from bondage.
-
- Alma 53:18
- 18 Now behold, there were two thousand of those young men, who
- entered into this covenant and took their weapons of war to
- defend their country.
-
- Alma 53:19
- 19 And now behold, as they never had hitherto been a
- disadvantage to the Nephites, they became now at this period of
- time also a great support; for they took their weapons of war,
- and they would that Helaman should be their leader.
-
- Alma 53:20
- 20 And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly
- valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but
- behold, this was not all--they were men who were true at all
- times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.
-
- Alma 53:21
- 21 Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been
- taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly
- before him.
-
- Alma 53:22
- 22 And now it came to pass that Helaman did march at the head of
- his two thousand stripling soldiers, to the support of the people
- in the borders of the land on the south by the west sea.
-
- Alma 53:23
- 23 And thus ended the twenty and eighth year of the reign of the
- judges over the people of Nephi.
-
- Alma 54
- Chapter 54
-
- Alma 54:1
- 1 And now it came to pass in the commencement of the twenty and
- ninth year of the judges, that Ammoron sent unto Moroni desiring
- that he would exchange prisoners.
-
- Alma 54:2
- 2 And it came to pass that Moroni felt to rejoice exceedingly at
- this request, for he desired the provisions which were imparted
- for the support of the Lamanite prisoners for the support of his
- own people; and he also desired his own people for the
- strengthening of his army.
-
- Alma 54:3
- 3 Now the Lamanites had taken many women and children, and there
- was not a woman nor a child among all the prisoners of Moroni, or
- the prisoners whom Moroni had taken; therefore Moroni resolved
- upon a stratagem to obtain as many prisoners of the Nephites from
- the Lamanites as it were possible.
-
- Alma 54:4
- 4 Therefore he wrote an epistle, and sent it by the servant of
- Ammoron, the same who had brought an epistle to Moroni. Now
- these are the words which he wrote unto Ammoron, saying:
-
- Alma 54:5
- 5 Behold, Ammoron, I have written unto you somewhat concerning
- this war which ye have waged against my people, or rather which
- thy brother hath waged against them, and which ye are still
- determined to carry on after his death.
-
- Alma 54:6
- 6 Behold, I would tell you somewhat concerning the justice of
- God, and the sword of his almighty wrath, which doth hang over
- you except ye repent and withdraw your armies into your own
- lands, or the land of your possessions, which is the land of
- Nephi.
-
- Alma 54:7
- 7 Yea, I would tell you these things if ye were capable of
- hearkening unto them; yea, I would tell you concerning that awful
- hell that awaits to receive such murderers as thou and thy
- brother have been, except ye repent and withdraw your murderous
- purposes, and return with your armies to your own lands.
-
- Alma 54:8
- 8 But as ye have once rejected these things, and have fought
- against the people of the Lord, even so I may expect you will do
- it again.
-
- Alma 54:9
- 9 And now behold, we are prepared to receive you; yea, and
- except you withdraw your purposes, behold, ye will pull down the
- wrath of that God whom you have rejected upon you, even to your
- utter destruction.
-
- Alma 54:10
- 10 But, as the Lord liveth, our armies shall come upon you
- except ye withdraw, and ye shall soon be visited with death, for
- we will retain our cities and our lands; yea, and we will
- maintain our religion and the cause of our God.
-
- Alma 54:11
- 11 But behold, it supposeth me that I talk to you concerning
- these things in vain; or it supposeth me that thou art a child of
- hell; therefore I will close my epistle by telling you that I
- will not exchange prisoners, save it be on conditions that ye
- will deliver up a man and his wife and his children, for one
- prisoner; if this be the case that ye will do it, I will
- exchange.
-
- Alma 54:12
- 12 And behold, if you do not this, I will come against you with
- my armies; yea, even I will arm my women and my children, and I
- will come against you, and I will follow you even into your own
- land, which is the land of our first inheritance; yea, and it
- shall be blood for blood, yea, life for life; and I will give you
- battle even until you are destroyed from off the face of the
- earth.
-
- Alma 54:13
- 13 Behold, I am in my anger, and also my people; ye have sought
- to murder us, and we have only sought to defend ourselves. But
- behold, if ye seek to destroy us more we will seek to destroy
- you; yea, and we will seek our land, the land of our first
- inheritance.
-
- Alma 54:14
- 14 Now I close my epistle. I am Moroni; I am a leader of the
- people of the Nephites.
-
- Alma 54:15
- 15 Now it came to pass that Ammoron, when he had received this
- epistle, was angry; and he wrote another epistle unto Moroni, and
- these are the words which he wrote, saying:
-
- Alma 54:16
- 16 I am Ammoron, the king of the Lamanites; I am the brother of
- Amalickiah whom ye have murdered. Behold, I will avenge his
- blood upon you, yea, and I will come upon you with my armies for
- I fear not your threatenings.
-
- Alma 54:17
- 17 For behold, your fathers did wrong their brethren, insomuch
- that they did rob them of their right to the government when it
- rightly belonged unto them.
-
- Alma 54:18
- 18 And now behold, if ye will lay down your arms, and subject
- yourselves to be governed by those to whom the government doth
- rightly belong, then will I cause that my people shall lay down
- their weapons and shall be at war no more.
-
- Alma 54:19
- 19 Behold, ye have breathed out many threatenings against me and
- my people; but behold, we fear not your threatenings.
-
- Alma 54:20
- 20 Nevertheless, I will grant to exchange prisoners according to
- your request, gladly, that I may preserve my food for my men of
- war; and we will wage a war which shall be eternal, either to the
- subjecting the Nephites to our authority or to their eternal
- extinction.
-
- Alma 54:21
- 21 And as concerning that God whom ye say we have rejected,
- behold, we know not such a being; neither do ye; but if it so be
- that there is such a thing, we know not but that he hath made us
- as well as you.
-
- Alma 54:22
- 22 And if it so be that there is a devil and a hell, behold will
- he not send you there to dwell with my brother whom ye have
- murdered, whom ye have hinted that he hath gone to such a place?
- But behold these things matter not.
-
- Alma 54:23
- 23 I am Ammoron, and a descendant of Zoram, whom your fathers
- pressed and brought out of Jerusalem.
-
- Alma 54:24
- 24 And behold now, I am a bold Lamanite; behold, this war hath
- been waged to avenge their wrongs, and to maintain and to obtain
- their rights to the government; and I close my epistle to Moroni.
-
- Alma 55
- Chapter 55
-
- Alma 55:1
- 1 Now it came to pass that when Moroni had received this epistle
- he was more angry, because he knew that Ammoron had a perfect
- knowledge of his fraud; yea, he knew that Ammoron knew that it
- was not a just cause that had caused him to wage a war against
- the people of Nephi.
-
- Alma 55:2
- 2 And he said: Behold, I will not exchange prisoners with
- Ammoron save he will withdraw his purpose, as I have stated in my
- epistle; for I will not grant unto him that he shall have any
- more power than what he hath got.
-
- Alma 55:3
- 3 Behold, I know the place where the Lamanites do guard my
- people whom they have taken prisoners; and as Ammoron would not
- grant unto me mine epistle, behold, I will give unto him
- according to my words; yea, I will seek death among them until
- they shall sue for peace.
-
- Alma 55:4
- 4 And now it came to pass that when Moroni had said these words,
- he caused that a search should be made among his men, that
- perhaps he might find a man who was a descendant of Laman among
- them.
-
- Alma 55:5
- 5 And it came to pass that they found one, whose name was Laman;
- and he was one of the servants of the king who was murdered by
- Amalickiah.
-
- Alma 55:6
- 6 Now Moroni caused that Laman and a small number of his men
- should go forth unto the guards who were over the Nephites.
-
- Alma 55:7
- 7 Now the Nephites were guarded in the city of Gid; therefore
- Moroni appointed Laman and caused that a small number of men
- should go with him.
-
- Alma 55:8
- 8 And when it was evening Laman went to the guards who were over
- the Nephites, and behold, they saw him coming and they hailed
- him; but he saith unto them: Fear not; behold, I am a Lamanite.
