The life of Nephi, the son of Lehi, who emigrated from Jerusalem, in Judea, to the land which is now known as South America, about six centuries before the coming of the Savior..

Preface

SOME years since the desire took possession of me to write the life of Nephi, the son of Lehi, and, as time and oppor¬ tunity should permit, the lives of other prominent men of his race of whom we have an account in the Book of Mormon, so as to form a series of biographies for the perusal of the young. My aim was to make the children of our Church familiar with the events described in the Book of Mormon, and with some of the prominent men of that mighty people of which Nephi was one of the greatest progenitors. Various causes — the principal one of which has been the pressure of other and more exacting labors— have prevented me from carrying my design into execution until the present time. I have felt that, as I owed so much of my own success in life to the important and interesting lessons contained in that precious record, it was a duty incumbent upon me to do all in my power to have it read and appreciated as widely as possible by every member of our Church, but especially by the rising generation.

The age in which we live is one of doubt and unbelief. Skepticism is spreading. All faith in divine things, as taught by the ancient servants of God, is being unsettled. Man’s reason is being extolled as a higher standard than God’s reve¬ lations. The personality of God, the origin of man and his fall, the atonement of the Savior the places of reward and punishment, known as heaven and hell, and the existence of a personal devil, are all questioned, and, by many members of religious sects denied. The Bible is no longer accepted as a reliable standard, only so far as its teachings may agree with the new and fashionable views entertained respecting religion and science.

Fortunately for us, we are in a position to stem and turn this tide of infidelity, so that it shall not overwhelm our young people. We are not dependent upon the Bible alone for our

IT.

PREFACE.

knowledge concerning these grand, cardinal truths over which the world is stumbling and debating. We have other records — among the most important of which is the Book of Mormon — which corroborate and furnish ample proofs of their heavenly origin. We have the teachings and knowledge of men living in lands far apart and of races widely separated; and they agree in their testimonies, and sustain the divinity of the truths which are taught by the Son of Gfod Himself, and by His inspired servants.

The Prophet Nephi, whose life we here present, was one of the greatest and most advanced of these teachers of heavenly truths. There have been but few men, so far as we know, who comprehended, and spoke, and wrote about them as plainly as did he. He had a personal knowledge of the doc¬ trines, principles and facts respecting which men now dispute. He has written fully upon them. His testimony, therefore, is worth more to the world than any number of men’s opinions and theories. And, best of all, it carries within itself the highest evidence of its truth. This is characteristic of his writings, and of all the writings in the Book of Mormon. To every humble, prayerful soul the perusal of that book is a solace. It produces peace and joy, and brings the clear con¬ viction that it is God’s word. No arguments are required to prove this. Men have assailed and denounced it; but the indisputable truth still remains that, when read with a meek spirit and a prayerful heart, the testimony of its divine origin descends like refreshing dew from heaven, upon the reader, and he knows, by the Spirit and power of God, that it is His word.

That The Life of Nephi may have the effect to increase faith, and stimulate inquiry and the more careful perusal of the divine records which the Lord has given to us, is the most earnest desire of The Author.

Chapter I

Nephi’s Character — He gives God the Glory — Born at Jeru¬ salem — Probable Time of Birth— His Education — Kings known to Lebi — Ezekiel and Jeremiah and other Prophets — Familiarity of Nephi with Writings of Prophets.

Chapter II

True and False Prophets — Lehi’s Vision— He Warns the People — They Persecute and try to Kill him — Commanded in a Dream to take his Family into the Wilderness — Came to Red Sea — Camped Near it — Built an Altar and made Offering to the Lord — Laman and Lemuel — Their Unbe¬ lief — Shaken and Confounded Before Their Father.

CHAPTER TIT.

Faith of Nephi and its Effects — Sam’s Belief — Revelation with Promise to Nephi — Land of Promise, Choice Above Other Lands — Nephi to be a Ruler and a Teacher to his Brethren — Required to Return to Jerusalem — His Willingness — Lehi Gratified at his Faith — Laban and Brass Plates — Angry, and Refused to give them to Laman — Threatened his Life — Laman and Lemuel Discouraged — Nephi’s Pro¬ position — His Brothers Agree to it. Page 18.

