servants of the Lord were bound. They treated them in the same cruel
manner as before. Suddenly the power of God rested mightily upon Alma
and Amulek, and they sprang to their feet. "How long, Lord," cried
Alma, "shall we suffer these great afflictions? O, Lord, give us
strength, according to our faith which is in Christ, even unto our
deliverance!" At that moment they broke the cords which bound them and
stood free before their persecutors.
On seeing that, every one of the ungodly crowd began to tremble with
fright. They tried to run out of the prison, but they could not. They
were so overcome with fear that they fell on the prison floors. Then
the Lord caused a terrible earthquake to shake the prison to its
foundation, and a few moments later it was in a heap of ruins. Alma and
Amulek walked out of the prison unharmed, but every one of the wicked
men inside perished.
What a serious thing it is for people to persecute the servants of the
living God.
MISSION OF THE SONS OF MOSIAH TO THE LAMANITES.
Some time after their conversion, Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni, the
four sons of Mosiah, requested their father to grant them permission to
go to the land of Nephi, to preach the Gospel to the Lamanites there.
Mosiah prayed to the Lord concerning the matter, and the answer which
he received was as follows: "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."
This promise gave joy and encouragement to Mosiah and his sons. The
day for the young men's departure came. They were joined by a number
of faithful companions, and, with their father's blessing upon their
heads, the little band of missionaries went forth "to seek and to save
the lost."
That was one of the hardest missions ever undertaken by mortal man.
The Lamanites in Nephi and surrounding places were a wild and wicked
people. They took delight in murdering the Nephites and in stealing
their property. They knew nothing concerning the true God, but
worshiped idols. The Lord, however, had made a promise to the Lamanites
that, through repentance, they would be blessed and given a knowledge
of the true plan of salvation.
When the sons of Mosiah and their companions came to the land of the
Lamanites they separated, each going to the place assigned him by
Ammon, who was in charge of the company. Ammon chose as his field of
labor the land of Ishmael. He had no sooner entered it than he was
arrested by Lamanites, who bound him and confined him in a prison.
He was later brought before King Lamoni, who asked him if he were
desirous of living with his people, the Lamanites. Ammon said he would
be pleased to do so for a time, and that, perhaps, he might stay with
them the rest of his life.
That pleased the king, and he ordered his servants to release Ammon.
Lamoni told Ammon he would like him to marry one of his daughters, but
the missionary respectfully declined. He told the king, however, that
he would be his servant, and his offer was promptly accepted.
You might think that that was a strange thing for the missionary to do,
and it was; but it was the right thing, as you will agree when you hear
what took place a little later.
One day Ammon and a number of other servants of King Lamoni took their
master's flocks to a certain place to water them. They had no sooner
reached the place than a party of Lamanites came with their flocks.
The latter began at once to make trouble for the king's servants by
driving: their flocks away and scattering them.
That was a very serious matter. The same thing had happened before to
other servants of the king, and when they returned and told Lamoni what
had taken place, he became very angry with them and ordered them to be
put to death.
So, fearing that a similar fate might befall them, those who were with
Ammon began to cry piteously. Ammon now saw an opportunity for him
to exercise his powder, and he did so with good effect. He told his
fellow-servants to dry their tears, and that he would help them to get
the flocks together. He did so, but again the Lamanites began to drive
them off.
Then Alma told his companions to look after the flocks while he went
over to teach the Lamanites a lesson. He had not the least fear, for he
remembered the promise which the Lord had made to his father--that He
would deliver his sons out of the hands of the Lamanites.
The Lamanites laughed at one man coming out to oppose them, but
their laughter was turned into mourning when six of their number lay
dead upon the ground. With simple sling and stones Ammon fought his
opponents single-handed, and, as I have said, slew six of them.
Seizing heavy clubs, a number of the Lamanites rushed at Ammon to kill
him; but he was too smart for them. He grasped his sword and melded it
with such skill that he slew their leader and also cut an arm off every
man who raised his club against him. The rest fled in terror. Then
Ammon returned, and, with his companions, attended to the watering of
their master's flocks.