- Behold, we have escaped from the Nephites, and they sleep; and
- behold we have taken of their wine and brought with us.
-
- Alma 55:9
- 9 Now when the Lamanites heard these words they received him
- with joy; and they said unto him: Give us of your wine, that we
- may drink; we are glad that ye have thus taken wine with you for
- we are weary.
-
- Alma 55:10
- 10 But Laman said unto them: Let us keep of our wine till we go
- against the Nephites to battle. But this saying only made them
- more desirous to drink of the wine;
-
- Alma 55:11
- 11 For, said they: We are weary, therefore let us take of the
- wine, and by and by we shall receive wine for our rations, which
- will strengthen us to go against the Nephites.
-
- Alma 55:12
- 12 And Laman said unto them: You may do according to your
- desires.
-
- Alma 55:13
- 13 And it came to pass that they did take of the wine freely;
- and it was pleasant to their taste, therefore they took of it
- more freely; and it was strong, having been prepared in its
- strength.
-
- Alma 55:14
- 14 And it came to pass they did drink and were merry, and by and
- by they were all drunken.
-
- Alma 55:15
- 15 And now when Laman and his men saw that they were all
- drunken, and were in a deep sleep, they returned to Moroni and
- told him all the things that had happened.
-
- Alma 55:16
- 16 And now this was according to the design of Moroni. And
- Moroni had prepared his men with weapons of war; and he went to
- the city Gid, while the Lamanites were in a deep sleep and
- drunken, and cast in weapons of war unto the prisoners, insomuch
- that they were all armed;
-
- Alma 55:17
- 17 Yea, even to their women, and all those of their children, as
- many as were able to use a weapon of war, when Moroni had armed
- all those prisoners; and all those things were done in a profound
- silence.
-
- Alma 55:18
- 18 But had they awakened the Lamanites, behold they were drunken
- and the Nephites could have slain them.
-
- Alma 55:19
- 19 But behold, this was not the desire of Moroni; he did not
- delight in murder or bloodshed, but he delighted in the saving of
- his people from destruction; and for this cause he might not
- bring upon him injustice, he would not fall upon the Lamanites
- and destroy them in their drunkenness.
-
- Alma 55:20
- 20 But he had obtained his desires; for he had armed those
- prisoners of the Nephites who were within the wall of the city,
- and had given them power to gain possession of those parts which
- were within the walls.
-
- Alma 55:21
- 21 And then he caused the men who were with him to withdraw a
- pace from them, and surround the armies of the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 55:22
- 22 Now behold this was done in the night-time, so that when the
- Lamanites awoke in the morning they beheld that they were
- surrounded by the Nephites without, and that their prisoners were
- armed within.
-
- Alma 55:23
- 23 And thus they saw that the Nephites had power over them; and
- in these circumstances they found that it was not expedient that
- they should fight with the Nephites; therefore their chief
- captains demanded their weapons of war, and they brought them
- forth and cast them at the feet of the Nephites, pleading for
- mercy.
-
- Alma 55:24
- 24 Now behold, this was the desire of Moroni. He took them
- prisoners of war, and took possession of the city, and caused
- that all the prisoners should be liberated, who were Nephites;
- and they did join the army of Moroni, and were a great strength
- to his army.
-
- Alma 55:25
- 25 And it came to pass that he did cause the Lamanites, whom he
- had taken prisoners, that they should commence a labor in
- strengthening the fortifications round about the city Gid.
-
- Alma 55:26
- 26 And it came to pass that when he had fortified the city Gid,
- according to his desires, he caused that his prisoners should be
- taken to the city Bountiful; and he also guarded that city with
- an exceedingly strong force.
-
- Alma 55:27
- 27 And it came to pass that they did, notwithstanding all the
- intrigues of the Lamanites, keep and protect all the prisoners
- whom they had taken, and also maintain all the ground and the
- advantage which they had retaken.
-
- Alma 55:28
- 28 And it came to pass that the Nephites began again to be
- victorious, and to reclaim their rights and their privileges.
-
- Alma 55:29
- 29 Many time did the Lamanites attempt to encircle them about by
- night, but in these attempts they did lose many prisoners.
-
- Alma 55:30
- 30 And many times did they attempt to administer of their wine
- to the Nephites, that they might destroy them with poison or with
- drunkenness.
-
- Alma 55:31
- 31 But behold, the Nephites were not slow to remember the Lord
- their God in this their time of affliction. They could not be
- taken in their snares; yea, they would not partake of their wine,
- save they had first given to some of the Lamanite prisoners.
-
- Alma 55:32
- 32 And they were thus cautious that no poison should be
- administered among them; for if their wine would poison a
- Lamanite it would also poison a Nephite; and thus they did try
- all their liquors.
-
- Alma 55:33
- 33 And now it came to pass that it was expedient for Moroni to
- make preparations to attack the city Morianton; for behold, the
- Lamanites had, by their labors, fortified the city Morianton
- until it had become an exceeding stronghold.
-
- Alma 55:34
- 34 And they were continually bringing new forces into that city,
- and also new supplies of provisions.
-
- Alma 55:35
- 35 And thus ended the twenty and ninth year of the reign of the
- judges over the people of Nephi.
-
- Alma 56
- Chapter 56
-
- Alma 56:1
- 1 And now it came to pass in the commencement of the thirtieth
- year of the reign of the judges, on the second day in the first
- month, Moroni received an epistle from Helaman, stating the
- affairs of the people in that quarter of the land.
-
- Alma 56:2
- 2 And these are the words which he wrote, saying: My dearly
- beloved brother, Moroni, as well in the Lord as in the
- tribulations of our warfare; behold, my beloved brother, I have
- somewhat to tell you concerning our warfare in this part of the
- land.
-
- Alma 56:3
- 3 Behold, two thousand of the sons of those men whom Ammon
- brought down out of the land of Nephi--now ye have known that
- these were descendants of Laman, who was the eldest son of our
- father Lehi;
-
- Alma 56:4
- 4 Now I need not rehearse unto you concerning their traditions
- or their unbelief, for thou knowest concerning all these things--
-
- Alma 56:5
- 5 Therefore it sufficeth me that I tell you that two thousand of
- these young men have taken their weapons of war, and would that I
- should be their leader; and we have come forth to defend our
- country.
-
- Alma 56:6
- 6 And now ye also know concerning the covenant which their
- fathers made, that they would not take up their weapons of war
- against their brethren to shed blood.
-
- Alma 56:7
- 7 But in the twenty and sixth year, when they saw our
- afflictions and our tribulations for them, they were about to
- break the covenant which they had made and take up their weapons
- of war in our defence.
-
- Alma 56:8
- 8 But I would not suffer them that they should break this
- covenant which they had made, supposing that God would strengthen
- us, insomuch that we should not suffer more because of the
- fulfilling the oath which they had taken.
-
- Alma 56:9
- 9 But behold, here is one thing in which we may have great joy.
- For behold, in the twenty and sixth year, I, Helaman, did march
- at the head of these two thousand young men to the city of Judea,
- to assist Antipus, whom ye had appointed a leader over the people
- of that part of the land.
-
- Alma 56:10
- 10 And I did join my two thousand sons, (for they are worthy to
- be called sons) to the army of Antipus, in which strength Antipus
- did rejoice exceedingly; for behold, his army had been reduced by
- the Lamanites because their forces had slain a vast number of our
- men, for which cause we have to mourn.
-
- Alma 56:11
- 11 Nevertheless, we may console ourselves in this point, that
- they have died in the cause of their country and of their God,
- yea, and they are happy.
-
- Alma 56:12
- 12 And the Lamanites had also retained many prisoners, all of
- whom are chief captains, for none other have they spared alive.
- And we suppose that they are now at this time in the land of
- Nephi; it is so if they are not slain.
