[Illustration: THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF JESUS TO THE NEPHITES.
Copy of painting by Wm. T. Armitage in the Logan Temple.]
THE STORY
OF THE
BOOK OF MORMON.
BY ELDER GEORGE REYNOLDS.
_Author of "The Myth of the Manuscript Found;" "Are we of Israel?"
Treatise on "The Book of Abraham;" "Dictionary of the Book
of Mormon;" "Concordance of the Book of Mormon."_
"Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall
look down from heaven."--_Psalm, LXXXV, 11._
FOURTH EDITION.
PRESS OF
HILLISON & ETTEN CO.
CHICAGO
Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1888, by
GEORGE REYNOLDS
In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
PREFACE
The Book of Mormon is the record of God's dealings with the peoples
of ancient America, from the age of the building of the Tower of
Babel to four hundred and twenty-one years after the birth of Christ.
It is the stick of Ephraim, spoken of by Ezekiel: the Bible of the
western continent. Not that it supersedes the Bible or in any way
interferes with it, any more than the history of Peru interferes with
or supersedes the history of Greece; but, on the other hand, in many
places it confirms Bible history, demonstrates Bible truths, sustains
Bible doctrines, and fulfills Bible prophecy.
For many years we have taken great pleasure in perusing its sacred
pages and studying its truths. The more we read it the more we found
it contained. Like other inspired records, every time it was opened we
discovered new and oft-times unexpected testimonies of its divinity.
From reading it we turned to writing of it; and much that this volume
contains has been penned at various intervals, from the days we were
in prison for conscience sake, where portions were written, to the
present. And now we present it to the reader with the feeling that
the work is but commenced; that what remains unsaid is probably as
important as what is given, but with the hope that what we have done
will not prove ineffectual in spreading the truth, in increasing
knowledge concerning God's dealings with mankind, and aiding in the
development of the purposes of Jehovah. If this be accomplished we
shall feel that great has been our reward.
This volume presents one unique feature, in that it is the first
attempt made to illustrate the Book of Mormon; and we have pleasure in
realizing that the leading illustrations are the work of home artists.
To break fresh ground in such a direction is no light undertaking; the
difficulties are numerous, none more so than the absence of information
in the Book of Mormon of the dress and artificial surroundings of the
peoples whose history it recounts. Each artist has given his own ideas
of the scenes depicted, and as so much is left to the imagination, some
readers will doubtless praise where others will blame; and the same
effort will be the subject of the most conflicting criticism.
Not the least interesting feature of the book will, we believe, be
found in the reproductions of portions of certain ancient Aztec
historical charts. These have been the subjects of controversy for
centuries past; many efforts have been made at their translation; but
all such attempts have been ineffectual, and in many cases ludicrous.
It required the publication of the Book of Mormon to turn on them the
light of divine truth, when their intent at once became apparent.
Others, we trust, in time will be discovered which will be added
testimonies to its genuineness and divine authenticity, as well as to
the sacred mission of the instrument in God's hands in bringing it
forth--the youthful Prophet, Joseph Smith.
GEO. REYNOLDS
December, 1888.
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION.
America the first inhabited of all Lands--Its Ancient Peoples--The
Garden of Eden--The Antediluvians--The Jaredites--The Nephites
and Lamanites 15
CHAPTER I.
Ancient Jerusalem--Lehi--His Vision--His Call to Preach to the
Jews--They Persecute Him--He is Commanded of God to take
his Family into the Wilderness--Their Departure--The Return
of his Sons to Jerusalem to obtain the Records. They are
ill-treated by Laban--His Death--Zoram Accompanies the Brothers
into the Wilderness 18
CHAPTER II.
The Rejoicing Over the Records--Nephi and his Brothers again
Return to Jerusalem--They Conduct Ishmael and his Family into
the Wilderness--Lehi's Dream--The Tree of Life--The Rod of
Iron--The Boturini Manuscript--Nephi's Vision 25
CHAPTER III.
Marriages in the Company--The Liahona--The Journey Continued--Nephi
Breaks his Bow--Death of Ishmael--They Reach the
Ocean--Nephi Builds a Ship--They Cross the Great Waters and
Reach the Promised Land 35
CHAPTER IV.
The Promised Land--Chili--Its Natural Productions--The Death of
Lehi--His Blessing on his posterity--Prophecies of his Ancestor
Joseph 44
CHAPTER V.