When King Lamoni heard what Ammon had done he was greatly astonished
and exclaimed, "This is the Great Spirit, and he has come down at this
time to preserve your lives, that I might not slay you as I did your
brethren." "Where is Ammon?" the king asked, and when he was told
that he was out attending to his majesty's horses, he said, "Surely
there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been as
faithful as this man; for even he doth remember all my commandments to
execute them."
Lamoni sent for Amnion. He told him that he had heard of the wonderful
thing which he had done, and asked him if he were the Great Spirit.
Ammon answered that he was not, that he was simply a servant of the
true and living God. He told the king that he had not slain the
Lamanites by his own power, but by the power which God had given Him.
The king requested Ammon to tell him about the true God whom he and his
fathers worshiped. Ammon did so, and also explained to him the Gospel,
pointing out to the king how he could obtain forgiveness of all his
sins and at last be saved in the kingdom of God.
The king and queen of the Lamanites believed the things which Ammon
told them, and they and many of their people were converted and
baptized. The Lord bestowed great blessings upon them. King Lamoni had
a vision, in which he beheld the Savior, and a number of others saw
and conversed with angels. Then Ammon organized a branch of the Church
amongst them, and had great joy at seeing the fruits of his missionary
labors.
The Lord now made known to Ammon that three of his missionary
companions were in prison in the land of Middoni. Ammon told the news
to the king, and added that he would have to go at once and do all in
his power to have them released. The king said he would go with him and
assist him.
On the way they met Lamoni's father, who was king over the whole
land. The sight of his son riding in company with a Nephite threw the
old king into a fit of fierce anger. He called Ammon all manner of
vile names, and ordered his son to slay him. But, instead of doing
so, Lamoni, to the astonishment of his father, stood up and defended
Amnion. Lamoni's father drew his sword and rushed at Ammon to slay him,
but Ammon smote him on the arm so that he could not use the weapon.
Finding himself at the mercy of Ammon, Lamoni's father pleaded with him
to spare his life, saying if he would do so he would give him even to
the half of his kingdom. "I will spare your life on these conditions,"
Ammon replied, "that you allow your son Lamoni to retain his kingdom,
and that you have my brethren released from prison."
To that the old king willingly agreed. Ammon's brethren were given
their liberty, and they and their companions traveled for years among
the Lamanites preaching to them the everlasting Gospel. Thousands of
the Lamanites were converted to the Lord, and they remained true to the
faith all the days of their life. They became a kind and industrious
people, and the Lord in His mercy took the curse away from them, so
that they became white like the Nephites.
SAMUEL THE LAMANITE--HIS PROPHECIES AND THEIR FULFILLMENT.
I am going to tell you this evening about a great prophet who lived on
this continent in the days of the Nephites. His name was Samuel. He was
a Lamanite, but, because of his holy life, he was beloved of God, and
was chosen to be a prophet unto His people.
Through the blessings of the Lord and their own industry the Nephites
in Zarahemla became exceedingly wealthy. Then, like many others, before
and since, they allowed pride and other corrupt feelings to enter into
their hearts and to drive out the love for God and His rightousness
which had held place there for years.
As their good works had won for them the favor and blessings of God,
so their wickedness was fast bringing upon them His condemnation and
punishment. In order to save them from destruction, the Lord sent
Samuel the Lamanite to plead with them to repent of their sins and to
turn again into the way of righteousness from which they had wandered.
Day after day the voice of the prophet was heard among the Nephites
crying repentance, and prophesying concerning great and wonderful
things which would take place in the future. I am going to tell you
about a remarkable prophecy which he uttered at that time, and which
was fulfilled to the very letter.
Standing upon the top of a high wall, so that many of the people could
see and hear him, Samuel prophesied of a wonderful event which he said
would take place five years from that time. It would be the greatest
event in history--the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world.