-
- Alma 56:13
- 13 And now these are the cities of which the Lamanites have
- obtained possession by the shedding of the blood of so many of
- our valiant men:
-
- Alma 56:14
- 14 The land of Manti, or the city of Manti, and the city of
- Zeezrom, and the city of Cumeni, and the city of Antiparah.
-
- Alma 56:15
- 15 And these are the cities which they possessed when I arrived
- at the city of Judea; and I found Antipus and his men toiling
- with their might to fortify the city.
-
- Alma 56:16
- 16 Yea, and they were depressed in body as well as in spirit,
- for they had fought valiantly by day and toiled by night to
- maintain their cities; and thus they had suffered great
- afflictions of every kind.
-
- Alma 56:17
- 17 And now they were determined to conquer in this place or die;
- therefore you may well suppose that this little force which I
- brought with me, yea, those sons of mine, gave them great hopes
- and much joy.
-
- Alma 56:18
- 18 And now it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that
- Antipus had received a greater strength to his army, they were
- compelled by the orders of Ammoron to not come against the city
- of Judea, or against us, to battle.
-
- Alma 56:19
- 19 And thus were we favored of the Lord; for had they come upon
- us in this our weakness they might have perhaps destroyed our
- little army; but thus were we preserved.
-
- Alma 56:20
- 20 They were commanded by Ammoron to maintain those cities which
- they had taken. And thus ended the twenty and sixth year. And
- in the commencement of the twenty and seventh year we had
- prepared our city and ourselves for defence.
-
- Alma 56:21
- 21 Now we were desirous that the Lamanites should come upon us;
- for we were not desirous to make an attack upon them in their
- strongholds.
-
- Alma 56:22
- 22 And it came to pass that we kept spies out round about, to
- watch the movements of the Lamanites, that they might not pass us
- by night nor by day to make an attack upon our other cities which
- were on the northward.
-
- Alma 56:23
- 23 For we knew in those cities they were not sufficiently strong
- to meet them; therefore we were desirous, if they should pass by
- us, to fall upon them in their rear, and thus bring them up in
- the rear at the same time they were met in the front. We
- supposed that we could overpower them; but behold, we were
- disappointed in this our desire.
-
- Alma 56:24
- 24 They durst not pass by us with their whole army, neither
- durst they with a part, lest they should not be sufficiently
- strong and they should fall.
-
- Alma 56:25
- 25 Neither durst they march down against the city of Zarahemla;
- neither durst they cross the head of Sidon, over to the city of
- Nephihah.
-
- Alma 56:26
- 26 And thus, with their forces, they were determined to maintain
- those cities which they had taken.
-
- Alma 56:27
- 27 And now it came to pass in the second month of this year,
- there was brought unto us many provisions from the fathers of
- those my two thousand sons.
-
- Alma 56:28
- 28 And also there were sent two thousand men unto us from the
- land of Zarahemla. And thus we were prepared with ten thousand
- men, and provisions for them, and also for their wives and their
- children.
-
- Alma 56:29
- 29 And the Lamanites, thus seeing our forces increase daily, and
- provisions arrive for our support, they began to be fearful, and
- began to sally forth, if it were possible to put an end to our
- receiving provisions and strength.
-
- Alma 56:30
- 30 Now when we saw that the Lamanites began to grow uneasy on
- this wise, we were desirous to bring a stratagem into effect upon
- them; therefore Antipus ordered that I should march forth with my
- little sons to a neighboring city, as if we were carrying
- provisions to a neighboring city.
-
- Alma 56:31
- 31 And we were to march near the city of Antiparah, as if we
- were going to the city beyond, in the borders by the seashore.
-
- Alma 56:32
- 32 And it came to pass that we did march forth, as if with our
- provisions, to go to that city.
-
- Alma 56:33
- 33 And it came to pass that Antipus did march forth with a part
- of his army, leaving the remainder to maintain the city. But he
- did not march forth until I had gone forth with my little army,
- and came near the city Antiparah.
-
- Alma 56:34
- 34 And now, in the city Antiparah were stationed the strongest
- army of the Lamanites; yea, the most numerous.
-
- Alma 56:35
- 35 And it came to pass that when they had been informed by their
- spies, they came forth with their army and marched against us.
-
- Alma 56:36
- 36 And it came to pass that we did flee before them, northward.
- And thus we did lead away the most powerful army of the
- Lamanites;
-
- Alma 56:37
- 37 Yea, even to a considerable distance, insomuch that when they
- saw the army of Antipus pursuing them, with their might, they did
- not turn to the right nor to the left, but pursued their march in
- a straight course after us; and, as we suppose, it was their
- intent to slay us before Antipus should overtake them, and this
- that they might not be surrounded by our people.
-
- Alma 56:38
- 38 And now Antipus, beholding our danger, did speed the march of
- his army. But behold, it was night; therefore they did not
- overtake us, neither did Antipus overtake them; therefore we did
- camp for the night.
-
- Alma 56:39
- 39 And it came to pass that before the dawn of the morning,
- behold, the Lamanites were pursuing us. Now we were not
- sufficiently strong to contend with them; yea, I would not suffer
- that my little sons should fall into their hands; therefore we
- did continue our march, and we took our march into the
- wilderness.
-
- Alma 56:40
- 40 Now they durst not turn to the right nor to the left lest
- they should be surrounded; neither would I turn to the right nor
- to the left lest they should overtake me, and we could not stand
- against them, but be slain, and they would make their escape; and
- thus we did flee all that day into the wilderness, even until it
- was dark.
-
- Alma 56:41
- 41 And it came to pass that again, when the light of the morning
- came we saw the Lamanites upon us, and we did flee before them.
-
- Alma 56:42
- 42 But it came to pass that they did not pursue us far before
- they halted; and it was in the morning of the third day of the
- seventh month.
-
- Alma 56:43
- 43 And now, whether they were overtaken by Antipus we knew not,
- but I said unto my men: Behold, we know not but they have halted
- for the purpose that we should come against them, that they might
- catch us in their snare;
-
- Alma 56:44
- 44 Therefore what say ye, my sons, will ye go against them to
- battle?
-
- Alma 56:45
- 45 And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never
- had I seen so great courage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites.
-
- Alma 56:46
- 46 For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of
- them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our
- God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then
- let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let
- us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the
- army of Antipus.
-
- Alma 56:47
- 47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and
- they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they
- did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers,
- that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.
-
- Alma 56:48
- 48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers,
- saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.
-
- Alma 56:49
- 49 And it came to pass that I did return with my two thousand
- against these Lamanites who had pursued us. And now behold, the
- armies of Antipus had overtaken them, and a terrible battle had
- commenced.
-
- Alma 56:50
- 50 The army of Antipus being weary, because of their long march
- in so short a space of time, were about to fall into the hands of
- the Lamanites; and had I not returned with my two thousand they
- would have obtained their purpose.
-
- Alma 56:51
- 51 For Antipus had fallen by the sword, and many of his leaders,
- because of their weariness, which was occasioned by the speed of
- their march--therefore the men of Antipus, being confused because
- of the fall of their leaders, began to give way before the
- Lamanites.
-
- Alma 56:52
- 52 And it came to pass that the Lamanites took courage, and
- began to pursue them; and thus were the Lamanites pursuing them
- with great vigor when Helaman came upon their rear with his two
- thousand, and began to slay them exceedingly, insomuch that the
- whole army of the Lamanites halted and turned upon Helaman.
-
- Alma 56:53
- 53 Now when the people of Antipus saw that the Lamanites had
- turned them about, they gathered together their men and came
- again upon the rear of the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 56:54
- 54 And now it came to pass that we, the people of Nephi, the
- people of Antipus, and I with my two thousand, did surround the
- Lamanites, and did slay them; yea, insomuch that they were
- compelled to deliver up their weapons of war and also themselves
- as prisoners of war.
-
- Alma 56:55
- 55 And now it came to pass that when they had surrendered
- themselves up unto us, behold, I numbered those young men who had
- fought with me, fearing lest there were many of them slain.
