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1:1 Chapter 1 And now there was no more contention in all
the land of Zarahemla, among all the people which belonged to
king Benjamin, so that king Benjamin had continual peace all the
remainder of his days.
1:2 And it came to pass that he had three sons; and he called
their names Mosiah, and Helorum, and Helaman. And he caused that
they should be taught in all the language of his fathers, that
thereby they might become men of understanding; and that they
might know concerning the prophecies, which had been spoken by
the mouths of their fathers, which was delivered them by the hand
of the Lord.
1:3 --And he also taught them concerning the records which were
engraven on the plates of brass, saying, My sons, I would that
ye should remember, that were it not for these plates, which contain
these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in
ignorance, even at the present time, not knowing the mysteries
of God:
1:4 for it were not possible that our father Lehi could have remembered
all these things, to have taught them to his children, except
it were for the help of these plates: for he having been taught
in the language of the Egyptians, therefore he could read these
engravings, and teach them to his children, that thereby they
could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments
of God, even down to the present time.
1:5 I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which
have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might
read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments
always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled
in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the
Lamanites, which know nothing concerning these things, or even
do not believe in them when they are taught them, because of the
traditions of their fathers, which are not correct.
1:6 O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings
are true; and also, that these records are true. And behold, also
the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings
of our fathers, from the time they left Jerusalem, until now;
and they are true; and we can no of their surety, because we have
them before our eyes.
1:7 And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search
them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that
ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in
the land, according to the promises which the Lord made unto our
fathers.
1:8 And many more things did king Benjamin teach his sons, which
are not written in this book.
1:9 And it came to pass that after king Benjamin had made an end
of teachings his sons, that he waxed old; and he saw that he must
very soon go the way of all the earth; therefore, he though it
expedient that he should confer the kingdom upon one of his sons.
1:10 Therefore, he had Mosiah brought before him; and these are
the words he spake unto him, saying: My son, I would that ye should
make a proclamation throughout all this land, among all this people,
or the people of Zarahemla, and the people of Mosiah, which dwell
in the land, that thereby they may be gathered together: for on
the morrow, I shall proclaim unto this my people, out of mine
own mouth, that thou art a king, and a ruler over this people,
which the Lord our God hath given us.
1:11 And moreover, I shall give this people a name, that thereby
they may be distinguised above all the people which the Lord God
hath brought out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I do, because
they have been a diligent people in keeping the commandments of
the Lord.--
1:12 And I give unto them a name, that never shall be blotted
out, except it be through transgression.
1:13 Yea, and moreover I say unto you, That if this highly favored
people of the Lord should fall into transgression, and become
a wicked and an adulterous people, that the Lord will deliver
them up, that thereby they become weak, like unto their brethren;
and he will no more preserve them, by his matchless and marvelous
power, as he hath hitherto preserved our fathers.
1:14 For I say unto you that if he had not extended his arm in
the preservation of our fathers, they must have fallen into the
hands of the Lamanites, and become victims to their hatred.
1:15 And it came to pass that after king Benjamin had made an
end of these sayings to his son, that he gave them charge concerning
all the affairs of the kingdom.
1:16 And moreover, he also gave him charge concerning the records
which were engraven on the plates of brass; and also, the plates
of Nephi; and also, the sword of Laban, and the ball or director,
which led our fathers through the wilderness, which was prepared
by the hand of the Lord, that thereby they might be led, every
one according to the heed and diligence which they gave unto him.
1:17 Therefore, as they were unfaithful, they did not prosper
nor progress in their journey, but were driven back, and incurred
the displeasure of God upon them; and therefore, they were smitten
with famine and sore afflictions, to stir them up in remembrance
of their duty.
1:18 And now, it came to pass that Mosiah went and did as his
father commanded him, and proclaimed unto all the people which
were in the land of Zarahemla, that thereby they might gather
themselves together, to go up to the temple, to hear the words
which his father should speak unto them.
2:1 And it came to pass that after Mosiah had done as his father
had commanded him, and had made a proclamation throughout all
the land, that the people gathered themselves together throughout
all the land, that they might go up to the temple to hear the
words which king Benjamin should speak unto them.
2:2 And there were a great number, even so many that they did
not number them; for they had multiplied exceedingly, and waxed
great in the land.
2:3 And they also took of the firstlings of their flocks, that
they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings, according to the
law of Moses;
2:4 and also, that they might give thanks to the Lord their God,
who had brought them out of the Land of Jerusalem, and who had
delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had appointed
just men to be their teachers; and also, a just man to be their
king, who had established peace in the land of Zarahemla, and
who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they
might rejoice, and be filled with love towards God, and all men.
2:5 And it came to pass that when they came up to the temple,
they pitched their tents round about, every man according to his
family, consisting of his wife, and his son, and his daughters,
and their sons, and their daughters, from the eldest down to the
youngest, every family being separate, one from another;
2:6 and they pitched their tents round about the temple, every
man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple,
that thereby they might remain in their tents, and hear the words
which king Benjamin should speak unto them;
2:7 for the multitude being so great, that king Benjamin could
not teach them all within the walls of the temple; therefore,
he caused a tower to be erected, that thereby his people might
hear the words which he should speak unto them.
2:8 And it came to pass that he began to speak to his people from
the tower; and they could not all hear his words, because of the
greatness of the multitude; therefore, he caused that the words
he spake, should be written and sent forth among those that were
not under the sound of his voice, that they might also receive
his words.
2:9 And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written,
saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together,
you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day:
for I have not commanded you to come up hither, to trifle with
the words, which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto
me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that
ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may
be unfolded to your view.
2:10 I have not commanded you to come up hither, that ye should
fear me, or that ye should think that I, of myself, am more than
a mortal man;
2:11 but I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities
in body and mind; yet, as I have been chosen by this people, and
was consecrated by my father, and was suffered by the hand of
the Lord that I should be a ruler, and a king over this people;
and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve
thee with all the might, mind, and strength which the Lord hath
granted unto me;
2:12 I say unto you, that as I have been suffered to spend my
days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought
gold nor silver, nor no manner of riches of you;
2:13 neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons,
nor that ye should make slaves one to another, or that ye should
murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery, or even I have
not suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and
have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord,
in all things which he hath commanded you;
2:14 and even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands, that
I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes,
and that there should nothing come upon you, which was grievous
to be borne; and all of these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves
are witnesses this day.
2:15 Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might
boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse
you; but I tell you these things, that ye may know that I can
answer a clear conscience before God this day.
2:16 Behold, I say unto you, that because I said unto you that
I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast,
for I have only been in the service of God.
2:17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom;
that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow
beings, ye are only in the service of your God.
2:18 Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call
your king, do labor to serve you, then had not ye ought to labor
to serve one another?
2:19 And behold, if I, who ye call your king, who has spent his
days in your service, and yet hath been in the service of God,
doth merit any thanks from you, O how had you ought to thank your
heavenly King!
2:20 I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all
the thanks and praise which your whole souls hath power to possess,
to that God who hath created you, and hath kept and preserved
you, and hath caused that ye should rejoice, and hath granted
that ye should live in peace one with another;
2:21 I say unto you, that if ye should serve him who hath created
you from the beginning, and art preserving you from day to day,
by lending you breath, that ye may live and move, and do according
to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another;
I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole soul, and yet
ye would be unprofitable servants.
2:22 And behold, all that he requires of you, is to keep his commandments;
and he hath promised you that if ye would keep his commandments,
ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that
which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments,
he doth bless you, and prosper you.
2:23 And now in the first place, he hath created you, and granted
unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.
2:24 And secondly: He doth require that ye should do as he hath
commanded you, for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you;
and therefore, he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto
him; and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye
to boast?
2:25 And now I ask, Can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer Nay.
Ye cannot say that thou art even as much as the dust of the earth;
yet thou was created of the dust of the earth: but behold, it
belongeth to him who created you.
2:26 And I, even I, whom ye call your king, am no better than
ye yourselves are; for I am also of the dust. And thou beholdest
that I am old, and am about to yield up this mortal frame to its
mother earth;
2:27 therefore, as I said unto you that I had served you, walking
with a clear conscience before God, even so I at this time have
caused that ye should assemble yourselves together, that I might
be found blameless, and that your blood should not come upon me,
when I shall stand to be judged of God of the things whereof he
hath commanded me concerning you.
2:28 I say unto you, that I have caused that ye should assemble
yourselves together, that I might rid my garments of your blood,
at this period of time when I am about to go down to my grave,
that I might go down in peace, and my immortal spirit may join
the choirs above in singing the praises of a just God.
2:29 And moreover, I say unto you, that I have caused that ye
should assemble yourselves together, that I might declare unto
you that I can no longer be your teacher, nor your king,
2:30 for even at this time, my whole frame doth tremble exceedingly,
while attempting to speak unto you; but the Lord God doth support
me, and hath suffered me that I should speak unto you, and hath
commanded me that I should declare unto you this day, that my
son Mosiah, is a king and ruler over you.
2:31 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should do as ye hath
hitherto done. As ye have kept my commandments, and also the commandments
of my father, and have prospered and have been kept from falling
into the hands of your enemies, even so if ye shall keep the commandments
of my son, or the commandments of God, which shall be delivered
unto you by him, ye shall prosper in the land, and your enemies
shall have no power over you.
2:32 But O my people, beware lest there shall arise contentions
among you, and ye list to obey the evil spirit, which was spoken
of by my father Mosiah.
2:33 For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth
to obey that spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth
and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own
soul; for he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment,
having transgressed the law of God, contrary to his own knowledge.
2:34 I say unto you, that there are not one among you, except
it be your little children, that have not been taught concerning
these things; but what knoweth that ye are eternally indebted
to your Heavenly Father, to render to him all that you have, and
are, and also have been taught, concerning the records which contain
the prophecies which have been spoken by the Holy Prophets, even
down to the time of our father Lehi left Jerusalem;
2:35 and also, all that hath been spoken by our fathers, until
now. And behold, also, they spake that which was commanded them
of the Lord; therefore, they are just and true.
2:36 And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have
known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress,
and go contrary to that which hath been spoken, that ye do withdraw
yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place
in you to guide you in wisdom's paths, that ye may be blessed,
prospered, and preserved.
2:37 I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh
out in open rebellion against God; therefore, he listeth to obey
the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteous; therefore,
the Lord hath no place for him, for he dwelleth not in unholy
temples.
2:38 Therefore, if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth
an enemy to God, the demands of Divine Justice doth awaken his
immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause
him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his
breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable
fire, whose flames ascendeth up forever and ever.
2:39 And now I say unto you, that mercy hath no claim on that
man; therefore, his final doom is to endure a never ending torment.
2:40 O all ye old men, and also ye young men, and you little children,
which can understand my words,(for I have spoken plain unto you,
that ye might understand,) I pray that ye should awake to a remembrance
of the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression;
2:41 and moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the
blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of
God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal
and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end, they
are received into Heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God,
in a state of never ending happiness. O remember, remember that
these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
3:1 And again my brethren, I would call your attention, for I
have somewhat more to speak unto you for behold, I have things
to tell you, concerning that which is to come;
3:2 and the things which I shall tell you, are made known unto
me, by an Angel from God. And he said unto me, Awake; and I awoke,
and beheld, he stood before me.
3:3 And he said unto me, Awake, and hear the words which I shall
tell thee: for behold, I am come to declare unto you the glad
tidings of great joy.
3:4 For the Lord hath heard the prayers, and hath judged of thy
righteousness, and hath sent me to declare unto thee that thou
mayest rejoice; and that thou mayest declare unto thy people,
that they may also be filled with joy.
3:5 For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that
with power, the Lord omnipotent who reigneth, which was, and is
from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from Heaven,
among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of
clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles,
such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to
walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear,
and curing all manner of diseases;
3:6 and he shall cast out Devils, or the evil spirits which dwelleth
in the hearts of the children of men.
3:7 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger,
thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it
be unto death: for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great
shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of
his people.
3:8 And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father
of Heaven and Earth, the creator of all things, from the beginning;
and his mother shall be called Mary.
3:9 And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come
unto the children of men, even through faith on his name; and
even after all this, they shall consider him a man, and say that
he hath a Devil , and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him.
3:10 And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold,
he standeth to judge the world. And behold, all these things are
done, that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of
men.
3:11 For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those
who have fallen by the transgression of them, or who have ignorantly
sinned.
3:12 But wo, we unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against
God: for salvation cometh to none such, except it be through repentance
and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.
3:13 And the Lord God hath sent his Holy Prophets among all the
children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation,
and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ
should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and
rejoice with exceeding great joy, even as though he had already
come among them.
3:14 Yet the Lord saw that his people were a stiffnecked people,
and he appointed unto them a law, even the law of Moses.
3:15 And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows shewed
he unto them, concerning his coming; and also Holy Prophets spake
unto them concerning his coming; and yet they hardened their hearts,
and understood not that the law of Moses availeth nothing, except
it were through the atonement of his blood;
3:16 and even if it were possible that little children could sin,
they could not be saved; but I say unto you, they are blessed:
for behold, as in Adam, or by nature they fall, even so the blood
of Christ atoneth for their sins.
3:17 And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other
names given, nor no other way nor means whereby salvation can
come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of
Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.
3:18 For behold, he judgeth, and his judgment is just, and the
infant perisheth not, that dieth in his infancy; but men drinketh
damnation to their own souls, except they humble themselves, and
become as little children, and believeth that salvation was, and
is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ,
the Lord Omnipotent:
3:19 for the natural man is an enemy of God, and has been, from
the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever; but if he yieldeth
to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural
man, and becometh a saint, through the atonement of Christ, the
Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient,
full of love willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth
fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
3:20 And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come, when
the knowledge of a Saviour shall spread throughout every nation,
kindred, tongue, and people.
3:21 And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless
before God, except it be little children, only through repentance
and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent;
3:22 and even at this time, when thou shalt have taught thy people
the things which the Lord thy God hath commanded thee, even then
are they found no more blameless in the sight of God, only according
to the words which I have spoken unto thee.
3:23 And now, I have spoken the words which the Lord God hath
commanded me.
3:24 And thus saith the Lord: They shall stand as a bright testimony
against this people, at the judgment day; whereof, they shall
be judged, every man, according to his works, whether they be
good, or whether they be evil;
3:25 and if they be evil, they are consigned to an awful view
of their own guilt and abominations, which doth cause them to
shrink from the presence of the Lord, into a state of misery and
endless torment, from whence they can no more return; therefore,
they have drunk damnation to their own souls.
3:26 --Therefore, they have drunk out of the cup of the wrath
of God, which justice could no more deny unto them, than it could
deny that Adam should fall, because of his partaking of the forbidden
fruit; therefore, mercy could have a claim on them no more forever.
3:27 And their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose
flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up forever
and ever. Thus saith the Lord commanded me. Amen,
4:1 Chapter 2 And now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin
had made an end of speaking the words which had been delivered
unto him by the Angel of the Lord, that he cast his eyes round
about on the multitude, and behold, they had fell to the earth,
for the fear of the Lord had come upon them;
4:2 and they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state,
even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud
with one voice saying, O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood
of Christ, that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our
hearts may be purified: for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son
of God, who created Heaven and earth, and all things, who shall
come down among the children of men.
4:3 And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words,
the spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with
joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace
of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in
Jesus Christ which should come, according to the words which king
Benjamin had spoken unto them.