It was to take place in another country, near the city in which Lehi
and his family lived before they set out for the promised land. The
prophet told them of certain signs which would be given at the time of
the Savior's birth. When they saw the signs they might know that the
Son of God had come into the world to redeem mankind from sin and death.
These were some of the signs: the night before the Lord would be born
there would be no darkness at all; the night would be just as bright
and clear as the day had been; a new star, one that had never been seen
before, would make its appearance in the heavens. The prophet said
that when these signs would be given many of the people would be so
astonished and overcome that they would fall to the earth.
Then Samuel the Lamanite prophesied concerning the Savior's life--that
He would be despised and rejected of men--and also concerning His death
and resurrection. He told the people that at the time the Savior would
be put to death, neither the sun, moon, nor stars would give any light,
so that on this continent there would be continuous darkness for three
days and nights. There would also be terrible tempests, and earthquakes
which would shake the earth, cause the mountains to fall, and many
cities to be destroyed.
Then the warning voice of the prophet was heard again, calling upon the
Nephites to repent of their sins, that they might escape the judgments
of God.
You will be glad to hear that many of the people who heard Samuel
believed his words. They repented sincerely of their wickedness and
were baptized for the remission of their sins. Others, however, became
angry, and tried to take the prophet's life by throwing stones and
shooting arrows at him as he stood upon the wall.
Strange to tell, the servant of the Lord was not hit once, although
rocks and arrows flew round him in great numbers. On seeing how Samuel
was protected by the power of God, many more of the Nephites were
converted, and, through repentance and baptism, were restored to the
Church of Christ.
Then the cry went up from the ungodly ones, "Take this fellow and bind
him, for behold he hath a devil; and because of the power of the devil
which is in him, we cannot hit him with our stones and our arrows;
therefore take him and bind him, and away with him."
They began to climb the wall, but before they had reached the top,
Samuel had jumped down on the other side and made his escape. He was
never seen again by the Nephites.
Five years passed by. The time had now come for the fulfillment of the
first part of Samuel the Lamanite's prophecy--the time of the Savior's
birth. Then the wicked and unbelieving among the Nephites arose and
said that the time was past, that the signs had not appeared, that
Samuel was a false prophet, and that all who believed on him should be
put to death. They decided, however, before carrying out their threat,
to name a certain day on which the signs should appear. If that day
should pass without the signs being given, then the believers among the
Nephites might prepare for the fate which had been decreed against them.
Among the faithful was a man named Nephi. He believed every word that
Samuel the Lamanite had spoken. The day before the one set apart by the
unbelievers Nephi went out and prayed for hours unto the Lord in behalf
of his people. Then the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying, "Be of
good cheer, for behold the time is at hand, and on this night shall the
sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world."
His heart filled with joy and gladness, Nephi returned and told the
good news to his brethren and sisters, and they rejoiced and praised
the Lord.
To the great astonishment of all the unbelievers, that night the signs
were given--there was no darkness, but the night was just as bright as
the midday before. The new star appeared, and then, just as the prophet
had predicted, many of the wicked fell to the earth, being overcome
with fear because of their iniquities. The spirit of repentance
took possession of the great majority of the unbelievers; they were
converted, baptized, and made members of the Church.
About thirty-four years later some terrible things took place in this
land. For three days and nights the whole country was enveloped in
darkness. So great was the darkness that it was impossible for the
people to strike a light or kindle a fire. Then a frightful storm
burst forth, the like of which had never been seen in all the land.
The thunders of heaven shook the earth and lightning set fire to many
cities, among them the great city of Zarahemla. Mountains fell, cities
were buried, and others sank in the depths of the sea.
All that terrible destruction took place at the time the Savior was put
to death on the cross outside of Jerusalem. It had come upon the people
just as Samuel the Lamanite had predicted, as a punishment for their
sins.
Then followed a time of weeping and mourning among those whose lives
had been spared. In anguish of soul they cried, "O, that we had
repented before this great and terrible day, and had not killed the
prophets and cast them out. Then none of these things would have come
upon us."
