195 A Plain English Reference to became proud in his heart and wore The Book of Alma very expensive clothing. He even Alma is the first judge started his own church according to his See Alma, Chapter 1 own preaching. When King Mosiah died in 91 B.C., Before Nehor had been brought to there was no king left to rule the Alma for judgment, he had been on his Nephites. Mosiah, who was righteous way to preach to his believers. He had before God, had established laws the met Gideon, one of the teachers who people had accepted and were bound to belonged to God's church — the same live by. And so the people were ruled man who many years earlier had been by judges rather than by a king. an instrument in God's hands in delivering Limhi's people out of Alma was the first judge. During his bondage. first year as judge a man named Nehor was brought before him. Nehor was a Nehor began to criticize Gideon in large, strong man. He'd been preaching order to lead more people of the church what he said was the word of God, yet away. Gideon responded to Nehor he spoke against the church. boldly, defending the church with the true word of God. He told the people every priest and teacher should become popular and be supported by the people, not having to work with his own hands. He had also testified to the people everyone would be saved at the last day, so they need not fear God's judgments. He told them to lift up their heads and rejoice, for the Lord had created Now Gideon was strong in the word of and redeemed everyone, and in the God. Because Gideon had exposed his end, everyone will have eternal life. lies, Nehor became very angry. He Many people believed Nehor and drew his sword and killed Gideon, who supported him with their money. He was too old to defend himself. 196 This is why the people of the church But this event did not end the had brought Nehor before Alma to be spreading of priestcraft throughout the judged for his crime. Nehor stood land. before Alma and boldly pled for Many people loved the vain things of himself, but Alma said to Nehor, the world. They went about preaching "This is the first time priestcraft has false doctrines for money and fame. been practiced among this people. They pretended to believe what they preached to cover their lies, for liars were punished. By doing this the law could not touch them. The people dared not steal or murder for fear of the law, for whoever murdered was punished by death. As time passed, those You're not only guilty of priestcraft, who didn't belong to God's church but you’re guilty of enforcing it with began to persecute those who had taken the sword! If priestcraft were allowed the name of Christ upon themselves. to be enforced among this people, it They persecuted and criticized the would bring about their entire Christians for humbly preaching God's destruction. word without payment. You have killed a righteous man! He A strict law prevented church members was a man who did much good among from persecuting non-members and this people. If we spared you, his blood members alike. But in spite of this would come upon us for vengeance. strict law, many church members Therefore you are condemned to die began to be proud, arguing with those according to the laws given by our last who persecuted them, even to the point king Mosiah. For our people have of having fist fights. agreed to live by these laws." In 90 BC, this pride and fighting caused And so Nehor was taken to the top of many afflictions and trials to come Manti Hill. There he confessed before upon the church. Many proud church heaven and earth that what he had members were excommunicated, and taught was contrary to the word of God. many others decided to leave the Then he suffered a disgraceful death. church. 197 All this was very hard on the faithful, The righteous gave to anyone in need, but they stayed firm in keeping God's and this is how they all prospered commands, patiently bearing heavy together. The righteous saints became persecution. much more wealthy than those who did When the righteous priests left their not belong to their church, or than those work to preach, the people left their who did not practice charity. work to hear God's word. Then they Those who did not take the name of would all return to their work, for the Christ upon themselves indulged in priests didn't feel they were above sorcery, idolatry, spiritualism, envying working. They were all equal, and and arguing. They wore expensive every man worked according to his clothing and were vain and proud. They own strength. participated in persecuting, lying, The righteous saints gave to the poor, robbing, committing sexual sins and in the needy, the sick and afflicted. If a murder. man had more, he gave more, for they For doing all this, they were brought to all gave according to what they had. justice as much as possible according to None of them wore expensive clothing, the laws established by Mosiah. but their clothes were neat and Because the righteous brought sinners attractive. to the law to be judged and punished This is how the church worked. It was a according to their crimes, system that brought continual peace to the wicked became more secretive and its members in spite of persecution. did not dare sin openly. Because of the righteous in the church, There was still peace among the its members all became rich. They had Nephites until 87 BC. an abundance of everything they Amlici rebels, fights Nephites needed — flocks, herds, grain, gold, See Alma, Chapter 2 silver, silk, fine linen and precious In this same year, a very cunning man things. Yet even with all their riches, named Amlici (Ahm-lee-see) began to they didn't turn away anyone who was cause contention. He acted according to hungry or who needed clothing, for Nehor's order (doctrine), and was wise their hearts were not set upon their as to the wisdom of the world. He riches. They were all generous to all gained many followers. So many they people. became very powerful group, and they The righteous gave to the elderly as wanted Amlici to become king over all well as to the young. They gave to the people. those in debt as well as to those who This was alarming to the people of the were free. They would give to church, and to all who had not been members and non-members alike. 198 persuaded by Amlici, for they knew and with every other kind of weapon. according to their law, a man could They were organized and appointed only become king by a majority vote. captains, higher captains and chief They knew if Amlici were elected as captains according to their numbers. king, he would take away their rights to Amlici also armed his men with all worship God. They knew Amlici was a types of weapons, and he also wicked man who wanted to destroy appointed rulers and leaders over his God's church. people to lead them to war against their The people came from all parts of the brethren. land and assembled into two groups. The Amlicites came upon Amnihu Hill, Those for Amlici and those against him, and the groups argued before voting. The results of the vote were brought to their judges, and the majority of the people had voted against Amlici. When the results were announced, those against Amlici celebrated, but those for Amlici were incited by him to become very angry. They gathered together and consecrated Amlici to be their king. As soon as these rebellious people had east of Sidon River, which ran made Amlici their king, he commanded along the land of Zarahemla. On the them to take up arms against their hill, the Amlicites began to fight the brethren, for he wanted power over all Nephites. the people! As chief judge and governor of the The people who followed Amlici were people of Nephi, Alma went up on the called Amlicites, and the rest were hill with his captains and chief called Nephites, or the people of God. captains, leading his armies to battle against the Amlicites. Aware of the Amlicites' intentions, the Nephites prepared to fight them. They They began to kill the Amlicites upon armed themselves with swords, the hill, but the Amlicites fought the scimitars, bows, arrows, stones, slings Nephites with great strength killing many of them. 199 The Lord strengthened the Lamanites and the Amlicites, who Nephites so that they became mighty in seemed to be as numerous as the sands battle. They killed so many Amlicites of the sea, came upon them. so quickly that they began to run away. But the Nephites were again made The Nephites went after the Amlicites strong by the hand of the Lord, all that day and killed 12,532 of them. having prayed mightily to Him that That day 6,562 Nephites