4:4 And king Benjamin again opened his mouth, and began to speak
unto them, saying, My friends and my brethren, my kindred and
my people, I would again call your attention, that ye may hear
and understand the remainder of my words which I shall speak unto
you:
4:5 for behold, that if the knowledge of the goodness of God at
this time, hath awakened you to a sense of your nothingness, and
your worthless and fallen state;
4:6 I say unto you, that if ye have come to a knowledge of the
goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and
his patience, and his long suffering towards the children of men,
and also, the atonement which hath been prepared from the foundation
of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should
put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his
commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his
life; I mean the life of the mortal body;
4:7 I say, that this is the man that receiveth salvation, through
the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world,
for all mankind, which ever was ever since the fall of Adam, or
which is or which ever shall be, even unto the end of the world;
4:8 and this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there
is none other salvation, save this which hath been spoken of;
neither is there any conditions whereby man can be saved, except
the conditions which I have told you.
4:9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all
things, both in Heaven and in Earth; believe that he hath all
wisdom, and all power, both in Heaven and in Earth; believe that
man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.
4:10 And again: Believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake
them, and humble yourselves before God, and ask in sincerity of
the heart that he would forgive you: and now, if you believe all
these things, see that ye do them.
4:11 And again I say unto you, as I have said before, that as
ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have
known of his goodness, and have tasted of his love, and have received
a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceeding great joy
in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always
retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness,
and his goodness and long suffering towards you unworthy creatures,
and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling
on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the
faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth
of the Angel;
4:12 and behold, I say unto you that if ye do this, ye shall always
rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain
a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of
the glory of Him that created you, or in the knowledge of that
which is just and true.
4:13 And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to
live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which
is his due.
4:14 And ye will not suffer your children, that they go hungry,
or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws
of God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the
Devil, which is the master of sin, or which is the evil spirit
which hath been spoken of by our fathers; he being an enemy to
all righteousness;
4:15 but ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness;
ye will teach them to love one another;
4:16 and also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need
of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him
that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar
putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn out to perish.
4:17 Perhaps thou shalt say, The man hath brought upon himself
his misery, therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto
him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance, that he may
not suffer, for his punishments are just.
4:18 But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this, the same
hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which
he done, he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom
of God.
4:19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend
upon the same being, even God, for all substance which we have;
for both food, and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and
for all riches which we have of every kind?
4:20 And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his
name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And hath he suffered
that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he hath poured out his spirit
upon, and hath caused that your hearts should be filled with joy,
and hath caused that your mouths should be stopped, that ye should
not find utterance, so exceeding great was your joy.
4:21 And now, if God, who hath created you, on whom you are dependant
for your lives, and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto
you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that
ye shall receive, O then, how had ye ought to impart of the substance
that ye have, one to another?
4:22 And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you
for your substance, that he perish not, and condemn him, how much
more just will be your condemnation, for withholding your substance,
which doth not belong to you, but to God, to whom also, your life
belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, or repenteth not of
the thing which thou hast done.
4:23 --I say unto you, Wo be unto that man, for his substance
shall perish with him, and now, I say these things unto those
which are rich, as pertaining to the things of the world.
4:24 And again, I say unto the poor, ye that have not and yet
hath sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all you
that deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say
in your hearts, that I give not because I have not; but if I had,
I would give.
4:25 And now, if ye say this in pour hearts, ye remain guiltless,
otherwise ye are condemned, and your condemnation is just; for
ye covet that which ye have not received.
4:26 And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken
unto you; that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your
sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God, I
would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every
man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry,
clothing the naked, visiting the sick, and administering to their
relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants,
4:27 and see that all these things are done in wisdom and order:
for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than what
he hath strength. And again: It is expedient that he should be
diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all
things must be done in order.
4:28 And I would that ye should remember, that whosoever among
you that borroweth of his neighbor, should return the thing that
he borroweth, according as he doth agree, or else thou shalt commit
sin also.
4:29 And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye
may commit sin: for there are divers ways and means, even so many,
that I cannot number them.
4:30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves,
and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe
to keep the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of
what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto
the ends of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember,
and perish not.
5:1 Chapter 3 And now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin
had thus spoken to his people, he sent among them, desiring to
know of his people, if they believed the words which he had spoken
unto them.
5:2 And if they all cried with one voice, saying, Yea, we believe
all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know
of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent,
which hath wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that
we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.
5:3 And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of
God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of
that which is to come; and were it expedient, we could prophesy
of all things.
5:4 And it is the faith which we have had on the things which
our king hath spoken unto us, and hath brought us to this great
knowledge, whereby we do rejoice with such exceeding great joy;
5:5 and we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God,
to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all
things, that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days,
that we may not bring upon ourselves a never ending torment, as
has been spoken by the Angel, that we may not drink out of the
cup of the wrath of God.
5:6 And now, these are the words which king Benjamin desired of
them; and therefore he said unto them, Ye have spoken the words
that I desired; and the covenant which ye have made, is a righteous
covenant .
5:7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made, ye shall
be called the children of Christ, his sons, and daughters: for
behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say
that your hearts are changed, through faith on his name; therefore,
ye are born of him, and have become his sons, and daughters.
5:8 And under this head, ye are made free; and there is no other
head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given,
whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take
upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the
covenant with God, that ye should be obedient unto the end of
your lives.
5:9 And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this, shall
be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name
by which he is called: for he shall be called by the name of Christ.
5:10 And now, it shall come to pass that whosoever shall not take
upon them the name of Christ, must be called by some other name;
therefore, he findeth himself on the left hand of God.
5:11 And I would that ye should remember also, that this is the
name that I said I should give you, that never should be blotted
out, except it be through transgression; therefore, take heed
that ye do not transgress, that the name be not blotted out of
your hearts. I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to
retain the name written always in your hearts,
5:12 that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye
hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also,
the name by which he shall call you:
5:13 for, how knoweth a man the master which he hath not served,
and which is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thought
and intents of his heart?
5:14 And again: Doth a man take an ass which belongeth to his
neighbor, and keep him? I say unto you, Nay; he will not even
suffer that he shall feed among his flocks, but will drive him
away, and cast him out. I say unto you, that even so shall it
be among you, if ye know not the name by which ye are called.
5:15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable,
always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent,
may seal you his, that you may be brought to Heaven, that ye may
have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom,
and power, and justice, and mercy of Him, who created all things,
in Heaven and in Earth, who is God above all. Amen.
6:1 Chapter 4 And now, king Benjamin thought it was expedient,
after having finished speaking to the people, that he should take
the names of all those who had entered into a covenant with God,
to keep his commandments.
6:2 And it came to pass that there was not one soul, except it
were little children, but what had entered into the covenant,
and had taken upon them the name of Christ.
6:3 And again: It came to pass that when king Benjamin had made
an end of all these things, and had consecrated his son Mosiah,
to be a ruler and a king over his people, and had given him all
the charges concerning the kingdom, and also had appointed priests
to teach the people, that thereby they might hear and know the
commandments of God, and to stir them up in remembrance of the
oath which they had made, he dismissed the multitude, and they
returned, every one according to their families, to their own
houses.
6:4 And Mosiah began to reign in his father's stead. And he began
to reign in the thirtieth year of his age, making in the whole,
about four hundred and seventy-six years from the time that Lehi
left Jerusalem.
6:5 And king Benjamin lived three years, and he died.
6:6 And it came to pass that king Mosiah did walk in the ways
of the Lord, and did observe his judgments, and his statutes,
and did keep his commandments in all things whatsoever he commanded
him.
6:7 And king Mosiah did cause his people that they should till
the earth. And he also, himself did till the earth, that thereby
he might not become burthensome to his people, that he might do
according to that which his father had done, in all things. And
there was no contention among all his people, for the space of
three years.
7:1 Chapter 5 And now, it came to pass that after king
Mosiah had had continual peace, for the space of three years,
he was desirous to know concerning the people which went up to
dwell in the land of Lehi-Nephi, or in the city of Lehi-Nephi:
for his people had heard nothing from them, from the time they
left the land of Zarahemla; therefore, they wearied him with their
teasings.
7:2 And it came to pass that king Mosiah granted that sixteen
of their strong men might go up to the land of Lehi-Nephi, to
inquire concerning their children.
7:3 And it came to pass that on the morrow, they started to go
up, having with them one Ammon, he being a strong and mighty man,
and a descendant of Zarahemla; and he was also their leader.
7:4 And now, they knew not the course they should travel in the
wilderness, to go up to the land of Lehi-Nephi; therefore, they
wandered many days in the wilderness, even forty days, did they
wander.
7:5 And when they had wandered forty days, they came to a hill,
which is north of the land of Shilom, and there they pitched their
tents.
7:6 And Ammon took three of his brethren, and their names were
Amaleki, Helem, and Hem, and they `went down into the land of
Nephi;
7:7 and behold, they met the king of the people, which was in
the land of Nephi, and in the land of Shilom; and they were surrounded
by the king's guard, and was taken, and was bound, and was committed
to prison.
7:8 And it came to pass hem they had been in prison two days,
they were again brought before the king, and their bands were
loosed; and they stood before the king, and was permitted or rather
commanded that they should answer the questions which he should
ask them.
7:9 And he saith unto them, Behold, I am Limhi, the son of Noah,
which was the son of Zeniff, which came up out of the land of
Zarahemla to inherit this land, which was the land of their fathers,
which was made a king by the voice of the people.
7:10 And now, I desire to know the cause whereby ye were so bold
as to come near the walls of the city, when I, myself, was with
my guards, without the gate?
7:11 And now, for this cause have I suffered that ye should be
preserved, that I might inquire of you, or else I should have
caused that my guards should have put you to death. --Ye are permitted
to speak.
7:12 And now, when Ammon saw that he was permitted to speak, he
went forth and bowed himself before the king; and rising again,
he said, O king, I am very thankful before God this day, that
I am yet alive, and am permitted to speak; and I will endeavor
to speak with boldness:
7:13 for I am assured that if ye had known me, ye would not have
suffered that I should have wore these bands. For I am Ammon,
and am a descendant of Zarahemla, and have come up out of the
land of Zarahemla, to inquire concerning our brethren, which Zeniff
brought up out of that land.
7:14 And now, it came to pass that after Limhi had heard the words
of Ammon, he was exceeding glad, and said, Now, I know of a surety
that my brethren which was in the land of Zarahemla, are yet alive.
And now, I will rejoice; and on the morrow, I will cause that
my people shall rejoice also.
7:15 For behold, we are in bondage to the Lamanites, and are taxed
with a tax which is grievous to be borne. And now, behold, our
brethren will deliver us out of our bondage, or out of the hands
of the Lamanites, and we will be their slaves: for it is better
that we be slaves to the Nephites, than to pay tribute to the
king of the Lamanites.
7:16 And now, king Limhi commanded his guards that they should
no more bind Ammon, nor his brethren, but caused that they should
go to the hill which was north of Shilom, and bring their brethren
into the city, that thereby they might eat, and drink, and rest,
themselves from the labors of their journey; for they had suffered
many things: they had suffered hunger, thirst, and fatigue.
7:17 And now, it came to pass on the morrow, that king Limhi sent
a proclamation among all his people, that thereby they might gather
themselves together to the temple, to hear that the words which
he should speak unto them.
7:18 And it came to pass that when they had gathered themselves
together, that he spake unto them in this wise, saying, O ye,
my people, lift up your heads and be comforted: for behold, the
time is at hand, or is not far distant, when we shall no longer
be in subjection to our enemies, notwithstanding our many strugglings,
which have been in vain; yet I trust there remaineth an effectual
struggle to be made.
7:19 Therefore, lift up your heads, and rejoice, and put your
trust in God, in that God who was the God of Abraham, and Isaac,
and Jacob; and also, that God who brought the Children of Israel
out of the land of Egypt, and caused that they should walk through
the Red Sea on dry ground, and fed them with manna, that they
might not perish in the wilderness; and many more things did he
do for them.
7:20 And again: That same God hath brought our fathers out of
the land of Jerusalem, and hath kept and preserved his people,
even until now. And behold, it is because of our iniquities and
abominations, that has brought us into bondage.
7:21 --And ye all are witnesses this day, that Zeniff, who was
made king over this people, he being over zealous to inherit the
land of his fathers, therefore being deceived by the cunning and
craftiness of king Laman, who having entered into a treaty with
king Zeniff, and having yielded up into his hands the possessions
of a part of the land, or even the city of Lehi-Nephi, and the
city of Shilom, and the land round about;
7:22 and all this he done, for the sole purpose of bringing this
people into subjection, or is bondage. And behold, we at this
time do pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites, to the amount
of one half of our corn, and our barley, and even all our grain
of every kind, and one half of the increase of our flocks, and
our herds; and even one half of all we have or possess. the king
of the Lamanites doth exact of us, or our lives.
7:23 And now, is not this grievous to be borne? And is not this,
our afflictions great? Now behold, how great reason have we to
mourn.
7:24 Yea, I say unto you, great are the reasons which we have
to mourn: for behold, how many of our brethren have been slain,
and their blood hath been spilt in vain, and all because of iniquity.
7:25 For if this people had not fallen into transgression, the
Lord would not have suffered that this great evil should come
upon them. But behold, they would not hearken unto his words;
but there arose contentions among them, even so much that they
did shed blood among themselves.
7:26 And a Prophet of the Lord have they slain; yea, a chose man
of God, who told them of their wickedness and abominations, and
prophesied of many things which is to come, yea, even the coming
of Christ.
7:27 And because he saith unto them, That Christ was the God,
the Father of all things, and saith that he should take upon him
the image of man, and it should be the image after which man was
created after the image of God, and that God should come down
among the children of men, and take upon him flesh and blood,
and go forth upon the face of the earth;
7:28 and now, because he said this, they put him to death; and
many more things did they do, which brought down the wrath of
God upon them. Therefore, who wondereth that they are in bondage,
and that they are smitten with sore afflictions?
7:29 For behold, the Lord hath said, I will not succor my people
in the day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways,
that they prosper not, and their doing shall be as a stumbling
block before them.
7:30 And again, He saith, If my people shall sow filthiness, they
shall reap the chaff thereof, in the whirlwind; and the effects
thereof is poison,
7:31 And again: He saith, If my people shall sow filthiness, they
shall reap the east wind, which bringeth immediate destruction.
7:32 And now, behold, the promise of the Lord is fulfilled; and
ye are smitten, and afflicted.
7:33 But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart,
and put your trust in him, and serve him will all diligence of
mind; and if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and
pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.
8:1 And it came to pass that after king Limhi had made an end
of speaking to his people, for he spake many things unto them,
and only a few of them have I written in this book, he told his
people all the things concerning their brethren which were in
the land of Zarahemla;
8:2 and he caused that Ammon should stand up before the multitude,
and rehearse unto them all that had happened unto their brethren,
from the time that Zeniff went up out of the land, even until
the time that he, himself came out of the land.
8:3 And he also rehearsed unto them the last words which king
Benjamin had taught them, and explained them to the people of
king Limhi, so that they might understand all the words he spake.
8:4 And it came to pass that after he had done all this, that
the king Limhi dismissed the multitude, and caused that they should
return, every one unto his own house.
8:5 And it came to pass that he caused that the plates which contained
the record of his people, from the time before Ammon, that he
might read them.
8:6 Now, as soon as Ammon had read the record, the king inquired
of him to know if he could interpret languages. And Ammon told
him that he could not.
8:7 And the king saith unto him, I being grieved for the afflictions
of my people, I caused that forty and three of my people should
take a journey into the wilderness, that thereby they might find
the land of Zarahemla; that we might appeal unto our brethren
to deliver us out of bondage;
8:8 and they were lost in the wilderness, for the space of many
days, yet they were diligent, and found not the land of Zarahemla,
but returned to this land, having travelled in a land among many
waters; having discovered a land which was covered with ruins
of buildings of every kind; having discovered a land which had
been peopled with a people, which were as numerous as the hosts
of Israel.