The Nephites and Lamanites Separate--The Nephites seek a New
Home--Nephi Chosen King--He Builds a Temple--Instructs his
People in the Arts of Peace--War with the Lamanites--The
Sword of Laban--Nephi's Death--Jacob, his Brother, Becomes
the Chief Priest--Jacob's Teachings on Marriage 47
CHAPTER VI.
The Condition of the Lamanites--Sherem, the First Anti-Christ--His
Recantation and Dreadful End 50
CHAPTER VII.
Enos, the Son of Jacob--The Nephites and Lamanites of his Day--His
Testimony and Prophecies 53
CHAPTER VIII.
Jarom--Omni--Amaron--Chemish--Abinadom--Amaleki--Mosiah--Review
of Nephite History for Four Hundred Years 55
CHAPTER IX.
Causes that Led to the Migration from the Land of Nephi--The
People of Zarahemla--Mulek and his Colony--The Fusion of the
Two Nations--Mosiah made King--His Happy Reign 59
CHAPTER X.
The Reign of King Benjamin--The Progress of his People--His
Last Great Speech--He Establishes the Church of Christ--All
the People Covenant with God--Mosiah II. Anointed King 64
CHAPTER XI.
Zeniff Returns to the Land of Nephi--His Treaty with the
Lamanites--The Prosperity of the People of Zeniff--The Treaty
Broken--War--Peace and Wars Again--The Death of Zeniff--Noah's
Wicked Reign--His Wars with the Lamanites--The Prophet
Abinadi--His Terrible Message of God's Wrath--He is
Martyred--Alma--He Pleads for Abinadi--Is Cast Out--Flees to
the Place of Mormon 69
CHAPTER XII.
The Waters of Mormon--Alma, Helam and Others Baptised Therein--The
Church Organized--The King Warned--He Sends Troops--Alma
and his People Flee to the Land of Helam--They Build a City 77
CHAPTER XIII.
King Noah's Subjects Rebel--Gideon--The Lamanites Invade
Lehi-Nephi--The Nephites Retreat--A Part Surrender--The New
Terms of Peace--Noah is Burned to Death--Limhi made
King--Noah's Priests Escape--They seize some Lamanite
Maidens--Another War--The Nephites Victorious--The King of the
Lamanites wounded--Mutual Explanations 80
CHAPTER XIV.
The Bondage of the People of Limhi--An Expedition North--Finding
of the Jaredite Records--The Arrival of Ammon--The
People of Limhi Escape--The Pursuit--The Amulonites--The
People of Alma--They are Brought into Bondage--Their
Deliverance 84
CHAPTER XV.
Mosiah's Good Reign--The Circumstances of his Advent--He Assembles
the People--The Baptism of Limhi--Churches Organized Throughout
the Land 89
CHAPTER XVI.
The Unbelief of the Youth of Zarahemla--The Younger Alma and
the Sons of Mosiah--They Encourage the Persecutions Against
the Church--They are Met by an Angel--His Message--Alma's
Awful Condition--His Vision and Testimony--The Changed Life
of the Young Men 92
CHAPTER XVII.
The Growth of the People in Zarahemla--They Build Many
Cities--Mosiah's Sons Desire to Take a Mission to the
Lamanites--Mosiah Inquires of the Lord--The Divine Answer 96
CHAPTER XVIII.
Mosiah's Sons Refuse the Kingdom--He Grants the People a
Constitution--The People to Elect their Rulers--Alma, the
Younger, First Chief Judge 98
CHAPTER XIX.
The Mission of the Sons of Mosiah to the Lamanites--Their Journey
in the Wilderness--Ammon Brought before King Lamoni--The
Conflict at the Waters of Sebus--The Miraculous Conversion
of Lamoni and his Family--Abish the Waiting Woman 100
CHAPTER XX.
Ammon and Lamoni Start for the Land of Middoni--They Meet the
Old King--His Rage at Seeing Ammon--He Endeavors to Kill
his Son--Aaron and his Brethren Liberated--A Sketch of their
Labors and Sufferings--The Conversion of Lamoni's Father and
his Household 106
CHAPTER XXI.
The King Issues a Proclamation--The Results of the Labors of the
Sons of Mosiah--The People of Anti-Nephi-Lehi--They Bury
their Weapons of War--Are Massacred by the Thousand--They
Remove to the Territory of the Nephites, who give them the
Land of Jershon 110
CHAPTER XXII.
Review of the Mission of the Sons of Mosiah--Its Importance and
Great Length--Its Results to Both Races--The Dates of its
Leading Occurrences 114
CHAPTER XXIII.