Chapter IV

Lehi’s Riches — Laban CovetsThem — Sends his Servants to Kill Laman and his Brothers — They Flee for Their Lives— Nephi Whipped by Laman and Lemuel — Visited by an Angel— Laman and Lemuel still Murmur — Nephi Leads Them to the City Walls — Laban Lying Drunk — His Sword — Most Famous Weapon in the World — Those who have Seen it — Nephi Constrained to Kill Laban — Personates him and Obtains Plates — His Brothers Frightened — Laban’ s Servant, Zoram — Prom’ses to go with Nephi into the Wilderness. Page 22.

VI.

CONTENTS.

Chapter V

The Status of Zoram — Law of Moses Respecting Bondmen — Character of Laban — Advantages of Taking Zoram into the Wilderness. Page 26.

Chapter VI

Return into Wilderness — Joy of Lehi and Sariah — Lehi a Visionary Man — Sariah’ s Brief and Murmuring — Her Subsequent Testimony — Sacrifices and Burnt Offerings — The Brass Plates — Their Contents — Lehi a Descendant of Joseph — Value of These Records to his Descendants — Another Colony of Jews — Lost Knowledge of Hebrew Language and of God — Nephi a Great Benefactor— He and Brothers Again Required to Visit Jerusalem — Ishmael and Family — Laman and Lemuel Stir up Mutiny — Want to Return to Jerusalem — Bind Nephi — Intend to Leave him to Perish — Nephi’s Prayer — His Bands Burst — The Others Plead for him — Revulsion of Feeling on part of his Brothers— Beg his Forgiveness — Rejoin Lehi and Sariah — Thanksgiving and Sacrifices and Burnt Offerings.

Chapter VII

Lehi’s Dream, or Vision — Rejoices Became of Nephi and Sam — Fears Concerning Laman and Lemuel — His Entreaties to Them — Gathered Seeds and Grain — Five Marriages — Lehi had Faithfully kept Commandments of the Lord — Nephi’s Development — Experience in Wilderness Necessary to Prepare Colony for the Future'— Lehi Commanded to Travel — Miraculous Brass Ball, Called Liahona — How it Operated — Travel in S. S. E. Direction — Hunt for Game — Led Through Most Fertile Parts of the Desert.

Chapter VIII

Travels in Desert — Kill Game by the Way — Uncooked Meat Their Food— Nephi Breaks his Bow— Fails to Obtain Food — Laman and Others Complain Bitterly— Lehi, also, Murmurs — Nephi Keeps his Patience and Courage — — Remonstrates with his Brothers — Makes a Wooden

CONTENTS.

VII.

Bow— Lehi Very Sorrowful — Sees Writing on the Brass Ball — Nephi goes for Game in Direction Indicated — Com¬ pany Filled with J oy Through his Obta ining Food — Resume Travel — Ishmael’s Death — His Character — Outbreak and Rebellion of part of his Children Against Lehi and Nephi — Laman Proposes to Kill the Two Latter — Attachment to Birthplace. Page 40.

Chapter IX

Popular at Jerusalem to Reject Prophets — Laman and Lemuel did not Believe Predictions Concerning that City — Confi¬ dence of Jews in Jerusalem — Glory of the City — The Magnificent Temple — Capture of the City — The Conspir¬ ators Chastened — Lehi and Nephi Saved. Page 44.

Chapter X

Travel in Easterly Direction — Land Bountiful — “Irreantum,” or Many Waters — Eight Years in Wilderness — Children Born — Diet of Raw Meat — Women Healthy and Strong as Men — Learn to Bear Journeyings Without Murmuring — l‘Araby the Blest” — Traveler’s Description of Land — Company Rest for Many Days. Page 48.

Chapter XI

How did They Travel? — Had They Vehicles? — Children of Israel Used Covered Wagons — Did Lehi and Company Use Camels? — Experience of Battalion in California — Custom in Abyssinia — Laman and Companions Never Forgot Habits Acquired in the Desert — Transmitted Them to Posterity in Their New Home — Nephi Cherished True Knowledge of Civilization — Contrast Between the Two Brothers — Each Left his Impress upon his Nation.

Chapter XII

Nephi Practically the Leader — Commanded to Build a Ship — Directed to the Ore out of Which to Make Tools — Makes a Bellows — Obtains Fire — Fault-Finding and Ridicule of his Brethren — His Sadness and Their Elation — They Grumble at and Reproach Their Father and him — He Reasons With Them — Enraged, They Attempt to Throw

VIII.