8:9 And for a testimony that the things that they have said is
true, they have brought twenty-four plates, which are filled with
engravings; and they are of pure gold.
8:10 And behold, also, they have brought breast- plates, which
are large; and they are of brass, and of copper, and are perfectly
sound.
8:11 And again: They have brought swords, the hilts thereof hath
perished, and the blades thereof were cankered with rust; and
there is no one in the land that is able to interpret the language
of the engravings that are on the plates. Therefore, I said unto
thee, Canst thou translate?
8:12 And I say unto you again, Knowest thou of any one that can
translate? for I am desirous that these records should be translated
into our language. For, perhaps they will give us a knowledge
of a remnant of the people which have been destroyed, from whence
these records came; or, perhaps they will give us a knowledge
of this very people which hath been destroyed; and I am desirous
to know the cause of their destruction.
8:13 Now, Ammon saith unto him, I can assuredly tell thee, O king,
of a man that can translate the records: for he hath wherewith
that he can look, and translate all records that are of ancient
date; and it is a gift from God. And the things are called interpreters;
and no man can look in them, except he be commanded, lest he should
look for that he had not ought, and he should perish. And whosoever
is commanded to look in them, the same is called seer.
8:14 And behold, the king of the people which is in the land of
Zarahemla, is the man that is commanded to do these things, and
which hath this high gift from God.
8:15 And the king saith, That a seer is greater than a prophet.
8:16 And Ammon saith, That a seer is a revelator, and a prophet
also; and a gift which is greater, can no man have, except he
should possess the power of God, which no man can; yet a man may
have great power given him from God.
8:17 But a seer can know of things which has past, and also of
things which is to come; and by them shall all things be revealed,
or rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things
shall come to light, and things which is not known, shall be made
known by them; and also, things shall be made known by them, which
otherwise could not be known.
8:18 Thus God hath provided a means that man, through faith, might
work mighty miracles; therefore, he becometh a great benefit to
his fellow beings.
8:19 And now, when Ammon had made an end of speaking these words,
the king rejoiced exceedingly, and gave thanks to God, saying,
Doubtless, a great mystery is contained within these plates; and
these interpreters was doubtless prepared for the purpose of unfolding
all such mysteries to the children of men.
8:20 O how marvellous are the works of the Lord, and how long
doth he suffer with his people; yea, and how blind and impenetrable
are the understandings of the children of men: for they shall
not seek wisdom, neither do they desire that she should rule over
them.
8:21 Yea, they are as a wild flock, which fleeth from the shepherd,
and scattereth, and are driven, and are devoured by the beasts
of the forest.
9:1 Chapter 6 I, Zeniff, having been taught in all the
language of the Nephites, and having had a knowledge of the land
of Nephi, or the land of our father's first inheritance, and I
having been sent as a spy among the Lamanites, that I might spy
out their forces, that our army might come upon them and destroy
them; but when I saw that which was good among them, I was desirous
that they should not be destroyed;
9:2 therefore, I contended with my brethren in the wilderness:
for I would that our ruler should make a treaty with them. But
he being an austere and a blood-thirsty man, commanded that I
should be slain; but I was rescued, by the shedding of much blood:
for father fought against father, and brother against brother,
until the greatest number of our army was destroyed in the wilderness;
and we returned, those of us that were spared, to the land of
Zarahemla, to relate that tale to their wives, and their children.
9:3 And yet, I being over zealous to inherit the land of our fathers,
collected as many as were desirous to go up to possess the land,
and started again on our journey into the wilderness, to go up
to the land; but we were smitten with famine and sore afflictions:
for we were slow to remember the Lord our God.
9:4 Nevertheless, after many days wandering in the wilderness,
we pitched our tents in the place where our brethren were slain,
which was near the land of our fathers.
9:5 And it came to pass that I went again with four of my men,
into the city, in unto the king, that I might know of the disposition
of the king, and that I might know if I might go in with my people,
and possess the land in peace.
9:6 And I went in unto the king, and he covenanted me, that I
might possess the land of Lehi-Nephi, and the land of Shilom.
9:7 And he also commanded that his people should depart out of
the land, and I and my people went into the land, that we might
possess it.
9:8 And we began to build buildings, and to repair the walls of
the city of Shilom.
9:9 And we began to till the ground, yea, even with all manner
of seeds, with seeds of corn, and of wheat, and of barley, and
with peas, and with sheum, and with seeds of all manner of fruits:
and we did begin to multiply and prosper in the land.
9:10 Now, it was the cunning and the craftiness of king Laman,
to bring my people into bondage, that he yielded up the land,
that we might possess it.
9:11 Therefore, it came to pass that after we had dwelt in the
land for the space of twelve years, that king Laman began to grow
uneasy, lest by any means my people should wax strong in the land,
and that they could not overpower them and bring them into bondage.
9:12 Now, they were a lazy, and an idolatrous people; therefore,
they were desirous to bring us into bondage, that they might glut
themselves with the labors of our hands; yea, that they might
feast themselves upon the flocks of our fields.
9:13 Therefore, it came to pass that king Laman began to stir
up his people, that they should contend with my people; therefore,
there began to be wars and contentions in the land.
9:14 For, in the thirteeneth year of my reign in the land of Nephi,
away on the south of the land of Shilom, when my people were watering
and feeding their flocks, and tilling their lands, a numerous
host of Lamanites came upon them, and began to slay them, and
to take of their flocks, and the corn of their fields.
9:15 Yea, and it came to pass that they fled, all that were not
overtaken, even into the city of Nephi, and did call upon me for
protection.
9:16 And it came to pass that I did arm them with bows, and with
arrows, with swords, and with cimeters, and with clubs, and with
slings, and with all manner of weapons which we could invent,
and I and my people did go forth against the Lamanites, to battle;
9:17 yea, in the strength of the Lord did we go forth to battle
against the Lamanites: for I and my people did cry mightily to
the Lord, that he would deliver us out of the hands of our enemies,
for we were awakened to a remembrance of the deliverance of our
fathers.
9:18 And God did hear our cries, and did answer our prayers; and
we did go forth in his might. Yea, we did go forth against the
Lamanites; and in one day and a night, we did slay three thousand
and forty-three; we did slay them, even until we had driven them
out of our land.
9:19 And I, myself, with mine own hands, did help to bury their
dead. And behold, to our great sorrow and lamentation, two hundred
and seventy-nine of our brethren were slain.
10:1 And it came to pass that we again began to establish the
kingdom; and we again began to possess the land in peace. And
I caused that there should be weapons of war made, of every kind,
that thereby I might have weapons for my people, against the time
the Lamanites should come up again to war against my people.
10:2 And I set guards round about the land, that the Lamanites
might not come upon us again unawares, and destroy us; and thus
I did guard my people, and my flocks, and keep them from falling
into the hands of our enemies.
10:3 And it came to pass that we did inherit the land of our fathers,
for many years; yea, for the space of twenty and two years.
10:4 And I did cause that the men should till the ground, and
raise all manner of grain, and all manner of fruit, of every kind.
10:5 And I did cause that the women should spin, and toil, and
work, and work all manner of fine linen; yea, and cloth of every
kind, that we might clothe our nakedness; and thus we did prosper
in the land; thus we did have continual peace in the land, for
the space of twenty and two years.
10:6 And it came to pass king Laman died, and his son began to
reign in his stead. And he began to stir his people up in rebellion
against my people; therefore, they began to prepare for war, and
to come up to battle against my people.
10:7 --But I having sent my spies out round about the land of
Shemlon, that I might discover their preparations, that I might
guard against them, that they might not come upon my people and
destroy them.
10:8 And it came to pass that they came up upon the north of the
land of Shilom, with their numerous hosts, men armed with bows,
and with arrows, and with swords, and with cimeters, and with
stones, and with slings; and they had their heads shaved, that
they were naked; and they were girded about with a leathern girdle
about their loins.
10:9 And it came to pass that I caused that the women and children
of my people should be hid in the wilderness; and I also caused
that all my old men that could bear arms, and also all my young
men that were able to bear arms, should gather themselves together,
to go to battle against the Lamanites; and I did place them in
their ranks, every man according to his age.
10:10 And it came to pass that we did go up to battle against
the Lamanites. And I, even I, in my old age, did go up to battle
against the Lamanites. And it came to pass that we did go up in
the strength of the Lord, to battle.
10:11 Now, the Lamanites knew nothing concerning the Lord, nor
the strength of the Lord; therefore, they depended upon their
own strength. Yet they were a strong people, as to the strength
of men:
10:12 they were a wild and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people,
believing in the tradition of their fathers, which is this: Believing
that they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem. because of
the iniquities of their fathers, and that they were wronged in
the wilderness by their brethren; and they were also wronged,
while crossing the sea.
10:13 And again: That they were wronged while in the land of their
first inheritance, after they had crossed the sea; and all this,
because that Nephi was more faithful in keeping the commandments
of the Lord; therefore he was favored of the Lord, for the Lord
heard his prayers and answered them, and he took the lead of their
journey in the wilderness.
10:14 And his brethren were wroth with him, because they understood
not the dealings of the Lord; they were also wroth with him upon
the waters, because they hardened their hearts against the Lord.
10:15 And again: They were wroth with him, when they had arriven
to the promised land, because they said that he had taken the
ruling of the people out of their hands; and they sought to kill
him.
10:16 And again: They were wroth with him, because he departed
into the wilderness as the Lord commanded him, and took the records
which were engraven on the plates of brass; for they said he robbed
them.
10:17 And thus they have taught their children, that they should
hate them, and that they should murder them, and that they should
rob and plunder them, and do all they could to destroy them; therefore,
they have an eternal hatred towards the children of Nephi.
10:18 For this very cause hath king Laman, by his cunning and
lying craftiness, and his far promises, hath deceived me, that
I have brought this, my people, up into this land, that they may
destroy them; yea, and we have suffered this many years in the
land.
10:19 And now, I, Zeniff, after having told all these things unto
my people concerning the Lamanites, I did stimulate them to go
to battle with their might, putting their trust in the Lord; therefore,
we did contend with them, face to face.
10:20 And it came to pass that we did drive them again out of
our land; and we slew them with a great slaughter, even so many
that we did not number them.
10:21 And it came to pass that we returned again to our own land,
and my people again began to tend their flocks, and to till their
ground.
10:22 And now, I being old, did confer the kingdom upon one of
my sons; therefore, I say no more. And may the Lord bless my people.
Amen.
11:1 Chapter 7 And now it came to pass that Zeniff conferred
the kingdom upon Noah, one of his sons; therefore Noah began to
reign in his stead; and he did not walk in the ways of his father.
11:2 For behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but
he did walk after the desires of his own heart. And he had many
wives and concubines. And he did cause his people to commit sin,
and do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord. Yea,
and they did commit whoredoms, and all manner of wickedness.
11:3 And he laid a tax of one fifth part of all they possessed;
and a fifth part of their gold and of their silver, and a fifth
part of their ziff, and of their copper, and of their brass and
their iron; and a fifth part of their fatlings; and also, a fifth
part of all their grain.
11:4 And all this did he take, to support himself, and his wives,
and his concubines, and also, his priests, and their wives, and
their concubines; thus he had changed the affairs of the kingdom.
11:5 For he put down all the priests that had been consecrated
by his father, and consecrated new ones in their stead, such as
were lifted up in pride of their hearts.
11:6 Yea, and thus were they supported in their laziness, and
in their idolatry, and in their whoredoms, by the taxes which
king Noah had put upon his people; thus did the people labor exceedingly,
to support iniquity.
11:7 Yea, and they also became idolatrous, because they were deceived
by the vain and flattering words of the king and priests; for
they did speak flattering things unto them.
11:8 And it came to pass that king Noah built many elegant and
spacious buildings; and he ornamented them with fine work of wood,
and of all manner of precious things, of gold, and of silver,
and of iron, and of brass, and of ziff, and of copper;
11:9 and he also built him a spacious palace, and a throne in
the midst thereof, all of which was of fine wood, and was ornamented
with gold and silver, and with precious things.
11:10 And he also caused that his workmen should work all manner
of fine work within the walls of the temple, of fine wood, and
of copper, and of brass;
11:11 and the seats which was set apart for the high priests,
which was above all the other seats, he did ornament with pure
gold; and he caused a breastwork to be built before them, that
they might rest their bodies and their arms upon, while they should
speak lying and vain words to his people.
11:12 And it came to pass that he built a tower near the temple;
yea, a very high tower, even so high that he could stand upon
the top thereof and overlook the land of Shilom, and also the
land of Shemlon, which was possessed by the Lamanites; and he
could even look over all the land round about.
11:13 And it came to pass that he caused many buildings to be
built in the land of Shilom; and he caused a great tower to be
built on the hill north of the land of Shilom, which had been
a resort for the children of Nephi, at the time they fled out
of the land; and thus he did do with the riches which he obtained
by the taxation of his people.
11:14 And it came to pass that he placed his heart upon his riches,
and he spent his time in riotous living with his wives and his
concubines; and so did also his priests spend their time with
harlots.
11:15 And it came to pass that he planted vineyards round about
in the land; and he built wine presses, and made wine in abundance;
and therefore he became a wine bidder, and also his people.
11:16 And it came to pass that the Lamanites began to come in
upon his people, upon small numbers, and to slay them in their
fields, and while they were tending their flocks.
11:17 And king Noah sent guards round about the land to keep them
off; but he did not send a sufficient number, and the Lamanites
came upon them and killed them, and drove many of their flocks
out of the land: thus the Lamanites began to destroy them and
to exercise their hatred upon them.
11:18 And it came to pass that king Noah sent his armies against
them, and they were driven back, or they drove them back for a
time; therefore, they returned rejoicing in their spoil.
11:19 And now, because of this great victory, they were lifted
up in the pride of their hearts; they did boast in their own strength,
saying, That their fifty could stand against thousands of the
Lamanites; and thus they did boast, and did delight in blood,
and the shedding of the blood. of their brethren, and this because
of the wickedness of their king and priests.
11:20 And it came to pass that there was a man among them, whose
name was Abinadi; and he went forth among them, and began to prophesy,
saying, Behold, thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded
me, saying, Go forth and say unto this people, thus saith the
Lord: Wo be unto this people, for I have seen their abominations,
and their wickedness, and their whoredoms; and except they repent,
I will visit them in mine anger.
11:21 And except they repent, and turn to the Lord their God,
behold, I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies; yea,
and they shall be brought into bondage; and they shall be afflicted
by the hand of their enemies.
11:22 And it shall come to pass that they shall know that I am
the Lord their God, and am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities
of my people.
11:23 And it shall come to pass that except this people repent,
and turn unto the Lord their God, they shall be brought into bondage;
and none shall deliver them, except it be the Lord the Almighty
God.
11:24 Yea, and it shall come to pass that when they shall cry
unto me, I will be slow to hear their cries; yea, and I will suffer
them that they be smitten by their enemies.
11:25 And except they repent in sackcloth and ashes, and cry mightily
to the Lord their God, I will not hear their prayers, neither
will I deliver them out of their afflictions; and thus saith the
Lord, and thus hath he commanded me.
11:26 Now it came to pass that when Abinadi had spoken these words
unto them, they were wroth with him, and sought to take away his
life; but the Lord delivered him out of their hands.
11:27 Now when king Noah had heard of the words which Abinadi
had spake unto the people, he was also wroth; and he saith, Who
is Abinadi, that I and my people should be judged of him? or who
is the Lord, that shall bring upon my people such great affliction?