The Days of the Judges--Their Names and Reigns--The Heresy of
Nehor--He Slays Gideon and is Executed--Amlici's Rebellion--The
Battle of Amnihu--The Conflict at the Crossing of the Sidon--A
Third Battle 117
CHAPTER XXIV.
Alma Resigns the Chief Judgeship--Nephihah Chosen--Alma Ministers
in Zarahemla, Gideon, Melek and Ammonihah--Condition of
the Last Named City--It Rejects the Message Alma Bears--An
Angel Meets Him--Amulek--The Lawyer Zeezrom--The Great
Controversy--Zeezrom Converted and Cast Out--The Martyrdom
of the Believers--Alma and Amulek in Prison--Their Deliverance 124
CHAPTER XXV.
Zeezrom Sick with Fever--His Miraculous Recovery--The Destruction
of Ammonihah--The Invasion of the Land of Noah--Zoram,
the Nephite Commander, Seeks the Mind of the Lord--It is
Given--Its Results--The War Ended--Alma's Ministrations 131
CHAPTER XXVI.
Korihor, the Anti-Christ--His False Teachings and Blasphemy--He
is Taken before Alma--Is Struck Dumb--His Miserable End--The
Heresy Rooted Out 135
CHAPTER XXVII.
Zoram and the Zoramites--Their Peculiar Heresy--The Land of
Antionum--The Rameumptom--Alma's Mission to these People--Those
Who Receive His Teachings Persecuted--They Flee to Jershon 139
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Another War--Moroni the Leader of the Nephites--The Tactics of
the Lamanites--Zerahemnah--The Battle at Riplah--Defeat of the
Lamanites 144
CHAPTER XXIX.
Alma's Charge to His Sons--He Transfers the Records to Helaman--He
Leaves This World--Zeezrom's Latter Days--Helaman's
Ministrations 147
CHAPTER XXX.
Amalickiah--His Apostasy and Treason--Moroni's Title of Liberty--The
Nephites Respond to His Call--Lehonti--He is Poisoned by
Amalickiah--The King of the Lamanites Treacherously
Slain--Amalickiah Marries the Queen and is Proclaimed
King--A Disastrous Lamanite Raid 149
CHAPTER XXXI.
A Few Years of Peace--Teancum--The Contention Between Lehi and
Morianton--Amalickiah's Terrible Invasion--His Success--He is
Stopped at Bountiful by Teancum--Teancum Slays
Amalickiah--Ammoron Made King of the Lamanites 156
CHAPTER XXXII.
Jacob the Zoramite--His Characteristics--The Strategy by Which
Mulek Was Taken--The Fierce Battle between Jacob and the
Nephite Forces--Jacob's Death 159
CHAPTER XXXIII.
The War in the South-west--Antipus--Helaman and His Two Thousand
Sons--Their Valor and Faith--The Repulse of the Lamanites 162
CHAPTER XXXIV.
The Relief of Manti--The Overthrow of the Kingmen--Pachus
Slain--The Struggle at Moroni--Teancum Slays Ammoron, but at
the Cost of His Own Life--Teancum's Noble Character 167
CHAPTER XXXV.
Peace Once More--The Results of the War--The Labors of
Helaman--Shiblon Receives the Records--Hagoth, the
Ship-builder--Another War--Moronihah--Pahoran's
Death--Contention Regarding the Chief Judgeship--Paanchi's
Rebellion--The Gadianton Bands--Assassination of Pahoran
II.--Another Lamanite Invasion 171
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Pacumeni Slain--Helaman Chosen Chief Judge--The Conspiracy to
Slay Him--Kishkumen Killed--The Prosperity of the Nephites
under Helaman 175
CHAPTER XXXVII.
The Sons of Helaman--Nephi's Righteous Rule--The Lamanites
Again Invade Zarahemla--They Drive the Nephites into the
Northern Continent--The Ministrations of Nephi and Lehi--The
Manifestations of God's Power in the City of
Nephi--Aminadab--The Conversion of the Lamanites--Universal
Peace 177
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Growth of Evil amongst the Nephites--The Increase of the Gadianton
Robbers--Nephi's Announcement of the Murder of the Chief
Judge--The Discovery--Nephi Arrested--He is Proven
Innocent--God's Covenant with Him--Increase of Iniquity--A
Terrible Famine--The Welcome Rain--The Trend to Death 184
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Samuel, the Lamanite--His Mission and Prophecies--The Vain Attempt
to Destroy Him--He Returns to His Own Country 189
CHAPTER XL.