In the midst of their heart-rending lamentations a voice was heard
from heaven. It was the voice of Jesus. "Behold," said He, "I am Jesus
Christ, the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all
things that in them are." The Savior told them that He had finished the
mission which His Father had given Him. He called upon them to repent
and to be baptized, promising them, if they would do so, a remission of
their sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The words of the blessed Redeemer brought peace and consolation to
their souls. They willingly yielded obedience to His Divine commands,
and the blessings of the Lord were bestowed upon them in rich abundance.
TWO MEMORABLE BATTLES.
The Lamanites throughout the land who had not been converted preserved
in their hearts a deadly hatred towards the Nephites. Time after time
the Lamanites made war upon the Nephites, and tens of thousands of
lives were sacrificed on both sides.
If I were to begin to tell you the terrible results of their wars,
before I had proceeded far you would put your fingers in your ears and
cry, "Stop! stop! stop!"
I am going to tell you of two of their battles. A remarkable thing
happened in connection with one of them which, when you have heard it,
will show you some of the wonderful things which can be accomplished
through faith.
The Lamanites who were converted through the preaching of the sons of
Mosiah were afterwards known as the people of Ammon. They left their
own lands and went to reside in a place called Jershon, not far from
Zarahemla. They entered into a covenant with the Lord that they would
never take up arms against their Lamanite brethren.
Now, there were a great many of the Nephites who had broken the
commandments of God. Because of that, they had lost their membership in
the Church, and were not numbered among the people of the Lord. That
was a terrible thing. But their condition became much worse when they
turned traitors, joined themselves to the Lamanites, and began to fight
against their Nephite brethren.
The chief captain over the armies of the Nephites at that time was
a young man named Moroni. He Avas a God-fearing man, and a prophet.
He was also a great general. In time of peace he prepared for war.
He provided his soldiers with thick clothing, with breast-plates,
head-plates and arm-plates, as protection against the deadly weapons of
the Lamanites.
The Lamanite armies had at their head a man named Zarahemna. He was a
great soldier, too. But he had not thought of protecting his men as
Moroni had protected his. The Lamanite soldiers were naked, except for
a girdle of skin, which they wore about their loins.
Moroni heard that the Lamanites were coming to make war upon his
people. He, therefore, got his armies ready to meet them. Feeling
confident of an easy victory, the Lamanites marched towards the land
of Jershon. As they drew near it they saw Moroni's army prepared to
oppose them. Seeing how well the Nephite soldiers were protected, the
Lamanites changed their minds, and instead of attacking Jershon they
turned and proceeded towards the land of Manti.
Moroni did not know where the Lamanites were going, so he sent out
spies to watch them. He also sent a messenger to Alma to request
the prophet to ask the Lord to reveal to him the movements of the
Lamanites. The Lord told Alma they were marching towards the land of
Manti.
On hearing that, Moroni left part of his army in Jershon, to protect
that place, and with the rest he hastened to Manti, arriving there some
time ahead of the Lamanites. He called to his assistance all the men in
Manti who could bear arms, and when the Lamanites again appeared Moroni
was ready to give them battle.
The war commenced. Both sides fought with all the courage and
fierceness they could command. Several times the Lamanites were driven
back, and each time they returned to the conflict. The slaughter which
took place is terrible to read about. Before the war was half over,
thousands of lives had been sacrificed.
At one time the Nephites showed signs of weakening. Then the voice of
General Moroni rang out, reminding his men of that for which they were
fighting--their religion, their liberty, their wives and children,
their houses and lands. His words filled their hearts with renewed
courage, and with a cry to the Lord to help them, the Nephites rushed
upon the Lamanites and slew them in great numbers. Seeing that his
enemies were beaten, Moroni commanded his men to stop slaying them.
Addressing Zerahemna, Moroni said, "You see now that you are in our
power. It would be easy for us to slay you, but we do not desire to
shed your blood. I, therefore, call upon you and your followers to
deliver unto us your weapons of war, and to enter into a covenant that
you will never again take up arms against us. If you refuse to do this,
I will command my men to attack you again and utterly destroy you."