11:28 I command you to bring Abinadi hither, that I may slay him:
for he hath said these things, that he might stir up my people
to anger, one with another, and to raise contentions among my
people; therefore, I will slay him.
11:29 Now the eyes of the people were blinded; therefore, they
hardened their hearts against the words of Abinadi, and they sought
from that time forward to take him. And king Noah hardened his
heart against the word of the Lord; and he did not repent his
evil doings.
12:1 And it came to pass that after the space of two years, that
Abinadi came among them in disguise, that they knew him not, and
began again to prophesy among them, saying, Thus hath the Lord
commanded me saying: Abinadi, go and prophesy unto this my people,
for they have hardened their hearts against my words; they have
repented not of their evil doings; therefore, I will visit them
in my anger, yea, in my fierce anger will I visit them in their
iniquities and abominations;
12:2 yea, wo be unto this generation. And the Lord said unto me,
Stretch forth thy hand, and prophesying, saying, Thus saith the
Lord: It shall come to pass that this generation, because of their
iniquities, shall be brought into bondage, and shall be smitten
on the cheek; yea, and shall be driven by men, and shall be slain;
and the vultures of the air, and the dogs, yea, and the wild beasts,
shall devour their flesh.
12:3 And it shall come to pass that the life of king Noah shall
be valued even as a garment in a hot furnace; for he shall know
that I am the Lord.
12:4 And it shall come to pass that I will smite this my people,
with sore afflictions; yea, with famine and with pestilence; and
I will cause that ye shall howl all the day long.
12:5 Yea, and I will cause that they shall have burdens lashed
upon their backs; and they shall be driven before, like a dumb
ass.
12:6 And it shall come to pass that I will send forth hail among
them, and it shall smite them; and they shall also be smitten
with the east wind; and insects shall pester their land also,
and devour their grain.
12:7 And they shall be smitten with a great pestilence; and all
this will I do, because of their iniquities and abominations.
12:8 And it shall come to pass that except they repent, I will
utterly destroy them from off the face of the earth; yet they
shall leave a record behind them, and I will preserve them for
other nations which shall possess the land; yea, even this will
I do, that I may discover the abominations, of this people to
other nations. And many things did Abinadi prophesy against this
people.
12:9 And it came to pass that they were angry with him; and they
took him and carried him bound before the king, and saith unto
the king, Behold, we have brought a man before thee which has
prophesied evil concerning thy people, and saith that God will
destroy them;
12:10 and he also prophesieth evil concerning thy life, and saith
that thy life shall be as a garment in a furnace of fire.
12:11 And again: He saith that thou shalt be as a stalk, even
as a dry stalk of the field, which is ran over by the beasts and
trodden under foot.
12:12 And again; He saith thou shalt be as the blossoms of a thistle,
which when it is fully ripe, if the wind bloweth, it is driven
forth upon the face of the land; and he pretendeth the Lord hath
spoken it. And he saith all this shall come upon thee, except
thou repent; and this because of thine iniquities.
12:13 And now, O king, what great evil hast thou done, or what
great sins has thy people committed, that we should be condemned
of God, or judged of this man?
12:14 And now, O king, behold, we are guiltless, and thou, O king
hast not sinned; therefore, this man hast lied concerning you,
and he hath prophesied in vain.
12:15 And behold, we are strong, we shall not come into bondage,
or be taken captive by our enemies; yea, and thou hast prospered
in the land, and thou shalt also prosper.
12:16 Behold, here is the man, we deliver him into thy hands;
thou mayest do with him as seemeth thee good.
12:17 And it came to pass that king Noah caused that Abinadi should
be cast into prison; and he commanded that the priests should
gather themselves together, that he might hold a council with
them what he should do with him.
12:18 And it came to pass that they saith unto the king, Bring
him hither, that we may question him. And the king commanded that
he should be brought before them.
12:19 And they began to question him, that they might cross him,
that thereby they might have wherewith to accuse him; but he answered
them boldly, and withstood all their questions, yea, to their
astonishment: for he did withstand them in all their questions,
and did confound them in all their words.
12:20 And it came to pass that one of them saith unto him, What
meaneth the words which are written, and which have been taught
by our fathers, saying:
12:21 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him that
bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good
tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that sayeth unto Zion,
Thy God reigneth;
12:22 thy watchmen shall lift up the voice with the voice; together
shall they sing, for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord
shall bring again Zion.
12:23 Break forth into joy; sing together ye waste places of Jerusalem:
for the Lord hath comforted his people; he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
12:24 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all
the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation
of our God.
12:25 And now Abinadi saith unto them, Are you priests? and pretend
to teach this people, and to understand the spirit of prophesying,
and yet desireth to know of me what these things mean?
12:26 I say unto you, Wo be unto you for perverting the ways of
the Lord. For if ye understand these things, ye have not taught
them; therefore, ye have perverted the ways of the Lord.
12:27 --Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore,
ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teacheth thou this people?
12:28 And they said, We teach the law of Moses.
12:29 And again, He saith unto them, if ye teach the law of Moses,
why do ye not keep it? Why do ye set your hearts upon riches?
Why do ye commit whoredoms, and spend your strength with harlots,
yea, and cause this people to commit sin, that the Lord hath caused
to send me to prophesy against this people, yea, even a great
evil against this people?
12:30 Knowest thou not that I speak the truth? Yea, thou knowest
that I speak the truth; and you had ought to tremble before God.
12:31 And it shall come to pass, that ye shall be smitten for
thine iniquities: for ye had said that ye teach the law of Moses.
And what knowest thou concerning the law of Moses? Doth salvation
come by the law of Moses? What sayest thou?
12:32 And they answered and said, that salvation did come by the
law of Moses.
12:33 But now Abinadi saith unto them, I know if ye keep the commandments
of God, ye shall be saved; yea, if ye keep the commandments which
the Lord delivered unto Moses in the mount of Sinai, saying:
12:34 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the
land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
12:35 Thou shalt have no other God before me.
12:36 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness
of any thing in the heaven above, or the things which is in the
earth beneath.
12:37 Now Abinadi saith unto them, Have ye done all this? I say
unto you, Nay, ye have not. And have ye taught this people that
they should do all these things? I say unto you, Nay, ye have
not.
13:1 And now that when the king had heard these words, he said
unto his priests, Away with this fellow, and slay him: for what
have we to do with him, for he is mad.
13:2 And they stood forth and attempted to lay hands on him; but
he withstood them, and said unto them,
13:3 Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands
upon me, for I have not delivered the message which the Lord sent
me to deliver; neither have I told you that which ye requested
that I should tell; therefore, God will not suffer that I shall
be destroyed at this time.
13:4 For I must fulfil the commandments wherewith God hath commanded
me; and because I have told you the truth, ye are angry with me.
And again: Because I have spoken the word of God, you have judged
me that I am mad.
13:5 Now it came to pass after Abinadi had spoken these words,
that the people of king Noah durst not lay their hands on him;
for the Spirit of the Lord was upon him; and his face shone with
exceeding lustre, even as Moses did while in the mount of Sinai,
while speaking with the Lord.
13:6 And he spake with power and authority from God; and he continued
his words, saying,
13:7 Ye see that ye have not power to slay me, therefore, I finish
my message. Yea, and I perceive that it cuts you to your hearts,
because I tell you the truth concerning your iniquities;
13:8 yea, and my words fill you with wonder and amazement, and
with anger.
13:9 But I finish my message; and then it matters not whither
I go, if it so be that I am saved.
13:10 But this much I tell you: What you do with me after this,
shall be as a type and a shadow of things which is to come.
13:11 And now I read unto you the remainder of the commandments
of God, for I perceive that they are not written in your hearts;
I perceive that ye have studied and taught iniquity the most part
of your lives.
13:12 And now, ye remember that I said unto you, Thou shalt not
make unto thee any graven images, or any likeness of things which
is in heaven above, or which is in the earth beneath, or which
is in the water under the earth.
13:13 And again: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor
serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting
the iniquities of the fathers upon the children, unto the third
and fourth generations of them that hate me;
13:14 and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and
keep my commandments.
13:15 --Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain:
for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name
in vain.
13:16 Remember the sabbath-day, to keep it holy.
13:17 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work:
13:18 but the seventh day, the sabbath of the Lord thy God, thou
shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy
man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger
that is within thy gates:
13:19 for in six days the Lord mad heaven and earth, and the sea,
and all that in them is; wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath-day,
and hallowed it.
13:20 Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long
upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
13:21 Thou shalt not kill.
13:22 Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal.
13:23 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
13:24 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not
covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant,
nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is they neighbor's.
13:25 Chapter 8 And it came to pass that after Abinadi
had made an end of these sayings, that he said unto them, Have
ye taught this people that they should observe to do all these
things? For to keep these commandments?
13:26 I say unto you, Nay; for if ye had, the Lord would not have
caused me to come forth and to prophesy evil concerning this people.
13:27 And now ye have said the salvation cometh by the law of
Moses. I say unto you that it is expedient that ye should keep
the law of Moses as yet; but I say unto you, that the time shall
come when it shall no more be expedient to keep the law of Moses.
13:28 And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come
by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement which God
himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people,
that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of
Moses.
13:29 And now I say unto you, that it was expedient that there
should be a law given to the children of Israel, yea, even a very
strict law: for they were a stiffnecked people, quick to do iniquity,
and slow to remember the Lord their God;
13:30 therefore there was a law given them, yea, a law of performances
and of ordinances, a law which they were to observe strictly,
from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of God, and their
duty towards him.
13:31 But behold, I say unto you, that all these things were types
of things to come.
13:32 And now, did they understand the law? I say unto you, Nay,
they did not all understand the law; and this because of the hardness
of their hearts: for they understood not that there could not
any man be saved, except it were through the redemption of God.
13:33 For behold, did not Moses prophesy unto them concerning
the coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people,
yea, and even all the prophets which have prophesied ever since
the world began? Have they not spoken more or less concerning
these things?
13:34 Have they not said that God himself should come down among
the children of men, and take upon him the form of man, and go
forth in mighty power upon the face of the earth?
13:35 Yea, and have they not said also, that he should bring to
pass the resurrection of the dead, and that he himself should
be oppressed and afflicted?
14:1 Yes, even doth not Isaiah say, Who hath believed our report,
and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
14:2 for he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as
a root out of dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and
when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire
him.
14:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and
acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him;
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
14:4 Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:
yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
14:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised
for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him;
and with his stripes we are healed.
14:6 All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every
one to his own way; and the lord hath laid on him the iniquities
of us all.
14:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not
his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a
sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
14:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall
declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of
the living: for the transgressions of my people was he stricken.
14:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich
in his death; because he had done no evil, neither was any deceit
in his mouth.
14:10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to
grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall
see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the
lord shall prosper in his hand.
14:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied:
by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for
he shall bear their iniquities.
14:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and
he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured
out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors;
and he bare the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
15:1 And now Abinadi saith unto them, I would that ye should understand
that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and
shall redeem his people;
15:2 and because he dwelleth in flesh, he shall be called the
Son of God: and having subjected the flesh to the will of the
Father, being the Father and the Son;
15:3 the Father because he was conceived by the power of God;
and the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and
Son:
15:4 and they are one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of Heaven
and of Earth;
15:5 and thus the flesh becoming subject to the Spirit, or the
Son to the Father, being one God, suffereth temptation, and yieldeth
not to the temptation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and
scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people.
15:6 And after all this, and after working many mighty miracles
among the children of men, he shall be led, yea, even as Isaiah
said; As a sheep before the shearer is dumb, so he opened not
his mouth;
15:7 yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh
becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed
up in the will of the Father;
15:8 and thus God breaketh the bands of death; having gained the
victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession
for the children of men;
15:9 having ascended into heaven; having the bowels of mercy;
being filled with compassion toward the children of men; standing
betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken
upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions; having redeemed
them, and satisfied the demands of justice.
15:10 And now I say unto you, Who shall declare his generation?
Behold, I say unto you, that when his soul has been made an offering
for sin, he shall see his seed. And now what say ye? And who shall
be his seed?
15:11 Behold I say unto you, that whosoever hath heard the words
of the prophets, yea, all the Holy Prophets which have prophesied
concerning the coming of the Lord; I say unto, that all those
who hath hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord
would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for
a remission of their sins; I say unto you, that these are his
seed, or they are heirs of the Kingdom of God:
15:12 for these are they whose sins he hath borne; these are they
for whom he hath died, to redeem them from their transgressions.
And now, are they not his seed?
15:13 Yea, and are not the prophets, every one that has opened
his mouth to prophesy, that has not fallen into transgression;
I mean all the Holy Prophets ever since the world began; I say
unto you that they are his seed;
15:14 and these are they which hath published peace, that hath
brought good tidings of good, that hath published salvation; that
saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
15:15 And O how beautiful upon the mountains were their feet!
15:16 And again: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet
of those that are still publishing peace!
15:17 And again: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet
of those who shall hereafter publish peace, yea, from this time
henceforth and forever!
15:18 And behold, I say unto you, this is not all: For O how beautiful
upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings,
that is the founder of peace; yea, even the Lord, who hath redeemed
his people; yea, him who hath granted salvation unto his people:
15:19 for were it not for the redemption which he hath made for
his people, which was prepared from the foundation of the world;
I say unto you, were it not for this, that all mankind must have
perished.
15:20 But behold, the bands of death shall be broken, and the
Son reigneth, and hath power over the dead; therefore, he bringeth
to pass the resurrection of the dead.
15:21 And there cometh a resurrection, even a first resurrection;
yea, even a resurrection of those that have been and which are,
and which shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ: for
so shall he be called.
15:22 And now, the resurrection of all the prophets, and all those
that have believed in their words, or all those that have kept
the commandments of God, these shall come forth in the first resurrection;
therefore, they are the first resurrection.
15:23 They are raised to dwell with God, who hath redeemed them:
thus they have eternal life through Christ, who hath broken the
bands of death.
15:24 And there are those who have a part in the first resurrection;
and these are they that have died before Christ came, in their
ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them. And thus the
Lord bringeth about the restoration of these, and they have a
part in the first resurrection, or hath eternal life, being redeemed
by the Lord.
15:25 And little children also, hath eternal life.
15:26 But behold, and fear, and tremble before God; for ye had
ought to tremble: for the Lord redeemeth none such that rebelleth
against him, and dieth in their sins; yea, even all those that
have perished in their sins ever since the world began, that have
wilfully rebelled against God, that have known the commandments
of God, and would not keep them; these are they that have no part
in the first resurrection.
15:27 Therefore, had ye not ought to tremble? For salvation cometh
to none such; for the Lord hath redeemed none such; yea, neither
can the Lord redeem such: for he cannot deny himself; for he cannot
deny justice when it hath its claim.
15:28 And now I say unto you, that the time shall come that the
salvation of the Lord shall be declared to every nation, kindred,
tongue, and people.
15:29 Yea, Lord, the watchmen shall lift up their voice; with
the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to
eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.
15:30 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of
Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed
Jerusalem.
15:31 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all
the nations: and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation
of our God.
16:1 And now it came to pass that after Abinadi had spoken these
words, he stretched forth his hand and said, The time shall come
when all shall see the salvation of the Lord; when every nation,
kindred, tongue and people, shall see eye to eye, and shall confess
before God that his judgments are just;
16:2 and then shall the wicked be cast out, and they shall have
cause to howl, and weep, and wail, and gnash their teeth; and
this because they would not hearken unto the voice of the Lord;
therefore the Lord redeemeth them not,
16:3 for they are carnal and devlish, and the devil hath power
over them; yea, even that old serpent that did beguile our first
parents, which was the cause of their fall; which was the cause
of all mankind becoming carnal, sensual, devlish, knowing evil
from good, subjecting themselves to the devil.