Nephi Translated--His Son Nephi--Time of the Savior's Coming--The
Conspiracy to Slay the Believers--The Revelation to Nephi--The
Promised Signs Appear--Increase of the Gadianton
Robbers--War--Lachoneus Gathers all the People to One Land--The
End of the Struggle 193
CHAPTER XLI.
The Last Chief Judge Murdered and the Republic Overthrown--The
Signs of the Savior's Death Appear--A Terrible Storm--The
Universal Darkness--The Unparalleled Destruction--The Terror
of those Hours 197
CHAPTER XLII.
The Voice from Heaven--The Savior Testifies of Himself--Silence
Throughout the Land--How oft would Christ have Gathered
His People--The Darkness Departs 202
CHAPTER XLIII.
Christ Appears in the Land Bountiful--The Testimony of the
Father--Jesus Calls Twelve Disciples--His Teachings to Them
and to the Multitude 205
CHAPTER XLIV.
The Fulfillment of the Mosaic Law--"Other Sheep Have I"--The
Ten Tribes--The Events of the Latter Days 208
CHAPTER XLV.
The Savior Heals the Sick--He Blesses the Children of the
Nephites--Angels Minister unto them 210
CHAPTER XLVI.
The Sacrament Administered--The Savior's Teachings Regarding
it--He Confers on His Disciples the Power to Give the Holy
Ghost--He Ascends into Heaven 213
CHAPTER XLVII.
Jesus Returns and Renews His Teachings--He Administers the
Sacrament--He Explains the Teachings of the Prophets--The Words
of Malachi 216
CHAPTER XLVIII.
The Savior Continues His Ministrations--He Raises a Man from the
Dead--The Labors of the Twelve--The Name of the Church--The
Three who should Remain 220
CHAPTER XLIX.
The Long Continued Era of Peace and Righteousness--Death of
Nephi--His Son Amos--Amos the Second 223
CHAPTER L.
The Commencement of the Apostasy--It Grows in Intensity--The
Persecution of the Disciples--Lamanites Again--Re-appearance
of the Gadianton Bands--War--Ammaron Hides the Records 226
CHAPTER LI.
The Last Long Series of Wars--Mormon--The Final Conflict at
Cumorah--The Last of the Nephites 229
CHAPTER LII.
The Historians of the Nephites--The Plates of Nephi--List of
their Custodians--Their Lengthened Years 232
CHAPTER LIII.
The Women of the Book of Mormon--Their Condition and
Position--Abish--Isabel--Marriage--Amulek--Moroni's Title of
Liberty--The Mothers of the Ammonites--Two Extremes 237
CHAPTER LIV.
Domestic Life Among the Nephites--Household Duties--Dress--
Ornaments--Homes--Food--Manufactures--Transportation 241
CHAPTER LV.
Agriculture Among the Nephites--Grains--Stock Raising--Irrigation 247
CHAPTER LVI.
Science and Literature Among the Nephites--Their Astronomy and
Geography--The Learning of Egypt 250
CHAPTER LVII.
The Art of War Among the Nephites--Their Weapons, Armor and
Fortifications--Moroni's Line of Defense 255
CHAPTER LVIII.
The Laws of the Nephites--The Roman and Nephite
Civilizations--The Laws under the Kings--Position of the
Priesthood--Slavery--Criminal Offenses 262
CHAPTER LIX.
The Laws under the Judges--The Voice of the
People--Elections--Rights of the People--Church and State--The
Criminal Procedure 269
CHAPTER LX.
Laws of the Nephites, Continued--The Division into Tribes--The
Messianic Dispensation--The Final Convulsion 277
CHAPTER LXI.
The Money of the Nephites--Their Coins--Barley the Standard of
Value 281
CHAPTER LXII.
Personal Appearance of the Nephites--Their Beauty--Testimony of
Remains Found--The Dark-Skinned Lamanites 284
CHAPTER LXIII.
Language of the Nephites--The Influence of the Egyptians--Nephite
Words--Rameumptom--Liahona--Rabbanah--The Lamanite
Tongue--Word Building 287
CHAPTER LXIV.
Nephite Proper Names--Bible Names--Sariah--Nephi--Sam--Melek--
Jershon--Isabel--Aha, etc.--Prefixes and Suffixes 294
CHAPTER LXV.
