The story of the Book of Mormon

Front matter

THE STORY

OF THE

BOOK OF MORMON.

Preface

|HE BOOK OF MORMON is the record of God's <s~z dealings with the peoples of ancient America, from the age of the building of the Tower of Babel to four hundred and twenty-one years after the birth of Christ. It is the stick of Ephraim, spoken of by Ezekiel; the Bible of the western continent. Not that it supersedes the Bible or in any way interferes with it, any more than the history of Peru interferes with or supersedes the history of Greece; but, on the other hand, in many places it confirms Bible history, demonstrates Bible truths, sustains Bible doctrines, and fulfils Bible prophecy.

For many years we have taken great pleasure in perusing its sacred pages and studying its truths. The more we read it the more we found it contained. Like other inspired records, every time it was opened we discovered new and ofttimes unexpected testimonies of its divinity. From reading it we turned to writing of it ; and much that this volume contains has been penned at various intervals, from the days we were in prison for conscience sake, where portions were written, to the present. And now we present it to the reader with the feeliug that the work is but commenced; that what remains unsaid is probably as important as what is given, but with the hope that what we have done will not prove ineffectual in spreading the truth, in increasing knowledge concerning God's dealings with mankind, and aiding in the development of the purposes of

IV

PREFACE.

Jehovah. If this be accomplished we shall feel that great has been our reward.

This volume presents one unique feature, in that it is the first attempt made to illustrate the Book of Mormon ; and we have pleasure in realizing that the leading illustrations are the work of home artists. To break fresh ground in such a direction is no light undertaking; the difficulties are numerous, none more so than the absence of information in the Book of Mormon of the dress and artificial surroundings of the peoples whose history it recounts. Each artist has given his own ideas of the scenes depicted, and as so much is left to the imagination, some readers will doubtless praise where others will blame ; and the same effort will be the subject of the most conflicting criticism.

Not the least interesting feature of the book will, we believe, be found in the reproductions of portions of certain ancient Aztec historical charts. These have been the subjects of controversy for centuries past; many efforts have been made at their translation; but all such attempts have been ineffectual, and in many cases ludicrous. It required the publication of the Book of Mormon to turn on them- the light of divine truth, when their intent at once became apparent. Others, we trust, in time will be discovered which will be added testimonies to its genuineness and divine authenticity , as well as to the sacred mission of the instrument in God's hands in bringing it forth — the youthful Prophet, Joseph Smith.

Geo. Reynolds.

December, 1888.

Introduction

America the First Inhabited of all Lands. — Its Ancient Peoples. — The Garden of Eden. — The Antediluvians. — The Jaredites. — The Nephites and Lamanites 17

Chapter I

Ancient Jerusalem. — Lehi. — His Vision. — His Call to Preach to the Jews. — They Persecute Him. — He is Commanded of God to take his Family into the Wilderness. — Their Departure. — The Return of his Sons to Jerusalem to obtain the Records. — They are Ill-treated by Laban. — His Death. — Zoram accompanies the Brothers into the Wilderness. . ... . . ■ . . . .20

Chapter II

The Rejoicing Over the Records. — Nephi and his Brothers again Return to Jerusalem. — They Conduct Ishmael and his Family into the Wilderness. — Lehi's Dream. — The Tree of Life. — The Rod of Iron. — The Boturini Manuscript. — Nephi's Vision. .... 30

Chapter III

Marriages in the Company. — The Liahona. — The Journey Continued. — Nephi Breaks his Bow. — Death of Ishmael. — They Reach the Ocean. — Nephi Builds a Ship. — They cross the Great Waters and reach the Promised Land. ........ 42

Chapter IV

The Promised Land. — Chili. — Its Natural Productions. — The Death of Lehi. — His Blessing on his Posterity. — Prophecies of his Ancestor Joseph 54

Chapter V

The Nephites and Lamanites Separate. — The Nephites seek a New Home. — Nephi chosen King. — He builds a Temple. — Instructs his People in the Arts of Peace. — War with the Lamanites. — The Sword of Laban. — Nephi's Death. — Jacob, his brother, becomes the Chief Priest. — Jacob's Teachings on Marriage. . . -57

