THE BOOK OF MORMON: AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF MORMON, UPON PLATES TAKEN FROM THE PLATES OF NEPHI. Wherefore it is an abridgment of the Record of the People of Nephi; and also of the Lamanites; written to the Lamanites, which are a remnant of the House of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile; written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of Prophesy and of Revelation. Written, and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed; to come forth by the gift and power of God, unto the interpretation thereof; sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by the way of Gentile; the interpre- tation thereof by the gift of God; an abridgment taken from the Book of Ether. Also, which is a Record of the People of Jared, which were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people when they were building a tower to get to Heaven; which is to shew unto the remnant of the House of Israel how great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever; and also to the con- vincing of Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting Himself unto all nations. And now if there be fault, it be the mistake of men; wherefore condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment seat of CHRIst. ___________ BY JOSEPH SMITH, JUNIOR, AUtHOR AND PROPRIEtOR. ______________ PALMYRA: PRINtED BY E. B. GRANDIN, FOR tHE AUtHOR. 1830. PREFACE. Northern District of New-York, to wit: BE It REMEMBERED, that on the tOtHEREADER— eleventh day of June, in the fifty-third year of the Independence of the United states of America, A. D. 1829,Joseph As many false reports have been circulated respecting the smith,Jun. of the said District, hath deposited in this office the title of a Book,the right whereof he claims as author, in the words following, to wit: "he Book of Mor- following work, and also many unlawful measures taken by mon: an account written by the hand of Mormon, upon plates taken from the plates evil designing persons to destroy me, and also the work, I of Nephi. Wherefore it is an abridgment of the Record of the People of Nephi; and also of the Lamanites; written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the House of would inform you that I translated, by the gift and power of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile; written by way of commandment, and also by God, and caused to be written, one hundred and sixteen the spirit of Prophesy and of Revelation. Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed; to come forth by the gift and power of God, pages, the which I took from the Book of Lehi, which was unto the interpretation thereof; sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the an account abridged from the plates of Lehi, by the hand of Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile; the interpretation thereof by the gift of God; an abridgement taken from the Book of Ether. Also, which is a Mormon; which said account, some person or persons have Record of the People of Jared, which were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people when they were building a tower to get to Heaven: which stolen and kept from me, notwithstanding my utmost exer- is the shew unto the remnant of the House of Israel, how great thing the Lord hath tions to recover it again—and being commanded of the Lord done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever; and also to the convincing of Jew and Gentile that Jesus is that I should not translate the same over again, for satan had the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting Himself unto all nations. And now if there put it into their hearts to tempt the Lord their God, by altering be fault, it be the mistake of men; wherefore condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment seat of Christ. — By Joseph smith, Jun. the words that they did read contrary from that which I trans- Author and Proprietor." lated and caused to be written; and if I should bring forth the same words again, or, in other words, if I should translate the In conformity to the act of Congress of the United states, entitled "An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to same over again, they would publish that which they had the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned;" and also the act entitled, "An act supplementary to an act entitled, 'An act for the en- stolen, and satan would stir up the hearts of this genera- couragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the tion, that they might not receive this work: but behold the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, and ex- tending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical Lord said unto me, I will not suffer that satan shall and other prints." R. R. LANSING, accomplish his evil design in this thing: therefore thou Clerk of the Northern District of New-York. shalt translate from the plates of Nephi, until ye come to that which ye have translated, which ye have retained; and iv PREFACE behold ye shall publish it as a record of Nephi; and thus I THE FIRST BOOK OF NEPHI. will confound those who have altered my words. I will not suffer that they shall destroy my work; yea, I will shew unto HIs REIGN AND MINIstRY. them that my wisdom is greater then the cunning of the CHAPtER I. Devil. Wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, I have, through his grace and mercy, accomplished An account of Lehi and his wife Sariah, and his four Sons, being that which he hath commanded me respecting this thing. I called, (beginning at the eldest,) Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi. The Lord warns Lehi to depart out of the land of would also inform you that the plates of which hath been