were also He would deliver them out of the killed. hands of their enemies. When night came, Alma stopped his The Lord heard their cries, for the chase. He and his army camped in Lamanites and Amlicites fell before Gideon Valley (named after Gideon them in battle. who had been killed by Nehor). Then Alma fought Amlici face to face. Alma sent spies to follow the surviving They fought mightily with their Amlicites, to learn of their plans and swords. Alma, being a man of God, and plots, to guard himself against them and keep his people from being destroyed. Alma sent out Zeram, Amnor, Manti and Limher with their men to spy on the Amlicite camp. The next morning these men came running back to the Nephite camp, very surprised and fearful, reporting, "We followed the Amlicites outside of Zarahemla to the land of Minon where they joined a very large Lamanite having practiced great faith, cried out, army! Our brethren in Minon are "Oh Lord, have mercy and spare my running from them with their flocks, life, that I may be an instrument in Thy wives and children toward our city! hands to save and preserve this people." Unless we hurry back to our city, our Then Alma continued the fight with enemies will obtain it and our families Amlici. He was strengthened and he will be killed!" killed Amlici with his sword. Alma quickly led the Nephite army Then the Lamanite king fought with back to their own city, Zarahemla. As Alma, but the king soon ran from him they were crossing the Sidon River, the and sent his guards to fight instead. 200 Alma and his guards killed and drove the Sidon River came to rest in the back the Lamanite king's guards. depths of the sea. Alma and his men cleared the west Like the Lamanites, the Amlicites bank of the Sidon River by throwing identified themselves with red paint the dead Lamanites into the river so upon their foreheads, but unlike the that the rest of the Nephite army could Lamanites, they did not shave their cross. heads. When they had all crossed the river, the The Lamanites shaved their heads and Lamanites and Amlicites ran with terror wore armor and small skins for from Alma, even though they were so loincloths. They carried bows, arrows, numerous they could not be counted. stones and slings. They ran from the Nephites toward The Lamanites had dark skin, which the wilderness in the west and the was God's mark upon them--This was north. The Nephites chased them with a curse first given to their forefathers, their might, killing many. Laman and Lemuel, because of their The Lamanites and Amlicites were transgression and rebellion against their surrounded and killed, or chased into brothers, Nephi, Jacob, Joseph and the wilderness called Hermounts, Sam, who were just and holy men. inhabited by wild animals. Because Laman and Lemuel wanted to Mark of dark skin explained kill their brothers, they were cursed See Alma, Chapter 3 with this mark of dark skin, and Ishmael's wicked children were also Many died of their wounds in this cursed. This was done to identify their wilderness and were eaten by wild offspring. animals and vultures. Later their bones were found and piled in heaps. By doing this, the Lord could preserve His people, for the mark was intended After this war, the surviving Nephites to keep the Nephites from being enticed buried their dead, which were too by the Lamanites, from marrying them, numerous to be counted. Then they all and from believing in their false returned to their lands and houses, to traditions which would prove their their wives and children. destruction. Many women and children had been Also, the Nephites who married killed, many flocks and herds had been Lamanites brought the same curse of destroyed, and many grain fields had dark skin upon their children. And been trampled by the great armies. every Nephite who joined the Many bones of the Lamanites and Lamanites had a mark placed on him, Amlicites who had been thrown into and was then called a Lamanite. 201 Those who did not believe the Not many days after this battle, another Lamanites' false traditions were called Lamanite army attacked the Nephites at Nephites. They believed what was Amnihu Hill. A Nephite army was sent written in the records that were brought from Zarahemla to drive them out of out of Jerusalem--the correct traditions the land. Alma had been wounded and of their forefathers, and they kept God's did not go to battle this time against the commandments. Lamanites. And they have kept these true records Alma sent a numerous army against the of their people, and also of the Lamanites. They killed many of them Lamanites. and drove the rest out of the land. The light-skinned Amlicites had put Then they returned again and began to red paint on their foreheads. By establish peace in the land, and for marking themselves, God's word to awhile they had no more trouble with Nephi was fulfilled, saying, their enemies. "I have cursed the Lamanites and will All this fighting began and ended in 87 put a mark upon them. By this mark, BC, the fifth year of the judges' reign. their offspring may be separated from yours forever, unless the Lamanites During this year, tens of thousands of repent of their wickedness and turn to souls were sent to the eternal world to me so that I may have mercy on them. reap their rewards according to their I will put a mark upon those who mix works, whether they were good or evil, with your brothers' children and to reap eternal happiness or eternal they will also be cursed. misery according to the spirit that they I will also put a mark upon those who had chosen to obey, either a good spirit fight you and your children, and those or a bad one. For everyone will receive who leave you will no longer be called the reward of whom he chooses to Nephites. But I will bless you and obey. anyone who calls himself This is the truth according to the spirit your offspring." of prophecy. Now the Amlicites didn't know they The church is taken were fulfilling God's words by painting Seriously because of war a red mark on their foreheads. But they See Alma, Chapter 5 had come out in open rebellion against Him, so this curse and condemnation In 86 BC, there was no fighting in the came upon them. land of Zarahemla. But the people suffered because they had lost so many Like all who are cursed, they had men, animals and crops. So great was brought it upon themselves. their suffering, everyone had reason to mourn. They knew they had received 202 God's judgments because of their even more proud than those who did great sinfulness, and they had now not belong to God's church. awakened to remember their duty By the end of 84 BC, the progress of toward Him. They began to establish the church began to fail, for the non- the church more fully. members saw all the pride and Eighty-five BC was a year of peace, contention of the church members and during which 3,500 souls were baptized had no desire to join their church. into God's church. By 83 BC, Alma saw that the wicked But again in 84 BC, the people of the example of the church was leading church began to be proud of wealth astray those who had not joined it--a they had acquired. Because of their fine wickedness that was the beginning of silks and linen, their flocks and herds, the people's destruction. Alma their gold and silver, and all their saw great inequality among the valuables, their pride began to show, people. and they started wearing very Many thought they were better than expensive clothing. others, and turned their backs on the Alma and the teachers, priests and people who needed food, drink, elders, whom he had consecrated to clothing and physical care. This teach the church, were all very inequality caused great sadness among sorrowful because of this wickedness the people. that had begun among the people of Yet some humbled themselves and gave the church. what they had to the poor and needy. It sorrowed them to see the They suffered all types of afflictions people boasting of their because they believed in Jesus Christ accomplishments, and setting their who would soon come, as declared to hearts on their money and vain them by the spirit of prophecy. They things of the world. looked forward to Christ's coming. The people began to despise one By giving to the poor, they retained a another, and to oppress the humble remission of their sins. They were people of the church who did not filled with great joy, for they believed believe as they did. that the will and power of Jesus Christ After enjoying only one year of peace, would deliver them from a permanent there was much fighting among the death. people of the church. They were