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, who 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 prophecy and of revelation. Written and sealed 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 interpretation thereof by the gift of God.

An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to heaven.

Which is to show 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 convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations.

And now, if there be faults 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.

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Moroni

Introduction to the Book of Nephi

His Reign and Ministry

An account of Lehi and his wife Sariah, and his four sons, being called, beginning at the eldest:  Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi. The Lord warns Lehi to depart out of the land of Jerusalem, because he prophesieth unto the people concerning their iniquity and they seek to destroy his life. He taketh three days’ journey into the wilderness with his family.

Nephi taketh his brethren and returneth to the land of Jerusalem after the record of the Jews.  The account of their sufferings.  They take the daughters 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 rebel against him.  He confoundeth them, and buildeth a ship. They call the place Bountiful. They cross the large waters into the promised land, and so forth.

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.  And having 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, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.

Yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians.  And I know that the record which I make is true.  And I make it with mine own hand and I make it according to my knowledge.

For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah — my father, Lehi, having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days — and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.  Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people.  As he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him!  And he saw and heard much, and because of the things which he saw and heard he did quake and tremble exceedingly.

And it came to pass that he returned to his own house at Jerusalem.  And he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with the spirit and the things which he had seen.  And being thus overcome with the spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their god.

And it came to pass that he saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of the sun at noon-day.  And he also saw twelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament.  And they came down and went forth upon the face of the earth; and the first came and stood before my father, and gave unto him a book, and bade him that he should read.  And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord.  And he read, saying:  Wo, wo, unto Jerusalem, for I have seen thine abominations!   

Yea, and many things did my father read concerning Jerusalem:  That it should be destroyed, and the inhabitants thereof.  Many should perish by the sword, and many should be carried away captive  into Babylon.  And it came to pass that when my father had read and seen many great and marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord, such as:  

Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty!  

Thy throne is high in the heavens, and thy power, and 

Goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth!

And, because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer 

Those who come unto thee, that they shall perish!

And after this manner was the language of my father in the praising of his god.  For his soul did rejoice, and his whole heart was filled, because of the things which he had seen, yea, which the Lord had shown unto him.

And now I, Nephi, do not make a full account of the things which my father hath written. For he hath written many things which he saw in visions and in dreams.  And he also hath written many things which he prophesied and spake unto his children, of which I shall not make a full account.  But I shall make an account of my proceedings in my days.  

Behold, I make an abridgment of the record of my father, upon plates which I have made with mine own hands.   Wherefore, after I have abridged the record of my father, then will I make an account of mine own life.

Therefore, I would that ye should know, that after the Lord had shown so many marvelous things unto my father, Lehi, yea, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, behold he went forth among the people, and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard.  And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them; for he truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations; and he testified that the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read in The Book, manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world.  And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him.  Yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain.  And they also sought his life, that they might take it away.  

But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.

For behold, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto my father.  Yea, even in a dream, and said unto him:  

Blessed art thou Lehi! 

Because of the things which thou hast done, and because 

Thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people 

The things which I commanded thee, Behold, 

They seek to take away thy life.

And it came to pass that the Lord commanded my father, even in a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness.  And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him.  And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness.  And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness.  And he came down by the borders near the shore of the Red Sea.  And he traveled in the wilderness in the borders which were nearer the Red Sea.  And he did travel in the wilderness with his family, which consisted of my mother, Sariah, and my elder brothers, who were Laman, Lemuel, and Sam.  

And it came to pass that when he had traveled three days in the wilderness, he pitched his tent in a valley by the side of a river of water.  And it came to pass that he built an altar of stones, and made an offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto the Lord our god.  And it came to pass that he called the name of the river Laman, and it emptied into the Red Sea.  And the valley was in the borders near the mouth thereof.    And when my father saw that the waters of the river emptied into the fountain of the Red Sea, he spake unto Laman, saying:  

O that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually 

Running into the fountain of all righteousness!  

And he also spake unto Lemuel:  

O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm 

And steadfast, and immovable in keeping 

The commandments of the Lord!

Now this he spake because of the stiffneckedness of Laman and Lemuel.  For behold they did murmur in many things against their father:  Because he was a visionary man, and had led them out of the land of Jerusalem, to leave the land of their inheritance, and their gold, and their silver, and their precious things; to perish in the wilderness.  And this they said he had done because of the foolish imaginations of his heart.  And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father.    And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them.  Neither did they believe that Jerusalem, that great city, could be destroyed according to the words of the prophets.  And they were like unto the Jews who were at Jerusalem, who sought to take away the life of my father!  

And it came to pass that my father did speak unto them in the Valley of Lemuel, with power, being filled with the spirit, until their frames did shake before him.  And he did confound them, that they durst not utter against him!  Wherefore, they did as he commanded them.   And my father dwelt in a tent.

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord.   And behold He did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father.  Wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.  And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his Holy Spirit.  And it came to pass that he believed in my words.  But, behold, Laman and Lemuel would not hearken unto my words!  And being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts I cried unto the Lord for them.  And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying:  

 Blessed art thou Nephi! Because of thy faith, 

For thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart.

And inasmuch as ye shall keep 

My commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led 

To a land which I have prepared 

For you. Yea, a land which is choice above 

All other lands. And inasmuch as thy brethren 

Shall rebel against thee, they shall be cut off from the 

Presence of the Lord. And inasmuch as thou shalt 

Keep my commandments, thou shalt be made 

A ruler and a teacher over thy brethren.

For behold, in that day that they shall rebel against me, 

I will curse them even with a sore curse, 

And they shall have no power over thy seed, 

Except they shall rebel against me also. And if it so be 

That they rebel against me, they shall be a scourge unto thy seed, 

To stir them up in the ways of remembrance.

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, returned from speaking with the Lord, to the tent of my father.  And it came to pass that he spake unto me, saying:  

Behold I have dreamed a dream! 

In the which the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy 

Brethren shall return to Jerusalem. For behold, Laban hath 

The record of the Jews and also a genealogy of my forefathers, and they 

Are engraven upon plates of brass.

Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me: that thou and thy Brothers should go unto the house of Laban, and 

Seek the records, and bring them down hither 

Into the wilderness. And now, behold thy brothers murmur! 

Saying it is a hard thing which I have required 

Of them. But behold I have not required it 

Of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord. Therefore 

Go, my son, and thou shalt be favored of 

The Lord, because thou hast not murmured.  

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father:  

I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded! 

For I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto 

The children of men, save he shall prepare a way 

For them that they may accomplish 

The thing which he commandeth them.

And it came to pass that when my father had heard these words he was exceedingly glad, for he knew that I had been blessed of the Lord.  And I, Nephi, and my brethren took our journey in the wilderness, without tents, to go up to the land of Jerusalem.  And it came to pass that when we had come up to the land of Jerusalem, I and my brethren did consult one with another.  And we cast lots — who of us should go in unto the house of Laban.  And it came to pass that the lot fell upon Laman, and Laman went in unto the house of Laban, and he talked with him as he sat in his house.

And he desired of Laban the records which were engraven upon the Plates of Brass, which contained the genealogy of my father.  And behold, it came to pass that Laban was angry, and thrust him out from his presence; and he would not that he should have the records.  Wherefore, he said unto him:  Behold thou art a robber, and I will slay thee!  

But Laman fled out of his presence, and told the things which Laban had done, unto us.  And we began to be exceedingly sorrowful, and my brethren were about to return unto my father in the wilderness.  But behold I said unto them: 

That 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 hath commanded us!  Wherefore, let us 

Be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord. 

Therefore let us go down to the land 

Of our father’s inheritance, for behold he left gold 

And silver, and all manner of riches.  And all this he hath 

Done because of the commandments of the Lord, for he 

Knowing that Jerusalem must be destroyed because of 

The wickedness of the people.  For behold, they have rejected 

The words of the prophets!  Wherefore, if my father should 

Dwell in the land after he hath been commanded 

To flee out of the land, behold, he would also 

Perish.  Wherefore, it must needs be that he flee out of the land.

And behold, it is wisdom in God that we should 

Obtain these records! That we may preserve unto 

Our children the language of our fathers. And also 

That we may preserve unto them, the words which have been

Spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets, 

Which have been delivered unto them by 

The spirit and power of God, since the world began, 

Even down unto this present time.

And it came to pass that after this manner of language did I persuade my brethren, that they might be faithful in keeping the commandments of God.  And it came to pass that we went down to the land of our inheritance, and we did gather together our gold, and our silver, and our precious things.  And after we had gathered these things together, we went up again unto the house of Laban.

And it came to pass that we went in unto Laban, and desired him that he would give unto us the records which were engraven upon the Plates of Brass, for which we would give unto him our gold, and our silver, and all our precious things.  And it came to pass that when Laban saw our property, and that it was exceedingly great, he did lust after it, insomuch that he thrust us out, and sent his servants to slay us, that he might obtain our property!  

And it came to pass that we did flee before the servants of Laban, and we were obliged to leave behind our property, and it fell into the hands of Laban.  And it came to pass that we fled into the wilderness, and the servants of Laban did not overtake us, and we hid ourselves in the cavity of a rock.

And it came to pass that Laman was angry with me, and also with my father.  And also was Lemuel, for he hearkened unto the words of Laman.  Wherefore Laman and Lemuel did speak many hard words unto us, their younger brothers, and they did smite us even with a rod.  And it came to pass as they smote us with a rod, behold! An angel of the Lord came and stood before them, and he spake unto them, saying:  

Why do ye smite your younger brother with a rod?  

Know ye not that the Lord hath chosen him to be 

A ruler over you? And this because of your iniquities!  

Behold ye shall go up to Jerusalem again! 

And the Lord will deliver Laban into your hands.

And after the angel had spoken unto us, he departed.  And after the angel had departed, Laman and Lemuel again began to murmur, saying:  

How is it possible that the Lord will deliver 

Laban into our hands?  Behold, he is a mighty man, and 

He can command fifty, yea, even he can slay fifty, 

Then why not us?

And it came to pass that I spake unto my brethren, saying:  

Let us go up again unto Jerusalem, and let us be 

Faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord! 

For behold he is mightier than all the earth! 

Then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty? 

Yea, or even than his tens of thousands?

Therefore let us go up. Let us be strong like unto Moses. 

For he truly spake unto the waters of the Red Sea 

And they divided hither and thither, and our fathers 

Came through, out of captivity, on dry ground.

And the armies of Pharaoh did follow and were drowned 

In the waters of the Red Sea.

Now behold ye know that this is true! 

And ye also know that an angel hath spoken unto you! 

Wherefore can ye doubt?  Let us go up! 

The Lord is able to deliver us, even as our fathers.  

And to destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians.

Now when I had spoken these words, they were yet wroth, and did still continue to murmur!  Nevertheless they did follow me up until we came without the walls of Jerusalem.  And it was by night.  And I caused that they should hide themselves without the walls.  And after they had hid themselves, I, Nephi, crept into the city and went forth towards the house of Laban.

And I was led by the spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.  Nevertheless I went forth, and as I came near unto the house of Laban I beheld a man, and he had fallen to the earth before me, for he was drunken with wine.  And when I came to him I found that it was Laban.

And I beheld his sword, and I drew it forth from the sheath thereof, and the hilt thereof was of pure gold, and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine.  And I saw that the blade thereof was of the most precious steel.  And it came to pass that I was constrained by the spirit that I should kill Laban.  But I said in my heart:  Never at any time have I shed the blood of man.  And I shrunk and would that I might not slay him.

And the spirit said unto me again:  Behold the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands!  Yea, and I also knew that he had sought to take away mine own life.  Yea, and he would not hearken unto the commandments of the Lord.

 And he also had taken away our property.  And it came to pass that the spirit said unto me again:  

Slay him!  For the Lord hath delivered him 

Into thy hands!  Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring

Forth his righteous purposes.  It is better 

That one man should perish, than that a nation should dwindle

And perish in unbelief.

And now, when I, Nephi, had heard these words, I remembered the words of the Lord which he spake unto me in the wilderness, saying that:  

Inasmuch as thy seed shall keep my commandments, 

They shall prosper in the land of promise.

Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the law of Moses, save they should have the law.  And I also knew that the law was engraven upon the Plates of Brass.  And again, I knew that the Lord had delivered Laban into my hands for this cause: that I might obtain the records according to his commandments.

Therefore I did obey the voice of the spirit.   And took Laban by the hair of the head, and I smote off his head with his own sword!  And after I had smitten off his head with his own sword, I took the garments of Laban and put them upon mine own body.  Yea, even every whit, and I did gird on his armor about my loins.  And after I had done this, I went forth unto the treasury of Laban.  And as I went forth towards the treasury of Laban, behold, I saw the servant of Laban who had the keys of the treasury.  And I commanded him in the voice of Laban, that he should go with me into the treasury.  And he supposed me to be his master Laban, for he beheld the garments and also the sword girded about my loins.  And he spake unto me concerning the elders of the Jews, he knowing that his master, Laban, had been out by night among them.

And I spake unto him as if it had been Laban.  And I also spake unto him that I should carry the engravings, which were upon the Plates of Brass, to my elder brethren, who were without the walls.  And I also bade him that he should follow me.

And he, supposing that I spake of the brethren of the church, and that I was truly that Laban whom I had slain, wherefore he did follow me.  And he spake unto me many times concerning the elders of the Jews, as I went forth unto my brethren, who were without the walls.

And it came to pass that when Laman saw me he was exceedingly frightened, and also Lemuel and Sam.  And they fled from before my presence!  For they supposed it was Laban and that he had slain me and had sought to take away their lives also.  And it came to pass that I called after them, and they did hear me.  Wherefore they did cease to flee from my presence.

And it came to pass that when the servant of Laban beheld my brethren he began to tremble, and was about to flee from before me and return to the city of Jerusalem.  And now I, Nephi, being a man large in stature, and also having received much strength of the Lord, therefore I did seize upon the servant of Laban, and held him, that he should not flee.

And it came to pass that I spake with him, that if he would hearken unto my words, as the Lord liveth, and as I live, even so that if he would hearken unto our words, we would spare his life.  And I spake unto him, even with an oath, that he need not fear.  That he should be a free man like unto us if he would go down in the wilderness with us.  And I also spake unto him, saying:  

Surely the Lord hath commanded us to do 

This thing. And shall we not be diligent in 

Keeping the commandments of the Lord?  Therefore, 

If thou wilt go down into the wilderness 

To my father, thou shalt have place with us.

And it came to pass that Zoram did take courage at the words which I spake.  Now Zoram was the name of the servant.  And he promised that he would go down into the wilderness unto our father.  Yea, and he also made an oath unto us that he would tarry with us from that time forth.  Now we were desirous that he should tarry with us for this cause, that the Jews might not know concerning our flight into the wilderness, lest they should pursue us and destroy us. And it came to pass that when Zoram had made an oath unto us, our fears did cease concerning him.  And it came to pass that we took the Plates of Brass and the servant of Laban, and departed into the wilderness, and journeyed unto the tent of our father. 

And it came to pass that after we had come down into the wilderness unto my father, behold, he was filled with joy, and also my mother, Sariah, was exceedingly glad!  For she truly had mourned because of us.  For she had supposed that we had perished in the wilderness, and she also had complained against my father, telling him that he was a visionary man, saying:  

Behold thou hast led us forth from the land 

Of our inheritance and my sons are no more, and we perish 

In the wilderness!

And after this manner of language had my mother complained against my father.  And it had come to pass that my father spake unto her, saying:  

I know that I am a visionary man! For if I had not 

Seen the things of God in a vision I should not 

Have known the goodness of God, but had tarried at 

Jerusalem, and had perished with my brethren.

But behold!  I have obtained a land of promise, 

In the which things I do rejoice! Yea, and I know 

That the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands 

Of Laban, and bring them down again, unto us 

In the wilderness.

And after this manner of language did my father, Lehi, comfort my mother, Sariah, concerning us, while we journeyed in the wilderness up to the land of Jerusalem, to obtain the record of the Jews.  And when we had returned to the tent of my father, behold their joy was full, and my mother was comforted.  And she spake, saying:  

Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded 

My husband to flee into the wilderness.   

Yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected 

My sons, and delivered them out of the hands of Laban, 

And given them power whereby they could accomplish 

The thing which the Lord hath commanded them.  

And after this manner of language did she speak.  And it came to pass that they did rejoice exceedingly, and did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord; and they gave thanks unto the god of Israel.  And after they had given thanks unto the god of Israel, my father, Lehi, took the records which were engraven upon the Plates of Brass, and he did search them from the beginning.  And he beheld that they did contain the five books of Moses which gave an account of the creation of the world; and also of Adam and Eve, who were our first parents.  And also a record of the Jews from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah.  And also the prophecies of the holy prophets from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah.  And also many prophecies which have been spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah.

And it came to pass that my father, Lehi, also found upon the Plates of Brass a genealogy of his fathers.  Wherefore he knew that he was a descendant of Joseph, yea, even that Joseph who was the son of Jacob who was sold into Egypt, and who was preserved by the hand of the Lord, that he might preserve his father, Jacob, and all his household from perishing with famine.  And they were also led out of captivity and out of the land of Egypt, by that same God who had preserved them.

And thus my father, Lehi, did discover the genealogy of his fathers.  And Laban also was a descendant of Joseph, wherefore he and his fathers had kept the records.  And now when my father saw all these things, he was filled with the spirit, and began to prophesy concerning his seed, that these Plates of Brass should go forth unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed!  Wherefore, he said:  

That these Plates of Brass should never perish; 

Neither should they be dimmed any more by time!

And he prophesied many things concerning his seed.  And it came to pass that thus far I and my father had kept the commandments wherewith the Lord had commanded us.  And we had obtained the records which the Lord had commanded us, and searched them and found that they were desirable.   Yea, even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children.  Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us, as we journeyed in the wilderness towards the land of promise.

And now I, Nephi, do not give the genealogy of my fathers in this part of my record.  Neither at any time shall I give it after upon these plates which I am writing.  For it is given in the record which has been kept by my father; wherefore, I do not write it in this work.  For it sufficeth me to say that we are descendants of Joseph.  And it mattereth not to me that I am particular to give a full account of all the things of my father, for they cannot be written upon these plates.   For I desire the room that I may write of the things of God.  For the fullness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the god of Abraham, and the god of Isaac, and the god of Jacob, and be saved.

Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world.  Wherefore, I shall give commandment unto my seed: That they shall not occupy these plates with things which are not of worth unto the children of men.

And now I would that ye might know, that after my father, Lehi, had made an end of prophesying concerning his seed, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto him again, saying: 

That it was not meet for him, Lehi, that he should take 

His family into the wilderness alone. But that his sons 

Should take daughters to wife, that they might raise up 

Seed unto the Lord in the land of promise.

And it came to pass that the Lord commanded him that I, Nephi, and my brethren, should again return unto the land of Jerusalem, and bring down Ishmael and his family into the wilderness.  And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did again, with my brethren, go forth into the wilderness to go up to Jerusalem.  And it came to pass that we went up unto the house of Ishmael, and we did gain favor in the sight of Ishmael, insomuch that we did speak unto him the words of the Lord.  And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the heart of Ishmael, and also his household, insomuch that they took their journey with us down into the wilderness to the tent of our father.

And it came to pass that as we journeyed in the wilderness, behold Laman and Lemuel, and two of the daughters of Ishmael, and the two sons of Ishmael and their families, did rebel against us.  Yea, against me, Nephi, and Sam, and their father, Ishmael, and his wife, and his three other daughters.  And it came to pass in the which rebellion, they were desirous to return unto the land of Jerusalem.  And now I, Nephi, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, therefore I spake unto them, saying, yea, even unto Laman and unto Lemuel:  

Behold ye are mine elder brethren, and how is it 

That ye are so hard in your hearts? And so blind 

In your minds?  That ye have need that I, 

Your younger brother, should speak unto you, Yea, 

And set an example for you?  How is it that ye 

Have not hearkened unto the word of the Lord?  How is it 

That ye have forgotten that ye have seen an angel of the Lord?

Yea, and how is it, that ye have forgotten how great things 

The Lord hath done for us, in delivering us 

Out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record?  

Yea, and how is it, 

That ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things

According to his will for the children of men, if it so be 

That they exercise faith in him?  

Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.  And if it so be that we 

Are faithful to him, we shall obtain the land of promise!

And ye shall know at some future period that the word 

Of the Lord shall be fulfilled concerning the destruction of Jerusalem. 

For all things which the Lord hath spoken concerning 

The destruction of Jerusalem must be fulfilled.  For behold! 

The Spirit of the Lord ceaseth soon to strive with them. 

For behold! They have rejected the prophets, and Jeremiah 

Have they cast into prison.  And they have sought to take away 

The life of my father, insomuch that they have driven him 

Out of the land.  Now behold, I say unto you:

That if ye will return unto Jerusalem ye shall also perish with them!  

And now, if ye have choice, go up to the land! 

And remember the words which I speak unto you: 

That if ye go ye will also perish. 

For thus the Spirit of the Lord constraineth me that I should speak.

And it came to pass that when I, Nephi, had spoken these words unto my brethren, they were angry with me!  And it came to pass that they did lay their hands upon me, for behold, they were exceedingly wroth, and they did bind me with cords, for they sought to take away my life, that they might leave me in the wilderness to be devoured by wild beasts.  But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying:  

O Lord, according to my faith which is in me, 

Wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren!  

Yea, even give me strength that I may 

Burst these bands with which I am bound!

And it came to pass that when I had said these words, behold! The bands were loosed from off my hands and feet.   And I stood before my brethren, and I spake unto them again.  And it came to pass that they were angry with me again, and sought to lay hands upon me; but behold, one of the daughters of Ishmael, yea, and also her mother, and one of the sons of Ishmael, did plead with my brethren, insomuch that they did soften their hearts; and they did cease striving to take away my life.  And it came to pass that they were sorrowful, because of their wickedness, insomuch that they did bow down before me, and did plead with me that I would forgive them of the thing that they had done against me.  And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they had done, and I did exhort them that they would pray unto the Lord their god for forgiveness.  And it came to pass that they did so.  And after they had done praying unto the Lord we did again travel on our journey towards the tent of our father.  And it came to pass that we did come down unto the tent of our father.  

And after I and my brethren and all the House of Ishmael had come down unto the tent of my father, they did give thanks unto the Lord their god, and they did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto him.  And it came to pass that we had gathered together all manner of seeds of every kind, both of grain of every kind, and also of the seeds of fruit of every kind.

And it came to pass that while my father tarried in the wilderness, he spake unto us, saying:  

Behold, I have dreamed a dream.  Or, in other words, I have seen 

A vision. And behold!  Because of the thing which I have seen, 

I have reason to rejoice in the Lord because of Nephi 

And also of Sam. For I have reason to suppose 

That they, and also many of their seed will be saved!  

But behold! Laman and Lemuel, I fear exceedingly 

Because of you! For behold, methought I saw a dark and dreary 

Wilderness.  And it came to pass that I saw a man, and 

He was dressed in a white robe. And he came and stood before me.

And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him!

And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself 

That I was in a dark and dreary waste.  And after I had traveled 

For the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray 

Unto the Lord: That he would have mercy on me, according 

To the multitude of his tender mercies.

And it came to pass after I had prayed unto the Lord I beheld 

A large and spacious field.  And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, 

Whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.

And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit 

Thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet above 

All that I ever before tasted!  

Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white to exceed 

All the whiteness that I had ever seen.

And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly

Great joy, wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family 

Should partake of it also. For I knew that it was desirous above 

All other fruit.  And as I cast my eyes round about that 

Perhaps I might discover my family also, I beheld a 

River of water.  And it ran along, and it was near the tree 

Of which I was partaking the fruit.  And I looked to 

Behold from whence it came.  And I saw the head thereof a little way

Off, and at the head thereof I beheld your mother 

Sariah, and Sam, and Nephi. And they stood as if 

They knew not whither they should go.

And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them. 

And I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come

Unto me!  And partake of the fruit, which was desirable above 

All other fruit! And it came to pass that they did come unto me, 

And partake of the fruit also.  And it came to pass that I was 

Desirous that Laman and Lemuel should come 

And partake of the fruit also, wherefore, I cast mine eyes 

Towards the head of the river, that perhaps I might see them.

And it came to pass that I saw them, but they would not come unto me.

And I beheld a rod of iron! And it extended along the bank 

Of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood.

And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along 

By the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood.

And it also led by the head of the fountain, 

Unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world.

And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were 

Pressing forward that they might obtain the path which led 

Unto the tree by which I stood.  And it came to pass that they did

Come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.

And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness! 

Yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, 

Insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose 

Their way, that they wandered off and were lost.

And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing 

Forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end 

Of the rod of iron. And they did press forward through the mist 

Of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did 

Come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.  

And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did

Cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.

And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, 

On the other side of the river of water, a great 

And spacious building!  And it stood as it were 

In the air, high above the earth.  And it was filled with people, 

Both old and young, both male and female. 

And their manner of dress was exceedingly fine, 

And they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing 

Their fingers towards those who had come at 

And were partaking of the fruit.

And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, 

Because of those that were scoffing at them, and they fell 

Away into forbidden paths and were lost.

And now I, Nephi, do not speak all the words of my father.  But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward, and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron.  And they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.

And he also saw other multitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building.  And it came to pass that many were drowned in the depths of the fountain, and many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads.  And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building.  And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of scorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also.   But we heeded them not.  These are the words of my father:  

For as many as heeded them, had fallen away 

And Laman and Lemuel partook not of the fruit, 

Said my father.  And it came to pass after my father had spoken all the words of his dream or vision, which were many, he said unto us, because of these things which he saw in a vision he exceedingly feared for Laman and Lemuel.   Yea, he feared lest they should be cast off from the presence of the Lord.  And he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off.  Yea, my father did preach unto them.  And after he had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto them of many things, he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord.  And he did cease speaking unto them.  And all these things did my father see, and hear, and speak, as he dwelt in a tent, in the Valley of Lemuel.  And also a great many more things which cannot be written upon these plates.

And now, as I have spoken concerning these plates: behold they are not the plates upon which I make a full account of the history of my people.

For the plates upon which I make a full account of my people I have given the name of Nephi: wherefore, they are called the Plates of Nephi, after mine own name.  And these plates also are called the Plates of Nephi.  Nevertheless, I have received a commandment of the Lord that I should make these plates, for the special purpose that there should be an account engraven of the ministry of my people.

Upon the other plates should be engraven an account of the reign of the kings, and the wars and contentions of my people.

Wherefore these plates are for the more part of the ministry.

And the other plates are for the more part of the reign of the kings and the wars and contentions of my people.

Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not.  But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning.  Wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men: for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words.   And thus it is.  Amen.

And now I, Nephi, proceed to give an account upon these plates of my proceedings, and my reign and ministry.   Wherefore, to proceed with mine account, I must speak somewhat of the things of my father, and also of my brethren.

For behold, it came to pass after my father had made an end of speaking the words of his dream, and also of exhorting them to all diligence, he spake unto them concerning the Jews — that after they should be destroyed, even that great city Jerusalem, and many be carried away captive into Babylon, according to the own due time of the Lord — they should return again, yea, even be brought back out of captivity.  And after they should be brought back out of captivity, they should possess again the land of inheritance.

Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews — even a messiah.  Or, in other words, a savior of the world.

And he also spake concerning the prophets, how great a number had testified of these things, concerning this messiah, of whom he had spoken, or this redeemer of the world.  Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this redeemer.  And he spake also concerning a prophet who should come before the messiah to prepare the way of the Lord.  Yea, even he should go forth and cry in the wilderness:  

Prepare ye the way of the Lord!  And make his paths straight!  

For there standeth one among you whom ye know not. 

And he is mightier than I, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.  

And much spake my father concerning this thing.  And my father said he should baptize in Bethabara, beyond Jordan.  And he also spake that he should baptize with water, even that he should baptize the messiah with water.  And after he had baptized the messiah with water, he should behold and bear record that he had baptized the Lamb of God, who should take away the sins of the world.

And it came to pass after my father had spoken these words he spake unto my brethren concerning the gospel which should be preached among the Jews, and also concerning the dwindling of the Jews in unbelief.  And after they had slain the messiah, who should come, and after he had been slain he should rise from the dead, and should make himself manifest by the Holy Ghost unto the Gentiles.  Yea, even my father spake much concerning the Gentiles and also concerning the House of Israel.  That they should be compared like unto an olive-tree, whose branches should be broken off and should be scattered upon all the face of the earth. Wherefore, he said,

It must needs be that we should be led with one accord into 

The Land of Promise, unto the fulfilling of the word of the Lord: 

That we should be scattered upon all the face of the earth.  And 

After the House of Israel should be scattered they should be 

Gathered together again. Or, in fine, after the Gentiles had 

Received the Fullness of the Gospel, the natural branches 

Of the olive-tree, or the remnants of the House of Israel should be 

Grafted in.  Or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, 

Their lord and their redeemer.

And after this manner of language did my father prophesy and speak unto my brethren, and also many more things which I do not write in this book.  For I have written as many of them as were expedient for me in mine other book.

And all these things, of which I have spoken, were done as my father dwelt in a tent, in the Valley of Lemuel.

And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost; which power he received by faith on the Son of God.  And the Son of God was the messiah who should come.  I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things by the power of the Holy Ghost which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old, as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.  For he is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever.  

And the way is prepared from the foundation of the world:

If it so be that they repent and come unto him.

For he that diligently seeketh shall find. And the mysteries of God 

Shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well 

In this time as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times 

To come.  Wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.

Therefore remember, O man, for all thy doings thou shalt be brought into judgment.  Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation, then ye are found unclean before the judgment-seat of God; and no unclean thing can dwell with God; wherefore, ye must be cast off forever.  And the Holy Ghost giveth authority that I should speak these things, and deny them not.  

For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain, a mountain which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot.

And the spirit said unto me:  Behold!  What desirest thou?

And I said:  I desire to behold the things which my father saw.

And the spirit said unto me:  Believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken?

And I said:  Yea, thou knowest that I believe all the words of my father.  