Jerusalem, because he prophesieth unto the people concerning spoken, were found in the township of Manchester, Ontario their iniquity; and they seek to destroy his life. He taketh three county, New-York. days journey into the wilderness with his family. Nephi taketh his brethren and returns to the land of Jerusalem after the record of the Jews. The account of their sufferings. They take the daughters THEAUTHOR. of Ishmael to wife. They take their families and depart into the wilderness. Their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness. The course of their travels. They come to the large waters. Nephi's brethren rebelled against him. He confounded them, and buildeth a Ship. They call the place Bountiful. They cross the large waters into the promised land, &c. This is according to the account of Nephi; 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; andhaving seen many afflictions 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, there- fore 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, to be 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, prophesying unto the people, that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed. 6 FIRst BOOK OF NEPHI. FIRst BOOK OF NEPHI. 7 Wherefore it came to pass, that my father Lehi, as he went forth, and in dreams; and he also hath written many things which he proph- prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his esied and spake unto his children, of which I shall not make a full people. account; but I will make an account of my proceedings in my days— And it came to pass, as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pil- Behold I make an abridgement of the record of my father, upon plates lar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard, which I have made with mine own hands; wherefore, after that I have he did quake and tremble exceedingly. abridged the record of my father, then will I make an account of mine And it came to pass that he returned to his own house at own life. Jerusalem; and he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with therefore, I would that ye should know that after the Lord had the spirit and the things which he had seen; and being thus overcome shewn marvellous things unto my father Lehi, yea, concerning the with the spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the destruction of Jerusalem, behold he went forth among the people and Heavens open; and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of which he had both seen and heard. singing and praising their God. And it came to pass that the Jews did not mock him because of And it came to pass that he saw one descending out of the midst the things which he testified of them; for he truly testified of their of Heaven, and he beheld that his lustre was above that of the sun at wickedness and their abominations; and he testified that the things noon-day; and he also saw twelve others following him, and their which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read in the brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament; and they Book, manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah, and also the came down and went forth upon the face of the earth; and the first redemption of the world. came and stood before my father, and gave unto him a Book, and And when the Jews heard these things, they were angry with him; bade him that he should read. yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out and And it came to pass as he read, he was filled with the spirit of the stoned and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it Lord, and he read saying, Wo, wo unto Jerusalem! for I have seen away. But behold, I, Nephi will shew unto you that the tender mercies thine abominations; yea, and many things did my father read con- of the Lord is over all them whom he hath chosen, because of their cerning Jerusalem—that it should be destroyed, and the inhabitants faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance. thereof, many should perish by the sword, and many should be car- For behold it came to pass that the Lord spake unto my father., ried away captive into Babylon. yea, even in a dream, and sayeth unto him, Blessed art thou Lehi, And it came to pass that when my father had read and saw because of the things which thou hast done; and because thou hast many great and marvellous things, he did exclaim many things been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I com- unto the Lord; such as, Great and marvellous are thy works, O manded thee, behold they seek to take away thy life. Lord God Almighty! thy throne is high in the Heavens, and the And it came to pass that the Lord commanded my father even in power and goodness, and mercy is over all the inhabitants of the a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilder- earth; and because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who ness. And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the come unto thee that they shall perish! And after this manner was the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him. language of my father in the praising of his God; for his soul did re- And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness.— joice, and his whole heart was filled, because of the things which he And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his had seen; yea, which the Lord had shewn unto him. And now I, gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing Nephi, do not make a full account of the things which my father hath with him save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and written, for he hath written many things which he saw in visions he departed into the wilderness; and he came down by the 8 FIRst BOOK OF NEPHI. FIRst BOOK OF NEPHI. 