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THE
J.
iN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BY THE HAND OP MOR
MON, UPON PLATES TAKEN FROM
THE PLATES OF NEPHL
Wherefore it is an abridgment of the Record of the People of Nephi ; and also of the Lamanites ; written to the Lamanites. which 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 Prophesy and of Revelation. Written, and sealed up, and hid np unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed ; to come forth by tha 1^1% and pcwer of God unto the interpretation thereof; sealed by the hand of Moro- ni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by the way of 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, which were scattered at the dme the Lord confounded the language of the people when they were building a tower to get to Heaven : which is to shew unto the remnant of the Hoise 0/ Israel how great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may- know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not east off forever ; and plsc tc the convincing of the Jew and Gentild that Jesus is the Christ, the ETEkw^u God, manifesting Himself unto all nations. And now if there be fault, it be iLc mistake of men ; wherefore condemn not the things of God, that je OTi?,y he found spotless at the judgment seat of Christ. '.
BY JOSEPH SMITH, JUlVIORj
AUTHOR AND PROPRIETOR*
PALMYRA:
PRINTED BY E. B. GRANDIN, FOR THE AUTHOK, 1830,
7^y
Jlr/of -Nrpir w'heXTufst aWdgln- of .he R^o/d of ,he People of Ke- Shf »„a aUoof (h"l,amanitcs : written to the Lamanit=s, who are arenmaiit ofthc ?lo.ise of Israc aad alsoto Jew and Gentile; writte,, by way of commandmen. House <" 's™' • ." ' f p„„i,esv and of Reve atlon. Written, and sealed up, am ttnd also by 'he 'P '"' ° f,;[Xf,nlX no be destroyed ; to eonre forth by tlie - ft an, hrdupuntotheLord hat beym^^^^^^ sealed by the liand of Moroni, an.
VIZ, u°n.?-he Lord, to ooSettindue time by the way of Gentile: the .nterprf .IZheeoVbv the Sift of God , an abridgment taken from the Book o! Ether. Also whcVu a Record o^the People of Jared, which were scattered at the time he Lor, wnicn '°,'',''f,'-",„„„„,.„„f ,'u. neonle when they were buildin<r a tower to get 1 'h^: rn'^th el. "E; unt^ tKrrtnam of the^House of Israe 1. how ,reat thing the Lord ha Hone for their fathers ; and that they may know the covenants of th
■ Lord tha tle^^^^ and also to the convmc.ng pt the Jew an r.n.hlthnt Jesus i3 the Christ, the Eternal God, manifestnig Himself unto all nc
■ S ' And nowTf Sere be fault it be the rnistake of men ; wl^erefore condemn m JKin-3 of God, that ye may be found spotless atthe judgment seat of Chnst.-B
' Joseph ^Smith, Jan. Author and Proprietor."
•In ronformily to the act of the Congress of the United States entitled - An a-
or the encot.ragement of learning, by securmg the copies ot Maps, Charts, an
Book- to the authors and proprietors of such copies, durmg the times therem me;
• i^Aned" and also the art. entitled, " An act supplementary to an act, entitled, 'A
L'ru^or the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps. Charts, ar
' RnMa-s to the authors and proprietors of such copies, daring the times therein me
'Sh; and extending the berjefits thereof to the arts of des.gnmg engraving, ar
JSi'n" historical and other prmtB." ^. , ^ , ^, ,, *^" r?\< , ^^- ' -ir ^'^'- ° CUrk ofthf. Northern Du^UiCi of Am-Yor
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PREFACE
To THE ReADER^ —
As many false reports have been circulated respec- ling the following work, and also many unlawful mea» sures taken by evil designing persons to destroy me, and also the w^ork, I would inform you that I translate dj hy the gift and power of God, and caused to be writtenj one hundred and sixteen pages, the which I took from the Book of Lehi, which was an account abridged from. the plates of Lehi, by the hand of Mormon ; which said account, some person or persons have stolen and kept from me, notwithstanding my utmost exertions to reco- ver it again — rand being commanded of the Lord that I should not translate the same over again, for Satan had put it into their hearts to tempt the Lord their God, by altering the wordsj that they did read contrary from that which I translated and caused to be written ; and if I should bring forth the same words again, or, in other words, if I should translate the same over again, they would publish that which they had stolen, and l5atan would stir up the hearts of this generation, that they might not receive this work : but behold, the Lord said unto me, I will not suffer that Sa:t^n shall accom- plish his evil design in this thing : therefore thou shalt translate from the plates of Nephi, until ye come to that >^*ich ye have translated, which ye have retained ; and
jy PREFACE.
behold ye shall publish it as the record of Nephi ; and thus I will confound those who have altered my words. I will not suffer that they shall destroy my work ; yea, I will shew unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the DeviL Wherefore, to be obedient un- to the commandments of God, I have, through his grace and mercy, accomplished that which he hath comman- ded me respecting this thing. I would also inform you that the plates of which hath been spoken, were found in the township of Manchester, Ontario county^ New- York.
The Author.
THE FIRST BOOK OF NEPHI.
HIS REIGN AND MINISTRY.
CHAPTER I.
Jin account of Lehi and his ivife Sariali^ and his four Sons^ being' called^ (heginiiing at the eldest^) Laman^ Lemuel, Sam^ and JYephi. The Lord warns Lehi to depart out of the land of Jerusalem^ because he prophesieth unto the peo- ple concernmg their iniquity ; and they seek to destroy his life. He taketh three days^ journey into the wilderness with his family. Js'ephi taketh his brethren and returns to the land of Jerusalem after the record of the Jews. The ac- count of their sufferings. They take the daughters oflsh- mael to wife. They take their families and depart into the wilderness. Their sufferings and afflictions in the 2vilder- ness. The course of their travels. They come to the large waters. Js^ephVs brethren rebelleth against him. He con- foundeth them, and buildeth a Ship. They call the place Bountiful. They cross the large waters into the promised land. S^r. This is according to the account ofJ^ephi ; or, in other words, IJStephi wrote this record.
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 — never- theless, 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 procee- dings in my days ; yea, I make a record ii) the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the lan- guage of the Egyptians. And I know that the record which I make, to be true ; and I make it with mine own hand ; and I make it according to my knowledge.
For it came to pass, in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, kingof Judah, (my father Lehi hav- ing 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.
(i 1 IliSr BOOK OF NKPHI.
Wherefore it came to pass, that my father Lehi, as he went forth, prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in >jehalf of his people.
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 j and because of the things which he saw and heard, he did quake and tremble exceedingly.
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 ; and being thus overcome with the spirit, he was carried away in a vis- ion, 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.
And it came to pass that he saw one descending out of the midst of Heaven, and he beheld that his lustre was above that of the sun at noon-day; and he also saw twelve others follow- ing him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament ; and tliey came down and went forth upon the face of the earth ; and the first came and stood before my fa- ther, and gave unto him a Book, and bade him that he shoukl read.
And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the spirit of the Lord, and he read, saying, Wo, wo unto Jerusa- lem ! 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.
And it came to pass that when my father had read and saw many great and marvellous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord ; such as, Great and marvellous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty ! Thy throne is high in the Heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy is over all the inhabi- tants of the earth ; and because thou art merciful, thou wilfe not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish ! And after this manner was the language of my father in the praising of his God ; for his soul did rejoice, and his w^hole heart was filled, because of the things which he had seen ; yea, which the Lord had shewn unto him. And now^ I, Nephi, do not make a full account of the things w^hich my father hath written, for he hath written many things which he saw in \is-
PiR8T BOOK OF NJaPHf. t
i(5ns and in drettms; and he also liath written many things which he prophesied and spake unto hi^s children, of w^hich I shall not make a full account ; 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 that I have abridged the record of my father, then will I mfikc an account of mine own life.
Therefore, I would that ye should know that after the Lord had shewn so many marvellous things unto my father Lehi. yea, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, behold he went forth among the people, and began to prophesy and to de- clare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard.
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 a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world.
And when the Jews heard these things, they were angry with him ; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had east out and stoned and slain ; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will shew unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord is over all them whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.
For behold it came to pass that the Lord spake unto my fa- ther, yea, even in a dream, and sayeth unto him. Blessed art thou Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done; and be- cause thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold they seek to take away thy life.
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. And it came to pass that he was obedient un- to the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord com- manded him.
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 he departed into the wilderness ; and he came down by the
3' FIRST BOOK OF NEPHl.
borders near the shore of the Red Sea; and he travelled m the wilderness, in the borders, which was nearer the Red Sea; and he did travel in the wilderness with his family, which con- sisted of my mother, Sariah, and my elder brothers, which were Laman, Lemuel and Sam.
And it came to pass that when he had travelled three days in the wilderness, he pitched his tent in a valley beside a river o( water. And it came to pass that he built an altar of stones, and he made an offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto The Lord our God. 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.
And when my father saw that the waters of the river emp- tied 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. And he also spake unto Lemuel : O that thou mightest be like unto this val- ley, firm, and steadfast, and immoveable in keeping the com- mandments of the Lord. Now this he spake because of the stiffneckedness of Laman and Lemuel ; for behold, they did murmur in many things against their father, because that he was a visionary man, and that he 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, and to perish in the wilderness. And this they said he had done because of the foolish imaginations of his heart. And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father. — A.nd they did murmur because they knew not the deahngs of that God who had created them. 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, which were at Jerusalem, which sought to take away the life of my father.
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 do as he commanded them. And my father dwelt in a tent.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceeding young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great de- sires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore I did cry unto the Lord ; and behold he did visit me, and did soften mr
FIRST BOOK OP NEPHI. 9
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. 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 ; but be- hold 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.
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. 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. And inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel againt thee, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And inas- much as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shait be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren. For behold, in that day that tliey 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. And if it so be that they rebel against me, they shall be a scourge unt© thy seed, to stir them up in the ways of remembrance.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, returned from speaking with the Lord, to the tent of my father. 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. For behold, Laban hath the record of the Jews, and also a genealogy of my forefathers, and they are engraven upon plates of brass. Wherefore the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brothers should go i:nto the liouse of Laban, and seek the records, and bring them down hither into the wilderness. And now, behold, thy brothers murmur, saying : It is a hard thing which I have re- quired of them; but behold I have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord. Therefore go, my son, and thou shalt be favored of the Lord, because thou hast not mur- mured.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my fatlier, I will go and do the things whicli the Lord hath commanded, ior I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the
1^ i?msT nooK OF nephi.
children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them thai they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.
And it came to pass that when my father had heard these words, he was exceeding- glad, for he knew that I had been blessed of the Lord. And I, Nephi, and my brethren, took our journey in the wilderness with our tents, to go up to the land of Jerusalem.
And it came to pass that when we had come up to the land of Jerusalem, I and my brethren did consult one with another ; and we cast lots which 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. And he desired of Laban the rec- ords which were engraven upon the plates of brass, which con- tained the genealogy of my father.
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. But Laman fled out of his presence, and told the things which Laban had done, unto us. And we began to be exceeding sorrowful, and my brethren were about to return unto my father in the wilderness. But behold I said unto them, that as the Lordliveth, 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 comman- ded us. Wherefore let us be faithful in keeping the command- ments 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 : for he knowing that Jerusalem must be destroyed, because of the wickedness of the people.
For behold, they have rejected the words of the prophets — Wherefore if my father should dwell in the land after that he hath been commanded to flee out of the land, behold he wotild also perish. Wherefore it must needs be that he flee out of the land. And behold, it is wisdom in God that we should obtain these records, that we might preserve unto our children the language of our fathers ; 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 dowft Ainto this preseat time.
FIRST BOOK OP NEPHI. it
And it came to pass that after this manner of language did 1 persuair^ my brethren, that they might be faithful in keeping the commandments of God. And it came to pass that wc wentdown to the land of our inheritance, and we did gather to- gether our gold, and our silver, and our precious things. And after that we had gathered these things together, we went up again unto the house of Laban.
And it came to pass that we went in unto Laban, and desired him that he would give unto us the records which were engra- ven upon the plites of brass, for v, hich we would give unta him our gold, and our silver, and all our precious things.
And it came to pass that when Laban saw our propert}', and that it was exceeding 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. And it came to pass that we did flee be- fore the servants of Laban, and we were obliged to leave behind our property, and it fell into the hands of Laban.
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. And it came to pass that Laman was angry with me, and also with my father ; and also was Lemuel ; for he hearkenf'd unto the words of Laman. Wherefore La- man and Lemuel did speak many hard words unto us, their younger brothers, and they did smite us even ^^^th a rod.
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 thou shalt go up to Jerusalem again, and the Lord will deliver Laban into your hands. And after that the angel had spoken unto us, he departed. And after that the angel had departed, Laman and Lemuel again began to murmur, saying, how is it pos.sible that the Lord will deliver Laban into our hands ? Be- hold he is a mighty man, and he can command fifty, yea, even he can slay fifty ; then why not us ?
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 tlian Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands. There- fore 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
12 mnsT BOOK of nephi.
hither and thither, and our fathers came through out of cap- tivity on dry ground, and the armies of Pharaoh did follow and were drowned in the waters of the Red Sea. 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.