CONTENTS.

him in the Sea — Nephi Full of Power of God — They Dare not Touch him — They are Shaken Before him — Fall Down to Worship him — Told by Nephi to Worship God — Nephi Shown by the Lord how he Should Work Timbers, etc. — Not Worked After the Manner Taught by Men— Helped by his Brothers— Ship Furnished — Laman and Others Acknowledge Nephi’ s Ability to Build a Ship — Mountains as Places of Worship. Page 58.

Chapter XIII

Lelii Commanded to Embark upon the Ship— Food Prepared for the Voyage — Jacob and Joseph — Did the Ship have Sails? — Voyages and Ships of Egyptians — Dancing and Rudeness of Laman and Others at Sea — Nephi Demon¬ strates — Is Treated Harshly and Bound Hand and Foot by his Brothers — Lelii and Sariah Very Sick — Four Days of Terrible Tempest — Compass Would not Work — Driven Back Before the Wind — Terror of Laman and Lemuel — Nephi’s Patience and Self-Control — The Lord Shows Forth His Power— Nephi Released — The Ship Steered in Bight Course — His Prayer Answered and Tempest Quelled — Beach the Promised Land. Page 64.

Chapter XIV

Land and Pitch Their Tents — Place of Landing — Cultivate the Ground — Good Crops — Find Animals of Every Kind — Also Ores — Raise Large Flocks and Herds — “Carneros de la Tierra” — Find the Horse— Was the Horse Extinct When the Whites Discovered America? — Reasons for Thinking it was not — Wild Horses Seen by Sir Francis Drake in 1579— Opinion of Professor Marsh — Horses Seen by Drake, not Spanish. Page 68.

Chapter XV

Animals and Vegetables Valuable to Lehi and Company — The Potato — Abundance of Fruits— Jerusalem Destroyed — Lehi’s Thankfulness for this Choice Land — A Land of Liberty to all who Should be Brought Here if They Would Serve God — Land to be Kept From Knowledge of Other Nations— Remarkably Fulfilled — Promises of the Lord to

CONTENTS.

IX.

Lehi Concerning his Descendants and the Land— Present Condition of his Seed Predicted — Prophecies Concerning the Prophet Joseph Smith— Lehi a Great Prophet— Restrains his Children While Living — Rancorous Hatred After his Death Against Nephi — Enraged by his Admoni¬ tions— Propose to Kill him. Page 74.

Chapter XVI

Nephi’ s Efforts to Save his Brethren— Nephi, Commanded of the Lord, flees into the Wilderness — His Company — His Sisters— Carries Plates of Brass and Other Records, the Liahona and the Sword of Laban With him — Nephi Called a Liar and a Robber — Searches the Scriptures — Two Sets of Plates— Character of Record on Each— Plates Made for a Special Purpose— Found by Mormon— Wisdom of God Greater Than Cunning of Devil— The Prophet Joseph Delivered From a Snare. Page 78.

Chapter XVII

Travel Many Days in the Wilderness— Call the Land Nephi — Did They Journey Northward?— Location of Land Nephi —River Sidon and Magdalena — Land of Zarahemla — I wenty-Two Days’ Travel From Nephi— Did not Land of Nephi Extend Considerably South? — Zeniff’s Return to the Land of Nephi— Was That the Land Settled by Nephi, the First?— Mosiah, the King of Zarahemla — Reasons for Thinking Nephi to be Distinguishing Name ot an Extensive Region— Nephites Would Spread Over the Country in Four Hundred Years— Did Nephi and Company Travel as far North as Ecuador? — Followed by Lamanites- Jacob and Enos Respecting Lamanites — Nephi s Description of the Land— Bolivia and Peru— Cities and Settlements Called After Founders — Additional Reasons for Thinking Nephi and Company did not Settle so tar North —Boundaries of Lands Occupied by Nephites and Lamanites— South America Called Lehi, North America Called Mulek. page 32.

Chapter XVIII

Travelers Description of Land Once Occupied by Nephites — Cradle of an Imperial Race — The Productions of the Land m Modern limes Agree With Description of Same in Book of Mormon— Rapid Recovery From Effects of Dis¬ astrous Commotions and Wars Accounted for— Healthy Climate— Remarkable Longevity— Jacob, Enos, Jarom and Omni Longevity of Indians in Ecuador and Peru.