-
- Alma 56:56
- 56 But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them
- fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the
- strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with
- such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they
- fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for
- this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners
- of war.
-
- Alma 56:57
- 57 And as we had no place for our prisoners, that we could guard
- them to keep them from the armies of the Lamanites, therefore we
- sent them to the land of Zarahemla, and a part of those men who
- were not slain of Antipus, with them; and the remainder I took
- and joined them to my stripling Ammonites, and took our march
- back to the city of Judea.
-
- Alma 57
- Chapter 57
-
- Alma 57:1
- 1 And now it came to pass that I received an epistle from
- Ammoron, the king, stating that if I would deliver up those
- prisoners of war whom we had taken that he would deliver up the
- city of Antiparah unto us.
-
- Alma 57:2
- 2 But I sent an epistle unto the king, that we were sure our
- forces were sufficient to take the city of Antiparah by our
- force; and by delivering up the prisoners for that city we should
- suppose ourselves unwise, and that we would only deliver up our
- prisoners on exchange.
-
- Alma 57:3
- 3 And Ammoron refused mine epistle, for he would not exchange
- prisoners; therefore we began to make preparations to go against
- the city of Antiparah.
-
- Alma 57:4
- 4 But the people of Antiparah did leave the city, and fled to
- their other cities, which they had possession of, to fortify
- them; and thus the city of Antiparah fell into our hands.
-
- Alma 57:5
- 5 And thus ended the twenty and eighth year of the reign of the
- judges.
-
- Alma 57:6
- 6 And it came to pass that in the commencement of the twenty and
- ninth year, we received a supply of provisions, and also an
- addition to our army, from the land of Zarahemla, and from the
- land round about, to the number of six thousand men, besides
- sixty of the sons of the Ammonites who had come to join their
- brethren, my little band of two thousand. And now behold, we
- were strong, yea, and we had also plenty of provisions brought
- unto us.
-
- Alma 57:7
- 7 And it came to pass that it was our desire to wage a battle
- with the army which was placed to protect the city Cumeni.
-
- Alma 57:8
- 8 And now behold, I will show unto you that we soon accomplished
- our desire; yea, with our strong force, or with a part of our
- strong force, we did surround, by night, the city Cumeni, a
- little before they were to receive a supply of provisions.
-
- Alma 57:9
- 9 And it came to pass that we did camp round about the city for
- many nights; but we did sleep upon our swords, and keep guards,
- that the Lamanites could not come upon us by night and slay us,
- which they attempted many times; but as many times as they
- attempted this their blood was spilt.
-
- Alma 57:10
- 10 At length their provisions did arrive, and they were about to
- enter the city by night. And we, instead of being Lamanites,
- were Nephites; therefore, we did take them and their provisions.
-
- Alma 57:11
- 11 And notwithstanding the Lamanites being cut off from their
- support after this manner, they were still determined to maintain
- the city; therefore it became expedient that we should take those
- provisions and send them to Judea, and our prisoners to the land
- of Zarahemla.
-
- Alma 57:12
- 12 And it came to pass that not many days had passed away before
- the Lamanites began to lose all hopes of succor; therefore they
- yielded up the city unto our hands; and thus we had accomplished
- our designs in obtaining the city Cumeni.
-
- Alma 57:13
- 13 But it came to pass that our prisoners were so numerous that,
- notwithstanding the enormity of our numbers, we were obliged to
- employ all our force to keep them, or to put them to death.
-
- Alma 57:14
- 14 For behold, they would break out in great numbers, and would
- fight with stones, and with clubs, or whatsoever thing they could
- get into their hands, insomuch that we did slay upwards of two
- thousand of them after they had surrendered themselves prisoners
- of war.
-
- Alma 57:15
- 15 Therefore it became expedient for us, that we should put an
- end to their lives, or guard them, sword in hand, down to the
- land of Zarahemla; and also our provisions were not any more than
- sufficient for our own people, notwithstanding that which we had
- taken from the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 57:16
- 16 And now, in those critical circumstances, it became a very
- serious matter to determine concerning these prisoners of war;
- nevertheless, we did resolve to send them down to the land of
- Zarahemla; therefore we selected a part of our men, and gave them
- charge over our prisoners to go down to the land of Zarahemla.
-
- Alma 57:17
- 17 But it came to pass that on the morrow they did return. And
- now behold, we did not inquire of them concerning the prisoners;
- for behold, the Lamanites were upon us, and they returned in
- season to save us from falling into their hands. For behold,
- Ammoron had sent to their support a new supply of provisions and
- also a numerous army of men.
-
- Alma 57:18
- 18 And it came to pass that those men whom we sent with the
- prisoners did arrive in season to check them, as they were about
- to overpower us.
-
- Alma 57:19
- 19 But behold, my little band of two thousand and sixty fought
- most desperately; yea, they were firm before the Lamanites, and
- did administer death unto all those who opposed them.
-
- Alma 57:20
- 20 And as the remainder of our army were about to give way
- before the Lamanites, behold, those two thousand and sixty were
- firm and undaunted.
-
- Alma 57:21
- 21 Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of
- command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it
- was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said
- unto me that their mothers had taught them.
-
- Alma 57:22
- 22 And now behold, it was these my sons, and those men who had
- been selected to convey the prisoners, to whom we owe this great
- victory; for it was they who did beat the Lamanites; therefore
- they were driven back to the city of Manti.
-
- Alma 57:23
- 23 And we retained our city Cumeni, and were not all destroyed
- by the sword; nevertheless, we had suffered great loss.
-
- Alma 57:24
- 24 And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had fled, I
- immediately gave orders that my men who had been wounded should
- be taken from among the dead, and caused that their wounds should
- be dressed.
-
- Alma 57:25
- 25 And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out of my
- two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loss of
- blood; nevertheless, according to the goodness of God, and to our
- great astonishment, and also the joy of our whole army, there was
- not one soul of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there
- one soul among them who had not received many wounds.
-
- Alma 57:26
- 26 And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole
- army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand
- of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to
- the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in
- that which they had been taught to believe--that there was a just
- God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved
- by his marvelous power.
-
- Alma 57:27
- 27 Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they
- are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust
- in God continually.
-
- Alma 57:28
- 28 And now it came to pass that after we had thus taken care of
- our wounded men, and had buried our dead and also the dead of the
- Lamanites, who were many, behold, we did inquire of Gid
- concerning the prisoners whom they had started to go down to the
- land of Zarahemla with.
-
- Alma 57:29
- 29 Now Gid was the chief captain over the band who was appointed
- to guard them down to the land.
-
- Alma 57:30
- 30 And now, these are the words which Gid said unto me: Behold,
- we did start to go down to the land of Zarahemla with our
- prisoners. And it came to pass that we did meet the spies of our
- armies, who had been sent out to watch the camp of the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 57:31
- 31 And they cried unto us, saying--Behold, the armies of the
- Lamanites are marching towards the city of Cumeni; and behold,
- they will fall upon them, yea, and will destroy our people.
-
- Alma 57:32
- 32 And it came to pass that our prisoners did hear their cries,
- which caused them to take courage; and they did rise up in
- rebellion against us.
-
- Alma 57:33
- 33 And it came to pass because of their rebellion we did cause
- that our swords should come upon them. And it came to pass that
- they did in a body run upon our swords, in the which, the greater
- number of them were slain; and the remainder of them broke
- through and fled from us.
-
- Alma 57:34
- 34 And behold, when they had fled and we could not overtake
- them, we took our march with speed towards the city Cumeni; and
- behold, we did arrive in time that we might assist our brethren
- in preserving the city.
-
- Alma 57:35
- 35 And behold, we are again delivered out of the hands of our
- enemies. And blessed is the name of our God; for behold, it is
- he that has delivered us; yea, that has done this great thing for
- us.
-
- Alma 57:36
- 36 Now it came to pass that when I, Helaman, had heard these
- words of Gid, I was filled with exceeding joy because of the
- goodness of God in preserving us, that we might not all perish;
- yea, and I trust that the souls of them who have been slain have
- entered into the rest of their God.
