•• •*> .,:>i.if>:;'-:/-^ Wi> UNIVHRSITY LIBRAKY CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 1924 082 452 842 Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tlie Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924082452842 THE BOOI OF MOEMON TRANSLATED BT JOSEPH SMITH, Jr. BEPBINTED TBOU TEE lEIBD AlISBIOAN' EDITION, CABBFUIXT BETISED BY THE TBAK8LAT0B. ADVERTISEMENT. The piesent effition of the Book of Mormon is an accurate reprint of the third American edition, originally published at Nauvoo, eighteen years ago, under the omciai sanction of the leaders of the Church orSeSSrChrist. ^flie apostacy of the great body of the Church, through the influence of false teachers, who priTJly brought into the Church Damnable Heresies, even denying the Lord, that bought them ; together with the fact that they hare for a long time suppressed the Book, on ac-count of its pointed condemna- tion of their practices, has appeared to the Publisher as a suflScieut reason for reissuing it ; so that the many firm believers of the Book that are scat- tered through the land, earnestly desiring the spread of truth, may hare an opportunity to avail themselves of its precious truths, and put into their own and their neighbors possession the real weapon with which to put down Polygamy and its kindred institutions. In this republication, the Publisher has yielded to a general desire for information in regard to the nature and origin of the Book, and has placed in the introduction a mere 'synopsis of the evidences of its Divinity, and what it purports to be. INTRODUCTION. What is the Book of Mormon ? Whence its origin ? What its purpose ? are questions often asl^ed and variously answered, without much regard to truth, by the many who make the answers. In answer to these questions, we remark that the Book of Mormon purports to he a part of the great things of God's law to Ephraim, as stated in the 8th chap. 11th and 12th verses of Hosea. " Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin. I have written to him the great things of my law, Ijnt they were counted as a strange thing." I Who is Ephraim ? Where his land ? Let the Bible answer. By read- ing the 48th chap, of Genesis, you will find that Jacob, a prophet of the Living God, just before his death, blessed his son Joseph in the land of Egypt, and that he also pronounced a pecuhar blessing upon his two grand- sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, sons of Joseph, born unto him in the land of Egypt. In this blessing, God, through his prophet Jacob, enters into a very peculiar covenant with these lads, as you will find by reading the 19th verse. And his father refused, and said, " I know it, my son, I know it : he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great ; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a mul- titude of nations." Here, then, is a positive, unconditional covenant, that Manasseh shall become a people, and that Ephraim shall become a multitude of nations; i. e., a great many nations, and yet at the same time an unknown number of nations. Now the question arises, where ? Certainly not in the land of Palestine, the land covenanted to Abraham, and confirmed to Isaac by an oath, and unto Jacob for a law ; for in that land there was not room for a multitude of nations ; and besides this, every reader of the Bible w^U knows that the whole house of Israel never became but two nations in that land, viz., the kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Judah. Then, whero VI rNTEODUCTION. is the place for the peculiar covenant to be fulfilled ? Agaia let the Bibld answer. In the 49th chap, and 1st verse of Genesis, we find the following j " And Jacob called unto his sons and said, ' Gather yourselves together thalj I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.' " Not that which should befall them in person, but that which should befall their posterity in the last days, as is evident from his blessing upon Judah, in the 10th verse, where he says: "The sceptre shall not depart from Ju- dah, nor a law-giver from between his feet, until Shiloh (i. e. Christ) come ; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.'' A thing that Christ has not yet done. In this chapter, commencing at the 22d verse, by reading to the 26th| verse, you will get Jacob's dying blessing upon Joseph and his posterity.^ And inasmuch as Ephraim and Manasseh are all the children that the Bible informs us of Joseph's having, this blessing, of course, pertains to their pos- terity. In verse 26th, Jacob says to Joseph : " The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors, unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren." Thus we find Jacob declaring that he has prevailed with God, and ob-| tained a greater blessing than bis progenitors, Abraham and Isaac, had obtained. They had obtained, as we learn from Genesis, 15th and 17th chapters, the everlasting covenant of all the land of Palestine. But Jacob here claims a greater possession, and describes it geographically as extend- ing to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills, which, on e.\amination, we, find to be on this continent, it being opposite on the globe from the land of Palestine. And these everlasting hills, at the utmost bound of his blessings, he declares shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren. We have already seen, in the 48th chapter, that he made Ephraim the crown of Joseph's head, by putting the right-hand blessing upon him. Thus we find that the Bible provides a land for Manasseh to become a people, and a place where Ephraim can be- come a multitude of nations. And it now becomes as much the work of God to get them to this land, as it was his work to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt with great substance, in fulfilment of his covenant with Abraham, in Genesis, 15th chapter. And also as emphatically the work of Ephraim and Manasseh to write the dealings of God with them, and the his tory of their travels and of their settlement of this their covenant posses- sions, as it was the business of the Israelites to write the dealings of God with them, and the history of their settlement in their covenant possession !n the laud of Palestine. Having learned who Ephraim, or the house of Joseph is, and the land on which they reside, we are now prepared to understand to whom God wrote the great things of his law, and they were counted as a strange INTEODXrCTION, vH thing. But from Hosea, 9th chapter, commencing at the 11th verse, we find that Ephraim has apostatized from God, and that God has cast them away because they would not hearken unto him, and that he has cursed them with the barren womb and dry breasts, and made tliem wanderers among the nations. Or, in short, they having joined themselves unto idols, God has left them, and they have dwindled down to these wild, roving Indian tribes, grieved, shot at, and hated, as Jacob and Hosea have both predicted. Now the question arises. What has become of the great things of God's law that was written to Ephraim ? Is it lost, forever lost 1 Let the Prophet Ezekiel, in the 37th chapter, commencing at the 16th verse, answer. "The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying: moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it. For Judah and for the children of Israel his companions ; then take another stick, and write upon it, for Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his com- panions; and join them one to another into one stick, and they shall be- come one in thy hand. And when the children of the people shall speak unto thee, saying. Wilt thou not show us what thou meanest by these? Say unto them, thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in my hand." Now, any one at all acquainted with the ancient custom of keeping re- cords on parchment, well knows that they fastened a stick on each end of the parchment, for the purpose of rolling and unrolling as they read, and that hence records came thus to be called sticks. And all