X.

CONTENTS.

Chapter XIX

Two Distinct Nations— Intermingled — Mixed Blood in Lamanites— Nephi and Company Settled in an Earthly Paradise — G-reatly Prospered— Law of Moses Observed— A Live Religion — Nephi Conversed With the Spirit ofthe Lord — Heard Voices of the Father and the Son -Understood the Gospel of Jesus— Simplicity and Plainness of his Teachings, Prophecies and Revelations — W onderful Extent and Variety of his Knowledge — Writes of the Days of the Savior as a Contemporary Might — Exactness of Descrip¬ tion of the Great and Abominable Church— Also the Events Which Should Take Place in Connection With Zion — Only Two Churches— The Whore of all the Earth Should Gather Multitudes Among all the Nations of Gen¬ tiles to Fight Against the Church of the Lamb— Power of God Poured out upon the Latter, His W rath upon the Former— They who Fight Against the House of Israel Shall War Among Themselves and Fall into the Pit They Shall Dig to Ensnare the People of the Lord— The Righteous Should not Perish — Great Value of These Promises to Latter-day Saints— Secret Combinations Many Churches to be Built up — Their Character The Book of Mormon, Flow it Should be Received Churches Put Down the Power and Miracles of God — Preach up Their Own Wisdom and Learning — Contend One With Another — Grind the Poor — Literal Fulfillment as Latter-day Saints can Testify. Page 95.

Chapter XX

Nephi’ s Commandment to Jacob Concerning Small Plates— Nephi Anoints a Man to be King — His Successors m Kingly Dignity Called by his Name— Patriarchal Govern¬ ment — Jacob Presided Over the Church — King Mosiah s Mode of Life— Seers as well as Kings— Was There a Change of Dynasty? — Kingly and Priestly Authority United in Mosiah. Page 103.

Chapter XXI

Nephi Died— Example of his Life— Internal Evidence of Divinity of his Writings in the Spirit of God Which Accompanies Them — An Eventful Career Admirable m Every Relation — A Born Leader, Successful as a Mechanic, Miner, Seaman, Chemist, Metallurgist, Stock-Raiser, Agriculturist, Manufacturer and Statesman Expanded Views of the Rights and Equality of Man— Religious Liberty — The End.

THE LIFE OF NEPHI.

Chapter I

NEPHl’ S CHARACTER — HE GIVES GOD THE GLORY— BORN AT JERUSALEM — PROBABLE TIME OF BIRTH — HIS EDUCATION —KINGS KNOWN TO LEHI — EZEKIEL AND JEREMIAH AND OTHER PROPHETS — FAMILIARITY OF NEPHI WITH WRIT¬ INGS OF PROPHETS.

F all the lives which have come down to us in the ancient records, there is, probably, not one, excepting our Savior’s, which can be studied with more profit than that of Nephi, the son of Lehi. The influence which he exerted over his associ¬ ates was most wonderful; but it did not end there. We think we do not overrate it when we say that no man of the nation of which he was the founder did so much as he towards giving shape to the methods of government, to the forms of worship and to the mode of life which prevailed for about a thousand years among that people. He was to them what Moses was to the children of Israel, and though the Nephite nation was pro¬ lific in great men, there was not one, it seems to us, who exceeded, if indeed he came up in every particular to, the full measure of his greatness. So far as the record of his life has come down to us, it presents the picture of a man of such per¬ fections as has rarely been seen on earth. He does not leave us in doubt as to why this was the case. The success which attended all his undertakings he claimed no credit for. At no time does he indulge in self-glorification; but in all that he says the disposition to give Gfod the glory is very apparent. He gives him the glory for it all. To this, more than any other cause, do we attribute the prosperity which attended him through life, and which made him the truly great man that he

THE LIFE OF NEPHI.

was. Speaking of himself, he says that he had been highly favored of the Lord in all his days.

Nephi, the son of Lehi, was born at Jerusalem. The exact year of his birth is not given; but we can form a very good idea of the time from what he says respecting himself. His father, Lehi, and family left Jerusalem six hundred years before the coming of the Savior. Nephi, alluding to himself soon after this, while they were in the wilderness, describes himself as “exceeding young, nevertheless large in stature.” The record leads us to the conclusion that he was a man in size, though a boy in years — probably not more than fifteen years old. From the language of his brother Jacob in the beginning of his book we infer that Nephi did not live long after the year fifty-five of their exodus from Jerusalem. Jacob says, “he began to be old.” He was doubtless at least seventy years old at that time. We judge, therefore, that he was born not far from the year 615 B. C. This would be in the reign of Josiah, the father of Zedekiah, and whose reign closed between eleven and 'twelve years before the latter was put upon the throne of J udah by the conqueror, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.