And when I had spoken these words, the spirit cried with a loud voice, saying:  

Hosanna to the Lord, the most high god! For he is god over all 

The earth, yea, even above all!  And blessed art thou, Nephi, because 

Thou believest in the son of the most high. Wherefore, thou shalt behold 

The things which thou hast desired.  And behold this thing shall be 

Given unto thee for a sign: That after thou hast beheld the tree which bore 

The fruit which thy father tasted, thou shalt also behold a man descending 

Out of heaven, and him shall ye witness. And after ye have witnessed him, 

Ye shall bear record that it is the Son of God.

And it came to pass that the spirit said unto me:  Look!  

And I looked and beheld a tree; and it was like unto the tree which my father had seen.  And the beauty thereof was far beyond, yea, exceeding of all beauty!  And the whiteness thereof did exceed the whiteness of the driven snow.  And it came to pass after I had seen the tree, I said unto the spirit:  I behold thou hast shown unto me the tree which is precious above all.

And he said unto me:  What desirest thou?

And I said unto him:  To know the interpretation thereof.  

For I spake unto him as a man speaketh.  For I beheld that he was in the form of a man.  Yet nevertheless, I knew that it was the spirit of the Lord.  And he spake unto me as a man speaketh with another.  

And it came to pass that he said unto me:  Look!  

And I looked as if to look upon him, and I saw him not!  For he had gone from before my presence.  And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and also other cities.  And I beheld the city of Nazareth.  And in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white.  And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open.  And an angel came down and stood before me. 

And he said unto me:  Nephi, what beholdest thou?

And I said unto him:  A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins.

And he said unto me:  Knowest thou the condescension of God?

And I said unto him:  I know that he loveth his children.  Nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.

And he said unto me:  Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of God, after the manner of the flesh!

And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the spirit.  And after she had been carried away in the spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying:  Look!

And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms.  And the angel said unto me:  Behold the Lamb of God! Yea, even the eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?

And I answered him, saying:  Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad, in the hearts of the children of men.  Wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.

And he spake unto me, saying:  Yea!  And the most joyous to the soul. And after he had said these words, he said unto me:  Look!  

And I looked, and I beheld the Son of God going forth among the children of men.  And I saw many fall down at his feet and worship him.  And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters; or to the Tree of Life.  Which waters are a representation of the love of God.  And I also beheld that the Tree of Life was a representation of the love of God. And the angel said unto me again:  Look and behold the condescension of God!

And I looked and beheld the redeemer of the world, of whom my father had spoken.  And I also beheld the prophet who should prepare the way before him.  And the Lamb of God went forth and was baptized of him; and after he was baptized, I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of Heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove.  And I beheld that he went forth ministering unto the people, in power and great glory; and the multitudes were gathered together to hear him.  And I beheld that they cast him out from among them.  And I also beheld twelve others following him.  

And it came to pass that they were carried away in the spirit from before my face, and I saw them not. And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying:  Look!  

And I looked, and I beheld the heavens open again, and I saw angels descending upon the children of men; and they did minister unto them. And he spake unto me again, saying:  Look!  

And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb of God going forth among the children of men.  And I beheld multitudes of people who were sick, and who were afflicted with all manner of diseases, and with devils and unclean spirits.  And the angel spake and showed all these things unto me.  And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of God, and the devils and the unclean spirits were cast out. And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying:  Look!  

And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people.  Yea, the everlasting god was judged of the world!  And I saw and bear record.  And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world.  And after he was slain, I saw the multitudes of the earth, that they were gathered together to fight against the Apostles of the Lamb: for thus were the twelve called by the angel of the Lord.  And the multitude of the earth was gathered together.  And I beheld that they were in a large and spacious building, like unto the building which my father saw.   And the angel of the Lord spake unto me again, saying:

Behold the world and the wisdom thereof! Yea, behold the House of Israel

Hath gathered together to fight against the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.

And it came to pass that I saw and bear record, that the great and spacious building was the pride of the world, and it fell! And the fall thereof was exceedingly great.

And the angel of the lord spake unto me again, saying:  Thus shall be the destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, that shall fight against the twelve Apostles of the Lamb!

And it came to pass that the angel said unto me:  Look!  And behold thy seed, and also the seed of thy brethren.  

And I looked and beheld the Land of Promise; and I beheld multitudes of people.  Yea, even as it were in number as many as the sand of the sea.  And it came to pass that I beheld multitudes gathered together to battle, one against the other.  And I beheld wars, and rumors of wars, and great slaughters with the sword among my people.  And it came to pass that I beheld many generations pass away, after the manner of wars and contentions in the land.  And I beheld many cities, yea, even that I did not number them. 

And it came to pass that I saw a mist of darkness on the face of the Land of Promise.  And I saw lightnings, and I heard thunderings, and earthquakes, and all manner of tumultuous noises.  And I saw the earth and the rocks, that they rent!  And I saw mountains tumbling into pieces.  And I saw the plains of the earth, that they were broken up, and I saw many cities, that they were sunk, and I saw many  that they were burned with fire. And I saw many that did tumble to the earth, because of the quaking thereof. And it came to pass after I saw these things, I saw the vapor of darkness, that it passed from off the face of the earth.  And behold, I saw multitudes who had not fallen because of the great and terrible judgments of the Lord.

And I saw the heavens open! And the Lamb of God descending out of Heaven, and he came down and showed himself unto them! And I also saw and bear record that the Holy Ghost fell upon twelve others and they were ordained of God, and chosen.

And the angel spake unto me, saying:  Behold the twelve disciples of the Lamb, who are chosen to minister unto thy seed. 

And he said unto me:  

Thou rememberest the twelve Apostles of the Lamb?  

Behold they are they who shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 

Wherefore, the twelve ministers of thy seed shall be judged of them. 

For ye are of the House of Israel. And these twelve ministers 

Whom thou beholdest shall judge thy seed.  And, behold, 

They are righteous forever! For because of their faith in the Lamb of God 

Their garments are made white in his blood.

And the angel said unto me:  Look!  

And I looked, and beheld three generations pass away in righteousness!  And their garments were white even like unto the Lamb of God.  And the angel said unto me:  These are made white in the blood of the Lamb, because of their faith in him.

And I, Nephi, also saw many of the fourth generation who passed away in righteousness.  And it came to pass that I saw the multitudes of the earth gathered together.  And the angel said unto me:  Behold thy seed, and also the seed of thy brethren!

And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the people of my seed gathered together in multitudes against the seed of my brethren.  And they were gathered together to battle.  And the angel spake unto me, saying:  

Behold the fountain of filthy water which thy father saw! 

Yea, even the river of which he spake, and the depths thereof are the depths

of Hell.  And the mists of darkness are the temptations 

Of the devil, which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts 

Of the children of men, and leadeth them away 

Into broad roads, that they perish and are lost.

And the large and spacious building, which thy father saw, is vain

Imaginations and the pride of the children of men.  And a great 

And a terrible gulf divideth them! Yea, even the sword 

Of the justice of the eternal god and Jesus Christ, which is 

The Lamb of God of whom the Holy Ghost beareth record, 

From the beginning of the world until this time, 

And from this time henceforth and forever.

And while the angel spake these words, I beheld and saw that the seed of my brethren did contend against my seed, according to the word of the angel.  And because of the pride of my seed, and the temptations of the Devil, I beheld that the seed of my brethren did overpower the people of my seed!  And it came to pass that I beheld, and saw the people of the seed of my brethren that they had overcome my seed.  And they went forth in multitudes upon the face of the land.  And I saw them gathered together in multitudes, and I saw wars and rumors of wars among them.  And in wars and rumors of wars I saw many generations pass away.  And the angel said unto me:  Behold these shall dwindle in unbelief.  

And it came to pass that I beheld, after they had dwindled in unbelief they became a dark, and loathsome, and a filthy people, full of idleness and all manner of abominations. 

And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying:  Look!  

And I looked and beheld many nations and kingdoms.  

And the angel said unto me:  What beholdest thou?  

And I said:  I behold many nations and kingdoms.

And he said unto me:  These are the nations and kingdoms of the gentiles. 

And it came to pass that I saw among the nations of the gentiles the foundation of a great church.  And the angel said unto me:  

Behold the foundation of a church which is most abominable 

Above all other churches, which slayeth the saints of God, 

Yea, and tortureth them and bindeth them down, and yoketh them 

With a yoke of iron, and bringeth them down into captivity.

And it came to pass that I beheld this great and abominable church!  And I saw the Devil that he was the founder of it.  And I also saw gold, and silver, and silks, and scarlets, and fine-twined linen, and all manner of precious clothing.  And I saw many harlots.  And the angel spake unto me, saying:   

Behold the gold, and the silver, and the silks, and the scarlets, and 

The fine-twined linen, and the precious clothing, and the harlots, 

Are the desires of this great and abominable church.

And also for the praise of the world do they destroy the saints 

Of God, and bring them down into captivity.

And it came to pass that I looked and beheld many waters, and they divided the gentiles from the seed of my brethren.  And it came to pass that the angel said unto me:  Behold the wrath of God is upon the seed of thy brethren!

And I looked and beheld a man among the gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters. And I beheld the spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren who were in the promised land.  And it came to pass that I beheld the spirit of God, that it wrought upon other gentiles.  And they went forth out of captivity, upon the many waters.  

And it came to pass that I beheld many multitudes of the gentiles upon the land of promise and I beheld the wrath of God, that it was upon the seed of my brethren. And they were scattered before the gentiles and were smitten. And I beheld the spirit of the Lord, that it was upon the gentiles.  And they did prosper and obtain the land of their inheritance. And I beheld that they were white, and exceedingly fair and beautiful, like unto my people before they were slain.

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that the gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lord, and the power of the Lord was with them.  And I beheld that their mother [them other] gentiles were gathered together upon the waters, and upon the land also, to battle against them.  And I beheld that the power of God was with them, and also that the wrath of God was upon all those that were gathered together against them to battle.  And I, Nephi, beheld that the gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations.  And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that they did prosper in the land. And I beheld a book, and it was carried forth among them.  And the angel said unto me:  Knowest thou the meaning of the book?

And I said unto him:  I know not.

And he said:  Behold! It proceedeth out of the mouth of a Jew.  

And I, Nephi, beheld it.  And he said unto me:  

The book that thou beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains 

The covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the House of Israel. 

And it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets. 

And it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon 

The Plates of Brass, save there are not so many; nevertheless, 

They contain the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto 

The House of Israel. Wherefore, they are of great worth unto the gentiles.

And the angel of the Lord said unto me:  

Thou hast beheld that the book proceeded forth from the mouth 

Of a Jew; and when it proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew 

It contained the plainness of the gospel of the Lamb, of whom 

The twelve Apostles bear record. And they bear record according to 

The truth which is in the Lamb of God. Wherefore, these things go forth

From the Jews in purity unto the gentiles, according to the truth which is

In God. And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve Apostles 

Of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the foundation 

Of that great and abominable church, which is most abominable 

Above all other churches, for behold, they have taken away from 

The gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious. 

And also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away.

And all this have they done that they might pervert the right 

Ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden 

The hearts of the children of men.  Wherefore, thou seest that 

After the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great 

And abominable church, that there are many plain and precious things 

Taken away from the book, which is the Book of the Lamb of God.

And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goeth 

Forth unto all the nations of the gentiles; and after it goeth forth 

Unto all the nations of the gentiles, yea, even across the many waters 

Which thou hast seen with the gentiles which have gone forth 

Out of captivity, thou seest — because of the many plain 

And precious things which have been taken out of the book, 

Which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, 

According to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God — Because 

Of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, 

An exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan 

Hath great power over them.  

Nevertheless, thou beholdest that the gentiles who have gone 

Forth out of captivity, and have been lifted up 

By the power of God above all other nations, 

Upon the face of the land which is choice above all other lands, 

Which is the land that the Lord God hath covenanted with thy father, 

That his seed should have for the land of their inheritance, wherefore, 

Thou seest that the Lord God will not suffer that the gentiles will 

Utterly destroy the mixture of thy seed, which are among thy brethren.

Neither will he suffer that the gentiles shall destroy the seed 

Of thy brethren. Neither will the Lord God suffer that the gentiles shall

Forever remain in that state of awful woundedness which thou beholdest 

They are in, because of the plain and most precious parts of the gospel 

Of the Lamb which have been kept back by that abominable church,

Whose formation thou hast seen. Wherefore saith the Lamb of God:  

I will be merciful unto the gentiles unto the visiting 

Of the remnant of the House of Israel in great judgment.

And it came to pass that the angel of the Lord spake unto me, saying:  

Behold, saith the Lamb of God: after I have visited the remnant of 

The House of Israel and this remnant of whom I speak is the seed 

Of thy father — Wherefore, after I have visited them in judgment, 

And smitten them by the hand of the gentiles, and after 

The gentiles do stumble exceedingly because of the most plain and precious 

Parts of the gospel of the Lamb which have been kept back 

By that abominable church which is the mother of harlots, saith the Lamb

I will be merciful unto the gentiles in that day, saith the Lamb

Insomuch that I will bring forth unto them, in mine own power, 

Much of my gospel, which shall be plain and precious, saith the Lamb.

For, behold, saith the Lamb:  I will manifest myself unto thy seed, 

That they shall write many things which I shall minister unto them, 

Which shall be plain and precious; and after thy seed shall be destroyed, 

And dwindle in unbelief, and also the seed of thy brethren, behold, 

These things shall be hid up!  To come forth unto the gentiles by the gift

 And power of the Lamb. And in them shall be written my gospel, 

Saith the Lamb, and my rock and my salvation.  

And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion 

At that day: For they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost. 

And if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, 

And shall be saved, in the everlasting Kingdom of the Lamb.

And whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful

Upon the mountains shall they be!

And it came to pass that I beheld the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Book of the Lamb of God, which had proceeded forth from the mouth of the Jew, that it came forth from the gentiles unto the remnant of the seed of my brethren.  And after it had come forth unto them I beheld other books, which came forth by the power of the Lamb, from the gentiles unto them, unto the convincing of the gentiles and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Jews who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb are true.

And the angel spake unto me, saying:  

These last records, which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish

The truth of the first, which are of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb, 

And shall make known the plain and precious things which have been

Taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues,

And people, that the Lamb of God is the eternal Father, and 

The savior of the world.  And that all man must come unto him, or 

They cannot be saved.  And they must come according to the words 

Which shall be established by the mouth of the Lamb; and the words 

Of the Lamb shall be made known in the records of thy seed, as well 

As in the records of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. 

Wherefore they both shall be established in one!  For there is one 

God and one shepherd over all the earth. And the time cometh 

That he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews 

And also unto the gentiles; and after he has manifested himself unto 

The Jews and also unto the gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto

 The gentiles and also unto the Jews, And the last shall be first, 

And the first shall be last. And it shall come to pass, 

That if the gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that

He shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, 

In very deed unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks,

And harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God, they shall 

Be numbered among the seed of thy father! 

Yea, they shall be numbered among the House of Israel, 

And they shall be a blessed people upon the promised land forever! 

They shall be no more brought down into captivity. 

And the House of Israel shall no more be confounded.

And that great pit, which hath been digged 

For them by that great and abominable church, which was founded 

By the Devil and his children, that he might lead away the souls of men 

Down to Hell — yea, that great pit which hath been digged for 

The destruction of men, shall be filled by those who digged it, 

Unto their utter destruction, saith the Lamb of God. 

Not the destruction of the soul, save it be 

The casting of it into that Hell which hath no end. For behold, this 

Is according to the captivity of the Devil, and also according 

To the justice of God, upon 

All those who will work wickedness and abomination before him.

And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, Nephi, saying:  

Thou hast beheld that if the gentiles repent it shall be well with them. 

And thou also knowest concerning the covenants of the Lord unto 

The House of Israel. And thou also hast heard that whoso repenteth 

Not must perish. Therefore, wo be unto the gentiles if it so be 

That they harden their hearts against the Lamb of God!

For the time cometh, saith the Lamb of God, that I will work 

A great and a marvelous work among the children of men. 

A work which shall be everlasting, either on the one hand 

Or on the other:  either to the convincing of them unto peace 

And life eternal, or unto the deliverance of them to the hardness 

Of their hearts and the blindness of their minds unto their being 

Brought down into captivity, and also into destruction, 

Both temporally and spiritually, according to the captivity 

Of the Devil, of which I have spoken.

And it came to pass that when the angel had spoken these words, he said unto me:  Rememberest thou the covenants of the Father unto the House of Israel?  

I said unto him, Yea!  And it came to pass that he said unto me:  Look, and behold that great and abominable church, which is the mother of abominations, whose founder is the Devil.  

And he said unto me:  

Behold!  There are save two churches only: The one is the Church 

Of the Lamb of God.  And the other is the Church of the Devil.

Wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the Church of the Lamb of God 

Belongeth to that great church which is the mother of abominations. 

And she is the whore of all the earth.

And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the whore of all the earth, and she sat upon many waters.  And she had dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people.  And it came to pass that I beheld the Church of the Lamb of God, and its numbers were few, because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters.  Nevertheless, I beheld that the Church of the Lamb, who were the saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth, and their dominions upon the face of the earth were small, because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw.

And it came to pass that I beheld that the great mother of abominations did gather together multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of the gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of God.  And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the Church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth.  And they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.  And it came to pass that I beheld that the wrath of God was poured out upon that great and abominable church, insomuch that there were wars and rumors of wars among all the nations and kindreds of the earth.  And as there began to be wars and rumors of wars among all the nations which belonged to the mother of abominations, the angel spake unto me, saying:  

Behold, the wrath of God is upon the mother of harlots, and behold, 

Thou seest all these things; And when the day cometh that the wrath 

Of God is poured out upon the mother of harlots, which is the great 

And abominable church of all the earth, whose founder is the Devil, 

Then, at that day, the work of the Father shall commence! 

In preparing the way for the fulfilling of his covenants, 

Which he hath made to his people who are of the House of Israel.

And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying:  Look!

And I looked and beheld a man, and he was dressed in a white robe.  And the angel said unto me:  

Behold one of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb!  Behold, he shall see 

And write the remainder of these things. Yea, and also many things 

Which have been. And he shall also write concerning the end 

Of the world. Wherefore, the things which he shall write are just and true. 

And behold they are written in the book which thou beheld proceeding out

Of the mouth of the Jew, and at the time they proceeded out 

Of the mouth of the Jew, or, at the time the book proceeded out 

Of the mouth of the Jew, the things which were written were plain 

And pure, and most precious and easy to the understanding of all men.

And behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall write 

Are many things which thou hast seen, and behold, the remainder 

Shalt thou see. But the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou 

Shalt not write! For the Lord God hath ordained the apostle 

Of the Lamb of God that he should write them.  And also others 

Who have been: To them hath he shown all things, and they have written

Them, and they are sealed up to come forth in their purity, according 

To the truth which is in the Lamb, in the own due time of the Lord,

Unto the House of Israel.

And I, Nephi, heard and bear record, that the name of the apostle of the Lamb was John, according to the word of the angel.  And behold, I, Nephi, am forbidden that I should write the remainder of the things which I saw and heard.  Wherefore the things which I have written, sufficeth me.  And I have written but a small part of the things which I saw.  And I bear record that I saw the things which my father saw, and the angel of the Lord did make them known unto me.  And now I make an end of speaking concerning the things which I saw while I was carried away in the spirit.  And if all the things which I saw are not written, the things which I have written are true.  And thus it is.  Amen.

And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been carried away in the spirit, and seen all these things, I returned to the tent of my father.  And it came to pass that I beheld my brethren, and they were disputing one with another concerning the things which my father had spoken unto them.  For he truly spake many great things unto them, which were hard to be understood, save a man should inquire of the Lord.  And they being hard in their hearts, therefore they did not look unto the Lord as they ought.

And now I, Nephi, was grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, and also, because of the things which I had seen, and knew they must unavoidably come to pass because of the great wickedness of the children of men.  And it came to pass that I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great above all, because of the destruction of my people, for I had beheld their fall.  And it came to pass that after I had received strength I spake unto my brethren, desiring to know of them the cause of their disputations.  And they said:  

Behold, we cannot understand the words which our father hath spoken

Concerning the natural branches of the olive-tree, and also concerning 

The gentiles.

And I said unto them:  Have ye inquired of the Lord?

And they said unto me:  We have not.  For the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us. 

Behold, I said unto them:  

How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord?  

How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts?

Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?  

If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, 

Believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in 

Keeping my commandments, surely these things 

Shall be made known unto you!

Behold, I say unto you, that the House of Israel was compared 

Unto an olive-tree by the spirit of the Lord which was in our father. 

And behold are we not broken off from the House of Israel, 

And are we not a branch of the House of Israel?

And now, the thing which our father meaneth concerning the grafting in 

Of the natural branches through the fullness of the gentiles, is, 

That in the latter days, when our seed shall have dwindled in unbelief, 

Yea, for the space of many years, and many generations 

After the messiah shall be manifested in body unto the children of men, 

Then shall the fullness of the gospel of the messiah come unto the gentiles, 

And from the gentiles unto the remnant of our seed.

And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of 

The House of Israel, and that they are the covenant people 

Of the Lord, and then shall they know and come to 

The knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge 

Of the gospel of their redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers 

By him. Wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their redeemer 

And the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come 

Unto him and be saved. And then at that day will they not rejoice 

And give praise unto their everlasting god, their rock and their salvation?  Yea!  At that day, will they not receive the strength 

And nourishment from the true vine?  Yea, 

Will they not come unto the true fold of God?

Behold, I say unto you, Yea!  They shall be remembered again 

Among the House of Israel.  They shall be grafted in, 

Being a natural branch of the olive-tree, into the true olive-tree.

And this is what our father meaneth.  And he meaneth that 

It will not come to pass until after they are scattered by the gentiles. 

And he meaneth that it shall come by way of the gentiles, 

That the Lord may show his power unto the gentiles, for the very cause

That he shall be rejected of the Jews, or of the House of Israel.

Wherefore, our father hath not spoken of our seed alone, but also of all 

The House of Israel, pointing to the covenant which should be fulfilled 

In the latter days, which covenant the Lord made to our father 

Abraham, saying:  In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, spake much unto them concerning these things.  Yea, I spake unto them concerning the restoration of the Jews in the latter days.  And I did rehearse unto them the words of Isaiah, who spake concerning the restoration of the Jews, or of the House of Israel.  And after they were restored they should no more be confounded, neither should they be scattered again.  And it came to pass that I did speak many words unto my brethren, that they were pacified and did humble themselves before the Lord.  

And it came to pass that they did speak unto me again, saying:  

What meaneth this thing which our father saw in a dream?  

What meaneth the tree which he saw?

And I said unto them:  It was a representation of the Tree of Life.

And they said unto me:  What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree?

And I said unto them that it was the word of God.  And whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish.  Neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.  Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord.  Yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things.  And they said unto me:  What meaneth the river of water which our father saw?

And I said unto them that the water which my father saw was filthiness.  And so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water.  And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf, which separated the wicked from the Tree of Life, and also from the saints of God.  And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful hell, which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked.  And I said unto them that our father also saw that the justice of God did also divide the wicked from the righteous.  And the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire, which ascendeth up unto God forever and ever, and hath no end. And they said unto me:  

Doth this thing mean the torment of the body in the days of probation, 

Or doth it mean the final state of the soul after the death 

Of the temporal body?  Or doth it speak of the things which are temporal?

And it came to pass that I said unto them that it was a representation of things both temporal and spiritual.  For the day should come that they must be judged of their works, yea, even the works which were done by the temporal body in their days of probation.  Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness.  Wherefore, they must be brought to stand before God, to be judged of their works. And if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the Kingdom of God.  If so, the Kingdom of God must be filthy also.

But behold, I say unto you, the Kingdom of God is not filthy!  

And there cannot any unclean thing enter into the Kingdom of God.  

Wherefore there must needs be a place of filthiness 

Prepared for that which is filthy.  And there is a place prepared, yea, 

Even that awful Hell of which I have spoken, and the Devil 

Is the father of it. Wherefore the final state of the souls of men 

Is to dwell in the Kingdom of God;  or to be cast out because of that justice 

Of which I have spoken.  Wherefore, the wicked are rejected 

From the righteous, and also from that Tree of Life, 

Whose fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits, yea, 

And it is the greatest of all the gifts of God. 

And thus I spake unto my brethren.  Amen.  And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made an end of speaking to my brethren, behold they said unto me:  Thou hast declared unto us hard things, more than we are able to bear!

And it came to pass that I said unto them that, 

I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, 

According to the truth.  And the righteous have I justified 

And testified that they should be lifted up at the last day.  

Wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth 

Them to the very center.  And now my brethren, if ye were 

Righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth, and give heed 

Unto it, that ye might walk uprightly before God, then ye would 

Not murmur because of the truth, and say:  Thou speakest 

Hard things against us.

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did exhort my brethren, with all diligence, to keep the commandments of the Lord.  And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord, insomuch that I had joy and great hopes of them, that they would walk in the paths of righteousness.  

Now, all these things were said and done as my father dwelt in a tent in the valley which he called Lemuel.

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, took one of the daughters of Ishmael to wife.  And also, my brethren took of the daughters of Ishmael to wife.  And also Zoram took the eldest daughter of Ishmael to wife.  And thus my father had fulfilled all the commandments of the Lord which had been given unto him.  And also, I, Nephi, had been blessed of the Lord exceedingly.

And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord spake unto my father by night, and commanded him that on the morrow he should take his journey into the wilderness.  And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship.  And it was of fine brass.  And within the ball were two spindles, and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness.

And it came to pass that we did gather together whatsoever things we should carry into the wilderness, and all the remainder of our provisions which the Lord had given unto us.  And we did take seed of every kind that we might carry into the wilderness.  And it came to pass that we did take our tents and depart into the wilderness, across the river Laman.  And it came to pass that we traveled for the space of four days, nearly a south-southeast direction, and we did pitch our tents again, and we did call the name of the place Shazer.

And it came to pass that we did take our bows and our arrows, and go forth into the wilderness to slay food for our families.  And after we had slain food for our families we did return again to our families in the wilderness, to the place of Shazer.  And we did go forth again in the wilderness, following the same direction, keeping in the most fertile parts of the wilderness, which were in the borders of the Red Sea.  And it came to pass that we did travel for the space of many days, slaying food by the way, with our bows and our arrows and our stones and our slings.  And we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness.

And after we had traveled for the space of many days, we did pitch our tents for the space of a time, that we might again rest ourselves and obtain food for our families.  And it came to pass that as I, Nephi, went forth to slay food, behold, I did break my bow, which was made of fine steel.  And after I did break my bow, behold, my brethren were angry with me because of the loss of my bow, for we did obtain no food.  And it came to pass that we did return without food to our families, and being much fatigued, because of their journeying, they did suffer much for the want of food.  And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael did begin to murmur exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness.  And also my father began to murmur against the Lord his god.  Yea, and they were all exceedingly sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the Lord.  Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, having been afflicted with my brethren because of the loss of my bow, and their bows having lost their springs, it began to be exceedingly difficult, yea, insomuch that we could obtain no food.  And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did speak much unto my brethren, because they had hardened their hearts again, even unto complaining against the Lord their god.  And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow.  Wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones.  And I said unto my father:  Whither shall I go to obtain food?

And it came to pass that he did inquire of the Lord, for they had humbled themselves because of my words; for I did say many things unto them in the energy of my soul.  And it came to pass that the Voice of the Lord came unto my father; and he was truly chastened because of his murmuring against the Lord, insomuch that he was brought down into the depths of sorrow.  And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord said unto him:  Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are written!

And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble exceedingly!  And also my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and our wives.  And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.  And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord.   And it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it.  And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did go forth up into the top of the mountain, according to the directions which were given upon the ball.  And it came to pass that I did slay wild beasts, insomuch that I did obtain food for our families.  And it came to pass that I did return to our tents, bearing the beasts which I had slain.  And now when they beheld that I had obtained food, how great was their joy!  And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord, and did give thanks unto him.

And it came to pass that we did again take our journey, traveling nearly the same course as in the beginning.  And after we had traveled for the space of many days we did pitch our tents again, that we might tarry for the space of a time.  And it came to pass that Ishmael died, and was buried in the place which was called Nahom.  And it came to pass that the daughters of Ishmael did mourn exceedingly, because of the loss of their father, and because of their afflictions in the wilderness.  And they did murmur against my father, because he had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, saying:  

Our father is dead! Yea, and we have wandered 

Much in the wilderness, and we have suffered 

Much affliction, hunger, thirst, and fatigue! 

And after all these sufferings we must perish 

In the wilderness with hunger.

And thus they did murmur against my father, and also against me!  And they were desirous to return again to Jerusalem.  And Laman said unto Lemuel and also unto the sons of Ishmael:

Behold, let us slay our father, and also our brother Nephi!

Who has taken it upon him to be our ruler and our teacher, who are 

His elder brethren. Now, he says that the Lord has talked with him,

And also that angels have ministered unto him. 

But behold, we know that he lies unto us; and he tells us these things, 

And he worketh many things by his cunning arts, 

That he may deceive our eyes, thinking, perhaps, 

That he may lead us away into some strange wilderness! 

And after he has led us away, he has thought to make himself a king 

And a ruler over us!  That he may do with us 

According to his will and pleasure.  

And after this manner did my brother Laman stir up their hearts to anger.  And it came to pass that the Lord was with us, yea, even the voice of the Lord came and did speak many words unto them, and did chasten them exceedingly.  And after they were chastened by the Voice of the Lord they did turn away their anger, and did repent of their sins, insomuch that the Lord did bless us again with food, that we did not perish.

And it came to pass that we did again take our journey in the wilderness, and we did travel nearly eastward from that time forth.  And we did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness, and our women did bear children in the wilderness.  And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men.  And they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings.  And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled.  And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them.  Wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.  And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea even eight years in the wilderness.

And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of the Lord that we might not perish.  And we beheld the sea, which we called Irreantum, which, being interpreted, is many waters.  And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore, and notwithstanding we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write them all! we were exceedingly rejoiced when we came to the seashore.  And we called the place Bountiful, because of its much fruit.

And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been in the land of Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying:  Arise, and get thee into the mountain!  

And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain, and cried unto the Lord.  And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying:  Thou shalt construct a ship, after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters.

And I said:  Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?  