The Lands of the Nephites--Mulek and Lehi--Zarahemla and
Nephi--The Wilderness--The Land of First Inheritance--The
Journeys Northward--The Waters of Mormon--Lehi--Nephi 300
CHAPTER LXVI.
Nephi in the Hands of the Lamanites--The Lands of Shemlon, Shilom,
Helam, Amulon, Ishmael, Middoni, Jerusalem, etc. 310
CHAPTER LXVII.
The Lands of the Nephites, Continued--Zarahemla--Jershon--
Antionum--Manti--Gideon 314
CHAPTER LXVIII.
Lands of the Nephites, Continued--Minon--Melek--Ammonihah--Noah--
Sidom--Aaron--Lehi--Mulek--Bountiful--The South-west Border 318
CHAPTER LXIX.
The Lands of Antum, Teancum, Joshua, David, etc.--Cumorah--The
Hills of the Nephites--The River Sidon 325
CHAPTER LXX.
Religion of the Nephites--It is Stated by Nephi--The Priesthood
and Ordinances Thereof--Baptism--Confirmation--Ordination--The
Sacrament--Spiritual Gifts 329
CHAPTER LXXI.
Miracles Among the Nephites--The Miracles of Christ--John and
the Three Nephites--Translations 336
CHAPTER LXXII.
The Prophecies Regarding the Savior--Their Completeness and
Detail--Names and Titles Given to Christ 341
CHAPTER LXXIII.
Nephite Apostates--The Order of Nehor--Amalekites--
Amalickiahites--Amulonites--Abinadi's Prophecy--The
Gadiantons 343
CHAPTER LXXIV.
Church Discipline Among the Nephites--Treatment of the
Unrepentant--The Word of the Lord Regarding Transgressors--The
Testimony of Moroni 349
CHAPTER LXXV.
The Discovery of the Jaredite Records--Coriantumr--Ether--The
Dispersion at Babel--The Journey of the Jaredites--Atlantis 352
CHAPTER LXXVI.
Moriancumer--Building the Barges--The Finger of the Lord--The
Appearing of the Savior--The Voyage 356
CHAPTER LXXVII.
The Land of Promise--A Monarchy Established--The Kings of the
Jaredites from Orihah to Omer--Akish--The Daughter of Jared 359
CHAPTER LXXVIII.
The Kings of the Jaredites from Omer to Coriantumr--The Material
Prosperity of this Race 361
CHAPTER LXXIX.
The Judgments of God on the Jaredites--The Extinction of the
Race--The Hill Ramah--Shiz and Coriantumr--Ether 363
BOOK OF MORMON CHRONOLOGY 368
APPENDIX 381
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
The Glorious Appearing of Jesus to the Nephites _Armitage_ Frontis-
piece
Ancient Aztec Chart, Showing Lehi's Travels. No. 1 _Boturini_ 21
Ancient Aztec Chart, Showing Lehi's Travels. No. 2 _Boturini_ 31
Vision of Nephi _Held_ 33
Ancient Aztec Chart, Showing Lehi's Travels. No. 3 _Boturini_ 36
Ancient Aztec Chart, Showing Lehi's Travels. No. 4 _Boturini_ 37
Ancient Hieroglyphic Chart _Farerri_ 43
The First Sacrifice on the Promised Land _Ottinger_ 45
The Jews Led Away to Captivity 62
The Land of Helam 79
Discovery of the Records of the Jaredites _Ottinger_ 86
Baptism of Limhi _Ottinger_ 91
Wilderness of Hermounts 121
Moroni Raises the "Title of Liberty" _Ottinger_ 151
Destruction of Zarahemla _Ottinger_ 202
Ancient Egyptian Characters 290
Copy of Characters on the Plates from Which the Book of Mormon
Was Translated 292
Appearance of Christ to the Brother of Jared _Held_ 358
Ether Finishing His Record _Morris_ 367
THE
Story of the Book of Mormon.
INTRODUCTION.
AMERICA THE FIRST INHABITED OF ALL LANDS--ITS ANCIENT PEOPLES--THE
GARDEN OF EDEN--THE ANTEDILUVIANS--THE JAREDITES--THE NEPHITES AND
LAMANITES.
The story that we are about to relate is a true one. It is the history
of the races who lived on this broad land of ours long, long ago. From
it we shall learn many lessons of God's great love for man. We shall
also learn how oft his love has been spurned, how apt his favored
children have been to walk in ways of sin, and how prone to disobey his
holy law. It is a story full of light and shade, one which it will be
well for all of us to take to heart, for by so doing our faith in God
will increase, and we shall be prompted to strive the more earnestly
to avoid the evils that others, by their misdeeds, have brought upon
themselves and their posterity.