We are not told as to how his childhood was spent. It is evident, however, that his father was in affluent circumstances; for besides his house and land, he had gold, silver and other precious things in abundance; in fact, so much of this kind of personal property did he have, that upon one occasion, it was coveted, as we shall see as we proceed with his history, and was the cause of an attempt to kill Nephi and his three older brothers. Nephi, himself, says he was “born of goodly parents,” and he doubtless received an education suitable to his station ; he “was taught somewhat in all the learning” of his father.

Lehi had always lived at J erusalem. He was a descendant of Manasseh, the oldest son of Joseph, who was sold by his broth¬ ers. He must have witnessed stirring times in his native city ; for though he doubtless shared in the peace and prosper¬ ity which prevailed during the long and successful reign of the faithful king, Josiah, he saw no less than four kings on the throne of Judah in the brief space of eleven or twelve years. King Josiah was succeeded by his son Jehoahaz, whose reign of three months was brought to a close by the king of Egypt

PROPHETS COTEMPORARY WITH LEHI. 13

carrying him to Egypt and laying the land of J udah under tribute and making Jehoiakim, his brother, king in his stead. Jehoiakim reigned eleven years, and in the first part of his reign was a tributary to the king of Egypt, who had put him on the throne. After¬ wards he fell into the power of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, and for three years he acknowledged him as his superior ; then he rebelled. But there was a curse upon him and his family, because of his wickedness ; the Lord had taken their strength from them ; they could not break the yoke of the foe which was raised up against them. Josephus informs us that :

“The king of Babylon made an expedition against Jerusalem and was received by the king J ehoiakim into the city. But he slew such as were of the flower of their age and such as were of the greatest dignity, together with their king Jehoiakim, whom he commanded to be thrown before the wall without any burial. ’ ’

Jehoiakim was succeeded by his son Jehoiachin, whose in¬ glorious reign of a little over three months, was terminated by the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, and his marching out of the city and surrendering himself, his wives, his mother, his princes and officers to that king. He and they were all carried prisoners to Babylon. The king of Babylon also took as prisoners upwards of ten thousand of the nobility and lead¬ ing men of the land, among whom was the prophet Ezekiel. Nebuchadnezzar then made Zedekiah, the uncle of the last king, and brother of his father, king of Judah.

It was in the midst of scenes like these that Nephi’s child¬ hood was spent. His father must have been familiar with the predictions of the Prophet Jeremiah, who for upwards of thirty years before Lehi and family left Jerusalem, had been declaring the word of the Lord unto the people. It is more than likely that he knew him personally. At the time of Nephi’s last visit to Jerusalem the Prophet Jeremiah was in prison. There were other prophets also, whom Lehi either knew personally, or, at least, was acquainted with their predic¬ tions. Nephi, as a child, was trained in the knowledge of the prophecies. This is apparent in his teachings. He quotes the words of three prophets, of whose predictions we have no record

THE LIFE OF NEPHI.

— Zenock, Neum and Zenos — except the quotations from them which appear in the Book of Mormon. Their predictions and the predictions of another prophet — of which none have yet 9ome to us — Ezais by name, as well as those of Moses, Joseph, Isaiah, and all the prophets from the beginning down to his own day, they brought with them upon plates of brass to this land. Nephi, in speaking of the prophecies of Isaiah, from which he quoted largely, says that the Jews understood the things of the prophets spoken unto them as no other people not taught after their manner could. That he was trained in these things at Jerusalem is easily perceived from what he says; for he under¬ stood their style, and their predictions were plain to him. This was an advantage to him afterwards in teaching his people.

CHAPTER I I.

TRUE AND FALSE PROPHETS — LEHl’S VISION — HE WARNS THE PEOPLE— THEY PERSECUTE AND TRY TO KILL HIM — COM¬ MANDED IN A DREAM TO TAKE HIS FAMILY INTO THE WIL¬ DERNESS— CAME TO RED SEA— CAMPED NEAR IT — BUILT AN ALTAR AND MADE OFFERING TO THE LORD— LAMAN AND LEMUEL — ILIEIR UNBELIEF— SHAKEN AND CON¬ FOUNDED BEFORE THEIR FATHER.