-
- Alma 58
- Chapter 58
-
- Alma 58:1
- 1 And behold, now it came to pass that our next object was to
- obtain the city of Manti; but behold, there was no way that we
- could lead them out of the city by our small bands. For behold,
- they remembered that which we had hitherto done; therefore we
- could not decoy them away from their strongholds.
-
- Alma 58:2
- 2 And they were so much more numerous than was our army that we
- durst not go forth and attack them in their strongholds.
-
- Alma 58:3
- 3 Yea, and it became expedient that we should employ our men to
- the maintaining those parts of the land which we had regained of
- our possessions; therefore it became expedient that we should
- wait, that we might receive more strength from the land of
- Zarahemla and also a new supply of provisions.
-
- Alma 58:4
- 4 And it came to pass that I thus did send an embassy to the
- governor of our land, to acquaint him concerning the affairs of
- our people. And it came to pass that we did wait to receive
- provisions and strength from the land of Zarahemla.
-
- Alma 58:5
- 5 But behold, this did profit us but little; for the Lamanites
- were also receiving great strength from day to day, and also many
- provisions; and thus were our circumstances at this period of
- time.
-
- Alma 58:6
- 6 And the Lamanites were sallying forth against us from time to
- time, resolving by stratagem to destroy us; nevertheless we could
- not come to battle with them, because of their retreats and their
- strongholds.
-
- Alma 58:7
- 7 And it came to pass that we did wait in these difficult
- circumstances for the space of many months, even until we were
- about to perish for the want of food.
-
- Alma 58:8
- 8 But it came to pass that we did receive food, which was
- guarded to us by an army of two thousand men to our assistance;
- and this is all the assistance which we did receive, to defend
- ourselves and our country from falling into the hands of our
- enemies, yea, to contend with an enemy which was innumerable.
-
- Alma 58:9
- 9 And now the cause of these our embarrassments, or the cause
- why they did not send more strength unto us, we knew not;
- therefore we were grieved and also filled with fear, lest by any
- means the judgments of God should come upon our land, to our
- overthrow and utter destruction.
-
- Alma 58:10
- 10 Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he
- would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our
- enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our
- cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of
- our people.
-
- Alma 58:11
- 11 Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us
- with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he
- did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith,
- and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him.
-
- Alma 58:12
- 12 And we did take courage with our small force which we had
- received, and were fixed with a determination to conquer our
- enemies, and to maintain our lands, and our possessions, and our
- wives, and our children, and the cause of our liberty.
-
- Alma 58:13
- 13 And thus we did go forth with all our might against the
- Lamanites, who were in the city of Manti; and we did pitch our
- tents by the wilderness side, which was near to the city.
-
- Alma 58:14
- 14 And it came to pass that on the morrow, that when the
- Lamanites saw that we were in the borders by the wilderness which
- was near the city, that they sent out their spies round about us
- that they might discover the number and the strength of our army.
-
- Alma 58:15
- 15 And it came to pass that when they saw that we were not
- strong, according to our numbers, and fearing that we should cut
- them off from their support except they should come out to battle
- against us and kill us, and also supposing that they could easily
- destroy us with their numerous hosts, therefore they began to
- make preparations to come out against us to battle.
-
- Alma 58:16
- 16 And when we saw that they were making preparations to come
- out against us, behold, I caused that Gid, with a small number of
- men, should secrete himself in the wilderness, and also that
- Teomner and a small number of men should secrete themselves also
- in the wilderness.
-
- Alma 58:17
- 17 Now Gid and his men were on the right and the others on the
- left; and when they had thus secreted themselves, behold, I
- remained, with the remainder of my army, in that same place where
- we had first pitched our tents against the time that the
- Lamanites should come out to battle.
-
- Alma 58:18
- 18 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did come out with
- their numerous army against us. And when they had come and were
- about to fall upon us with the sword, I caused that my men, those
- who were with me, should retreat into the wilderness.
-
- Alma 58:19
- 19 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did follow after us
- with great speed, for they were exceedingly desirous to overtake
- us that they might slay us; therefore they did follow us into the
- wilderness; and we did pass by in the midst of Gid and Teomner,
- insomuch that they were not discovered by the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 58:20
- 20 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites had passed by, or
- when the army had passed by, Gid and Teomner did rise up from
- their secret places, and did cut off the spies of the Lamanites
- that they should not return to the city.
-
- Alma 58:21
- 21 And it came to pass that when they had cut them off, they ran
- to the city and fell upon the guards who were left to guard the
- city, insomuch that they did destroy them and did take possession
- of the city.
- Alma 58:22
- 22 Now this was done because the Lamanites did suffer their
- whole army, save a few guards only, to be led away into the
- wilderness.
-
- Alma 58:23
- 23 And it came to pass that Gid and Teomner by this means had
- obtained possession of their strongholds. And it came to pass
- that we took our course, after having traveled much in the
- wilderness towards the land of Zarahemla.
-
- Alma 58:24
- 24 And when the Lamanites saw that they were marching towards
- the land of Zarahemla, they were exceedingly afraid, lest there
- was a plan laid to lead them on to destruction; therefore they
- began to retreat into the wilderness again, yea, even back by the
- same way which they had come.
-
- Alma 58:25
- 25 And behold, it was night and they did pitch their tents, for
- the chief captains of the Lamanites had supposed that the
- Nephites were weary because of their march; and supposing that
- they had driven their whole army therefore they took no thought
- concerning the city of Manti.
-
- Alma 58:26
- 26 Now it came to pass that when it was night, I caused that my
- men should not sleep, but that they should march forward by
- another way towards the land of Manti.
-
- Alma 58:27
- 27 And because of this our march in the night-time, behold, on
- the morrow we were beyond the Lamanites, insomuch that we did
- arrive before them at the city of Manti.
-
- Alma 58:28
- 28 And thus it came to pass, that by this stratagem we did take
- possession of the city of Manti without the shedding of blood.
-
- Alma 58:29
- 29 And it came to pass that when the armies of the Lamanites did
- arrive near the city, and saw that we were prepared to meet them,
- they were astonished exceedingly and struck with great fear,
- insomuch that they did flee into the wilderness.
-
- Alma 58:30
- 30 Yea, and it came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites did
- flee out of all this quarter of the land. But behold, they have
- carried with them many women and children out of the land.
-
- Alma 58:31
- 31 And those cities which had been taken by the Lamanites, all
- of them are at this period of time in our possession; and our
- fathers and our women and our children are returning to their
- homes, all save it be those who have been taken prisoners and
- carried off by the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 58:32
- 32 But behold, our armies are small to maintain so great a
- number of cities and so great possessions.
-
- Alma 58:33
- 33 But behold, we trust in our God who has given us victory over
- those lands, insomuch that we have obtained those cities and
- those lands, which were our own.
-
- Alma 58:34
- 34 Now we do not know the cause that the government does not
- grant us more strength; neither do those men who came up unto us
- know why we have not received greater strength.
-
- Alma 58:35
- 35 Behold, we do not know but what ye are unsuccessful, and ye
- have drawn away the forces into that quarter of the land; if so,
- we do not desire to murmur.
-
- Alma 58:36
- 36 And if it is not so, behold, we fear that there is some
- faction in the government, that they do not send more men to our
- assistance; for we know that they are more numerous than that
- which they have sent.
-
- Alma 58:37
- 37 But, behold, it mattereth not--we trust God will deliver us,
- notwithstanding the weakness of our armies, yea, and deliver us
- out of the hands of our enemies.
-
- Alma 58:38
- 38 Behold, this is the twenty and ninth year, in the latter end,
- and we are in the possession of our lands; and the Lamanites have
- fled to the land of Nephi.
-
- Alma 58:39
- 39 And those sons of the people of Ammon, of whom I have so
- highly spoken, are with me in the city of Manti; and the Lord had
- supported them, yea, and kept them from falling by the sword,
- insomuch that even one soul has not been slain.