And it came to pass that the Lord told me whither I should go to find ore, that I might make tools.  And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make a bellows wherewith to blow the fire, of the skins of beasts.  And after I had made a bellows, that I might have wherewith to blow the fire, I did smite two stones together that I might make fire.  For the Lord had not hitherto suffered that we should make much fire, as we journeyed in the wilderness.   For he said:

I will make thy food become sweet, that ye cook it not. 

And I will also be your light in the wilderness. 

And I will prepare the way before you, if it so be 

That ye shall keep my commandments. 

Wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led 

Towards the promised land, and ye shall know that it is by me 

That ye are led.

Yea, and the Lord said also: 

That after ye have arrived in the promised land, ye shall know that I, 

The Lord, am God! And that I, the Lord, did deliver you from

 Destruction, Yea, that I did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem.

Wherefore I, Nephi, did strive to keep the commandments of the Lord, and I did exhort my brethren to faithfulness and diligence.  And it came to pass that I did make tools of the ore which I did molten out of the rock.  And when my brethren saw that I was about to build a ship, they began to murmur against me, saying:  

Our brother is a fool!  For he thinketh that he can 

Build a ship!  Yea, and he also thinketh that 

He can cross these great waters!

And thus my brethren did complain against me, and were desirous that they might not labor, for they did not believe that I could build a ship.  Neither would they believe that I was instructed of the Lord.  And now it came to pass that I, Nephi, was exceedingly sorrowful because of the hardness of their hearts, and now when they saw that I began to be sorrowful they were glad in their hearts, insomuch that they did rejoice over me, saying:  

We knew that ye could not construct a ship! 

For we knew that ye were lacking in judgment! 

Wherefore, thou canst not accomplish so great a work.  

And thou art like unto our father, led away 

By the foolish imaginations of his heart, yea, 

He hath led us out of the land of Jerusalem, 

And we have wandered in the wilderness 

For these many years, and our women have toiled, being big with child. 

And they have borne children in the wilderness and suffered all things, 

Save it were death!  And it would have been better that they had died 

Before they came out of Jerusalem than to have suffered these afflictions!

Behold, these many years we have suffered in the wilderness, 

Which time we might have enjoyed our possessions and 

The land of our inheritance, yea, and we might have been happy! 

And we know that the people who were in the land of Jerusalem were 

A righteous people. For they kept the statutes and judgments of the Lord, 

And all his commandments according to the law of Moses. 

Wherefore, we know that they are a righteous people! 

And our father hath judged them, and hath led us away because we would

Hearken unto his words, yea, and our brother is like unto him. 

And after this manner of language did my brethren murmur and complain against us.  And it came to pass that I, Nephi, spake unto them, saying:  

Do ye believe that our fathers, who were the children of Israel, 

Would have been led away out of the hands of the Egyptians 

If they had not hearkened unto the words of the Lord?  Yea, 

Do ye suppose that they would have been led out of bondage, 

If the Lord had not commanded Moses 

That he should lead them out of bondage?

Now ye know that the children of Israel were in bondage. And ye know

That they were laden with tasks which were grievous to be borne. 

Wherefore, ye know that it must needs be a good thing for them, 

That they should be brought out of bondage.  Now ye know 

That Moses was commanded of the Lord to do that great work, and 

Ye know that by his word the waters of the Red Sea were divided 

Hither and thither, and they passed through on dry ground.  

But ye know that the Egyptians were drowned 

In the Red Sea, who were the armies of Pharaoh.

And ye also know that they were fed with manna 

In the wilderness. Yea, and ye also know that Moses by his word 

According to the power of God which was in him, smote the rock! 

And there came forth water, that the children of Israel might quench 

Their thirst.  And notwithstanding they being led, the Lord their god,

Their redeemer, going before them, leading them by day and giving light

Unto them by night, and doing all things for them which were expedient 

For man to receive, they hardened their hearts 

And blinded their minds, and reviled against Moses 

And against the true and living god.

And it came to pass that according to his word he did destroy them! 

And according to his word he did lead them! 

And according to his word he did do all things for them, 

And there was not any thing done save it were by his word.  

And after they had crossed the river Jordan he did make them 

Mighty unto the driving out of the children of the land, yea, 

Unto the scattering them to destruction! 

And now, do ye suppose that the children of this land, 

Who were in the land of promise, who were driven out by our fathers, 

Do ye suppose that they were righteous?  Behold, I say unto you, Nay.  

Do ye suppose that our fathers would have been more choice than they 

If they had been righteous?  I say unto you, Nay.  Behold, the Lord

Esteemeth all flesh in one,  he that is righteous is favored of God.  

But behold, this people had rejected every word of God and they were 

Ripe in iniquity, and the fullness of the wrath of God was upon them, 

And the Lord did curse the land against them, and bless it 

Unto our fathers, yea, he did curse it against them 

Unto their destruction, and he did bless it unto our fathers 

Unto their obtaining power over it.

Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited! 

And he hath created his children that they should possess it.  And 

He raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroyeth the nations of the wicked.  

And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked 

He destroyeth, And curseth the land unto them for their sakes.

He ruleth high in the heavens, for it is his throne, and this earth 

Is his footstool. And he loveth those who will have him to be their god.  

Behold, he loved our fathers, and he covenanted with them, 

Yea, even Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

And he remembered the covenants which he had made.

Wherefore, he did bring them out of the land of Egypt,

And he did straighten them in the wilderness with his rod, 

For they hardened their hearts, even as ye have! 

And the Lord straightened them because of their iniquity.  

He sent fiery flying serpents among them and after they were bitten 

He prepared a way that they might be healed and the labor 

Which they had to perform was to look! 

And because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, 

There were many who perished!  And they did harden their hearts 

From time to time, and they did revile against Moses, and also 

Against God. Nevertheless, ye know that they were led forth 

By his matchless power into the land of promise.

And now, after all these things, the time has come 

That they have become wicked, yea, nearly unto ripeness! 

And I know not but they are at this day about to be destroyed, for I know 

That the day must surely come that they must be destroyed, save a few

Only, who shall be led away into captivity.

Wherefore, the Lord commanded my father that he should depart 

Into the wilderness, and the Jews also sought to take away his life. 

Yea, and ye also have sought to take away his life!  Wherefore, 

Ye are murderers in your hearts and ye are like unto them!  

Ye are swift to do iniquity but slow to remember the Lord your god.  

Ye have seen an angel, and he spake unto you! Yea, ye have heard 

His voice from time to time, and he hath spoken unto you 

In a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel 

His words. Wherefore, he has spoken unto you like unto the voice 

If thunder, which did cause the earth to shake as if it were 

To divide asunder. And ye also know that by the power 

Of his almighty word he can cause the earth that it shall pass away, yea,

And ye know that by his word he can cause the rough places 

To be made smooth, and smooth places shall be broken up.  

O, then, why is it, that ye can be so hard in your hearts?

Behold, my soul is rent with anguish because of you! 

And my heart is pained! I fear lest ye shall be cast off forever!  

Behold, I am full of the spirit of God, 

Insomuch that my frame has no strength.

And now it came to pass that when I had spoken these words they were angry with me, and were desirous to throw me into the depths of the sea!  And as they came forth to lay their hands upon me I spake unto them, saying: 

In the name of the almighty God, I command you that ye touch me not! 

For I am filled with the power of God! 

Even unto the consuming of my flesh.

And whoso shall lay his hands upon me shall wither, 

Even as a dried reed, and he shall be as naught before 

The power of God, for God shall smite him.

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto them that they should murmur no more against their father, neither should they withhold their labor from me, for God had commanded me that I should build a ship.  And I said unto them:  

If God had commanded me to do all things, I could do them.  If he should 

Command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, 

It should be earth, and if I should say it, it would be done.  

And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought 

So many miracles among the children of men, how is it 

That he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said many things unto my brethren, insomuch that they were confounded and could not contend against me; neither durst they lay their hands upon me nor touch me with their fingers, even for the space of many days.  Now they durst not do this lest they should wither before me, so powerful was the Spirit of God.  And thus it had wrought upon them. And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me:  

Stretch forth thine hand again unto thy brethren 

And they shall not wither before thee. 

But I will shock them, saith the Lord, and this will I do, 

That they may know that I am the Lord their god!

And it came to pass that I stretched forth my hand unto my brethren, and they did not wither before me.  But the Lord did shake them, even according to the word which he had spoken.  

And now, they said:  We know of a surety that the Lord is with thee, for we know that it is the power of the Lord that has shaken us!  

And they fell down before me, and were about to worship me, but I would not suffer them, saying:  

I am thy brother, yea, even thy younger brother. 

Wherefore, worship the Lord thy god, and honor thy father 

And thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land 

Which the Lord thy god shall give thee.

And it came to pass that they did worship the Lord, and did go forth with me.  And we did work timbers of curious workmanship.  And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the ship.  Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men, neither did I build the ship after the manner of men.  But I did build it after the manner which the lord had shown unto me.  Wherefore, it was not after the manner of men.  And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord: wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.

And it came to pass that after I had finished the ship, according to the word of the Lord, my brethren beheld that it was good, and that the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine.  Wherefore, they did humble themselves again before the Lord.  And it came to pass that the Voice of the Lord came unto my father, that we should arise and go down into the ship.  And it came to pass that on the morrow, after we had prepared all things, much fruits and meat from the wilderness, and honey in abundance, and provisions according to that which the Lord had commanded us, we did go down into the ship, with all our loading and our seeds, and whatsoever thing we had brought with us, every one according to his age; wherefore, we did all go down into the ship, with our wives and our children.  And now, my father had begat two sons in the wilderness: the elder was called Jacob, and the younger, Joseph.  And it came to pass after we had all gone down into the ship, and had taken with us our provisions and things which had been commanded us, we did put forth into the sea and were driven forth before the wind towards the promised land.  

And after we had been driven forth before the wind for the space of many days, behold, my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and also their wives began to make themselves merry, insomuch that they began to dance, and to sing, and to speak with much rudeness, yea, even that they had been brought thither.  Yea, they were lifted up unto exceeding rudeness!  And I, Nephi, began to fear exceedingly lest the Lord should be angry with us, and smite us because of our iniquity, that we should be swallowed up in the depths of the sea.  Wherefore, I, Nephi, began to speak to them with much soberness, but behold they were angry with me, saying:  We will not that our younger brother shall be a ruler over us!

And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel did take me and bind me with cords, and they did treat me with much harshness!  Nevertheless, the Lord did suffer it that he might show forth his power, unto the fulfilling of his word which he had spoken concerning the wicked.  And it came to pass that after they had bound me insomuch that I could not move, the compass which had been prepared of the Lord, did cease to work.  Wherefore, they knew not whither they should steer the ship, insomuch that there arose a great storm, yea, a great and terrible tempest, and we were driven back upon the waters for the space of three days.  And they began to be frightened exceedingly lest they should be drowned in the sea; nevertheless they did not loose me.  And on the fourth day, which we had been driven back, the tempest began to be exceedingly sore.  And it came to pass that we were about to be swallowed up in the depths of the sea.  And after we had been driven back upon the waters for the space of four days, my brethren began to see that the judgments of God were upon them, and that they must perish save that they should repent of their iniquities.  Wherefore, they came unto me, and loosed the bands which were upon my wrists, and behold they had swollen exceedingly!  And also mine ankles were much swollen, and great was the soreness thereof.

Nevertheless, I did look unto my god, and I did praise him all the day long!  And I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions.  Now my father, Lehi, had said many things unto them, and also unto the sons of Ishmael.  But, behold, they did breathe out much threatenings against anyone that should speak for me. And my parents being stricken in years, and having suffered much grief because of their children, they were brought down, yea, even upon their sick-beds.  Because of their grief and much sorrow, and the iniquity of my brethren, they were brought near even to be carried out of this time to meet their god, yea, their grey hairs were about to be brought down to lie low in the dust, yea, even they were near to be cast with sorrow into a watery grave.  And Jacob and Joseph also, being young, having need of much nourishment, were grieved because of the afflictions of their mother.  And also my wife with her tears and prayers, and also my children, did not soften the hearts of my brethren that they would loose me.  And there was nothing save it were the power of God, which threatened them with destruction, could soften their hearts. Wherefore, when they saw that they were about to be swallowed up in the depths of the sea they repented of the thing which they had done, insomuch that they loosed me.

And it came to pass after they had loosed me, behold, I took the compass, and it did work whither I desired it.  And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord.  And after I had prayed the winds did cease, and the storm did cease, and there was a great calm.  And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did guide the ship, that we sailed again towards the promised land.  And it came to pass that after we had sailed for the space of many days we did arrive at the promised land.  

And we went forth upon the land, and did pitch our tents, and we did call it the Promised Land.  And it came to pass that we did begin to till the earth, and we began to plant seeds.  Yea, we did put all our seeds into the earth, which we had brought from the land of Jerusalem.  And it came to pass that they did grow exceedingly, wherefore, we were blessed in abundance.  And it came to pass that we did find upon the land of promise, as we journeyed in the wilderness, that there were beasts in the forests of every kind, both the cow and the ox, and the ass and the horse, and the goat and the wild goat, and all manner of wild animals, which were for the use of men.  And we did find all manner of ore, both of gold, and of silver, and of copper.

And it came to pass that the Lord commanded me, wherefore I did make plates of ore that I might engraven upon them the record of my people.   And upon the plates¹ which I made I did engraven the record of my father, and also our journeyings in the wilderness, and the prophecies of my father.  And also many of mine own prophecies have I engraven upon them. 

And I knew not at the time when I made them that I should be commanded of the Lord to make these plates.²  Wherefore, the record of my father, and the genealogy of his fathers, and the more part of all our proceedings in the wilderness are engraven upon those plates¹ of which I have spoken.  Wherefore, the things which transpired before I made these plates² are, of a truth, more particularly made mention upon the first plates.

And after I had made these plates² by way of commandment, I, Nephi, received a commandment that the ministry and the prophecies, the more plain and precious parts of them, should be written upon these plates².  And that the things which were written should be kept for the instruction of my people, who should possess the land, and also for other wise purposes, which purposes are known unto the Lord.  Wherefore, I, Nephi, did make a record upon the other plates¹, which gives an account, or which gives a greater account of the wars and contentions and destructions of my people.  And this have I done, and commanded my people that they should do after I was gone.  

And that these plates² should be handed down from one generation to another, or from one prophet to another, until further commandments of the Lord.  And an account of my making these plates² shall be given hereafter.  And then, behold, I proceed according to that which I have spoken.  

And this I do that the more sacred things may be kept for the knowledge of my people.  Nevertheless, I do not write anything upon plates² save it be that I think it be sacred.  And now, if I do err, even did they err of old.  Not that I would excuse myself because of other men, but because of the weakness which is in me, according to the flesh, I would excuse myself.  For the things which some men esteem to be of great worth, both to the body and soul, others set at naught and trample under their feet.  Yea, even the very god of Israel do men trample under their feet!  I say, trample under their feet but I would speak in other words — they set him at naught, and hearken not to the voice of his counsels.  And behold he cometh, according to the words of the angels, in six hundred years from the time my father left Jerusalem.  And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught.  Wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it.  Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.

And the god of our fathers, who were led out of Egypt, out of bondage, and also were preserved in the wilderness by him, yea, the god of Abraham, and of Isaac, and the god of Jacob, yieldeth himself, according to the words of the angel, 

As a man, into the hands of wicked men, to be lifted up, 

According to the words of Zenock, and to be crucified, 

According to the words of Neum, and to be buried 

In a sepulcher, according to the words of Zenos, which he spake 

Concerning the three days of darkness, which should be a sign given 

Of his death unto those who should inhabit the isles of the sea, 

More especially given unto those who are of the House of Israel.

For thus spake the prophet:  The Lord God surely shall visit all 

The House of Israel at that day, some with his voice, because 

Of their righteousness, unto their great joy and salvation.  And others 

With the thunderings and the lightnings of his power, 

By tempest, by fire, and by smoke, and vapor of darkness, and by 

The opening of the earth, and by mountains which shall be carried up.

And all these things must surely come, saith the prophet Zenos.  

And the rocks of the earth must rend!  And because of the groanings of 

The earth, many of the kings of the isles of the sea shall be wrought upon

By the spirit of God to exclaim:  The god of nature suffers!

And as for those who are at Jerusalem, saith the prophet, they shall be

Scourged by all people, saith the prophet,  

Because they crucify the god of Israel, and 

Turn their hearts aside, rejecting signs and wonders, and the power 

And glory of the god of Israel. And because they turn their hearts 

Aside, saith the prophet, And have despised the Holy One of Israel, 

They shall wander in the flesh, and perish, and become a hiss 

And a byword, and be hated among all nations.

Nevertheless, when that day cometh, saith the prophet, that they 

No more turn aside their hearts against the Holy One of Israel, then 

Will he remember the covenants which he made to their fathers.  Yea, then Will he remember the isles of the sea! Yea, and all the people who are of 

The House of Israel, will I gather in, saith the Lord, according to 

The words of the prophet Zenos, from the four quarters of the earth.

Yea, and all the earth shall see the salvation of the Lord, saith the prophet. 

Every nation, kindred, tongue and people shall be blessed.

And I, Nephi, have written these things unto my people, that perhaps I might persuade them that they would remember the Lord their Redeemer.  Wherefore, I speak unto all the House of Israel, if it so be that they should obtain these things.  For behold, I have workings in the spirit, which doth weary me even that all my joints are weak, for those who are at Jerusalem.  For had not the Lord been merciful, to show unto me concerning them, even as he had prophets of old?  And he surely did show unto the prophets of old all things concerning them, and also he did show unto many concerning us.  Wherefore, it must needs be that we know concerning them, for they are written upon the Plates of Brass.

Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, did teach my brethren these things.  And it came to pass that I did read many things to them, which were engraven upon the Plates of Brass, that they might know concerning the doings of the Lord in other lands, among people of old.

And I did read many things unto them which were written in the book of Moses, but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their redeemer, I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah.  For I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.  Wherefore I spake unto them, saying:  

Hear ye the words of the prophet, ye who are a remnant 

Of the House of Israel, a branch who have been broken 

Off, hear ye the words of the prophet! Which were written unto 

All the House of Israel,  and liken them unto yourselves, that ye 

May have hope as well as your brethren from whom ye 

Have been broken off.  For after this manner has the prophet written:

  Hearken and hear this, O House of Jacob, who are called 

By the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, 

Who swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of 

The god of Israel, Yet they swear not in truth nor in righteousness! 

Nevertheless, they call themselves of the holy city, but they do not stay

Themselves upon the god of Israel, who is the lord of hosts, 

Yea, the Lord of Hosts is his name!  Behold, I have declared 

The former things from the beginning, and they went forth 

Out of my mouth and I showed them.  I did show them suddenly.  

And I did it because I knew that thou art obstinate, 

And thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass!

And I have even from the beginning declared to thee, before it came to pass 

I showed them thee, and I showed them for fear lest thou shouldst say: 

Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, 

And my molten image hath commanded them.

Thou hast seen and heard all this, and will ye not declare them?  And 

That I have showed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, 

And thou didst not know them.  They are created now, and not 

From the beginning, even before the day when thou heardest them not 

They were declared unto thee, lest thou shouldst say – Behold I knew them.  

Yea, And thou heardest not!  Yea, thou knewest not!  Yea, from that time

Thine ear was not opened, for I knew that thou wouldst deal 

Very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb!

Nevertheless, for my name’s sake will I defer mine anger. And for 

My praise will I refrain from thee, that I cut thee not off.  For, behold, 

I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.  

For mine own sake, yea, for mine own sake will I do this, for 

I will not suffer my name to be polluted, and I will not give my glory unto 

Another.  Hearken unto me, O Jacob, and Israel my called, for I am he!  

I am the first, and I am also the last.  Mine hand hath 

Also laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand 

Hath spanned the heavens.  I call unto them and they stand up together.  

All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear!  Who among them hath declared

These things unto them?  The Lord hath loved him, yea, and he will fulfill

His word which he hath declared by them, and he will do his pleasure 

On Babylon, and his arm shall come upon the Chaldeans.

Also, saith the Lord: I the Lord, yea, I have spoken. 

Yea, I have called him to declare.  I have brought him, 

And he shall make his way prosperous.  Come ye near unto me.

I have not spoken in secret.  From the beginning, from the time that it was 

Declared, have I spoken, and the Lord God and his spirit hath sent me.  

And thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 

I have sent him, The Lord thy god who teacheth thee to profit, 

Who leadeth thee by the way thou shouldst go, hath done it.  

O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments – then had 

Thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.  Thy seed also had been as the sand 

The offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof, 

His name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me.

Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing 

Declare ye, tell this, utter to the end of the earth!  Say ye:  

The Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob!

And they thirsted not!  He led them through the deserts. 

He caused the waters to flow out of the rock, for them he clave the rock 

Also and the waters gushed out.  And notwithstanding he hath done all

This, and greater also, there is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.     

And again:  Hearken, O ye House of Israel, all ye that are broken off and

  Are driven out because of the wickedness of the pastors 

Of my people, yea, all ye that are broken off, that are scattered abroad, 

Who are of my people, O House of Israel.  Listen, O isles, unto me, 

And hearken ye people from far!  The Lord hath called me from the womb! 

From the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword.  In the shadow of 

His hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft.   In his quiver 

Hath he hid me.  And said unto me:  Thou art my servant, O Israel, 

In whom I will be glorified. Then I said: I have labored in vain, 

I have spent my strength for naught and in vain!  

Surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my god.

And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb, that I should be 

His servant, to bring Jacob again to him; though Israel be not gathered, 

Yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my god shall be 

My strength.  And he said:  It is a light thing that thou shouldst be 

My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved 

Of Israel.  I will also give thee for a light to the gentiles, 

That thou mayest be my salvation unto the ends of the earth.

Thus saith the Lord, the redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, 

To him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nations abhorreth, 

To servant of rulers:  Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, 

Because of the Lord that is faithful.

Thus saith the Lord:  In an acceptable time have I heard thee, 

O isles of the sea, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee, and 

I will preserve thee, and give thee my servant for a covenant of the people, 

To establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages.

That thou mayest say to the prisoners:  Go forth!  

To them that sit in darkness:  Show yourselves. 

They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.

They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor 

The sun smite them. For he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, 

Even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways 

Shall be exalted. And then, O House of Israel, behold, these shall 

Come from far!  And lo, these from the north and from the west, 

And these from the land of Sinim. Sing, O heavens!  And 

Be joyful, O earth!  For the feet of those who are in the east shall be

Established, and break forth into singing, O mountains! 

For they shall be smitten no more.  For the Lord hath comforted his people, 

And will have mercy upon his afflicted.  But, behold, Zion hath said:  

The Lord hath forsaken me, and my lord hath forgotten me! 

But he will show that he hath not.  For can a woman forget 

Her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son 

Of her womb?  Yea, they may forget; yet will I not forget thee,

O House of Israel. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands! 

Thy walls are continually before me.  Thy children shall make haste 

Against thy destroyers, and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee.

Lift up thine eyes round about and behold!  All these gather 

Themselves together, and they shall come to thee.  And as I live, 

Saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with 

An ornament, and bind them on even as a bride.

For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, 

Shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants 

And they that swallowed thee up shall be far away.

The children whom thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the first, 

Shall again in thine ears say:  The place is too strait for me!

Give place to me that I may dwell.

Then shalt thou say in thine heart:  Who hath begotten me these, seeing I

Have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to 

And fro?  And who hath brought up these?  Behold, I was left alone. 

These, where have they been?

Thus saith the Lord God:  Behold, I will lift up mine hand to 

The gentiles, and set up my standard to the people, and they shall bring

Thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried 

Upon their shoulders. And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and 

Their queens thy nursing mothers. 

They shall bow down to thee with their face towards the earth, 

And lick up the dust of thy feet!  And thou shalt know that I am the Lord. 

For they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.  For shall the prey 

Be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captives delivered?

But thus saith the Lord, even the captives of the mighty shall be 

Taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered, for I will

Contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.

And I will feed them that oppress thee, with their own flesh! 

They shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine 

And all flesh shall know that I, the Lord, am thy savior 

And thy redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had read these things which were engraven upon the Plates of Brass, my brethren came unto me and said unto me:  

What meaneth these things which ye have read?  

Behold, are they to be understood according to things which are spiritual,

Which shall come to pass according to the spirit and not the flesh?

And I, Nephi, said unto them:  

Behold they were manifest unto the prophet by the voice of the spirit.

For by the spirit are all things made known unto the prophets, 

Which shall come upon the children of men according to the flesh.

Wherefore, the things of which I have read are things pertaining to things 

Both temporal and spiritual; for it appears that the House of Israel, sooner

Or later, will be scattered upon all the face of the earth, and also among

All nations. And behold, there are many who are already lost 

From the knowledge of those who are at Jerusalem.  Yea, the more part 

Of all the tribes have been led away; and they are scattered to and fro 

Upon the isles of the sea; and whither they are none of us knoweth, save 

That we know that they have been led away.

And since they have been led away, these things have been 

Prophesied concerning them, and also concerning all those who shall 

Hereafter be scattered and be confounded, because of the Holy One 

Of Israel. For against him will they harden their hearts; wherefore, 

They shall be scattered among all nations and shall be hated of all men.

Nevertheless, after they shall be nursed by the gentiles! 

And the Lord has lifted up his hand upon the gentiles 

And set them up for a standard, and their children have been carried 

In their arms, and their daughters have been carried upon their shoulders, 

Behold these things of which are spoken are temporal.

For thus are the covenants of the Lord with our fathers. 

And it meaneth us in the days to come, and also all our brethren 

Who are of the House of Israel.

And it meaneth that the time cometh that after all 

The House of Israel have been scattered and confounded, that 

The Lord God will raise up a mighty nation among the gentiles, yea, 

Even upon the face of this land.  And by them shall our seed be scattered.

And after our seed is scattered the Lord God will proceed to do 

A marvelous work among the gentiles, which shall be of great worth unto

Our seed. Wherefore, it is likened unto their being 

Nourished by the gentiles, and being carried in their arms 

And upon their shoulders. And it shall also be of worth unto the gentiles.

And not only unto the gentiles but unto all the House of Israel, unto 

The making known of the covenants of the Father of Heaven unto

Abraham, saying:  In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

And I would, my brethren, that ye should know that all the kindreds 

Of the earth cannot be blessed unless he shall make bare his arm in the eyes

Of the nations. Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to make bare 

His arm in the eyes of all the nations, in bringing about his covenants 

And his gospel unto those who are of the House of Israel.

Wherefore, he will bring them again out of captivity, and they shall be

Gathered together to the lands of their first inheritance, and they shall be

Brought out of obscurity and out of darkness, and they shall know 

That the Lord is their savior and their redeemer, the Mighty One 

Of Israel. And the blood of that great and abominable church, which is

The whore of all the earth, shall turn upon their own heads!  

For they shall war among themselves, and the sword of their own 

Hands shall fall upon their own heads, and they shall be drunken with

Their own blood. And every nation which shall war against thee, 

O House of Israel, shall be turned 

One against another, and they shall fall into the pit which they digged 

To ensnare the people of the Lord.  And all that fight against Zion 

Shall be destroyed!  And that great whore, who hath perverted 

The right ways of the Lord, Yea, that great and abominable church, 

Shall tumble to the dust and great shall be the fall of it.

For behold, saith the prophet, the time cometh speedily that Satan 

Shall have no more power over the hearts of the children of men.

For the day soon cometh that all the proud and they who do wickedly 

Shall be as stubble,  and the day cometh that they must be burned.

For the time soon cometh that the fullness of the wrath of God shall be

Poured out upon all the children of men, for he will not suffer 

That the wicked shall destroy the righteous.

Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power! 

Even if it so be that the fullness of his wrath must come, and the righteous

Be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire.  

Wherefore, the righteous need not fear.

For thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be by fire.

Behold, my brethren, I say unto you, that these things must shortly come. 

Yea, even blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke must come.

And it must needs be upon the face of this earth, and it cometh unto men 

According to the flesh, if it so be that they will 

Harden their hearts against the Holy One of Israel.

For behold, the righteous shall not perish, for the time surely must come 

That all they who fight against Zion shall be cut off.

And the Lord will surely prepare a way for his people, unto the fulfilling 

Of the words of Moses, which he spake, saying:  

A prophet shall the Lord your god raise up unto you, like unto me. 

Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.  

And it shall come to pass that all those who will not hear 

That prophet shall be cut off from among the people.

And now I, Nephi, declare unto you, that this prophet of whom Moses spake was the Holy One of Israel.  Wherefore, he shall execute judgment in righteousness.  And the righteous need not fear, for they are those who shall not be confounded.  But it is the Kingdom of the Devil, which shall be built up among the children of men, which kingdom is established among them which are in the flesh:

For the time speedily shall come that all churches which are built up 

To get gain, and all those who are built up to get power over the flesh, 

And those who are built up to become popular in the eyes of the world, 

And those who seek the lusts of the flesh 

And the things of the world, and to do 

All manner of iniquity,  yea, in fine, all those who belong to 

The Kingdom of the Devil are they who need fear, and tremble, 

And quake! They are those who must be brought low in the dust. 

They are those who must be consumed as stubble,

And this is according to the words of the prophet.

And the time cometh speedily that the righteous must be led up

As calves of the stall, and the Holy One of Israel 

Must reign in dominion, and might, and power, and great glory!  

And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth 

And he numbereth his sheep, and they know him 

And there shall be one fold and one shepherd!  

And he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture.  

And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power.

Wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years, for 

He hath no power over the hearts of the people, 

For they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth.  

And now behold, I, Nephi, say unto you that all these things must come according to the flesh.  But, behold, all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people shall dwell safely in the Holy One of Israel if it so be that they will repent.  And now I, Nephi, make an end.  For I durst not speak further as yet concerning these things.  

Wherefore, my brethren, I would that ye should consider that the things which have been written upon the Plates of Brass are true! And they testify that a man must be obedient to the commandments of God.  Wherefore, ye need not suppose that I and my father are the only ones that have testified, and also taught them.  Wherefore, if ye shall be obedient to the commandments, and endure to the end, ye shall be saved at the last day.  And thus it is.  Amen. 