16:4 Thus all mankind were lost; and behold, they would have been
endlessly lost, were it not that God redeemed his people from
their lost and fallen state.
16:5 But remember, that he that persists in his own carnal nature,
and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God, he remaineth
in his fallen state, and the devil hath power over him. Therefore
he is as though there was no redemption made; being an enemy to
God; and also is the devil an enemy to God.
16:6 And now if Christ had not come into the world, speaking of
things to come, as though they had already come, there could have
been no redemption.
16:7 And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken
the bands of death, that the grave should have no victory, and
that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection.
16:8 But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no
victory, and the sting of death, is swallowed up in Christ:
16:9 He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that
is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which
is endless, that there can be no more death.
16:10 Even this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruption
shall put on incorruption, and shall be brought to stand before
the bar of God, to be judged of him according to their works,
whether they be good or whether they be evil.
16:11 If they be good, to the resurrection of endless life and
happiness, and if they be evil, to the resurrection of endless
damnation; being delivered up to the devil, who hath subjected
them which is damnation;
16:12 having gone according to their own carnal wills and desires;
having never called upon the Lord while the arms of mercy was
extended towards them; for the arms of mercy was extended towards
them, and they would not; they being warned of their iniquities,
and yet they would not depart from them; and they were commanded
to repent, and yet they would not repent.
16:13 And now had ye not ought to tremble and repent of your sins,
and remember only in and through Christ ye can be saved?
16:14 Therefore, if ye teach the law of Moses, also teach that
it is a shadow of those things which are to come;
16:15 teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord,
which is the very Eternal Father. Amen.
17:1 Chapter 9 And now it came to pass that when Abinadi
had finished these sayings, that the king commanded that the priests
should take him and cause that he should be put to death.
17:2 But there was one among them, whose name was Alma, he also
being a descendant of Nephi. And he was a young man, and he believed
the words which Abinadi had spoken, for he knew concerning the
iniquity which Abinadi had testified against them: Therefore he
began to plead with the king that he would not be angry with Abinadi,
but suffer that he might depart in peace.
17:3 But the king was more wroth, and caused that Alma should
be cast out from among them, and sent his servants after him,
that they might slay him.
17:4 But he fled from before them, and hid himself, that they
found him not. And he, being concealed for many days, did write
all the words which Abinadi had spoken.
17:5 And it came to pass that the king caused that his guards
should surround Abinadi, and take him; and they bound him and
cast him into prison.
17:6 And after three days, having counselled with his priests,
he caused that he should again be brought before him.
17:7 And he said unto him, Abinadi, we have found an accusation
against thee, and thou art worthy of death.
17:8 For thou hast said that God himself should come down among
the children of men; and now for this cause thou shalt be put
to death, unless thou wilt recall all the words which thou hast
spoken evil concerning me and my people.
17:9 Now Abinadi saith unto him: I say unto you, I will not recall
the words which I have spoken unto you concerning this people,
for they are true; and that ye may know of their surety, I have
suffered myself that I have fallen into your hands.
17:10 Yea, and I will suffer even until death, and I will not
recall my words, and they shall stand as a testimony against you.
And if ye slay me, ye will shed innocent blood, and this shall
also stand as a testimony against you at the last day.
17:11 And now king Noah was about to release him, for he feared
his word; for he feared the judgment of God would come upon him.
17:12 But the priests lifted up their voices against him, and
began to accuse him, saying: He hath reviled the king. Therefore
the king was stirred up in anger against him, and he delivered
him up, that he might be slain.
17:13 And it came to pass that they took him, and bound him, and
scourged his skin with faggots, yea, even unto death.
17:14 And now when the flames began to scorch him, he cried unto
them saying:
17:15 Behold, even as ye have done unto me, so shall it come to
pass that thy seed shall cause that many shall suffer the pains
that I do suffer, even the pains of death, by fire; and this because
they believe in the salvation of the Lord their God.
17:16 And it will come to pass that ye shall be afflicted with
all manner of diseases, because of your iniquities.
17:17 Yea, and ye shall be smitten on every hand, and shall be
driven and scattered to and fro, even as a wild flock is driven
by wild and ferocious beasts.
17:18 And in that day ye shall be hunted, and ye shall be taken
by the hand of your enemies, and then ye shall suffer, as I suffer,
the pains of death, by fire.
17:19 Thus God executeth vengeance upon those that destroy his
people. O God, receive my soul.
17:20 And now when Abinadi had said these words, he fell, having
suffered death by fire; yea, having been put to death because
he would not deny the commandments of God: having sealed the truth
of his words by his death.
18:1 And now it came to pass that Alma, who had fled from the
servants of king Noah, repented of his sins and iniquities, and
went about privately among the people, and began to teach the
words of Abinadi;
18:2 yea, concerning that which was to come, and also concerning
the resurrection of the dead, and the redemption of the people,
which was to be brought to pass through the power, and sufferings,
and death of Christ, and his resurrection and ascension into Heaven.
18:3 And as many as would hear his word he did teach. And he taught
them privately, that it might not come to the knowledge of the
king. And many did believe his words.
18:4 And it came to pass that as many as did believe him, did
go forth to a place which was called Mormon, having received its
name from the king, being in the borders of the land having been
infested, by times, or at seasons, by wild beasts.
18:5 Now there was in Mormon a fountain of pure water, and Alma
resorted thither, there being near the water a thicket of small
trees, where he did hide himself in the day-time, from the searches
of the king.
18:6 And it came to pass that as many as believed him, went thither
to hear his words.
18:7 And it came to pass after many days, there were a goodly
number gathered together to the place of Mormon, to hear the words
of Alma. Yea, all were gathered together that believed on his
word, to hear him. And he did teach them, and did preach unto
them repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord.
18:8 And it came to pass that he said unto them, Behold, here
is the waters of Mormon; for thus were they called. And now, as
ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called
his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that
they may be light;
18:9 yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea,
and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand
as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all
places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed
of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection,
that ye may have eternal life:
18:10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desires of your hearts,
what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord,
as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with
him that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he
may pour out his spirit more abundantly upon you.
18:11 --And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped
their hands for joy and exclaimed. This is the desires of our
hearts.
18:12 And now it came to pass that Alma took Helam, he being one
of the first, and went and stood forth in the water, and cried,
saying, O Lord, pour out your spirit upon thy servant, that he
may do this work with holiness of heart.
18:13 And when he had said these words, the spirit of the Lord
was upon him, and he said, Helam, I baptize thee, having authority
from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into
a covenant to serve him until you are dead, as to the mortal body;
and may the spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you; and may
he grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ,
which he hath prepared from the foundation of the world.
18:14 And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helam
was buried in the water; and they arose and came forth out of
the water rejoicing, being filled with the spirit.
18:15 And again, Alma took another, and went forth a second time
into the water, and baptizing him according to the first, only
he did not bury himself again in the water.
18:16 And after this manner he did baptize every one that went
forth to the place of Mormon; and they were in number about two
hundred and four souls; yea, and they were baptized in the waters
of Mormon, and were filled with the grace of God:
18:17 and they were called the Church of God, or the Church of
Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever
was baptized by the power and authority of God, they was added
to his church.
18:18 And it came to pass that Alma, having authority from God,
ordained priests; even one priests to every fifty of their number
did he ordain to preach unto them, and to teach them concerning
the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
18:19 And he commanded them that they should teach nothing save
it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken
by the mouths of the holy prophets.
18:20 Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing
save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who hath redeemed
his people.
18:21 And he commanded them that there should be no contention
one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye,
having one faith and one baptism; having their hearts knit together
in unity and in love, one towards another.
18:22 And thus he commanded them to preach. And thus they became
the children of God.
18:23 And he commanded them that they should observe the sabbath
day, and keep it holy, and also every day they should give thanks
to the Lord their God.
18:24 And he also commanded them that the priests which he had
ordained should labor with their own hands for their support;
18:25 and there was one day in every week that was set apart that
they should gather themselves together to teach the people, and
worship the Lord their God, and also as often as it was in their
power to assemble themselves together.
18:26 And the priests was not to depend upon the people for their
support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of
God, that they might wax strong in spirit, having the knowledge
of God, that they might teach the power and authority from God.
18:27 And again Alma commanded that the people of the Church should
impart of their substance, every one according to that which he
hath; if he have more abundantly, he should impart more abundantly;
and he that hath but little, but little should be required; and
to him that doth not should be given.
18:28 And thus they should impart of their substance, of their
own free will and good desires towards God, and to those priests
that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul.
18:29 And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God;
and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another,
both temporally and spiritually, according to their needs and
their wants.
18:30 And now it came to pass that all this was done in Mormon;
yea, by the waters of Mormon, in the forest that was near the
waters of Mormon, yea, the place of Mormon, the waters of Mormon,
the forest of Mormon, how beautiful are they to the eyes of them
who there came to the knowledge of their redeemer; yea, and how
blessed are they, for they shall sing to his praise forever.
18:31 And these things were done in the borders of the land, that
they might not come to the knowledge of the king.
18:32 But behold, it came to pass that the king, having discovered
a movement among the people, sent his servants to watch them.
Therefore on the day that they were assembling themselves together
to hear the word of the Lord, they were discovered unto the king.
18:33 And now the king saith that Alma was stirring up the people
to a rebellion against him; therefore he sent his army to destroy
them.
18:34 And it came to pass that Alma, and the people of the Lord
were apprised of the coming of the king's army; therefore they
took their tents and their families, and departed into the wilderness.
18:35 And they were in number about four hundred and fifty souls.
19:1 And it came to pass that the army of the king returned, having
searched in vain for the people of the Lord.
19:2 And now behold, the forces of the king were small, having
been reduced, and there began to be a division among the remainder
of the people.
19:3 And the lesser part began to breath out threatnings against
the king, and there began to be a great contention among them.
19:4 And now there was a man among them whose name was Gideon,
and he being a strong man, and an enemy to the king, therefore
he drew his sword and swore his wrath, that he would slay the
king. And it came to pass that he fought with the king;
19:5 and when the king saw that he was about to overpower him,
he fled and ran and got upon the tower, which was near the temple.
19:6 And Gideon pursued after him and was about to get upon the
tower to slay the king, and the king cast his eyes round about
towards the land of Shemlon, and behold, the army of the Lamanites
were within the borders of the land.
19:7 And now the king cried out in the anguish of his soul, saying,
Gideon, spare me, for the Lamanites are upon us, and they will
destroy them; yea, they will destroy my people.
19:8 And now the king was not so much concerned about his people,
as he was about his own life; nevertheless, Gideon did spare his
life.
19:9 And the king commanded the people that they should flee before
the Lamanites, and he himself did go before them, and they did
flee into the wilderness with their women and their children.
19:10 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did pursue them,
and did overtake them, and began to slay them.
19:11 Now it came to pass that the king commanded them that all
men should leave their wives and their children, and flee from
the Lamanites.
19:12 Now there were many that would not leave them, but had rather
stay and perish with them. And the rest left their wives and their
children and fled.
19:13 And it came to pass that those that tarried with their wives
and their children, caused that their fair daughters should stand
forth and plead with the Lamanites, that they would not slay them.
19:14 And it came to pass that the Lamanites had compassion on
them, for they were charmed with the beauty of their women;
19:15 therefore the Lamanites did spare their lives, and took
them captives, and carried them back to the land of Nephi, and
granted unto them that they might possess the land, under the
conditions that they would deliver up the king Noah unto the hands
of the Lamanites, and deliver up their property, even one half
of all they possessed; one half of their gold, and their silver,
and all their precious things; and thus they should pay tribute
to the king of the Lamanites, from year to year.
19:16 And now there was one of the sons of the king among those
that was taken captive, whose name was Limhi.
19:17 And now Limhi was desirous that his father should not be
destroyed; nevertheless, Limhi was not ignorant of the iniquities
of his father, he himself, being a just man.
19:18 And it came to pass that Gideon sent men into the wilderness
secretly, to search for the king, and those that was with him.
And it came to pass that they met the people in the wilderness,
all save the king and his priests.
19:19 Now they had sworn in their hearts that they would return
to the land of Nephi, and if their wives and their children were
slain, and also those that had tarried with them, that they would
seek revenge, and also perish with them.
19:20 And the king commanded them that they should not return;
and they were angry with the king, and caused that he should suffer,
even unto death by fire.
19:21 And they were about to take the priests also and put them
to death, and they fled before them.
19:22 And it came to pass that they were about to return to the
land of Nephi, and they met the men of Gideon. And the men of
Gideon told them of all that had happened to their wives and their
children; and that the Lamanites had granted unto them that they
might possess the land by paying a tribute to the Lamanites of
one half of all they possessed.
19:23 And the people told the men of Gideon that they had slain
the king, and his priests had fled from them farther into the
wilderness,
19:24 And it came to pass that after they had ended the ceremony,
that they returned to the land of Nephi, rejoicing, because their
wives and their children were not slain; and they told Gideon
what they had done to the king.
19:25 And it came to pass that the king of the Lamanites made
an oath unto them, that his people should not slay them.
19:26 And also Limhi, being the son of the king, having the kingdom
conferred upon him by the people, made an oath unto the king of
the Lamanites, that his people should pay tribute unto him, even
one half of all they possessed.
19:27 And it came to pass that Limhi began to establish the kingdom,
and to establish peace among his people.
19:28 And the king of the Lamanites set guards round about the
land, that he might keep the people of Limhi in the land, that
they might not depart into the wilderness; and he did support
his guards out of the tribute which he did receive from the Nephites.
19:29 And now king Limhi did have continual peace in his kingdom,
for the space of two years, that the Lamanites did not molest
them nor seek to destroy them.
20:1 Now there was a place in Shemlon, where the daughters of
the Lamanites did gather themselves together for to sing, to dance,
and to make themselves merry.
20:2 And it came to pass that there was one day a small number
of them gathered together to sing and dance.
20:3 And now the priests of the king Noah, being ashamed to return
to the city of Nephi, yea, and also fearing that the people would
slay them, therefore they durst not return to their wives and
their children.
20:4 And having tarried in the wilderness and having discovered
the daughters of the Lamanites, they laid and watched them;
20:5 and when there were but few of them gathered together to
dance, they came forth out of their secret places, and took them
and carried them into the wilderness; yea, twenty and four of
the daughters of the Lamanites they carried into the wilderness.
20:6 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites found that their
daughters had been missing, they were angry with the people of
Limhi; for they thought it was the people of Limhi.
20:7 Therefore they sent their armies forth; yea, even the king
himself went before his people; and they went up to the land of
Nephi, to destroy the people of Limhi.
20:8 And now Limhi had discovered them from the tower; even all
their preparations for war did he discover; therefore he gathered
his people together, and laid wait for them in the fields, and
in the forests.
20:9 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites had come up,
that the people of Limhi began to fall upon them from their waiting
places, and began to slay them.
20:10 And it came to pass that the battle became exceeding sore,
for they fought like lions for their prey.
20:11 And it came to pass that the people of Limhi began to drive
the Lamanites before them, yet they were not half so numerous
as the Lamanites. But they fought for their lives, and for their
wives, and for their children; therefore they exerted themselves,
and like dragons did they fight.
20:12 And it came to pass that they found the king of the Lamanites
among the number of their dead; yet he was not dead, having been
wounded and left upon the ground, so speedy was the flight of
his people.