Chapter X

The Reign of King Benjamin. — The Progress of his People. — His last great Speech. — He establishes the Church of Christ. — All the People Covenant with God. — Mosiah II. anointed King ... 79

CHAPTER XL

Zeniff Returns to the Land of Nephi. — His Treaty with the Lamanites. — The Prosperity of the People of Zeniff. — The Treaty Broken. — War. — Peace and Wars again. — The Death of Zeniff. — Noah's wicked Reign. — His Wars with the Lamanites. — The Prophet Abinadi. — His terrible Message of God's Wrath. — He is Martyred. — Alma. — He pleads for Abinadi. — Is cast out. — Flees to the Place of Mormon. . . . . . . ... . .86

Chapter XII

The Waters of Mormon. — Alma, Helam and others Baptised therein. — The Church Organized. — The King Warned. — He sends Troops. — Alma and his People flee to the Land of Helam. — They build a City 95

Chapter XIII

King Noah's Subjects Rebel. — Gideon. — The Lamanites Invade Lehi- Nephi. — The Nephites Retreat. — A Part Surrender. — The New Terms of Peace. — Noah is Burned to Death. — Limhi made King. — Noah's Priests Escape. — They Seize some Lamanite Maidens. — Another War. —The Nephites Victorious. — The King of the Lamanites Wounded. — Mutual Explanations 98

Chapter XIV

The Bondage of the People of Limhi. — An Expedition North. — Finding of the Jaredjte Records.— The Arrival of Amnion. — The People of Limhi Escape. — The Pursuit.- The Amulonites.— The People of Alma— They are brought into Bondage— Their Deliverance. . 103

CONTEXTS.

vii

Chapter XV

Mosiah's good Reign. — The Circumstances of his Advent. — He Assembles the People. — The Baptism of Limhi. — Churches organized throughout the Land. no

Chapter XVI

The Unbelief of the Youth of Zarahemla. — The Younger Alma and the Sons of Mosiah. — They Encourage the Persecutions against the Church. — They are Met by an Angel. — His Message. — Alma's awful Condition. — His Vision and Testimony. — The Changed Life of the Young Men. .......... 112

Chapter XVII

The Growth of the People in Zarahemla. — They Build many Cities. — Mosiah's Sons Desire to take a Mission to the Lamanites — Mosiah Inquires of the Lord. — The Divine Answer. . . . . . 119

Chapter XVIII

Mosiah's Sons Refuse the Kingdom. — He Grants the People a Constitution. — The People to Elect their Rulers. — Alma, the Younger, First Chief Judge .121

Chapter XIX

The Mission of the Sons of Mosiah to the Lamanites. — Their Journey in the Wilderness. — Ammon Brought before King Lamoni. — The Conflict at the . Waters of Sebus. — The Miraculous Conversion of Lamoni and his Family. — Abish the Waiting Woman. . . .123

Chapter XX

Ammon and Lamoni start for the Land of Middoni. — They meet the old King. — His rage at seeing Ammon. — He Endeavors to kill his Son. — Aaron and his Brethren Liberated. — A Sketch of their labors and sufferings. — The Conversion of Lamoni's Father and his Household. . . ... . . . . . . 131

Chapter XXI

The King issues a Proclamation. — The Results of the Labors of the sons of Mosiah. — The People of Anti-Nephi-Lehi. — They Bury their Weapons of War. — Are Massacred by the Thousand. — The}- Remove to the Territory of the Nephites, who give them the Land of Jershon. . . 136

Chapter XXII

Review of the Mission of the sons of Mosiah. — Its Importance and Great Length. — Its Results to both Races. — The Dates of its Leading Occurrences. . . . . . . . . . .140 t

viii

CONTENTS.

