7:1 Now behold, I will show unto you that they did not establish a king
over the land; but in this same year, yea, the thirtieth year, they did
destroy upon the judgment seat, yea, did murder the chief judge of the
land.
7:2 And the people were divided one against another; and they did
separate one from another into tribes, every man according to his
family and his kindred and friends; and thus they did destroy the
government of the land.
7:3 And every tribe did appoint a chief or a leader over them; and thus
they became tribes and leaders of tribes.
7:4 Now behold, there was no man among them save he had much family and
many kindreds and friends; therefore their tribes became exceedingly
great.
7:5 Now all this was done, and there were no wars as yet among them;
and all this iniquity had come upon the people because they did yield
themselves unto the power of Satan.
7:6 And the regulations of the government were destroyed, because of
the secret combination of the friends and kindreds of those who
murdered the prophets.
7:7 And they did cause a great contention in the land, insomuch that
the more righteous part of the people had nearly all become wicked;
yea, there were but few righteous men among them.
7:8 And thus six years had not passed away since the more part of the
people had turned from their righteousness, like the dog to his vomit,
or like the sow to her wallowing in the mire.
7:9 Now this secret combination, which had brought so great iniquity
upon the people, did gather themselves together, and did place at their
head a man whom they did call Jacob;
7:10 And they did call him their king; therefore he became a king over
this wicked band; and he was one of the chiefest who had given his
voice against the prophets who testified of Jesus.
7:11 And it came to pass that they were not so strong in number as the
tribes of the people, who were united together save it were their
leaders did establish their laws, every one according to his tribe;
nevertheless they were enemies; notwithstanding they were not a
righteous people, yet they were united in the hatred of those who had
entered into a covenant to destroy the government.
7:12 Therefore, Jacob seeing that their enemies were more numerous than
they, he being the king of the band, therefore he commanded his people
that they should take their flight into the northernmost part of the
land, and there build up unto themselves a kingdom, until they were
joined by dissenters, (for he flattered them that there would be many
dissenters) and they become sufficiently strong to contend with the
tribes of the people; and they did so.
7:13 And so speedy was their march that it could not be impeded until
they had gone forth out of the reach of the people. And thus ended the
thirtieth year; and thus were the affairs of the people of Nephi.
7:14 And it came to pass in the thirty and first year that they were
divided into tribes, every man according to his family, kindred and
friends; nevertheless they had come to an agreement that they would not
go to war one with another; but they were not united as to their laws,
and their manner of government, for they were established according to
the minds of those who were their chiefs and their leaders. But they
did establish very strict laws that one tribe should not trespass
against another, insomuch that in some degree they had peace in the
land; nevertheless, their hearts were turned from the Lord their God,
and they did stone the prophets and did cast them out from among them.
7:15 And it came to pass that Nephi—having been visited by angels and
also the voice of the Lord, therefore having seen angels, and being
eye-witness, and having had power given unto him that he might know
concerning the ministry of Christ, and also being eye-witness to their
quick return from righteousness unto their wickedness and abominations;
7:16 Therefore, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts and the
blindness of their minds—went forth among them in that same year, and
began to testify, boldly, repentance and remission of sins through
faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.
7:17 And he did minister many things unto them; and all of them cannot
be written, and a part of them would not suffice, therefore they are
not written in this book. And Nephi did minister with power and with
great authority.
7:18 And it came to pass that they were angry with him, even because he
had greater power than they, for it were not possible that they could
disbelieve his words, for so great was his faith on the Lord Jesus
Christ that angels did minister unto him daily.
7:19 And in the name of Jesus did he cast out devils and unclean
spirits; and even his brother did he raise from the dead, after he had
been stoned and suffered death by the people.
7:20 And the people saw it, and did witness of it, and were angry with
him because of his power; and he did also do many more miracles, in the
sight of the people, in the name of Jesus.
7:21 And it came to pass that the thirty and first year did pass away,
and there were but few who were converted unto the Lord; but as many as
were converted did truly signify unto the people that they had been
visited by the power and Spirit of God, which was in Jesus Christ, in
whom they believed.
7:22 And as many as had devils cast out from them, and were healed of
their sicknesses and their infirmities, did truly manifest unto the
people that they had been wrought upon by the Spirit of God, and had
been healed; and they did show forth signs also and did do some
miracles among the people.
7:23 Thus passed away the thirty and second year also. And Nephi did
cry unto the people in the commencement of the thirty and third year;
and he did preach unto them repentance and remission of sins.
7:24 Now I would have you to remember also, that there were none who
were brought unto repentance who were not baptized with water.
7:25 Therefore, there were ordained of Nephi, men unto this ministry,
that all such as should come unto them should be baptized with water,
and this as a witness and a testimony before God, and unto the people,
that they had repented and received a remission of their sins.
7:26 And there were many in the commencement of this year that were
baptized unto repentance; and thus the more part of the year did pass
away.