the Bible readers as well know that our Bible all came to us through the kingdom of Judah and that hence it is the stick of Judah. Hence, we perceive that the great things of God's law to Ephraim here on this continent, his covenant posses- sion would be the stick of Joseph in the hand of Ephraim; and that God has positively declared that he would put it with the stick of Judah, the Bible, and make them one in his hand. But when ? Ezekiel here answers that question by showing us what shall follow God's putting the sticks to- gether : " And say unto them, thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen (or Gentiles), whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side and bring them into their own land ; '' the very thing that God has been turning and overturning tlje na- tions to accomplish ever since this Book of Mormon was published, in 1830. For further proof, please read Isaiah, 29th chapter, where the Lord, in addressing the nations that had fought against Mount-Zion, or his Covenant people, declares that these nations are drunken, but not with wine ; "they stagger, because the Lord has poured out upon them a deep sleep, and has closed their eyes by covering their prophets, seers, and rulers. And the vision of all ia become unto them " as the words of a boot that is Sealed, VIU INTEOBTTCnOlT. whicli men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee : and he Baith, I cannot, for it is sealed. And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee ; and he saith, I am not learned." Then the Lord proceeds to speak, and among the important declarations that he makes, he says: "Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest." Now here the prophet shows us first the coming forth of a Book from the ground, and then in a httle while Lebanon becoming a fruit- ful field, which, according to Mr. Barclay's history of Jerusalem, published in 1858, is most emphatically fulfilled; and certainly the year 1858 has taken rapid strides towards causing the fruitful field of the north-west and west to be esteemed as a forest. But again David, in the 85th Psalm, de- clares that, " Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven ; yea, the Lord shall give that which is good : and our land shall yield her increase." Thus testimony accumulates on testimony in the Bible in regard to a Book coming forth from the ground, and that Palestine should become fruitful soon after its coming forth, and also that Israel should be gathered back to their own land on every side. Now it is easy for men to claim that this Book of Mormon is the Solomon Spaulding romance, or that it was got up by the ingenuity of Smith, Rigdon, and others. But it is not so easy disposing of the fact that God has turned and overturned the seasons until he visits the land of Palestine with the earlier and the later rain, un- til her soil is again fruitful and her people again returning to their long- cherished home. To claim any of these sources to be the true origin of the Book, is vir- tually to claim that Smith, Rigdon, and others have power over the ele- ments, and can cause one land to become fruitful and another unfruitful at their will and pleasure. Which absurd claim is more preposterous than any claim ever set up for them by their most sanguine followers. But when we acknowledge the Book to be just what it claims to be — a pari - of the great things of God's law to Ephraim having come forth in fulfilment of prophecy — ^it is at once all plain and reasonable. But for further evidence, read from 4th to 10th chapter of Revelations and you will there read of a book to come forth after John's day, in seven distinct portions. And John closes his prophecy with this fearful curse upon the man that takes away from the words of his prophecy, " That their names shall be taken out of the Book of Life, and out of the holy city and from the things which are written In this Book." But all who say that the Bible is all the revelation of God's will that we are to have, are guilty of thus taking away from John's prophecy. Another class of evidence,, that proves the origin of this Book to be divine IS this : It came forth and was published in the year 1830, at a time when the nSTEODirCTION. IX antiquities of this country were but little known. Yet the Book boldly com- mitted itself, that a people once lived and built cities of curious workmanship in stone in Central America, and that at a certain time a portion of that peo- ple emigrated northward, along the west sea, and became exceeding expert in the use of cement, building many buildings of that material. Time, since this Book came forth, has brought forth Josiah Priest's Antiquities, Cather- wood and Stevens' Travels in Central America, The Antiquities of Peru, Emer- crson and Sage's Travels in Mexico, California, &c., together with Lieutenant Beal's Reports, and a host of other works, which, when taken in connection with the facts and location put forth in the Book of Mormon, before any of these explorations were made, surrounds the Book with an amount of evi- dence to prove the divinity of its origin, that does not exist in favor of any other book in existence. To this add the testimony of eleven witnesses, that with words of soberness testify to its truth and divinity, the most of whom, when the leaders of the church went into transgression, withdrew from it, and have led sober, upright, and consistent lives ; and, when tested by mobs, have declared that they would forfeit their lives before they would recant or deny the testimony they had given. Thus we have given to you, kind reader, a mere synopsis of the evi- dences of the divinity of this Book, and in so doing have answered the two first questions at the head of this article, and wUl now proceed to answer the third question, to wit : What is the purpose of this Book ? One impor- tant purpose of this Book is to increase the testimony of God to the human family in regard to the plan of salvation, and the truths of the Christian re- ligion, by giving to them the testimony of the prophets and apostles of God sent forth to Ephraim on this continent, as well as the testimony of the prophets and apostles of God to Judah on the other continent. This he does in view of the fact that two witnesses who agree in regard to the same truths are better than one. In the plan of salvation, and all things pertaining thereunto, this Book and the Bible agree. In condemnation of sin in all its forms, they are perfectly united — only the fact that, on all points of doctrine, the Book of Mormon is plainer, easier to be understood than the Bible. Another purpose is to make the people acquainted with who the abo- rigines of this country are, and what they are yet in future to be, as well as to develop to some extent the past history of the people that have lived on this continent. Another design of God in bringing forth this work, evidently is to prepare the way for the fulfilment of the Saviour's oft- repeated declaration: "For there is nothing hid which shall not be manifested ; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad'," Mark, 4 chap. 22d v., Luke, 8 chap, l^th v., by raising up a people that shall throw off the shackles of superstition, and open their hearts to the truth that God is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever, and that hence he can as well be approached in this as well as in any X INTEODtrCTION. past generation. So that those who fear him can obtain wisdom at his hand by direct revelation, as well now as in the various ages in the past, when men have feared God and worked righteousness, and did obtain for their benefit, as well as for the benefit of the world, all the rich store of wisdom contained in the Bible. But space reminds me, kind reader, that I mnst bring this introduction to a close, which I will do by earnestly inviting you to divest yourself of prejudice, and carefully and critically read the Book. * Written by Z. Brook, Elder in the Church of Christ. THE BOOK OF