Chapter XXIII

The days of the Judges. — Their Names and Reigns. — The Heresy of Nehor. — He Slays Gideon and is Executed. — Amlici's Rebellion. — The Battle of Amnihu.— The Conflict at the Crossing of the Sidon. —A third Battle. . . . , . 143

Chapter XXIV

Alma Resigns the Chief Judgeship. — Nephihah Chosen. — Alma Ministers in Zarahemla, Gideon, Melek and Ammonihah. — Condition of the last named City. — It Rejects the Message Alma bears. — An Angel meets Him. — Amulek. — The Lawyer Zeezrom. — The great Controversy. — Zeezrom Converted and cast out. — The Martyrdom of the Believers. — Alma and Amulek in Prison. — Their Deliverance. . 151

Chapter XXV

Zeezrom Sick with Fever. — His Miraculous Recovery. — The Destruction of Ammonihah. — The Invasion of the Land of Noah. — Zoram, the Nephite Commander, seeks the mind of the Lord. — It is Given; its Results. — The war Ended. — Alma's Ministrations. . . . 161

Chapter XXX

Amalickiah.—His Apostasy and Treason.— Moroni's Title of Liberty.— The Nephites Respond to his Call.— Lehonti.— He is Poisoned by Amalickiah. — The King of the Lamanites Treacherously Slain. — Amalickiah Marries the Queen and is Proclaimed King. — A Disastrous Lamanite Raid. . . . 183

CONTENTS.

IX

Chapter XXXI

A few years of Peace. — Teancum. — The Contention between Lehi and Morianton. — Amalickiah's terrible Invasion. — His Success. — He is stopped at Bountiful by Teancum. — Teancum slays Amalickiah. — Ammoron made King of the Lamanites. ..... 191

Chapter XXXV

Peace Once More. — The Results of the War. — The Labors of Helaman. — Shiblon Receives the Records. — Hagoth, the Ship-builder. — , Another War. — Moronihah. — Pahoran's Death. — Contention Regarding the Chief Judgeship. — Paanchi's Rebellion. — The Gadianton Bands. — Assassination of Pahoran II. — Another Lamanite Invasion. ............ 210

Chapter XXXVI

Pacumeni Slain. — Helaman chosen Chief Judge. — The Conspiracy to slay Him. — Kishkumen Killed. — The Prosperity of the Nephites under Helaman. .......... 215

Chapter XXXVII

The Sons of Helaman. — Nephi's Righteous Rule. — The Lamanites again invade Zarahemla. — They drive the Nephites into the Northern Continent. — The Ministrations of Nephi and Lehi. — The Manifestations of God's power in the City of Nephi. — Aminadab. — The Conversion of the Lamanites. — Universal Peace 218

Chapter Xxxviii

Growth of Evil among the Nephites. — The Increase of the Gadianton Robbers. — Nephi's Announcement of the Murder of the Chief Judge. — The Discovery. — Nephi Arrested. — He is proven Innocent. God's Covenant with him. — Increase of Iniquity. — A terrible Famine. — The welcome Rain. — The trend to Death. . . .225

X

CONTEXTS.

Chapter XXXIX

Samuel, the Lamanite. — His Mission and Prophecies. — The vain Attempt to Destroy him. — He Returns to his own Country.

Chapter XL

Xephi translated. — His son Nephi.— Time of the Savior's Coming. — The Conspiracy to slay the Believers. — The Revelation to Xephi. — The promised Signs Appear. — Increase of the Gadianton Robbers. — War. — Lachoneus Gathers all the People to one land. — The end

CHAPTER XLL

The last Chief Judge Murdered and the Republic Overthrown. — The signs of the Savior's Death appear. — A terrible Storm. — The Universal Darkness. — The unparalleled Destruction.— The Terror of those Hours. ... . ... . . . . . . 243

Chapter XLV

On Alms-giving. — "After this manner Pray ye." — On Fasting, Integrity, Trust in God, etc 263.

CHAPTER XLVL

Judge Xot— The Beam and the Mote. — "Beware of False Prophets." —

Good and Evil Fruit.— The House Built on the Rock. . . . 266

Chapter LI

The Savior continues His Ministrations. — He Raises a man from the Dead. — The Labors of the Twelve. — The Name of the Church. — The Three who should Remain. 286

CHAPTER LIL

The Long Continued Era of Peace and Righteousness. — Death of

Nephi. — His son Amos. — Amos the Second. ..... 290

CHAPTER LHI.