9 borders near the shore of the Red sea; and he travelled in the wilder- heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my ness, in the borders, which was nearer the Red sea; and he did travel father; wherefore I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers. in the wilderness with his family, which consisted of my mother, And I spake unto sam, making known unto him the things which sariah, and my elder brothers, which were Laman, Lemuel and sam. the Lord had manifested unto me by his Holy spirit. And it came to pass that when he had travelled three days in the And it came to pass that he believed in my words; but behold wilderness, he pitched his tent in a valley beside a river of water. Laman and Lemuel would not hearken unto my words: And being And it came to pass that he built an altar of stones, and he made an grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, I cried unto the Lord offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto the Lord our God. And for them. it came to pass that he called the name of the river Laman, and it And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Blessed emptied into the Red sea; and the valley was in the borders near the art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me dili- mouth thereof. And when my father saw that the waters of the river gently, with lowiness of heart. And inasmuch as ye shall keep my emptied into the fountain of the Red sea, he spake unto Laman, say- commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of prom- ing: O that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually running ise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which into the fountain of all righteousness. And he also spake unto is choice above all other lands. And inasmuch as thy brethren shall Lemuel: O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm, and rebel against thee, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. steadfast, and immoveable in keeping the commandments of the And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be Lord. Now this he spake because of the stiffneckedness of Laman made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren. For behold, in that day and Lemuel; for behold; they did murmur in many things against that they shall rebel against me. I will curse them even with a sore their father, because that he was a visionary man, and that he had curse, and they shall have no power over thy seed, except they shall led them out of the land of Jerusalem, to leave the land of their in- rebel against me also. And if it so be that they rebel against me, they heritance, and their gold, and their silver, and their precious things, shall be a scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in the ways of re- and to perish in the wilderness. And this they said he had done be- membrance. cause of the foolish imaginations of his heart. And thus Laman and And it came to pass that I, Nephi, returned from speaking with Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father.—And the Lord, to the tent of my father. And it came to pass that he spake they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God unto me, saying: Behold I have dreamed a dream, in the which the who had created them. Neither did they believe that Jerusalem, that Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brethren shall return to great city, could be destroyed according to the words of the prophets. Jerusalem. For behold, Laban hath the record of the Jews, and also And they were like unto the Jews, which were at Jerusalem, which a genealogy of my forefathers, and they are engraven upon the plates sought to take away the life of my father. of brass. Wherefore the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy And it came to pass that my father did speak unto them in the brothers should go unto the house of Laban, and seek the records, valley of Lemuel, with power, being filled with the spirit, until their and bring them down hither into the wilderness. And now, behold, frames did shake before him. And he did confound them, that they thy brothers murmur, saying: It is a hard thing which I have required durst not utter against him; wherefore they did do as he commanded of them; but behold I have not required it of them, but it is com- them. And my father dwelt in a tent. manded of the Lord. therefore go, my son, and thou shalt be favored And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceeding young, of the Lord, because thou hast not murmured. nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires And it came to pass, that I, Nephi, said unto my father, to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore I did cry unto I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the 10 FIRst BOOK OF NEPHI. FIRst BOOK OF NEPHI. 11 children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may And it came to pass that after this manner of language did I per- accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. suade my brethren, that they might be faithful in keeping the com- And it came to pass that when my father had heard these words, mandments of God. And it came to pass that we went down to the he was exceeding glad, for he knew that I had been blessed of the land of our inheritance, and we did gather together our gold, and our Lord. And I, Nephi, and my brethren, took our journey in the wilder- silver, and our precious things. And after that we had gathered these ness with our tents, to go up to the land of Jerusalem. things together, we went up again unto the house of Laban. And it came to pass that when we had come up to the land of And it came to pass that we went in unto Laban, and desired him Jerusalem, I and my brethren