20:13 And they took him and bound up his wounds, and brought him
before Limhi, and said, Behold, here is the king of the Lamanites;
he having received a wound, hath fallen among their dead, and
they have left him; and behold, we have brought him before you;
and now let us slay him.
20:14 But Limhi saith unto them, Ye shall not slay him, but bring
him hither, that I may see him. And they brought him. And Limhi
saith unto him, What cause have ye to come up to war against my
people? Behold, my people have not broken the oath that I made
unto you; therefore, why should ye break the oath which ye made
unto my people?
20:15 And now the king said, I have broken the oath, because thy
people did carry away the daughters of my people; therefore in
my anger I did cause my people to come up to war against thy people.
20:16 Now Limhi had heard nothing concerning this matter; therefore
he saith, I will search among my people, and whosoever hath done
this thing shall perish. Therefore he caused a search to be made
among his people.
20:17 Now when Gideon had heard these things, he being the king's
captain, he went forth and said unto the king, I pray thee forbear,
and do not search this people, and lay not this thing to their
charge.
20:18 For do ye not remember the priests of thy father, which
this people sought to destroy? And are they not in the wilderness?
And is it not they which have stolen the daughters of the Lamanites?
20:19 And now behold, and tell the king these things, that he
may tell his people, that they may be pacified towards us: for
behold, they are already preparing to come against us; and behold
also, there are but few of us.
20:20 And behold, they come with their numerous hosts; and except
the king doth pacify them towards us, we must perish.
20:21 For are not the words of Abinadi fulfilled, which he prophesied
against us? and all this because we would not hearken unto the
words of the Lord, and turn from our iniquities?
20:22 And now let us pacify the king, and we fulfil the oath which
we have made unto him: for it is better that we should be in bondage,
than that we should lose our lives; therefore, let us put a stop
to the shedding of so much blood.
20:23 And now Limhi told the king all the things concerning his
father, and the priests that had fled into the wilderness, and
attributed the carrying away of their daughters to them.
20:24 And it came to pass that the king was pacified towards his
people; and he said unto them, Let us go forth to meet my people,
without arms; and I swear unto you with an oath, that my people
shall not slay thy people.
20:25 And it came to pass that they followed the king, and went
forth without arms to meet the Lamanites. And it came to pass
that they did meet the Lamanites; and the king of the Lamanites
did bow himself down before them, and did plead in behalf of the
people of Limhi.
20:26 And when the Lamanites saw the people of Limhi, that they
were pacified towards them, and returned with their king in peace
to their own land.
21:1 And it came to pass that Limhi and his people returned to
the city of Nephi, and began to dwell in the land again in peace.
21:2 And it came to pass that after many days, the Lamanites began
to be stirred up in anger against the Nephites; and they began
to come into the borders of the land round about.
21:3 Now they durst not slay them, because of the oath which their
king had made unto Limhi; but they would smite them on their cheeks,
and exercise authority over them; and began to put heavy burdens
upon their backs, and drive them as they would a dumb ass:
21:4 yea, all this was done, that the word of the Lord be fulfilled.
21:5 And now the afflictions of the Nephites was great; and there
was no way that they could deliver themselves out of their hands,
for the Lamanites had surrounded them on every side.
21:6 And it came to pass that the people began to murmur with
the king, because of their afflictions; and they began to be desirous
to go against them to battle. And they did afflict the king sorely
with their complaints; therefore he granted unto them that they
should do according to their desires.
21:7 And they gathered themselves together again, and put on their
armor, and went forth against the Lamanites, to drive them out
of their land.
21:8 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did beat them, and
drove them back, and slew many of them.
21:9 And now there was a great mourning and lamentation among
the people of Limhi; the widow mourning for her husband; the son
and the daughter mourning for their father; and the brothers for
their brethren.
21:10 Now there were a great many widows in the land; and they
did cry mightily from day to day, for a great fear of the Lamanites
had come upon them.
21:11 And it came to pass that their continual cries did stir
up the remainder of the people of Limhi to anger, against the
Lamanites. And they went again to battle; but they were driven
back again, suffering much loss.
21:12 Yea, they went again, even the third time, and suffered
in the like manner; and those that were not slain, returned again
to the city of Nephi.
21:13 And they did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting
themselves to the yoke of bondage, submitting themselves to be
smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according
to the desires of their enemies.
21:14 And they did humble themselves even in the depths of humility;
and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did
they cry unto their God, that he would deliver them out of their
afflictions.
21:15 And now the Lord was slow to hear their cry, because of
their iniquities; nevertheless the Lord did hear their cries,
and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites, that they began
to ease their burdens: yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver
them out of bondage.
21:16 And it came to pass that they began to prosper by degrees
in the land, and began to raise grain more abundantly, and flocks,
and herds, that they did not suffer with hunger.
21:17 Now there was a great number of women more than there was
of men; therefore king Limhi commanded every man should impart
to the support of the widows and their children, that they might
not perish with hunger: and this they did, because of the greatness
of their number that had been slain.
21:18 Now the people of Limhi kept together in a body as mush
as it was possible, and secure their grain, and their flocks;
21:19 and the king himself did not trust his person without the
walls of the city, unless he took his guards with him, fearing
that he might by some means fall into the hands of the Lamanites.
21:20 And he caused that his people should watch the land round
about, that by some means they might take those priests that fled
into the wilderness, which had stolen the daughters of the Lamanites,
and that caused such a great destruction to come upon them;
21:21 for they were desirous to take them, that they might punish
them: for they had come into the land of Nephi by night, and carried
off of their grain, and many of their precious things; therefore
they laid wait for them.
21:22 And it came to pass that there was no more disturbance between
the Lamanites and the people of Limhi, even until the time that
Ammon and his brethren came into the land.
21:23 And the king having been without the gates of the city with
his guard he discovered Ammon and his brethren; and supposing
them to be priests of Noah, therefore he caused that they should
be taken, and bound, and cast into prison. And had they been the
priests of Noah, he would have caused that they should be put
to death;
21:24 but when he found that they were not, but that they were
his brethren, and had come from the land of Zarahemla, he was
filled with exceeding great joy.
21:25 --Now king Limhi had sent, previous to the coming of Ammon,
a small number of men to search for the land of Zarahemla; but
they could not find it: and they were lost in the wilderness.
21:26 Nevertheless they did find a land which had been peopled;
yea, a land which was covered with dry bones; yea, a land which
had been peopled, and which had been destroyed; and they having
supposed it to be the land of Zarahemla, returned to the land
of Nephi, having arrived in the borders of the land not many days
before the coming of Ammon.
21:27 And they brought a record with them, even a record of the
people whose bones they had found; and they were engraven on plates
of ore.
21:28 And now Limhi was again filled with joy, on learning from
the mouth of Ammon that king Benjamin had a gift from God, whereby
he could interpret such engravings; yea, and Ammon also did rejoice.
21:29 Yet Ammon and his brethren were filled with sorrow, because
so many of his brethren had been slain;
21:30 and also that king Noah and his priests had caused the people
to commit so many sins and iniquities against God; and they also
did mourn for the death of Abinadi; and also for the departure
of Alma, and the people that went with him, who had formed a church
of God through the strength and power of God, and faith on the
words which had been spoken by Abinadi;
21:31 yea, they did mourn for their departure, for they knew not
whither they had fled. Now they would have gladly joined with
them, for they themselves had entered into a covenant with God,
to serve him, and keep his commandments.
21:32 And now since the coming of Ammon, king Limhi had also entered
into a covenant with God, and also many of his people, to serve
him, and keep his commandments.
21:33 And it came to pass that king Limhi and many of his people
was desirous to be baptized; but there was none in the land that
had authority from God. And Ammon declined doing this thing, considering
himself an unworthy servant;
21:34 therefore they did not at that time form themselves into
a church, waiting upon the spirit of the Lord. Now they were desirous
to become even as Alma and his brethren, which had fled into the
wilderness.
21:35 They were desirous to be baptized, as a witness and a testimony
that they were willing to serve God with all their hearts; nevertheless
they did prolong the time: and an account of their baptism shall
be given hereafter.
21:36 And now all the study of Ammon and his people, and king
Limhi and his people, was to deliver themselves out of the hands
of the Lamanites, and from bondage.
22:1 Chapter 10 And now it came to pass that Ammon and
king Limhi began to consult with the people how they should deliver
themselves out of bondage; and even they did cause that all the
people should gather themselves together: and this they did that
they might have a voice of the people concerning the matter.
22:2 And it came to pass that they could find no way to deliver
themselves out of bondage, except it were to take their women
and children, and their flocks, and their herds, and their tents,
and depart into the wilderness; for the Lamanites being so numerous
that it was impossible for the people of Limhi to contend with
them, thinking to deliver themselves out of bondage by the sword.
22:3 Now it came to pass that Gideon went forth and stood before
the king, and said unto him, Now O king, thou hast hitherto hearkened
unto my words many times when we have been contending with our
brethren, the Lamanites.
22:4 And now O king, if thou hast not found me to be a unprofitable
servant or if thou hast hitherto listened to my words in any degree,
and they have been of service to thee, even so I desire that thou
wouldst listen to my words at this time, and I will be thy servant,
and deliver this people out of bondage.
22:5 And the king granted unto him that he might speak. And Gideon
saith unto him,
22:6 Behold the back pass through the back wall, on the back side
of the city. The Lamanites, or the guards of the Lamanites, by
night, are drunken; therefore let us send a proclamation among
all this people, that they gather together their flocks and herds,
that they may drive them into the wilderness by night.
22:7 And I will go according to thy command, and pay the last
tribute of wine to the Lamanites, and they will be drunken; and
we will pass through the secret pass on the left of the camp,
when they are drunken and asleep:
22:8 thus we will depart with our women and our children, our
flocks and our herds, into the wilderness; and we will travel
around the land of Shilom.
22:9 And it came to pass that the king hearkened unto the words
of Gideon.
22:10 And it came to pass that king Limhi caused that his people
should gather their flocks together; and he sent the tribute of
wine to the Lamanites; and he also sent more wine, as a present
unto them: and they did drink freely of the wine which king Limhi
did send unto them.
22:11 And it came to pass that the people of king Limhi did depart
by night into the wilderness with their flocks and their herds;
and they went round about the land of Shilom in the wilderness,
and bent their course towards the land of Zarahemla, being led
by Ammon and his brethren.
22:12 And they had taken all their gold, and silver, and their
precious things, which they could carry; and also their provisions
with them, into the wilderness; and they pursued their journey.
22:13 And after being many days in the wilderness, they arrived
in the land of Zarahemla, and joined his people, and became his
subjects.
22:14 And it came to pass that Mosiah received them with joy;
and he also received their records, and also the records which
had been found by the people of Limhi.
22:15 And now it came to pass when the Lamanites had found that
the people of Limhi had departed out of the land by night, that
they sent an army into the wilderness to pursue them;
22:16 and after they had pursued them two days, they could no
longer follow their tracks; therefore they were lost in the wilderness.
23:1 Chapter 11 Now Alma, having been warned of the Lord
that the armies of king Noah would come upon them, and had made
it known to his people, therefore they gathered together their
flocks and took of their grain, and departed into the wilderness
before the armies of king Noah.
23:2 And the Lord did strengthen them, that the people of king
Noah could not overtake them, to destroy them.
23:3 And it came to pass that they fled eight days' journey into
the wilderness.
23:4 And they came to a land, yea, even a very beautiful and pleasant
land; a land of pure water.
23:5 And it came to pass that they pitched their tents, and began
to till the ground, and began to build buildings, &c; yea,
they were industrious, and did labor exceedingly.
23:6 And it came to pass that the people were desirous that Alma
should be their king, for he was beloved by his people.
23:7 But he saith unto them, Behold, it is not expedient that
we should have a king; for thus saith the Lord: Ye shall not esteem
one flesh above another; or one man shall not think himself above
another; therefore I say unto you, It is not expedient that ye
should have a king.
23:8 Nevertheless, if it were possible that ye could always have
just men to be your kings, it would be well for you to have a
king.
23:9 But remember the iniquity of king Noah and his priests: and
I myself was caught in a snare, and did many things which was
abominable in the sight of the Lord, which caused me sore repentance;
23:10 nevertheless, after much tribulation, the Lord did hear
my cries, and did answer my prayers, and hath made me an instrument
in his hands, in bringing so many of you to a knowledge of his
truth.
23:11 Nevertheless, in this I do not glory, for I am unworthy
to glory of myself.
23:12 And now I say unto you, As ye have been oppressed by king
Noah, and have been in bondage to him and his priests, and have
been brought into iniquity by them; therefore ye were bound with
the hands of iniquity.
23:13 And now as ye have been delivered, by the power of God,
out of these bonds; yea, even out of the hands of king Noah and
his people, and also from the bonds of iniquity, even so I desire
that ye should stand fast in this liberty wherewith ye have been
made free, and that ye trust no man to be king over you;
23:14 and also trusting no one to be your teachers nor your ministers,
except he be a man of God, walking in his ways and keeping his
commandments.
23:15 Thus did Alma teach his people, that every man should love
his neighbor as himself; that there should be no contention among
them.
23:16 And now Alma was their high priest, he being a founder of
their Church.
23:17 And it came to pass that none received authority to preach
or to teach, except it were by him from God. Therefore he consecrated
all their priests, and all their teachers, and none were consecrated
except it were just men.
23:18 Therefore they did watch over their people, and did nourish
them with things pertaining to righteousness.
23:19 And it came to pass that they began to prosper exceedingly
in the land; and they called the land Helam.
23:20 And it came to pass that they did multiply and prosper exceedingly
in the land of Helam;
23:21 and they built a city, which they called Helam. Nevertheless
the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their
patience and their faith.
23:22 Nevertheless, whosoever puteth his trust in him, the same
shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with
this people.
23:23 For behold, I will shew unto you that they were brought
into bondage, and none could deliver them but the Lord their God;
yea, even the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob.
23:24 And it came to pass that he did deliver them, and he did
shew forth his might power unto them, and great was their rejoicings.
23:25 For behold, it came to pass that while they were in the
land of Helam, yea, in the city of Helam, while tilling the land
round about, behold an army of the Lamanites were in the borders
of the land.
23:26 Now it came to pass that the brethren of Alma fled from
the fields, and gathered themselves together into the city of
Helam; and they were much frightened because of the appearance
of the Lamanites.
23:27 But Alma went forth and stood among them, and exhorted them
that they should not be frightened, but they should remember the
Lord their God, and he would deliver them;
23:28 therefore they hushed their fears, and began to cry unto
the Lord, that he would soften the hearts of the Lamanites, that
they would spare them, and their wives, and their children.
23:29 And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the hearts
of the Lamanites. And Alma and his brethren went forth and delivered
themselves up into their hands; and the Lamanites took possession
of the land of Helam.
23:30 Now the armies of the Lamanites which had followed after
the people of king Limhi, had been lost in the wilderness for
many days.
23:31 And behold, they had found those priests of king Noah, in
a place called Amulon; and they began to possess the land of Amulon,
and had began to till the ground.
23:32 Now the name of the leader of those priests was Amulon.
23:33 And it came to pass that Amulon did plead with the Lamanites;
and he also sent forth their wives, which was the daughters of
the Lamanites, to plead with their brethren, that they should
not destroy their husbands.
23:34 And it came to pass that the Lamanites had compassion on
Amulon and his brethren, and did not destroy them, because of
their wives.
23:35 And Amulon and his brethren did join the Lamanites, and
they were travelling in the wilderness in search of the land of
Nephi, when they discovered the land of Helam, which was possessed
by Alma and his brethren.