The Commencement of the Apostasy. — It Grows in Intensity. — The Persecution of the Disciples. — Lamanites again. — Re-appearance of the Gadianton Bands. — War. — Ammaron Hides the Records. . 293

CHAPTER LIV.

The Last long Series of Wars. — Mormon. — The final Conflict at Cumo-

rah. — The Last of the Nephites. . 298

CHAPTER LV.

The Historians of the Nephites. — The Plates of Nephi. — List of their

Custodians. — Their Lengthened Years. ...... 302

CHAPTER LVI.

The Women of the Book of Mormon. — Their Condition and Position. —

Abish. — Isabel. — Marriage. — Amulek. 307

CHAPTER LVII.

Domestic Life among the Nephites. — Household duties. — Dress. — Ornaments. — Homes. — Food. — Manufactures. — Transportation. . .313

CHAPTER LVHI.

Agriculture among the Nephites. — Grains. — Stock Raising. — Irrigation. 320

CHAPTER LIX.

Science and Literature among the Nephites. — Their Astronomy and

Geography. — The Learning of Eygpt. ...... 324

CHAPTER LX.

The Art of War among the Nephites. — Their Weapons, Armor and Fortifications. — Moroni's Line of Defense 330 xii

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER LXX

The Laws of the Nephites. — The Roman and Nephite Civilizations. — The Laws under the Kings. — Position of the Priesthood. — Slavery. — Criminal Offenses. . . 338

CHAPTER LXII.

The Laws under the Judges. — The Voice of the People. — Elections. — Rights of the People. — Church and State. — The Criminal Procedure * . . "347

CHAPTER LXIII.

Laws of the Nephites, continued. — The Division into Tribes. — The Messianic Dispensation. — The final Convulsion 356

CHAPTER LXIV.

The Money of the Nephites. — Their Coins. — Barley the Standard of

Value 360

CHAPTER LXV.

Personal Appearance of the Nephites. — Their Beauty. — Testimony of

Remains found. — The Dark-skinned Lamanites 364

CHAPTER LXVI.

Language of the Nephites. — The Influence of the Egyptian. — Nephite Words.— Rameumptom. — Liahona. — Rabbanah. — The Lamanite Tongue. — Word Building. 368

CHAPTER LXVII.

Nephite Proper Names. — Bible Names. — Sariah. — Nephi. — Sam. —

Melek. — Gershon. — Isabel. — Aha, etc. — Prefixes and Suffixes. ■ 376

CHAPTER LXVIII.

The Lands of the Nephites. — Mulek and Lehi. — Zarahemla and Nephi. — The Wilderness. — The Land of First Inheritance. — The Journeys Northward. — The Waters of Mormon. — Lehi-Nephi. . . . . 382

CHAPTER LXIX.

Nephi in the hands of the Lamanites. — The lands of Shemlon, Shilom,

Helam, Amnion, Ishmael, Middoni, Jerusalem, etc. . . . 395

CHAPTER LXX.

The Lands of the Nephites, continued. — Zarahemla. — Jershon.— An-

tionutn. — Manti. — Gideon. ........ 399

CHAPTER LXXI.

Lands of the Nephites, continued. Minon. Melek. — Ammonihah. — Noah. Sidom. Anion. Lehi. Mulek. — Bountiful. — The Southwest Border. ............. 404

CONTENTS.

xiii

CHAPTER LXXII.

The Landsof Antum, Teancum, Joshua, David, etc. — Cumorah. — The Hills

of the Nephites. —The River Sidon. . . . . . . .411

CHAPTER LXXIII.

Religion of the Nephites. — It is Stated by Nephi. — The Priesthood and Ordinances thereof. — Baptism. — Confirmation . — Ordination. — The Sacrament. — Spiritual Gifts. .417

CHAPTER LXXIV.