Now when I had spoken these words, they were yet wroth, and did still continue to murmur; Nevertheless they did fol- low me up until we came without the walls of Jerusalem. And it was by night ; and I caused that they should hide them- selves without the walls. And after that they had hid them- selves, I, Nephi, crept into the city and went forth towards the house of Laban. And I was led by the spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless I went forth, and as I came near unto the house of Laban, I be- held a man, and he had fallen to the earth before me, ifor he was drunken with wine. And when I came to him, I found that it was Laban. 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 exceeding fine ; and I saw that the blade thereof was of the most precious steel.
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. And the spirit saith 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.
And it came to pass that the spirit said unto me again, slay him, for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands. 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.
And now, when I, Nephi, had heard these words, I remem- bered the words of the Lord w^hich 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. — Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the com- mandments of the Lord according to the law of Moses, save they should have the law. And I also knew that the law was aigraven upon the plates of brass. And again— 1 knew that
iPlRST BOOK OF NEPHI. iS^
the Lord had delivered Laban into my hands, for this cause : that I might obtain the records according- to his commmand' ments. 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.
And after that 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 wliit ; and 1 did gird on his armour about my loins. And after that I had done this, I went forth unto the treasury of Laban. And ais I Went forth towards the treasury of Laban, behold Isaw the servant of Laban which had the keys of the treasury. And I commanded him in the voice of Laban, that he should go with me intotlie treasury; and he supposed me to be his master, Laban, for he beheld the gar- ments, and also the sword girted about my loins. And he spake unto me concerning the elders of the Jews, he know- ing that his master Laban had been out by night among them. And I spake unto him as if it had been Laban. And I also spake unto him that I should carry the engravings which were upon the plates of brass, to my elder brethren, which were without the walls. And I also bade him that he should fol- low me. And he, supposing that I spake of the brethren of the church, and that I was truly that Laban whom 1 had slain, wherefore he did follow me. And he spake unto me many times concerning the elders of the Jews, as I went forth unto my brethren, which were without the walls.
And it came to pass that when Laman saw me, he was ex- ceedingly frightened, and also Lemuel and Sam. And they tied from before my presence ; for they supposed it was La- ban, and that he had slain me, and had sought to take away their lives also.
And it came to pass that I called after them, and they did hear me ; wherefore they did cease to flee from my presence. 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.
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.
And It came to pass that I spake with liim, that if he would hearken unto my words, as the Lonl livcth and as I live, even so that if he would hearken unto our words, we would spare
.i4 FIRST BOOK OF XEPftl.
his life. And I spake unto him, even with an oath, that he need not fear ; that he should he a free man like unto us, if he would go down in the wilderness with us. .And I also .spake unto him, saying, surely the Lord hath commanded us to do this thing. And shall we not he diligent in keeping the commandments of the Lord 'i Therefore, if thou wilt go down into the wilderness to my father, thou shalt have place with us.
And it came to pass that Zoram did take courage at the words which I spake. Now Zoram was the name of the ser- vant ; and he promised that he would go down into the wil- derness unto our father. And he also made an oath unto us, that he would tarry with us from that time forth. Now we were desirous that he should tarry with us for this cause : tha: t-he Jews might not know concerning our flight into the wilder- ness, lest they should pursue us and destroy us.
And it came to pass that when Zoram had made an oath unto us, our fears did cease concerning him. And it came to pass mat we took the plates of brass and the servant of Laban, and departed into the wilderness, and journied unto the tent of our father.
And it came to pass that after we had came down into the wilderness unto our father, behold he was filled with joy, and also my mother, Sariah, was exceeding glad, for she truly had mourned because of us ; for she had supposed that we had per- ished 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. And after this manner of language had my mother complained against my father.
And it had came to pass that my father spake unto her say- ino- : I know that I am a visionary man ; for if I had not seen the thino's of God in a vision, I should not have known the goodness of God, but had tarried at Jerusalem and had per- ished with my brethren. But behold, I have obtained a land of promise, in the which thing 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. And after this manner of language did my father Lehi comfort my mother Sariah, concerning us, while we journied in the wil- derness up to the land of Jerusalem, to obtain the record of the Jews.
And when we had returned to the tent of my father, behold
FIRST BOOK OF NEPHI. "kS
tlieir joy was full, and my mother was comforted ; and she spake, saying : Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath com- manded my liusband 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 gave them . power whereby they could accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them. And after this manner of lan- guage did she speak.
And it came to pass that they did rejoice exceedingly, and did offer sacrifice and burnt oficrings unto the Lord ; and they gave thanks unto the God of Israel. And after that 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. And he beheld that they did contain the five Books of Moses, which gave an ac- count of the creation of the world, and also of Adam and Eve, which was our first parents ; and also a record of the Jews from tlie beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, King of Judali; and also the prophecies of the Holy prophets, from the beginning, even down to the com- mencement of the reign of Zedekiah ; and also many proph- ecies which have been spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah.
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 v»'as a descendant of Joseph ; yea, even that Joseph which was the son of Jacob, which was sold into Egypt, and which was preserved by the hand of the Lord, that he might § preserve his father Jacob and all his household from perishing with famine. And they were also led out of captivity and out of the land of Egypt, by that same God who had preserv- ed them. And thus my father Lehi did discover the genealo- gy of his fathers. And Laban also was a descendant of Jo- seph, wherefore he and his fathers had kept the records.
And now when my father saw all these things, he was filled with the spirit, and began to prophesy concerning his seed ; tliat these plates of brass sliould go forth unto all nations, kin- dreds, tongues, and people wliicli were of his seed. Where- fore he said that these plates of brass should never perish ; neither should they be dimmed any more by time. And he proph- esied many things concerning his seed.
And it came to pass that thus far I and my fatlier had kept the commandments wherewith the Lor^i liud commanded us. And we had obtained the record which the Lord had comman-
16 FIRST BOOK OF NEPHI.
ded 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. Wherefore it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us, as we journied in the wilderness towards the land of promise.
CHAPTER IL
And now I, Nephi, do not give the genealogy of my fathers m 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. For it sufiiceth me to say, that we are a descendant of Joseph. 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 de- sire the room, that I may write of the things of God. For the fullness 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. Wherefore the things which are pleasing unto the world, I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto them which are not of the world. 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. 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 mete 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.
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 bnng dov/n Ishmael and his family into the wilderness.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did again, with my breth- ren, go forth into the wil derness to go up to Jerusalem. 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 ^ve did speak unto hiux the words of the Lord.
I'lRfeT BGOK <»P NBPHL M
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 fa- ther. And it came to pass that as we journied in the wilder- ness, 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 I, N ^phi, and Sam, and their father, Ishmael, and his wife, and his three other daughters.
And it came to pass in the which rebellion, they were desi- rous to return unto the land of Jerusalem. 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, be- hold, thou art 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 ? How is it that ye have not heark- ened unto the word of the Lord ? How is it that ye have for- gotten that ye have seen an angel of tJic Lord? Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten how great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain tlie record? 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 m.en, if it so be that they exercise faith in him ; wherefore, let us be faithful in him. And if it so be that we are iaithful in liim, wc shall obtain the land of prom- ise ; and ye siiall know at some future period, tliat the word of the Lord shall be fultillcd, concerning the destruction of Jeru- salem ; for all things whicii tlie Lord hath spoken concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, must be fulfdled. For, behold, the spirit of tlie Lord ceasctli soon to strive with tliem ; for, be- hold, they liave rejected the |)rophets, and Jeremiah have they cast into prison. And tliey have sought to take away the life oi' my father, insomuch that they have driven him out of the land.
Now, behold, I say unto you, tiiat if ye will return unto Je- rusalem, .ye shall also perisii with them. And noAV, if ye have choice, go up to the land, and remci^iiber the words which I speak unto you, tliat if ye go, ye will also perish ; for thus the spirit of the Lord constrainetli me that I should spqak. ' And it came to pass tliat when f, Nephi, had !^poken these words unto my brethren, they were angry witli me. And it came to pass tlial tiiey did lay their hands upon me ; for, beliold,, they were exceeding wroth ; and they did bind mc with cords,-
19, 4?rRST BOOK OF NEPHf.
for they sought to take away my life, that they might leave me in the vvilderness, to be devoured by wild beasts.
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.
And it came to pass that when I had said these words, be- hold, the bands were loosed from off my hands and feet, .and I stood before my brethren, and I spake unto them again. 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 Ish- mael, did plead wiih my brethren, insomuch that they did soft- en their hearts : and they did cease striving to take away my life.
And it came to pass that they were sorrowful, because of their wickedness, insomuch tliat they did bow down before me, and did plead ^vith me, that I would forgive them of the thing that they had done against me.
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 forsiveness. And it came to pass thai they did so. And after that they had done praying unto the Lord, v/e did again travel on our journey toward the tent ot our father.
And it came to pass that we did come down unto the tent of our father. And after that I and my brethren, and all the liouse 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 hirn.
Audit came to passthot we had gathered together all man- ner of seeds of every kind; both of grain of every kind, and also of the-seeds of fruits of every kind. And it came to pass that while my father tarried in the wilderness, he spake unto us, saying : Behold, I Jiave dreamed a dream ; or, .in othei' words, I have seen a vision. And behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in the Lord, be- cause of Nephi, and also of Sam ; for I have reason to sup- pose that they, and also many of their seed, will be saved. — But, behold, Laman and Lemuel, I fear exceedingly, because of you ;;.fov, behold, me thought 1 saw a dark and dreary wil- derness.
I
FIRST BOOK OF NEPHI. 19
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. And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him. And it came to pass that as 1 followed him, and after I had followed him, I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste. And after that I had travelled 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.
And it came to pass that after I had prayed unto the Lord, I beheld a large and spacious field. And it came to pass that I belield a tree, whose fruit was desirable, to make one happy. 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 tliat I ever had before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen. And as I partook of the fruit thereof, it filled my soul with exceeding great joy ; wherefore, I began to be desirous tliat my family should partake of it also ; for I knew that it was desirous above all other fruit. 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. And I look- ed to behold from whence it came ; and I saw the head there- of, a little way ofi'; 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.
And it came to pass lliat 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.
And it came to pass that they did come unto me, and par- lake of the fruit also. And it came to pass that I was desi- rous that Laman and Lemuel should come and partake of the i'ruit also ; wherefore, I casi mine eyes towards the head of the river, that perhaps I might see them.
And it came to pass that I saw them, but they would not come unto me. 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. And I also beheld a straight and narrow path, whick came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood ; and it also led by tlie head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world ; and I saw nuni"
2*
20 FIRST BOOK ©F NEPHI^
Berless concourses of people ; many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood.
And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree. And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness ; yea, even an exceeding great mist of darkness, insomuch that they which had commenced in the path, did lose their way, that they wandered off, and were lost.
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, chnging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree. And after that they had par- taken of the fruit of the tree, they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed. And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spa- cious building ; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth ; and it w^as filled with people, both old and young, both male and female ; and their manner of dress was exceeding fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those which had come at, and were parta- king of the fruit. And after that 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.
And now I, Nephi, do not speak all the words of my father. 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, con- tinually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down, and partook of the fruit of the tree. And he also saw other multitudes, feeling their way tovv-ards that great and spacious building.
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. And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after that 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. These are the words of my father : For as many as heeded them, had fallen away. And Laman and Lemuel partook not of the fi'uit, saith my father.
And it came to pass that after my father had spoken all the
FIRST BOOK OP NEPHI. 21
words of his dream or vision, which were many, he said unto us, because of these things which he saw in a vison, he excee- dingly feared for Laman and Lemuel ; yea, he feared lest they should be cast off from the presence of the Lord ; and he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, in that, perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my fa- ther did preach unto them.
And after that he had preached unto them, and also prophe- sied unto them of many things, he bade them to keep the com- mandments of the Lord ; and he did cease speaking unto them. 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 gi'eat many more things, which cannot be written upon these plates. 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 ; where- fore, they are called tlie plates of Nephi, after mine own name ; and these plates also, are called the plates of Nephi.
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. Upon the other plates should be engraven an ac- count 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. Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates, for a wise purpose in him ; which purpose, I know not. But the Lord knoweth all things, from the begin- ning ; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men ; for behold, he hath all pow- er unto the fulfillinsr of all his words. And thus it is. Amen.
CHAPTER III.
' And now I, Nephi, proceed to give an account upon these plates, of my proceedings, and my reign and ministry ; where- fore, to proceed with mine account, 1 must speak somewhat •f the things of my father, and also of my brethren.
^2 FIRST BOOK OF NEPHI.
For behold it came to pass that after my father had made an end of speaking the words of his dream, and also of exhort- ino- them to all diligence, he spake unto them concerning the Jews : How that after they were destroyed, yea, even that p-reat city Jerusalem ; and that many were carried away cap- tive into* Babylon; that according to the own due time of the Lord, they should return again ; yea, even be brought back out of captiAdty ; and after they are brought back out of cap- tivity, to possess again the land of their inheritance.
Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a Prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews ; yea, even a Messiah ; or, in other words, a Saviour of the worfd. And he also spake concerning the prophets : How great a number had testified of these things, concerning this Messiah, of which he had spoken, or this Redeemer of the world. Wherefore, all mankind was in a lost and in a fallen state ; and ever would be, save they should rely on this Re- deemer.