MORMON. AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BY THE HAND OP MORMON UPON PLATES TAKEN FROM THE PLATES OF NEPHI. WTierefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the La- manites ; written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the honso of Israel ; and also to Jew and Gentile ; written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation. "Written, and sealed up, and hid up nnto the Lord, that thoy might not be destroyed ; to come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof; sealed by the band of Moroni, and hid. up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by the way of Gentile ; the interpretation thereof by the gift of God. An abridgment taken from the book of Ether : also, which is a record of the people of Jared ; who were scattered at the time the Loed confounded the language of the peo- ple, when they were building a tower to get to heaven : which is to shew unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their falhei's ; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever ; and also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Exsn- KTAL God, manifesting himself unto all nations. And now if there are faults, they are the mistakes of men ; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may bo found spotless at the judgment seat of Christ. MoBom. THE TESTIMONY OP THREE "WITNESSES. Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, nnto whom, this work shall come, that we, throagh the grace of God the Father, and onr Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been i^oken ; and we also know that they have been translated hy the gift and power of God, for his Toice hath declared it unto us ; wherefore we kjiow of a surety, that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upoij the plates ; and they have been shewn unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And wff declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down. train heaven, and he brought and laid before onr eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and-the engravings thereon ; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true ; and it is marvelous in onr eyes, nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it^ wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the j udgraent seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen. OliVBK CffWDEKT, David "Whitmee, Martin Habbis. AND AX80 THE TESTDTOKI OF EIGHT "WITNESSES. Bh it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, tinto whom this work shall come,^i^^if Joseph Smith, Jr., the translator of this work, has shown unto us the .^Iktes of whT^ly hath Ijeen spoken, which have the appearance of gold ; and as many of the leaves aa the said Smith has translated, we did handle with our hands: and we also saw the engi-avings thereon, all of which has the appearance of ancient work, and of cu- rious workmanship. And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety, that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we ^ve our names unto the world to witness unto the world that which we have seen ; and we lie not^ God bearing witness of it. Chkistian "Whitmke, Jacob ■Whitmee, Petee Whitmee, Jb., John "Whitmee, HiEAM Page, Joseph Smith, Sen., Hteum Smith, Samuel H. Smith. CONTENTS. FIRST BOOK OP NEPHI. PAGE ^anffui^e of the Eecord 3 fephrs Abridgment, S jeni's Dream, 4 ^ebl departs into the wilderness 6 Tephi slayeth Lahaiij 6 ariah complains of Lehi's Vision, 9 /ontents of the brass plates, . . t 9 shmael goes with Nephi, 11 fephi's brethren rebel, and bind hicti, . . 11 *ehi's dream of the tree, rod, &c., 12 lessiah and John prophesied of, 14 )liTe branches broKen off, 14 lephi's vision of Mary, 16 Do. the Crucifixion of Christ, 17 Do. darkness and earthquake, 17 ]-reat abominable church, IS )iscovery of the promised land, 19 tible spoken of, 19 took of Mormon and Holy Ghost prom- ised, 20 ►ther books come forth, 20 Sible and Book of Mormon one, 20 'romised to the Gentiles, 21 PAQH Two Churches, 21 The work of the. Father to commence,. 23 A man in white robes (John), 22 Nephi tes come to knowledge, 23 Eod of iron, 24 The sons of Lehi take wives, 25 Director found (ball), 25 Nephi broke his bow, 26 Directors work by faith, 26 Ishmael died, 26 Lehi and Nephi threatened, 2T Nephi commanded to build a ship, 27 Nephi about to be worshipped by his brethren, 30 Ship finished and entered, 31 Dancing in the ship, 31 Nephi bound ; ship driven back, 31 AiTived on the promised land, * 33 Plates of ore made, S3 Zenos, Neum, and Zeuock, 33 Isaiah's writings, 84 Holy One of Israel, 86 SECOND BOOK OF NEPHI. jehi to his sons, 38 ^position in all things, 41 Ldam fell that man miight be, 42 oseph saw our day, .'... 43 L choice seer, 43 Vritings grow together, 43 *rophet promised to the Lamanites, ... 44 oseph^'s prophecy on brass plates, 45 jehi buried, 45 Jcphi's life sought, 46 Jephi separated from Laman, 46 temple built, 47 ikin of blackness, 47 >ripat. MINISTRY. CHAPTEK I. An account of Lehi (ijid Ms wife^ Sariahf^and his four sons^ being called^ (beginning at the eldest,) Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi. The Lora ■warns Lehi to depart'out of the JLand of Jerusalem, because he prophesieih unto the people concerning their iniquity : and they seek to destroy his life. He taketh three days' journey into the wilderness with his family, ifephi taketh his brethren and returns to the land of Jerusalem after the record of the Jews. The account of their sufferings. They take the daugh- ters of Ishmael to wife. They take their families and depart into the wilderness. Their sufferings and afflictions in tlte wilderness. The course of their travels. They come to the large waters. NephVs brethren rebel- leth against him. He confoundeth them, and buildeth a ship. They call the name of the place Bountiful. They cross the large waters . into the promised land, ixc. This is according to the account of Ncphi ; or, in other words, I, Nephi, wrote this record. I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father ; and having seen many afSictions in the course of my days — nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days ; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my —days ; yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians. And I know that the record which I make is true ; and I make it with mine own hand ; and I make it according to my knowledge. For it came to pass, in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, (my father Lehi having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days ;) and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesy- ing unto the people, that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed. Wherefore, it came to pass, that my father Lehi, as he went forth, prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people. And it came to pass, as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him ; and he saw and heard much ; and because of the things which he saw and heard, he did quake and tremble exceedingly. 