Even though Alma was very sorry to envious of one another and had great see this inequality in the church --so contentions among themselves, and many church members afflicting God's many church members became 203 humble followers, the Spirit of the Lord pride and contention among them. He did not fail him. saw no other way to bring them back to Following the Spirit, Alma selected God except by bearing down in pure Nephihah, a wise elder of the church, testimony of Christ against them. and gave him power, by the voice of By the beginning of 83 BC, Alma had the people, to make and enforce new given up his temporal work as chief laws according to the laws already judge and did nothing but spiritual given. work according to the high priesthood Nephihah was appointed chief judge of the holy order of God. His work was and governor of the people, but Alma to testify of God's word, according to remained high priest over the church. the spirit of revelation and prophecy. Alma calls the Alma gave up his judgment-seat so he could go among his fellow Nephites People to repentance and preach God's word to them-- See Alma, Chapter 5 to help them remember their duty to Alma began to testify in Zarahemla and each other and to bring down all the throughout all the land. These are his words, from his own record, to the people in the church at Zarahemla: "I Alma have been consecrated by my father Alma, to be a high priest over God's church. My father was given power and authority from God to baptize his brothers and sisters and establish a church in the land of Mormon. My father and his people were delivered out of the hands of King Noah's people by God's mercy and power. After being delivered, they were brought into bondage again by the Lamanites (who had been chasing Limhi and his people). But by the power 204 of His word, the Lord delivered them And because of my father's faith, there a second time. He brought them was a mighty change made in his into this land, where His church has heart. been established. Then my father preached God's word to Now I ask you, the members of this your fathers, and such a mighty church . . . change was made in their hearts, ...have you completely forgotten your they humbled themselves and put their fathers' captivity? trust in the true, living God. ....have you completely forgotten the And because they were faithful to the Lord's mercy and long-suffering toward end, they were saved. them? Now I ask, have you been spiritually ...most of all, have you completely born of God? forgotten that He delivered their souls from hell? You see, He changed their hearts. He awoke them from a deep sleep, and they awoke to Him. They were surrounded by darkness and the chains of hell, and an everlasting destruction awaited their souls. Then the Lord lit up their souls by the light of His everlasting word. I ask you, my brothers and sisters, were they destroyed? No, they were spared! Were they freed from bondage, and were their souls saved? Yes, for when they were freed their souls grew, and they sang redeeming love, and I tell you that they have been saved! And how were they saved--loosened from the bands of death and the chains Have you received His image in your of hell? It all happened because my countenances? father believed Abinadi, a holy Have you experienced this mighty prophet, who spoke the words of God. change in your hearts? 205 Do you exercise faith in How will you feel, standing before the the redemption of your Creator? bar of God, with your robe stained with Do you look forward with faith, blood and all types of filthiness? seeing your mortal body resurrected, to And what will these stains testify stand before God to be judged against you? That you are murderers according to the deeds done in the and are guilty of all types of body? wickedness! Will you hear the Lord say, Brothers and sisters, do you think 'Come to me, you that are blessed, for anyone like this will have a place to sit your works were righteous on earth.' down in God's kingdom with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the holy prophets Or would you think to lie to the Lord, whose robes are clean, spotless, pure saying, and white? 'Lord, my works have been righteous No! Unless you think our Creator is a on earth!’ and He will believe you? liar from the beginning, you cannot Or will your soul be filled with guilt think this, for those with stained robes and remorse for your wickedness as will be sent out, for they are the you perfectly remember defying children of the devil's kingdom. God's commands? In the past, if you have Now which do you think will be your ever experienced a change of heart and case when you are brought before the have wanted to sing the song of judgment of God? redeeming love, how do you feel now? Will you be able to look up to God that Have you kept yourselves blameless day with a pure heart and clean hands, before God? having His image engraved in your If you were to die now, could you say soul? to yourselves that you've been humble Can you think of being saved when you enough, and that your robes have been have given yourself up to become a cleansed and made white through the slave to the devil? blood of Christ, who will come to On that day you will know you cannot redeem His people from their sins? be saved, for no one can be saved Are you stripped of pride? If not, unless his or her robes have been you're not prepared to meet God. You washed white, purified and cleansed must prepare quickly, for the kingdom from all stain through the blood of of heaven is soon at hand, and those Him whom our fathers spoke, who will who are proud will not have come to redeem His people from their eternal life. sins. 206 Are any of you envious? Such a person you. He's still calling after you, but you is not prepared, for such won't be found won't listen! guiltless. I warn you to prepare quickly, The Good Shepherd is calling you in for the Lord will soon come, though we His own name, which is Christ. If you don't know exactly when. won't listen and respond to the name, Do any of you make fun of your brother, speak ill of him, or treat him poorly? Cursed are such, for they are not prepared, and the time is near when they must repent (change) or they will not be saved! Yes, cursed are all you workers of sin. Repent, for the Lord God has spoken it! He sends an "Children of Christ", then you're not invitation to all people. His arms of His sheep. And if you're not His mercy are extended toward them, and sheep, then whose are you? Who can He says, deny you are the devil's? Whoever does 'Repent and I will receive you. Come to deny this is a liar.....a child of the devil. me and you will taste the fruit of the For good comes from God, and evil tree of life. You will eat and drink freely of the bread and water of life. Come to from the devil. me with your righteous works and you If a man does good works, he listens to will not be cut down and the Good Shepherd's voice and follows thrown in the fire.' Him. The time is close when those who bring But whoever does evil works becomes forth bad fruit will have reason to wail the devil's child by listening to his and mourn. voice and following him. All who do Oh, you workers of iniquity, puffed up this must receive the devil's wages -- by your pride in the vain things of the spiritual death — a death to the things world. You who have professed to of righteousness, for they are dead to have known the ways of all good works. righteousness but have gone astray My brothers and sisters, I want you to like sheep without a shepherd, even understand me, for I speak with all the though the shepherd has called after energy of my soul! 207 God has commanded me to speak to you plainly so you cannot misunderstand. I am called to speak this way according to the holy order of God, which is in Jesus Christ. I am commanded to stand and testify to you about the things our forefathers said would happen. Do you think I don't have a testimony of these things? I testify, I know what I have said is true! And why do you think I'm so sure of my knowledge? It's because I have fasted and prayed many days to know these things for myself. I know they are true, for the Lord God has shown them to me by His Holy Spirit. And this is the spirit of revelation in me. bond and free, crying to them that they must repent and be born again. Furthermore, it has been revealed to me, according to the spirit of prophecy The Spirit says, in me, that the words of our forefathers 'Repent, everyone from the ends of the are true. earth, for the kingdom of heaven is The spirit of prophecy is also a coming soon. The