did consult one with another; and we that he would give unto us the records which were engraven upon the cast lots, which of us should go in unto the house of Laban. And it plates of brass, for which we would give unto him our gold, and our came to pass that the lot fell upon Laman; and Laman went in unto silver, and all our precious things. the house of Laban and he talked with him as he sat in his house. And And it came to pass that when Laban saw our property, and that it he desired of Laban the records which were engraven upon the plates was exceeding great, he did lust after it, insomuch that he thrust us of brass, which contained the genealogy of my father. out, and sent his servants to slay us, that he might obtain our property. And behold, it came to pass that Laban was angry, and thrust And it came to pass that we did flee before the servants of Laban, and him out of his presence; and he would not that he should have we were obliged to leave behind our property, and it fell into the hands records. Wherefore he said unto him, behold thou art a robber, and of Laban. I will slay thee. But Laman fled out of his presence, and told the And it came to pass that we fled into the wilderness, and the ser- things which Laban had done, unto us. And we began to be exceed- vants of Laban did not overtake us, and we hid ourselves in the cavity ing sorrowful, and my brethren were about to return unto my father of a rock. And it came to pass that Laman was angry with me, and in the wilderness. But behold I said unto them, that as the Lord also with my father; and also Lemuel; for he hearkened unto the words liveth, and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the of Laman. Wherefore Laman and Lemuel did speak many hard words wilderness, until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord unto us, their younger brothers, and they did smite us even with a rod. hath commanded us. Wherefore let us be faithful in keeping the And it came to pass as they smote us with a rod, behold an angel of commandments of the Lord; therefore let us go down to the land the Lord came and stood before them, and he spake unto them saying: of our father's inheritance, for behold he left gold and silver, and Why do ye smite your younger brother with a rod? Know ye not that all manner of riches. And all this he hath done, because of the com- the Lord hath chosen him to be a ruler over you , and this because of mandments of the Lord: for he knowing that Jerusalem must be de- your iniquities? Behold thou shalt go up to Jerusalem again, and the stroyed, because of the wickedness of the people. Lord will deliver Laban into your hands. And after that the angel had For behold, they have rejected the words of the prophets— spoken unto us, he departed. And after that angel had departed, Laman Wherefore if my father should dwell in the land after that he hath and Lemuel again began to murmur, saying, how is it possible that the been commanded to flee out of the land, behold he would also per- Lord will deliver Laban into our hands? Behold he is a mighty man, ish. Wherefore it must needs be that he flee out of the land. And and he can command fifty, yea, even he can slay fifty; then why not us? behold, it is wisdom in God that we should obtain these records, And it came to pass that I spake unto my brethren, saying: Let us go that we might preserve unto our children the language of our fa- up again unto Jerusalem, and let us be faithful in keeping the command- thers; and also that we may preserve unto them the words which ments of the Lord; for behold he is mightier than all the earth, then why have been spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets, which not mightier than Laban and his fifty yea, or even than his tens of have been delivered unto them by the spirit and power of God, thousands. therefore let us go up; let us be strong like unto Moses: since the world began, even down unto the present time. For he truly spake unto the waters of the Red sea, and they divided 12 FIRst BOOK OF NEPHI. FIRst BOOK OF NEPHI. 13 hither and thither, and our fathers came through out of captivity on the Lord had delivered Laban into my hands, for this cause: that I dry ground, and the armies of Pharaoh did follow and were drowned might obtain the records according to his commandments. therefore in the waters of the Red sea. Now behold ye know that this is true; I did obey the voice of the spirit, and took Laban by the hair of the and ye also know that an angel hath spoken unto you, wherefore can head, and I smote off his head with his own sword. ye doubt. Let us go up; the Lord is able to deliver us, even as our fa- And after that I had smitten off his head with his own sword, I thers, and to destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians. took the garments of Laban and put them upon mine own body; yea, Now when I had spoken these words, they were yet wroth, and still even every whit; and I did gird on his armour about my loins. And did continue to murmur; Nevertheless they did follow me up until we after that I had done this, I went forth unto the treasury of Laban, came without the walls of Jerusalem. And it was by night; and I caused And as I went forth towards the treasury of Laban, behold I saw the that they should hide themselves without the walls. And after that they servant of Laban which had the keys of the treasury. And I com- had hid themselves, I, Nephi, crept into the city and went forth towards manded him in the voice of Laban, that he should go with me into the house of Laban. And I was led by the spirit, not knowing beforehand the treasury; and he supposed me to be his master, Laban, for he be- the things which I should do. Nevertheless I went forth, and as I came held the garments, and