4 MKST BOOK OF NEPHI. And it came to pass that he returned to his own house at Jerusalem ; and he east himself upon his bed, being overcome with the spirit and the things which he had seen ; and being thus overcome with the spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he' saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God. And it came to pass that he saw one descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his lustre was above that of the sun at noon- day ; and he also saw twelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament ; and they came down and went forth upon.the face of the earth ; and the first came and stood before my father, and gave unto him a book, and bade him that he should read. And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the spirit of the Lord, and he read saying, Wo, wo unto Jerusalem ! for I have seen thine abominations ; yea, and many things did my father read concerning Jerusa- lem — ^that it should be destroyed, and the inhabitants thereof, many should perish by the sword, and many should be carried away captive Into Bab- ylon. And it came to pass t^at when my father had read and saw many great and marvellous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord : such as, great and marvellous are thy works, L"ord God Almighty ! Thy throne is high in the heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth ; and because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish ! And after this manner was the language of my father in the praising of his God ; for his soul did rejoice, and his whole heart was filled because of the things which he bad seen ; yea, which the Lord had shewn unto him. And now I, Nephi, do not make a full account of the things which my father had written, for he hath written many things, which he saw in visions and in dreams, and he also hath written many things which he prophesied and spake unto his chil« dren, of which I shall not make a full account ; but I shall make an account of my proceedings in my days. Behold I make an abridgment of the re- cord of my father, upon plates which I have made with mine own bands ; wherefore, after I have abridged the record of my father, then will I make an account of mine own life. Therefore, I would that ye should know, that after the Lord had shewn BO many marvellous things unto my father Lehi, yea, concerning the de- struction of Jerusalem, behold he went forth among the people, and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he bad both seen an4 heard. And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them ; for he truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations ; and he testified that the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read iii the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world. And when the Jews heard these things, they were angry with him ; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out and stoned and slain ; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away. But be- hold, I, Nephi, will shew unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance. For behold it came to pass that the Lord spake unto my father, yea even in a dream, and said unto him, blessed art thou Lehi, because of the things which thon hast done ; and because thou liast been faithful and de- riKST BOOK or NBPHI. 5 clared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold they seek to take away thy life. And it came to pass that the Lord commanded my father, even in a 'dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness. And it came to pass that he was obedient untq the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him. And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness. And he left bis house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness ; and he came down by the borders near the shore of the Red Sea; and he travelled in the wilderness in the borders which are nearer the Red Sea ; and he did travel in the wilderness with his family,. which consisted of my mother, Sariah, and my elder brothers, who were Laman, Lemuel and Sam. And it came to pass that when he had travelled three days in the wilder- ness, he pitched his tent in a valley by the side of a river of water. And it came to pass that he built an altar of stones, and made an offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto the Lord our Crod. And it came to pass that he called the name of the river, Laman, and it emptied into thejied Sea; and the valley was in the borders near the mouth thereof. j And when my father saw that the waters of the river emptied into the fountain of the Red Sea, he spake unto Laman, saying, that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually running into the fountain of all righteous- ness. And he also spake unto Lemuel : that thou mightest be like- unto this valley, firm, and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the command- ments of the Lord. Now this he spake because of the stiffneckedness of Laman and Lemuel, for behold they did murmur in many things against their father, because he was a visionary man, and had led them out of the land of Jerusalem, to leave the land of their inheritance, and their gold, and their silver, and their precious things, to perish in the wilderness. And this, they said, he had done, because of the foolish imaginations of his heart. And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them. Neither did they believe that Jerusalem, that great city, could be destroyed according to the words of the prophets. And they were like unto the Jews, who were at Jerusalem, who sought to take away the life of my father. And it came to pass that my father did speak unto them in the valley of Lemuel, with power, being filled with the spirit; until their frames did shake before him. And he did confound them, that they durst not utter against him ; wherefore, they did as he commanded them. And my father dwelt in a tent. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceeding young, nevertheless being large in stature, and alsp having great desire to know of the myste- ries of God, wherefore I did cry unto the Lord ; and behold he did visit.me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father ; wherefore I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers. And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his Holy Spirit. And it came to pass that he believed in my words ; but, behold Laman and Lemuel would not hearken unto my words. And being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, I cried unto the Lord for them. And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: blessed art thou, N-ephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart. And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, 6 FIKST BOOK OF NEPHI. ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise ; yen, even a land which I have prepared for you ; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands. And inasmuch as thy brethren shall rej)el against thee, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren. For behold, in that day that they shall rebel against me, I will curse them even with a sore curse, and they shall have no power over thy seed, except they shall rebel against me also. And if it so be that they rebel against me, they shall be a scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in the ways of remembrance. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, returned from speaking with the Lord, to the tent of my father. And it came to pass that he spake unto me, saying, Behold I have dreamed a dream, in which the Lord hath com- manded me that thou and thy brethren shall return to Jerusalem. For be- hold, Laban hath the record of the Jews, and also a genealogy of my fore- fathers, and they are engraven upon plates of brass. Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brothers should go unto the house of Laban, and seek the records, and bring them down hither into the wil- derness. And, now, behold, thy brothers murmur, saying, it is a hard thing which I have required of them ; but behold I have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord. Therefore go my son, and thou shalt be favored of the Lord, because thou hast not murmured. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father, I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth po commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare away for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. And it came to pass that when my father had heard these words, he was exceeding glad, for he knew that I had been blessed of the Lord. And I, Nephi, and my brethren, took our journey in the wilderness with our tents! to go up to the land of Jerusalem. And it came to pass that when we had come up to the land of Jerusalem I and my brethren did consult one with another ; and we cast lots who of us should go in unto the house of Laban. And it came to pass that the lot fell upon Laman ; and Laman went in unto the house of Laban and he talked with him as he sat in his house. And he desired of Laban the re- cords which were engraven upon the plates of brass, which contained the genealogy of my father. And behold, it came to pass that Laban was angry, and thrust him out from his presence ; and he would not that he should have the records Wherefore, he said unto him, behold thou art a robber, and I will slay thee' But Laman fled out of his presence, and told the things which Laban had done, unto us. And we began to be exceeding sorrowful, and my brethren were about to return unto my father in the wUderness. But behold I said unto them, that as the Lord liveth, and as we live, we wiU not go down unto our fether m the wilderness, until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us. Wherefore, let us be faithful in keeoinff the commandments of the Lord ; therefore let us go down to the land of our father's mheritance, for behold he left gold and silver, and all manner of riches. And all this he hath done, because of the commandments of the Lord; for he knew that Jerusalem must be destroyed, because of the wick- edness of the people. For behold they have rejected the words of the prophets. Wherefore mv father should dwell in thn land affoi- h« kofi, k5„_ - , "«™ioje, FIRST BOOK or NEPHI. / obtain these records, that we may preserve unto our children the language of our fathers ; and also that we may preserve unto them the words wliicli have been spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets, which have been delivered unto them by the spirit and power of God, since the world began, even down unto this present time. And it came to pass that after this manner of language did I persuade my brethren, that they might be faithful in keeping the commandments of God. And it came to pass that we went down to the land of our inher- itance, and we did gather together our gold, and our silver, and our pre- cious things. And after we had gathered these things together, we went up again unto the house of Laban. And it came to pass that we went in unto Laban, and desired him that he would give unto us the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, for which we would give unto him our gold, and our silver, and all our precious things. Andit came to pass that when Laban saw our property, and that it was exceeding great, he did lust after it, insomuch that he thrust us out, and sent his servants to slay us, that he might obtain our property. And it came to pass that we did flee before the servants of Laban, and we were obliged to leave behind our property, and it fell into the hands of Laban. And it came to pass that we fled into the wilderness, and the servants of Laban did not overtake us, and we hid ourselves in the cavity of a rock. And it came to pass that Laman mas angry with me, and also with my fa- ther; and also was Lemujpl, for he hearkened unto the words of Laman. Wherefore, Laman and Lemuel did speak many hard words unto us, their younger brothers, and tUey did smite us even with a rod. And it came to pass as they smote us with a rod, behold, an angel of the Lord came and stood before them, and he spake unto them, saying, why do ye smite your younger brother with a rod ? Know ye not that the Lord hath chosen him to be a ruler over you, and this because of your iniquities ? Behold, ye shall go up to Jerusalem again, and the Lord will deliver Laban into your hands. And after the angel had spoken unto us, he departed. And after the angel had departed, Laman and Lemuel again began to mur- mur, saying, how is it possible that the Lord will deliver Laban into our hands ? Behold, he is a mighty man, and he can command fifty, yea, even he can slay fifty ; then why not us ? And it came to pass that I spake unto my brethren, saying, let us go up again unto Jerusalem, and let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord ; for behold, he is mightier, than aH the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands ? Therefore, let us go up ; let us be strong like unto Moses ; for he truly spake unto the waters of the Bed Sea, and they divided hither and thither, and our fathers came through, out of captivity, on dry ground, and the ar- mies of Pharaoh did follow, and were drowned in the waters of the Red Sea. Now behold, ye know that this is true ; and ye also know that an an- gel hath spoken' unto you, wherefore can ye doubt ? Let us go up ; the Lord is able to deliver us, even as our fathers, and to destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians. Now when I had spoken these words, they were yet wroth, and did still continue to murmur ; nevertheless they did follow me up until we came' without the walls of Jerusalem. And it was by night ; and I caused that they should hide themselves without the walls. And after they had hid themselves, I,Nephi, crept into the city and went forth towards the house of Laban. And I was led by the spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless I went forth, and as I caroe nea^r uflt(J 8 riKST BOOK OF NEPHI. the house of Laban, I beheld a man, and he had fallen to the earth before me, for he was drunken with wine. And when I came to him, I found that it was Laban. And I beheld his sword, and I drew it forth from the sheath thereof, and the hilt thereof was of pure gold, and the workmanship thereof was exceeding fine, and I saw that the blade thereof was of the most pre- cious steel. And it came to pass that I was constrained by the spirit that I should kill La.bari : but I said in my heart, never at any time have I shed the blood of man, and I shrunk and would that I might not slay him. And the spirit said unto me again, behold the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands ; yea, and I also knew that he had sought to take away mine own life ; yea, and he would not hearken unto the commandments of the Lord ; and he also had taken away our property. And it came to pass that the spirit said unto me again, slay him, for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands. Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is better that "one man should perish, than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief. And now, when X, Nephi, had heard these words, I remembered the words of the Lord which he spake unto me in the wilderness, saying that in- asmuch as thy seed shall keep my commandments, they shall prosper in the land of promise. Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the law of Moses, save they should have the law. And I also knew that the law was engraven upon tne plates of brass. And ag^n — I knew that the Lord hacji> delivered Laban into my hands for this cause, that I might obtain the records according to his com- mandments. Therefore I did obey the voice of th^spirit, and took Laban by the hair of the head, and I smote off his head with his own sword. And after I had smitten off his head with his own sword, I took the gar- ments of Laban and put them upon mine own body ; yea, even every whit ; and I did gird on his armor about my loins.. And after I had done this, I went forth unto the treasury of Laban. And, as I went forth towards the treasury of Laban, behold I saw the servant of Laban who had the keys of the treasury. And I commanded him in the voice of Laban, that he should go with me into the treasury ; and he supposed me to be his master, Laban, for he beheld the garments, and also the sword girdeS* about my loins. And he spake unto me concerning the elders of the Jews, he knowing that hia master Laban had been out by night among them. And I spake unto him as if it had been Laban. And I also spake unto''him that I should carry the engravings which were upon the plates of brass, to my elder brethren, who were without the walls. And I also bade him that he should follow me. And he, supposing that I spake of the brethren of the church, and that I was truly that Laban whom I had slain, wherefore he did follow me. And he spake unto nie many times concerning the elders of the Jews as I went forth unto my brethren, who were without the walls. And it came to pass that when Laman saw me, he was exceedingly frightened, and also Lemuel and Sam. And they fled from before my pres- ence ; for they supposed it was Laban, and that he had slain me, and had sought to take away their lives also. And it came to pass that I called after them, and they did hear me ■ wherefore they did cease to flee from my presence. And it came to pass that when the servant of Laban beheld my brethren, he began to tremble and was about to flee from before me and return to the city of Jerusalem. ' And now I, Nephi, being a man large in stature, and also having re- ceived much strength of the Lord, therefore I did seize upon the servant of Laban, and held him that he should not flee. FIRST BOOK OF NEPHI. 