And he spake also, concerning a prophet, which should come before the Messiah, to prepare the way of the Lord ; 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 stand- €th one among you whom ye know not ; and he is mightier than I, whose shoe's latch et 1 am not worthy to unloose. And much spake my father concerning this thing.
And my father saith that he should baptise in Bethabara, beyond Jordan ; and he also spake, that he should baptise with water ; yea, even that he should baptise the Messiah with wa- ter. And after that he had baptised the Messiah with water, he should behold and bear record, that he had baptised the Lamb of God, which should take away the sins of the world.
And it came to pass that after my father had spoken these words, he spake unto my brethren concerning the Gospel, which should be preached among the Jews ; and also, concer- ning the dwindling of the Jews in 'unbelief. And after that they had slain the Messiah which should come, and after that he had been slain, he should rise from the dead, and should make himself manifest, by the Holy Ghost, unto the Gentiles. Yea, even my father spake much concerning the Gentiles, and also concerning the House of Israel : That they should be compared like unto an ohve tree, whose branches should be broken o% and should be scattered upon all the face of the earth. Wherefore, he said, it must needs be that we should
liIRST BOOK OF NEPHI. ^3
lie led with one accord, into the land of promise, unto the fulfill- ing of the word of the Lord : That we should be scattered up- on all the face of the earth. And after that the House of Israel should be scattered, they should be gathered together again ; or, in fine, that 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. And after this manner of language did mv father prophesy and speak unto my brethren; and tl^o, 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. And all these things of which I have spoken, was done, as my father dwelt in a tent, in the valley of Lem- uel.
And it came to pass that 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, which should come.
And it came to pass that 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 ; for he is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever ; and the way is prepared from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him ; 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. Therefore, remember, O man. for all thy doings, thou shalt be brought into judgment. Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation, then je are found un- clean before the judgment seat of God ; and no unclean thing- can dwell with God ; wherefore, ye must be cast oft' forever. And the Holy Ghost giveth authority that I should speak these things, and deny them not.
For it came to pass that after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known tint® me ; wkcrcferc; as I ^at-
;>4 i IRST B0OK OF NEPHt.
t3ondering in mine heart, I was caught away in the spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceeding high mountain, which I nevey had before seen, and upon which I never had before sat my foot. And the spirit saith unto me. Behold, what desirest thou? And I saith, I desire to behold the things which my father saw. And the spirit saith unto me, Behevest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken ? And I said yea ; thou knowest that I believe all the v/ords of my father.
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 Messed art thou, Nephi, because thou believest in the Son of the Most High God ; wherefore, thou shalt behold the things which thou hast desired. And behold, this thing shall be giv- en unto thee for a sign : that after thou hast beheld the tree Svhich bore the fruit which thy father tasted, thou shalt also behold a man descending out of Heaven, and him shall ye wit- ness ; and after that ye have witnessed him, ye shall bear rec- ord that it is the Son of God.
And it came to pass that the spirit saith unto me, look ! and I looI:ed 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.
And it came to pass that after that I had seen the tree, I said anto the spirit, I behold thou hast shewn unto me the tree which is precious above all. And he saith unto me, What de- sirest thou '? And I said unto him, to know the interpretatioE thereof; fori 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. *
And it came to pass that he said unto me, look : And I look- ed as if to look upon him, and I saw him not ; for he had gone from before my presence.
And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city 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 exceeding fair and white.
And it came to pass that I saw the Heavens open ; and an angel came down and stood before me ; and he saith unto me, Nephi, what beholdest thou ? And I saith unto him, a virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins. And he. saitb
PIRST BOOK OP XEPHl. M
iiiito me, Knowest thou the condescention of God 1 And I said unto him, I know that he loveth his children ; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things. And he said unto me, Behold, the virgin whicli thou seest, is the mother of God, after the manner of the flesh.
And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried awaj In the spirit ; and after that she had been carried away in the spirit for the space of a time, the angel spake unto me, saying, look ! And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a chid in her arms. And the angel said unto me, behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Eternal Father ! Knowest thou the mean- ing of the tree which thy father saw '? 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. And he spake unto me, saying. Yea, and the most joyous to the soul. And after that he had ,iaid these words, he said unto me, look ! And I looked, and f beheld the Son of God going forth among the children of men ; and I saw many fall down at his feet and worship him.
And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron whick 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. And the angel said unto me again. Look and behold the condescen- tion of God ! And I looked and beheld the Redeemer of the world, of which my father had spoken ; and I also beheld the prophet, which should prepare the way before him. And the Lamb of God went forth, and was baptised of him ; and after that he was baptised, I beheld the Heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of Heaven and abode upon him in the form of a dove. And I beheld that he went forth ministering unto the people, in power and great glory; and the multitude© were gathered together to hear hun; and I beheld that they cast him out from among them. 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, that I saw them not. 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 an- gels descending upon the children of men ; and they did minis- ter unto them. And he spake unto me again, saying, lookK And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb of God going forth amon^,
86 FIRST BOOK «F NEPHI.
the children of men. And I beheld multitudes of people which were sick, and which were afflicted of all manner of diseases, and with devils, and unclean spirits ; and the angel spake, and shewed all these things unto me. And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of God ; and the devils and the un- clean spirits were cast out.
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 Everlasting God, was judged of the world ; and I saw and bear record. And I, Ne- phi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross, and slain for the sins of the world. And after that he was slain, I saw the multitudes of the earth, that they were gathered together to fight against tlie apostles of the Lamb ; for thus were the twelve called by the angel of the Lord. And the multitude of the earth ^vas gathered together ; and I beheld that they were in a large and spacious building, like unto the building which «ny father saw. And the angel of the Lord spake unto me again, saying, Behold the world and the wisdom thereof ; yea, Ibehold, the House of Israel hath gathered togetlier, to tight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And it came to pass that 1 saw and bear record, that the *reat and spacious budding w as the pride of the world ; and it fell ; and the fall thereof was exceeding 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.
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 multi- tiides of people, yea, even as it were in number, as many as the sand of the sea.
And it came to pass that I beheld multitudes gathered toge- ther, to battle one against the other ; and I beheld wars, and ru- fmors of wars, and great slaughters with the sword among my people.
And it came to pass that I beheld many generations pass ^way, after the manner of wars and contentions in the land ; ..and I beheld many cities, yea, even that I did not number them.
And it came to pass that I saw a mist of darkness on the face of the land of promise ; and I saw hghtnings, and I heard ftunderings, and earthquakes, and all manner of tumultuooe
FIRST B66K f)F NEPtit ^27
uoii^eB; and I saw the earth and the rocks, that they rent; and I saw mountains tumbhng into pieces; and 1 saw the plains oflhe earth, (hut they were broken up; and 1 saw many cities, that they were sunk ; and I saw many, that they were burned With fire ; and I saw many, that they did tumble to the earth, feecause of the quaking thereof.
And it came to pass that after I saw these things, I saw the vapor of darkness, that it passed from oft" the face of the earth } land behold, I saw multitudes which had fallen, because of the ^^reat and terrible judgments of the Lord. And I saw the Heavens open, and the Lamb of God descending out of Heav- en ; and he cgimc down and shewed himself unto them. And I also saw and bear record, that the Holy Ghost fell upon twelve others ; and they were ordained of God, and chosen.
And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the twelve disciples of the Lamb, which are chosen to minister unto thy seed. And he saith unto me. Thou remembereth the twelve apostles of the Lamb '\ Behold, they are they which 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 ; and these twelve ministers which thou beholdest, shall ^'udge 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.
And the angel saith unto me, look! And I looked and beheld three generations did pass away in righteousness ; and their garments were white, even like unto the Lamb of God. And the angel said unto me, The^e are made white in the blood of the Lamb, because of their faith in him. And I, Nephi, also saw many of the fourth generation, which did pass away in righteousness.
And it came to pass that I saw the multitudes of the earth gathered together. And the angel said unto me. Behold thy seed, and also the seed of thy brethren ! And it came to pass that I looked, and beheld the people of my seed gathered to- gether in multitudes against the seed of my brethren ; and they were gathered together to battle.
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 ; and the mists of darkness, are the temptations of the <levil, which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the diildren of men, and leadeth them away into broad roads, that
S8 riRST BOOK OP NEPHL "
ichey may perish, and are lost; 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 Eter- nal God, and Jesus Christ, which is the Lamb of God, of whom the Holy Ghost beareth record, from the beginning of Ihe world until this time, and from this time henceforth and forever. And while the angel spoke 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 «eed of my brethren did overpower the people of my seed.
And it came to pass that I beheld and saw the people of the iseed of my brethren, that they had overcome my seed ; and they went forth in multitudes upon the face of the land. And 1 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. And the angel said unto me, behold, these shall dwindle in unbelief
And it came to pass that I beheld that after they had dwin- dled in unbelief, they became a dark, and loathsome, and a filthy people, full of idleness and all manner of abominations.
And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me saying, look ! And I looked and'beheld many nations and kingdoms. And the angel saith unto me, what beholdest thou 1 And I said i behold many nations and kingdoms. And he saith unto in% these are the nations and kingdoms of the Gentiles.
And it came to pass that I saw among the nations of the Gentiles, the foundation of a great church. And the angel said unto me. Behold the foundation 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 dowrt into captivity.
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. 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. 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 ,fearJots, are the desires of this great and abominable church u
VtnSr B«»©K •F NEPftl. 2B
tncl also for the praise of the world, do they destroy the Saints of God, and bring thein down into captivity.
And it came to pass that 1 looked and beheld many waters y and they divided the Gentiles from the seed of my brethren. And it came to pass that the angel said unto me, Behold, the wrath of God is upon the seed of thy brethren ! And I looked and belield a man among the Gentiles, which was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters ; and 1 be- held 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, which were in the promised land.
_And it came to pass thEit I beheld the spirit of God, that it wrought upon other Gentiles ; and they went forth out of cap- tivity, upon the many waters.
And it came to pass that I beheld many multitudes of the Gentiles, upon the land of promise ; and 1 beheld the wrath of God, that it was upon the seed of my brethren ; and they were scattered before the Gentiles, and they were smitten. And I beheld the spirit of the Lord, that it was upon the Gentiles; that they did prosper, and obtain the land of their inheritance ; and I beheld that they were wiiite, and exceeding fair and beautiful, like unto my people, before that they were slain.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld tliat the Gentiles which had gone forth out of captivity, did humble themselves before the Lord ; and the power of the Lord was with them ; and I beheld that their mother Gentiles was gathered together upon the waters, and upon the land also, to battle against them ; and I beheld that the power of God was with them; and also, that the wrath of God was upon them, that were gathered to- gether against them to battle. And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles which had gone out of captivity, were delivered by the power of God, out of the hands of all other nations.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that they did pros- per in the land ; and I beheld a Book ; and it was carried forth among them. And the angel saith unto me, Knowest thou the meaning of the Book? And I saith unto him, I know not. And he saith. Behold, it proceedeth out of the mouth of a Jew, and I, Nephi, beheld it ; and he saith unto me. The Book which 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 hke unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass, save tliere are not so many;
30 FIRST BOOK OP NEPHI.
nevertheless, they contain the covenants of the Lord, whicb he hath made unto the House of Israel ; wherefore, they are of great worth unto the Gentiles.
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 plainness 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 ; wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity, unto the Gentiles, according to the truth which is in God ; and after that they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles ; behold, after this, thou seest the foundation of a great and abominable church, which is the most abominable above all other churches ; for beh<]ld, they have taken away from the Gospel of the Lamb, man^ parts which are plain and most precious ; and also, many Covenants of the Lord have they taken away ; 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 ; 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; and after that 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 na- tions of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Oentiles which have gone forth out of captivity ; and thou see^t because of the many plain and pre- cious things which haVe been taken out of the Book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, ac- cording to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God ; and because of these things which are taken away out of the Gos- pel of the Lamb, an exceeding great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them ; nevertheless thou beholdest that the Gentiles wliich 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 which 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 is among thy brethren ; neither
FIRST BOOK OP NEPW. 3t
willhe suffer that the Gentiles shall destroy tlie seed of thy brethren ; neither will the Lord God suffer that the Gentiles shall forever remain in that state of awful woundedness which, thou beholdest that they are in, because of the plain and most pi'ecious parts of the Gospel of the Lamb which hath been kept back by that abominable church, whose formation thou hast seen ; w^herefore, saith the Lamb of God, I will be mer- ciful unto the Gentiles, unto the visiting of the remnant of the House of Israel in great judgment.
And it came to pass that the angel of the Lord spake unto me, saying : Behold, saith the Lamb of God, after that 1 have visited the remnant of the House of Israel, and this remnant of W'hich I speak, is the seed of thy father ; wherefore, after that I have visited them in judgment, and smitten them by the hand of the Gentiles ; and after that the Gentiles do stumble ex- ceedingly, because of the most plain and precious parts of the Gospel of the Lamb wdiich hath been kept back, by that abom- inable church, which is the mother of harlots, saith the Lamb ; wherefore, I will be merciful unto the Gentiles in that day, ^aitli tlie Lamb, insomuch that I will bring forth unto them in mine own power, much of my Gospel, which shall be plain and precious, saith tlie Lamb ; for behold, saith the Lamb, I will* manifest myself unto tby seed, that they shall write many things which I shall minister unto them, which shall be plain and pre- cious ; and after that thy seed shall be destroyed and dwin- dle 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 ; and in them shall be written my Gospel, saith the Lamb, and my rock and my sal- vation ; and blessed are they which sliall seek to bring fortii my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the pow- ov of the Holy Ghost ; and if they endure unto the end, they sliall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the Everlasting Kingdom of the Lamb; yea, whoso shall publisb peace, that shall publish tidings of great joy, how beautiful up- on the mountains shall they be.