-
- Alma 58:40
- 40 But behold, they have received many wounds; nevertheless they
- stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free; and
- they are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day;
- yea, they do observe to keep his statutes, and his judgments, and
- his commandments continually; and their faith is strong in the
- prophecies concerning that which is to come.
-
- Alma 58:41
- 41 And now, my beloved brother, Moroni, may the Lord our God,
- who has redeemed us and made us free, keep you continually in his
- presence; yea, and may he favor this people, even that ye may
- have success in obtaining the possession of all that which the
- Lamanites have taken from us, which was for our support. And
- now, behold, I close mine epistle. I am Helaman, the son of
- Alma.
-
- Alma 59
- Chapter 59
-
- Alma 59:1
- 1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year of the reign of the
- judges over the people of Nephi, after Moroni had received and
- had read Helaman's epistle, he was exceedingly rejoiced because
- of the welfare, yea, the exceeding success which Helaman had had,
- in obtaining those lands which were lost.
-
- Alma 59:2
- 2 Yea, and he did make it known unto all his people, in all the
- land round about in that part where he was, that they might
- rejoice also.
-
- Alma 59:3
- 3 And it came to pass that he immediately sent an epistle to
- Pahoran, desiring that he should cause men to be gathered
- together to strengthen Helaman, or the armies of Helaman,
- insomuch that he might with ease maintain that part of the land
- which he had been so miraculously prospered in regaining.
-
- Alma 59:4
- 4 And it came to pass when Moroni had sent this epistle to the
- land of Zarahemla, he began again to lay a plan that he might
- obtain the remainder of those possessions and cities which the
- Lamanites had taken from them.
-
- Alma 59:5
- 5 And it came to pass that while Moroni was thus making
- preparations to go against the Lamanites to battle, behold, the
- people of Nephihah, who were gathered together from the city of
- Moroni and the city of Lehi and the city of Morianton, were
- attacked by the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 59:6
- 6 Yea, even those who had been compelled to flee from the land
- of Manti, and from the land round about, had come over and joined
- the Lamanites in this part of the land.
-
- Alma 59:7
- 7 And thus being exceedingly numerous, yea, and receiving
- strength from day to day, by the command of Ammoron they came
- forth against the people of Nephihah, and they did begin to slay
- them with an exceedingly great slaughter.
-
- Alma 59:8
- 8 And their armies were so numerous that the remainder of the
- people of Nephihah were obliged to flee before them; and they
- came even and joined the army of Moroni.
-
- Alma 59:9
- 9 And now as Moroni had supposed that there should be men sent
- to the city Nephihah, to the assistance of the people to maintain
- that city, and knowing that it was easier to keep the city from
- falling into the hands of the Lamanites than to retake it from
- them, he supposed that they would easily maintain that city.
-
- Alma 59:10
- 10 Therefore he retained all his force to maintain those places
- which he had recovered.
-
- Alma 59:11
- 11 And now, when Moroni saw that the city of Nephihah was lost
- he was exceedingly sorrowful, and began to doubt, because of the
- wickedness of the people, whether they should not fall into the
- hands of their brethren.
-
- Alma 59:12
- 12 Now this was the case with all his chief captains. They
- doubted and marveled also because of the wickedness of the
- people, and this because of the success of the Lamanites over
- them.
-
- Alma 59:13
- 13 And it came to pass that Moroni was angry with the
- government, because of their indifference concerning the freedom
- of their country.
-
- Alma 60
- Chapter 60
-
- Alma 60:1
- 1 And it came to pass that he wrote again to the governor of the
- land, who was Pahoran, and these are the words which he wrote,
- saying: Behold, I direct mine epistle to Pahoran, in the city of
- Zarahemla, who is the chief judge and the governor over the land,
- and also to all those who have been chosen by this people to
- govern and manage the affairs of this war.
-
- Alma 60:2
- 2 For behold, I have somewhat to say unto them by the way of
- condemnation; for behold, ye yourselves know that ye have been
- appointed to gather together men, and arm them with swords, and
- with cimeters, and all manner of weapons of war of every kind,
- and send forth against the Lamanites, in whatsoever parts they
- should come into our land.
-
- Alma 60:3
- 3 And now behold, I say unto you that myself, and also my men,
- and also Helaman and his men, have suffered exceedingly great
- sufferings; yea, even hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and all manner
- of afflictions of every kind.
-
- Alma 60:4
- 4 But behold, were this all we had suffered we would not murmur
- nor complain.
-
- Alma 60:5
- 5 But behold, great has been the slaughter among our people;
- yea, thousands have fallen by the sword, while it might have
- otherwise been if ye had rendered unto our armies sufficient
- strength and succor for them. Yea, great has been your neglect
- towards us.
-
- Alma 60:6
- 6 And now behold, we desire to know the cause of this
- exceedingly great neglect; yea, we desire to know the cause of
- your thoughtless state.
-
- Alma 60:7
- 7 Can you think to sit upon your thrones in a state of
- thoughtless stupor, while your enemies are spreading the work of
- death around you? Yea, while they are murdering thousands of
- your brethren--
-
- Alma 60:8
- 8 Yea, even they who have looked up to you for protection, yea,
- have placed you in a situation that ye might have succored them,
- yea, ye might have sent armies unto them, to have strengthened
- them, and have saved thousands of them from falling by the sword.
-
- Alma 60:9
- 9 But behold, this is not all--ye have withheld your provisions
- from them, insomuch that many have fought and bled out their
- lives because of their great desires which they had for the
- welfare of this people; yea, and this they have done when they
- were about to perish with hunger, because of your exceedingly
- great neglect towards them.
-
- Alma 60:10
- 10 And now, my beloved brethren--for ye ought to be beloved;
- yea, and ye ought to have stirred yourselves more diligently for
- the welfare and the freedom of this people; but behold, ye have
- neglected them insomuch that the blood of thousands shall come
- upon your heads for vengeance; yea, for known unto God were all
- their cries, and all their sufferings--
-
- Alma 60:11
- 11 Behold, could ye suppose that ye could sit upon your thrones,
- and because of the exceeding goodness of God ye could do nothing
- and he would deliver you? Behold, if ye have supposed this ye
- have supposed in vain.
-
- Alma 60:12
- 12 Do ye suppose that, because so many of your brethren have
- been killed it is because of their wickedness? I say unto you,
- if ye have supposed this ye have supposed in vain; for I say unto
- you, there are many who have fallen by the sword; and behold it
- is to your condemnation;
-
- Alma 60:13
- 13 For the Lord suffereth the righteous to be slain that his
- justice and judgment may come upon the wicked; therefore ye need
- not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are slain;
- but behold, they do enter into the rest of the Lord their God.
-
- Alma 60:14
- 14 And now behold, I say unto you, I fear exceedingly that the
- judgments of God will come upon this people, because of their
- exceeding slothfulness, yea, even the slothfulness of our
- government, and their exceedingly great neglect towards their
- brethren, yea, towards those who have been slain.
-
- Alma 60:15
- 15 For were it not for the wickedness which first commenced at
- our head, we could have withstood our enemies that they could
- have gained no power over us.
-
- Alma 60:16
- 16 Yea, had it not been for the war which broke out among
- ourselves; yea, were it not for these king-men, who caused so
- much bloodshed among ourselves; yea, at the time we were
- contending among ourselves, if we had united our strength as we
- hitherto have done; yea, had it not been for the desire of power
- and authority which those king-men had over us; had they been
- true to the cause of our freedom, and united with us, and gone
- forth against our enemies, instead of taking up their swords
- against us, which was the cause of so much bloodshed among
- ourselves; yea, if we had gone forth against them in the strength
- of the Lord, we should have dispersed our enemies, for it would
- have been done, according to the fulfilling of his word.
-
- Alma 60:17
- 17 But behold, now the Lamanites are coming upon us, taking
- possession of our lands, and they are murdering our people with
- the sword, yea, our women and our children, and also carrying
- them away captive, causing them that they should suffer all
- manner of afflictions, and this because of the great wickedness
- of those who are seeking for power and authority, yea, even those
- king-men.