9 And it came to pass that I spake with him, that if he would hearken unto my words, as the Lord liveth, and as I live, even so that if he would hearken unto our words, we would spare hia life. And I spake unto him, even with an oath, that he need not fear ; that he should be a free man, like unto us, if he would go down in the yilderness with us. And I also spake unto him, saying, surely the Lord hath , commanded us to do this thing, and shall we not be diligent in keeping the. commandments of the Lord? Therefore, if thou wilt go down into the wilderness to my father, thou shalt have place with us. And it came to pass that Zoram did .take courage at the words which I spake. Now Zoram was the name of the servant ; and he promised that he would go down into the wilderness unto my father. And he also made an oath unto us, that he would tarry with us from that time forth. Now we were desirous that he should tarry with us for this cause, that the Jews might not know concerning our flight into the wilderness, lest they should pursue us and destroy us. And it came to pass that when Zoram had made an oatn unto us, our fears did cease concerning him. And it came to pass that we took the plates of brass and the servant of Laban, and departed into the wilderness, and journeyed unto the tent of our father. And it came to pass that after we had came down into the wilderness unto our father, behold he was filled witji joy, and also my mother, Sariah, was exceeding glad, for she truly had mourned because of us; for she had supposed that we had perished in the wilderness ; and she also had com- plained against my father, telling him that he was a visionary man ; saying, behold thou hast led us forth from the land of our inheritance, and my sons are no more, and we perish in the wilderness. And after this manner of language had my mother complained against my father. And it had came to pass that my father spake unto her saying, I know - that I am a visionary man ; for if I had not seen the things of God in a vision, I should not have known the goodness of God, bM had tarried at Jerusalem and had perished with my brethren. But behold I have obtained a land~of promise, in the which things I do rejoice; yea, and I know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness. And after this manner of language did my father Lehi comfort my mother Sariah concerning us while we jour- neyed in the wilderness up to the land of Jerusalem, to obtain the record of the Jews. And when we had returned to the tent of my father, behold their joy was full, and my mother was comforted ; and she spake, saying, now I know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded my husband to flee into the wil- derness ; yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected my sons and delivered them out of the hands of Laban, and gave them power whereby they could accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them. And after this manner of language did she speak. And it came to pass that they did rejoice exceedingly, and did offer sac- rifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord ; and they gave thanks unto the God of Israel. And after they had given thanks unto the God of Israel, my father Lehi took the records which "were engraven upon the plates of brass, and he did search them from the beginning. And he beheld that they did contain the five Ibooks of Moses, which gave an account of the crea- tion of the world, and also of Adam and Eve, who were our first parents ; and also a record of the Jews from the beginning, even down to the com- mencement of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah ; and also the prophe- cies of the holy prophets, from the beginning, even down to the commence- 1» 10 FIKST BOOK OP 'NEPHI. ment of the reign of Ze^dekiah ; and also Ynany prophecies which have been spcAen by the mouth of Jeremiah. , And it came to pass that my father Lehi also found upon the plates of brass, a genealogy of his fathers ; wherefore he knew that he was a descend- ant of Joseph ; yea, even that Joseph who was the son of Jacob, who was sold into Egypt, and who was preserved by the hand of the Lord, that he might preserve his father Jacob and all his household from .perishing with famine. And they were also led out of captivity and out of the land of Egypt by that same God who had preserved them. And thus my father Lehi did dis- cover the genealogy of his fathers. And Laban also was a descendant of Joseph, wherefore he and his fathers had kept the records. And now when my father saw all these things, he was filled with the spirit, and began to prophecy concerning his seed ; that these plates of brass should go forth unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed. Wherefore, he said that these plates of brass should never perish ; neither should they be dimmed any more by time. And he prophesied many things concerning his seed. ;^ And it came to pass that thus far I and my father had kept the com- mandments wherewith the Lord had commanded us. And we had obtained the record which the Lord had commanded us, and searched them and found that they were desirable ; yea, even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children. Where- fore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us, as we journeyed in the wilderness towards the land of promise. CHAPTER II. And now I, Nephi, do not give the genealogy of my fathers in this part of my record ; neither at any time shall I give it after upon these plates which I am writing ; for it is given in the record which has been kept by my father ; wherefore I do not write it in this work. For it sufficeth me to say that we are a descendant of Joseph. And it mattereth not to me that I am particular to give a full account of all the things of my father, for they cannot be written upon these plates, for I desire the room that I may write of the things of God. For the fullness of mine intent is, that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved. Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world, I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world. Wherefore, I shall give commandment unto my seed, that they shall not occupy these plates with things which are not of worth unto the children of men. And now I would that ye might know, that after iny father Lehi had made an end of prophesying concerning his seed, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto him again, saying, that it was not meet for him, Lehi that he should take his family into the wilderness alone ; but that his sons should take daughters to wife, that they might raise up seed unto the Lord in the land of promise. And it came to pass that the Lord commanded him that I, Nephi and my brethren, should again return unto the land of Jerusalem, and bring down Ishmael and his family into the wilderness. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did again, with my brethren, go forth . FIRST BOOK OF NEPHI. 