Son of God will manifestation of the Spirit of God. come in His glory, might, majesty, power and dominion. The glory of the I know what I say about the future is King of heaven and earth will very true! I know Jesus Christ will come. soon shine among all people.' He is the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, who is full of grace, mercy and The Spirit also speaks to me with a truth. He will come to take away the mighty voice, saying, sins of everyone who firmly believes 'Go forth and say to this people: in Him. Repent, for unless you repent you This is the order after which I am cannot inherit the kingdom of called--to preach to you and to heaven. everyone in the land--to the old, young, The axe is laid at the foot of the tree, and every tree that does not bear good 208 fruit will be cut down and thrown into blotted out and not be found among the the fire--a fire that cannot be put out. names of the righteous." Remember, the Holy One has spoken Then God's word will be fulfilled, this.' which says, Brothers and sisters, can you ignore these things and trample the Holy One under your feet? Can you build yourselves up in the pride of your hearts? Will you continue to wear expensive clothing and set your hearts upon your riches . . . the 'The names of the wicked will not be vain things of the world? mingled with the names of my people, Will you continue to think that you are which will be written in The Book of better than others? Life. And I will give my people an inheritance at my right hand.' Will you continue to criticize your brothers and sisters who humble And now, my brothers and themselves and walk after the holy sisters, what can you say against this? order of God? And if you do speak against this, it doesn't matter, for God's word will be By this holy order they have been fulfilled. brought into this church and have been sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and Is there a shepherd who does not watch their works prove their repentance. over his sheep in order to keep wolves from eating his flock? If a wolf comes Will you continue to turn your backs into his flock, does he drive it out? on the poor and the needy and not Yes, and if possible, he will kill it. share your blessings with them? Now the Good Shepherd calls you, and And finally, I say to those of you who if you will listen to His voice, He will will continue in your wickedness, you bring you into His fold, and you will be will be cut down and thrown into the one of His sheep. He commands fire, unless you quickly repent. you not to let a hungry wolf come in To those who want to follow the Good and destroy you. Shepherd's voice, I say, Now I Alma command you, as God has "Come out from among the commanded me, to do good works wicked. Separate yourselves from according to what I have said. them and do not touch their uncleanness, for their names will be 209 I command you who belong to the on behalf of the welfare of the souls church. who did not know God. And to those who do not belong to the After making these regulations, Alma church, I invite you to come and be left the city of Zarahemla and went to baptized unto repentance, so you the valley of Gideon, east of the Sidon may also taste fruit from the tree of River. In that valley was the city of life. Gideon, named after the man who was Alma sets the church in order killed by Nehor. See Alma, Chapter 6 Alma declared God's word to the After Alma finished speaking to the church established in Gideon. He people of the church, which was spoke by revelation, confirming the established in the city of Zarahemla, he truth of his forefathers' words. ordained priests and elders to preside He also spoke by the spirit of and watch over the church. He did this prophecy because of his testimony of ordination by the laying on of hands, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who according to the order of God. would come to redeem His people from Those who had not belonged to the their sins. church, but who repented of their sins, Alma did all things according to the were baptized unto repentance and holy order of God to which he had been received into the church. called. Those who belonged to the church, yet Alma testifies of Christ refused to repent and humble See Alma, Chapter 7 themselves — who were lifted up in In Gideon, Alma preached, the pride of their hearts — were excommunicated and not numbered "My beloved brothers and sisters, this with the righteous. is the first time I have been able to speak to you, for I have been very busy This is how the priests and elders began as chief judge. But now I have given to establish the order of the church in the judgment-seat to Nephihah. the city of Zarahemla. The Lord has shown great mercy in I Mormon want you to understand that allowing me to come here. I came God's word was liberal to all, for no hoping to find you humbling yourselves one was deprived of his right to before God, asking for His grace, assemble and hear the word of God. blameless before Him. The children of God were commanded I have come hoping that you were not to gather together often, and to join in the same awful dilemma as our in fasting and mighty prayer, brethren in Zarahemla. But God has 210 given me great joy in knowing that the people of Zarahemla are righteous again. I trust, according to God's Spirit in me, that I will also have joy over you, for I would rather not experience again the type of sorrow I had over the people of Zarahemla. I trust you’re more believing than your brethren — not as proud as they were. I trust you have not set your hearts on riches and vain things of the world and do not worship idols. I trust you worship the true, living God, looking forward to a remission of your sins with an everlasting faith, for there are many events to come. Mary will be a virgin — a precious, The most important event is the chosen vessel, who will be Redeemer coming to live among His overshadowed and conceive by the people. The Spirit told me He will not power of the Holy Ghost and bring come to us while living on earth as a forth the Son of God. man. He will suffer all types of pain, I don't know when or how the Lord affliction and temptation to fulfil the God will come to us, but He has the words, power to do everything He said He 'He will take the pains and sickness of would do. His people upon Himself.’ The Spirit told me, He will die in order to loosen the bands 'Cry out to this people: Repent, prepare of death that bind His people. the way of the Lord, and walk in His He will be merciful and powerful in straight paths, for the kingdom of the flesh. And He will know by His heaven is near, and the Son of God will mortal experiences how to overcome come upon the face of the earth.' His people's ills (temporal and He will be born of Mary in Jerusalem, spiritual).' the land of our forefathers. 211 The Spirit already knows how this is of righteousness that leads to God's done, but the Son of God will suffer in kingdom, making His paths straight. mortality, that He may erase the sins Through the testimony of His word, of His people that they commit in you know the Lord cannot walk on mortality. This is my testimony. crooked paths. He will do as He Now, you must repent and be born said, never turning from what is right. again, for the Spirit says if you are not This is why His course is one eternal born again, you cannot inherit the round (a continuing cycle). kingdom of heaven. He does not live in unholy temples, and So come and be baptized unto filthy things cannot enter His kingdom. repentance. Be cleansed from your sins, At the last day, those who are filthy will showing your faith in the Lamb of remain filthy. God who will take away the sins of the I said these things to awaken you to a world. He will be mighty to save and sense of your duty to God, to motivate cleanse us from all unrighteousness. you to walk blameless before Him Do not be afraid to come, and put after the holy order of God, the order aside every sin that easily tempts and by which you have been received into binds you down to destruction. Come the church. and show your God that you are willing Be humble, submissive, gentle and tea to repent of your sins. chable. Be full of patience, long- Make a covenant with Him to obey suffering and temperate in all things. His commands, and witness this to Be diligent in obeying God's Him today by going into the waters of commands at all times, asking for baptism. whatever you need, both spiritually and Those who do this, who obey God's temporally. commands throughout their lives, will And always return thanks to God for remember I told them this, according to wha you receive. the testimony of the Holy Spirit: Be sure to have faith, hope and You will have eternal life! charity, and then you will always do Do you believe these things? Through many good things. the Spirit, I know you do, and because May the Lord bless you and keep your your faith in Christ is strong, my joy is robes spotless, that you may at last be great. brought in to sit down in the kingdom I'm glad you're not having the same of heaven with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob problems your brothers and sisters have and all the holy prophets, never to in Zarahemla. I see you're on the path leave again. 