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, w^hick liad proceeded forth from the mouth of the Jew ; and I beheld that it came forth from the Gentiles, unto the remnant of the seed of my brethren ; and after it had come forth unto them, I beheld other Books, which came forth by the power of th^ Lamb, from the Gentiles, unto them, unto the convinrinp:of the
3^t VTRST BOOir ©P NEPifil.
*■
Gentiles, and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and al- T?o to the Jews, which were scattered upon all the face of the ^arth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apos- tles of the Lamb, are true.
And the angel spake unto me, saying : These last records which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall estabhsh the truth of the first, which is 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 Eternal Father and the Sa\iour of the world ; and that all men must come unto Him, or they cannot be saved ; and they must come according to the words which shall be estabhshed 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 shall be es- tablished in one, for there is one God and one Shepherd over all the earth ; and the time cometh that he shall manifest him^ self unto all nations, both unto the Jews, and also unto the G'^ntiles ; and after that he hath manifested himself unto the Jews, and also unto the Gentiles, then be shall manifest hnn- self unto the Gentiles, and also unto the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.
And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest him- self unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks, if it so be that they harden not their hearts against the Lamb ; and if it so be that they harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God, they sliall be numbered among the seed of thy father; yea, they shall be numbered among the House of Israel; and they sliall be a blest people upon the promised land forever; they shall be no more brought down into captiWty ; and the House of Israel shall no more be confounded ; and that great pit which hath been digged for them, by that great and abominable church, which w^as founded by the Devil and his children, that he might lead aAvay 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 b'^ the easting of it into that Hell which hath no end ; for behold, this is according lo the captivity of the
FIRST BOOK OP NEPHI. 3'^
Devil, and also according to the justice of God, upon all those who will work wickedness and abomination before him.
And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, Nephi, flaying : 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 thoii al- so hast heard, that whoso repenteth not, must perish ; there- fore, wo be unto the Gentiles, if it so be that they harden their hearts against the Lamb of God : for the time cometh, saith ihe Lamb of God, that I will work a great and a marvellous work among the children of men ; a work which shall be ev- erlasting, 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 unto destruction, botli temporally and spi- ritually, according to the captivity of the Devil, of which I have spoken.
And it came to pass that when the angel had spoken these words, he saith unto me. Remember thou the covenants of the Father unto the House of Israel 'i I saith unto him, yea. And it came to pass that he saith unto me. Look, and behold that great and abominable church, which is the mother of abo- minations, wJiosc foundation is the Devil. And he saith unto me. Behold, there is, save it be, two churches : the one is the church of the Lamia 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.
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 do- minion over all the earth, among all nations, tindreds, tongues, and people.
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 which sat upon many waters ; 'nevertheless, I beheld that the church of the Lamb, which were ihe Saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth ; and their dominion upon tlie lace of the earth was small, because of the wickedness of the great whore which i saw.
And it came to pass that I beheld that the great mother of abominations did gather together multitudes upon the face of
3
^4 i.<RST BOOK OP N151»HI,
the earth, among all the nations of the Gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of God.
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, which were scattered upon all the face of the earth ; and th-^^- Tvere armed with righteousness and wdth the power of Crod in great glory.
Anu it canie lo pass that I beheld that the wrath of God w^as poured out upon the great and abominable church, insomuch that there were wars and rumors of W' ars among all the nations and kindreds of the earth ; and as there began to be wars and rumors of wars among all the nations w^hich belonged to the mother of abominations, the angel spake unto me, saying : Be- hold, the w^rath of God is upon the mother of harlots ; and» l)ehold, thou seest all these things ! And when the day cometli that the wrath of God is poured out upon the mother of har- lots, w^hich is the great and abommable church of all the earth, ^vhose 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, w^hich are of the House of Israel.
And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying, Look ! And I looked and beheld a man, and he was dressed in a white robe ; and the angel said unto me. Behold one of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb ! Behold, he shall see and write the remainder of these things ; yea, and also many things w^hich have been ; and he shall also w^rite concerning the end of the world ; w^herefore, the things which he shall write, are just and true ; and, behold, they are w ritten in the book which thou beheld proceeding out of the mouth of the Jew ; and at the time they proceeded out of llie mouth of the Jcav, or, at the time the* book proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, the things wdiich Were w^ritten, were plain and pure, and most precious, and easy to the understanding of all men. And, be- hold, the things which this Apostle of the Lamb shall wi'ite, are many things which thou hast seen ; and, behold, the re- jBiuinder shalt thou see ; but the things w^hich thou shalt see hereafter, thou shalt not write ; for the Lord God hath ordain- ed the Apostle of the Lamb of God, that he should write them. And also, others which 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 i»
FIRST BOOK OP NEPHI. 3$
in the Lamb, in the own due time of the Lord, unto the Hous^ of Israel.
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. 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, sutficethme; and I have not written but a small part of the things which I saw . 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. — And now I make an end of speaking concernmg 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 J have written, are true. And thus it is. Amen.
CHAPTER IV.
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. And it came to pass that I beheld my breth- ren, and they were disputing one with another, concerning the things which my father had spoken unto them ; for he truly spake many great things unto them, v/hich was hard to be un- derstood, 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 had ouglit. And now I, Nephi, was grieved be- cause of the hardness of their Iiearts, 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 childreu of men.
And it came to pass that I was overcome because of my af- flictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great above all, because of the destmctions of my people ; for I had beheld their fall.
And it came to pass that after I had received strength, 1 spake unto my brethren, desiring to know of them the cause of their disputations. And they said, Behold, we cannot un- derstand the words which our father hath spoken concerning the natural branches of the olive tree, and also, concerning the Gentiles. And I said unto them. Have ye inquired of the Lord ? And they said unto me, we have not ; for the Lord maketh no
3*
-36 FIRST BOOK OF NEPHI.
such thing known unto us. Behold, I said unto them, How is dt that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord ? How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts t 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 command- inents, surely, these things shall be made known unto you 1
Behold, I say unto you, that the House of Israel was com- pared unto an olive tree, by the spirit of the Lord which was in our fathers ; and, behold, are we not broken off from the House of Israel ; and are we not a branch of the House of Is- rael ? And now, the thing which our father meaneth concer- ning the grafting in of the natural branches through the fulness of the Gentiles, is, that in the latter days, Vvhen our seed shall have dwindled in unbelief, yea, for the space of many years, and many generations, after that the Messiah hath manifested himself 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; 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 Redee- mer, and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved. And then at tliat day, will they not rejoice and give praise unto their everlasting God, their rock and their salvation? Yea, at that day, vrill they not receive the strength and nourishment from the true vine? Yea, will they not come unto the true fold of God? 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 ; and this is what our father meaneth ; and he meaneth that it will not come to pass, until after that they are scattered by the Gentiles; and he meaneth that it shall come by way of the Gentiles, that the Lord may shew his power unto the Gentiles, for the very cause that he shall be rejected of the Jews, or of the House of Israel; wherefore, our father hath not spoken of our seed alone, but also of all the House of Israel, pointing to the cov^e- nant w^hich should be fulfilled in the latter days-; which cove-
FiRST BOOK OP NEPHI. S5f
nant the Lord made to our father Abraham, saying : In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
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 ; and I did re- hearse unto them the words of Isaiah, which spake concerning the restoration of the Jews, or of the House of Israel ; and after that they were restored, they should no more be con- founded, neither should they be scattered agam. 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.
And it came to pass that they did speak unto me again, saying: What meaneth the thing which our father saw in a dream ? What meaneth the tree which he saw 1 And I said unto them, it was a representation of the tree of life. And they said unto me. What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree I And I said unto them, that it was the word of God ; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish ; neither could the temptations and the firy darts of the adversary, overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction. 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. — And they said unto me. What meaneth the river of water which our father saw ? And I said unto them, tnat the water which my father saw, was filthiness ; and so much was his mind swallovved up in other things, that he beheld not the filthiness of the water; and I said Unto them, that it was an awful gulf^ which separateth the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the Saints of God ; 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. 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 unt® God forever and ever, and hath no end.
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
138 EIRST BOGK OP NEPHI.
it speak of the things which are temporal? 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 ; where- fore, if they should die in their wickedness, they must be cast off; also as to the things which are spiritual, which are per- taining 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. But, behold, I say unto you, The kingdom of God is not filthy, and there cannot any unclean thing enter into the king- dom of God ; wherefore, there must needs be a place of filthi- liess prepared for that which is filthy. 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 stat& 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; wherefore, tlie wicked are rejected from the righteous, and al- so 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.
CHAPTER Y.
And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made aa <5nd of speaking to my brethren, behold, they said unto me, Tliou hast declared unto us hard things, more than that which we are able to bear.
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- centre. 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
FIRST BOOK OP NEPHI. W
US. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did exhort my breth- ipen, with all diligence, to keep the commandments of the Lord. And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before tlie Lord ; insomuch, that I had joy and great hopes of them, that they would walk in the paths of righteousness. Now, all these things were said and done, as my father dwelt in a tent in the valley which he called Lemuel.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, took one of the daugh- ters of Ishmael to wife ; and also, my brethren took of the daughters of Ishmael to wife ; and also, Zoram took the eldest daghter of Ishmael to wife. And thus my father had fulfilled lall the commandments of the Lord, which had been given un- to him. And also, I, Nephi, had been blessed of the Lord, exceedingly.
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. And it came lo pass that as my father arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment, he beheld up- on 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.
And it came to pass that we did gather together whatsoever things we should carry into the wilderness, and all the remain- der 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.
And it came to pass that we did take our tents, and depari: into the wilderness, across the river Laman. And it cam© to pass that we travelled 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.
And it came to pass that we did take our bows and our ai^- rows, and go forth into the wilderness, to slay food for our families ; and after that 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, fol- lowing the same direction, keeping in the most fertile parts of the wilderness, which was in the borders near the Red Sea, 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 sljngs ; and we> did follow ^h^ ^voo • %
4^ FIRST BOOK OP NEPHI.
tions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness. And after that we had travelled 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. 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 that I did break my bow, behold, my brethren were angry with me, because of the loss of my bow, for we did ob- tain no food. 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.
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 exceeding sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the Lord.
Now it cam.e 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 exceeding diffi- cult, yea, insomuch, that we could obtain no food. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did speak much unto my brethren, because that they had hardened their hearts again, even untQ complaining against the Lord their God.
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 ob- tain food ? And it came to pass that he did inquire of the Lord, for they had humbled themselves because of my word ; for I ^id say many things unto them in the energy of my soul.
And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came unto my father; and he was truly chastened because of his mur- muring against the Lord, insomuch, that he was brought dowa into the depths of sorrow. 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 ! 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.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faithj and diligence, and heed, which we did give unto them*
FIRST DOOK OP NEPHJ. 41
And there was also written upon them, a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding con» cerning 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.
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. And it came to pass that I did slay wild beasts, insomuch, that I did obtain food for our families. — 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 1 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.
And it came to pass that we did again take our journey^ travelling nearly the same course as in the beginning; and after that we had travelled for the space of many days, we did pitch our tents again, that we might tarry for the space of a time.
And it came to pass that Ishmael died, and was buried iii- the place which was called Nahom. 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 that 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 pe- rish in the wilderness with hunger. And thus they did mur- mur against my father, and also against me ; and they were desirous to return again to Jerusalem. And Laman saith unto* Lemuel, and also unto the sons of Ishmael, Behold, let us slay our father, and also our brother Nephi, who hath taken it upoa him to be our ruler and our teacher, who are his elder breth- ren. Now, he saith that the Lord hath tallied with him, and also, that angels hath ministered unto him ! But behold, we know that he lieth unto us ; and he telleth us these things, and ^e worketh many things by his cunning arts, that he may de* ceive our eyes, thinking, perhaps, that he may lead us away* into some strange wilderness ; and after that he hath led us away, he hath thought to make himself a King and a ruler over ii% that he may do with us according to his will and pleasure*
43 FIRST BOOK OF NEPHf.
-And after this manner, did my brother Laman stir yp their* hearts to anger.
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 that 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.
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 afflic- tion in the wilderness ; and our women did bear children in the ivilderness. 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. 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 hath com- manded them ; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness. And we did sojourn for the ispace of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness. And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, be- cause 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 be- ting interpreted, is, many waters.
And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the sea- shore; and notwithstanding we had suffered many afflictions, and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write th*»n all, we were exceedingly rejoiced when we came to the seashore ; and we called the place Bountiful, because of its inuch fruit.
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 <jame unto me, saying : Arise, and gef thee into the mountain. And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the moun- tain, and cried unto the Lord.