Miracles Among the Nephites. — The Miracles of Christ. — John and the

Three Nephites — Translations 425

CHAPTER LXXV.

The Prophecies Regarding the Savior. — Their Completeness and Detail. —

Names and Titles given to Christ 430

CHAPTER IyXXVI.

Nephite Apostates. — The Order of Nehor. — Amalekites. — Amalickiahites.

— Amulonites. — Abinadi's Prophecy. — The Gadiantons. . . . 435

CHAPTER LXXVII.

Church Discipline among the Nephites. — Treatment of the Unrepentant. — The Word of the Lord Regarding Transgressors. — The Testimony of Moroni. - . 442

CHAPTER LXXVIIL

The Discovery of the Jaredite Record. — Coriantumr. — Ether. — The Dispersion at Babel. — The Journey of the Jaredites. — Atlantis. . . . 446

CHAPTER LXXIX.

Moriancumr. — Building the Barges.— The Finger of the Lord.— The Appearing of the Savior. — The Voyage 452

CHAPTER LXXX.

The Land of Promise. — A Monarchy Established. — The Kings of the

Jaredites from Orihah to Omer. — Akish.— The Daughter of Jared. . 457

CHAPTER LXXXI.

The Kings of the Jaredites from Omer to Coriantumr. — The Material

Prosperity of the Race. . . . . 460

CHAPTER LXXXII.

The Judgments of God on the Jaredites. — The Extinction of the Pace -

The hill Ramah. — Shiz and Coriantumr. — Ether. .... 463

BOOK OF MORMON CHRONOLOGY. 472

APPENDIX 488

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Appearance of Christ to the Nephites,

Armitage,

PAGE.

Frontispiece

Ancient Jerusalem,

•

Ancient Aztec Map, (Part i.)

Boturini,

Wilderness near the Red Sea,

-

Ancient Aztec Map, (Part 2.)

Boturini,

Vision of Nephi,

. Held,

Ancient Aztec Map, (Part 3.)

Boturini,

Ancient Aztec Map, (Part 4.)

Botiwini,

Ancient Hieroglyphic Chart,

Farreri,

5 1

First Sacrifice on the Promised Land,

Ottinger,

Joseph sold by his Brethren,

The Country of the Nephites,

The Jews led away to Captivity,

Babylon, .....

Nazareth, . . . . • .

The Land of Helam,

Discovery of the Records of the Jaredites,

Ottinger,

Baptism of Limhi,

Ottinger,

The Wilderness, ....

The Wilderness of Hermounts,

The Martyrdoms at Ammonihah,

Held,

1 57

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. XV

PAGE.

The Deliverance of Alma and Amulek, Held, 161

Moroni Raises the " Title of Liberty," Ottinger, 185

Teancnm Slays Ainalickiah, . . Morris, 195

The New Star, . . . . . . 238

The River Jordan, ..... 245

The Crucifixion, ...... 247

Destruction of Zarahemla, . . Ottinger, 249

The House on the Rock and on the Sand, . 268

Shepherd and his Flocks, . . . 271

The Three Nephites and wild Beasts, . Held, 293

The Mothers of the Nephites, . . . 313

South American Fruits, . . . . 320

Ancient Egyptian Characters, . . . 370

Copy of Characters on the Plates, . . 371

Christ before Pilate, . . . Munkacsy, 431

The Original Home of the Jaredites, . . 446

The Tower of Babel, ..... 447

Appearance of Christ to the Brother of Jared,

Held, 455

Prophets Preaching to the Jaredites, . Held, 463

Ether Finishing his Record, . . Morris ^ 467

THE

5tory of t\)9i Boo\ of /T\or/T\OQ.

INTRODUCTION.

AMERICA THE FIRST INHABITED OF ALL LANDS — ITS ANCIENT PEOPLES — THE GARDEN OF EDEN — THE ANTEDILUVI- ANS—THE JAREDITES — THE NEPHITES AND LAMANITES.

^jpHE story that we are about to relate is a true one.