212 I have spoken these words according to had taken great hold upon their hearts, the Spirit, which testifies within me. and they would not listen to him. My soul rejoices because you have Alma labored in the spirit, asking God responded so well to my words. in mighty prayer to pour out His Spirit Now may God's peace be with you and upon the people, that he might baptize your families. May it bless your homes, them and make their repentance lands, flocks and all that you possess, complete. according to your faith and good But the people hardened their hearts works, now and forever.” and said, Alma rejected in Ammonihah "We know who you are. You're Alma, See Alma, Chapter 8 high priest over the church you After Alma had taught the people of established in many parts of the land, Gideon many things, too many to be according to your tradition. We don't written, and had established the order belong to your church, or believe of the church as he had in the land of in your foolish traditions. Zarahemla, he returned to his home in Since we're not members Zarahemla to rest from his labors. of your church, you don't have any This is how 83 BC ended --the 9th year power over us. And because you gave of the judges' reign over the Nephites. the judgment-seat to Nephihah, you're In 82 BC, Alma went to the land of not even chief judge over us." Melek, west of the Sidon River, near After the people reviled and rejected the wilderness. He taught the people in Alma, and even spit on him, they threw the land of Melek according to the holy him out of their city. order of God--the order by which he Alma left and traveled toward the city had been called to teach. From all over of Aaron. As he went, he sorrowed over the land that bordered the wilderness, the people's wickedness in people came to him to be baptized. Ammonihah. His soul was weighed After Alma finished his work in Melek, down with great tribulation and he traveled north for three days. He anguish. arrived at a city called Ammonihah. (It Then one of the Lord’s angels appeared was a Nephite custom to name the to him and said, lands, cities and even small villages "You are blessed Alma, so lift up your after the name of the leader who first head and rejoice, for you have great lived there. This city had been named cause to rejoice. You have been faithful after Ammonihah.) in keeping God's commandments Alma began to preach God's word to from the time I gave you His first the people in Ammonihah, but Satan message. 213 I have been sent to you again, to When I was here before, the people command you to return to Ammonihah rejected me, and I planned to never and preach to the people there. Tell come back again. But I was them unless they repent, the Lord God commanded to come back and will destroy them. prophesy to this people again--to testify The people of Ammonihah are planning against their sinfulness. to destroy the liberty of your people, Amulek, because you took me in and which is against the statutes, judgments fed me, you are blessed. For I was very and commandments the Lord has given hungry, having fasted for many days." them." Alma stayed with Amulek and taught After receiving this message, Alma him for many days before preaching quickly returned to Ammonihah, to the people again. By this time, the entering the city from the south side. people were even more sinful than Alma had been fasting for many days, before. Then the Lord's word came to so he asked a man, "Will you give a Alma, humble servant of God something to "Go with Amulek and prophesy to this eat?" people, saying: Repent, for the Lord The man replied, "I am a Nephite, and I has said that unless you repent, He know you are a holy prophet of God, will visit you in His fierce anger, and for you are the man an angel showed not turn it away!" me in a vision and told me to receive. Alma and Amulek went to declare the Come with me to my house, and I will word of God, and they were filled with give you something to eat, for I know the Holy Ghost. you will be a blessing to me and to my They had been given power, so they family." could not be kept in dungeons or be The man who fed Alma with bread and killed. But they never showed their meat was Amulek. After eating his fill, power until they had been tied up and Alma blessed Amulek and his family thrown into prison. This is how the and gave thanks to God. Lord showed His power to the people of Ammonihah. Then he said, "I am Alma, the high priest over God's church throughout the Alma and Amulek went about land. I have been called to preach God's preaching to the people, according to word among all this people, according the spirit and the power that the Lord to the spirit of revelation and prophecy. had given them. 214 Alma and Amulek Have you forgotten so soon just how go out together and preach many times God delivered our See Alma, Chapter 9 forefathers out of the hands of their I, Alma, write that God commanded me enemies, preserving them from being to take Amulek and go preach to the destroyed by their own brothers? people of Ammonihah. If not for His matchless power, mercy As I began to preach to the people, they and long-suffering toward us, we would resisted, saying, "Who are you? Do you have all been cut off from the face of really think we’d believe the testimony the earth long ago, and perhaps even of just one man, even if he told us the now we’d be in a state of endless whole earth would pass away?" misery and woe. Now these people did not know what Now He commands you to repent, and they were saying, for in fact the whole unless you do, you will never inherit earth will pass away. They also His kingdom. said, "We would not believe you even if This is not all. He has commanded you you told us that this great city would be to repent, or He will completely destroyed in one day." destroy you off the face of the earth, These people did not know God could visiting you in His fierce anger, not destroy their city in one day, for they turning it away. were hard in their hearts and stubborn. Don't you remember these words He They said, "Who is God, who sends us spoke to Lehi, the authority of just one man to tell us 'If you keep my commandments, you such great, marvelous things?" will prosper in the land. Otherwise, They were about to take hold of me, you will be cut off from my presence.' but something stopped them. I hope you remember the Lamanites, Then I stood boldly and testified to who have not kept God’s commands, them. I said, “You wicked, perverse have been cut off from His presence! generation. How could have you But it will be better for them in the forgotten God's commands and your day of judgment than for you if you forefathers' traditions so quickly? remain in your sins. It will even Don't you remember our forefather be better for them in this life than for Lehi was brought out of Jerusalem by you, unless you repent. the hand of God? The Lamanites have been given many Don't you remember Lehi and those promises. They are ignorant because of with him were all led by God through their forefathers' false traditions, so the the wilderness? Lord will be merciful to them and save their lives. 