And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made an end of teaching my brethren, our father, Lehi, also spake many things unto them, and rehearsed unto them, how great things the Lord had done for them in bringing them out of the land of Jerusalem.  And he spake unto them concerning their rebellions upon the waters, and the mercies of God in sparing their lives, that they were not swallowed up in the sea.  And he also spake unto them concerning the land of promise, which they had obtained — how merciful the Lord had been in warning us that we should flee out of the land of Jerusalem.  For, behold, said he:  

I have seen a vision, in which I know that Jerusalem is destroyed! 

And had we remained in Jerusalem we should also have perished.  

But, said he, Notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land 

Of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands,  

A land which the Lord God hath covenanted with me should be a land for

The inheritance of my seed.  Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land 

Unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be 

Led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord!

Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit 

Which is in me:  That there shall none come into this land save they 

Shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.  Wherefore, 

This land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring.  

And if it so be that they shall serve him according 

To the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty 

Unto them.  Wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity! 

If so, it shall be because of iniquity,  for if iniquity shall abound 

Cursed shall be the land for their sakes! 

But unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.

And behold, it is wisdom that this land should be kept 

As yet from the knowledge of other nations, for behold, many nations

Would overrun the land, that there would be no place 

For an inheritance.  Wherefore, I, Lehi, have obtained a promise, 

That inasmuch as those whom the Lord God shall bring out 

Of the land of Jerusalem shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper 

Upon the face of this land; and they shall be kept from all other nations, 

That they may possess this land unto themselves.  And if it so be 

That they shall keep his commandments they shall be blessed 

Upon the face of this land, and there shall be none 

To molest them, nor to take away the land of their inheritance. 

And they shall dwell safely forever.

But behold, when the time cometh that they shall dwindle 

In unbelief, after they have received so great blessings from the hand 

Of the Lord having a knowledge of the creation of the earth, and all men, 

Knowing the great and marvelous works of the Lord from the creation 

Of the world. Having power given them to do all things by faith, 

Having all the commandments from the beginning, 

And having been brought by his infinite goodness into this precious land 

Of promise, Behold!  I say, if the day shall come that they will reject the 

Holy One of Israel, the true messiah, their redeemer and their god, behold, 

The judgments of him that is just shall rest upon them.

Yea, he will bring other nations unto them, and he will give unto them

Power, and he will take away from them the lands of their possessions, 

And he will cause them to be scattered and smitten.

Yea, as one generation passeth to another there shall be bloodsheds, 

And great visitations among them.  Wherefore, my sons, 

I would that ye would remember!  Yea, I would that ye would 

Hearken unto my words. O that ye would awake!  Awake!  

From a deep sleep, Yea, even from the sleep of Hell, and shake off 

The awful chains by which ye are bound, which are the chains which bind 

The children of men, that they are carried away captive 

Down to the eternal gulf of misery and woe. Awake!  

And arise from the dust, and hear the words of a trembling parent! 

Whose limbs ye must soon lay down in the cold and silent grave, 

From whence no traveler can return.

A few more days and I go the way of all the earth.

But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from Hell!

I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about 

eternally in the arms of his love.

And I desire that ye should remember to observe the statutes 

And the judgments of the Lord.  Behold, this hath been the anxiety 

Of my soul from the beginning.  My heart hath been weighed down 

With sorrow from time to time, for I have feared, lest for 

The hardness of your hearts the Lord your god should come out 

In the fullness of his wrath upon you, that ye be cut off 

And destroyed forever! Or, that a cursing should come upon you 

For the space of many generations, 

And ye are visited by sword, and by famine, and are hated, and are led 

According to the will and captivity of the devil.

O my sons, that these things might not come upon you! 

But that ye might be a choice and a favored people of the Lord.  

But behold, his will be done.   For his ways are righteousness forever.

And he hath said that inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments 

Ye shall prosper in the land,  but inasmuch as ye will not 

Keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence.

And now that my soul might have joy in you! 

And that my heart might leave this world with gladness because of you! 

That I might not be brought down with grief and sorrow to the grave, 

Arise from the dust, my sons, and be men! 

And be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, 

That ye may not come down into captivity.

That ye may not be cursed with a sore cursing. 

And also, that ye may not incur the displeasure of a just god upon you, 

Unto the destruction, yea, the eternal destruction of both soul and body.

Awake, my sons! Put on the armor of righteousness.  

Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, 

And come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust.

Rebel no more against your brother, whose views have been glorious, 

And who hath kept the commandments from the time that we left

Jerusalem; And who hath been an instrument in the hands of God, 

In bringing us forth into the land of promise.  For were it not for him, 

We must have perished with hunger in the wilderness.  Nevertheless, 

Ye sought to take away his life! Yea, and he hath suffered much sorrow 

Because of you.  And I exceedingly fear and tremble because of you, 

Lest he shall suffer again: for behold, ye have accused him 

That he sought power and authority over you.

But I know that he hath not sought for power nor authority over you, 

But he hath sought the glory of God, and your own eternal welfare.

And ye have murmured because he hath been plain unto you.  

Ye say that he hath used sharpness; 

Ye say that he hath been angry with you; but behold, his sharpness 

Was the sharpness of the power of the word of God, which was in him; 

And that which ye call anger was the truth, according to that 

Which is in God, which he could not restrain, manifesting 

Boldly concerning your iniquities.  And it must needs be that the power 

Of God must be with him, even unto his commanding you that ye 

Must obey.  But behold, it was not he, but it was the spirit 

Of the Lord which was in him, which opened his mouth 

To utterance that he could not shut it.

And now my son, Laman, and also Lemuel and Sam,

And also my sons who are the sons of Ishmael, behold!  

If ye will hearken unto the voice of Nephi, ye shall not perish!  

And if ye will hearken unto him, I leave unto you a blessing, yea, even 

My first blessing. But if ye will not hearken unto him, I take away 

My first blessing, Yea, even my blessing, and it shall rest upon him.

And now, Zoram, I speak unto you:  

Behold, thou art the servant of Laban, nevertheless, thou hast been brought 

Out of the land of Jerusalem, and I know that thou art 

A true friend unto my son, Nephi, forever.  Wherefore, because 

Thou hast been faithful thy seed shall be blessed with his seed, 

That they dwell in prosperity long upon the face of this land. 

And nothing, save it shall be iniquity among them, shall harm 

Or disturb their prosperity upon the face of this land forever.

Wherefore, if ye shall keep the commandments of the Lord, 

The Lord hath consecrated this land for the security of thy seed 

With the seed of my son.

And now, Jacob, I speak unto you:  Thou art my first-born 

In the days of my tribulation in the wilderness.  And behold, 

In thy childhood thou hast suffered afflictions and much sorrow, 

Because of the rudeness of thy brethren.  Nevertheless, Jacob, 

My first-born in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God!

And he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain. 

Wherefore, thy soul shall be blessed! 

And thou shalt dwell safely with thy brother, Nephi. 

And thy days shall be spent in the service of thy god.  

Wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed! 

Because of the righteousness of thy redeemer.

For thou hast beheld that in the fullness of time he cometh to bring 

Salvation unto men.  And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory! 

Wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister 

In the flesh. For the spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.  

And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free.

And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil.  

And the law is given unto men. 

And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off.  

Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off.   And also, by the spiritual 

Law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever.

Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah

For he is full of grace and truth! 

Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin to answer the ends of the law, 

Unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit, 

And unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.

Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known 

Unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know 

That there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence 

Of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, 

And grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life 

According to the flesh and taketh it again by the power of the spirit 

That he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, 

Being the first that should rise.  Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God! 

Inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men, 

And they that believe in him shall be saved.

And because of the intercession for all, all men come unto God. 

Wherefore, they stand in the presence of him, to be judged of him 

According to the truth and holiness which is in him.  

Wherefore, the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given, 

Unto the inflicting of the punishment which is affixed, which punishment 

That is affixed is in opposition to that of the happiness which is affixed, 

To answer the ends of the atonement.

For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things.  

If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be

Brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, 

Neither good nor bad.  Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound 

In one.  Wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, 

Having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, 

Happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.

Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught! 

Wherefore there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation.  

Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and 

His eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, 

And the justice of God.  And if ye shall say there is no law, 

Ye shall also say there is no sin.  If ye shall say there is no sin, 

Ye shall also say there is no righteousness.  

And if there be no righteousness, there be no happiness.  

And if there be no righteousness nor happiness 

There be no punishment nor misery.  And if these things are not 

There is no god.  And if there is no god, we are not, 

Neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, 

Neither to act nor to be acted upon.  Wherefore, all things 

Must have vanished away.

And now, my sons!  I speak unto you these things for your 

Profit and learning. For there is a god, and he hath created 

All things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are! 

Both things to act and things to be acted upon.

And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man, 

After he had created our first parents, and the beasts

Of the field and the fowls of the air,

And in fine, all things which are created, 

It must needs be that there was an opposition. 

Even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the Tree of Life. 

The one being sweet and the other bitter.

Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself.  

Wherefore man could not act for himself save it should be 

That he was enticed by the one or the other.

And I, Lehi, according to the things which I have read, 

must needs suppose that an angel of God, according 

to that which is written, 

Had fallen from Heaven; wherefore, he became a devil, having 

Sought that which was evil before God! And because he had fallen 

From Heaven, And had become miserable forever, he sought also the 

Misery of all mankind.  Wherefore, he said unto Eve, yea, even 

That old serpent, who is the Devil, who is the father of all lies, wherefore 

He said:  Partake of the forbidden fruit, and ye shall not die! 

But ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil!

And after Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit 

They were driven out of the garden of Eden to till the earth.

And they have brought forth children, yea, even the family of all the earth.

And the days of the children of men were prolonged, according to 

The will of God, that they might repent while in the flesh. 

Wherefore, their state became a state of probation, and their time 

Was lengthened, according to the commandments 

Which the Lord God gave unto the children of men.  

For he gave commandment that all men must repent! 

For he showed unto all men that they were lost, because 

Of the transgression of their parents.  And now, behold, if Adam had not 

Transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained 

In the Garden of Eden, and all things which were created 

Must have remained in the same state in which they were after 

They were created. And they must have remained forever, and had no end.

And they would have had no children.

Wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, 

Having no joy, for they knew no misery 

Doing no good, for they knew no sin.

But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him 

Who knoweth all things.  Adam fell that men might be.

And men are, that they might have joy.

And the Messiah cometh in the fullness of time, 

That he may redeem the children of men from the Fall.  

And because that they are redeemed from the Fall they have become free 

Forever, knowing good from evil, 

To act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be 

By the punishment of the law at the great and last day, 

According to the commandments which God hath given.

Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh.

And all things are given them which are expedient unto man.  

And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through 

The great mediation of all men, or to choose captivity 

And death, according to the captivity and power of the Devil. 

For he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great mediator! 

And hearken unto his great commandments and be faithful unto 

His words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his holy spirit,

And not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh 

And the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the Devil power 

To captivate, to bring you down to Hell, that he may reign 

Over you in his own kingdom.

I have spoken these few words unto you all, my sons, 

In the last days of my probation, and I have chosen the good part,

According to the words of the prophet.  And I have none other object 

Save it be the everlasting welfare of your souls.  Amen.

And now I speak unto you, Joseph, my last-born.  Thou wast born 

In the wilderness of mine afflictions, yea, in the days of my greatest sorrow 

Did thy mother bear thee.  And may the Lord consecrate also unto thee 

This land, which is a most precious land, for thine inheritance 

And the inheritance of thy seed with thy brethren, for thy security 

Forever, if it so be that ye shall keep the commandments of 

The Holy One of Israel.

And now, Joseph, my last-born, whom I have brought out 

Of the wilderness of mine afflictions, may the Lord bless thee forever! 

For thy seed shall not utterly be destroyed.

For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins; and I am a descendant of Joseph 

Who was carried captive into Egypt.  And great were the covenants 

Of the Lord which he made unto Joseph.  Wherefore, Joseph truly saw 

Our day.  And he obtained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit 

Of his loins the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch unto 

The House of Israel; not the messiah, but a branch which was 

To be broken off; nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants 

of the Lord: that the messiah should be 

Made manifest unto them in the latter days, in the spirit of power, 

Unto the bringing of them out of darkness unto light:

Yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom.

For Joseph truly testified, saying: 

A seer shall the Lord my god raise up,

Who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins.

Yea, Joseph truly said:  Thus saith the Lord unto me:

A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; 

And he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins; 

And unto him will I give commandment that he shall do 

A work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be 

Of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them 

To the knowledge of the covenants which I have made 

With thy fathers.  And I will give unto him 

A commandment that he shall do none other work, 

Save the work which I shall command him.  

And I will make him great in mine eyes, for he shall do 

My work. And he shall be great like unto Moses, 

Whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver 

My people, O House of Israel. And Moses will I 

Raise up, to deliver thy people out of the land of Egypt.

But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins. 

And unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto 

The seed of thy loins — and not to the bringing forth 

My word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them 

Of my word which shall have already gone forth among them.

Wherefore, the fruit of my loins shall write! 

And the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write! 

And that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins 

And also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins 

Of Judah shall grow together, unto the confounding 

Of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and

Establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing

Them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days. 

And also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.

And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day 

When my work shall commence among all my people, unto 

The restoring thee, O House of Israel, saith the Lord.

And thus prophesied Joseph, saying: 

Behold! that seer will the Lord bless!  And they that seek 

To destroy him shall be confounded.  For this promise, which 

I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of thy loins, 

Shall be fulfilled.  

Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise.

And his name shall be called after me! 

And it shall be after the name of his father.  

And he shall be like unto me. 

For the thing which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, 

By the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation.

Yea, thus prophesied Joseph.  I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure 

Of the promise of Moses, for the Lord hath said unto me, I will 

Preserve thy seed forever. And the Lord hath said, I will raise up a Moses,

And I will give power unto him in a rod. 

And I will give judgment unto him in writing.  

Yet I will not loose his tongue, that he shall speak much, 

For I will not make him mighty in speaking. 

But I will write unto him my law, by the finger 

Of mine own hand.  And I will make one a spokesman for him.

And the Lord said unto me also:  I will raise up 

one unto the fruit of thy loins. 

And I will make for him a spokesman.  And I, behold, 

I will give unto him that he shall write the writing of 

The fruit of thy loins, unto the fruit of thy loins,

And the spokesman of thy loins shall declare it.

And the words which he shall write shall be the words

Which are expedient in my wisdom should go forth unto 

The fruit of thy loins.  And it shall be as if 

The fruit of thy loins had cried unto them from the dust, 

For I know their faith.  And they shall cry from the dust!

Yea, even repentance unto their brethren, even after 

Many generations have gone by them.  And it shall 

Come to pass that their cry shall go, even according to 

The simpleness of their words, because of their faith 

Their words shall proceed forth out of my mouth unto 

Their brethren who are the fruit of thy loins,

And the weakness of their words will I make 

Strong in their faith, unto the remembering of my covenant

Which I made unto thy fathers.

And now, behold, my son Joseph, after this manner did my father 

Of old prophesy. Wherefore, because of this covenant thou art blessed! 

For thy seed shall not be destroyed, for they shall hearken unto the words 

Of the book. And there shall rise up one mighty among them, who shall do

Much good, both in word and in deed, being 

An instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work 

Mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great 

In the sight of God, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto 

The House of Israel, and unto the seed of thy brethren.  And now, 

Blessed art thou, Joseph.  Behold, thou art little; 

Wherefore hearken unto the words of thy brother, Nephi, and it shall be

Done unto thee even according to the words which I have spoken.  

Remember the words of thy dying father.  Amen.

And now, I, Nephi, speak concerning the prophecies of which my father hath spoken, concerning Joseph, who was carried into Egypt.  For behold, he truly prophesied concerning all his seed.  And the prophecies which he wrote, there are not many greater.  And he prophesied concerning us, and our future generations; and they are written upon the Plates of Brass.

Wherefore, after my father had made an end of speaking concerning the prophecies of Joseph, he called the children of Laman, his sons, and his daughters, and said unto them:  

Behold my sons, and my daughters, who are the sons and the daughters 

Of my first-born, I would that ye should give ear unto my words. 

For the Lord God hath said that inasmuch as ye shall keep 

My commandments, ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye 

Will not keep my commandments, ye shall be cut off from my presence.

But behold, my sons and my daughters, I cannot go down to my grave 

Save I should leave a blessing upon you: for behold, I know that 

If ye are brought up in the way ye should go, ye will not depart from it.  

Wherefore, if ye are cursed, behold, I leave my blessing upon you: 

That the cursing may be taken from you and be answered 

Upon the heads of your parents! Wherefore, because of my blessing 

The Lord God will not suffer that ye shall perish. Wherefore, he will 

Be merciful unto you and unto your seed forever.

And it came to pass that after my father had made an end of speaking to the sons and daughters of Laman, he caused the sons and daughters of Lemuel to be brought before him.  And he spake unto them, saying:  

Behold, my sons and my daughters, who are the sons and 

The daughters of my second son: Behold I leave unto you the same 

Blessing which I left unto the sons and daughters of Laman, wherefore, 

Thou shalt not utterly be destroyed. 

But in the end thy seed shall be blessed.

And it came to pass that when my father had made an end of speaking unto them, behold, he spake unto the sons of Ishmael, yea, and even all his household.  And after he had made an end of speaking unto them, he spake unto Sam, saying:  

Blessed art thou, and thy seed!  For thou shalt inherit the land 

Like unto thy brother Nephi.  And thy seed shall be numbered with 

His seed and thou shalt be even like unto thy brother, and thy seed 

Like unto his seed, and thou shalt be blessed in all thy days.

And it came to pass after my father, Lehi, had spoken unto all his household, according to the feelings of his heart and the Spirit of the Lord which was in him, he waxed old.  And it came to pass that he died, and was buried.

And it came to pass that not many days after his death, Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael were angry with me because of the admonitions of the Lord.  And I, Nephi, was constrained to speak unto them, according to his word: for I had spoken many things unto them, and also my father, before his death.  Many of which sayings were written upon mine other plates¹. For a more history part are written upon mine other plates¹.

And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the Plates of Brass.  For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.  Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord, and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.  Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth:  

O wretched man that I am!  Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh, 

My soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and 

The sins which do so easily beset me.  And when I desire 

To rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins. 

Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.  

My god hath been my support! 

He hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness, 

And he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing 

Of them to quake before me.  Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, 

And he hath given me knowledge by visions in the nighttime.  And by 

Day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him.

Yea, my voice have I sent up on high!  And angels came 

Down and ministered unto me.  And upon the wings of his spirit 

Hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains.  

And mine eyes have beheld great things, 

Yea, even too great for man, therefore I was bidden that I should not 

Write them. O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord 

In his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men 

In so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger 

In the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength 

Slacken, because of mine afflictions?  

And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh?  

Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil 

One have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul?  

Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

Awake, my soul!  No longer droop in sin.  Rejoice, O my heart! 

And give me place no more for the enemy of my soul.  Do not anger again 

Because of mine enemies.  Do not slacken my strength because of mine

Afflictions. Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say:  O Lord, 

I will praise thee forever!  Yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my god, 

And the rock of my salvation.  O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul?  

Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies?  

Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

May the Gates of Hell be shut continually before me! 

Because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite!  O Lord, 

Wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, That I 

May walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain 

Road?  O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe 

Of thy righteousness? O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape 

Before mine enemies? Wilt thou make my path straight before me?  

Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way?  But that thou 

Wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways

Of mine enemy.  O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will 

Trust in thee forever.  I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh, 

For I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh.  

Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh is arm.  

Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh.  

Yea, my god will give me, if I ask not amiss!  Therefore I will 

Lift up my voice unto thee!  Yea, I will cry unto thee, my god, the rock 

Of my righteousness.  Behold, my voice shall forever ascend 

Up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting god.  Amen.

Behold, it came too pass that I, Nephi, did cry much unto the Lord my god, because of the anger of my brethren.  But behold, their anger did increase against me, insomuch that they did seek to take away my life.  Yea, they did murmur against me, saying:  

Our younger brother thinks to rule over us! 

And we have had much trial because of him! Wherefore, now let us 

Slay him, that we may not be afflicted more because of his words.  

For behold, we will not have him to be our ruler, for it belongs unto us! 

Who are the elder brethren, to rule over this people.

Now I do not write upon these plates all the words which they murmured against me.  But it sufficeth me to say, that they did seek to take away my life.  And it came to pass that the Lord did warn me, that I, Nephi, should depart from them and flee into the wilderness, and all those who would go with me.  Wherefore, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did take my family, and also Zoram and his family, and Sam, mine elder brother and his family, and Jacob and Joseph, my younger brethren, and also my sisters, and all those who would go with me.  

And all those who would go with me were those who believed in the warnings and the revelations of God: wherefore, they did hearken unto my words.  And we did take our tents and whatsoever things were possible for us, and did journey in the wilderness for the space of many days.  And after we had journeyed for the space of many days we did pitch our tents.  And my people would that we should call the name of the place Nephi: wherefore, we did call it Nephi.  And all those who were with me did take upon them to call themselves the People of Nephi.  And we did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things, according to the law of Moses.  And the Lord was with us, and we did prosper exceedingly.  For we did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance.  And we began to raise flocks, and herds, and animals of every kind.

And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the Plates of Brass. And also the ball, or compass, which was prepared for my father by the hand of the Lord, according to that which is written.  And it came to pass that we began to prosper exceedingly, and to multiply in the land.  And I, Nephi, did take the sword of Laban, and after the manner of it did make many swords, lest by any means the people who were now called Lamanites should come upon us and destroy us: for I knew their hatred towards me and my children and those who were called my people.  And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance.  And I, Nephi, did build a temple, and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built of so many precious things.  For they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon’s temple.  But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of Solomon.  And the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine.  And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cause my people to be industrious, and to labor with their hands.  And it came to pass that they would that I should be their king.  

But I, Nephi, was desirous that they should have no king!  Nevertheless, I did for them according to that which was in my power.  And behold, the words of the Lord had been fulfilled unto my brethren, which he spake concerning them, that I should be their ruler and their teacher.  Wherefore, I had been their ruler and their teacher, according to the commandments of the Lord, until the time they sought to take away my life.  Wherefore, the word of the Lord was fulfilled which he spake unto me, saying that inasmuch as they will not hearken unto thy words they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.  And behold, they were cut off from his presence.  And he had caused the cursing to come upon them, yea, even a sore cursing, because of their iniquity.  For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint.  Wherefore, as they were white, and exceedingly fair and delightsome, that they might not be enticing unto my people the Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon them.  And thus saith the Lord God:  

I will cause that they shall be loathsome unto thy people, 

Save they shall repent of their iniquities.  

And cursed shall be the seed of him that mixeth with their seed; 

For they shall be cursed even with the same cursing.  

And the Lord spake it, and it was done.  And because of their cursing which was upon them, they did become an idle people, full of mischief and subtlety, and did seek in the wilderness for beasts of prey.  

And the Lord God said unto me:

They shall be a scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in remembrance of me!

And inasmuch as they will not remember me,

And hearken unto my words, they shall scourge them

even unto destruction.

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did consecrate Jacob and Joseph, that they should be priests and teachers over the land of my people.  And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.  And thirty years had passed away from the time we left Jerusalem.  And I, Nephi, had kept the records, upon my plates which I had made, of my people thus far.

And it came to pass that the Lord God said unto me:  

Make other plates!  And thou shalt engraven 

Many things upon them which are good in my sight, 

For the profit of thy people.  

Wherefore, I, Nephi, to be obedient to the commandments of the Lord, went and made these plates² upon which I have engraven these things.  And I engraved that which is pleasing unto God.  And if my people are pleased with the things of God they will be pleased with mine engravings which are upon these plates². And if my people desire to know the more particular part of the history of my people they must search mine other plates¹.

And it sufficeth me to say that forty years had passed away, and we had already had wars and contentions with our brethren.

The words of Jacob the brother of Nephi which he spake unto the people of Nephi:

Behold, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, having been called of God, and ordained 

After the manner of his holy order, and having been consecrated 

By my brother Nephi, unto whom ye look as a king 

Or a protector, and on whom ye depend for safety, behold 

Ye know that I have spoken unto you exceedingly many things.  

Nevertheless, I speak unto you again.  For I am desirous 

For the welfare of your souls.  Yea, mine anxiety is great for you! 

And ye yourselves know that it ever has been.  

For I have exhorted you with all diligence and I have taught you 

The words of my father and I have spoken unto you concerning 

All things which are written, from the creation of the world.

And now, behold, I would speak unto you concerning things 

Which are, and which are to come; wherefore, I will read you 

The Words of Isaiah.  And they are the words which my brother 

Has desired that I should speak unto you.  And I speak unto you 

For your sakes, that ye may learn and glorify the name of your god.  

And now, the words which I shall read are they which Isaiah spake 

Concerning all the House is Israel; wherefore, they may be 

Likened unto you, for ye are of the House of Israel.   

And there are many things which have been 

Spoken by Isaiah which may be likened unto you, because ye are 

Of the House of Israel.  And now, these are the words:  

Thus saith the Lord God:  Behold, I will lift up mine hand 

To the gentiles, and set up my standard to the people; and they shall bring 

Thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon 

Their shoulders.  And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens 

Thy nursing mothers. They shall bow down to thee with their faces 

Towards the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know That I am the Lord; For they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.

And now I, Jacob, would speak somewhat concerning these words.  

For behold, the Lord has shown me that those who were at Jerusalem, 

From whence we came, have been slain and carried away 

Captive.  Nevertheless, the Lord has shown unto me that 

They should return again.  And he also has shown unto me that the Lord God, 

The Holy One of Israel, should manifest himself unto them in the flesh; 

And after he should manifest himself they should scourge him and crucify him, 

According to the words of the angel who spake it unto me.  

And after they have hardened their hearts and stiffened their necks against 

The Holy One of Israel, behold, the judgments of the Holy One of Israel 

Shall come upon them.  And the day cometh that they shall be 

Smitten and afflicted.  Wherefore, after they are driven to and fro, 

For thus saith the angel, 

Many shall be afflicted in the flesh, and shall not be suffered to perish, 

Because of the prayers of the faithful; they shall be scattered, 

And smitten, and hated; nevertheless, the Lord will be merciful unto them, 

That when they shall come to the knowledge of their redeemer, they shall

Be gathered together again to the lands of their inheritance.

And blessed are the gentiles, they of whom the prophet has written! 

For behold, if it so be that they shall repent and fight not against Zion, 

And do not unite themselves to that great and abominable church, 

They shall be saved! For the Lord God will fulfill his covenants which he has 

Made unto his children; and for this cause the prophet has written these things.  

Wherefore, they that fight against Zion and the covenant people 

Of the Lord shall lick up the dust of their feet! And the people of the Lord 

Shall not be ashamed!  For the people of the Lord are they who wait for him; 

For they still wait for the coming of the messiah.

And behold, according to the words of the prophet, the messiah will set himself 

Again the second time to recover them; wherefore, he will manifest himself 

Unto them in power and great glory, unto the destruction of their enemies, 

When that day cometh when they shall believe in him; and none 

Will he destroy that believe in him.  And they that believe not in him 

Shall be destroyed, both by fire, and by tempest, and by earthquakes, 

And by bloodsheds, and by pestilence, and by famine.  

And they shall know that the Lord is God, the Holy One of Israel. 

 For shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?  

But thus saith the Lord:  

Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, 

And the prey of the terrible shall be delivered. 

For the Mighty God shall deliver his covenant people.  For thus saith the Lord:  

I will contend with them that contendeth with thee – 

And I will feed them that oppress thee, with their own flesh! 

And they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet wine; 

And all flesh shall know that I the Lord am 

Thy savior and thy redeemer, the mighty one of Jacob.

Yea, for thus saith the Lord:  Have I put thee away, or have I cast thee off forever?  

For thus saith the Lord:  Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement?  

To whom have I put thee away, or to which of my creditors have I 

Sold you?  Yea, to whom have I sold you?  Behold, for your iniquities have

Ye sold yourselves.  And for your transgressions is your mother put away.  

Wherefore, when I came, there was no man; when I called, 

Yea, there was none to answer.   O House of Israel, is my hand shortened 

At all that it cannot redeem, or have I no power to deliver?  

Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, 

I make their rivers a wilderness and their fish to stink 

Because the waters are dried up, and they die because of thirst.  

I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know 

How to speak a word in season unto thee, O House of Israel: 

When ye are weary he waketh morning by morning.  

He waketh mine ear to hear as the learned.  

The Lord God hath opened mine ear, 

And I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.  

I gave my back to the smiter, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair.  

I hid not my face from shame and spitting.  

For the Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded.  

Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.  

And the Lord is near, and he justifieth me.  Who will contend with me?  

Let us stand together.  Who is mine adversary?  

Let him come near me, and I will smite him with the strength of my mouth.  

For the Lord God will help me.  And all they who shall condemn me, 

Behold, all they shall wax old as a garment, and the moth shall eat them up.

Who is among you that feareth the Lord? That obeyeth the voice of his servant? 

That walketh in darkness and hath no light?  

Behold all ye that kindle fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks,

Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks which ye have kindled.  

This shall ye have of mine hand — ye shall lie down in sorrow.

  Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness.  Look 

Unto the rock from whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit 

From whence ye are digged.  Look unto Abraham, your father, 

And unto Sarah, she that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed

Him. For the Lord shall comfort Zion, he will comfort all her waste places; 

And he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert 

Like the garden of the Lord! Joy and gladness 

Shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody!  

Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation! 

For a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment 

To rest for a light for the people.  

My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arm 

Shall judge the people.  The isles shall wait upon me, and on mine 

Arm shall they trust. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look 

Upon the earth beneath! For the heavens shall vanish away 

Like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment; 

And they that dwell therein shall die in like manner.  

But my salvation shall be forever! And my righteousness shall not 

Be abolished!  Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, 

The people in whose heart I have written my law, 

Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.  

For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, 

And the worm shall eat them like wool.  

But my righteousness shall be forever, and my salvation 

From generation to generation.

Awake, awake!  Put on strength, O arm of the Lord. 

Awake as in the ancient days.  Art thou not he that hath cut Rahab? 

And wounded the Dragon?  Art thou not he who hath dried the sea? 

The waters of the Great Deep?  

That hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?  

Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return! 