IN the beginning of the first year of Zedekiah’s reign there were many prophets in Jerusalem. The events connected with the recent siege of that city were of such a character as to arouse thought and prompt men who feared God to feel after Him. We learn from another source than Nephi' s record that there were many false prophets at those times who misled the people and were the means of causing them to harden their hearts against the truth. The prophets of God told the people of Jeru¬ salem they must repent, or that great city must be destroyed. These predictions had their proper effect upon Lehi. He undoubtedly believed them, and he went out and called upon the Lord with all his heart in behalf of his people. While pray-

LEHI S VISION.

ing there came a pillar of fire and rested upon a rock before him. We are told by Nephi that he saw and heard much, which caused him to quake and tremble exceedingly. After this he returned to his house, and being overcome by the Spirit and the things which he had seen he was carried away in a vision. He saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon a throne, surrounded by numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising Him. He saw one descending out of heaven, whose lustre was above that of the sun at noon day. He was followed by twelve others, whose brightness exceeded that of the stars. They all came down and went forth upon the face of the earth. The first, however, came and stood before Lehi and gave him a book, and told him to read. As he read he was filled with the Spirit of God. And he read, “Wo, wo unto Jerusalem; for I have seen thy abomi¬ nations.” He read many things concerning Jerusalem, that it should be destroyed, and that many of its inhabitants should perish by the sword, and that many should be carried away captive into Babylon. He read and saw many marvelous things, which caused him to praise the Lord in the following language: “Great and marvelous are thy works, 0 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 are merciful, thou will not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish !” The soul of Lehi rejoiced and his whole heart was filled, because of the things which the Lord had shown him.

This is the feeling which every one has to whom the Lord reveals Himself as He did to Lehi. There is a pure and heavenly joy rests upon him that language cannot describe or express, and in the presence of which the afflictions which he has to endure, because of the persecutions of men, appear trifling and are easily borne. Having had these visions Lehi could not rest without warning his neighbors and the people of the city. He described to them their wickedness and abomina¬ tions, and testified that the things which he had seen and heard, and also that which he had read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah and also the redemption of the world. To tell wicked people of their sins and of the

THE LIFE OF NEPHI.

destruction of their government or city makes them angry. It wounds their self-love ; it insults their personal and national pride, and it scarcely ever fails to arouse their hatred. There was an exception to this which occurs to us. Upon one occa¬ sion the wickedness of the people of Nineveh, the Lord said, had come up to Him. He sent the Prophet Jonah to warn them, and they believed God ; and from the king on his throne to the lowest in the city, including all their animals, they wore sackcloth, and fasted. They turned every one from his evil way, and from the violence that was in his hands, and cried mightily unto the Lord. Their repentance was pleasing unto the Lord, and He turned from them the judgment he had threatened. . Unfortunately for the people of Jerusalem, they did not have that spirit. Their hearts were hard. They would not believe Lehi ; but they mocked him, grew angry with him, just as they had with other prophets before him whom they had cast out, stoned and slain, and they tried to kill him. Had he remained among them, and continued his prophesying, they doubtless would have killed him. But the Lord had chosen him for another work, and he escaped from their plots. The Lord spoke unto him in a dream, and after blessing him for what he had done, in faithfully declaring unto the Jews that which He had com¬ manded him — for doing which they had sought to take his life — He commanded him that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness.

Lehi’s family consisted at that time of his wife Sariah and four sons — Laman, Lemuel, Sam and Nephi — that we know of. Nephi, some years after this (//. Nephi viii., 6) speaks of his sisters. He does not mention them as members of the family at the time of leaving Jerusalem, and we are left to conjecture whether they were born before leaving Jerusalem or afterwards.

Lehi did not hesitate about obeying the commandment. It was probably a matter of life or death with him. He had either to leave, or be killed if he continued to prophesy. Hence it was that among his descendants the expression was used, “Our father, Lehi, was driven out of Jerusalem.” ( Helaman viii, 22.) Nephi himself, in speaking of the people of that city said : “They have driven him out of the land.” Lehi did not load himself down with his gold and silver and other valuables