215 Someday they will be brought to 7. They have been brought out of believe His word, and they will come to bondage, again and again. know that their forefathers' traditions 8. They have been prospered and made are false. Many of them will be saved, rich. for the Lord will be merciful to all who Now, if this people, who have received call on His name. so many blessings from the hand of the But if you persist in your wickedness, Lord, sin against the light and your lives will not be long, because the knowledge they have been given, then Lamanites will be sent upon you. They it will be far better for the will come when you least expect it, and Lamanites than for them. you will be completely destroyed by For the Lord's promises are made to the Lord's fierce anger. the Lamanites, but not to you if you The Lord will not allow you to live in sin. such sinfulness and destroy His people, The Lord has clearly promised and the Nephites. He would rather allow the firmly stated, that if you rebel against Lamanites to destroy all Nephites, if Him you will be destroyed from off the they were to fall into sin after being so face of the earth. very blessed. To save His people from this 1. The Nephites have been highly destruction, the Lord has sent His favored by the Lord, above every angels to visit many of His people. nation, tribe, tongue and people. These angels cry mightily, 2. They have had all things revealed to 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is them according to their desires, faith near. Soon the Son of God will come in and prayers — things of the past, His glory. His glory will be the glory of present and future. the Only Begotten of the Father, who is 3. They have been visited by God's full of grace, equity, patience, mercy Spirit, talking with angels and hearing and long-suffering. the Lord's voice. He is quick to hear the cries of His 4. They have been given the spirit of people and answer their prayers. He prophecy, revelation, the gift of will come to redeem those who will be tongues, preaching, the gift of baptized unto repentance through faith translation and the Holy Ghost. in His name. 5. They have been delivered by God out So prepare the way of the Lord, for the of the land of Jerusalem and saved time is near when all people will from famine, sickness and disease. receive a reward according to their 6. They have been made strong in works. battle, that they might not be destroyed. 216 If they have done righteous works, they I have a great reputation among those will receive the salvation of their souls who know me, having many friends according to the power and deliverance and relatives. I have also worked hard of Jesus Christ. to become wealthy. If they have done evil works, they will I saw the Lord's mysteries and receive the damnation of their souls marvelous power that has preserved the according to the power and captivity of lives of this people, but I hardened my the devil.' heart. I was called many times, but I My beloved brethren (for you are my would not listen. brethren, and you should be beloved), I knew about these things, but I refused you need to repent. You must realize to understand them. Instead, I went on your hearts have become very hard rebelling against God in the wickedness against God's word, so that now you've of my heart, even until the fourth day become a lost, fallen people. of the seventh month of this year, 82 I, Alma, could not finish speaking, for BC. the people were angry with me for At that time, I was on my way to see a telling them they were hard-hearted, close relative, when an angel of the stubborn, and a lost, fallen people. Lord appeared to me and said, They tried to take me and throw me in 'Amulek, go back home, for you will prison, but the Lord did not allow this feed a prophet of the Lord--a holy man, to happen at that time. chosen by God. He has fasted many Then Amulek began to preach, but only days because of the sins of this people. part of his words are written in this Take him to your home and feed him, book . . . and he will bless you. And this blessing Amulek testifies on of the Lord will rest upon you and your behalf of Alma family.' See Alma, Chapter 10 I obeyed the angel and started for I am Amulek, son of Giddonah, son of home. And on my way, I did meet the Ishmael, a descendant of Aminadi, who man the angel had shown me . . . this interpreted the writing upon the wall of same man who has been speaking to the temple, written by the finger of you about things of God today. God. I know he's a holy man, for the angel Aminadi was a descendant of Nephi, told me he is. I know the things he has son of Lehi, who came out of the land testified of are true, for as the Lord of Jerusalem. Lehi was a descendant of lives, for when Alma was staying at my Manasseh, son of Joseph, who was sold home, the Lord sent His angel to teach into Egypt by his brothers. me these same things Alma has 217 spoken. I was taught because Alma "You wicked, perverse generation! You blessed me and my family. He blessed lawyers are hypocrites because you are my women and children, my father and doing the devil's work — laying traps all my relatives. And the Lord's and snares to catch God's holy ones. blessings have rested upon us You are making plans to distort the according to his words. ways of the righteous, which will bring Now when Amulek finished speaking down God's anger upon your own many people were astonished, heads and totally destroy this people. realizing there was more than one Mosiah, our last king, spoke well when witness who testified in the spirit of he said, 'If the time comes when the prophecy against them, and of things majority of this people choose which were to come. wickedness, then they are ripe for But some men where not astonished, destruction!’ and questioned Alma and Amulek. The The Lord has judged you well in your men thought by their cunning they sinfulness. He warns this people by the would be able to catch Alma and voice of His angels, who say, Amulek in their words, and deliver 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is them to be judged according to the near. Soon the Lord will come down law--to be killed or thrown in prison, among His people with equity and according to the crimes of which they justice.' thought they could accuse them. If it were not for the prayers of the The men who tried to destroy Alma and righteous who live in this land, by now Amulek with their own words you would have already been destroyed were lawyers. They were hired or by drought, sickness and war. appointed by the people to administer But because of the prayers of the the law when criminal trials came to righteous, you are spared. court before judges. Now if you drive the righteous out These lawyers were educated in all the from among you, then the Lord will not skills and cunning of their people in hold back. In His fierce anger, He will order to be successful in their come out against you, and you will profession. soon be destroyed by drought, sickness The lawyers questioned Amulek, trying and war, unless you repent now." to make him contradict himself. They After Amulek said these things, the never thought Amulek would know people were even more angry with him. their plan. As they began to question They shouted, "This man speaks out Amulek, knowing the lawyer’s against our laws which are fair. He also thoughts, he said, 218 speaks out against our wise lawyers If a man owed another and refused to whom we have hired." pay his debt, he was brought before the Then Amulek stretched out his hand judge. After evidence was presented, and shouted even louder, "Oh you the man was compelled to pay his debt. wicked, perverse generation! Why has If he still refused to pay, his property Satan got such a great hold upon your would be taken, and he would be hearts? Why do you surrender to him thrown out of the city as a thief, as a and give him power over you? Satan robber. has blinded your understanding of the Each judge was paid a senine of gold truth I speak! for a day of judging, or he was paid a Have I really testified against your law? senum of silver, which is equal to a No, I have spoken in favor of your law senine of gold. — to your condemnation! The Various measurements of gold and foundation of the destruction of this silver were made by the Nephites. They people is being laid by your lawyers did not measure their gold and silver and judges!" like the Jews in Jerusalem. They After Amulek said this, the people created their own ways of measuring again shouted against him, "Now we things according to their needs and know this man is a child of the devil, circumstances. for he has lied to us. He speaks against They continued to do this in every our law, yet says he did not. He also generation down until the judges' reign, speaks against our lawyers and judges." when King Mosiah first established the The lawyers made sure the people standard measures. remembered their accusations against Gold was measured in units called Amulek. One lawyer in particular senines, seons, shums and limnahs. named Zeezrom was Amulek and Silver was measured in senums, Alma's greatest accuser. Because he amnors, ezroms and ontis. was the most experienced lawyer, he A senum of silver was equal to a senine did a lot of business among the people. of gold. Either of these were equal to a Like all the lawyers, all Zeezrom measure of barley, or any kind of grain. wanted was to get money from the These were the standard people as he practiced law. Nephite measurements for gold: Nephite units of money 1 seon = 2 senines. See Alma, Chapter 11 1 shum = 2 seons (4 senines). 