And come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy 

And holiness shall be upon their heads; 

And they shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and mourning shall flee away!

I am he, yea, I am he that comforteth you.  

Behold, who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of man? 

Who shall die, and of the Son of Man, who shall be made like unto grass?  

And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, 

And laid the foundations of the earth, and hast feared continually 

Every day because of the fury of the oppressor, 

As if he were ready to destroy?  And where is the fury of the oppressor?

The captive exile hasteneth, that he may be loosed,

And that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail.  

But I am the Lord thy god, whose waves roared!

The Lord of Hosts is my name.  

And I have put my words in thy mouth, and have covered thee 

In the shadow of mine hand that I may plant the heavens 

And lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion:  

Behold, thou art my people!

Awake, awake!  Stand up, O Jerusalem!

Which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury.

Thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling wrung out 

And none to guide her among all the sons she hath brought forth; 

Neither that taketh her by the hand, of all the sons she hath brought up.  

These two sons are come unto thee, who shall be sorry for thee, 

Thy desolation and destruction, and the famine and the sword? 

And by whom shall I comfort thee?  Thy sons have fainted! 

Save these two: they lie at the head of all the streets.

As a wild bull in a net, they are full of the fury of the Lord, 

The rebuke of thy god.  Therefore hear now this, 

Thou afflicted, and drunken, and not with wine:  

Thus saith thy lord, the Lord and thy god pleadeth the cause of his people: 

Behold! I have taken out of thine hand the cup 

Of trembling, the dregs of the cup of my fury; 

Thou shalt no more drink it again.  

But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; 

Who have said to thy soul:  Bow down, that we may go over.

And thou hast laid thy body as the ground and as the street 

To them that went over. Awake, awake! Put on thy strength, O Zion.

Put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city! 

For henceforth there shall no more come into thee 

The uncircumcised and the unclean.  

Shake thyself from the dust; arise, 

Sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, 

O captive daughter of Zion.

And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things that ye might know

Concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has covenanted with 

All the House of Israel: That he has spoken unto the Jews, by the mouth 

Of his holy prophets, even from the beginning down, 

From generation to generation, until the time comes that they shall be restored 

To the true church and fold of God! When they shall be gathered home to 

The lands of their inheritance, and shall be established 

In all their lands of promise.

Behold, my beloved brethren, I speak unto you these things that ye may rejoice, 

And lift up your heads forever! Because of the blessings which the Lord 

God shall bestow upon your children.  For I know that ye have searched much, 

Many of you, to know of things to come: 

Wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away and die; 

Nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see God!  

Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show 

Himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; 

For it is expedient that it should be 

Among them; for it behooveth the great creator 

That he suffereth himself to become subject unto man 

In the flesh, and die for all men, that all men 

Might become subject unto him.  

For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfill 

The merciful plan of the great creator, 

There must needs be a power of resurrection, 

And the resurrection must needs come unto Man by reason 

Of the Fall; and the Fall came by reason of transgression. 

And because Man became fallen, they were cut off

From the presence of the Lord.

Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement! 

Save it should be an infinite atonement 

This corruption could not put on incorruption.  

Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man 

Must needs have remained to an endless duration.  

And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot 

And to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.  

O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace!  

For behold, if the flesh should rise no more 

Our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before 

The presence of the eternal god, and became the devil to rise no more.  

And our spirits must have become like unto him, 

And we become devils, angels to a devil, 

To be shut out from the presence of our god, 

And to remain with the father of lies, in misery, 

Like unto himself; yea, to that being who beguiled 

Our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel 

Of light, and stirreth up the children of men

Unto secret combinations of murder and all manner 

Of secret works of darkness.

O how great the goodness of our god, who prepareth a way 

For our escape from the grasp of this awful monster!  

Yea, that monster: Death and Hell, 

Which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit.  

And because of the way of deliverance of our god, 

The Holy One of Israel, 

This death, of which I have spoken, 

Which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; 

Which death is the grave.  And this death of which I have spoken, 

Which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; 

Which spiritual death is Hell.  Wherefore, Death and Hell 

Must deliver up their dead, and Hell must deliver up 

Its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, 

And the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored! 

One to the other.   And it is by the power 

Of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.

O how great the plan of our god!  

For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up 

The spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; 

And the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, 

And all men become incorruptible, 

And immortal, and they are living souls, 

Having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be 

That our knowledge shall be perfect.

Wherefore, we shall have a perfect knowledge 

Of all our guilt, and our uncleanness, and our nakedness; 

And the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge 

Of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, 

Being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness.

And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed 

From this first death unto life, insomuch as they 

Have become immortal, they must appear 

Before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; 

And then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged 

According to the holy judgment of God.

And assuredly, as the Lord liveth, for the Lord God hath spoken it, 

And it is his eternal word, which cannot pass away! 

That they who are righteous shall be righteous still, 

And they who are filthy shall be filthy still; 

Wherefore, they who are filthy are the Devil and his angels; 

And they shall go away into everlasting fire, prepared for them; 

And their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame 

Ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end.

O the greatness and the justice of our god!  

For he executeth all his words, and they have gone forth out 

Of his mouth, and his law must be fulfilled.

But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, 

They who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, 

They who have endured the crosses of the world, 

And despised the shame of it, 

They shall inherit the Kingdom of God, which was prepared 

For them from the foundation of the world, 

And their joy shall be full forever.

O the greatness of the mercy of our god, the Holy One of Israel!  

For he delivereth his saints from that awful monster, 

The Devil and Death and Hell, and that lake of fire and brimstone, 

Which is endless torment.  O how great the holiness of our god!  

For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.

And he cometh into the world that he may save all men 

If they will hearken unto his voice; 

For behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, 

Yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, 

And children, who belong to the family of Adam.

And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, 

That all might stand before him at the great and judgment day.

And he commandeth all men that they must repent, 

And be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, 

Or they cannot be saved in the Kingdom of God.

And if they will not repent and believe in his name, 

And be baptized in his name, and endure to the end, they must be damned!

For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it.

Wherefore, he has given a law; and where there is no law given 

There is no punishment; and where there is no punishment 

There is no condemnation; and where there is no condemnation 

The mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, 

Because of the atonement; for they are delivered by the power of him.

For the atonement satisfieth the demands of his justice 

Upon all those who have not the law given to them, 

That they are delivered from that awful monster, 

Death and Hell and the Devil, and the lake of fire and brimstone, 

Which is endless torment.

And they are restored to that God who gave them breath, 

Which is the Holy One of Israel.

But wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has 

All the commandments of God, like unto us, 

And that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of his probation, 

For awful is his state! O that cunning plan of the evil one!  

O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! 

When they are learned they think they are wise, 

And they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, 

Supposing they know of themselves.  Wherefore, 

Their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not.  

And they shall perish. But 

To be learned is good, if they hearken unto the counsels of God.

But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world!  

For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, 

And their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, 

Their treasure is their god.  And behold, 

Their treasure shall perish with them also.

And wo unto the deaf that will not hear; for they shall perish!

Wo unto the blind that will not see; for they shall perish also!

Wo unto the uncircumcised of heart! 

For a knowledge of their iniquities shall smite them at the last day.

Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to Hell!

Wo unto the murderer who deliberately killeth, for he shall die!

Wo unto them who commit whoredoms, for they shall be thrust down to Hell!

Yea, wo unto those that worship idols, for the Devil of all 

Devils delighteth in them! And, in fine, wo unto all those who die in their sins; 

For they shall return to God, and behold his face, and remain in their sins.

O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing 

Against that holy god, 

And also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one.  

Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, 

And to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.

O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words!  

Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel.  

Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; 

For if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; 

For I have spoken the words of your maker.  

I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; 

But the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth 

And are not shaken.

O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One.

Remember that his paths are righteous.  Behold, the way for man is narrow,

But it lieth in a straight course before him, 

And the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; 

And he employeth no servant there; 

And there is none other way save it be by the gate; 

For he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.

And whoso knocketh, to him will he open.

And the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich: 

Who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches

Yea, they are they whom he despiseth! 

And save they shall cast these things away, 

And consider themselves fools before God, and come down 

In the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.

But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever: 

Yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints.

O, my beloved brethren, remember my words.  

Behold, I take off my garments, and I shake them before you! 

I pray the god of my salvation that he view me with his all-searching eye.

Wherefore, ye shall know at the last day, when all men shall be judged 

Of their works, that the god of Israel did witness that I 

Shook your iniquities from my soul, and that I stand 

With brightness before him, and am rid of your blood.

O, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins! 

Shake off the chains of him that would bind you fast,

Come unto that god who is the rock of your salvation.

Prepare your souls for that glorious day when justice shall be administered 

Unto the righteous, even the day of judgment, 

That ye may not shrink with awful fear; 

That ye may not remember your awful guilt in perfectness, 

And be constrained to exclaim:  Holy, holy are thy 

Judgments, O Lord God Almighty! But I know my guilt; 

I transgressed thy law, and my transgressions are mine; 

And the Devil hath obtained me, that I am a prey to his awful misery.

But behold, my brethren, is it expedient that I should awaken you 

To an awful reality of these things?  Would I harrow up your souls 

If your minds were pure?  Would I be plain unto you 

According to the plainness of the truth if ye were freed from sin?

Behold, if ye were holy I would speak unto you of holiness! 

But as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as a teacher, 

It must needs be expedient that I teach you the consequences of sin.

Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in righteousness; 

And I will praise the holy name of my god.

Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters!

And he that hath no money, come buy and eat; 

Yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is 

Of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy.  

Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken! 

And come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast 

Upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, 

And let your soul delight in fatness.

Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your god. 

Pray unto him continually by day, 

And give thanks unto his holy name by night.  

Let your hearts rejoice.  And behold how great the covenants of the Lord, 

And how great his condescensions unto the children of men! 

And because of his greatness, and his grace and mercy, 

He has promised unto us that our seed shall not utterly 

Be destroyed, according to the flesh, but that he would preserve them; 

And in future generations they shall become a righteous branch 

Unto the House of Israel. And now, my brethren, I would speak unto you more.  But on the morrow I will declare unto you the remainder of my words.  Amen.

And now I, Jacob, speak unto you again, my beloved brethren, concerning this righteous branch of which I have spoken.  For behold, the promises which we have obtained are promises unto us according to the flesh; wherefore, as it has been shown unto me that many of our children shall perish in the flesh because of unbelief, nevertheless, God will be merciful unto many; And our children shall be restored, that, that they may come to that which will give them the true knowledge of their redeemer. Wherefore, as I said unto you, it must needs be expedient that Christ, for in the last night the angel spake unto me that this should be his name, should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world.  And they shall crucify him, for it behooveth our god, and there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their god.

For should the mighty miracles be wrought among other nations they would repent, and know that he be their god. Because of priestcrafts and iniquities, they at Jerusalem will stiffen their necks against him, that he be crucified. Wherefore, because of their iniquities, destructions, famines, pestilences, and bloodshed shall come upon them; And they who shall not be destroyed shall be scattered among all nations. 

But behold, thus saith the Lord God:  

When the day cometh that they shall believe in me, 

That I am Christ! Then have I covenanted 

With their fathers that they shall be restored 

In the flesh, upon the earth, unto the lands of their inheritance.

And it shall come to pass that they shall be gathered in 

From their long dispersion, from the isles of the sea, 

And from the four parts of the earth; and the nations 

Of the gentiles shall be great in the eyes of me, saith God, 

In carrying them forth to the lands of their inheritance.

Yea, the kings of the gentiles shall be nursing fathers unto them, 

And their queens shall become nursing mothers; 

Wherefore, the promises of the Lord are great unto the gentiles, 

For he hath spoken it, and who can dispute?

But behold, this land, saith God, shall be a land of thine inheritance, 

And the gentiles shall be blessed upon the land.

And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the gentiles, 

And there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise 

Up unto the gentiles. And I will fortify this land against 

All other nations. And he that fighteth against Zion shall perish, 

Saith God. For he that raiseth up a king against me shall perish, 

For I, the Lord, the King of Heaven, will be their king! 

And I will be a light unto them forever, that hear my words.

Wherefore, for this cause, that my covenants may 

Be fulfilled which I have made unto the children of men, that I will 

Do unto them while they are in the flesh, I must needs destroy 

The secret works of darkness, and of murders, 

And of abominations.  Wherefore, he that fighteth 

Against Zion, both Jew and gentile, both bond and free, 

Both male and female, shall perish! 

For they are they who are the whore of all the earth; for they 

Who are not for me are against me, saith our god.

For I will fulfill my promises which I have made unto the children of men, 

That I will do unto them while they are in the flesh.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, thus saith our god:  

I will afflict thy seed by the hand of the gentiles; 

Nevertheless, I will soften the hearts of the gentiles, 

That they shall be like unto a father to them; wherefore, 

The gentiles shall be blessed and numbered among the House of Israel.

Wherefore, I will consecrate this land unto thy seed, 

And them who shall be numbered among thy seed, forever, 

For the land of their inheritance; for it is a choice land, 

Saith God unto me, above all other lands, 

Wherefore I will have all men that dwell thereon 

That they shall worship me, saith God.

And now, my beloved brethren, seeing that our merciful god has given us so great knowledge concerning these things, let us remember him, and lay aside our sins! And not hang down our heads, for we are not cast off!  

Nevertheless, we have been driven out of the land of our inheritance. But we have been led to a better land, for the Lord has made the sea our path, and we are upon an isle of the sea. But great are the promises of the Lord unto them who are upon the isles of the sea!  Wherefore as it says isles, there must needs be more than this, And they are inhabited also by our brethren.

For behold, the Lord God has led away from time to time from the House of Israel, according to his will and pleasure.  And now behold, the Lord remembereth all them who have been broken off, wherefore he remembereth us also.  Therefore, cheer up your hearts!  And remember that ye are free to act for yourselves — to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life!

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh. And remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved! Wherefore, may God raise you from death by the power of the resurrection, and also from everlasting death by the power of the atonement, that ye may be received into the eternal kingdom of God, that ye may praise him through grace divine.  Amen. 

And now, Jacob spake many more things to my people at that time.

Nevertheless only these things have I caused to be written,

for the things which I have written, sufficeth me.

And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words.  For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him.  And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him.  Wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true.  Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word.  Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words.

Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ.  For, For this end hath the law of Moses been given.  And all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him. And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death. And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish. For if there be no Christ, there be no god.  And if there be no god we are not, for there could have been no creation.  But there is a god, and he is Christ. And he cometh in the fullness of his own time.

And now I write some of the words of Isaiah, that whoso of my people shall see these words may lift up their hearts and rejoice for all men.  Now these are the words, and ye may liken them unto you and unto all men.

The Word that Isaiah, the son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

And it shall come to pass in the last days, when the mountain of the Lord’s 

House shall be established in the top of the mountains, 

And shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it.

And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain 

Of the Lord, to the house of the god of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, And we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, 

And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people:  

And they shall beat their swords into plow-shares, and their spears 

Into pruning-hooks.  Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, 

Neither shall they learn war any more.

O House of Jacob, come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lord! 

Yea, come, for ye have all gone astray, every one to his wicked ways.

Therefore, O Lord, thou hast forsaken thy people, the House of Jacob, 

Because they be replenished from the east, and hearken unto soothsayers 

Like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.

Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end 

Of their treasures! Their land is also full of horses, 

Neither is there any end of their chariots.

Their land is also full of idols, they worship the work of their own hands, 

That which their own fingers have made.

And the mean man boweth not down, and the great man humbleth 

Himself not, therefore, forgive him not.

O ye wicked ones, enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, 

For the fear of the Lord and the glory of his majesty shall smite thee!

And it shall come to pass that the lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and 

The haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord 

Alone shall be exalted in that day.

For the day of the Lord of Hosts soon cometh upon all nations, yea, 

Upon every one, yea, upon the proud and lofty, and upon every one 

Who is lifted up, and he shall be brought low.

Yea, and the Day of the Lord shall come upon all the cedars of Lebanon, 

For they are high and lifted up; and upon all the oaks of Bashan;

And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills, 

And upon all the nations which are lifted up, and upon every people;

And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall;

And upon all the ships of the sea, and upon all the ships of Tarshish, 

And upon all pleasant pictures.  And the loftiness of man shall be 

Bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low  

And the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

And the idols he shall utterly abolish.

And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, 

For the fear of the Lord shall come upon them and the glory of his majesty 

Shall smite them, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth!

In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, 

Which he hath made for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;

To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, 

For the fear of the Lord shall come upon them 

And the majesty of his glory shall smite them, 

When he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils  

For wherein is he to be accounted of?

For behold, the Lord, the Lord of Hosts, doth take away 

From Jerusalem, and from Judah, the stay and the staff, 

The whole staff of bread, and the whole stay of water;

The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, 

And the prudent, and the ancient; the captain of fifty, 

And the honorable man, and the counselor, and the cunning artificer, 

And the eloquent orator.

And I will give children unto them to be their princes, 

And babes shall rule over them.

And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one 

By his neighbor; 

The child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, 

And the base against the honorable.

When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, 

And shall say:  Thou hast clothing?  Be thou our ruler! 

And let not this ruin come under thy hand.

In that day shall he swear, saying:  I will not be a healer! 

For in my house there is neither bread nor clothing. 

Make me not a ruler of the people.

For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen! 

Because their tongues and their doings have been against the Lord, 

To provoke the eyes of his glory.  The show of their countenance 

Doth witness against them, and doth declare 

Their sin to be even as Sodom, and they cannot hide it.  

Wo unto their souls, for they have rewarded evil unto themselves!

Say unto the righteous that it is well with them. 

For they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

Wo unto the wicked, for they shall perish. 

For the reward of their hands shall be upon them!

And my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them.  

O my people, they who lead thee cause thee to err and 

Destroy the way of thy paths.

The Lord standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.

The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients 

Of his people and the princes thereof; for ye have 

Eaten up the vineyard and the spoil of the poor in your houses.

What mean ye?  Ye beat my people to pieces, 

And grind the faces of the poor, saith the Lord God of Hosts.

Moreover, the Lord saith:  

Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched-forth 

Necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, 

And making a tinkling with their feet;

Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head 

Of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will discover their secret parts.

In that day the Lord will take away the bravery 

Of their tinkling ornaments, 

And cauls, and round tires like the moon; the chains and the bracelets, 

And the mufflers.  The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, 

And the headbands, and the tablets, and the ear-rings; the rings, 

And nose jewels; the changeable suits of apparel, 

And the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping-pins;

The glasses, and the fine linen, and hoods, and the veils.

And it shall come to pass, instead of sweet smell there shall be stink! 

And instead of a girdle, a rent.  And instead of well set hair, baldness. and 

Instead of a stomacher, a girding of sackcloth; burning instead of beauty.

Thy men shall fall by the sword and thy mighty in the war.

And her gates shall lament and mourn; 

And she shall be desolate, and shall sit upon the ground.

And in that day, seven women shall take hold of one man, saying:  

We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel; only 

Let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach.

In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious; 

The fruit of the earth excellent and comely to them that are escaped 

Of Israel. And it shall come to pass, they that are left in Zion and remain 

In Jerusalem shall be called holy, every one that is written 

Among the living in Jerusalem,

When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, 

And shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof 

By the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning.

And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of Mount Zion, 

And upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining 

Of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory of Zion shall be a defense.

And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, 

And for a place of refuge, and a covert from storm and from rain.

And then will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved, 

Touching his vineyard.  My well-beloved hath a vineyard in 

A very fruitful hill. And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones 

Thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built 

A tower in the midst of it, and also made a wine-press therein; 

And he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth 

Wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah,

Judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.

What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not 

Done in it?  Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes 

It brought forth wild grapes.  And now go to. 

I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge 

Thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and I will break down the wall thereof, 

And it shall be trodden down;  and I will lay it waste; it shall not 

Be pruned. Nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns; 

I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.

For the vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the House of Israel, 

And the men of Judah his pleasant plant; and he looked for judgment, 

And behold, oppression! For righteousness, but behold, a cry.

Wo unto them that join house to house, till there can be no place, 

That they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!

In mine ears, said the Lord of Hosts, of a truth many houses 

Shall be desolate, and great and fair cities without inhabitant.

Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, 

And the seed of a homer shall yield an ephah.

Wo unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow 

Strong drink, that continue until night, and wine inflame them!

And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, 

And wine are in their feasts; but they regard not the work of the Lord, 

Neither consider the operation of his hands. Therefore, my people 

Are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge.

And their honorable men are famished, and their multitude 

Dried up with thirst. Therefore, Hell hath enlarged herself, 

And opened her mouth without measure. 

And their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, 

And he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man 

Shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled.

But the Lord of Hosts shall be exalted in judgment, 

And God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.

Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, 

And the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.

Wo unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, 

And sin as it were with a cart rope.  That say:

Let him make speed, hasten his work, that we may see it! 

And let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, 

That we may know it.

Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, 

And light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Wo unto the wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight!

Wo unto the mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle 

Strong drink; Who justify the wicked for reward, and take away 

The righteousness of the righteous from him!

Therefore, as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, 

Their root shall be rottenness, and their blossoms shall go up as dust; 

Because they have cast away the law of the Lord of Hosts, 

And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

Therefore, is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people, 

And he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them! 

And the hills did tremble, and their carcasses were torn in 

The midst of the streets.  For all this his anger is not turned away, 

But his hand is stretched out still.

And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, 

And will hiss unto them from the end of the earth; and behold, 

They shall come with speed swiftly; none shall be weary 

Nor stumble among them.  None shall slumber nor sleep 

Neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, 

Nor the latchet of their shoes be broken;

Whose arrows shall be sharp, and all their bows bent, 

And their horses’ hoofs shall be counted like flint, 

And their wheels like a whirlwind, their roaring like a lion.

They shall roar like young lions! 

Yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, 

And shall carry away safe, and none shall deliver.

And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea; 

And if they look unto the land, behold, darkness and sorrow, 

And the light is darkened in the Heavens thereof.

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, 

High and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

Above it stood the seraphim; each one had six wings; 

With twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, 

And with twain he did fly.

And one cried unto another, and said:  Holy, holy, holy! 

Is the Lord of Hosts! The whole earth is full of his glory!

And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, 

And the house was filled with smoke.

Then said I:  Wo is unto me!  for I am undone. 

Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst 

Of a people of unclean lips. For mine eyes have seen the King, 

The Lord of Hosts.

Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a live coal in his hand, 

Which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar.

And he laid it upon my mouth, and said:  Lo, 

This has touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:  Whom shall I send, 

And who will go for us?  Then I said:  Here am I, send me.

And he said:  Go and tell this people: Hear ye indeed, 

But they understood not; and see ye indeed, but they perceived not.

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, 

And shut their eyes — lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, 

And understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed.

Then said I:  Lord, how long?  And he said:  

Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without

Man, and the land be utterly desolate; and the Lord have removed 

Men far away, for there shall be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.

But yet there shall be a tenth, and they shall return, and shall be eaten, 

As a teil-tree, and as an oak whose substance is in them 

When they cast their leaves; so the holy seed 

Shall be the substance thereof.

And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin, king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.  And it was told the House of David, saying:  Syria is confederate with Ephraim.   And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.

Then said the Lord unto Isaiah:  

Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou and Shearjashub thy son, 

At the end of the conduit of the upper pool 

In the highway of the fuller’s field.

And say unto him:  Take heed, and be quiet; fear not 

Neither be faint-hearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, 

For the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.

Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken 

Evil counsel against thee, saying:

Let us go up against Judah and vex it! 

And let us make a breach therein for us, 

And set a king in the midst of it, yea, the son of Tabeal.

Thus saith the Lord God:  It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.

For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus, Rezin; 

And within three score and five years shall Ephraim be broken 

That it be not a people.  And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, 

And the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son.  

If ye will not believe surely ye shall not be established.

Moreover, the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying:

Ask thee a sign of the Lord, thy god; 

Ask it, either in the depths, or in the heights above.

But Ahaz said:  I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.

And he said:  Hear ye now, O House of David! 

Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my god also?

Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign – Behold! 

A virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call 

His name Immanuel.

Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse 

The evil and to choose the good.

For before the child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, 

The land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

The Lord shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, 

And upon thy father’s house, days that have not come 

From the day that Ephraim departed from Judah, the king of Assyria.

And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall hiss for the fly 

That is in the uttermost part of Egypt, and for the bee 

That is in the land of Assyria.  And they shall come, and shall rest 

All of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, 

And upon all thorns, and upon all bushes.

In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired, 

By them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the head, 

And the hair of the feet; and it shall also consume the beard.

And it shall come to pass in that day, a man shall nourish 

A young cow and two sheep;  and it shall come to pass, 

For the abundance of milk they shall give he shall eat butter; 

For butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land.

And it shall come to pass in that day, every place shall be, 

Where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, 

Which shall be for briers and thorns.

With arrows and with bows shall men come thither, 

Because all the land shall become briers and thorns.

And all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, 

There shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns; 

But it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and the treading of lesser cattle. 

Moreover, the word of the Lord said unto me:  

Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen, 

Concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz.

And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.  And I went unto the prophetess.  And she conceived and bare a son. Then said the Lord to me: 

Call his name, Maher-shalal-hash-baz!

For behold, the child shall not have knowledge to cry, My father, 

And my mother, before the riches of Damascus 

And the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.

The Lord spake also unto me again, saying:

Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah 

That go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah’s son:

Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, 

Strong and many, even the king of Assyria and all his glory 

And he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks.

And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, 

He shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings 

Shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.

Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; 

And give ear all ye of far countries; gird yourselves, 

And ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, 

And ye shall be broken in pieces.  Take counsel together, 

And it shall come to naught; speak the word, 

And it shall not stand; for God is with us.

For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me 

That I should not walk in the way of this people, saying:

Say ye not, A confederacy, to all to whom this people shall say, 

A confederacy. Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear, 

And let him be your dread.  And he shall be for a sanctuary; 

But for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offense 

To both the houses of Israel, for a gin and a snare 

To the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

And many among them shall stumble and fall, 

And be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.

And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the House of Jacob, 

And I will look for him. Behold, I, 

And the children whom the Lord hath given me, are for signs 

And for wonders in Israel, from the Lord of Hosts, 

Which dwelleth in Mount Zion.

And when they shall say unto you:  Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, 

And unto wizards that peep and mutter — should not a people seek 

Unto their god for the living to hear from the dead?

To the law and to the testimony?  And if they speak not according to this word, 

It is because there is no light in them.

And they shall pass through it hardly bestead and hungry; 

And it shall come to pass that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret 

Themselves, and curse their king and their god, and look upward.

And they shall look unto the earth and behold trouble, and darkness, 

Dimness of anguish, and shall be driven to darkness.

Nevertheless, the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, 

When at first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun, 

And the land of Naphtali, and afterwards did more grievously 

Afflict by the way of the Red Sea beyond Jordan in Galilee 

Of the nations.  The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; 

They that dwell in the land of shadow of death, upon them 

Hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and increased the joy!

They joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, 

And as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, 

The rod of his oppressor.   For every battle of the warrior 

Is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood. 

But this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given! 

And the government shall be upon his shoulder. 

And his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, 

The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of government and peace there is no end! 

Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom to order it, 

And to establish it with judgment and with justice 

From henceforth, even forever.  

The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this.

The Lord sent his word unto Jacob and it hath lighted upon Israel.

And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, 

That say in the pride and stoutness of heart:

The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones! 

The sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.

Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, 

And join his enemies together;  the Syrians before and the Philistines behind; 

And they shall devour Israel with open mouth.  

For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, 

Neither do they seek the Lord of Hosts.

Therefore will the Lord cut off from Israel head and tail, 

Branch and rush in one day. The ancient, he is the head;

And the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.

For the leaders of this people cause them to err; 

And they that are led of them are destroyed.

Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, 

Neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows; 

For every one of them is a hypocrite and an evildoer, 

And every mouth speaketh folly.  

For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

For wickedness burneth as the fire; it shall devour the briers 

And thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forests, 

And they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.

Through the wrath of the Lord of Hosts is the land darkened, 

And the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.

And he shall snatch on the right hand and be hungry. 

And he shall eat on the left hand and they shall not be satisfied; 

They shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm.

Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; they together shall be 

Against Judah.  For all this his anger is not turned away, 

But his hand is stretched out still.

Wo unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, 

And that write grievousness which they have prescribed;

To turn away the needy from judgment, and to take away 

The right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, 

And that they may rob the fatherless!

And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation 

Which shall come from far?  To whom will ye flee for help?  

And where will ye leave your glory?

Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, 

And they shall fall under the slain.  For all this his anger is not turned away, 

But his hand is stretched out still.

O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand 

Is their indignation.  I will send him against a hypocritical nation, 

And against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge 

To take the spoil, and to take the prey!  And to tread them down 

Like the mire of the streets.

Howbeit, he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so.

But in his heart it is to destroy, and cut off nations not a few.

For he saith:  Are not my princes altogether kings?

Is not Calno as Carchemish?  Is not Hamath as Arpad?  

Is not Samaria as Damascus?

As my hand hath founded the kingdoms of the idols, 

And whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria,

Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, 

So do to Jerusalem and to her idols?

Wherefore it shall come to pass that when the Lord hath performed 

His whole work upon Mount Zion and upon Jerusalem, 

I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, 

And the glory of his high looks.  For he saith:  

By the strength of my hand and by my wisdom I have done 

These things!  For I am prudent; 

And I have moved the borders of the people, 

And have robbed their treasures, and I have 

Put down the inhabitants like a valiant man;

And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people; 

And as one gathereth eggs that are left have I gathered all the earth; 

And there was none that moved the wing, 

Or opened the mouth, or peeped.

Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith?  

Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it?  

As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, 

Or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood!

Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of Hosts, send among his fat ones,

Leanness; And under his glory he shall kindle a burning like 

The burning of a fire. And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, 

And his Holy One for a flame, and shall burn and shall 

Devour his thorns and his briers in one day.

And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, 

Both soul and body; and they shall be as when a standard-bearer fainteth.

And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child 

May write them. And it shall come to pass in that day, that 

The remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the House of Jacob, 

Shall no more again stay upon him that smote them, but shall stay upon

The Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.  The remnant shall return, 

Yea, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.

For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant 

Of them shall return; the consumption decreed shall overflow 

With righteousness. For the Lord God of Hosts shall make a consumption, 

Even determined in all the land.  