It is the history of the races who lived on this broad land of ours long, long ago. From it we shall learn many lessons of God's great love for man. We shall also learn how often his love has been spurned, how apt his favored children have been to walk in ways of sin, and how prone to disobey his holy law. It is a story full of light and shade, one which it will be well for all of us to take to heart, for by so doing our faith in God will increase, and we shall be prompted to strive the more earnestly to avoid the evils that others by their misdeeds have brought upon themselves and their posterity.

America, the land we love, is, in our Heavenly Father's eyes, choice above all other lands as the home of his sons and daughters, whom he has placed upon this earth. For all God's creatures are not here. He has made many worlds and filled them with his children. How many we know not ; they are countless to us. The stars, that shine in myriads in the heavens, are nearly all suns like the one that gives us light; the remaining few are worlds like unto this on which we dwell; and ours is one of the very smallest of them all. To the works of God there is no beginning, neither is there any end.

God made America the richest of all lands. He filled its depths with precious minerals ; he caused the most lovely trees, and herbs, and flowers to grow upon its surface. In all things he made it most desirable as a home for man. And here he planted the Garden of Eden, and placed our first parents — Adam and Eve — therein. From that garden they were afterwards driven forth when they failed to keep God's law. But they did not leave this continent. Here they still remained ; here their sons and daughters were born, until many strong people had sprung from them. It was in this land that Cain slew his brother Abel ; it was here that Enoch and his city dwelt, that Noah preached to the ungodly, and the ark was built. But when the flood was over and the w.aters sank, that ark, by the winds and waves, had been carried far away to a new land, until it rested on Mount Ararat. Then for a short time America was without inhabitant.

But not long after the deluge the wicked tried to build a tower that would reach so high that if ever another flood came they might escape the rising waters by ascending it. This is called the Tower of Babel. The Lord was angry with those who attempted to bnild this tower, for he had promised that he wonld never again destroy the earth with the waters of a flood. Bnt they did not believe him ; and in their unbelief they went to work to construct it. In his anger he confonnded their langnage, that they conld not understand each other. Then he scattered them abroad upon the face of the earth. Some few, better than the others, he brought to America. Here he made them a great nation ; and they filled the land for many hundreds of years. By and by they grew exceedingly wicked and gathered together in vast armies to war with one another. And they fought so terribly that at last they were all destroyed, — all except one man. These people were called the Jaredites.

By this we see that this continent was a second time left without inhabitants, because of the great wickedness of the people.

After this the Lord brought another people to fill this land. They were a branch of the house of Israel, and we call them the Nephites and Lamanites. They also grew great, prospered, flourished, and fell. Like the Jaredites, at the last, they destroyed each other in war, and there were but few left. But from those few have come the many tribes of Indians that to-day are found scattered far and wide over both North and South America, and on some of the outlying islands of the sea.

Thus fell a third race who would not serve God ; for he had decreed that the wicked should not inherit this land. To one of his ancient servants he

STORY OF THE BOOK OF MORMON.

declared, u If iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes ; but unto the righteous it shall be blessed for ever." (n Nephi i. 7.)

North America was the first of all lands to be inhabited ; it was here that Adam and Eve dwelt. The Jaredifes from the Tower of Babel also first landed here. But the Nephites made their earliest settlements on the western shores of the southern continent, where by degrees they spread north and south, then east and west, until their cities and villages could be seen in every part of the land.

ANCIENT JERUSALEM — LEHI — HIS VISION — HIS CALL TO PREACH TO THE JEWS — THEY PERSECUTE HIM — HE IS COMMANDED OF GOD TO TAKE HIS FAMILY INTO THE WILDERNESS— THEIR DEPARTURE— THE RETURN OF HIS SONS TO JERUSALEM TO OBTAIN THE RECORDS — THEY ARE ILL TREATED BY LABAN — HIS DEATH — ZORAM AC- COMPANIES THE BROTHERS INTO THE WILDERNESS.