And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying ;
Thou shalt construct, a ship, after the manner which I shall
-a^ew thee^ that L»ay carry thy j)eople acrofcis tlaefie watejj*
]?mST BOOK OP NBPHI, 4S
And I saith, 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 shewn unto me\ And it came to pass that the Lord told me whither I should go to tind ore, that I might make tools.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make bellowses where- with to blow the tire, of the skins of beasts ; and after that I had made bellowses, that I might have wherewith to blow the tire, I did smite two stones together, that I might make fire, for the Lord had not hitherto suffered that we should make much fire, as we journeyed in the wilderness ; for he saith, 1 will make that thy food shall become sweet, that ye cook it not ; 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 command- ments ; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my command- ments, ye shall be led towards the promised land ; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led. Yea, and the Lord said also, that after ye have arrived to the promised land, ye shall know that I, the Lord, am God ; and that I, the Lord, did de- liver you from destruction ; yea, that I did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem ; wherefore, f, Nephi, did strive to keep the commandments of the Lord, and I did exhort my brethren to faithfulness and diligence.
And it came to pass that I did make tools of the ore which I did molten out of the rock. And when my brethren saw that I was about to build a ship, they began to m^urmur against me^ tjaying : Our brother is a fool, for he tliinketh that he can build a ship ; yea, and he also thinketh that he can cross tliese great "waters. And thus my brethren did complain against me, and were desirous that they might not labor, for they did not believe ^hat I could build a ship ; neither would they believe that I was instructed of the Lord.
And now it came to pass that I, Nephi, was exceeding sor- rowful, because of the hardness of their hearts ; and now when ^ they saw that I began to be sorrowful, they were glad in their V; 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 accom- plish so great a work.; and thou art Mke 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 #aaidered in the wilderness for these many years ; and our woi^ien have t-oiled, being big with child ^ and they hayeifeorne childreiilfinth^
44 MRST BOOK OP NEPHI.
wildernesi? and suffered all things, save it were death ; and H would have been better that they had died, before they came out of Jerusalem, than to have suffered these afflictions. Be- hold 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 ; and we know that the people which were in the land of Jerusa- lem were a righteous people ; for they kept the statutes and the 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 oup l)rother is like unto him. And after this manner of language did my brethren murmur and complain against us.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, spake unto them, saying : Do ye believe that our fathers, which were the children of Is- rael would have been led away out of the hands of the Egyp- tians if they had not hearkened unto the words of the Lord? Yea, do ye suppose that they would have been led out of bon- dao-e if the Lord had not commanded Moses that he should lead them out of bondage ? Now ye know that the children of Israel were in bondage ; and ye know that they were ladeu 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. Now ye know that Mose» was commanded of the Lord to do that great work ; and ye linow that by his word, the waters of the Red Sea were divi» ded hither and thither, and they passed through on dry ground. Eut ye know that the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea^ ^Mch were the armies of Pharaoh ; and ye also know that they ivere fed with manna, in the wilderness ; 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 wa- ter, that the children of Israel might quench their thirst; and notwithstanding they being led, the Lord their God, their Re- deemer, going before them, leading them by day, and giving- light unto them by night, and doing all things for them which was expedient for man to receive, they hardened their hearts^^ and blinded their minds, and reviled against Moses and against the true and living God.
And it came to pass that according to his word, he did des- troy them ; and according to his word, he did lead them ; and According to his word, he did do all things for them ;, and
FIKST BOOK OP NEPHI. 45
tliere was not any thing done, save it were by liis word. And after they had cro^sea the river Jordan, he did make them mighty, unto tlie driving out the children of the land, yea, un- to, the scattering them to destruction. And now do ye sup- pose that the children of this land, which were in the land of promise, which were driven out by our fathers, do ye suppose that they were righteous? Behold, I say unto you, nay. Do ye suppose that our fathers would have been more choice than ihey, jf ihey had been righteous ? I say unto you, nay, behold^ tlie Lord esteemeth all tiesh 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 tiie wrath of God v\ a>^ upon them ; and the Lord did curse the land against them, and bless it unto our fathers; yea, he did curse it against tiiem unto their destruction ; and he did bless it unto our fathers,, unto their obtaining power over it. Behold, the Lord hath created the earth, that it should be in- habited ; and he hath created his children, that they should possess it. And he raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroy- eth the nations of the wicked. And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes. He ruleth Jiigh in the Heavens, for it is his throne, and this earth is his footstool. And he loveth lliem which will hf.ve him to be their God. Beliold, he loved our fathers ; and he covenanted with tliem, yea, even Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and he re- membered the covenants which lie had made ; wherefore, he did bring them out of the land of Egypt, and he did straighten them in the wilderness with his rod, for they hardened their liearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straightened them, be- cause of tlieir iniquity. He sent firy-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 which perished. 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 ied forth by his \natchless power, into the land of promise. — 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 tliey must be destroyed, ^save a few only, which shall be led away into captivity;
40^ FIRST BOOK OP NEPHl.
wherefore, the Lord commanded my father that he should de-» part into the wilderness; and the Jews also sought to take away his hfe ; yea, and ye also have sought to take away his life; wherefore, ye are murderers in your hearts, and ye are like unto they : Ye are swift to do iniquity, but slow to re- member 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 ; where- fore, he hath spoken unto you hke unto the voice of thunder, which did cause the earth to shake as if it were to divide asun- der. 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 ivord, he can cause that rough places be made smooth, and smooth places shall be broken up. O.^ then, why is it, that ye can be so hard in your hearts I Be- hold, my soul is rent with anguish because of you, and my heart is pained : I fear lest ye shall be cast off forever. Be- hold, I am full of the spirit of God, insomuch as if my frame had no strength.
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 tilled with the power of God, even unto the consu- mmg of my flesh ; and whoso shall lay their hands upon me, shall wither even as a dried reed ; and he shall be as nought before the power of God, for God shall smite him.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, saith unto them, That they should murmur no more against their father; neither should they withhold their labor from me, for God had com- manded me that I should build a sliip. And I saith unto them. If God had commanded me to do all things, I could do'. it. If he should command me thai 1 should say unto this wa- ter. Be thou earth, it should be earth ; and if I should say it, it would be done. And now, if the Lord hath such great power, and hath wrought so many miracles among the chil- dren of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship I
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said many things unto my brethren, insomuch that tliey were confounded, and could not €;c)ntend against me ; neither durst they lay their hands upoi^;
FIRST BOOK ep KriPHl. 4%
^itte, nor touch me with their fingers, even for the space of many days. Now they durst not do this, lest they should wither be- fore me, so powerful was the spirit of God ; and thus it had wrought upon them.
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 J&od.
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. 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 hath >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, thaL thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God ^shall give thee.
And it came to pass that they did worship the Lord, and did go forth with me ; and we did work timbers of curious work- manship. And the Lord did shew me from time to time, after what manner I should work the timbers of the siiip. Now I, Nephi, did not vVork 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 shewn unto me ; wherefore, it was not after the manner of men.
And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray ofi unto the Lord ; wherefore, the Lord shewed unto me great thinais.
And it came to pass that after I had finished the ship accor- ding to the word of the Lord, my brethren beheld that it wag good, and that the workmanship thereof was exceeding fine ; wherefore, they did humble themselves again before the Lord. 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. — And it came to pass that on the morrow, after that we had prepared all things, much fruits and meat from the wilder- ness, 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, aad whatsoever
48 FIRST BOOK ©F NEPHI.
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.
And now, my father had begat two sons, in the v/ilderness : The eldest was called Jacob, and the younger, Joseph. And it came to pass that after we had all gone down mto the ship, and had taken with us our provisions and things which had been commanded us, we did put forth into the sea, and w^ere driven forth before tiie wind, towards the promised land ; and. after that we had been driven forth before the wind, for the ,spaceof many days, behold, my brethren, and the sons of Ish- mael, and also their wivese, began to make themselves merry, insomuch that they began to dance, and to sing, and to speak with much rudeness, yea, even to that they did forget by what power they had been brought thither ; yea, they were lifted up unto exceeding rudeness. And I, Nephi, began to fear excee- dingly, 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, saymg: We will not that our younger brother shall be a ruler over us.
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 siaffer it, that he might shev/ forth his power, unto the fulfilling of his word which he hath spoken, concerning the wicked.
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; 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 Avaters for the space of three days ; and they began to be frightened exceedingly, lest they should be drowned in the Sea ; nevertheless, they did loose me not. — And on the fourth day which we had been driven back, the tempest began to be exceeding sore.
And it came to pass that we were about to be swallowed up in the depths of the Sea. And after that we had been driven back upon the waters for the space of four days, my brethren began to see that the judgment of God was upon them, and that they must perish, save that they should repent of their iaiquities; wherefore, they came unto me and loosed the band?
7in?!T TOOK 05» NtJPIIL 49(,
^hicli was upon my wrists, and beliold, they had much swa- !en, exceedingly ; and also, mine ancles were much swollen^ and great was the soreness thereof. Nevertheless, I did look •unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did BOt murmur against the Lord, because of mine afflictions.
Now, my father, Lehi, had said many things unto them, and also unto the sons of Ishmael ; but, behold, they did breathe out much threatnings against any one that should speak for me ; and my parents being stricken in years, and having suf- fered much grief because of their children, they were brou<^ht down, yea, even upon their sick beds. Because of their grief, imd much sorrow, and the iniquity of my brethren, they were, brought near even to be carried out of tliis time, to meet their God ; yea, their gray hairs were about to be brouglit down to lie low in the dust ; yea, even they were near to be cast into a watery grave. And Jacob and Joseph also, being youna:, 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 cliildren, did not soften tlie hearts of my brethren, that they would loose me ; and there was noth- ing, save it were the power of God, which threatened tlieni with destruction, could soften their liearts ; wherefore, when they saw that they w^re 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.
And it came to pass that after they bad loosed me, behold, I took the compass, and it did w^ork whitlier I desired it. And it came to pass that I prayed unto (he Lord ; and after that I had prayed, the winds did cease, and the storm did cease, and there was a great calm.
And it came to pass that T, Nephi, did guide the ship, that we sailed again towards the promised land. And it came to pass that after we had sailed for the space of many days, we did arrive to the promised land ; and we went forth upon the- land, and did pitch our tents ; and we did call it tlie premised land.
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 broudit from the land of Jerusalem. And it came to pass that tliey did grow exceedingly ; where- vfore, we were blessed in abundance.
And it came to pass that we did find upon the Land of Pro- mise, as we journied in the wilderness, that there were bea^ 'h the forests; of every kind, both the cow, and the ox, and tFio
4
•aS3, and che iiovf^e, and tlie s^oat, and the mid goai, and all manner of wild animali?, which were for the use of men. And w^e did find all manner of ore, both of gold, and of silver, and of copper.
And it came to pass that Ihe Lord commanded me, where- fore 1 did make plates of ore, that I mii^ht 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 journey- ings in the wilderness, and the prophecies of my father ; and also, many of mine own prophecies have I engraven upon them. And I knew not at that 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 wilder- ness, are en.araven upon those plates of which 1 have spoken ^ wherefore, the things which transpired before that I made these plates, are, of a truth, more particularly made mention, upon tlie first plates.
And after that I had made these plates by way of com- mandment, I, Nephi, received a commandment, that the minis- try, and the prophecies, the more plain and precious parts of them, should be written upon these plates ; and that the things ■which were written, sliould be kept for the instruction of my people, which should possess the land, and also for othcF wise purposes, which purposes, are known unto the Lord; 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 that they sliould do, after that I was gone, and that these plates should be han- ded down from one generation to another, or from one prophet to another, until further commandments of the Lord. And an account of my making these plates shall be given hereafter ; and then, beliold, 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. Nevertheless, I do not write any thing upon plates, save it be that I think it be sa- cred. And now, if I do err, even did they err of old. Not tliat I Tvould excuse myself because of otlier men, but because of tlie weakness which is in me, according to the flesh, 1 would excuse myself. For the things which some men es- teem to be of great worth, both to die body and soul, others set at nought, and trample under tntir feet. Yea, even the
triRST BOOK OP NEPHL. dl
tery God of Israel, do men trample under their feet ; I say^ trample under their feet ; but I would speak in other words : They do set him at nought, and hearken not to the voice of his counsels ; and behold, he cometh according to the words of the angel, in six hundred years from the time my father left Jerusalem. And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of nought ; wherefore, they scourge him, and he suifereth it ; and they smite him, and he sutiereth iti Yea, they spit upon him, and he sutferelh it, because of his lo- ving kindness and his long suffering towards the children of men. And the God of our fathers, which were led out of Egypt, out of bondage, and also were preserved in the wilder- ness by him ; yea, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, yieldeth himself according to the words of tlie- angel, as a man, into the hands of wicked men, to be hfted up according to the words of Zenock, and to be crucified, accor- ding to the words of Neum, and to be buried in a sepulchre^ and according to (he words of Zenos, which he spake, concer- ning the three days of darkness, which sliould be a sign giveu of his death, unto them who should inhabit the isles of the sea ; more especially given unto them which are of the House of Is- rael. For thus spake the Prophet : The Lord God surely shall visit all the House of Israel at that day : some with liis 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 vapour of darkness, and by the opening of the earth, ariiVby moun- tains which shall be carried up ; 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 up- on by the spirit of God, to exQlaim, The God of nature sutlers. And as for they which are at Jerusalem, saith the propJjet, shall be scourged by all people, saith the prophet, because they crucify the God of Israel, and turned their hearts asi.le, rejec- ting signs, and wonders, and power und glory of the God of Israel ; and because they turned (heir 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 by- Word, and be liated among oil nations ; nevertheless, when that day cometh, saith the pr)phet, that they no more (urn aside their hearts against fh? Holy one of Israel, then will he yemember the covenants u'hich he made to their faihers ; yea,
4*
^2 f^IRST BOOK ©F KEPHI.
then will he remember the isles of the sea ; yea, and all the people which 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 ; yea, and all the earth shall see the salvation of the Lord, saith the prophet; every nation, kin- dred, tongue, and people, sliall be blessed.