also the sword girted about my loins. And near the house of Laban, I beheld a man, and he had fallen to the earth he spake unto me concerning the elders of the Jews, he knowing before me, for he was drunken with wine. And when I came to him, I that his master Laban had been out by night among them. And I found that it was Laban. And I beheld his sword, and I drew it forth spake unto him as if it had been Laban. And I also spake unto him from the sheath thereof, and the hilt thereof was of pure gold, and the that I should carry the engravings which were upon the plates of workmanship thereof was exceeding fine; and I saw that the blade brass, to my elder brethren, which were without the walls. And I thereof was of the most precious steel. also bade him that he should follow me. And he, supposing that I And it came to pass that I was constrained by the spirit that I spake of the brethren of the church, and that I was truly that Laban should kill Laban; but I said in my heart, never at any time have I whom I had slain, wherefore he did follow me. And he spake unto shed blood of man, and I shrunk and would that I might not slay him. me many times concerning the elders of the Jews, as I went forth And the spirit saith unto me again, behold the Lord hath delivered unto my brethren, which were without walls. him into thy hands; yea, and I also knew that he had sought to take And it came to pass that when Laman saw me, he was exceed- away mine own life; yea, and he would not hearken unto the com- ingly frightened, and also Lemuel and sam. And they fled from be- mandments of the Lord; and he also had taken away our property. fore my presence; for they supposed it was Laban, and that he had And it came to pass that the spirit said unto me again, slay him, slain me, and had sought to take away their lives also. for the Lord hath delivered him into my hands. Behold the Lord And it came to pass that I called after them, and they did hear slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes: it is better me; wherefore they did cease to flee from my presence. And it came that one man should perish, than that a nation should dwindle and per- to pass that when the servant of Laban beheld my brethren, he began ish in unbelief. to tremble, and was about to flee from before me and return to the And now, when I, Nephi, had heard these words, I remembered the city of Jerusalem. words of the Lord which he spake unto me in the wilderness, saying, And now I, Nephi, being a man large in stature, and also having that inasmuch as thy seed shall keep my commandments, they shall received much strength of the Lord, therefore I did seize upon the prosper in the land of promise.—Yea, and I also thought that they could servant of Laban, and held him, that he should not flee. not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the law of And it came to pass that I spake with him, that if he would Moses, save they should have the law. And I also knew that the law hearken unto my words, as the Lord liveth and as I live, even so was engraven upon the plates of brass. And again—I knew that that if he would hearken unto our words, we would spare 14 FIRst BOOK OF NEPHI. FIRst BOOK OF NEPHI. 15 his life. And I spake unto him, even with an oath, that he need not their joy was full, and my mother was comforted; and she spake, say- fear; that he should be a free man like unto us, if he would go down ing: Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded my hus- in the wilderness with us. And I also spake unto him, saying, surely band to flee into the wilderness; yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded us to do this thing. And shall we not be the Lord hath protected my sons and delivered them out of the hands diligent in keeping the commandments of the Lord? therefore, if of Laban, and gave them power whereby they could accomplish the thou wilt go down into the wilderness to my father, thou shalt have thing which the Lord hath commanded them. And after this language place with us. did she speak. And it came to pass that Zoram did take courage at the words And it came to pass that they did rejoice exceedingly, and did offer which I spake. Now Zoram was the name of the servant; and he sacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord; and they gave thanks unto promised that he would go down into the wilderness unto our father. the God of Israel. And after that they had given thanks unto the God of And he also made an oath unto us, that he would tarry with us from Israel, my father Lehi took the records which were engraven upon the that time forth. Now we were desirous that we should tarry with us plates of brass, and he did search them from the beginning. And he be- for this cause: that the Jews might not know concerning our flight held that they did contain the five books of Moses, which gave an ac- into the wilderness, lest they should pursue us and destroy us. count of the creation of the world, and also of Adam and Eve, which And it came to pass that when Zoram had made an oath unto us, was our first parents; and also a record of Jews from the beginning, even our fears did cease concerning him. And it came to pass that we took down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, King of Judah; the plates of brass and the servant of Laban, and departed into the and also the prophecies of the Holy prophets, from the beginning, even wilderness, and journied into the tent of our father. down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah; and also many And it came to pass after we had came down into the wilderness prophecies which have been spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah. unto our father, behold he was filled with joy, and also my mother, And it came