Therefore, thus saith the Lord God of Hosts:  

O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian.

He shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, 

After the manner of Egypt.  For yet a very little while, 

And the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.

And the Lord of Hosts shall stir up a scourge for him 

According to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb! 

And as his rod was upon the sea, so shall he 

Lift it up after the manner of Egypt.

And it shall come to pass in that day that his burden shall be taken away 

From off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, 

And the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron.  At Michmash he hath laid up 

His carriages.  They are gone over the passage; 

They have taken up their lodging at Geba; 

Ramath is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled.

Lift up the voice, O daughter of Gallim!  Cause it to be heard 

Unto Laish, O poor Anathoth.

Madmenah is removed.  The inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee.

As yet shall he remain at Nob that day.  

He shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, 

The hill of Jerusalem.  Behold, the Lord, 

The Lord of Hosts shall lop the bough with terror! 

And the high ones of stature shall be hewn down; 

And the haughty shall be humbled.  And he shall cut down the thickets 

Of the forests with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, 

And a branch shall grow out of his roots.

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom 

And understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, 

The spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord; 

And he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, 

Neither reprove after the hearing of his ears.

But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity 

For the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth 

With the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips 

Shall he slay the wicked.  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, 

And faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down 

With the kid, and the calf and the young lion and fatling together; 

And a little child shall lead them.

And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down 

Together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, 

And the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’s den.

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, 

For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, 

As the waters cover the sea.  And in that day there shall be 

A root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; 

To it shall the Gentiles seek. 

And his rest shall be glorious.

And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall set his hand again 

The second time to recover the remnant of his people which shall be left, 

From Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, 

And from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, 

And from the islands of the sea.

And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble 

The outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah 

From the four corners of the earth.

The envy of Ephraim also shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah 

Shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, 

And Judah shall not vex Ephraim.

But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines towards the west! 

They shall spoil them of the east together; 

They shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; 

And the children of Ammon shall obey them.

And the Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; 

And with his mighty wind he shall shake his hand over the river, 

And shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dry shod.

And there shall be a highway for the remnant of his people which shall be left, 

From Assyria, like as it was to Israel 

In the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

And in that day thou shalt say:  O Lord, I will praise thee!        

Though thou wast angry with me thine anger is turned way, 

And thou comfortedest me.  Behold, God is my salvation! 

I will trust, and not be afraid.  For the Lord Jehovah is my strength 

And my son, he also has become my salvation.

Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

And in that day shall ye say:  Praise the Lord, call upon his name, 

Declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.

Sing unto the Lord!  For he hath done excellent things!  

This is known in all the earth.

Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion!  

For great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see:

Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them! 

Shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones, 

For mine anger is not upon them that rejoice in my highness.

The noise of the multitude in the mountains like as of a great people, 

A tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together, 

The Lord of Hosts mustereth the hosts of the battle!

They come from a far country, from the end of Heaven, 

Yea, the Lord, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy 

The whole land.

Howl ye, for the day of the Lord is at hand! 

It shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Therefore shall all hands be faint, every man’s heart shall melt.

And they shall be afraid; pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; 

They shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.

Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath 

And fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and he shall destroy 

The sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of Heaven and 

The constellations thereof shall not give their light. 

The sun shall be darkened in his going forth, 

And the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

And I will punish the world for evil, and the wicked for their iniquity. 

I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, 

And will lay down the haughtiness of the terrible.

I will make a man more precious than fine gold; 

Even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.

Therefore, I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out 

Of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of Hosts, and in the day of his fierce

Anger. And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man 

Taketh up; And they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee

Every one into his own land. Every one that is proud shall be 

Thrust through; yea,  And every one that is joined to the wicked shall fall

By the sword. Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes! 

Their houses shall be spoiled and their wives ravished!

Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard 

Silver and gold, nor shall they delight in it.

Their bows shall also dash the young men to pieces. 

And they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb. 

Their eyes shall not spare children.

And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, 

Shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be

Inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation; 

Neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; 

Neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.

But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; 

And their houses shall be full of doleful creatures;

And owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.

And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, 

And dragons in their pleasant palaces; and her time is near to come, 

And her day shall not be prolonged.  

For I will destroy her speedily. 

Yea, for I will be merciful unto my people, but the wicked shall perish.

For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, 

And set them in their own land; and the strangers shall be joined with them, 

And they shall cleave to the House of Jacob.

And the people shall take them and bring them to their place; 

Yea, from far unto the ends of the earth; 

And they shall return to their lands of promise!  

And the House of Israel shall possess them, and the land of the Lord 

Shall be for servants and handmaids; and they shall take them 

Captives unto whom they were captives; 

And they shall rule over their oppressors.

And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall give thee rest, 

From thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage 

Wherein thou wast made to serve.  And it shall come to pass 

In that day, that thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say:  

How hath the oppressor ceased, the golden city ceased!

The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, the scepters 

Of the rulers. He who smote the people in wrath with 

A continual stroke,  He that ruled the nations in anger, 

Is persecuted, and none hindereth.

The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet; they break forth into singing.

Yea, the fir-trees rejoice at thee, and also the cedars of Lebanon, 

Saying:  Since thou art laid down no feller is come up against us.

Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming! 

It stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; 

It hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.

All they shall speak and say unto thee:  Art thou also become weak 

As we?  Art thou become like unto us?

Thy pomp is brought down to the grave; 

The noise of thy viols is not heard; the worm is spread 

Under thee, and the worms cover thee.

How art thou fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!  

Art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations!

For thou hast said in thy heart:  

I will ascend into Heaven, I will exalt my throne 

Above the stars of God; I will sit also upon 

The Mount of the Congregation, in the sides of the north!

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; 

I will be like the Most High!

Yet thou shalt be brought down to Hell, to the sides of the pit.

They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and shall consider

Thee,  And shall say:  Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, 

That did shake kingdoms?  And made the world as a wilderness, 

And destroyed the cities thereof, and opened not 

The house of his prisoners?

All the kings of the nations, yea, all of them, lie 

In glory, every one of them in his own house.

But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch! 

And the remnant of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, 

That go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcass trodden under feet.

Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, 

Because thou hast destroyed thy land and slain thy people; 

The seed of evil-doers shall never be renowned.

Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquities of their fathers, 

That they do not rise, nor possess the land, 

Nor fill the face of the world with cities.

For I will rise up against them, saith the Lord of Hosts, 

And cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, 

And nephew, saith the Lord.  I will also make it a possession 

For the bittern, and pools of water; and I will sweep it 

With the besom of destruction, 

Saith the Lord of Hosts.  The Lord of Hosts hath sworn, 

Saying:  Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; 

And as I have purposed, so shall it stand — 

That I will bring the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains 

Tread him under foot; then shall his yoke depart from off them, 

And his burden depart from off their shoulders.

This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth; 

And this is the hand that is stretched out upon all nations.

For the Lord of Hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul?  

And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

In the year that King Ahaz died was this burden.  

Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, 

Because the rod of him that smote thee is broken!

For out of the serpent’s root shall come forth a cockatrice, 

And his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.

And the first-born of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety; 

And I will kill thy root with famine, and he shall slay thy remnant.

Howl, O gate!  Cry, O city!  Thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved!  

For there shall come from the north a smoke, 

And none shall be alone in his appointed times.

What shall then answer the messengers of the nations?  

That the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.

Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah.  For behold, Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand: For they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews.  For I, Nephi, have not taught them many things concerning the manner of the Jews; for their works were works of darkness, and their doings were doings of abominations.

Wherefore, I write unto my people, unto all those that shall receive hereafter these things which I write, that they may know the judgments of God, that they come upon all nations, according to the word which he hath spoken.  Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the House of Israel, and give ear unto my words: for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy.  

But I give unto you a prophecy, according to the spirit which is in me.  Wherefore I shall prophesy according to the plainness which hath been with me from the time that I came out from Jerusalem with my father.  For behold, my soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn.  Yea, and my soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah, for I came out from Jerusalem, and mine eyes hath beheld the things of the Jews.  And I know that the Jews do understand the things of the prophets, and there is none other people that understand the things which were spoken unto the Jews like unto them, save it be that they are taught after the manner of the things of the Jews.

But behold, I, Nephi, have not taught my children after the manner of the Jews.  But behold, I, of myself, have dwelt at Jerusalem, wherefore I know concerning the regions round about, and I have made mention unto my children concerning the judgments of God, which hath come to pass among the Jews, unto my children, according to all that which Isaiah hath spoken, and I do not write them.  But behold, I proceed with mine own prophecy, according to my plainness: in the which I know that no man can err.  

Nevertheless, in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled men shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to pass.  Wherefore, they are of worth unto the children of men, and he that supposeth that they are not, unto them will I speak particularly, and confine the words unto mine own people.  For I know that they shall be of great worth unto them in the last days; for in that day shall they understand them!  Wherefore, for their good have I written them.

And as one generation hath been destroyed among the Jews because of iniquity, even so have they been destroyed from generation to generation according to their iniquities.  And never hath any of them been destroyed save it were foretold them by the prophets of the Lord.  Wherefore, it hath been told them concerning the destruction which should come upon them, immediately after my father left Jerusalem.  Nevertheless, they hardened their hearts! And according to my prophecy they have been destroyed, save it be those which are carried away captive into Babylon.  And now this I speak because of the spirit which is in me:  

And notwithstanding they have been carried away they shall return

Again, and possess the land of Jerusalem; wherefore, 

They shall be restored again to the land of their inheritance.

But, behold, they shall have wars, and rumors of wars; 

And when the day cometh that the Only Begotten of the Father, 

Yea, even the Father of Heaven and of Earth, shall manifest 

Himself unto them in the flesh, behold, they will reject him, 

Because of their iniquities, and the hardness of their hearts, 

And the stiffness of their necks.  Behold, they will crucify him! 

And after he is laid in a sepulcher for the space of three days 

He shall rise from the dead, with healing in his wings; 

And all those who shall believe on his name 

Shall be saved in the Kingdom of God.  

Wherefore, my soul delighteth to prophesy concerning him, 

For I have seen his day,  and my heart doth magnify His holy name.

And behold it shall come to pass that after the Messiah hath risen 

From the dead, and hath manifested himself unto his people, 

Unto as many as will believe on his name, behold, 

Jerusalem shall be destroyed again! 

For wo unto them that fight against God and the people of his church.

Wherefore, the Jews shall be scattered among all nations; 

Yea, and also Babylon shall be destroyed! 

Wherefore, the Jews shall be scattered by other nations.

And after they have been scattered, and the Lord God hath scourged

Them by other nations for the space of many generations, 

Yea, even down from generation to generation 

Until they shall be persuaded to believe in Christ, the Son of God, 

And the atonement which is infinite for all mankind!

And when that day shall come that they shall believe in Christ, 

And worship the Father in his name, with pure hearts and clean

Hands, and look not forward any more for another Messiah, then, 

At that time, the day will come that it must needs be 

Expedient that they should believe these things.

And the Lord will set his hand 

Again the second time to restore his people 

From their lost and fallen state.  Wherefore, he will proceed to do 

A marvelous work and a wonder among the children of men.

Wherefore, he shall bring forth his words unto them, 

Which words shall judge them at the last day, 

For they shall be given them for the purpose of convincing them 

Of the true Messiah, who was rejected by them; And unto 

The convincing of them that they need not look forward any more 

For a Messiah to come, for there should not any come, 

Save it should be a false Messiah which should deceive the people; 

For there is save one Messiah spoken of by the prophets, 

And that Messiah is he who should be rejected of the Jews.

For according to the words of the prophets, the messiah cometh 

In six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem; 

And according to the words of the prophets, and 

Also the word of the angel of God, 

His name shall be Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

And now, my brethren, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err!  

And as the Lord God liveth that brought Israel 

Up out of the land of Egypt, 

And gave unto Moses power that he should heal the nations 

After they had been bitten by the poisonous serpents, 

If they would cast their eyes unto the serpent which he did raise up 

Before them, and also gave him power that he should smite the rock 

And the water should come forth; yea, behold I say unto you, 

That as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, 

There is none other name given under Heaven save 

It be this Jesus Christ, 

Of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved.

Wherefore, for this cause hath the Lord God promised unto me that 

These things which I write shall be kept and preserved, 

And handed down unto my seed, from generation to generation, that 

The promise may be fulfilled unto Joseph, 

That his seed should never perish as long as the earth should stand.

Wherefore, these things shall go from generation to generation! 

As long as the earth shall stand! 

And they shall go according to the will and pleasure of God; 

And the nations who shall possess them shall be judged of them 

According to the words which are written.

For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, 

And also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; 

For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

And notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, 

And look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, 

Until the law shall be fulfilled.  For, for this end was the law given; 

Wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, 

And we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; 

Yet we keep the law because of the commandments.

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, 

We preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, 

And we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know 

To what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

Wherefore, we speak concerning the law that our children may know 

The deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, 

May look forward unto that life which is in Christ! 

And know for what end the law was given.  

And after the law is fulfilled in Christ, that they need 

Not harden their hearts against him, when the law ought to be done away.

And now behold, my people, ye are a stiffnecked people! 

Wherefore, I have spoken plainly unto you, 

That ye cannot misunderstand.  And the words which I have 

Spoken shall stand as a testimony against you! 

For they are sufficient to teach any man the right way; 

For the right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not. 

For by denying him ye also deny the prophets and the law.

And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is 

To believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; 

Wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him 

With all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; 

And if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.

And, inasmuch as it shall be expedient, ye must keep 

The performances and ordinances of God until the law shall be fulfilled 

Which was given by Moses.

And after Christ shall have risen from the dead he shall 

Show himself unto you, my children, and my beloved brethren! 

And the words which he shall speak unto you 

Shall be the law which ye shall do. For behold, I say unto you 

That I have beheld that many generations shall pass away, 

And there shall be great wars and contentions among my people.

And after the Messiah shall come there shall be signs given 

Unto my people of his birth, and also of his death and resurrection; 

And great and terrible shall that day be unto the wicked, 

For they shall perish; and they perish because they cast out the prophets,  

And the saints, and stone them, and slay them! 

Wherefore the cry of the blood of the saints shall ascend 

Up to God from the ground against them.

Wherefore, all those who are proud, and that do wickedly, 

The day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, 

For they shall be as stubble. And they that kill the prophets, 

And the saints, the depths of the earth shall swallow them up, 

Saith the Lord of Hosts; 

And mountains shall cover them, and whirlwinds shall carry them away, 

And buildings shall fall upon them 

And crush them to pieces and grind them to powder.

And they shall be visited with thunderings, and lightnings, 

And earthquakes, and all manner of destructions, for the fire 

Of the anger of the Lord shall be kindled against them, 

And they shall be as stubble, 

And the day that cometh shall consume them, saith the Lord of Hosts.

O the pain, and the anguish of my soul for the loss of the slain 

Of my people!  For I, Nephi, have seen it! 

And it well nigh consumeth me before the presence of the Lord; 

But I must cry unto my god:  Thy ways are just!

But behold, the righteous that hearken unto the words of the prophets,

And destroy them not, but look forward unto Christ 

With steadfastness for the signs which are given, notwithstanding all 

Persecution — Behold, they are they which shall not perish.

But the Son of Righteousness shall appear unto them; 

And he shall heal them, and they shall have peace with him, 

Until three generations shall have passed away, 

And many of the fourth generation shall have passed away in righteousness.

And when these things have passed away a 

Speedy destruction cometh unto my people! 

For, notwithstanding the pains of my soul, I have seen it! 

Wherefore, I know that it shall come to pass; 

And they sell themselves for naught; for, 

For the reward of their pride and their foolishness they shall reap 

Destruction; for because they yield unto the Devil 

And choose works of darkness 

Rather than light, therefore they must go down to Hell.

For the spirit of the Lord will not always strive with man.  

And when the spirit ceaseth to strive with man 

Then cometh speedy destruction.  And this grieveth my soul.

And as I spake concerning the convincing of the Jews, 

That Jesus is the very Christ, 

It must needs be that the gentiles be convinced also that Jesus is the Christ, 

The Eternal God.   And that he manifesteth himself unto all 

Those who believe in him, 

By the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, 

Tongue, and people.  Working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, 

Among the children of men, according to their faith.

But behold, I prophesy unto you concerning the last days; 

Concerning the days when the Lord God shall bring these things forth 

Unto the children of men:  After my seed and the seed of my brethren 

Shall have dwindled in unbelief,  and shall have been smitten by the Gentiles; 

Yea, after the Lord God shall have camped against them round about, 

And shall have laid siege against them with a mount, 

And raised forts against them; 

And after they shall have been brought down low in the dust, 

Even that they are not, yet the words of the righteous shall be written! 

And the prayers of the faithful shall be heard! 

And all those who have dwindled in unbelief shall not be forgotten.

For those who shall be destroyed shall speak unto them out of the ground, 

And their speech shall be low out of the dust, 

And their voice shall be as one that hath a familiar spirit! 

For the Lord God will give unto him power, 

That he may whisper concerning them, even as it were out of the ground; 

And their speech shall whisper out of the dust.

For thus saith the Lord God:  

They shall write the things which shall be done among them, 

And they shall be written and sealed up in a book, 

And those who have dwindled in unbelief shall not have them, 

For they seek to destroy the things of God.

Wherefore, as those who have been destroyed have been destroyed 

Speedily; and the multitude of their terrible ones shall be as chaff 

That passeth away — yea, thus saith the Lord God:  

It shall be at an instant, suddenly!

And it shall come to pass, that those who have dwindled in unbelief 

Shall be smitten by the hand of the gentiles.

And the gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, 

And have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block, 

That they have built up many churches; nevertheless, 

They put down the power and miracles of God, and preach 

Up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning, 

That they may get gain and grind upon the face of the poor.

And there are many churches built up which cause envyings, 

And strifes, and malice.  And there are also secret combinations, 

Even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the Devil, 

For he is the founder of all these things! 

Yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; 

Yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth

Them with his strong cords forever.

For behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you 

That the Lord God worketh not in darkness.

He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world! 

For he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life 

That he may draw all men unto him.  Wherefore, 

He commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.

Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying:  Depart from me?  

Behold, I say unto you, Nay. 

But he saith:  Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, 

Buy milk and honey, without money and without price.

Behold, hath he commanded any that they should 

Depart out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship?  

Behold, I say unto you, Nay.

Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation?  

Behold I say unto you, Nay.  But he hath given it free for all men! 

And he hath commanded his people that they should persuade 

All men to repentance!

Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should 

Not partake of his goodness?  Behold I say unto you, Nay. 

But all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden.

He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; 

For, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up 

For a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; 

But they seek not the welfare of Zion.

Behold, the Lord hath forbidden this thing! 

Wherefore, the Lord God hath given a commandment 

That all men should have charity, which charity is love.  

And except they should have charity, they were nothing.  

Wherefore, if they should have charity 

They would not suffer the laborer in Zion to perish.

But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; 

For if they labor for money they shall perish.

And again, the Lord God hath commanded that men should not murder; 

That they should not lie.  That they should not steal; 

That they should not take the name of the Lord their god in vain; 

That they should not envy.  That they should not have malice; 

That they should not contend one with another; 

That they should not commit whoredoms.  And that they should 

Do none of these things!  For whoso doeth them shall perish.

For none of these iniquities come of the Lord! 

For he doeth that which is good among the children of men; 

And he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; 

And he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; 

And he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, 

Bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; 

And all are alike unto God, both Jew and gentile.

But, behold, in the last days, or in the days of the gentiles — yea, behold 

All the nations of the gentiles and also the Jews, both those 

Who shall come upon this land and those who shall be upon other lands, 

Yea, even upon all the lands of the earth, behold, they will be 

Drunken with iniquity and all manner of abominations.

And when that day shall come they shall be visited of the Lord of Hosts, 

With thunder and with earthquake, and with a great noise, and with storm, 

And with tempest, and with the flame of devouring fire.

And all the nations that fight against Zion, and that distress her, 

Shall be as a dream of a night vision; yea, it shall be unto them, even 

As unto a hungry man which dreameth, and behold he eateth 

But he awaketh and his soul is empty.  Or like unto a thirsty man 

Which dreameth, and behold he drinketh but he awaketh 

And behold he is faint, and his soul hath appetite. 

Yea, even so shall the multitude of all the nations be 

That fight against Mount Zion.

For behold, all ye that doeth iniquity, stay yourselves and wonder, 

For ye shall cry out, and cry!  Yea, ye shall be drunken but not with wine, 

Ye shall stagger but not with strong drink.  For behold, the Lord hath 

Poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep.  For behold, 

Ye have closed your eyes, and ye have rejected the prophets, and 

Your rulers, and the seers hath he covered because of your iniquity.

And it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall bring forth unto you 

The words of a book, and they shall be the words 

Of them which have slumbered.  And behold the book shall be sealed. 

And in the book shall be a revelation from God, 

From the beginning of the world to the ending thereof.

Wherefore, because of the things which are sealed up, the things 

Which are sealed shall not be delivered in the day of the wickedness 

And abominations of the people.  Wherefore the book shall be kept from them.

But the book shall be delivered unto a man, and he shall deliver the words 

Of the book, which are the words of those who have slumbered in the dust, 

And he shall deliver these words unto another.

But the words which are sealed he shall not deliver. 

Neither shall he deliver the book.  For the book shall be sealed 

By the power of God, and the revelation which was sealed shall be kept 

In the book until the own due time of the Lord, that they may come forth.

For behold, they reveal all things from the foundation of the world 

Unto the end thereof.  And the day cometh that the words of the book 

Which were sealed shall be read upon the house tops. 

And they shall be read by the power of Christ; and all things shall be revealed 

Unto the children of men which ever have been among the children of men, 

And which ever will be even unto the end of the earth.

Wherefore, at that day when the book shall be delivered unto the man 

Of whom I have spoken, the book shall be hid from the eyes of the world, 

That the eyes of none shall behold it save it be that three witnesses shall 

Behold it, by the power of God, besides him to whom the book 

Shall be delivered; and they shall testify to the truth of the book 

And the things therein.  And there is none other which shall view it, save it 

Be a few according to the will of God, to bear testimony of his word 

Unto the children of men; for the Lord God hath said, 

That the words of the Faithful should speak as if it were from the dead.

Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to bring forth the words of the book; 

And in the mouth of as many witnesses as seemeth him good will he 

Establish his word; and wo be unto him that rejecteth the word of God!

But behold, it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall say unto him 

To whom he shall deliver the book:  

Take these words which are not sealed 

And deliver them to another, that he may show them unto the learned, 

Saying:  Read this, I pray thee.  And the learned shall say:  

Bring hither the book, and I will read them.

And now, because of the glory of the world and to get gain 

Will they say this, and not for the glory of God.

And the man shall say:  I cannot bring the book, for it is sealed.

Then shall the learned say:  I cannot read it.

Wherefore it shall come to pass, that the Lord God will deliver again 

The book and the words thereof to him that is not learned; 

And the man that is not learned shall say:  I am not learned.

Then shall the Lord God say unto him:  

The learned shall not read them, 

For they have rejected them, and I am able to do mine own work. 

Wherefore thou shalt read the words which I shall give unto thee.

Touch not the things which are sealed! 

For I will bring them forth in mine own due time: 

For I will show unto the children of men that I 

Am able to do mine own work.

Wherefore, when thou hast read the words which I have 

Commanded thee, and obtained the witnesses which I have 

Promised unto thee, then shalt thou seal up the book again, 

And hide it up unto me, that I may preserve the words 

Which thou hast not read, until I shall see fit in mine own wisdom 

To reveal all things unto the children of men.

For behold, I am God!  And I am a God of miracles. 

And I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, 

Today, and forever.  And I work not among the children of men 

Save it be according to their faith.

And again it shall come to pass that the Lord shall say unto him that shall read the words that shall be delivered him:

Forasmuch as this people draw near unto me with their mouths, 

And with their lips do honor me, but have removed their hearts far 

From me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of men. 

Therefore, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, 

Yea, a marvelous work and a wonder!  For the wisdom of their wise 

And learned shall perish, and the understanding 

Of their prudent shall be hid.

And wo unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord!  

And their works are in the dark, and they say:  Who seeth us, 

And who knoweth us?  And they also say:  Surely, your turning 

Of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay.  

But behold, I will show unto them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that I know 

All their works.  For shall the work say of him that made it, 

He made me not?  Or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, 

He had no understanding?  But behold, saith the Lord of Hosts:  

I will show unto the children of men that it is yet a very little while 

And Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field; and the fruitful field 

Shall be esteemed as a forest.  And in that day shall the deaf hear 

The words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out 

Of obscurity and out of darkness.  And the meek also shall increase, 

And their joy shall be in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice 

In the Holy One of Israel.  For assuredly as the Lord liveth they shall see 

That the terrible one is brought to naught, and the corner is consumed, 

And all that watch for iniquity are cut off.  And they that make 

A man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that 

Reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of naught.

Therefore, thus saith the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning 

The House of Jacob:  

Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall 

His face now wax pale.  But when he seeth his children, 

The work of my hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, 

And sanctify the holy one of Jacob, and shall fear the god of Israel.

They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, 

And they that murmured shall learn doctrine.

And now, behold my brethren, I have spoken unto you, according as the spirit hath constrained me: wherefore, I know that they must surely come to pass.  And the things which shall be written out of the book shall be of great worth unto the children of men, and especially unto our seed, which is a remnant of the House of Israel.

For it shall come to pass in that day that the churches which are built up, 

And not unto the Lord, when the one shall say unto the other:  

Behold, I, I am the Lord’s!  And the others shall say:  I, I am the Lord’s!

And thus shall every one say that he hath built up churches, 

And not unto the Lord.  And they shall contend 

One with another; and their priests shall contend 

One with another, and they shall teach with their learning, 

And deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance.  

And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel; 

And they say unto the people:  

Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept! 

For behold there is no god today, for the Lord 

And the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given 

His power unto men.  Behold, hearken ye unto my precept! 

If they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, 

believe it not!  For this day he is not a god of miracles! 

He hath done his work.

Yea, and there shall be many which shall say:  

Eat, drink, and be merry! 

For tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us.

And there shall also be many which shall say:  

Eat, drink, and be merry! 

Nevertheless, fear God: He will justify in committing a little sin 

Yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, 

Dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this. 

And do all these things, for tomorrow we die! 

And if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, 

And at last we shall be saved in the Kingdom of God.

Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false 

And vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, 

And shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord. 

And their works shall be in the dark.

And the blood of the saints shall cry from the ground against them.

Yea, they have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupted.

Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, 

Their churches have become corrupted, and their churches are lifted up! 

Because of pride they are puffed up.

They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries!

They rob the poor because of their fine clothing! 

And they persecute the meek and the poor in heart, 

Because of their pride they are puffed up.

They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, 

And wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone 

Astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ. 

Nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err 

Because they are taught by the precepts of men.

O the wise, and the learned, and the rich!

That are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, 

And all those who preach false doctrines, 

And all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, 

Wo, wo, wo be unto them! saith the Lord God Almighty, 

For they shall be thrust down to Hell!

Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile

Against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth!  

For the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit 

The inhabitants of the earth, and in that day that they 

Are fully ripe in iniquity they shall perish.

But behold, if the inhabitants of the earth shall repent 

Of their wickedness and abominations they shall not be destroyed, 

Saith the Lord of Hosts.

But behold, that great and abominable church, the whore of all the earth, 

Must tumble to the earth, and great must be the fall thereof.

For the Kingdom of the Devil must shake! 

And they which belong to it must needs be stirred up 

Unto repentance, or the Devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains, 

And they be stirred up to anger, and perish!

For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, 

And stir them up to anger against that which is good.

And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, 

That they will say:  All is well in Zion!  Yea, Zion prospereth, all is well! 

And thus the Devil cheateth their souls and leadeth them away 

Carefully down to Hell.

And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them 

There is no Hell.  And he saith unto them:  I am no devil, 

For there is none.  And thus he whispereth in their ears, 

Until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence 

There is no deliverance. Yea, they 

Are grasped with Death and Hell!  And Death and Hell 

And the Devil, and all that have been seized therewith, must stand 

Before the throne of God and be judged according to their works, 

From whence they must go into the place prepared for them, 

Even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment.

Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!

Wo be unto him that crieth:  All is well!

Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, 

And denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!

Yea, wo be unto him that saith:  Ye have received, and we need no more!

And in fine, Wo! unto all those who tremble, and are angry 

Because of the truth of God!  For behold, he that is built upon the rock 

Receiveth it with gladness! And he that is built upon 

A sandy foundation, trembleth, lest he shall fall.

Wo be unto him that shall say:  We have received the word of God, 

And we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!

For behold, thus saith the Lord God:  

I will give unto the children of men line upon line, 

Precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; 

And blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, 

And lend an ear unto my counsel, 

For they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth 

I will give more; and from them that shall say, 

We have enough, from them shall be taken away even 

That which they have. Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man! 

Or maketh flesh his arm! Or shall hearken unto the precepts of men! 

Save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts!  

For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from 

Day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, 

Saith the Lord God,  If they will repent and come unto me; 

For mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, 

Saith the Lord God of Hosts. But behold, there shall be many

At that day when I shall proceed to do a marvelous work among them, 

That I may remember my covenants which I have made unto 

The children of men, that I may set my hand again 

The second time to recover my people, which are of the House of Israel,

And also, that I may remember the promises which I have made 

Unto thee, Nephi, and also unto thy father, that I would 

Remember your seed;  And that the words of your seed should 

Proceed forth out of my mouth unto your seed; and my words shall hiss

Forth unto the ends of the earth, for a standard unto my people, 

Which are of the House of Israel;

And because my words shall hiss forth — Many of the gentiles shall say:  

A bible!  A bible! 

We have got a bible, and there cannot be any more bible.

But thus saith the Lord God:  O fools! 

They shall have a bible! And it shall proceed forth from 

The Jews, mine ancient covenant people.  

And what thank they the Jews for the bible which they receive from them?  

Yea, what do the gentiles mean?  

Do they remember the travels and the labors, 

And the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, 

In bringing forth salvation unto the gentiles?