America, the land we love, is, in our Heavenly Father's eyes, choice
above all other lands as the home of those of his sons and daughters,
whom he has placed upon this earth. For all God's creatures are not
here. He has made many worlds and filled them with his children. How
many we know not; they are countless to us. The stars, that shine in
myriads in the heavens, are nearly all suns like the one that gives us
light: the remaining few are worlds like unto this on which we dwell;
and ours is one of the very smallest of them all. To the works of God
there is no beginning, neither is there any end.
God made America the richest of all lands. He filled its depths
with precious minerals; he caused the most lovely trees, and herbs,
and flowers to grow upon its surface. In all things he made it most
desirable as a home for man. And here he planted the Garden of Eden,
and placed our first parents, Adam and Eve, therein. From that garden
they were afterwards driven forth when they failed to keep God's law.
But they did not leave this continent. Here they still remained; here
their sons and daughters were born, until many strong peoples had
sprung from them. It was in this land that Cain slew his brother Abel;
it was here that Enoch and his city dwelt, that Noah preached to the
ungodly, and the ark was built. But when the flood was over and the
waters sank, that ark, by the winds and waves, had been carried far
away to a new land, until it rested on the Mountains of Ararat. Then
for a short time America was without inhabitant.
But not long after the deluge the wicked tried to build a tower that
would reach so high that if ever another flood came they might escape
the rising waters by ascending it. This is called the Tower of Babel.
The Lord was angry with those who attempted to build this tower, for
he had promised that he would never again destroy the earth with the
waters of a flood. But they did not believe him; and in their unbelief
they went to work to construct it. In his anger he confounded their
language, that they could not understand each other. Then he scattered
them abroad upon the face of the earth. Some few, better than the
others, he brought to America. Here he made them a great nation; and
they filled the land for many hundreds of years. By and by they grew
exceedingly wicked and gathered together in vast armies to war one
with another. And they fought so terribly that at last they were all
destroyed,--all except one man. These people were called the Jaredites.
By this we see that this continent was a second time left without
inhabitants because of the great wickedness of the people.
After this the Lord brought another people to fill this land. They
were a branch of the house of Israel, and we call them the Nephites
and Lamanites. They also grew great, prospered, flourished, and fell.
Like the Jaredites, at the last, they destroyed each other in war, and
there were but few left. But from those few have come the many tribes
of Indians that today are found scattered far and wide over both North
and South America, and also on some of the outlying islands of the sea.
Thus fell a third race who would not serve God; for he had decreed that
the wicked should not inherit this land. To one of his ancient servants
he declared, "If iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for
their sakes; but unto the righteous it shall be blessed for ever." (II.
Nephi 1:7.)
North America was the first of all lands to be inhabited; it was here
that Adam and Eve dwelt. The Jaredites from the Tower of Babel also
first landed here. But the Nephites made their earliest settlements on
the western shores of the southern continent, where by degrees they
spread north and south, then east and west, until their cities and
villages could be seen in every part of the land.
CHAPTER I.
ANCIENT JERUSALEM--LEHI--HIS VISION--HIS CALL TO PREACH TO THE
JEWS--THEY PERSECUTE HIM--HE IS COMMANDED OF GOD TO TAKE HIS FAMILY
INTO THE WILDERNESS--THEIR DEPARTURE--THE RETURN OF HIS SONS TO
JERUSALEM TO OBTAIN THE RECORDS--THEY ARE ILL-TREATED BY LABAN--HIS
DEATH--ZORAM ACCOMPANIES THE BROTHERS INTO THE WILDERNESS.
(I. NEPHI CHAP. 1 TO 4.)
Our story opens in the royal city of Jerusalem, in the first year of
the reign of King Zedekiah, or exactly six hundred years before the
birth of our Savior. It was then very grand and very beautiful, the
capital of the Kingdom of Judah, and the chief city of all Israel.
In name it was holy, for the Temple of the Lord was there. Its busy
streets were crowded with a mixed multitude. Priests and Levites, who
officiated in the ordinances of the law of Moses, worshipers from the
other tribes of Jacob, warriors of the armies of Judah, courtiers and
attendants on the king, merchants from Egypt, from Tyre and Sidon and
from many other parts, artificers in various trades, all these combined
to make it wealthy and renowned, a busy mart of trade, a center of
civilization, and a sacred city.