to pass that my father Lehi also found upon the plates sariah, was exceeding glad, for she truly had mourned because of of brass, a genealogy of his fathers; wherefore he knew that he was us; for she had supposed that we had perished in the wilderness; and a descendant of Joseph; yea, even that Joseph which was the son of she also had complained against my father, telling him that he was Jacob, which was sold into Egypt, and which was preserved by the a visionary man; saying, behold thou hast led us forth from the land hand of the Lord, that he might preserve his father Jacob and all his of our inheritance, and my sons are no more, and we perish in the household from perishing with famine. And they were also led out wilderness. And after this manner of language had my mother com- of captivity and out of the land of Egypt, by the same God who had plained against my father. preserved them. And thus my father Lehi did discover the genealogy And it came to pass that my father spake unto her saying: I know of his fathers. And Laban also was a descendant of Joseph, wherefore that I am a visionary man; for if I had not seen the things of God in he and his fathers had kept the records. a vision, I should not have known the goodness of God, but had tar- And now when my father saw all these things, he was filled with ried at Jerusalem and had perished with my children. But behold, I the spirit, and began to prophesy concerning his seed; that these plates have obtained a land of promise, in the which thing I do rejoice; of brass should go forth unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people yea, and I know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands which were of his seed. Wherefore he said that these plates of brass of Laban, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness. And should never perish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time. after this manner of language did my father Lehi comfort my mother And he prophesied many times concerning his seed. sariah, concerning us, while we journied in the wilderness up to the And it came to pass that thus far I and my father had kept land of Jerusalem, to obtain the record of the Jews. the commandments wherewith the Lord had commanded us. And And when we had returned to the tent of my father, behold we had obtained the record which the Lord had commanded 16 FIRst BOOK OF NEPHI. FIRst BOOK OF NEPHI. 17 us, and searched them and found that they were desirable yea, even And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the heart of Ishmael, and of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the com- also his household, insomuch that they took their journey with us mandments of the Lord unto our children. Wherefore it was wisdom down into the wilderness to the tent of our father. And it came to pass in the Lord that we should carry them with us, as we journied in the as we journied in the wilderness, behold, Laman and Lemuel, and wilderness towards the land of promise. 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 CHAPtER II. return unto the land of Jerusalem. And now I, Nephi, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying; yea, And now I, Nephi, do not give the genealogy of my fathers in this even unto Laman and unto Lemuel, behold, thou art mine elder part of my record; neither at any time shall I give it after upon these brethren; and how is it that ye are so hard in your hearts, and so blind plates which I am writing; for it is given in the record which has been in your minds, that ye have need that I, your younger brother, should kept by my father; wherefore I do not write it in this work. For it suf- speak unto you, yea, and set an example for you? How is it that ye have ficeth me to say, that we are a descendant of Joseph. And it mattereth not hearkened unto the word of the Lord? How is it that ye have forgot- not to me that I am particular to give a full account of all things of ten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord? Yea, and how is it that ye my father, for they cannot be written upon these plates, for I desire have forgotten how great things the Lord hath done for us in delivering the room, that I may write of the things of God. For the fullness of us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record? mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abra- Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all ham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved. things, according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they Wherefore the things which are pleasing unto the world, I do not exercise faith in him; wherefore, let us be faithful in him. And if it so write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto them be that we are faithful in him, we shall obtain the land of promise; and which are not of the world. Wherefore I shall give commandment ye shall know at some future period, that the word of the Lord shall be unto my seed, that they shall not occupy these plates with things fulfilled, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem; for all things which which are not of worth unto the children of men. And now I would the Lord hath spoken concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, must be that ye might know, that after my father Lehi had made an end of fulfilled. For, behold, the spirit of the Lord ceaseth soon to strive with prophesying concerning his seed, it came to pass that the Lord spake them; for behold, they have rejected the prophets, and Jeremiah have unto him again, saying, that it was not mete for him, Lehi, that he they cast into prison. And they have sought to take away the life of my should take his family into the wilderness alone; but that his sons father, insomuch that they have driven him out of the land. should take daughters to wife that they might raise up seed unto the Now behold, I say unto you, that if ye will return unto Jerusalem, Lord in the land of promise. ye shall also perish with them. And now, if ye have choice, go up to And it came to pass that the Lord commanded him that I, Nephi, the land, and remember the words which I speak unto you, that if ye and my brethren, should again return unto the land of Jerusalem, and go, ye will also perish; for thus the spirit of the Lord constraineth me bring down Ishmael and his family into the wilderness. that I should speak. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did again, with my brethren, go And it came to pass that when I, Nephi, had spoken these forth into the wilderness to go up to Jerusalem. And it came to pass that words unto my brethren, they were angry with me. And it we went up unto the house of Ishmael, and we did gain favor in the sight came to pass that they did lay their hands upon me; for, behold, of Ishmael, insomuch that we did speak unto him the words of the Lord. they were exceeding wroth; and they did bind me with cords, 18 FIRst BOOK OF NEPHI. FIRst BOOK OF NEPHI. 19 for they sought to take away my life, that they might leave me in And it came to pass that I saw a man, and he was dressed in a the wilderness, to be devoured by wild beasts. white robe; and he came and stood before me. And it came to pass But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him. And it came to pass according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from that as I followed him, and after I had followed him, I beheld myself the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may that I was in the dark and dreary waste. And after that I travelled burst these bands with which I am bound. for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the And it came to pass that when I had said these words, behold, Lord, that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude the bands were loosed from off my hands and feet, and I stood of his tender mercies. before my brethren, and I spake unto them again. And it came And it came to pass that after I had prayed unto the Lord, I be- to pass that they were angry with me again, and sought to lay held a large and spacious field. And it came to pass that I beheld a hands upon me; but, behold, one of the daughters of Ishmael, tree, whose fruit was desirable, to make one happy. yea, and also her mother, and one of the sons of Ishmael, did And it came to pass that I did go forth, and partake of the fruit plead with my brethren; and they did cease striving to take away thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever my life. had before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, And it came to pass that they were sorrowful, because of their to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen. And as I partook of wickedness, insomuch that they did bow down before me, and did the fruit thereof, it filled my soul with exceeding great joy; where- plead with me, that I would forgive them of the thing that they had fore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; done against me. for I knew that it was desirous above all other fruit. And as I cast And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they my eyes round about, that perhaps I might discover my family also, had done, and I did exhort them that they would pray unto the Lord I beheld a river of water; and it ran along, and it was near the tree their God, for forgiveness. And it came to pass that they did so. And of which I was partaking the fruit. And I looked to behold from after that they had done praying unto the Lord, we did again travel whence it came; and I saw the head thereof, a little way off; and at on our journey toward the tent of our father. the head thereof, I beheld your mother sariah, and sam, and Nephi; And it came to pass that we did come down unto the tent of our and they stood as if they knew not whither they should go. father. And after that I and my brothers, and all the house of Ishmael, And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did had come down unto the tent of my father, they did give thanks unto say unto them, with a loud voice, that they should come unto me, the Lord their God; and they did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit. unto him. And it came to pass that they did come unto me, and partake of the And it came to pass that we had gathered together all manner of fruit also. And it came to pass that I was desirous that Laman and seeds of every kind; both of grain of every kind, and also of the seeds Lemuel should come and partake of the fruit also; wherefore, I cast of fruits of every kind. And it came to pass that while my father tarried mine eyes towards the head of the river, that perhaps I might see them. in the wilderness, he spake unto ,us, saying: Behold, I have dreamed And it came to pass that I saw them, but they would not a dream; or, in other words, I have seen a vision. And behold, because come unto me. And I beheld a rod of iron; and it extended of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in the Lord, along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I because of Nephi, and also of sam, for I have reason to suppose that stood. And I also beheld a straight and narrow path which they, and also many of their seed, will be saved.—But, behold, Laman came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and Lemuel, I fear exceedingly, because of you; for, behold, me and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and thought I saw a dark and dreary wilderness. spacious field, as if it had been a world; and I saw numberless