O ye gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient 

Covenant people?  Nay! But ye have cursed them, and have hated them,

 And have not sought to recover them.  But behold, I will return all these

Things upon your own heads; For I the Lord have not forgotten my people.

Thou fool, that shall say:  

A bible, we have got a bible, and we need no more bible!

Have ye obtained a bible save it were by the Jews?

Know ye not that there are more nations than one?  

Know ye not that I, the Lord your god, have created all men?

And that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea? 

And that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath?

And I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, 

Even upon all the nations of the earth?

Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word?  

Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you 

That I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another?  

Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another.  

And when the two nations shall run together 

The testimony of the two nations shall run together also.

And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same 

Yesterday, today, and forever!  And that I speak forth my words 

According to mine own pleasure.  And because that I have spoken 

One word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another. 

For my work is not yet finished. 

Neither shall it be until the end of man, 

Neither from that time henceforth and forever.

Wherefore, because that ye have a bible, ye need not suppose 

That it contains all my words: neither need ye suppose that 

I have not caused more to be written.

For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, 

And in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea: 

That they shall write the words which I speak unto them! 

For out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, 

Every man according to their works, according to that which is written.

For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it

And I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it 

And I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the House of Israel, 

Which I have led away, and they shall write it; 

And I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it.

And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words 

Of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews. 

And the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes 

Of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words 

Of the Nephites and the Jews.

And it shall come to pass that my people, which are of the House of Israel, 

Shall be gathered home unto the lands of their possessions 

And my word also shall be gathered in one.  And I will show 

Unto them that fight against my word and against my people, 

Who are of the House of Israel, that I am God! And that I 

Covenanted with Abraham that I would remember his seed forever!

And now behold, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you.  For I, Nephi, would not suffer that ye should suppose that ye are more righteous than the gentiles shall be.  

For behold, except ye shall keep the commandments of God 

Ye shall all likewise perish! And because of the words which have been spoken 

Ye need not suppose that the gentiles are utterly destroyed.

For behold, I say unto you that as many of the gentiles as will repent 

Are the covenant people of the Lord!

And as many of the Jews as will not repent shall be cast off! For 

The Lord covenanteth with none save it be with them 

That repent and believe in his son, who is the Holy One of Israel.

And now, I would prophesy somewhat more concerning the Jews and the gentiles.  

For after the book of which I have spoken shall come forth, 

And be written unto the gentiles, and sealed up again unto the Lord, 

There shall be many which shall believe the words which are written. 

And they shall carry them forth unto the remnant of our seed.

And then shall the remnant of our seed know concerning us, 

How that we came out from Jerusalem, and that they are descendants 

Of the Jews.  And the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be declared among them. 

Wherefore, they shall be restored unto the knowledge of their fathers, 

And also to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which was had among their fathers.

And then shall they rejoice! For they shall know 

That it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God!

And their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; 

And many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be 

A pure and a delightsome people.

And it shall come to pass that the Jews which are scattered also 

Shall begin to believe in Christ and they shall begin to gather in 

Upon the face of the land; and as many as shall believe in Christ 

Shall also become a delightsome people.

And it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall commence 

His work among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, 

To bring about the restoration of his people upon the earth.

And with righteousness shall the Lord God judge the poor, 

And reprove with equity for the meek of the earth.  

And he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth 

And with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

For the time speedily cometh that the Lord God shall cause a great 

Division among the people, and the wicked will he destroy; 

And he will spare his people, yea, even if it so be that he must 

Destroy the wicked by fire.

And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, 

And faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

And then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb; 

And the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf, 

And the young lion, and the fatling, together.  And a little child shall lead them.

And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; 

And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, 

And the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’s den.

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain!

For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters 

Cover the sea. Wherefore, the things of all nations shall be made known; 

Yea, all things shall be made known unto the children of men.

There is nothing which is secret save it shall be revealed; 

There is no work of darkness save it shall be made manifest 

In the light; and there is nothing which is sealed upon the earth 

Save it shall be loosed.

Wherefore, all things which have been revealed unto the children of men 

Shall at that day be revealed; and Satan shall have power over the hearts 

Of the children of men no more, for a long time.  

And now, my beloved brethren, I make an end of my sayings.  

And now I, Nephi, make an end of my prophesying unto you, my beloved brethren.  And I cannot write but a few things, which I know must surely come to pass.

Neither can I write but a few of the words of my brother Jacob.  Wherefore, the things which I have written sufficeth me, save it be a few words which I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ.  Wherefore, I shall speak unto you plainly, according to the plainness of my prophesying.  For my soul delighteth in plainness!  For after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men.  For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding.  For he speaketh unto men according to their language unto their understanding.

Wherefore, I would that ye should remember that I have spoken unto you concerning that prophet which the Lord showed unto me, that should baptize the Lamb of God, which should take away the sins of the world.

And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfill all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!

And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfill all righteousness in being baptized by water? Know ye not that he was holy?  But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments. Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove. And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path!  And the narrowness of the gate by which they should enter, he having set the example before them. And he said unto the children of men:  Follow thou me.  

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?  And the Father said:  

Repent ye! Repent ye! And be baptized in the name of my beloved son.

And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying:  

He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give 

The Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do 

The things which ye have seen me do.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism — Yea, by following your lord and your savior down into the water, according to his word, behold!  

Then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost! Yea, then cometh the Baptism of Fire and of the Holy Ghost! And then can ye speak with the Tongue of Angels! And shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel. But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying:  

After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father 

That ye are willing to keep my commandments, 

By the Baptism of Water, and have received the Baptism of Fire 

And of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, 

Even with the Tongue of Angels, and after this 

Should deny me?  It would have been better for you 

That ye had not known me.

And I heard a voice from the Father, saying:  

Yea, the words of my beloved are true and faithful!  

He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved!

And now, my beloved brethren! I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the son of the living God, he cannot be saved.  

Wherefore, do the things which I have told you

I have seen, that your lord and your redeemer should do.

For, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know 

The gate by which ye should enter.  For the gate by which ye should enter is 

Repentance and Baptism by Water!  And then cometh 

A remission of your sins by Fire and by the Holy Ghost.

And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life.

Yea, ye have entered in by the gate, ye have done 

According to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and 

Ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, 

Unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made: 

That if ye entered in by the way, ye should receive.

And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done?  Behold, I say unto you, Nay! 

For ye have not come thus far, save it were by the Word of Christ 

With unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him 

Who is mighty to save.  Wherefore, ye must press forward 

With a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness 

Of hope, and a love of God and of all men.  

Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the Word of Christ, 

And endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father:  Ye shall have eternal life.

And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way! 

And there is none other way. Nor name given under Heaven, 

Whereby man can be saved in the Kingdom of God.  

And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ! 

And the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, 

And of the Holy Ghost, which is one god without end.  Amen.

And now, behold, my beloved brethren. I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way.  But, behold, why do ye ponder these things in your hearts?

Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost, ye could speak with the Tongue of Angels?  And now, how could ye speak with the Tongue of Angels, save it were by the Holy Ghost? Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost!  Wherefore, they speak the words of Christ.  

Wherefore, I said unto you: Feast upon the words of Christ! 

For behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand 

Then it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock.  Wherefore, 

Ye are not brought into the light! But must perish in the dark.

For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, 

And receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.

 Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ! And there will be no more doctrine given 

Until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh.  

And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, 

The things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.

And now I, Nephi, cannot say more: the spirit stoppeth mine utterance. 

And I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, 

And the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men! 

For they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, 

When it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be.

And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts! 

And it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing.  

For if ye would hearken unto the spirit which teacheth a man to pray 

Ye would know that ye must pray.  For the evil spirit teacheth not 

A man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray.

But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always and not faint! 

That ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place 

Ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ: 

That he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, 

That thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.

And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people.   Neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking. For when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost, the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.  But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them.  

Wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.  But I, Nephi, have written what I have written!  And I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people.  For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them!  And I cry unto my god in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.  And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people.  

And the words which I have written in weakness 

Will be made strong unto them! For it persuadeth them to do good.  

It maketh known unto them of their fathers; 

And it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, 

And to endure to the end, which is life eternal.

And it speaketh harshly against sin, according to the plainness of the truth. 

Wherefore, no man will be angry at the words which I have written 

Save he shall be of the spirit of the Devil. I glory in plainness, I glory in truth

I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from Hell.

I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ 

That I shall meet many souls spotless at the judgment-seat.

I have charity for the Jew.  I say Jew, because I mean them from whence I came.

I also have charity for the gentiles.  But behold, for none of these can I hope 

Except they shall be reconciled unto Christ! 

And enter into the narrow gate and walk in the strait path which leads to life, 

And continue in the path until the end of the day of probation.

And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew! 

And all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ. 

And if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ.  

And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, 

For they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me 

And they teach all men that they should do good.

And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye:

For Christ will show unto you, with power 

And great glory, that they are his words! 

At the last day, and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar 

And ye shall know that I have been commanded of him 

To write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.

And I pray to the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, 

May be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day.

And now, my beloved brethren, all those who are of the House of Israel, 

And all ye ends of the earth! 

I speak unto you as the voice of one crying from the dust! 

Farewell, until that great day shall come.

And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, 

And respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, 

And the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, 

Behold! I bid you an everlasting farewell!

For these words shall condemn you at the last day.

For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the judgment bar! 

For thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey.  Amen.

For behold, it came to pass that fifty and five years had passed away from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem; wherefore, Nephi gave me, Jacob, a commandment concerning the small plates upon which these things are engraven.  And he gave me, Jacob, a commandment that I should write upon these plates a few of the things which I considered to be most precious: That I should not touch, save it were lightly, concerning the history of this people which are called the people of Nephi.  For he said that the history of his people should be engraven upon his other plates, and that I should preserve these plates and hand them down unto my seed, from generation to generation.

And if there were preaching which was sacred, or revelation which was great, or prophesying, that I should engraven the heads of them upon these plates, and touch upon them as much as it were possible, for Christ’s sake, and for the sake of our people.  For because of faith and great anxiety, it truly had been made manifest unto us concerning our people, what things should happen unto them.  And we also had many revelations, and the spirit of much prophecy; wherefore, we knew of Christ and his kingdom, which should come.  Wherefore we labored diligently among our people, that we might persuade them to come unto Christ, and partake of the goodness of God, that they might enter into his rest, lest by any means he should swear in his wrath they should not enter in, as in the provocation in the Days of Temptation while the children of Israel were in the wilderness.  Wherefore, we would to God that we could persuade all men not to rebel against God, to provoke him to anger, but that all men would believe in Christ, and view his death, and suffer his cross and bear the shame of the world.  Wherefore, I, Jacob, take it upon me to fulfill the commandment of my brother Nephi.

Now Nephi began to be old, and he saw that he must soon die.  Wherefore, he anointed a man to be a king and a ruler over his people now, according to the reigns of the kings.  The people having loved Nephi exceedingly, he having been a great protector for them, having wielded the sword of Laban in their defense, and having labored in all his days for their welfare, wherefore, the people were desirous to retain in remembrance his name.  And whoso should reign in his stead were called by the people, Second Nephi, Third Nephi, and so forth, according to the reigns of the kings.  And thus they were called by the people, let them be of whatever name they would.  

And it came to pass that Nephi died.

Now the people which were not Lamanites were Nephites.  Nevertheless, they were called Nephites, Jacobites, Josephites, Zoramites, Lamanites, Lemuelites, and Ishmaelites.  But I, Jacob, shall not hereafter distinguish them by these names, but I shall call them Lamanites that seek to destroy the people of Nephi.  And those who are friendly to Nephi, I shall call Nephites, or the people of Nephi, according to the reigns of the kings.

And now it came to pass that the people of Nephi, under the reign of the second king, began to grow hard in their hearts, and indulge themselves somewhat in wicked practices, such as like unto David of old: desiring many wives and concubines, and also Solomon, his son.  Yea, and they also began to search much gold and silver, and began to be lifted up somewhat in pride.  Wherefore I, Jacob, gave unto them these words as I taught them in the temple, having first obtained mine errand from the Lord.  For I, Jacob, and my brother Joseph had been consecrated priests and teachers of this people, by the hand of Nephi.  And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence.  Wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments.  Otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day:

Now, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, according to the responsibility which I am under to God, to magnify mine office with soberness, and that I might rid my garments of your sins, I come up into the temple this day that I might declare unto you the word of God.

And ye yourselves know that I have hitherto been diligent in the office of my calling.  But I this day am weighed down with much more desire and anxiety for the welfare of your souls than I have hitherto been.  For behold, as yet, ye have been obedient unto the word of the Lord, which I have given unto you.  But behold, hearken ye unto me!  And know that by the help of the all-powerful Creator of Heaven and earth I can tell you concerning your thoughts, how that ye are beginning to labor in sin.  Which sin appeareth very abominable unto me, yea, and abominable unto God.

Yea, it grieveth my soul and causeth me to shrink with shame before the presence of my maker, that I must testify unto you concerning the wickedness of your hearts.  And also it grieveth me that I must use so much boldness of speech concerning you, before your wives and your children, many of whose feelings are exceedingly tender and chaste and delicate before God, which thing is pleasing unto God.  And it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul.

Wherefore, it burdeneth my soul that I should be constrained, because of the strict commandment which I have received from God, to admonish you according to your crimes, to enlarge the wounds of those who are already wounded, instead of consoling and healing their wounds!  And those who have not been wounded, instead of feasting upon the pleasing word of God – have daggers placed to pierce their souls and wound their delicate minds.

But, notwithstanding the greatness of the task, I must do according to the strict commands of God, and tell you concerning your wickedness and abominations, in the presence of the pure in heart, and the broken heart, and under the glance of the piercing eye of the Almighty God.  Wherefore, I must tell you the truth according to the plainness of the word of God.  For behold, as I inquired of the Lord, thus came the word unto me, saying: 

Jacob, get thou up into the temple on the morrow, 

And declare the word which I shall give thee unto this people.

And now behold, my brethren, this is the word which I declare unto you: 

That many of you have begun to search for gold, and for silver, 

And for all manner of precious ores, in the which this land, which is a land 

Of promise unto you and to your seed, doth abound most plentifully.

And the hand of providence hath smiled upon you most pleasingly, 

That you have obtained many riches; and because some of you have obtained 

More abundantly than that of your brethren ye are lifted up in the pride of your

Hearts.  And wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness 

Of your apparel, and persecute your brethren because ye suppose 

That ye are better than they.

And now, my brethren, do ye suppose that God justifieth you in this thing?  

Behold, I say unto you, Nay.  But he condemneth you! 

And if ye persist in these things his judgments must speedily come unto you.

O that he would show you that he can pierce you, and with one glance 

Of his eye, he can smite you to the dust!

O that he would rid you from this iniquity and abomination.  

And, O that ye would listen unto the word of his commands, and let not 

This pride of your hearts destroy your souls!

Think of your brethren like unto yourselves. 

And be familiar with all and free with your substance, 

That they may be rich like unto you.

But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the Kingdom of God.

And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, 

If ye seek them.  And ye will seek them for the intent to do good:  

To clothe the naked and to feed the hungry and to liberate 

The captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.

And now, my brethren, I have spoken unto you concerning pride. 

And those of you which have afflicted your neighbor, 

And persecuted him because ye were proud in your hearts, 

Of the things which God hath given you, what say ye of it?

Do ye not suppose that such things are abominable 

Unto him who created all flesh?  

And the one being is as precious in his sight as the other.  

And all flesh is of the dust. 

And for the selfsame end hath he created them, 

That they should keep his commandments and glorify him forever.

And now I make an end of speaking unto you concerning this pride.  

And were it not that I must speak unto you concerning a grosser crime, 

My heart would rejoice exceedingly because of you.

But the word of God burdens me because of your grosser crimes.  

For behold, thus saith the Lord:  

This people begin to wax in iniquity!  They understand not the scriptures, 

For they seek to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, 

Because of the things which were written concerning David and 

Solomon his son. Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives 

And concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.

Wherefore, thus saith the Lord: 

I have led this people forth out of the land of Jerusalem 

By the power of mine arm, 

That I might raise up unto me a righteous branch from the fruit 

Of the loins of Joseph. Wherefore, I the Lord God will not 

Suffer that this people shall do like unto them of old. 

Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord:  

For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife. 

And concubines he shall have none. 

For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women.  

And whoredoms are an abomination before me. 

Thus saith the Lord of Hosts. 

Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments, 

Saith the Lord of Hosts, or cursed be the land for their sakes. 

For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, 

I will command my people, otherwise they shall hearken unto these things. 

For behold, I, the Lord, have seen the sorrow, and heard 

The mourning of the daughters of my people in the land of Jerusalem, 

Yea, and in all the lands of my people, 

Because of the wickedness and abominations of their husbands. 

And I will not suffer, saith the Lord of Hosts, that the cries of 

The fair daughters of this people, which I have led out of 

The land of Jerusalem, shall come up unto me against the men 

Of my people, saith the Lord of Hosts. For they shall not lead 

Away captive the daughters of my people 

Because of their tenderness, save I shall visit them 

With a sore curse, even unto destruction! 

For they shall not commit whoredoms like unto them of old, 

Saith the Lord of Hosts. 

And now behold, my brethren, ye know that these commandments were given to our father, Lehi.   Wherefore, ye have known them before.  And ye have come unto great condemnation, for ye have done these things which ye ought not to have done.  Behold, ye have done greater iniquities than the Lamanites, our brethren.  Ye have broken the hearts of your tender wives, and lost the confidence of your children, because of your bad examples before them.  And the sobbings of their hearts ascend up to God against you.  And because of the strictness of the word of God, which cometh down against you, many hearts died, pierced with deep wounds.

But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart.  

Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, 

And he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead 

Your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction. 

O all ye that are pure in heart! 

Lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon 

His love!  For ye may, if your minds are firm, forever. 

But, wo, wo, unto you that are not pure in heart! 

That are filthy this day before God. 

For except ye repent the land is cursed for your sakes 

And the Lamanites, which are not filthy like unto you, 

Nevertheless they are cursed with a sore 

Cursing, shall scourge you even unto destruction. 

And the time speedily cometh, that except ye repent they shall possess 

The land of your inheritance, and the Lord God will lead away the righteous 

Out from among you. Behold, the Lamanites your brethren, whom ye hate 

Because of their filthiness and the cursing which hath come upon their skins, 

Are more righteous than you! 

For they have not forgotten the commandment of the Lord, which was given 

Unto our father: that they should have save it were one wife, 

And concubines they should have none, 

And there should not be whoredoms committed among them. 

And now, this commandment they observe to keep. 

Wherefore, because of this observance, in keeping this commandment, 

The Lord God will not destroy them, but will be merciful unto them;

And one day they shall become a blessed people!

Behold, their husbands love their wives, and their wives love their husbands. 

And their husbands and their wives love their children. 

And their unbelief and their hatred towards you is because 

Of the iniquity of their fathers.  Wherefore, how much better 

Are you than they, in the sight of your great creator? 

O my brethren, I fear that unless ye shall repent of your sins 

That their skins will be whiter than yours, 

When ye shall be brought with them before the throne of God. 

Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, which is the word of God: 

That ye revile no more against them because of the darkness of their skins! 

Neither shall ye revile against them because of their filthiness! 

But ye shall remember your own filthiness, 

And remember that their filthiness came because of their fathers. 

Wherefore, ye shall remember your children. 

How that ye have grieved their hearts because of 

The example that ye have set before them?  And also, remember 

That ye may, because of your filthiness, bring your children 

Unto destruction, and their sins be heaped upon your heads, 

At the last day. 

O my brethren, hearken unto my words. 

Arouse the faculties of your souls! 

Shake yourselves that ye may awake from the slumber of death 

And loose yourselves from the pains of Hell that ye may not become 

Angels to the Devil, to be cast into that lake of fire 

And brimstone which is the second death. 

And now I, Jacob, spake many more things unto the people of Nephi, warning them against fornication and lasciviousness, and every kind of sin, telling them the awful consequences of them.  And a hundredth part of the proceedings of this people, which now began to be numerous, cannot be written upon these plates.  But many of their proceedings are written upon the larger plates, and their wars, and their contentions, and the reigns of their kings. 

These plates are called the Plates of Jacob, and they were made by the hand of Nephi.  And I make an end of speaking these words.

Now behold, it came to pass that I, Jacob, having ministered much unto my people in word — And I cannot write but a little of my words, because of the difficulty of engraving our words upon plates, and we know that the things which we write upon plates must remain, but whatsoever things we write upon anything save it be upon plates must perish and vanish away –- But we can write a few words upon plates, which will give our children, and also our beloved brethren, a small degree of knowledge concerning us, or concerning their fathers.

Now in this thing we do rejoice; and we labor diligently to engrave 

These words upon plates, hoping that our beloved brethren 

And our children will receive them with thankful hearts, 

And look upon them that they may learn with joy and not with sorrow, 

Neither with contempt concerning their first parents. 

For, for this intent have we written these things: 

That they may know that we knew of Christ! 

And we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming! 

And not only we ourselves had a hope of his glory, 

But also all the holy prophets which were before us. 

Behold, they believed in Christ and worshiped the Father in his name, 

And also we worship the Father in his name.  And for this intent 

We keep the law of Moses: it pointing our souls to him

And for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness, 

even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness 

To be obedient unto the commands of God, in offering up his son Isaac, 

Which is a similitude of God and his only begotten son. 

Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations 

And the spirit of prophecy.  And having all these witnesses we obtain 

A hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we 

Truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, 

Or the mountains, or the waves of the sea! 

Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weakness 

That we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions 

Unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things. 

Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord! 

How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him! 

And it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. 

And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him.

Wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God. 

For behold, by the power of his word Man came upon the face 

Of the earth, which earth was created by the power of his word. 

Wherefore, if God being able to speak and the world was, 

And to speak and man was created, O then, 

Why not able to command the earth, or the workmanship 

Of his hands upon the face of it, according to his will and pleasure?  

Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord! 

But to take counsel from his hand. 

For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth 

In wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works. 

Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him 

Through the atonement of Christ, his only begotten son, 

And ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power 

Of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits 

Of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtained a good hope 

Of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh. 

And now, beloved, marvel not that I tell you these things! 

For why not speak of the atonement of Christ, and attain to a perfect 

Knowledge of him, as to attain to the knowledge of a resurrection 

And the world to come? Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, 

Let him prophesy to the understanding of men; 

For the spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. 

Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, 

And of things as they really will be; 

Wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, 

For the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone 

In these things, for God also spake them unto prophets of old. 

But behold, the Jews were a stiffnecked people! 

And they despised the words of plainness, and killed the prophets, 

And sought for things that they could not understand. 

Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came 

By looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall; 

For God hath taken away his plainness from them, 

And delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand, 

Because they desired it. And because they desired it 

God hath done it, that they may stumble. 

And now I, Jacob, am led on by the Spirit unto prophesying! 

For I perceive by the workings of the Spirit which is in me, 

That by the stumbling of the Jews they will reject the stone 

Upon which they might build and have safe foundation. 

But behold, according to the scriptures, this stone shall become 

The great, and the last, and the only sure foundation, 

Upon which the Jews can build. And now, my beloved, 

How is it possible that these, after having rejected the sure foundation, 

Can ever build upon it, that it may become the head of their corner? 

Behold, my beloved brethren, I will unfold this mystery unto you. 

If I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in the Spirit, 

And stumble because of my over anxiety for you.

Behold, my brethren, do ye not remember to have read 

The words of the prophet Zenos? Which he spake unto the House of Israel?  

Saying:  Hearken, O ye House of Israel, and hear the words 

Of me, a prophet of the Lord. For behold, thus saith the Lord: 

I will liken thee, O House of Israel, like unto a tame olive-tree, 

Which a man took and nourished in his vineyard. 

And it grew, and waxed old, and began to decay. 

And it came to pass that the master of the vineyard went forth, 

And he saw that his olive-tree began to decay; 

And he said: I will prune it, and dig about it, 

And nourish it, that perhaps it may shoot forth young and tender branches, 

And it perish not. And it came to pass that he pruned it, and digged about it, 

And nourished it according to his word. 

And it came to pass that after many days it began to put forth 

Somewhat a little, young and tender branches.

But behold, the main top thereof began to perish. 

And it came to pass that the master of the vineyard saw it, and he said 

Unto his servant: 

It grieveth me that I should lose this tree! 

Wherefore, go and pluck the branches from a wild olive-tree 

And bring them hither unto me, and we will pluck off those 

Main branches which are beginning to wither away, and we will 

Cast them into the fire that they may be burned. 

And behold, saith the lord of the vineyard: 

I take away many of these young and tender branches, and I will 

Graft them whithersoever I will.  And it mattereth not that if it so be 

That the root of this tree will perish, I may preserve the fruit thereof 

Unto myself.   Wherefore, I will take these young and tender branches, 

And I will graft them whithersoever I will. 

Take thou the branches of the wild olive-tree, and graft them in, 

In the stead thereof; and these which I have plucked off 

I will cast into the fire and burn them, that they may not 

Cumber the ground of my vineyard. 

And it came to pass that the servant of the lord of the vineyard did 

According to the word of the lord of the vineyard, and grafted in 

The branches of the wild olive-tree. 

And the lord of the vineyard caused that it should be digged about, 

And pruned, and nourished, saying unto his servant: 

It grieveth me that I should lose this tree! 

Wherefore, that perhaps I might preserve the roots 

Thereof that they perish not, that I might preserve them unto myself, 

I have done this thing.  Wherefore, go thy way; watch the tree, 

And nourish it, according to my words. And these will I place 

In the nethermost part of my vineyard, whithersoever I will, 

It mattereth not unto thee; And I do it that I may preserve unto myself

The natural branches of the tree; 

And also, that I may lay up fruit thereof against the season, unto myself;

For it grieveth me that I should lose this tree and the fruit thereof. 

And it came to pass that the lord of the vineyard went his way, 

And hid the natural branches of the tame olive-tree in the nethermost parts 

Of the vineyard, some in one and some in another, 

According to his will and pleasure. 

And it came to pass that a long time passed away. 

And the lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: 

Come, let us go down into the vineyard, that we may labor 

In the vineyard! 

And it came to pass that the lord of the vineyard, and also the servant, 

Went down into the vineyard to labor. And it came to pass that the servant said 

Unto his master:  Behold, look here!  Behold the tree! 

And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard looked and beheld the tree 

In the which the wild olive branches had been grafted; and it had 

Sprung forth and begun to bear fruit. And he beheld that it was good; 

And the fruit thereof was like unto the natural fruit. 

And he said unto the servant: 

Behold, the branches of the wild tree have taken hold of 

The moisture of the root thereof, that the root thereof 

Hath brought forth much strength!  And because of the much 

Strength of the root thereof the wild branches have brought forth 

Tame fruit. Now, if we had not grafted in these branches, the tree 

Thereof would have perished.  And now, behold, I shall lay up much fruit, 

Which the tree thereof hath brought forth.  And the fruit thereof I shall 

Lay up against the season, unto mine own self. 

And it came to pass that the lord of the vineyard said unto the servant: 

Come, let us go to the nethermost part of the vineyard! 

And behold if the natural branches of the tree have not brought 

Forth much fruit also, that I may lay up of the fruit thereof 

Against the season, unto mine own self. 

And it came to pass that they went forth, whither the master had hid 

The natural branches of the tree, and he said unto the servant: Behold these! 

And he beheld the first that it had brought forth much fruit. 

And he beheld also that it was good. 

And he said unto the servant: 

Take of the fruit thereof, and lay it up against the season, 

That I may preserve it unto mine own self. 

For behold, said he, this long time have I nourished it, 

And it hath brought forth much fruit. 

And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: 

How comest thou hither to plant this tree, or this branch of the tree? 

For behold, it was the poorest spot in all the land of thy vineyard. 

And the Lord of the vineyard said unto him: 

Counsel me not!  I knew that it was a poor spot of ground. 

Wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time, 

And thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit. 

And it came to pass that the lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: 

Look hither!  Behold I have planted another branch of the tree also; 

And thou knowest that this spot of ground was poorer than the first. 

But, behold the tree! I have 

Nourished it this long time, and it hath brought forth much fruit; 

Therefore, gather it, and lay it up against the season, 

That I may preserve it unto mine own self. 

And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said again unto his servant: 

Look hither! And behold another branch also, which I have planted; 

Behold that I have nourished it also, and it hath brought forth fruit. 

And he said unto the servant: 

Look hither and behold the last! 

Behold, this have I planted in a good spot of ground; 

And I have nourished it this long time, and only a part 

Of the tree hath brought forth tame fruit, and the other part 

Of the tree hath brought forth wild fruit; 

Behold, I have nourished this tree like unto the others. 

And it came to pass that the lord of the vineyard said unto the servant: 

Pluck off the branches that have not brought forth good fruit!

And cast them into the fire!

But behold, the servant said unto him: 

Let us prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it 

A little longer, that perhaps 

It may bring forth good fruit unto thee, that thou canst lay 

It up against the season. 

And it came to pass that the lord of the vineyard and the servant 

Of the lord of the vineyard did nourish all the fruit of the vineyard. 

And it came to pass that a long time had passed away, 

And the lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: 

Come, let us go down into the vineyard, that we may labor again 

In the vineyard. For behold, the time draweth near, 

And the end soon cometh! 

Wherefore, I must lay up fruit against the season, unto mine own self. 

And it came to pass that the lord of the vineyard and the servant 

Went down into the vineyard; and they came to the tree 

Whose natural branches had been broken off, and the wild branches 

Had been grafted in; and behold all sorts of fruit did cumber the tree. 

And it came to pass that the lord of the vineyard did taste of the fruit, 

Every sort according to its number.  And the Lord of the vineyard said: 

Behold, this long time have we nourished this tree,

And I have laid up unto myself against the season much fruit. 

But behold, this time it hath brought forth much fruit, and 

There is none of it which is good. And behold, there are all kinds 

Of bad fruit! And it profiteth me nothing, notwithstanding all our labor; 

And now it grieveth me that I should lose this tree. 

And the lord of the vineyard said unto the servant: 

What shall we do unto the tree, that I may preserve again 

Good fruit thereof unto mine own self? 

And the servant said unto his master: 

Behold, because thou didst graft in the branches of 

The wild olive-tree they have nourished the roots, that 

They are alive and they have not perished; 

Wherefore thou beholdest that they are yet good. 