-
- Alma 60:18
- 18 But why should I say much concerning this matter? For we
- know not but what ye yourselves are seeking for authority. We
- know not but what ye are also traitors to your country.
-
- Alma 60:19
- 19 Or is it that ye have neglected us because ye are in the
- heart of our country and ye are surrounded by security, that ye
- do not cause food to be sent unto us, and also men to strengthen
- our armies?
-
- Alma 60:20
- 20 Have ye forgotten the commandments of the Lord your God?
- Yea, have ye forgotten the captivity of our fathers? Have ye
- forgotten the many times we have been delivered out of the hands
- of our enemies?
-
- Alma 60:21
- 21 Or do ye suppose that the Lord will still deliver us, while
- we sit upon our thrones and do not make use of the means which
- the Lord has provided for us?
-
- Alma 60:22
- 22 Yea, will ye sit in idleness while ye are surrounded with
- thousands of those, yea, and tens of thousands, who do also sit
- in idleness, while there are thousands round about in the borders
- of the land who are falling by the sword, yea, wounded and
- bleeding?
-
- Alma 60:23
- 23 Do ye suppose that God will look upon you as guiltless while
- ye sit still and behold these things? Behold I say unto you,
- Nay. Now I would that ye should remember that God has said that
- the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the
- outer vessel be cleansed also.
-
- Alma 60:24
- 24 And now, except ye do repent of that which ye have done, and
- begin to be up and doing, and send forth food and men unto us,
- and also unto Helaman, that he may support those parts of our
- country which he has regained, and that we may also recover the
- remainder of our possessions in these parts, behold it will be
- expedient that we contend no more with the Lamanites until we
- have first cleansed our inward vessel, yea, even the great head
- of our government.
-
- Alma 60:25
- 25 And except ye grant mine epistle, and come out and show unto
- me a true spirit of freedom, and strive to strengthen and fortify
- our armies, and grant unto them food for their support, behold I
- will leave a part of my freemen to maintain this part of our
- land, and I will leave the strength and the blessings of God upon
- them, that none other power can operate against them--
-
- Alma 60:26
- 26 And this because of their exceeding faith, and their patience
- in their tribulations--
-
- Alma 60:27
- 27 And I will come unto you, and if there be any among you that
- has a desire for freedom, yea, if there be even a spark of
- freedom remaining, behold I will stir up insurrections among you,
- even until those who have desires to usurp power and authority
- shall become extinct.
-
- Alma 60:28
- 28 Yea, behold I do not fear your power nor your authority, but
- it is my God whom I fear; and it is according to his commandments
- that I do take my sword to defend the cause of my country, and it
- is because of your iniquity that we have suffered so much loss.
-
- Alma 60:29
- 29 Behold it is time, yea, the time is now at hand, that except
- ye do bestir yourselves in the defence of your country and your
- little ones, the sword of justice doth hang over you; yea, and it
- shall fall upon you and visit you even to your utter destruction.
-
- Alma 60:30
- 30 Behold, I wait for assistance from you; and, except ye do
- administer unto our relief, behold, I come unto you, even in the
- land of Zarahemla, and smite you with the sword, insomuch that ye
- can have no more power to impede the progress of this people in
- the cause of our freedom.
-
- Alma 60:31
- 31 For behold, the Lord will not suffer that ye shall live and
- wax strong in your iniquities to destroy his righteous people.
-
- Alma 60:32
- 32 Behold, can you suppose that the Lord will spare you and come
- out in judgment against the Lamanites, when it is the tradition
- of their fathers that has caused their hatred, yea, and it has
- been redoubled by those who have dissented from us, while your
- iniquity is for the cause of your love of glory and the vain
- things of the world?
-
- Alma 60:33
- 33 Ye know that ye do transgress the laws of God, and ye do know
- that ye do trample them under your feet. Behold, the Lord saith
- unto me: If those whom ye have appointed your governors do not
- repent of their sins and iniquities, ye shall go up to battle
- against them.
-
- Alma 60:34
- 34 And now behold, I, Moroni, am constrained, according to the
- covenant which I have made to keep the commandments of my God;
- therefore I would that ye should adhere to the word of God, and
- send speedily unto me of your provisions and of your men, and
- also to Helaman.
-
- Alma 60:35
- 35 And behold, if ye will not do this I come unto you speedily;
- for behold, God will not suffer that we should perish with
- hunger; therefore he will give unto us of your food, even if it
- must be by the sword. Now see that ye fulfil the word of God.
-
- Alma 60:36
- 36 Behold, I am Moroni, your chief captain. I seek not for
- power, but to pull it down. I seek not for honor of the world,
- but for the glory of my God, and the freedom and welfare of my
- country. And thus I close mine epistle.
-
- Alma 61
- Chapter 61
-
- Alma 61:1
- 1 Behold, now it came to pass that soon after Moroni had sent
- his epistle unto the chief governor, he received an epistle from
- Pahoran, the chief governor. And these are the words which he
- received:
-
- Alma 61:2
- 2 I, Pahoran, who am the chief governor of this land, do send
- these words unto Moroni, the chief captain over the army.
- Behold, I say unto you, Moroni, that I do not joy in your great
- afflictions, yea, it grieves my soul.
-
- Alma 61:3
- 3 But behold, there are those who do joy in your afflictions,
- yea, insomuch that they have risen up in rebellion against me,
- and also those of my people who are freemen, yea, and those who
- have risen up are exceedingly numerous.
-
- Alma 61:4
- 4 And it is those who have sought to take away the judgment-seat
- from me that have been the cause of this great iniquity; for they
- have used great flattery, and they have led away the hearts of
- many people, which will be the cause of sore affliction among us;
- they have withheld our provisions, and have daunted our freemen
- that they have not come unto you.
-
- Alma 61:5
- 5 And behold, they have driven me out before them, and I have
- fled to the land of Gideon, with as many men as it were possible
- that I could get.
-
- Alma 61:6
- 6 And behold, I have sent a proclamation throughout this part of
- the land; and behold, they are flocking to us daily, to their
- arms, in the defence of their country and their freedom, and to
- avenge our wrongs.
-
- Alma 61:7
- 7 And they have come unto us, insomuch that those who have risen
- up in rebellion against us are set at defiance, yea, insomuch
- that they do fear us and durst not come out against us to battle.
-
- Alma 61:8
- 8 They have got possession of the land, or the city, of
- Zarahemla; they have appointed a king over them, and he hath
- written unto the king of the Lamanites, in the which he hath
- joined an alliance with him; in the which alliance he hath agreed
- to maintain the city of Zarahemla, which maintenance he supposeth
- will enable the Lamanites to conquer the remainder of the land,
- and he shall be placed king over this people when they shall be
- conquered under the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 61:9
- 9 And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it
- mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of
- your heart. I, Pahoran, do not seek for power, save only to
- retain my judgment-seat that I may preserve the rights and the
- liberty of my people. My soul standeth fast in that liberty in
- the which God hath made us free.
-
- Alma 61:10
- 10 And now, behold, we will resist wickedness even unto
- bloodshed. We would not shed the blood of the Lamanites if they
- would stay in their own land.
-
- Alma 61:11
- 11 We would not shed the blood of our brethren if they would not
- rise up in rebellion and take the sword against us.
-
- Alma 61:12
- 12 We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage if it were
- requisite with the justice of God, or if he should command us so
- to do.
-
- Alma 61:13
- 13 But behold he doth not command us that we shall subject
- ourselves to our enemies, but that we should put our trust in
- him, and he will deliver us.
-
- Alma 61:14
- 14 Therefore, my beloved brother, Moroni, let us resist evil,
- and whatsoever evil we cannot resist with our words, yea, such as
- rebellions and dissensions, let us resist them with our swords,
- that we may retain our freedom, that we may rejoice in the great
- privilege of our church, and in the cause of our Redeemer and our
- God.