11 into the wilderness to go up to Jerusalem. And it came to pass that wo went up unto the house of Ishmael, and we did gain faTor in the sight of Ishmael, insomuch that we did speak unto him the words- of the Lord. And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the heart of Ishmael, and also his household, insomuch that they took their journey with us down into the wilderoess, to the tent of our father. » And it came to pass that as we journeyed in the wilderness, behold, Laman and Lemuel, and two of the daughters of Ishmael, and the two sons of Ishmael, and their families, did rebel against us ; yea, against I, Nephi, and Sam, and their father Ishmael, and his wife, and his three other daughters. And it came to pass in the which rebellion, they were desirous to return unto the land of Jerusalem. And now I, Ntephi, being grieved for the hard- ness of their hearts, tlierefore I spake unto them, saying ; yea, even unto Laman and unto Lemuel, behold ye are mine elder brethren ; and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you ? How is it that ye have not hearkened unto the word of the Lord ? How is it that ye have forgotten that yc have seen an angel of the Lord ? Yea, and how is it thai ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record ? Tea, and how is it that ye have for- gotten that the Lord is able to do all things, according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him : wherefore let us be faithful to him. And if it so be that we are faithful to him, we shall obtain the land of promise ; and ye shall know at some future period, that the word of the Lord shall be fulfilled, concerning the destruction of Jeru- salem ; for all things which the Lord hath spoken concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, must be fulfilled. For behold, the spirit of the Lord ceaseth soon to strive with them ; for behold, they have rejected the prophets, and Jeremiah have they cast into prison. And theyliave sought to take away the life of my father insomuch that they have driven him out of the land. Now behold, I say unto you, that if ye will return unto Jerusalem, ye shall also perish with them. And now, if ye have choice, go up to^the land, and remember the words which I speak unto you, that if ye gO, ye will also perish; for thus the spirit of the Lord constraineth me that I should speak. And it came to pass that when I, Nephi, had spoken these words unto my brethren, they werfe angry with me. And it came to pass that they did lay their hands upon me — for behold, they were exceeding wroth — and they did bind me with cords, for they sought to take away my life, that they might leave me in the wilderness, to be devoured by wild beasts. But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying, Lord,' accord- ing to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren ; yea even give me strength that I may burst these bauds with which I am bound. And it came to pass that when I had said these words, behold, the bauds were loosed from off my hands and feet, and I stood before my brethren, and I spake unto them again. And it came to pass that they were angrj with me again, and sought to lay hands upon me ; but behold, one of the daughters of Ishmael, yea, and also her mother, and one of the sons of Ishmael, did plead with my brethren, insomuch that they did soften their hearts ; and they did cease striving to take away my life. And it came to pass that they were sorrowful, because of their wicked- ness, insomuch that they did bow down before me, and did plead with me, that I would forgive them of the thing that they had done against me. 12 WEST BOOK OP NBPHI. And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they had done, and I did exhort them that they would pray unto the Lord their God, for forgireness. And it came to pass that they did so. And after they had done praying unto the Lord, we did again travel on our journey towards the tent of our father. And it came to pass that we did come down unto the tent of our father. And after I and my brethren, and all the house of. Ishmael, had come down unto the tent of my father, they did give thanks unto the Lord their God : and they did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto him. And it came to pass that we had gathered together all manner of seeds of every kind ; both of grain of every kind, and also of the seeds of fruit of every kind. And it came to pass that while my father tarried in the wilderness, he spake unto us, saying, behold, I have dreamed a dream ; or, in other words, I have seen a vision. And behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in the Lord because of Nephi, and also of Sam ; for I have reason to suppose that they, and also many of their seed, will be saved But behold, Laman and Lemuel, I fear exceed- ingly because of you ; for behold, loethought I saw in my dream, a dark and dreary Wilderness. And it came to pass that I saw a man, and he was dressed in a white robe ; and he came and stood before me. And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him. And it came to pass that as I followed him, I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste. And after I bad travelled for the space of many hours in darkness, I bego,n to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the mul- titude of his tender mercies. And it came to pass that after I had prayed unto the Lord, I beheld a large and spacious field. And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable, to make one happy. And it came to pass that I did go forth, and partake of the fruit there- of; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted-. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the white- ness that I had ever seen. And as I partook of the fruit thereof, it filled my soul with exceeding great joy ; wherefore I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above hold from whence it came ; and I saw the head thereof a little way off; and at the head thereof, I beheld your mother Sariah, and Sam, and Nephi ; and they stood as if they knew not whither they shoirid go. And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them, with a loud voice, that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit. And it came to pass that they did cqpie unto me, and partake of the fruit also. And it came to pass that I was desirous that Laman and Lemuel should come and partake of the fruit also ; wherefore, I cast mine eyes to wards the head of the river, that perhaps I mightf-see them. And it eame to pass that t saw them, but they would not come unto me and partake of the fruit. And I beheld a rod of iron ; and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood. And 1 also beheld a straight and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which 1 stood ; and it also led by the head of tht fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world • and 1 saw numberless concourses of people ; many of whom were pressing forward that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood ' riKST BOOK OF NEPHI. 13 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree. And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darl^ness ; yea, even an exceeding great mist of darlcness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path, did lose their way, that they wander- ed off and were lost. And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward : and they came forth, and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron ; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree. And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree, they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed. And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building : and it stood, as it were in the air, high above the earth ; and it was filled with people, both old and youftg, both male and female ; and their manner of dress was exceeding fine ; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at, and were partaking of tlie fruit. And after they had tasted of the fruit, they were ashamed, because of those that were scofiing at them ; and they fell away into forbid- den paths and were lost. And now I, Nephi, do not speak all the words of my father. But to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward ; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron ; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree. And he also saw other multitudes, feeling their way towards that great and spacious building. And it came to pass that many were drowned in the depths of the foun- tain ; and many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads. And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that bnilding, they did point the finger of scorn at me, and those that were partaking of the fruit also-: but we heeded them not. These are the words of my father : For as many as heeded them, had fallen away. And Lamau and Lemuel partook not of the fruit, said my father. And it came to pass after my father had spoken all the words of his dream or vision, which were many, he said unto us, because of these things which he saw in a vision, he exceedingly feared for Laman and Lemuel ; yea, he feared lest they should be cast off from the presence of the Lord ; and he did exhort them then with all the feehng of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that, perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them. And after he had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto them of many things, he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord ; and he did cease speaking unto them. And all these things did my father see, and hear, and speak, as he dwelt i^ a tent, in the valley of Lemuel ; and stlso a great many more things, which cannot be written upon these plates. And now, as I have spoken concerning these plates, behold, they are not the plates upon whi^h I make a full account of the history of my people ; for the plates upon which I make a full account of my people, I have given the name of Nephi ; wherefore, they are called the plates of Nephi, after mine own name ; and these plates also, are called the plates of Nephi. Nevertheless, I have received a commandment of the Lord, that I should make these plates, for the special purpose that there should be an account engraven of the ministry of my people. Upon the other plates should be engraven an account of the reign of the kings, and the wars and conten- tions of my people ; wherefore, these plates are for the more part of the 14 FIKST BOOK OF NEPHI. ministry ; and the other plates are for the more part of the reign of the kings, and the wars and contentions of my people. Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates, for a wise purpose in him; which purpose I know not. But the Lord knoweth all things from the be^ ginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men ; for behold he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen. CHAPTER III. And now I, Nephi, proceed to give an account upon these plates, of my proceedings, and my reign and ministry ; wherefore, to proceed with mine account, I must speak somewhat of the things of my father, and also of my brethren. For behold, it came to pass after my father had made an end of speaking the words of his dream, and also of exhorting them to all diligence, he spake unto them concerning the Jews, that after they should be destroyed, even that great city Jerusalem, and many be carried away captive into Babylon, according to the own due time ojf the Lord, they should return again ; yea, even be brought back out Of captivity : and after they should be brought back out of captivity, they should possess again the land of their inheritance. Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews : even a Messiah ; or, in other words, a Savior of the world. And he Jilso spake concerning the prophets, how great a number had testified of these things, concerning this Messiah, of whom he had spoken, or this Redeemer of the world. Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and in a fallea state, and ever would be, Save they should rely on this Redeemer. And he spake also, concerning a prophet, who should come before the Messiah, to prepare the way of the Lord ; yea, even he should go forth and cry in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for there standeth one among you whom ye know not; and he is mightier than I, whoso shoe's latchet I am not worthy td unloose. And much spake my father concerning this thing. And my father said he should baptize in Bethabary, beyond Jordan • and he also said he should baptize with water ; even that he should bap^ tize the Messiah with water. And after he had baptized the Messiah with water, he should behold and bear record, that he had baptized the Lamb of God, who should take away the sins of the world. And it came to pass after my fathe&iad spoken these words, he spake unto my brethren concerning the gospe" which .should be preached amonc the Jews, and also concerning the dwindling of the Jews in unbelief And after they had slain the Messiah who should come, and after he had been slain, he should rise from the dead, and should make himself manifest by the Holy Ghost, unto the Gentiles. Yea, even my father spake much concerning the Gentiles, and also con- cerning the house of Israel, that they should be compared Uke unto an olive tree, whose branches should be broken off, and should be scattered upon all the face of the earth. Wherefore, he said it must needs be that we should be led with one accord, into the land of promise unto the fulfilling FIRST BOOK OP NBPHI. 15 of tlie word of the Lord, that we should be scattered upon all the face oi the earth. And after the house of Israel should be scattered, the^ should be gathered together again ; or, in fine, after the Gentiles had received the fullness of the gospel, the natural branches of the olive tree, or the rem- nants of the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer. And after this manner of language did my father prophesy and speak unto my brethren ; and also many more things, which I do not write in this book ; for I have written as many of them as were expedient for me in mine other book. And all these things of which I have spokeh, were done as my father dwelt in a tent, in the valley of Lemuel. And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision ; and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost ; which power he received by faith on the Son of God ; and the Son of God was the Messiah, who r should come. I, Nephi, was desirous also, that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men : for he is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever ; and ihe way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come un- to him ; for he that diligently seeketh, shall find ; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old ;' and as well in times of old as in times to come ; wherefore, the course of the Lord i^ one eternal round. Therefore, remember, man, for all thy doings, thou shalt be brought iiito judgment. Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation, then ye are found unclean before the judgment seat of God ; and no unclean' thing can dwell with God : wherefore, ye must be cast off forever. And the Holy Ghost giveth authority that I should speak these things and deny them not. x For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my fa- ther had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart, I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceeding high mountain, which I never had be- fore seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot. And the spirit said unto me, behold, what desirest thou ? And I said, I desire to behold the things which my father saw. And the spirit said unto me, believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken ? And I said, yea, thou knowest that I believe all the words of my father. And when I had spoken these words, the spirit cried with a loud voice, saying, hosanna to the Lord, the most high God ; for he is God over all the earth, yea, even above all : And blessed art thou, Nephi, because thou be- Kevest in the Son of the moat high God ; wherefore, thou shalt behold the things which thou hast desired.