1 limnah = 1 shum+1 seon+1 senine (7 According to King Mosiah’s law, every senines). man appointed as a judge was paid for his time spent judging. 219 These were the standard Note: From the measures scale we learn Nephite measurements for silver: 1 onti of silver was worth 7 senums. And since we are told a judge was paid 1 1 amnor = 2 senums. senine of gold a day, and that 1 senine of 1 ezrom = 4 senums (2 amnors). gold equalled 1 senum of silver, 1 onti = 1 ezrom+1 amnor+1 senum (7 Zeezrom's offer, "6 onties of silver", was senums). the value of a judge's pay for 42 days. This is how Nephites In 2020, a United States circuit judge in an average county is paid about $400 a measured smaller amounts: day. If the Nephite ecomony valued a A shiblon = 1/2 senum. judge's time as we do now, Zeezrom's They traded a shiblon for half a offer was nearly $17,000. measure of barley. Amulek replied, "Oh you child of hell, A shiblum = 1/2 shiblon. why do you tempt me? Don't you know A leah = 1/2 shiblum. the righteous yield to no such And 1 antion of gold = 3 shiblons (1.5 temptations? senums). Now, these lawyers had accused Alma Do you believe there is a God, and Amulek in order to get gold and Zeezrom? Yes, you know there is a silver, for they were paid according to God, but you love money more than how much time they spent dealing with Him. the law. This is why they stirred people You lied to me before God, never up, to riot and to create all kinds of intending to give me any silver. You disturbances and wickedness. By doing only wanted me to deny the true and this, they were hired and paid more living God in order to obtain a legal often for the many lawsuits brought to way of destroying me. Because you them. have done this great evil, you will have Zeezrom, an expert in the ways of the your reward." devil to destroy good, asked Then Zeezrom asked Amulek the Amulek, "Will you answer a few of my following questions, which Amulek questions?" answered accordingly: Amulek answered, "Yes, if it they are "You say there is a true and living according to the Spirit of the Lord in God?" --- "Yes." me. For I will not say anything contrary "Is there more than one God?" --- "No." to the Spirit of the Lord." "How do you know these things?" --- Then Zeezrom said, "Here are 6 onties "An angel made them known to me." of silver. I will give them all to you if "Who will come? The Son of God?" --- you simply deny the existence of a "Yes." Supreme Being." "Will He save His people in their sins?" --- "No, He will not save His 220 people in their sins, for it is impossible earth, and He created all the things in for Him to deny His word." them. Then Zeezrom cried out to the He was at the beginning and He will be people, “Ahh, remember this: Amulek at the end, being the first and the last. just said there's only one God, but a He will come into the world to redeem Son of God will come, yet he won’t His people and to take upon Himself save his people. Amulek speaks as if he their transgressions. has the authority to command God!" And He will only grant salvation and Then Amulek said, "You have lied eternal life to those who believe in again, saying I spoke as if I had the Him. The wicked will remain as if no authority to command God! I said He redemption were made, but they will will not save His people in their sins. still be resurrected to an immortal body. This is true, because God cannot deny For the day will come when all will rise His word and save His people in their from the dead to stand before God and sins. And I cannot deny His word, be judged according to their works. The which is, death of Christ will free everyone from the death of their bodies. The spirit and the body will be reunited again in its perfect form. Every limb and joint will be perfectly restored. We will be brought to stand before God, having more awareness then we do now. And when we stand before God, we will completely remember all our 'No unclean thing can inherit the guilt. kingdom of heaven.' This restoration will come to all — to Now how can you be saved without the old and young — to those in inheriting the kingdom of heaven? And bondage and those who are free — to how can you inherit the kingdom of the wicked and the righteous. heaven if you are unclean, remaining in your sins?" Not even a hair of our heads will be lost. Every part of the body will be Zeezrom then asked, restored perfectly first. Then perfectly "Is the Son of God the restored, everyone will be brought very Eternal Father?" before Christ the Son, God the Father, "Yes," answered Amulek. “He's the and the Holy Spirit, who act as one very Eternal Father of heaven and Eternal God. 221 Then each person will be judged he laid to catch this people — to bring according to their good or evil works. you under his power and surround you I have just told you about the death and with his chains — to chain you down resurrection of the mortal body — that to everlasting destruction, according to our spirits will unite with our immortal the power of his captivity." bodies, never to be divided. As Alma said this, Zeezrom trembled After Amulek said this, the people even more, for he was convinced more were astonished, and Zeezrom began and more of God's power. He was also to tremble. convinced Alma and Amulek knew his thoughts and intentions of his heart, for Amulek said more things I, Mormon, have not they were given the power to know by transcribed to my plates. the spirit of prophecy. Alma exposes Zeezrom’s lies Now Zeezrom began to ask sincerely to See Alma, Chapter 12 know more about God's kingdom. He asked Alma, Amulek's words had silenced Zeezrom, catching him in his attempt to destroy "What does Amulek mean when he Amulek by lying and deceiving. He speaks of the resurrection of the dead -- was now shaking under a that all will rise from the dead, both the consciousness of his guilt. Seeing this, just and the unjust, and stand before Alma spoke to Zeezrom, explaining the God to be judged according to their scriptures beyond what Amulek had works?" done. Alma answered Zeezrom, By now a great crowd had gathered. "God gives many people a knowledge They heard Alma say to Zeezrom, of His mysteries. God also gives them "You know your lies and craftiness a strict command not to say more than have been exposed. You lied to men He wants them to say. and God, who knows all your thoughts. God gives more of His words to those You also know your thoughts are made who diligently obey what He has known to us by His Spirit. And you already given them. Those who do not know we know your subtle plan, as harden their hearts receive more of subtle as the devil's, to lie in order to His words, until they know all His deceive this people, to turn them mysteries. against us, to hate us and throw us out. Those who harden their hearts are This was the plan of your adversary, given less and less, until they know who has exercised his power in you. nothing of His mysteries. Then they Now remember, what I say to you I say are taken captive by the devil and led to all. This was the devil's trap, which 222 by his will down to destruction. This is believe in Him and show by their what is meant by the chains of hell. actions that they have repented. Amulek has spoken plainly about Then a second death comes to those death, about being raised from who die in their sins--a spiritual mortality to immortality, and about death, for they will become dead to being brought before God to be judged righteousness. according to our works. At that time, their torment will be like a On that day of judgment, if we lake of burning sulfur with flames that have hardened our hearts against go up forever. They will be chained God’s words, so we end up not down to an everlasting knowing them, that’s when we’ll be in destruction according to Satan's power an awful state of condemnation. of captivity. If we have hardened our hearts against They will be as if no redemption had God's words, then our words, actions, ever been made, for they will not be and even our thoughts will condemn worthy to be redeemed according to us, and we will not be found spotless God's justice. And in this awful state, before Him. they cannot die, for all will live Note: Proof he had studied the Nephites' forever." records, Alma makes a clear reference to King Benjamin’s words, spoken 60 years When Alma finished speaking, the prior to Alma's time . . . people were even