23:36 And it came to pass that the Lamanites promised unto Alma
and his brethren, that if they shewed them the way which led to
the land of Nephi, that they would grant unto them their lives
and their liberty.
23:37 But it came to pass that after Alma had shewn them the way
that led to the land of Nephi, the Lamanites would not keep their
promise; but they set guards round about the land of Helam, over
Alma and his brethren.
23:38 And the remainder of them went to the land of Nephi, and
a part of them returned to the land of Helam, and also brought
with them the wives and the children of the guards which had been
left in the land.
23:39 And the king of the Lamanites had granted unto Amulon that
he should be a king and a ruler over his people, which was in
the land of Helam; nevertheless he should have no power to do
any thing contrary to the will of the king of the Lamanites.
24:1 And it came to pass that Amulon did gain favor in the eyes
of the king of the Lamanites; therefore the king of the Lamanites
granted unto him and his brethren, that they should be appointed
teachers over his people; yea, even over the people which was
in the land of Shemlon, and in the land of Shilom, and in the
land of Amulon:
24:2 for the Lamanites had taken possession of all these lands;
therefore the king of the Lamanites had appointed kings over all
these lands.
24:3 And now the name of the king of the Lamanites was Laman,
being called after the name of his father; and therefore he was
called king Laman. And he was king over a numerous people;
24:4 and he appointed teachers of the brethren of Amulon, in every
land which was possessed by his people: and thus the language
of Nephi began to be taught among all the people of the Lamanites.
24:5 And they were a people friendly one with another; nevertheless
they knew not God; neither did the brethren of Amulon teach them
any thing concerning the Lord their God, neither the law of Moses;
nor did they teach them the words of Abinadi;
24:6 but they taught them that they should keep their record,
and that they might write one to another.
24:7 And thus the Lamanites began to increase in riches, and began
to trade one with another, and wax great, and began to be a cunning
and a wise people, as to the wisdom of the world; yea, a very
cunning people; delighting in all manner of wickedness and plunder,
except it were among their own brethren.
24:8 And now it came to pass that Amulon began to exercise authority
over Alma and his brethren, and began to persecute him and cause
that his children should persecute their children:
24:9 for Amulon knew Alma, that he had been one of the king's
priests, and that it was he that believed the words of Abinadi,
and was driven out before the king; and therefore he was wroth
with him, for he was subject to king Laman; yet he exercised authority
over them, and put tasks upon them, and put task-masters over
them.
24:10 And it came to pass that so great was their afflictions,
that they began to cry mightily to God.
24:11 And it came to pass that Amulon commanded them that they
should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch
them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God, should
be put to death.
24:12 And it came to pass that Alma and his people did not raise
their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts
to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.
24:13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them
in their afflictions, saying, Lift up your heads and be of good
comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me;
and I will covenant with my people, and deliver them out of bondage.
24:14 And I will also ease the burdens which is put upon your
shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even
while you are in bondage; and this will I do, that ye may stand
as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety
that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
24:15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which was laid
upon Alma and his brethren, were made light; yea, the Lord did
strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease,
and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will
of the Lord.
24:16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their
patience, that the voice of the Lord came unto them saying, Be
of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver thee out of
bondage. And he saith unto Alma, Thou shalt go before this people,
And I will go with thee, and deliver this people out of bondage.
24:17 And he saith unto Alma: Thou shalt go before this people,
and I will go with thee, and deliver this people out of bondage.
24:18 Now it came to pass that Alma and his people, in the night
time, gathered their flocks together, and also their grain; yea,
even all the night time were they gathering their flocks together.
24:19 And in the morning the Lord caused a deep sleep to come
upon the Lamanites, yea, and all their task-masters were in a
profound sleep.
24:20 And it came to pass that Alma and his people departed into
the wilderness; and when they had travelled all day, they pitched
their tents in a valley, and they called the valley Alma, because
he led their way in the wilderness;
24:21 yea, and in the valley of Alma they poured out their thanks
to God because he had been merciful unto them, and eased their
burdens, and had delivered them out of bondage; for they were
in bondage, and none could deliver them, except it were the Lord
their God.
24:22 And they gave thanks to God, yea, all their men, and all
their women, and all their children, that could speak, lifted
their voices in the praises of their God.
24:23 And now the Lord said unto Alma, Haste thee and get thou
and this people out of this land, for the Lamanites have awoke
and doth pursue thee; therefore get thee out of this land, and
I will stop the Lamanites in this valley, that they come no further
in pursuit of this people.
24:24 And it came to pass that they departed out of the valley,
and took their journey into the wilderness.
24:25 And it came to pass that after they had been in the wilderness
twelve days, they arrived to the land of Zarahemla; and king Mosiah
did also receive them with joy.
25:1 And now king Mosiah caused that all the people be gathered
together.
25:2 Now there were not so many of the children of Nephi, or so
many of those descendants of Nephi, as they were of the people
of Zarahemla, which was a descendant of Mulok, and those which
came with him into the wilderness;
25:3 and there were not so many of the people of Nephi and of
the people of Zarahemla as there was of the Lamanites; yea, they
were not half so numerous.
25:4 And now all the people of Nephi was assembled together, and
also all the people of Zarahemla, and they were gathered together
in two bodies.
25:5 And it came to pass that Mosiah did read, and caused to be
read, the records of Zeniff to his people; yea, he read the records
of the people of Zeniff, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla
until the time they returned again.
25:6 And he also read the account of Alma and his brethren, and
all their afflictions, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla,
until the time they returned again.
25:7 And now when Mosiah had made an end of reading the records,
his people which had tarried in the land was struck with wonder
and amazement,
25:8 for they knew not what to think;, for when they beheld those
that had been delivered out of bondage, they were filled with
exceeding great joy.
25:9 And again, when they thought of their brethren which had
been slain by the Lamanites, they were filled with sorrow, and
even shed many tears of sorrow.
25:10 And again, when they thought of the immediate goodness of
God, and his power in delivering Alma and his brethren out of
the hands of the Lamanites, and of bondage, they did raise their
voices, and gave thanks to God.
25:11 And again when they thought upon the Lamanites, which was
their brethren, of their sinful and polluted state, they were
filled with pain and anguish, for the welfare of their souls.
25:12 And it came to pass that when those which were the children
of Amulon and his brethren, which had taken to wife the daughters
of the Lamanites, they were displeased with the conduct of their
fathers, and they would not longer be called by the names of their
fathers; therefore they took upon themselves the name of Nephi,
that they might be called the children of Nephi, and be numbered
among those which were called Nephites.
25:13 And now all the people of Zarahemla were numbered with the
Nephites, and this because the kingdom had been conferred upon
none but those which were the descendants of Nephi.
25:14 And now it came to pass that when Mosiah had made an end
of speaking and reading to the people, he desired that Alma should
also speak to the people.
25:15 And it came to pass that Alma did speak unto them, when
they were assembled together in large bodies, and he went from
one body to another, preaching unto the people repentance and
faith on the Lord.
25:16 And he did exhort the people of Limhi and his brethren,
all these that had been delivered out of bondage, that they should
remember that it was the Lord that did deliver them.
25:17 And it came to pass that after Alma had taught the people
many things, and had made an end of speaking to them, the king
Limhi was desirous that he might be baptized; and all his people
were desirous that they might be baptized also.
25:18 Therefore Alma did go forth into the water, and did baptize
them; yea, he did baptize them after the manner he did his brethren
in the waters of Mormon; yea, and as many as he did baptize did
belong to the Church of God; and this because of their belief
on the words of Alma.
25:19 And it came to pass that king Mosiah granted unto Alma,
that he might establish Churches throughout all the land of Zarahemla;
and gave him power to ordain priests and teachers over every Church.
25:20 Now this was done because there was so many people that
they could not all be governed by one teacher; neither could they
all hear the word of God in one assembly;
25:21 therefore they did assemble themselves together in different
bodies, being called Churches; every Church having their priests
and their teachers, and every priest preaching the word according
as it was delivered to him by the mouth of Alma:
25:22 and thus, notwithstanding there being many Churches, they
were all one Church; yea, even the Church of God: for there was
nothing preached in all the Churches except it were repentance
and faith in God.
25:23 And now there was seven Churches in the land of Zarahemla.
And it came to pass that whosoever was desirous to take upon them
the name of Christ, or of God, they did join the churches of God;
25:24 and they were called the people of God. And the Lord did
pour out his spirit unto them, and they were blest, and prospered
in the land.
26:1 Now it came to pass that there was many of the rising generation
that could not understand the words of king Benjamin, being little
children at the time he spake unto his people; and they did not
believe the tradition of their fathers.
26:2 They did not believe what had been said concerning the resurrection
of the dead; neither did they believe concerning the coming of
Christ.
26:3 And now because of their belief, they could not understand
the word of God; and their hearts were hardened.
26:4 And they would not be baptized; neither would they join the
church. And they were a separate people as to their faith, and
remained so ever after, even in their carnal and sinful state:
for they would not call upon the Lord their God.
26:5 --``And now in the reign of Mosiah, they were not half so
numerous as the people of God but because of the dissentions among
the brethren, they became more numerous.
26:6 For it came to pass that they did deceive many with their
flattering words, which were in the church, and did cause them
to commit many sins; therefore it became expedient that those
who committed sin that was in the church, should be admonished
by the church.
26:7 And it came to pass that they were brought before the priests,
and delivered up unto the priests by the teachers; and the priests
brought them before Alma, which was the high priest.
26:8 Now king Mosiah had given Alma the authority over the church.
26:9 And it came to pass that Alma did not know concerning them,
for there were many witnesses against them; yea, the people stood
and testified of their iniquity in abundance.
26:10 Now there had not any such thing happened before, in the
church; therefore Alma was troubled in his spirit, and he caused
that they should be brought before the king.
26:11 And he saith unto the king, Behold, here are many which
we have brought before thee, which are accused of their brethren;
yea, and they have been taken in divers iniquities. And they do
not repent of their iniquities; therefore we have brought them
before thee, that thou may judge them according to their crimes.
26:12 But king Mosiah saith unto Alma, Behold, I judge them not;
therefore I deliver them into thy hands to be judged.
26:13 And now the spirit of Alma was again troubled; and he went
and inquired of the Lord what he should do concerning this matter,
for he feared that he should do wrong in the sight of God.
26:14 And it came to pass that after he had poured out his whole
soul to God, the voice of the Lord came to him, saying,
26:15 Blessed art thou, Alma; and blessed are they which were
baptized in the waters of Mormon. Thou art blessed because of
thy exceeding faith in the words alone my servant Abinadi.
26:16 And blessed are they, because of their exceeding faith in
the words alone which thou hast spoken unto them.
26:17 And blessed are thou because thou hast established a church
among this people; and they shall be established, and they shall
be my people.
26:18 Yea, blessed is this people, which is willing to bear my
name: for in my name shall they be called; and they are mine.
26:19 And because thou hast inquired of me concerning the transgressor,
thou art blessed.
26:20 Thou art my servant; And I covenant with thee, that thou
shall have eternal life; and thou shalt serve me, and go forth
in my name, and shall gather together my sheep.
26:21 And he that will hear my voice, shall be my sheep; and him
shall ye receive into the church; and him will I also receive.
26:22 For behold, this is my church; whosoever that is baptized,
shall be baptized unto repentance. And whosoever ye receive, shall
believe in my name; and him will I freely forgive:
26:23 for it is I that taketh upon me the sins of the world; for
it is I that hath created them; and it is I that granteth unto
him that believe in the end, a place at my right hand.
26:24 For behold, in my name are they called; and if they know
me, they shall come forth, and shall have a place eternally at
my right hand.
26:25 And it shall come to pass that when the second trump shall
sound, then shall they that never knew me come forth, and shall
stand before me;
26:26 and then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, that
I am their Redeemer; but they would not be redeemed.
26:27 And then will I confess unto them, that I never knew them;
and they shall depart into everlasting fire, prepared for the
Devil and his angels.
26:28 Therefore I say unto you, That he that will not hear my
voice, the same shall ye not receive into my church, for my voice,
the same shall ye not receive into my church, for him I will not
receive at the last day;
26:29 therefore I say unto you, Go; and whosoever transgresseth
against me, him shall ye judge according to the sins which he
hath committed; and if he confess his sins before thee and me,
and repenteth in the sincerity of his heart, him shall ye forgive,
and I will forgive him also;
26:30 yea, and as often as my people repent, will I forgive them
their trespasses against me.
26:31 And ye shall also forgive one another your trespasses: for
verily I say unto you, He that forgiveth not his neighbor's trespasses,
when he saith that he repenteth, the same hath brought himself
under condemnation.
26:32 Now I say unto you, Go; and whosoever will not repent of
his sins, the same shall not be numbered among my people; and
this shall be observed from this time forward.
26:33 And it came to pass when Alma had heard these words, he
wrote them down, that he might have them, and that he might judge
the people of that church, according to the commandments of God.
26:34 And it came to pass that Alma went and judged those that
had been taken in iniquity, according to the word of the Lord.
26:35 And whosoever repenteth of their sins and did confess them,
them he did number among the people of the church;
26:36 and them that would not confess their sins and repent of
their iniquity, the same were not numbered among the people of
the church, and their names were blotted out.
26:37 And it came to pass that Alma did regulate all the affairs
of the church; and they began to have peace, and to prosper exceedingly
in the affairs of the church; walking circumspectly before God;
receiving many and baptizing many.
26:38 And now all these things did Alma and his fellow-laborers
do, which were over the church; walking in all diligence; teaching
the word of God in all things; suffering all manner of afflictions;
being persecuted by all those who did not belong to the church
of God. And they did admonish their brethren; and they were also
admonished, everyone, by the word of God,
26:39 according to his sins, or to the sins which he had committed;
being commanded of God to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks
in all things.
27:1 And now it came to pass that the persecutions which was inflicted
on the church by the unbelievers, became so great, that the church
began to murmur, and complain to their leaders concerning the
matter; and they did complain to Alma. And Alma laid the case
before their king, Mosiah. And Mosiah consulted with his priests.
27:2 And it came to pass that king Mosiah sent a proclamation
throughout the land round about, that there should not any unbeliever
persecute any of those which belonged to the church of God;
27:3 and there was a strict command throughout all the churches,
that there should be no persecutions among them; that there should
be an equality among all men;
27:4 that they should let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their
peace; that every man should esteem his neighbor as himself, laboring
with their own hands for their support;
27:5 yea, and all their priests and teachers should labor with
their own hands for their support, in all cases save it were in
sickness, or in much want: and doing these things, they did abound
in the grace of God.
27:6 And there began to be much peace again in the land; and the
people began to be very numerous, and began to scatter abroad
upon the face of the earth; yea, on the north and on the south,
on the east and on the west, building large cities and villages
in all quarters of the land.
27:7 And the Lord did visit them and prosper them, and they became
a large and a wealthy people.
27:8 Now the sons of Mosiah was numbered among the unbelievers;
and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being
called Alma, after his father; nevertheless he became a very wicked
and idolatrous man. And he was a man of many words, and did speak
much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people
to do after the manner of his iniquities.
27:9 And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the
church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing
much dissention among the people; giving a chance for the enemy
of God to exercise his power over them.
27:10 And now it came to pass that while he was going out about
to destroy the church of God: for he did go about secretly with
the sons of Mosiah, seeking to destroy the church, and to lead
astray the people of the Lord, contrary to the commandments of
God, or even the king;
27:11 and as I said unto you, as they were going about rebelling
against God, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto them;
and he descended as it were in a cloud; and he spake as it were
with a voice of thunder, which caused the earth to shake upon
which they stood;
27:12 and so great was their astonishment, that they fell to earth,
and understood not the words which he spake unto them.