/^UR story opens in the royal city of Jerusalem, in the first year of the reign of King Zedekiah, or exactly six hundred years before the birth of pur Savior. It was then very grand and very beautiful, the capital of the Kingdom of Judah, and the chief city of all Israel. In name it was holy, for the Temple of the Lord was there. Its busy streets were crowded with a mixed multitude. Priests and Levites who officiated in the ordinances of the law of Moses, worshipers from the other tribes of Jacob, warriors of the armies

Chapter I. Story Of The Book Of Mormon

of Judah, courtiers and attendants on the king, merchants from Egypt, from Tyre and Sidon and from manv other parts, artificers in various trades, all these combined to make it wealthy and renowned, a busy mart of trade, a centre of civilization, and a sacred city.

Holy it should have been, but the glory of the Lord had departed from his house. Its people had become very wicked. They were filled with pride and greed ; they heeded not the law of the Lord ; their affections were set upon the things of this world ; the}' served God with their lips only, while their hearts were far from him. He had sent unto them his prophets, but one after another they had rejected these holy men ; many they had persecuted, and some they had slain.

In this city, at that time, dwelt a worthy man named Lehi. He was of the tribe of Manasseh, but had made his home in Jerusalem all his days, though it was a city of the Kingdom of Judah. He was a man who had been prospered of the Lord and had gathered around him considerable wealth. His wife's name was Sari ah, and they had four sons and some daughters. The names of the sons, in the order of their ages, were Lanian, Lemuel, Sam and Nephi ; the number or names of the daughters are nowhere given in the sacred history.

To this good man the word of the Lord came. God raised him up to be a prophet. He sent him with a message to the people of Jerusalem. As a servant of the Lord he had to warn them of many evils that would come upon them if they did not cease from their wicked ways. But they paid no heed to his

STORY OF THE BOOK OF MORMON.

words ; they refused to listen to his warning. Indeed, they became very angry because he told them of their sins, and before long they sought to kill him.

God gave to Lehi many dreams and visions. One da}' a pillar of fire came and rested on a rock before him ; and then he heard and saw man}' wonderful things. The things which he had seen and heard so overpowered him that he went home to his house at Jerusalem, and threw himself on his bed. Then being overcome by the Holy Spirit he was carried away in a vision. In that vision he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded by vast hosts of angels who were singing and praising the Lord. And he saw a holy Being, surrounded by a glory as bright as the sun at noon clay, come down out of the midst of heaven. It was the Lord Jesus. Our Savior was followed by twelve others whose brightness exceeded that of the stars. They were Christ's Apostles. These came down and went forth on the face of the earth.

And in the vision the Savior came to Lehi and gave him a book, and bade him read it. In that book was an account of events that had not yet taken place. It was full of the woes that should happen to Jerusalem and her people, if they repented not of their sins and follies. It told how that great city should be taken by her enemies and destroyed ; how numbers of the inhabitants should perish, while many should be carried captive into Babylon. All of which was fulfilled a few years later. These things with others were what Lehi told the Jews ; and as they did not believe his words they became enraged at him and ill treated him. How gracious was our heavenly Father to shew such great things to Lehi, and to reveal to him so much with reeard to the earthly life of our Lord and Savior, whose coining in the flesh was yet six hundred years in the future.

Before long the Lord was satisfied with what Lehi had said and done. He told him, in a dream, that as the Jews had rejected his message and sought his life, to leave them to the destruction that would surely come upon them. God then directed him to leave Jerusalem and take his family and journey into the wilderness. This Lehi did. He left behind him his gold and other precious things, and only carried with him what was needful for the use of his family during their

J o

travels. Like Abraham before him, he went not knowing whither he was going, but went because God had commanded him ; and, like Abraham, he was led by Divine power to a blessed land of promise.

When Lehi and his family left Jerusalem they traveled southward to the borders of the Red Sea. When they reached there the}' pitched their tents and rested for a season in a valley near a river which emptied into the sea. In this valley Lehi built an altar, and upon it he offered a sacrifice to the Lord, and gave thanks unto him for his great goodness in bringing them out of the doomed chief city of Judah.