And I, Nephi, have written these things unto my people, that perhaps I might persuade them that they would remember the Lord their Redeemer ; wherefore, I speak unto all the House of Israel, if it so be that they should obtain these things. For behold, I have workings in the spirit, which doth weary me, even that all my joints are weak, for they which are at Jeru- salem ; for had not the Lord been merciful, to shew unto me concerning them, even as he had prophets of old ; for he sure- ly did shew unto the prophets of old, all things concerning them ; and also, he did shew unto many, concerning us ; wherefore, it must needs be, that we know concerning theiai) for they are written upon the plates of brass.
CHAPTER VL
Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, did teach my brethreii these things. And it came to pass that I did read many thingg to them, which were engraven upon the plates of brass, that they migli^ know concerning the doings of the Lord in other lands, among people of old. And I did read many things unto them, which were written in the Book of Moses ; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer, w^herefore 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. Where- fore, I spake unto them, saying : Hear ye the words of the. prophet, ye which are a remnant of the House of Israel, a. branch of which have been broken oft; hear ye the words of the prophet, which was written unto all the House of Israel, and liken it unto yourselves, that ye may have hope as Avell as your brethren, from whom ye have been broken off. For - after this manner hath the prophet written : Hearken and hear this, O house of Jacob, wliich are called by the name of Is- rael, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear bv the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God,
l^IRST BOOK ©F NEPHI. oS'
•f Israel ; yet they swear not in truth, nor in righteousness.— Nevertheless, they call themselves of the Holy city, but they do not stay themselves upon the God of Israel, which is the Lord of hosts ; yea, the Lord of hosts is his name. Behold, I have declared the former things from the beginning; ; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them"; I did shew them suddenly. And I did it because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck was an iron sinew, and thy brow brass ; and I have, even from the beginning, declared to thee ; before it came to pass I shewed them thee ; and I shewed them for fear lest thou shouldst say, ?^Iine idol hath done them ; and my graven image, and my molten image, hath com- manded them. Thou hast seen and heard all this ; and ^vill ye not declare them '? And that I have shewed thee new things from this time, 'even hidden things, and thou didst not know them. They are created now, and not from the beginning ; even before the day when thou heard est them not, they were declared unto thee, lest thou shouldst say, Behold, I knew (hem. Yea, and thou heardest not ; 3'ea, thou knewest not ; yea, from that time, thine ear was not opened : for I knew that thou wouldest deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb.
Nevertlieless, for my name sa^ke will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain from thee, that I cut thee not off. For, behold, I have refined thee ; I have chosen thee in the furnace of aifliction. For mine own sake, yea, for mine own sake, will I do tliis ; for I will not suffer my name to be pol- iuterl, and I will not give my glory unto another.
Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called ; for I am- he ; and I am the first, and I am also the last. Mine hand hath also laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens : and I called unto them, and they stand up together. All ye, assemble j'Ourselves, and hear; which anioiii? them hath declared these thinsrs unto them 1 The
Til
Lord hath loved him : yea, and he will fulfil his word which he hath declared by them ; and he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall come upon the Chaldeans. 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.
Come ye near unto me : I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was declared, have I spo- ken ; and the Lord God, and his spirit, hath sent me. An(J
^4 PIRST BOOK OP NEPHI.
thus saith tlie Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel;;' I have sent him, the Lord thy God, which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way thou shouldst go, hath done it. 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 : thy seed also had been as the sand ; the offspring- of thy bow^els like the gravel thereof ; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me. .
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. — And they thirsted not ; he led them through the deserts : he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them : he clea- ved the rock also, and the waters gushed out. And notwith- standing he hath done all this, and greater also. There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.
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, which are of my people, O house of Is- rael. Listen, O isles, unto me ; and hearken, ye people, from far ; the Lord hath called me from the womb ; from the bow- els of my mother hath he made mention of my name. 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 ; and said unto me, Thou art my ser- vant, O Israel, in whom 1 will be glorified. Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain ; surely, my judgment is with the Lord, and my work w^ith my God.
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. And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my serv^ant to raise up tlie tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel : I uill also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the ends of the earth. — Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nations ablior- reth, to servant of rulers. Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful. Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, O
VIRST BOOK WF ^E?Hl. ^
Ssle? of the sea, and in a day of savlation have I helped thee i and I will preserve thee, and give thee my servant for a cove- nant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages : that thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth ; to them that sit in darkness, 8hew yourselves. — They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They ^hall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor the sun smite them : for he that halh mercy on ihem shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. And I will make all my mountains away, and my highways shall be exalted. And then, O house of Israel, be- hold, these shall come from far ; and lo, these from tlie north :and from the west ; and these from the land of Sinim.
Sing, O Heavens ; and be joyful, O earth ; for the feet of them which 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. But, behold, Zion hath said. The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hatli forgotten me ; but lie will shew that he hath noU For can a woman forget her f^ucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb i Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel. B. hold, I have graven thee upon the palmg of my bunds.; thy walls are continually before me. Thy children siiall make haste against thy destroyers; and they that made thee waste, shall go forth of thee.
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 slialt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on even as a bride. For thy waste and thy desolate places, and tlie land of thy destruction, shall even noAV be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants ; and they that swallowed thee up, shall he far away. The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall again in thine ears say. The place is too Sitraight for me : give place to me that I may dwell. Then shalt thou say in thine heart. Who liath 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? Be- hold, I was left alone; these, where have they been? Thus ^aith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people : and they / ^hall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters ehail be
^6 PIRST BOOK dp NEPfir.
carried upon their shoulders. And kings shall be thy nursi»^' fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers : they shall how 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: lor they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. For shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captives delive- j-ed t But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of tlie mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be de- livered: fori will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. And I will feed them that op- press thee v>'ith their ovvu ilesh ; they shall be drunken ^vith tlieir own blood, as with sweet wine : and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thj Sa^^dour and thy Redeemer, the mightv 0ne of Jacob.
CHAPTER YIL
A>:d now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, after that I iiad read these things which were engraven upon the plates of brass, mv brethren came u.nto me and said unto me. What: jneaneth these things which ye have read ? Behold, are they to be understood according to things which are spiritual, which ^hall come to pass according to the spirit and not the flesh? And I, Nephi, sayetli unto them. Behold, they were made ma- nifest unto the prophet, by the voice of the spirit : for by tlie spirit are all things made known unto the prophet, which shall come upon the children of men, according to ihe Ilesh. W here- fore, the things of which I have read, are things pertaining to things both temporal and spritual: for it appears that the House of Israel, sooner or later, Avill be scattered upon all the face of the earth, and also among all nations, and before there, are many which are already lost from the knowledge of they which are at Jerusalem. Yea, the more part of all the tribes have been led away ; and they are scattered to and fro up- on the isles of the sea: and whither they are, none of ue knoweth, save that we know that they have been led away. — And since tliat they have been led away, these things have been prophesied concerning them, and also concerning all they which j^hall hereafter be scattered and be confounded, because of the Holy One of Israel : for against him will they harden their Mearts ; wherefore, tliey shall be scattered among all nations^.
MRiST BOOK OP KBPHt. 57
tind shall he haled by all men. Nevertheless, after thai the}' have been nursed by the Gentiles, and the Lord liath lifted up his hand upon the Gentiles and ^et them up for a standard, and their chihlren shall be carried in their arms, and their dauj^^h- ters shall be carried upon their sbouhlers, behold, these things of which are spoken, are temporal : for tlius is the covenants of the Lord with our fathers ; and it meaneth us in the days to come, and also all our brethren which are of the House of Is- raeh And it meaneth that the time cometb tliat 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^ «!ven upon the face of this land ; and by them shall our seed be scattered. And after that our seed is scattered, the Lord God will proceed to do a marvellous work among the Gentiles, which shall be of great worth unto our seed ; wherefore, it is likened unto the being nourished by the Gentiles, and being carried in their arms, and upon their shoulders. And it shall also be of worth unto the Gentiles ; and not only unto the Gentiles, but untc* all the House of Israel, unto tlie making known of the cove- nants of the Father of Heaven unto Abraham, saying. In thy seed shall all tlie Idndreds of the earth be blessed. And 1 would, my brethren, tbat ye should know that all the kindreds of tlie earth cannot be blessed, unless he shall make bare his arm in the eyes of the nations. VVherefor(i, the Lord God w\]\ proceed to make bare his arm in the eyes of all the nations, in bringing about his covenants and his Gospel, unto they which are of the House of Irsael. Wherefore, he will bring them, again out of captivity, and they shall be gathered together to the lands of their inheritance; and they sliall be brought out of obscurity, and out of darkness ; and they t<hall know" that the Lord is their Saviour and their Redeemer, the mighty one of Israel. And the blood of that great and abominable church, which is the whore of all the earth, shall turn u})on 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. And every na'ion which shall war against thee, O liouse of Israel, shall be turned one against another, and they shall fall into the pit which they dig- ged to ensnare the people of the Lord. And all that fight against Zion, shall be destroyed. And that great whore, which hath perverted the right ways of the Lord ; yea, that great and abominable church, shall tumble to the dust, and great shall he tlie fall of it. For beiiold, saith the prophet, that Ike tima
^8 JBilRST BOOK OP i\EPBf.
cometh speedily, that Satan slmll have no more power over the hearts of tlie children of men : for the day soon cometh, that ail the proud and they which do wickedly, shall be as ®tubble ; and the day cometh that they must be l3arned. Fof the time soon cometh, that the fulness of the WTath of God shall be poured out upon all the children of men: for he will not suffer that the wicked shall destroy the righteous. Where- fore, he will preserve the rii^hteous by his power, even if it so l)e that the fulness of his wrath must come, and tke 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. Be- hold, my brethren, I say unio you, that these things must shortly come ; yea, even blood, and tire, and vapor of smoke =mu<t 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 agam-^t the Holy One of Israel : for behold, the righteous shall not perish ; for the time surely must come, that all they which fight against Zion, shall be cut off. And the Lord will surely prepare a way for his people, ?into the fulfilling of the words of Moses, which he spake, say- ing : 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 they which uill not hear that prophet, shall be cut off from among the people. 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; and the righteous need not fear, for it is they which 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 es- tablised among them which are in the flesh: for the time spee- dily shall come, that all churches which are built up to get gain, and all they which are built up to get power over the flesh, and they which are built np to become popular in the eyes of the world, and they which seek the lusts of the flesh and the things of the world, and to do all manner of iniquity ; yea, in fine, all they which belong to the kingdom of the Devil, it is they which need fear, and tremble, and quake ; it is thej which must be brought low in the dust; it is they which must be consumed as stubble : and this is according to the words of the prophet. And the time cometh speedily, tliat the right- eous nuist be led up as calves of the stall, and the Holy One
DIRST B@OK OP KEPHI. 5$
t>? Israiii must reign in dominion, and luiglit, and power^ and great glory. And he gathereth his children from the four quar- ters of the earth ; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him ; and there shall he one fold and one sliepherd ; and he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture. — j\.nd because of the righteousness of his people, 8atan hath 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 ihey dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reign- eth. And now behold, I, Neplii, say unto you, that all these things must come, according to (he flesh. But, behold, all na- tions, kindreds, tongues, and people, shall dwell safely in the Holy One of Israel, if it so be that they will repent.
And now I, Nephi, make an end ; for I durst not speak fur- ther as yet, concerning these things. \V hen fore, my breth- ren, I would tliat ye should consider that the things which have been written upon the plates of brass, are true ; and they tes- tify that a man must be obedient to the commandments of God, TVherefore, ye need not suppose that 1 and my father are tlie only ones that have testified, and also taught them. Where- fore, if ye shall be obedient to the commandment?^, and endure to the end, ye shall be saved at the last day. And thus it is* Amen.
THE SECOND BOOK OF NEPIII.
CHAPTER I.