And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: 

The tree profiteth me nothing! 

And the roots thereof profit me nothing 

So long as it shall bring forth evil fruit. 

Nevertheless, I know that the roots are good, 

And for mine own purpose I have preserved them; 

And because of their much strength they have hitherto brought 

Forth, from the wild branches, good fruit. 

But behold, the wild branches have grown and have overrun 

The roots thereof!  And because that the wild branches have overcome 

The roots thereof, it hath brought forth much evil fruit; 

And because that it hath brought forth so much evil fruit 

Thou beholdest that it beginneth to perish; and it will soon 

Become ripened, that it may be cast into the fire, 

Except we should do something for it, to preserve it. 

And it came to pass that the lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: 

Let us go down into the nethermost parts of the vineyard, 

And behold if the natural branches have also brought forth evil fruit. 

And it came to pass that they went down into the nethermost parts of the vineyard.  And it came to pass that they beheld that the fruit of the natural branches had become corrupt also; yea, the first and the second and also the last; and they had all become corrupt. And the wild fruit of the last had overcome that part of the tree which brought forth good fruit, even that the branch had withered away and died. 

And it came to pass that the lord of the vineyard wept, and said unto the servant: 

What could I have done more for my vineyard? 

Behold, I knew that all the fruit of the vineyard, save it were these, 

Had become corrupted.  And now these which have once brought forth 

Food fruit have also become corrupted!  And now all 

The trees of my vineyard are good for nothing, 

Save it be to be hewn down and cast into the fire. 

And behold this last! Whose branch hath withered away, 

I did plant in a good spot of ground; 

Yea, even that which was choice unto me above all 

Other parts of the land of my vineyard. And thou beheldest 

That I also cut down that which cumbered this spot of ground, 

That I might plant this tree in the stead thereof. 

And thou beheldest that a part thereof brought forth good fruit, and a part 

Thereof brought forth wild fruit; and because I plucked not 

The branches thereof and cast them into the fire, behold, they 

Have overcome the good branch, that it hath withered away.  

And now, behold, notwithstanding 

All the care which we have taken of my vineyard, 

The trees thereof have become corrupted, 

That they bring forth no good fruit. And these I had hoped 

To preserve, to have laid up fruit thereof against the season, 

Unto mine own self. but, behold, they have become like unto 

The wild olive-tree, and they are of no worth but to be hewn 

Down and cast into the fire. 

And it grieveth me that I should lose them. 

But what could I have done more in my vineyard?  

Have I slackened mine hand, that I have not nourished it?  

Nay, I have nourished it, and I have digged about it, and 

I have pruned it.  And I have dunged it and I have stretched 

Forth mine hand almost all the day long, and the end draweth 

Nigh.  And it grieveth me that I should hew down all the trees 

Of my vineyard! And cast them into the fire that they should be burned. 

Who is it that has corrupted my vineyard? 

And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: 

Is it not the loftiness of thy vineyard? 

Have not the branches thereof overcome the roots which are good?  

And because the branches have overcome the roots thereof, 

Behold they grew faster than the strength of the roots, taking strength 

Unto themselves.  Behold, I say, is not this the cause 

That the trees of thy vineyard have become corrupted? 

And it came to pass that the lord of the vineyard said unto the servant:

   Let us go to, and hew down the trees of the vineyard and cast them 

Into the fire!  That they shall not cumber the ground of my vineyard, 

For I have done all.  What could I have done more for my vineyard? 

But, behold, the servant said unto the lord of the vineyard:  Spare it a little longer.  And the Lord said:  

Yea, I will spare it a little longer, for it grieveth me

That I should lose the trees of my vineyard. Wherefore, let us 

Take of the branches of these which I have planted in 

The nethermost parts of my vineyard, and let us graft them 

Into the tree from whence they came, and let us pluck 

From the tree those branches whose fruit is most bitter, 

And graft in the natural branches of the tree 

In the stead thereof.  And this will I do that the tree 

May not perish, that, perhaps, I may preserve unto myself 

The roots thereof, for mine own purpose. 

And, behold, the roots of the natural branches of the tree which I planted 

Whithersoever I would, are yet alive! 

Wherefore, that I may preserve them also for mine own purpose, 

I will take of the branches of this tree, and I will graft them in unto them.  

Yea, I will graft in unto them the branches of their mother tree, 

That I may preserve the roots also unto mine own self, 

That when they shall be sufficiently strong, perhaps 

They may bring forth good fruit unto me, and I may 

Yet have glory in the fruit of my vineyard. 

And it came to pass that they took from the natural tree 

Which had become wild, and grafted in unto the natural trees, 

Which also had become wild.  And they also took of the natural 

Trees which had become wild, and grafted into their mother tree.   

And the Lord of the vineyard said unto the servant:  

Pluck not the wild branches from the trees, save it be 

Those which are most bitter!  And in them ye shall graft 

According to that which I have said. And we will nourish again 

The trees of the vineyard, and we will trim up the branches thereof; 

And we will pluck from the trees those branches which are ripened, 

That must perish, and cast them into the fire. 

And this I do that, perhaps, the roots thereof may take strength 

Because of their goodness; and because of the change of the branches, 

That the good may overcome the evil. And because 

That I have preserved the natural branches and the roots thereof, 

And that I have grafted in the natural branches again into 

Their mother tree,  and have preserved the roots of their mother tree, 

That, perhaps, the trees of my vineyard may bring forth again good fruit; 

And that I may have joy again in the fruit of my vineyard, and, perhaps, 

That I may rejoice exceedingly that I have preserved 

The roots and the branches of the first fruit.

Wherefore, go to! 

And call servants! That we may labor diligently with our might 

In the vineyard, that we may prepare the way, 

That I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which natural fruit 

Is good, and the most precious above all other fruit. 

Wherefore, let us go to and labor with our might this last time, 

For behold the end draweth nigh, and this is for the last time 

That I shall prune my vineyard. 

Graft in the branches! Begin at the last that they may be first, 

And that the first may be last, 

And dig about the trees, both old and young, the first and the last; 

And the last and the first, that all may be nourished 

Once again, for the last time. Wherefore, dig about them, 

And prune them, and dung them once more, 

For the last time, for the end draweth nigh.  

And if it be so that these last grafts shall grow, and bring 

Forth the natural fruit, then shall ye prepare the way 

For them, that they may grow. And as they begin to grow, ye shall clear

Away the branches which bring forth 

Bitter fruit, according to the strength of the good and the size thereof; 

And ye shall not clear away the bad thereof all at once, lest 

The roots thereof should be too strong for the graft, and the graft thereof

Shall perish, And I lose the trees of my vineyard.

For it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard. 

Wherefore ye shall clear away the bad according as the good shall grow, 

That the root and the top may be equal in strength, 

Until the good shall overcome the bad, 

And the bad be hewn down and cast into the fire, 

That they cumber not the ground of my vineyard; 

And thus will I sweep away the bad out of my vineyard. 

And the branches of the natural tree will I graft in again into 

The natural tree; and the branches of the natural tree will I graft 

Into the natural branches of the tree.  And thus will I bring them 

Together again, that they shall bring forth the natural fruit, and they 

Shall be one. And the bad shall be cast away, yea, even out 

Of all the land of my vineyard; 

For behold, only this once will I prune my vineyard. 

And it came to pass that the lord of the vineyard sent his servant. 

And the servant went and did as the lord had commanded him, 

And brought other servants; and they were few.   

And the lord of the vineyard said unto them:

   Go to!  And labor in the vineyard, with your might.  

For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; 

For the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; 

And if ye labor with your might with me 

Ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up 

Unto myself against the time which will soon come. 

And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their might; 

And the lord of the vineyard labored also with them.

And they did obey the commandments of the lord.

And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard.

And the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingly! 

And the wild branches began to be plucked off and to be cast away! 

And they did keep the root and the top thereof equal, 

According to the strength thereof. And thus they labored, 

With all diligence, according to the commandments of the lord 

Of the vineyard, even until the bad had been cast away out of the vineyard, 

And the good, the lord had preserved unto himself: that the trees had brought 

Again the natural fruit, and they became like unto one body; 

And the fruits were equal; and the lord of the vineyard had preserved 

Unto himself the natural fruit, which was most precious unto him 

From the beginning.  

And it came to pass that when the lord of the vineyard saw 

That his fruit was good, and that his vineyard was no more corrupt, 

He called up his servants, and said unto them:  

Behold, for this last time have we nourished my vineyard! 

And thou beholdest that I have done according to my will; 

And I have preserved the natural fruit, that it is good, 

Even like as it was in the beginning.  

And blessed art thou! For because ye have been diligent 

In laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, 

And have brought unto me again the natural fruit, 

That my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, 

Behold ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit of my vineyard. 

For behold, for a long time will I lay up of the fruit of my 

Vineyard unto mine own self against the season which speedily cometh. 

And for the last time have I nourished my vineyard, 

And pruned it, and dug about it.   And dunged it.  

Wherefore I will lay up unto mine own self of the fruit, 

For a long time, according to that which I have spoken.

And when the time cometh that evil fruit shall again come 

Into my vineyard, then will I cause the good and the bad to be gathered!

And the good will I preserve unto myself, 

And the bad will I cast away into its own place.  

And then cometh the season and the end.

And my vineyard will I cause to be burned with fire. 

And now, behold, my brethren, as I said unto you that I would prophesy, behold!  This is my prophecy: That the things which this prophet Zenos spake, 

Concerning the House of Israel, 

In the which he likened them unto a tame olive-tree, 

Must surely come to pass.  And the day that he shall set his hand again 

The second time to recover his people, 

Is the day, yea, even the last time, 

That the servants of the Lord shall go forth in his power, 

To nourish and prune his vineyard; and after that the end soon cometh. 

And how blessed are they who have labored diligently in his vineyard! 

And how cursed are they who shall be cast out into their own place!  

And the world shall be burned with fire. 

And how merciful is our god unto us, for he remembereth the House of Israel, 

Both roots and branches; and he stretches forth his hands unto them 

All the day long.  And they are a stiffnecked and a gainsaying people. 

But as many as will not harden their hearts shall be saved in the 

Kingdom of God. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, 

I beseech of you in words of soberness:

That ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave 

Unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy 

Is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts. 

Yea, today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts; 

For why will ye die? For behold, after ye have been nourished 

By the good word of God all the day long, 

Will ye bring forth evil fruit, that ye must be hewn down and cast into the fire? 

Behold, will ye reject these words?  

Will ye reject the words of the prophets? 

And will ye reject all the words which have been spoken concerning Christ? 

After so many have spoken concerning him?

And deny the good word of Christ, and the power of God, 

And the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit, and make a mock 

Of the great plan of redemption, which hath been laid for you? 

Know ye not that if ye will do these things, that the power 

Of the redemption and the resurrection, which is in Christ, will bring you 

To stand with shame and awful guilt before the bar of God? 

And according to the power of justice, 

For justice cannot be denied, ye must go away into that lake of fire 

And brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable, 

And whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever, which lake 

Of fire and brimstone is endless torment. 

O then, my beloved brethren, repent ye, and enter in at the strait gate, 

And continue in the way which is narrow, until ye shall obtain eternal life. 

O be wise.  What can I say more? 

Finally, I bid you farewell, until I shall meet you before 

The pleasing bar of God, which bar striketh the wicked 

With awful dread and fear.  Amen.

And now it came to pass after some years had passed away, there came a man among the people of Nephi, whose name was Sherem.   And it came to pass that he began to preach among the people, and to declare unto them that there should be no Christ.  And he preached many things which were flattering unto the people.  And this he did that he might overthrow the doctrine of Christ.  And he labored diligently that he might lead away the hearts of the people, insomuch that he did lead away many hearts.  And he knowing that I, Jacob, had faith in Christ who should come, he sought much opportunity that he might come unto me. 

And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people. Wherefore, he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the Devil.  And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things.  For I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me.  And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time.  Wherefore, I could not be shaken. And it came to pass that he came unto me, and on this wise did he speak unto me, saying:  

Brother Jacob, I have sought much opportunity that I might speak 

Unto you.  For I have heard and also know that thou goest 

About much, preaching that which ye call the gospel, or the doctrine 

Of Christ. And ye have led away much 

Of this people that they pervert the right way of God, and keep not 

The law of Moses which is the right way.  

And convert the law of Moses into the worship of 

A being, which ye say shall come many hundred years hence!  

And now behold, I, Sherem, declare unto you that this is blasphemy!  

For no man knoweth of such things!  For he cannot tell of things to come.  

And after this manner did Sherem contend against me. But behold, the Lord God poured in his spirit into my soul, insomuch that I did confound him in all his words.  And I said unto him: Deniest thou the Christ who shall come?  

And he said: If there should be a Christ, I would not deny him; but I know that there is no Christ, neither has been, nor ever will be. 

And I said unto him: Believest thou the scriptures?  

And he said, Yea. 

And I said unto him: 

Then ye do not understand them.  For they truly testify of Christ.  

Behold, I say unto you that none of the prophets have written, 

Nor prophesied,save they have spoken concerning this Christ. 

And this is not all!  It has been made manifest unto me, for 

I have heard and seen!  And it also has been made manifest unto me 

By the power of the Holy Ghost.

Wherefore, I know if there should be no atonement made 

All mankind must be lost. 

And it came to pass that he said unto me:  Show me a sign by this power of the Holy Ghost, in the which ye know so much. 

And I said unto him:  

What am I that I should tempt God?

To show unto thee a sign in the thing 

Which thou knowest to be true?  Yet thou wilt deny it, 

Because thou art of the Devil.  Nevertheless, not my will be done.  

But if God shall smite thee, let that be a sign unto thee 

That he has power, both in Heaven and in Earth.  

And also, that Christ shall come.  

And thy will, O Lord, be done, and not mine. 

And it came to pass that when I, Jacob, had spoken these words, the power of the Lord came upon him, insomuch that he fell to the earth.  And it came to pass that he was nourished for the space of many days. And it came to pass that he said unto the people:  

Gather together on the morrow, for I shall die.  

Wherefore, I desire to speak unto the people before I shall die. 

And it came to pass that on the morrow the multitude were gathered together.  And he spake plainly unto them and denied the things which he had taught them, and confessed the Christ, and the power of the Holy Ghost, and the ministering of angels.  And he spake plainly unto them, that he had been deceived by the power of the Devil.  And he spake of Hell, and of Eternity, and of eternal punishment.  And he said: 

I fear lest I have committed the unpardonable sin, for 

I have lied unto God! 

For I denied the Christ, and said that I believed the scriptures. 

And they truly testify of him.  And because I have thus lied unto God 

I greatly fear lest my case shall be awful.  But I confess unto God. 

And it came to pass that when he had said these words he could say no more, and he gave up the ghost.  And when the multitude had witnessed that he spake these things as he was about to give up the ghost, they were astonished exceedingly!  Insomuch that the power of God came down upon them, and they were overcome that they fell to the earth.  Now, this thing was pleasing unto me, Jacob, for I had requested it of my Father who was in Heaven; for he had heard my cry and answered my prayer.  And it came to pass that peace and the love of God was restored again among the people.  And they searched the scriptures, and hearkened no more to the words of this wicked man. 

And it came to pass that many means were devised to reclaim and restore the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth.  But it all was vain, for they delighted in wars and bloodshed, and they had an eternal hatred against us, their brethren.  And they sought by the power of their arms to destroy us continually. Wherefore, the people of Nephi did fortify against them with their arms, and with all their might, trusting in the God and rock of their salvation.  Wherefore, they became as yet, conquerors of their enemies. 

And it came to pass that I, Jacob, began to be old.  And the record of this people being kept on the other Plates of Nephi, wherefore, I conclude this record declaring that I have written according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away, like as it were unto us a dream.  We being a lonesome and a solemn people: Wanderers, cast out from Jerusalem.  Born in tribulation, in a wilderness, and hated of our brethren, which caused wars and contentions.  Wherefore, we did mourn out our days.   And I, Jacob, saw that I must soon go down to my grave. Wherefore, I said unto my son Enos:  Take these plates. And I told him the things which my brother Nephi had commanded me.  And he promised obedience unto the commands. And I make an end of my writing upon these plates, which writing has been small.

And to the reader I bid farewell, hoping

that many of my brethren may read my words. Brethren, adieu.

Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man  — for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord  — and blessed be the name of my god for it.  

And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins.  Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.  And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul.  And all the day long did I cry unto him!  Yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.  And there came a voice unto me, saying: 

Enos! Thy sins are forgiven thee. And thou shalt be blessed.

And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie.  Wherefore, my guilt was swept away.  And I said: Lord, how is it done?

And he said unto me: 

Because of thy faith in Christ!

Whom thou hast never before heard nor seen.  And many years 

Pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh. 

Wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.

Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites.  Wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them.  And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind again, saying: 

I will visit thy brethren according to their diligence 

In keeping my commandments.  

I have given unto them this land, and it is a holy land.  

And I curse it not save it be for the cause of iniquity.  

Wherefore, I will visit thy brethren according as I have said.  

And their transgressions will I bring down 

With sorrow upon their own heads.

And after I, Enos, had heard these words, my faith began to be unshaken in the Lord.  And I prayed unto him with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites.  And it came to pass that after I had prayed and labored with all diligence, the Lord said unto me: I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith.

And now behold, this was the desire which I desired of him: that if it should so be, that my people, the Nephites, should fall into transgression, and by any means be destroyed, and the Lamanites should not be destroyed, that the Lord God would preserve a record of my people, the Nephites.  Even if it so be by the power of his holy arm, that it might be brought forth at some future day unto the Lamanites, that, perhaps, they might be brought unto salvation.  For at the present our strugglings were vain in restoring them to the true faith.  And they swore in their wrath that, if it were possible, they would destroy our records and us, and also all the traditions of our fathers.  Wherefore, I knowing that the Lord God was able to preserve our records, I cried unto him continually, for he had said unto me: 

Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing 

That ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it.

And I had faith, and I did cry unto God that he would preserve the records!  And he covenanted with me that he would bring them forth unto the Lamanites in his own due time.  And I, Enos, knew it would be according to the covenant which he had made; wherefore my soul did rest.  And the Lord said unto me: 

Thy fathers have also required of me this thing. 

And it shall be done unto them according to their faith. 

For their faith was like unto thine.

And now it came to pass that I, Enos, went about among the people of Nephi, prophesying of things to come, and testifying of the things which I had heard and seen.  And I bear record that the people of Nephi did seek diligently to restore the Lamanites unto the true faith in God.  But our labors were vain.  Their hatred was fixed, and they were led by their evil nature that they became wild, and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people, full of idolatry and filthiness.  Feeding upon beasts of prey; dwelling in tents, and wandering about in the wilderness with a short skin girdle about their loins and their heads shaven!  And their skill was in the bow, and in the scimitar, and the ax.  And many of them did eat nothing save it was raw meat!  And they were continually seeking to destroy us.

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And it came to pass that the people of Nephi did till the land, and raise all manner of grain, and of fruit, and flocks of herds, and flocks of all manner of cattle of every kind, and goats, and wild goats, and also many horses.  And there were exceedingly many prophets among us.  And the people were a stiffnecked people, hard to understand.  And there was nothing save it was exceeding harshness, preaching and prophesying of wars, and contentions, and destructions, and continually reminding them of death, and the duration of eternity, and the judgments and the power of God, and all these things: stirring them up continually to keep them in the fear of the Lord.  I say there was nothing short of these things, and exceedingly great plainness of speech, would keep them from going down speedily to destruction.  And after this manner do I write concerning them.  And I saw wars between the Nephites and Lamanites in the course of my days.  

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And it came to pass that I began to be old, and an hundred and seventy and nine years had passed away from the time that our father Lehi left Jerusalem.  And I saw that I must soon go down to my grave, having been wrought upon by the power of God that I must preach and prophesy unto this people, and declare the word according to the truth which is in Christ.  And I have declared it in all my days, and have rejoiced in it above that of the world.  And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my redeemer!  For I know that in him I shall rest.  And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him.  Then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: 

Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared

For you, in the mansions of my father.  Amen

Now behold, I Jarom, write a few words according to the commandment of my father, Enos, that our genealogy may be kept.  And as these plates are small, and as these things are written for the intent of the benefit of our brethren the Lamanites, wherefore, it must needs be that I write a little.  But I shall not write the things of my prophesying, nor of my revelations.  For what could I write more than my fathers have written?  For have not they revealed the plan of salvation?  I say unto you, Yea.  And this sufficeth me.

Behold it is expedient that much should be done among this people, because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the stiffness of their necks!  Nevertheless, God is exceedingly merciful unto them, and has not as yet swept them off from the face of the land.  And there are many among us who have many revelations, for they are not all stiffnecked.  And as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith.

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And now, behold, two hundred years had passed away, and the people of Nephi had waxed strong in the land.  They observed to keep the law of Moses and the sabbath day holy unto the Lord.  And they profaned not; neither did they blaspheme.  And the laws of the land were exceedingly strict.  And they were scattered upon much of the face of the land, and the Lamanites also.  And they were exceedingly more numerous than were they of the Nephites, and they loved murder and would drink the blood of beasts.  And it came to pass that they came many times against us, the Nephites, to battle.  But our kings and our leaders were mighty men in the faith of the Lord.  And they taught the people the ways of the Lord.  Wherefore, we withstood the Lamanites and swept them away out of our lands, and began to fortify our cities, or whatsoever place of our inheritance.

And we multiplied exceedingly, and spread upon the face of the land, and became exceedingly rich in gold, and in silver, and in precious things, and in fine workmanship of wood, in buildings, and in machinery, and also in iron and copper, and brass and steel, making all manner of tools of every kind to till the ground, and weapons of war: yea, the sharp pointed arrow, and the quiver, and the dart, and the javelin, and all preparations for war.  And thus being prepared to meet the Lamanites, they did not prosper against us!  But the word of the Lord was verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that:  Inasmuch as ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land.

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And it came to pass that the prophets of the Lord did threaten the people of Nephi, according to the word of God, that if they did not keep the commandments, but should fall into transgression, they should be destroyed from off the face of the land.  Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence: teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was.  And after this manner did they teach them.  And it came to pass that by so doing they kept them from being destroyed upon the face of the land! For they did prick their hearts with the word, continually stirring them up unto repentance.  

And it came to pass that two hundred and thirty and eight years had passed away, after the manner of wars, and contentions, and dissensions, for the space of much of the time.  And I, Jarom, do not write more, for the plates are small.  But behold, my brethren, ye can go to the other Plates of Nephi.  For behold, upon them the records of our wars are engraven, according to the writings of the kings, or those which they caused to be written.  And I deliver these plates into the hands of my son Omni, that they may be kept according to the commandments of my fathers.

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Behold, it came to pass that I, Omni, being commanded by my father, Jarom, that I should write somewhat upon these plates, to preserve our genealogy.

Wherefore, in my days, I would that ye should know that I fought much with the sword to preserve my people, the Nephites, from falling into the hands of their enemies, the Lamanites. But behold, I of myself am a wicked man, and I have not kept the statutes and the commandments of the Lord as I ought to have done.    

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And it came to pass that two hundred and seventy and six years had passed away, and we had many seasons of peace, and we had many seasons of serious war and bloodshed.

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Yea, and in fine, two hundred and eighty and two years had passed away, and I had kept these plates according to the commandments of my fathers; and I conferred them upon my son Amaron. And I make an end.   

■

And now I, Amaron, write the things whatsoever I write, which are few, in the book of my father.  Behold, it came to pass that three hundred and twenty years had passed away, and the more wicked part of the Nephites were destroyed.  For the Lord would not suffer, after he had led them out of the land of Jerusalem and kept and preserved them from falling into the hands of their enemies, yea, he would not suffer that the words should not be verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments, ye shall not prosper in the land.  Wherefore, the Lord did visit them in great judgment.  Nevertheless, he did spare the righteous that they should not perish, but did deliver them out of the hands of their enemies.    And it came to pass that I did deliver the plates unto my brother Chemish. 

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Now I, Chemish, write what few things I write, in the same book with my brother.  For behold, I saw the last which he wrote, that he wrote it with his own hand.  And he wrote it in the day that he delivered them unto me. And after this manner we keep the records, for it is according to the commandments of our fathers. And I make an end. 

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Behold, I, Abinadom, am the son of Chemish. Behold, it came to pass that I saw much war and contention between my people, the Nephites, and the Lamanites.  And I, with my own sword, have taken the lives of many of the Lamanites in the defense of my brethren.  And behold, the record of this people is engraven upon plates which is had by the kings, according to the generations.  And I know of no revelation save that which has been written, neither prophecy. Wherefore, that which is sufficient is written.  And I make an end.

Behold, I am Amaleki, the son of Abinadom. Behold, I will speak unto you somewhat concerning Mosiah, who was made king over the land of Zarahemla.  For behold, he being warned of the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi, and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord should also depart out of the land with him, into the wilderness.  And it came to pass that he did according as the Lord had commanded him. 

And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord.  And they were led by many preachings and prophesyings. And they were admonished continually by the word of God.  And they were led by the power of his arm, through the wilderness until they came down into the land which is called the land of Zarahemla.    And they discovered a people, who were called the people of Zarahemla. Now, there was great rejoicing among the people of Zarahemla!  And also Zarahemla did rejoice exceedingly, because the Lord had sent the people of Mosiah with the Plates of Brass which contained the record of the Jews.  

Behold, it came to pass that Mosiah discovered that the people of Zarahemla came out from Jerusalem at the time that Zedekiah, king of Judah, was carried away captive into Babylon.   And they journeyed in the wilderness, and were brought by the hand of the Lord across the great waters, into the land where Mosiah discovered them.  And they had dwelt there from that time forth.  And at the time that Mosiah discovered them, they had become exceedingly numerous. Nevertheless, they had had many wars and serious contentions, and had fallen by the sword from time to time.  

And their language had become corrupted.  And they had brought no records with them.  And they denied the being of their creator. And Mosiah, nor the people of Mosiah, could understand them. But it came to pass that Mosiah caused that they should be taught in his language. And it came to pass that after they were taught in the language of Mosiah, Zarahemla gave a genealogy of his fathers, according to his memory.  And they are written, but not in these plates.   And it came to pass that the people of Zarahemla, and of Mosiah, did unite together.  And Mosiah was appointed to be their king.  

And it came to pass in the days of Mosiah, there was a large stone brought unto him with engravings on it.  And he did interpret the engravings by the gift and power of God.   And they gave an account of one Coriantumr, and the slain of his people. And Coriantumr was discovered by the people of Zarahemla.  And he dwelt with them for the space of nine moons.   It also spake a few words concerning his fathers. And his first parents came out from the tower, at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people.   And the severity of the Lord fell upon them according to his judgments, which are just.  And their bones lay scattered in the land northward.

Behold, I, Amaleki, was born in the days of Mosiah.  And I have lived to see his death.  And Benjamin, his son, reigneth in his stead.  And behold, I have seen, in the days of King Benjamin, a serious war and much bloodshed between the Nephites and the Lamanites. But behold, the Nephites did obtain much advantage over them.  Yea, insomuch that King Benjamin did drive them out of the land of Zarahemla.

And it came to pass that I began to be old.  And, having no seed, and knowing King Benjamin to be a just man before the Lord, wherefore, I shall deliver up these plates unto him: 

Exhorting all men to come unto God, the Holy One of Israel, 

And believe in prophesying, and in revelations, 

And in the ministering of angels, 

And in the gift of speaking with tongues, 

And in the gift of interpreting languages, 

And in all things which are good. 

For there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord. 

And that which is evil cometh from the Devil. 

And now, my beloved brethren! 

I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the 

Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and 

The power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and 

Offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, 

And continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end.

And as the Lord liveth ye will be saved.

And now I would speak somewhat concerning a certain number who went up into the wilderness to return to the land of Nephi: for there was a large number who were desirous to possess the land of their inheritance.  Wherefore, they went up into the wilderness. And their leader being a strong and mighty man, and a stiffnecked man, wherefore he caused a contention among them. And they were all slain, save fifty, in the wilderness, and they returned again to the land of Zarahemla.   And it came to pass that they also took others, to a considerable number, and took their journey again into the wilderness.  And I, Amaleki, had a brother, who also went with them.  And I have not since known concerning them.

And I am about to lie down in my grave.  And these plates are full.

And I make an end of my speaking.

And now I, Mormon, being about to deliver up the record which I have been making, into the hands of my son Moroni, behold I have witnessed almost all the destruction of my people, the Nephites. 

And it is many hundred years after the coming of Christ that I deliver these records into the hands of my son.   And it supposeth me that he will witness the entire destruction of my people. But may God grant that he may survive them, that he may write somewhat concerning them, and somewhat concerning Christ, that perhaps some day it may profit them.

And now, I speak somewhat concerning that which I have written. For after I had made an abridgment from the Plates of Nephi, down to the reign of this King Benjamin, of whom Amaleki spake, I searched among the records which had been delivered into my hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this King Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi.  And the things which are upon these plates pleasing me, because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ; and my fathers knowing that many of them have been fulfilled; yea, and I also know that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond this day must surely come to pass —  wherefore, I choose these things, to finish my record upon them, which remainder of my record I shall take from the Plates of Nephi.  And I cannot write the hundredth part of the things of my people.  But behold, I shall take these plates, which contain these prophesyings and revelations, and put them with the remainder of my record, for they are choice unto me.  And I know they will be choice unto my brethren.  And I do this for a wise purpose: for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things.  But the Lord knoweth all things which are to come. Wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will.  And my prayer to God is concerning my brethren, that they may once again come to the knowledge of God, yea, the redemption of Christ; that they may once again be a delightsome people.

And now I, Mormon, proceed to finish out my record, which I take from the Plates of Nephi.  And I make it according to the knowledge and the understanding which God has given me.

Wherefore, it came to pass that after Amaleki had delivered up these plates into the hands of King Benjamin, he took them and put them with the other plates, which contained records which had been handed down by the kings, from generation to generation until the days of King Benjamin.   And they were handed down from King Benjamin, from generation to generation until they have fallen into my hands. And I, Mormon, pray to God that they may be preserved from this time henceforth. And I know that they will be preserved, for there are great things written upon them, out of which my people and their brethren shall be judged at the great and last day, according to the word of God which is written.

And now, concerning this King Benjamin: he had somewhat of contentions among his own people.