27:13 Nevertheless he cried again, saying, Alma, arise, and stand
forth, for why persecuteth thou the church of God? For the Lord
hath said, This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing
shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people.
27:14 And again: The angel saith, Behold, the Lord hath heard
the prayers of his people and also the prayers of his servant
Alma, which is thy father: for he hath prayed with much faith
concerning thee, that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge
of the truth; therefore for this purpose have I come to convince
thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his
servants might be answered according to their faith.
27:15 And now behold, can ye dispute the power of God? For behold,
doth not my voice shake the earth? And can ye not also behold
me before you? And I am sent from God.
27:16 --Now I say unto thee, Go, and remember the captivity of
thy fathers in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and
remember how great things he hath done for them: for they were
in bondage, and he hath delivered them. And now I say unto thee,
Alma, Go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that
their prayers may be answered, and this even if thou wilt of thyself
be cast off.
27:17 And now it came to pass that these were the last words which
the angel spake unto Alma, and he departed.
27:18 And now Alma, and those that were with him, fell again to
the earth, for great was their astonishment: for with their own
eyes they had beheld an angel of the Lord; and his voice was as
thunder, which shook the earth; and they knew that there was nothing
save the power of God, that should shake the earth and cause it
to tremble, as though it would part asunder.
27:19 And now the astonishment of Alma was so great, that he became
dumb, that he could not open his mouth; yea, and he became weak,
even that he could not move his hands; therefore he was taken
by those that were with him, and carried helpless, even until
he was laid before his father.
27:20 And they rehearsed unto his father all that had happened
unto them; and his father rejoiced, for he knew that it was the
power of God.
27:21 And he caused that a multitude should be gathered together,
that they might witness what the Lord had done for his son, and
also for those that were with him.
27:22 And he caused that the priests should assemble themselves
together; and they began to fast, and to pray to the Lord their
God, that he would open the mouth of Alma, that he might speak;
and also that his limbs might receive their strength, that the
eyes of the people might be opened to see and know of the goodness
and glory of God.
27:23 And it came to pass after that they fasted and prayed for
the space of two days and two nights, the limbs of Alma received
their strength, and he stood up and began to speak unto them,
bidding them to be of good comfort:
27:24 for, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have redeemed
of the Lord; behold, I am born of the spirit.
27:25 And the Lord said unto me, Marvel not that all mankind,
yea, men, and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people,
must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal
and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed
of God, becoming his sons and daughters;
27:26 and thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this,
they can in no wise inherit the kingdom of God.
27:27 I say unto you, unless this be the case, they must be cast
off: and this I know, because I was like to be cast off.
27:28 Nevertheless, after wandering through much tribulation,
repenting nigh unto death, the Lord in mercy hath seen fit to
snatch me out of an everlasting burning, and I am born of God;
27:29 my soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and
bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold
the marvellous light of God. My soul was wrecked with eternal
torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more.
27:30 I rejected my Redeemer, and denied that which had been spoken
of by our fathers; but now that they may foresee that he will
come, and that he remembereth every creature of his creating,
and he will make himself manifest unto all;
27:31 yea, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before
him. Yea, even at the last day, when all men shall stand to be
judged of him, than shall they confess that he is God; then shall
they confess, who live without God in the world, that the judgment
of an everlasting punishment is just upon them; and they shall
quake, and tremble, and shrink beneath the glance of his all-searching
eye.
27:32 And now it came to pass that Alma began from this time forward,
to teach the people, and those which were with Alma at the time
the angel appeared unto them; travelling round about through all
the land, publishing to all the people the things which they had
heard and seen, and preaching the word of God in much tribulation,
being greatly persecuted by those which were unbelievers, being
smitten by many of them;
27:33 but notwithstanding all this, they did impart much consolation
to the church, confirming their faith, and exhorting them with
long suffering and much travail, to keep the commandments of God.
27:34 And four of them were sons of Mosiah; and their names were
Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and Himni: these were the names of
the sons of Mosiah.
27:35 And after they had travelled throughout all the land of
Zarahemla, and among all the people which was under the reign
of king Mosiah, zealously striving to repair all the injuries
which they had done to the church; confessing all their sins,
and publishing all the things which they had seen, and explaining
the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them:
27:36 and thus they were instruments in the hands of God, in bringing
many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their
redeemer.
27:37 And how blessed they are! For they did publish peace; they
did publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the
people that the Lord reigneth.
28:1 Chapter 12 Now it came to pass that after the sons
of Mosiah had done all these things, they took a small number
with them, and returned to their father, the king, and desired
of him that he would grant unto them, that they might, with these
whom they had selected, go up to the land of Nephi, that they
might preach the things which they had heard, and that they might
impart the word of God to their brethren, the Lamanites,
28:2 that perhaps they might bring them to the knowledge of the
Lord their God, and convince them of the iniquity of their fathers;
and that perhaps they might cure them of their hatred towards
the Nephites, that they might also be brought to rejoice in the
Lord their God, that they might become friendly to one another,
and that there should be no more contentions in all the land which
the Lord their God hath given them.
28:3 Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared
to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul
should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should
endure endless torment, did cause them to quake and tremble.
28:4 And thus did the spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they
were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his infinite
mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of
soul, because of their iniquities; and suffering much, fearing
that they should be cast off forever.
28:5 And it came to pass that they did plead with their father
many days, that they might go up to the land of Nephi.
28:6 And it came to pass that king Mosiah went and inquired of
the Lord, if he should let his sons go up among the Lamanites
to preach the word.
28:7 And the Lord said unto Mosiah, Let them go up, for many shall
believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life; and
I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites.
28:8 And it came to pass that Mosiah granted that they might go,
and do according to their request;
28:9 and they took their journey into the wilderness, to go up
to preach the word among the Lamanites: and I shall give an account
of their proceedings hereafter.
28:10 Now king Mosiah had no one to confer the kingdom upon, for
there was not any of his sons which would accept of the kingdom;
28:11 therefore he took the records which were engraven upon the
plates of brass, and also the plates of Nephi, and all the things
which he had kept and preserved, according to the commandments
of God, and after having translated and caused to be written the
records which were on the plates of gold, which had been found
by the people of Limhi, which was delivered to him by the hand
of Limhi:
28:12 and this he done, because of the great anxiety of his people.
for they were desirous beyond measure, to know concerning those
people which had been destroyed.
28:13 And now he translated them by the means of those two stones
which was fastened into the rims of a bow.
28:14 Now these things was prepared from the beginning, and was
handed down from generation to generation, for the purpose of
interpreting languages;
28:15 and they have been kept and preserved by the hand of the
Lord, that he should discover to every creature which should possess
the land, the iniquities and abominations of his people:
28:16 and whosoever has these things, is called seer, after the
manner of old times.
28:17 Now after Mosiah had finished translating these records,
behold, it gave an account of the people which was destroyed,
from the time they were destroyed, back to building of the great
tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people;
and they were scattered abroad upon the face of all the earth,
yea, and even from that time until the creation of Adam.
28:18 Now this account did cause the people of Mosiah to mourn
exceedingly; yea, they were filled with sorrow; nevertheless it
gave them much knowledge in the which they did rejoice.
28:19 And this account shall be written hereafter: for behold,
it is expedient that all people should know these things which
are written in this account.
28:20 Chapter 13 And now I said unto you, that after king
Mosiah had done these things, he took the plates of brass, and
all the things which he had kept, and conferred them upon Alma,
which was the son of Alma; yea, all the records, and also the
interpreters, and conferred them upon him, and commanding him
that he should keep and preserve them, and also keep a record
of the people, handing them down from one generation to another,
even as they had been handed down from the time that Lehi left
Jerusalem.
29:1 Now when Mosiah had done this, he sent out throughout all
the land, among all the people, desiring to know their will concerning
who should be their king.
29:2 And it came to pass that the voice of the people came, saying:
We are desirous that Aaron, thy son, should be our king, and our
ruler.
29:3 Now Aaron had gone up to the land of Nephi, therefore the
king could not confer the kingdom upon him; neither would Aaron
take upon him the kingdom; neither was any of the sons of Mosiah
willing to take upon them the kingdom;
29:4 therefore king Mosiah sent again among the people, yea, even
a written word sent he among the people. And these were the words
that were written, saying:
29:5 Behold, O ye my people, or my brethren for I esteem you as
such; for I desire that ye should consider the cause which ye
are called to consider; for ye are desirous to have a king.
29:6 Now I declare unto you, that he to whom the kingdom doth
rightly belong, hath declined, and will not take upon him the
kingdom.
29:7 And now if there should be another appointed to his stead,
behold I fear there would rise contentions among you; and who
knoweth but what my son, to whom the kingdom doth belong, should
turn to be angry, and draw away a part of this people after him,
which would cause wars and contentions among you; which would
be the cause of shedding much blood, and perverting the way of
the Lord; yea, and destroy the souls of much people.
29:8 Now I say unto you, let us be wise and consider these things,
for we have no right to destroy my son, neither should we have
any right to destroy another, if he should be appointed in his
stead.
29:9 And if my son should turn again to his pride and vain things,
he would recall the things which he had said, and claim his right
to the kingdom, which would cause him and also this people to
commit much sin.
29:10 And now let us be wise, and look forward to these things,
and do that which will make for the peace of this people.
29:11 Therefore I will be your king the remainder of my days;
nevertheless, let us appoint judges to judge this people according
to our law, and we will newly arrange the affairs of this people;
for we will appoint wise men to be judges, that will judge this
people according to the commandments of God.
29:12 Now it is better that a man be judged of God than of man,
for the judgments of God are always just;
29:13 therefore, if it were possible that ye could have just men
to be your kings, which would establish the laws of God, and judge
this people according to his commandments; yea, if ye could have
men for kings, which would do even as my father Benjamin did for
this people; I say unto you, if this could always be the case,
then it would be expedient that ye should always have kings to
rule over you.
29:14 And even I, myself have labored with all the power and faculties
which I have possessed, to teach you the commandments of God,
and to established peace throughout the land, that there should
be no wars nor contentions, no stealing, nor plundering, nor murdering,
nor no manner of iniquity;
29:15 and whosoever hath committed iniquity, him have I punished
according to the crime which he hath committed, according to the
law which hath been given to us by our fathers.
29:16 Now I say unto you, that because all men are not just, it
is not expedient that ye should have a king or kings to rule over
you.
29:17 For behold, how much iniquity doth one wicked king cause
to be committed! yea, and what great destruction!
29:18 --Yea, remember king Noah, his wickedness and abominations
of his people. Behold what great destruction did come upon them;
and also because of their iniquities, they were brought into bondage.
29:19 And were it not for the interposition of their all-wise
Creator, and this because of their sincere repentance, they must
unavoidably remained in bondage until now.
29:20 But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble
themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him,
he did deliver them out of bondage: and thus doth the Lord work
with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending
the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him.
29:21 And behold, now I say unto you, Ye cannot dethrone an iniquitous
king, save it be through much contention and the shedding of much
blood.
29:22 For behold, he hath his friends in iniquity, and he keepeth
his guards about him; and he teareth up the laws of these which
have reigned in righteousness before him; and he trampleth under
his feet the commandments of God;
29:23 and he enacted laws, and sendeth them forth among his people;
yea, laws after the manner of his own wickedness; and whosoever
doth not obey his laws, he causeth to be destroyed; and whosoever
doth rebel against him, he will send his armies against them in
war, and if he can, he will destroy them: and thus an unrighteous
king doth pervert the ways of all righteousness.
29:24 And now behold I say unto you, It is expedient that such
abominations should come upon you;
29:25 therefore choose you by the voice of this people, judges,
that ye may be judged according to the laws which hath been given
you by our fathers, which are correct, and which was given them
by the hand of the Lord.
29:26 Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth
any thing contrary to that which is right; but it is common for
the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right;
therefore this shall ye observe, and make it your law to do business
by the voice of the people.
29:27 And if the time cometh that the voice of the people doth
choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will
come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great
destruction, even as he hath hitherto visited this land.
29:28 And now if ye have judges, and they do not judge you according
to the law which has been given, ye can cause that they may be
judged of a higher judge;
29:29 if your higher judges doth not judge righteous judgments,
ye shall cause that a small number of your lower judges should
be gathered together, and they shall judge your higher judges,
according to the voice of the people.
29:30 And I command you to do these things in the fear of the
Lord; and I command you to do these things, and that ye have no
king: that if these people commit sins and iniquities, they shall
be answered upon their own heads.
29:31 For behold I say unto you, The sins of many people have
been caused by iniquities of their kings; therefore iniquities
are answered upon the heads of their kings.
29:32 And now I desire that this inequality should be no more
in this land, especially among this my people; but I desire that
this land be a land of liberty, and every man may enjoy his rights
and priveleges alike, so long as the Lord seeth fit, that we may
live and inherit the land; yea, even as long as any of our posterity
remaineth upon the face of the land.
29:33 And many more things did king Mosiah write unto them, unfolding
unto them all the trials and troubles of a righteous king; yea,
all the travails of soul for their people, and also all the murmurings
of the people to their king; and he explained it all unto them.
29:34 And he told them that these things had not ought to be;
but that the burdens should come upon all the people, that every
man might bear his part.
29:35 And he also unfolded unto them all the disadvantages they
labored under, by having an unrighteous king to rule over them;
29:36 yea, all his iniquities and abominations, and all the wars,
and contentions, and blood-shed, and the stealing, and the plundering,
and the committing of whoredoms, and all manner of iniquities,
which cannot be enumerated; telling them that these things ought
not to be; that they was expressly repugnant to the commandments
of God.
29:37 And now it came to pass, after king Mosiah had sent these
things forth among the people, they were convinced of the truth
of his words;
29:38 therefore they relinquished their desire for a king, and
became exceedingly anxious that every man should have an equal
chance throughout all the land; yea, and every man expressed a
willingness to answer for his own sins.
29:39 Therefore it came to pass that they assembled themselves
together in bodies throughout the land, to cast in their voices
concerning who should be their judges, to judge them according
to the law which had been given them; and they were exceedingly
rejoiced, because of the liberty which had been granted unto them.
29:40 And they did wax strong in love towards Mosiah; yea, they
did esteem him more than any other man: for they did not look
upon him as a tyrant, who was seeking for gain, yea, for that
lucre which doth corrupt the soul, for he had not exacted riches
of them, neither did he delight in the shedding of blood; but
he had established peace in the land, and he had granted unto
his people that they should be delivered from all manner of bondage;
therefore they did esteem him, yea, exceedingly, beyond measure.
29:41 And it came to pass that they did appoint judges to rule
over them, or to judge them according to the law; and this they
done throughout all the land.
29:42 And it came to pass that Alma was appointed to be the chief
judge; he being also the high priest; his father having conferred
the office upon him, and had given him the charge concerning all
the affairs of the church.
29:43 And now it came to pass that Alma did walk in the ways of
the Lord, and he did keep his commandments, and he did judge righteous
judgments; and there was continual peace through the land;
29:44 and thus commenced the reign of the judges throughout all
the land of Zarahemla, among all the people which was called the
Nephites: and Alma was the first and chief judge.
29:45 And now it came to pass that his father died, being eighty
and two years old, having lived to fulfil the commandments of
God.
29:46 And it came to pass that Mosiah died also, in the thirty
and third year of his reign, being sixty and three years old;
making in the whole, five hundred and nine years from the time
Lehi left Jerusalem;
29:47 and thus ended the reign of the kings over the people of
Nephi; and thus ended the days of Alma, who was the founder of
their church.
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