An account of the death of Lehi. M'phPs brethren rebel Mh ao^ainst him. The Lord warns JW'phi to depart into tht- wilderness^ S^*c. His journey ings in the ivitderness^ 4y'-
And now it came to pass after I, Nephi, had made an end of teaching my brethren, our father, Lehi, also sj)akc many things unto them: how great things the Lord had done for- them, in bringing them out of the land of Jerusalem. 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. And he also spake unto them concerning the land of promise, which they had obtained : how merciful the Locd had been in warning us that we should flee
06 SECOND IJOOK OP KHPHI.
out of the land of Jerusalem. For, Behold, eaith he, I have seen a vision, in the which 1 know that Jerusalem is destroy- ed ; and had we remained in Jerusalem, we should also have perished. 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 they which should be led out of othef countries, by the hand of the Lord. Wherefore, I, Lehi, probe- sy according to the workings of the spirit which is in me, that there shall be none come into this land, save they should be brought by the hand of the Lord. Wherefore, this land is con- secrated 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 shallbe a land of liberty unto them ; where- fore, they shall never be brought down into captivity : if so, it shall be because of iniquity : for if iniquity shall abound, cur- j «ed shall be the land for their sakes ; but unto the righteouSj I it shall be blessed forever. And behold, it is wisdom that this ' land should be kept as yet from the knowledge of other nations ; j for behold, many nations would overrun the land, that there j would be no place for an inheritance. Wherefore, I, Lehi, ' have obtained a promisr, that inasmuch as they which the| Lord God shall bring oui of the land of Jerusalem shall keep ; his commxandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this i land; and they shall be kept from all other nations, that tlieyj may possess this land unto themselves. And if it so be that] they shall keep his commandments, they shall be blessed upon i the face of this land, and there shall be none to molest them, nor to take away the land of their inheritance ; and tliey shall dwell safely forever. But behold, when the time cometh that I they shall dwindle in unbelief, after that they have received sd great blessings from the hand of the Lord ; having a knowl- edge of the creation of the earth, and all men knowing the ! great and marvellous works of the Lord from the creation of j the world ; having power given them to do all things by faith ; | having all the commandments from the beginning, and havingj been brought by his infinite goodness into this precious land j 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 rost upon them; yea^ he will bring other nations unto them,.'
«ECONB BOOK OP NEPHL ^1
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 he scattered and smitten. 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. O' that ye would awake, awake from a deep sleep, yea, even from the sleep of hell, and shake oft' tlie 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 wo ! Awake ! and arise from the dust, and hear the words of a trembling parent, whose limbs ye must soon lay do>\^n in the cold and silent grave, from whence no travel- ler can return : a few more days, and I go the way of all the earth. But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell : I have beheld his glory, and 1 am endrled about eternally in the arms of his love. And 1 desire that ye should remem- ber to observe the statutes and the Judgments of the Lord ; behold, this hath been the anxiety of my soul, from the hegin- ning. My heart hath been weighed down with sorrow from time to time : for I have feared, lest for the hardness of youi,' hearts, lest the Lord your God should come out in the fulnes^ of his wrath, upon you, that ye be cut oif and destroyed for-j fever ; 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 Q.r% led according to the will anc) captivity of the Devil. O my sons, that tliese things might not come upon you, but that ye might be a choice and a fa- vored people of the Lord. But, behold, his will be done : for his w^ays are rigliteousness forever ; and he hath said, that inJ asmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land ; but inasmuch as ye w ill not keep my command" ments, ye shall be cut off from my presence. And now thai my soul might have joy in you, and that my heart might leavQ this world with gladness because of you ; that I might not b© hrought down witli 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 dow'n into captivity ; 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. Aw^ake, my sons ; put on tise armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with w hick
#!^ aBt<HV9 BQMT ^ l!CEPfllL.
je aie bciBi^. Wj^utii. lortli oat of e^ecmtr, and »is« doi« dte dttst Rebd «» »ore agM^t roar bnXii^r, whose riews- IttTp been gkiWfcS' *^ wAtBf\aXh kept tke ceDUDSidiBe&ts tfae tone Ikit ire Ic^ Jcre^aleiD, aid wko batli beeii as i Ae bami;^ of Gcid, in bfrwgiiig as -iottk into tbe Qt pnpB^ : i'or ?rere it oot for faioi. ire mu^ bare per> £^ie J II irfc'ti^iiK I IB die WTSdamese ; nevettiielefete, re sought to take mtt aj his Ste ; yea. aad he kath salfeied mscb seirovr teraaie Qi' to«. Aad 1 exceedis^ ll^ar acd tie&Me because d* iiNi^ lesft We shaQ ?^iz&r ^ain : lor behold^ ye hare accused ml^ tkat fee so«gkt potrer and awtkontj orer joii ; Vat I know #al:We ioA oot soo^ lor poirer nor anibontT orer joa; hnt ht bacb iij ought tbe ^lofj ci God, and jour owb eteroal ird- &ie. Aad je bare HMKSMBed bccaogc he hath been j^aia on- Id roci^ Te saj tkat he badi it^cd ^arpiie^s* ; je say tbat be b^:^ beea ai^iy with jotL Bat b^oU, bis slarpiies^ wa^ the fi: ir-mes? of the poifer of ti^ wonl of God, irbicb was m him : asd cfait wbidi je call aoger, was die terardi, accoiA^ to that wiikb s? m CSod^ wbieh he ccMrid not coBstram. inamlestm^ x^tfiy coBceim]!^ yoor kiiq[iBties. And it most needs be that ibe power of God ohi^ be widi ImOj eren onto Ihs cosmiaii- ^i^ joop Aatje most obey. Bat behold^ it was not bim, bat it was the sfirif of tbe Lwd wbidi was in bim^ wbieh opeaed ik raoolh to aetaante, t^t he coA not ?b&t it.
A^ i^Hip ipj wm ^.soBOA^ aai also Lemnd and l^UBL^aDd al- JO »y SOBS which are Ae mJme€ hhasaAf b^c^ if ye will le-.trktm onlo the Toiee of Xephi^ ye ^aO not pcri^ And if ye win hcadkcB ini^bin^ lieaTe mto joa aU^^i^ yea, even j^y^stUeaBB^ Botif ye wiB not hcnkcBOBtobiffi^ I take Jwiiy ray fest hleassSj yea^ eren my blessiB^ and it sbaH rest ^OB loBE. And BOW. Zoram, I spca^ onto yoo : Behold^ tboa ^l&eserraitofLabim; Berertkeless, tbovhast been brought A4£taf Aelaad of JliimJebi, and I know Aat thoo art af^ rrieod iMlo my son, Nephi, forerer. \^~herefore, because Aon ka.-r beoifeiliifoL thy ^^ ^bafi be blessed irhbhs* ;*eed^ tbat ' - -^.^n gj ppospenty hue open Ae face ot this land ; sad i7e it ^feB be imqiiify aoioB^ tbem^ :^haD harm or their fBospenty opoQ the fcce oif dns land forever. — ye diali keep tbe coBiflnBdin V
■„r !.._. __ consecrated this laad fortL seed wiih iie j^eed of my son. And now, Jacob, I speak onto yoQ : Then art my fr^ bom in tbe d^s of mj tnbalatioD m ifce; wildenesR. Aad faehiM, a t^ cUftood, tiMM bast s!if-
fp.re^ aSictKHi? and much sorrow, becaufs^e of the redeoew? oi
thy bretiiPeiL NevenLeler?. Jacob, my fo^-t bom in tfee wil- deme>^, tbou '!-^- ^--t thesreatn^^ of God ; aad lie siiall cou- lee .n^te thine; t, -for til J gain. "\^ Lertfore, Ay f«ii ?4all be felesred, and thoy fshalt dwell safely witli tliy bioditiv ^€>-
phi ; and thy day< jibaU be s-pent in the tserncc " .
^\herefore, I knon that thou art reedeemed, __^ ^^ the rigbteou^oest? of thy Redeenjer : for thon ba^ beLek. that m the fukiess of time, be eometh to brin*: salration \m- And thou hast beheld in thy youth, hi* ifkn ; wberefo^T. .1 an blessed tvea a? they unto wb(Mn he r^hall minister m \ht de«h : for the spirit is the same, yei«terday. to-day, and tor- erer. And the way is prepared " ' ^' '^
raiioa is free. And men are in- ._ t
know good from eriL And the law is giren unto men. And by the law, no flesh is justified ; or, by th^ zire cnx.
oif. Yea, by the temporal law, they wer^ .. ^ -.^ . cdjd also. by the spiritual law, they perish frcin that whi^h is s:ood, and become miserable forever. \^Tierefore, redemption eometh m and throug-h the Holy Messiah : for he is iaD of srace aud truth. BtrLold, he oiiVreth himself a saciiace for sin.^ to answer ili& ends of the law, unto aU those which bare a broken heart and a contrite spint ; and unto none else' can the ends of the law ba answered. Wherefore, how i--^^^' the importance to make these things known unto the . . ..iftsofthe earth, that thej may know that there is do des4 that can dweD m the pres- ence of God, save it be through the ments. fc: ' . : y, asd grace of the Holy Messiah, which layeth down ...- „_ accor- dii^ to the t3esh, and taketh it again by the power of the spi- rit, that be may bring to pass the resurrection of" be- ing the first that should rise. Wherefore, be is 1. r ^„^. i. uits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for aJi the ciiildrei of men ; and th*j that bebeve in him, shall be ^^Byed. And because cf the intercession for all, aH men eometh unto God ; "li ere fore^ they stand in the presence of Him, to be judged of Him, according to the truth and bolines wbicJi is in Him. Wherefore, the ends cf the law which the Holy One haili given, unto the inflicting of tlie punishment which is af- fixed, which punishraent that is ainxed is in opposifcoa to thai of the happiness which is afexed, to answer the eiids of the atonement ; for it must needs be, that there is an oppositioii in it]] ihings. if not so, my tirst bom in the wilderness, right- ^XHi^ness could nc»t be brought to pass ; neither wickedness ;
SECOND BOOK OF NEPHI.
leither holiness nor misery ; neitlier good nor bad. WherC' fore, all things must needs be a compound in one ; wherefore, af it should be one body, it must neeeds remain as dead, having no life, neither death nor corruption, nor incorruption, happi- ness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility. VV iierefore, it must neei^ls have been created for a thing of nought; where- fore, there would have been no purpose in the end of its crea- tion. 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. And if ye shall say there- is DO laiv, 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 pun- ishment nor misery. And if these things are not, there is no God. And if there is no God, we are not, neither the earth : tor there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon ; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.
And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things, for your profit and learning : for there is a God, and he hath treated all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them is ; both things to act, and things to be acted upon ; and [o bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man, after that he had created our first parents, and the beasts of the ield, and the fowls of the air,'%nd in fine, all things which are [treated, it must needs be that there was an opposition ; even ;he forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life ; the one be- ing sweet and the other bitter ; wherefore, the Lord God gave into man, that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man 20uld not act for himself, save it should be that he were enti- ced by tjie one or the other.
And I, Lehi, according to the things wliich I have read, must ijeeds 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. And 'because that he had fallen from Heaven, and had become mis- erable forever, he sought also the misery of all mankind. — Wlierefore, he sayeth unto Eve, yea, even that old serpent, which is the Devil, which is the father of all lies ; wherefore he ^sayeth, Partake of the forbidden fruit, and ye shall not die, but ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil. And after that Adam aad Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit, they were
1SEC0ND BOOK OP NEPHI. 65
tlriven out from the garden of Eden, to till the earth. And they have brought forth children ; yea, even the family of all the eartL And the days of the children of men were pro- longed, 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 shewed unto ail men that they were lost, because of the transgression of their parents. 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 which they were, after that they were created ; and they must have re- mained forever, and had no end. And they would have had no cliildren ; wherefore, they would have remained in a state of innocence, baring no joy, for they knew no misery : doing no good, for they knew no sin. But, behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of Him who knoweth all things. Ad- am fell^ that meii might be ; and men are, that they mig-ht have joy. And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he might 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. Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh ; and all things are given them which is expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great mediation of all men, or to choose cap- tivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the Devil : for he seeketh that all men .might be miserable like unto himself.
And now, my son^'^, I would that ye should look to the gTeat mediator, and hearken unto his great comraandments ; and be faithf'il anto his words, and chooeie eternal hfe, according to the will of his Holy Spirit, and not choose eternal death, ac- cording 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 king- dom.
I have spoken these few words unto you all, my sons, iathe last days of my probation ; and I have chosen the good part,
5
BQ SECONB Book OF NBPB^>
according to the words of the prophet. And I have none otli- er object, save it be the everlasting welfare of your souls. — Amen.
CHAPTER II.
And now I speak unto you, Joseph, my last born. Thou wast born in the wilderness of mine affiictions ; yea, in the days of my greatest sorrow, did thy mother bear thee. 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. And now, Joseph, my last born, whom I 'have brovight out of the wil- derness of mine afflictions, may the Lord bless thee forever, for thy seed shall not utterly be destroyed. For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins ; and I am a descendant of Joseph, which was carried captive into Egypt. And great was the covenants of the Lord, which he made unto Joseph ; 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 re- jTQembered 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 un- to light ; yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom. For Joseph truly testified, saying : A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, which shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins. Yea, Joseph truly said, thus sailh 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. And I wijl give unto him a commandment, that he shall do none other work, save the work which I shall com- mand him. And I will make him great in mine eyes : for he shall do my work. And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my
SECOND BOOK OF NEPHI. 6;7
people, O house of Israel. And Moses will I raise up, to de- liver thy people out of the land of Egypt. 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. Wherefore, the fruit of my 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. Arid 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 Isra- el, saith the Lord. And thus prophesied Joseph, saying : Be- hold, that seer will the Lord bless ; and they that seek to de- stroy him, shall he confounded : for this promise, of which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of thy loins, shall be ful- filled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise. 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 ; 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. And the Lord hath said, I will raise up a Moses ; and I will give power unto him in a rod ; and 1 will give judgment unto him in writing. Yet I wilt 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. 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. And the words which he shall write, shall be the words which is 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 Ihem from the dust : for I know their faith. And they shall
5*
68 SECOND BOOK OP NEPHI.
cry from the dust ; yea, even repentance unto their brethren, even that 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. Because of their faith, their words shall proceed forth out of my mouth unto their brethren, which are the fruit of thy loins ; and the weakness of their words will I make strong in their faith, unto the rememberinig of my covenant which I made unto thy fathers.