Holy it should have been, but the glory of the Lord had departed from
his house. Its people had become very wicked. They were filled with
pride and greed; they heeded not the law of the Lord; their affections
were set upon the things of this world; they served God with their lips
only, while their hearts were far from him. He had sent unto them his
prophets, but one after another they had rejected these holy men; many
they had persecuted, and some they had slain.[1]
In this city, at that time, dwelt a worthy man named Lehi. He was of
the tribe of Manasseh, but had made his home in Jerusalem all his days,
though it was a city of the Kingdom of Judah. He was a man who had been
prospered of the Lord and had gathered around him considerable wealth.
His wife's name was Sariah, and they had four sons and some daughters.
The names of the sons, in the order of their ages, were Laman, Lemuel,
Sam and Nephi; the number or names of the daughters are nowhere given
in the sacred history.
To this good man the word of the Lord came. God raised him up to be a
prophet. He sent him with a message to the people of Jerusalem. As a
servant of the Lord he had to warn them of many evils that would come
upon them if they did not cease from their wicked ways. But they paid
no heed to his words; they refused to listen to his warning. Indeed,
they became very angry because he told them of their sins, and before
long they sought to kill him.
God gave to Lehi many dreams and visions. One day a pillar of fire
came and rested on a rock before him; and then he heard and saw many
wonderful things. The things which he had seen and heard so overpowered
him that he went home to his house at Jerusalem, and threw himself on
his bed. Then being overcome by the Holy Spirit he was carried away in
a vision. In that vision he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded
by vast hosts of angels who were singing and praising the Lord. And he
saw a holy Being, surrounded by a glory as bright as the sun at noon
day, come down out of the midst of heaven. It was the Lord Jesus. Our
Savior was followed by twelve others whose brightness exceeded that of
the stars. They were Christ's Apostles. These came down and went forth
on the face of the earth.
And in the vision the Savior came to Lehi and gave him a book, and bade
him read it. In that book was an account of events that had not yet
taken place. It was full of the woes that should happen to Jerusalem
and her people if they repented not of their sins and follies. It told
how that great city should be taken by her enemies and destroyed; how
numbers of the inhabitants should perish, while many should be carried
captive into Babylon. All of which was fulfilled a few years later.
These things with others were what Lehi told the Jews; and as they did
not believe his words they became enraged at him and ill treated him.
How gracious was our heavenly Father to show such great things to Lehi,
and to reveal to him so much with regard to the earthly life of our
Lord and Savior, whose coming in the flesh was yet six hundred years in
the future.
Before long the Lord was satisfied with what Lehi had said and done.
He told him, in a dream, that as the Jews had rejected his message and
sought his life, to leave them to the destruction that would surely
come upon them. God then directed him to leave Jerusalem and take his
family and journey into the wilderness. This Lehi did. He left behind
him his gold and other precious things, and only carried with him
what was needful for the use of his family during their travels. Like
Abraham before him, he went not knowing whither he was going, but went
because God had commanded him; and, like Abraham, he was led by Divine
power to a blessed land of promise.
When Lehi and his family left Jerusalem they traveled southward to the
borders of the Red Sea. There they pitched their tents and rested for
a season in a valley near a river which emptied into the sea. In this
valley Lehi built an altar, and upon it he offered a sacrifice to the
Lord, and gave thanks unto him for his great goodness in bringing them
out of the doomed chief city of Judah.
It was while Lehi's little company were camped in this valley, to
which he gave the name of the Valley of Lemuel, that the dispositions
of the four young men began to show themselves. Laman and Lemuel
here commenced to grumble, to complain and to rebel, while Nephi was
obedient in all things to the word of God and the wishes of his father.
He sought the Holy One in earnest prayer in his own behalf and in that
of his brothers, and the Lord made him many precious promises, all of
which were, in due time, fulfilled.
While encamped in this valley the Lord, in a dream, commanded Lehi
to send his sons back to Jerusalem to obtain certain plates on which
was engraven a record of the Jews. They also contained a genealogy or
list of Lehi's forefathers. These plates were kept by a rich man named
Laban, who held them because, like Lehi, he was a descendant of that
Joseph who was sold into Egypt.
When Lehi's elder sons heard this they murmured. They did not want to
go back to the city. They said it was a hard thing to do, and they
claimed to be afraid of Laban. But Nephi neither feared nor murmured,
for he was a man of much faith. On this occasion he said to his father,
I will go and do the things which God has commanded, for I know that
the Lord gives no commandment to the children of men, save he prepares
a way that they may do the thing that he requires of them. When
Lehi saw how strong was his son's faith he greatly rejoiced, for he
perceived that Nephi had been much blessed of the Lord.