-
- Alma 61:15
- 15 Therefore, come unto me speedily with a few of your men, and
- leave the remainder in the charge of Lehi and Teancum; give unto
- them power to conduct the war in that part of the land, according
- to the Spirit of God, which is also the Spirit of freedom which
- is in them.
-
- Alma 61:16
- 16 Behold I have sent a few provisions unto them, that they may
- not perish until ye can come unto me.
-
- Alma 61:17
- 17 Gather together whatsoever force ye can upon your march
- hither, and we will go speedily against those dissenters, in the
- strength of our God according to the faith which is in us.
-
- Alma 61:18
- 18 And we will take possession of the city of Zarahemla, that we
- may obtain more food to send forth unto Lehi and Teancum; yea, we
- will go forth against them in the strength of the Lord, and we
- will put an end to this great iniquity.
-
- Alma 61:19
- 19 And now, Moroni, I do joy in receiving your epistle, for I
- was somewhat worried concerning what we should do, whether it
- should be just in us to go against our brethren.
-
- Alma 61:20
- 20 But ye have said, except they repent the Lord hath commanded
- you that ye should go against them.
-
- Alma 61:21
- 21 See that ye strengthen Lehi and Teancum in the Lord; tell
- them to fear not, for God will deliver them, yea, and also all
- those who stand fast in that liberty wherewith God hath made them
- free. And now I close mine epistle to my beloved brother,
- Moroni.
-
- Alma 62
- Chapter 62
-
- Alma 62:1
- 1 And now it came to pass that when Moroni had received this
- epistle his heart did take courage, and was filled with
- exceedingly great joy because of the faithfulness of Pahoran,
- that he was not also a traitor to the freedom and cause of his
- country.
-
- Alma 62:2
- 2 But he did also mourn exceedingly because of the iniquity of
- those who had driven Pahoran from the judgment-seat, yea, in fine
- because of those who had rebelled against their country and also
- their God.
-
- Alma 62:3
- 3 And it came to pass that Moroni took a small number of men,
- according to the desire of Pahoran, and gave Lehi and Teancum
- command over the remainder of his army, and took his march
- towards the land of Gideon.
-
- Alma 62:4
- 4 And he did raise the standard of liberty in whatsoever place
- he did enter, and gained whatsoever force he could in all his
- march towards the land of Gideon.
-
- Alma 62:5
- 5 And it came to pass that thousands did flock unto his
- standard, and did take up their swords in the defence of their
- freedom, that they might not come into bondage.
-
- Alma 62:6
- 6 And thus, when Moroni had gathered together whatsoever men he
- could in all his march, he came to the land of Gideon; and
- uniting his forces with those of Pahoran they became exceedingly
- strong, even stronger than the men of Pachus, who was the king of
- those dissenters who had driven the freemen out of the land of
- Zarahemla and had taken possession of the land.
-
- Alma 62:7
- 7 And it came to pass that Moroni and Pahoran went down with
- their armies into the land of Zarahemla, and went forth against
- the city, and did meet the men of Pachus, insomuch that they did
- come to battle.
-
- Alma 62:8
- 8 And behold, Pachus was slain and his men were taken prisoners,
- and Pahoran was restored to his judgment-seat.
-
- Alma 62:9
- 9 And the men of Pachus received their trial, according to the
- law, and also those king-men who had been taken and cast into
- prison; and they were executed according to the law; yea, those
- men of Pachus and those king-men, whosoever would not take up
- arms in the defence of their country, but would fight against it,
- were put to death.
-
- Alma 62:10
- 10 And thus it became expedient that this law should be strictly
- observed for the safety of their country; yea, and whosoever was
- found denying their freedom was speedily executed according to
- the law.
-
- Alma 62:11
- 11 And thus ended the thirtieth year of the reign of the judges
- over the people of Nephi; Moroni and Pahoran having restored
- peace to the land of Zarahemla, among their own people, having
- inflicted death upon all those who were not true to the cause of
- freedom.
-
- Alma 62:12
- 12 And it came to pass in the commencement of the thirty and
- first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi,
- Moroni immediately caused that provisions should be sent, and
- also an army of six thousand men should be sent unto Helaman, to
- assist him in preserving that part of the land.
-
- Alma 62:13
- 13 And he also caused that an army of six thousand men, with a
- sufficient quantity of food, should be sent to the armies of Lehi
- and Teancum. And it came to pass that this was done to fortify
- the land against the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 62:14
- 14 And it came to pass that Moroni and Pahoran, leaving a large
- body of men in the land of Zarahemla, took their march with a
- large body of men towards the land of Nephihah, being determined
- to overthrow the Lamanites in that city.
-
- Alma 62:15
- 15 And it came to pass that as they were marching towards the
- land, they took a large body of men of the Lamanites, and slew
- many of them, and took their provisions and their weapons of war.
-
- Alma 62:16
- 16 And it came to pass after they had taken them, they caused
- them to enter into a covenant that they would no more take up
- their weapons of war against the Nephites.
-
- Alma 62:17
- 17 And when they had entered into this covenant they sent them
- to dwell with the people of Ammon, and they were in number about
- four thousand who had not been slain.
-
- Alma 62:18
- 18 And it came to pass that when they had sent them away they
- pursued their march towards the land of Nephihah. And it came to
- pass that when they had come to the city of Nephihah, they did
- pitch their tents in the plains of Nephihah, which is near the
- city of Nephihah.
-
- Alma 62:19
- 19 Now Moroni was desirous that the Lamanites should come out to
- battle against them, upon the plains; but the Lamanites, knowing
- of their exceedingly great courage, and beholding the greatness
- of their numbers, therefore they durst not come out against them;
- therefore they did not come to battle in that day.
-
- Alma 62:20
- 20 And when the night came, Moroni went forth in the darkness of
- the night, and came upon the top of the wall to spy out in what
- part of the city the Lamanites did camp with their army.
-
- Alma 62:21
- 21 And it came to pass that they were on the east, by the
- entrance; and they were all asleep. And now Moroni returned to
- his army, and caused that they should prepare in haste strong
- cords and ladders, to be let down from the top of the wall into
- the inner part of the wall.
-
- Alma 62:22
- 22 And it came to pass that Moroni caused that his men should
- march forth and come upon the top of the wall, and let themselves
- down into that part of the city, yea, even on the west, where the
- Lamanites did not camp with their armies.
-
- Alma 62:23
- 23 And it came to pass that they were all let down into the city
- by night, by the means of their strong cords and their ladders;
- thus when the morning came they were all within the walls of the
- city.
-
- Alma 62:24
- 24 And now, when the Lamanites awoke and saw that the armies of
- Moroni were within the walls, they were affrighted exceedingly,
- insomuch that they did flee out by the pass.
-
- Alma 62:25
- 25 And now when Moroni saw that they were fleeing before him, he
- did cause that his men should march forth against them, and slew
- many, and surrounded many others, and took them prisoners; and
- the remainder of them fled into the land of Moroni, which was in
- the borders by the seashore.
-
- Alma 62:26
- 26 Thus had Moroni and Pahoran obtained the possession of the
- city of Nephihah without the loss of one soul; and there were
- many of the Lamanites who were slain.
-
- Alma 62:27
- 27 Now it came to pass that many of the Lamanites that were
- prisoners were desirous to join the people of Ammon and become a
- free people.
-
- Alma 62:28
- 28 And it came to pass that as many as were desirous, unto them
- it was granted according to their desires.
-
- Alma 62:29
- 29 Therefore, all the prisoners of the Lamanites did join the
- people of Ammon, and did begin to labor exceedingly, tilling the
- ground, raising all manner of grain, and flocks and herds of
- every kind; and thus were the Nephites relieved from a great
- burden; yea, insomuch that they were relieved from all the
- prisoners of the Lamanites.
-
- Alma 62:30
- 30 Now it came to pass that Moroni, after he had obtained
- possession of the city of Nephihah, having taken many prisoners,
- which did reduce the armies of the Lamanites exceedingly, and
- having regained many of the Nephites