And now, behold, my son Joseph, after this manner did my father of old prophesy. 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. And there shall raise up one, mighty among them, which 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 bring- ing to pass much restoration unto the House of Israel, and unto the seed of thy brethren. Ar^d 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 accor- ding to the words which I have spoken. Remember the words of thy dying father. Amen.
CHAPTER III.
And now, I, Nephi, speak concerning the prophecies of which my father hath spoken, concerning Joseph, who was carried into Egypt : For behold, he truly prophesied concer- ning all his seed. And the prophecies which he WTOte, there are not many greater. And he prophesied concerning us, and our future generations ; and they are written upon the plates of brass. Wherefore, after my father had made an end of speaking concerning the prophecies of Joseph, he called the children of Laman, his son.s, and his daughters, and sayeth unto them. Behold, my sons, and my daughters, which are the sons and the daughters of my first born, I would that ye sliould give ear unto my words: for the Lord God hath said, That inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall pros- per in the land ; and inasmuch as ye will not keep my com- mandments, ye shall be cut off from my presence. But be- hold, ray sons and my daughters, I cann ot go down to my
SECOND BOOK OP NEPHI, 69
grave, save I should leave a blessing upon you : For behold^ I know that if ye are brought up in the right way that ye should go, ye will not depart from it. 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 pa- rents. 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.
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. And he spake unto them, saying : Behold, my sons and my daugh- ters, which 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 j but in the end, thy seed shall be blessed-
And it came to pass that when my father had made an end of speaking unto them, behold, it came to pass that he spake unto the pons of Ishmael, yea, and even all his household. And after that he had made an end of speaking unto them, he spake unto Sam, saying: Blessed art thou, and thy seed: for thou shalt 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.
And it came to pass that after Lehi had spake unto all his household, according to the feehngs 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.
And it came to pass that not many days after his death, Laman and Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael, vv^ere angry with me, because of the admonitions of the Lord : for I, Nephi, was constrained to speak unto them, according to the word. For I had spake 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. 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 deliteth in the Scriptures ; and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children. Behold, my soul deliteth in the things of the Lord ; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and he^rd. NeverthelesSj
70 ISECOND BOOK OF NEPHL
notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in shewing me his gi^eat and marvellous 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. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which doth so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins ; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my sup- port ; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilder- ness ; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consu- ming of my flesh. He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me. Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by- visions in the night time. And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him ; yea, my voice have I sent upon high ; and angels came down and ministered unto me. And upon the wings of his spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceeding high mountains. And mine eyes hath beheld great things ; yea, even too great for man ; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them. 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 sor- row, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, be- cause of mine afflictions ? And why should I yield to sin, be- cause of my flesh ? Yea, why should I give way to tempta- tions, that the evil one have place in my heart, to destroy my peace and afflict my soul i Why am I angry because of mine enemy ? Awake, my soul ! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul. Do not anger again, because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength, because of mine afflictions. 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. 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 ? May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite I 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 1 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around
SECOND BOOK OF NEPHI. TK
m the robe of thy righteousness 1 O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies 1 Wilt thou make my path straight before me 1 Wilt thou not place a stumbhng Mock in my way? But that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy. O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust m thee fore- ver. 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. Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss : there- fore 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.
CHAPTER IV.
Behold, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cry much unto the Lord my God, because of the anger of my brethren. But behold, their anger did increase against me, insomuch that they did seek to take away my life. Yea, they did murmur against me, saying : Our younger brother thinketh 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 that he shall be our ruler : for it belongeth unto us, which are the elder brethren, to rule over this people. 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. And it came to pass that the Lord did warn me, that I, Ne- phi, should depart from them, and flee into the wilderness, and all they which would go with me. 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 they which would go with me. And all they which would go with me, were they which believed in the warnings and the revelations of God ; wherefore, they did hearken unto my words. And we did take our tents and whatsoever things? ^^vere possibk for us, and did journey in the wildernees for tkp
72, SECOND BOOK OP NEPHI.
space of many days. And after that we had journied for the
space of many days, we did pitch our tents. And my people
would that we should call the name of the place Nephi ; w^here-
fore, we did call it Nephi. And all they which were with me,
did take it upon them to call themselves the people of Nephi.
And we did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes,
and the comm.andments of the Lord, in all things, according
to the law of Moses. 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 raipe flocks, and
herds, and animals of every kind. 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.
And it came to pass that we began to prosper exceedinglyy and to multiply in the land. And J, Nephi, did take the sword of Laban, and after the manner of it did make many swords, lest by any means the people which were now called Laman- ites, should come upon us and destroy us : for I knew their hatred towards me and my children, and they which were called my people. And I did teach my people, that they should build buildings ; and that they should work in all m^an- ner 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. And I, Nephi, did build a temple ; and I did construct it after tlie manner of the temple of Solo- mon, 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 exceeding fine.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cause my people that they should be industrious, and that they should labor with their hands. 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 do for them according to that which was in my power. And behold, the words of the Lord had been fiulfilled 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 that they sought to take away my life. Wherefore, the ^i^^ord of the
SECOND BOOK OT NEPHIr 75
Lord was fulfilled which he spake unto me, saying : That in- asmuch 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. And he had caused the cur- sing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity. For behold, they had hardened iheir hearts against him, 'that they had become like unto a flint ; where- fore, as they were white, and exceeding fair and delightsome, that tliey might not be enticing unto my people, therefore the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them. And thus sailh the Lord God, I will cause that they shall be loathsome unto thy people, save they shall repent of their iiii- quiiies. And cursed shall be the seed of him that mixeth with their seed : for they shall be cursed even with the wame cur- sing. And the Lord spake it, and it was done. And because of their cursii^g which was upon them, they uii become an idle people, full of miochif^f and t^ubllety, and did seek in ihe wil- derness for beasts of prey. And the Lord God said unto me, they shall be a scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in re- membrance of me ; and inasmuch as they will not remember me, and hearken unto my words, they shall scourge them even unto destruction.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did consecrate Jacob and Joseph, that they should be priests and teachei's over the Jp.nd of my people. And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness. And thirty years had passod away from the time we left Jerusalem. And I, Nephi, bar! kept the records upon my plates, which I had made of my people thus far.
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 protit of thy people. — ■ Wherefore, I, Nephi, to be obedient to the commar.dme;i)ts of the Lord, went and made these plates upon which I ha v.. en- graven these things. And I engravened that which is p^ casing unto. God. And if my people be pleased with tiie thuigs of God, they be pleased with mine engravings wuim ar i upon these plates. And if my people desire to know the nv r? par- ticular part of the history of my people, they must search mine other plates. And it sufficeth me to say, that forty years had passed away, and we had already had wars and contentions with our brethren.
74 SECOND BOOK OP NEPfif.
CHAPTER V.
The words of Jacob, the brother of Nephi, wliich he spate ^jnto the people of Nephi : Behold, my beloved orethren, that 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 exceeding many things ; nevertheless, I speak unto you again : for I am desirous foi the welfare of your souls. Yea, mine anxiety is great for you ; and ye your- selves know that it ever has been. For I have exhorted you with all diligence; and I have taught you the words of my fa- ther ; and I have spoken unto you concerning all things which -are written from the creation of the world.
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 broth- er hath desired me that I should speak unto you. And I speak them unto you for your sakes, that ye may learn and glorify the name of your God. And now, the words which I shall read, are they which Isaiah spake concerning all the House of Is- rael ; wherefore, they may be likened unto you : for ye are of th© House of Israel. And there are many things which have been spoken by Isaiah, which may be likened unto you, be- cause that ye are of the House of Israel.
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. And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers : they shall bow down to thee ^vith their fa- ces 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.
And now I, Jacob, would speak somewhat concerning these words : For behold, the Lord hath shewn me that they which were at Jerusalem, from whence we came, have been slain and carried away captive ; nevertheless, the Lord hath shewn Hnto me that they should return again. And he also hath shewn unto me, that the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, should manifest himself unto them in the flesh ; and after that he should manifest himself, they should scourge him and cm-
SECOND BOOK OF NEPHI. 75
tify him, according to the words of the angel, which spake it unto me. And after that they have hardened their hearts and stiftened 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 af- flicted. 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 : wherefore, 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 inheri- tance.
And blessed are the Gentiles, they of whom the prophet hath 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 hath made unto his children ; and for this cause, the prophet hath written these things. Wherefore, they that fight against Zion and the cove- nant 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 which wait for him : for they still wait for the coming of the Messiah. 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 destruc- tion of their enemies, when that day cometh when they shall beUeve in him ; and none will he destroy that believeth in him. And they that beUeve 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 : for shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered ? But thus saith the Lord : Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be dehvered : for the Mighty God shall dehver his covenant people. For thus saith the Lord : I will contend with them that contendeth with thee, 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 Saviour and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob- Yea, for thus saith the Lord : Have I put thee away, or have I
76 SECOND BOOK OF NEPHI.
cast thee off forever 1 For thus saith the Lord : Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement 1 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 ; wherefore, when I come, 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 can- not redeem, or have I no power to deliver i Behold, at my re- buke, i dry up the sea, I make their rivers a wilderness and their nsh to stink, because the waters are dried up ; and they die because of thirst. I clothe the heavens with blackness, and 1 make sackcloth their covering. The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, tliat I should know how to, speak a v/ord in season un^o thee, O House of Israel. When ye are weary, he waketh morning by morning. He waketk mine ear to hear as the learned. The Lord God hath appoint- ed mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned aivay back. I gave my back to the smiter, and my cheeks to them that plucked oiFthe hair. I hid not my face from shame and spitting, 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 ; and the Lord is near, and he justitieth me. Who will. contend with me? let us stand together. Who is mine adversary 1 let him come near me, and I will smite him with the strength of my mouth : for the Lord God will help me. And all they which shall condemn me, be- hold, all they shall wax old as a garment, and the moth shall eat them up.
Who is among you that feareth the Lord; that obeyeth the voice of his servant ; that walketh in darkness, and hath no light ? Behold, all ye that kindleth fire, that compass your- selves 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. 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. Look unto Abraham, your father; and unto Sarah, she that bare you : for I called him alone, and blessed him. For the Lord shall comfort Zion : he wdl comfort all her waste places ; and he will make her wildemesss like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness -shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.
SECOND BOOK OF NEPHI, 77
Hearken unto me, my people ; and give ear unto me, 0 my nation : for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light thing of the people. My right- eousness 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. Lift up your eyes to the heav- ens, 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.
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 revihngs : 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.
Awake, awake ! Put on strength O arm of the Lord : awake as in the ancient days. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon '? Art thou not it which 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 ? There- fore, 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 : sor- row and mourning shall fiee away. I am he ; yea, I am he that comfqrteth you : Behold, who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of man, which shall die, and of the Son of man, which shall be made lik(? unto grass ; and forgetest 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 der-troy ? And where is the fury of the oppressor? The captive exile hasteneth, that he may be loosed, and that hs should not die 'n the pit, nor that his bread sliould fail — But I am the Lord u\j God, whose waves roared : the Lord of Hosts is my name. And i have put my words in thy mouth, and liath 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. 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 rung out; and none to guide her among all the
^8 SECOND BOOK OF NEPHl.
sons she hath brought forth ; neither that taketh her by the hand, of all the sons she hath brought up. These two sons are come unto thee ; who shall be sorry for thee ] thy deso- lation and destruction, and the famine and the sword: And by whom shall I comfort thee ? 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 re- buke of thy God.
Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, and not with wine : 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. But I will put it in- to the hand of them that afflict thee ; which I 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.
Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion ; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city : for hence- forth there shall no more come into thee, the uncircumcised and the unclean. Shake thyself from the dust ; arise, sit down, O Jerusalem : loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
CHAPTER VI.
And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lord ; that he hath covenanted with all the House of Israel ; that he hath spoken unto the Jew^s, by the mouth of his holy prophets, even from the beginning down, from generation to generation^ until the time cometh 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.
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. For I know that thou hast 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. Yea, and I know that ye
S£:COND BOOK OP NEPHI. 7^
know, that in the body he shall shew himself unto they at Je- resalem, from whence we came ; for it is expedient that it should be among them ; for it behoveth 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. For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the Great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurection, and the resurection 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 ; 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 remainc;d 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.
O the wisdom of God ! his mercy and grace ! For be- hold, if the flesh should rise no more, our spirits must become subject to that Angel v»^hich fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the Devil, to rise no more. And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become Devils, Angels to a Devil, to be shut out from the pres- ence of our God, and to remain with the father of hes, in mis-