[Illustration: ANCIENT AZTEC CHART SHOWING LEHI's TRAVELS. NO. 1.]
At last all the sons consented to return and get the plates. They took
their tents with them, traveled as they came, and in a few days reached
Jerusalem. When they arrived they cast lots to decide which of them
should first visit Laban. The lot fell upon Laman. As he had no faith
in his mission, we can readily understand that he failed to get the
records. He went to Laban's house, which was a very fine one, and
talked with him on the matter. But Laban grew angry, would not let him
have the plates, called him a robber, and drove him out of the house.
When Laman returned to his brothers they were very sad at hearing how
violently Laban had acted. All but Nephi wished to return to their
father in the wilderness; but he would not consent. He had come up
to Jerusalem to do what God had commanded, and he would not return
until he had done it. He said to his brothers, "As the Lord liveth,
and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness,
until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord has commanded us."
Brave words from a heart of faith, and by that faith their purpose was
accomplished.
Nephi next proposed that they should go to their father's house and
collect some of the gold, silver and other precious things which he had
left behind, take them to Laban and offer them to him in exchange for
the records.
They did all this; still Laban would not let them have the plates.
But when he saw how great was the value of the property which they
offered him, he coveted it; for he was a wicked man, filled with greed
and covetousness. So he thrust the brothers out of his house and kept
their property. Not content with this he sent his servants after them
to slay them. But the servants did not overtake them, for Nephi and his
brothers outran them and hid themselves in a cave in the wilderness
outside of the walls of the city.
Laman and Lemuel were now furious at their lack of success. In their
anger they said many hard things to Sam and Nephi, and moreover they
beat them with a rod. While thus engaged an angel of the Lord stood
before them and rebuked them for their cruel treatment of their younger
brothers. He further told them to go up to Jerusalem once again, and
Laban should be delivered into their hands.
Even though an angel from heaven had appeared to them, Laman and Lemuel
still murmured and did not want to go back to the house of Laban. But
after some persuasion from Nephi they reluctantly followed him. His
faith had made him their leader, which position he ever afterwards held.
Nephi caused his brethren to hide themselves without the walls, and
then went forward alone, not knowing exactly where he was going, but
suffering himself to be guided by the Spirit of the Lord. It was now
night. When near the house of Laban he came across a man lying in a
drunken stupor on the ground. It proved to be Laban himself.
The Spirit of the Lord now directed Nephi to slay Laban, telling him
that it was better that one man should die than that a nation should
dwindle and perish in unbelief. This the Nephites undoubtedly would
have done had they not had the law of the Lord with them; and this law
was engraved on these plates. As we proceed we shall find that both
the Lamanites and the people of Zarahemla sank in sin and dwindled in
unbelief from this very cause,--they had no Divine records.
For all that the Spirit thus prompted, still Nephi felt loath to slay
Laban, although he had robbed him and his brothers of their father's
property and sought to take their lives. But at last he obeyed the
voice of the Spirit, and drawing Laban's own sword from its sheath,
with it he smote off this wicked man's head.
Nephi next removed Laban's armor from the dead body and put it on his
own person; he also took the sword of Laban and girded it around his
waist. Then he went to the dead man's house, and, imitating Laban's
voice, he commanded the servant who had the keys of the room where the
records were kept to go with him and get them. The servant, whose name
was Zoram, obeyed, and brought forth the records, for in the darkness,
he thought it was his master who was talking to him.
Nephi, still acting as though he was Laban, had Zoram go with him to
where his brothers were hid. When Laman, Lemuel and Sam saw him coming
they became greatly afraid, for they did not know him, dressed as he
was in the armor of Laban; and he had some little difficulty in making
them understand that he was their brother, and that they had no cause
for fear. But when Zoram discovered that Nephi was not his master, he
also was seized with fear, and would have run away had not Nephi held
him. We may be sure Nephi did not want Zoram to return to Jerusalem,
lest he should gather a body of men and follow him and his brothers
into the wilderness and slay them. So he spake kind and encouraging
words to Zoram, who soon consented to make a covenant of friendship
with Nephi and go with him to the place where Lehi had pitched his
tents. This covenant Zoram most faithfully kept.
FOOTNOTE:
[1] See II. Chronicles 36:14-16.