When Moroni had finished speaking, Zerahemna stepped forward and
handed him his sword, cimeter and bow. "We are willing," he said, "to
surrender to your our weapons, but we will not enter into a covenant
never to go to war with you again, because we know we would not keep
our promise."
On hearing that, Moroni handed Zerahemna back his weapons and the
deadly conflict was resumed. The Lord gave great strength to the
Nephites so that the Lamanites fell before them in large numbers. At
last Zerahemna began to plead for mercy, so Moroni gave orders for the
battle to cease. The conquered Lamanites laid down their arms at the
feet of the Nephites, and after entering into the covenant proposed by
Moroni, they were permitted to return to their own lands.
Peace reigned throughout the land for a number of years. Then the
Lamanites broke the covenant they had made with the Nephites and a
series of terrible wars followed.
Several times the people of Ammon (the Lamanites whom Ammon and his
brethren had converted) were tempted to break their covenant with the
Lord and to take up arms in defense of the Nephites. They refrained,
however, from doing so.
But among the people of Ammon there were two thousand young men who
were little boys when their fathers made covenant with the Lord that
they would never fight against their Lamanite brethren. These young men
had not made such a promise, so they came forward and offered their
services to the Nephites--to help them preserve their religion, their
liberty, their houses and lands.
Their kind offer was willingly accepted. They chose as their leader a
man named Helaman. No father was ever more proud of his sons than was
Helaman of his two thousand young soldiers. And well he might be, for
no better army ever entered a field of battle. Besides their weapons of
war, they were armed with a far greater thing--a perfect faith in God.
That faith had been planted in their hearts through the teachings of
their godly mothers. They had been taught from their childhood to have
implicit faith in the Lord, and to tryst Him in every hour of trial.
One day these two thousand young soldiers found themselves engaged in
battle with a large army of the Lamanites. The lighting was terrible on
both sides. Helaman and his little army fought like dragons. Many of
the Lamanites were slain, and finally the remainder threw down their
arms and offered themselves as prisoners of war.
The battle ended, Helaman proceeded to call the roll of his army, and
to his great astonishment every one of his two thousand young warriors
answered "Present."
"Not one of them was killed!"
No, not a single one. Their faith had saved them.
CHRIST'S VISIT TO THE NEPHITES.
One day a large number of Nephites were assembled at the temple in the
land Bountiful. It was soon after the terrible destruction I told you
about in a former story, and the people were talking about the great
changes which had taken place.
Suddenly the whole multitude was startled by a strange voice speaking
to them out of heaven. It was neither a loud nor a harsh voice, but
it was so powerful that it thrilled the hearts of all who heard it.
The voice was heard twice, but no one understood the words which were
spoken.
As the people stood looking up towards heaven, the voice spoke to them
again, and that time they understood the heavenly message. It was the
voice of God. "Behold," said He, "my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased, in whom I have glorified my name; hear ye him."
At that moment the heavens were opened and a glorious personage,
clothed in a robe of spotless white, descended and stood in the midst
of the people. Every eye was turned upon Him. He stretched forth His
hand and there was perfect silence. Then He addressed the multitude,
saying, "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall
come into the world."
They listened with almost breathless interest while He told them of
the mission which He had performed and of the cruel death which He had
suffered upon the cross. He showed them the wounds which the nails had
made in His hands and feet and which the sword had made in His side.
He invited them to come forward one by one and feel the prints of the
nails and the mark of the sword.
They all did as He desired. Then with united voice they exclaimed,
"Hosanna! blessed be the name of the Most High God." And they fell down
at the feet of Jesus and worshiped Him.
The Savior bade Nephi to come to Him. The faithful disciple went
forward, and kneeling upon the ground, kissed the feet of his beloved
Redeemer. The Lord gave Nephi authority to baptize, as He also did
to a number of others whom He chose from among the assembly. He gave
them instructions concerning the manner in which they were to baptize
people, and told them the words they should use when performing the
ordinance.