more astonished. But ”But this much I can tell you, if ye do not there was one among them named watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and Antionah, a chief ruler. He said, "What observe the commandments of is this you have said--that we will rise God . . .even unto the end of your from the dead and become immortal, lives, you must perish.” with a soul that can never die? What And in this awful state, we would not about the scripture that says, dare look up at our God. We would be more happy if we could command 'God placed an angel with a flaming rocks and mountains to fall on us and sword near the Garden of Eden to keep hide us from His presence. Adam and Eve from eating fruit of the tree of life and living forever.' But this cannot be. We must stand before Him in His glory, power, might, If God kept our first parents from majesty and dominion, and becoming immortal, how can we, their acknowledge to our everlasting offspring, possibly live forever?" shame that all His judgments are just-- Alma answered, "We believe that Adam that He is just in all His works, that He and Eve fell by eating of the forbidden is merciful to all His children, and that fruit. Because of their fall, all their He has all power to save those who 223 descendants became lost and fallen children had to be given light and from God's presence. knowledge. So He sent angels who At that time, if Adam and Eve had spoke with them and allowed them eaten of the fruit of the tree of life, they to see His glory. would have lived forever, and God From then on, Adam's descendants would have been a liar, for He had told called upon God, and He talked to them, them and taught them the plan of 'If you eat of the fruit of the tree of redemption. He did this according to knowledge of good and evil, their faith, repentance and holy works. you will surely die.' God gave more commands to His Now we are a fallen people, and we children after they were able to choose will all die. But we have been given between good and evil - after Adam time to repent. This life became a time and Eve broken the first commands in of probation, during which the garden. we prepare to meet God. It is a time to Their descendants inherited the ability prepare for that endless state after our to become like God — to know good resurrection from death. from evil — able to choose for If no plan of redemption had ever themselves, to do good or evil. been made, which was After making the plan of planned before the world was created, redemption known to them, God then there could be no resurrection. commanded them not to do evil. If they But a plan was made and it will bring did evil, the penalty was a second about the resurrection. death--an everlasting death — an If Adam and Eve had eaten of the fruit eternal separation from righteousness. of the tree of life, they would have been According to God's supreme goodness, miserable forever, having had no the plan of redemption cannot redeem time to repent before becoming those who choose evil because His immortal. The plan of redemption justice cannot be destroyed. would have had no place, and God's God taught His children the plan of word would have not been valid. redemption, saying, But God's word is valid. This is why all 'If you repent and do not harden your people are born as mortals and then die. hearts, then I will have mercy on you After death—the end of their through my Only Begotten Son. probation, they must come to God's Therefore, all who repent and do not judgment, which is final. harden their hearts will be claimed by After God had appointed these things to mercy through my Only Begotten be, He knew that Adam, Eve and their 224 Son. They will receive a remission of people. Those priests were ordained their sins and will enter into my rest. after the order of His Son so that the But as for all who harden their hearts people would know that they should and become sinful, I swear in look forward to His Son for my anger that they will not enter into redemption. my rest.' This is how they were ordained: Adam and Eve broke God's first First, because of their great faith and commandments by eating of the good works, they were called and forbidden fruit. This provoked His prepared from the beginning of the anger, causing our first death (of the world according to God’s body). foreknowledge. And now, if you harden your hearts, Next, they were placed on earth, being your sinfulness will provoke God, who left to choose good or evil. will send down His anger upon you. After showing great faith by choosing This second provocation (the first good, they were called with a holy being made by Adam and Eve, which calling according to the Savior's we inherited) will result in the eternal redemption, prepared for them. destruction of your souls (being cut They were called to this holy calling off from God). because of their faith, while others As we realize that these things are true, rejected the Spirit of God because of let us repent and not harden our hearts, their hard hearts and blindness of mind. nor provoke the Lord our God to bring If these others had not rejected God’s His anger upon us. Let us not break His Spirit, then they, too, may have been second commandments--faith, called. repentance and holy works. In other words, in the beginning Then we will enter into His rest, which (premortal existence) they were all has been prepared according to His equally faithful with their brethren. But word. this holy calling was prepared only for The valiant are given priesthood those who would be cleansed on earth, See Alma, Chapter 13 in and through the atonement of the Now, my brothers and sisters, let us go Only Begotten Son, who prepared forward to the time when the Lord God Himself to redeem all people. gave these commandments to His The reason for being called by this holy children. calling — for being ordained to the The Lord ordained priests, after His high priesthood of the holy order of holy order, to teach these things to the God, was to teach His commands to all people, so they might enter His rest. 225 This high priesthood is an order that He was also a high priest after this has always existed. It is without same order, who took upon himself the beginning of days or end of years — high priesthood forever. It was being prepared from eternity to all this same Melchizedek to whom eternity according to God's Abraham paid tithes, even ten foreknowledge of all things. percent of all he possessed. After high priests were ordained with a Note: Melchizedek was most likely holy ordinance, they took the Shem, Noah's son. responsibility of the high priesthood of "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the holy order upon themselves. They the priest of the most high God.” became high priests forever, after the (Genisis 14:18) order of the Son — the Only Begotten "For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, of the Father, who is without a priest of the most high God, who met beginning of days or end of years, Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also who is full of grace, equity and truth. Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first Many were ordained and became God's being by interpretation King of high priests because of their great faith, righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace” repentance and righteousness before (Hebrews 7:1-2). Him. They chose to repent and work "Which Abraham received the righteousness rather than to spiritually priesthood from Melchizedek, who perish. Because of their correct received it through the lineage of his fathers, even till Noah" (D&C 84:14). The choices, they were called after this holy "lineage of his fathers" refers to the order. They were sanctified, and their lineage from Adam to Noah, his father. robes were washed white through the "And Adonizedek (Melchizedek) king of blood of the Lamb. Jerusalem, the same was Shem, went out with his men to meet Abram After they were sanctified by the Holy (Abraham) and his people, with bread Ghost — having had their robes made and wine, and they remained together in white — having been made pure and the valley of Melech. And Adonizedek blessed Abram, and Abram gave him a spotless before God, these high tenth from all that he had brought from priests found sin to be repulsive, and a the spoil of his enemies, for Adonizedek great number of them entered the was a priest before God" (Jasher rest of the Lord their God. 16:11-12) And now my brethren, I hope you will Now these ordinances were given so humble yourselves before God and that the people might look forward to bring forth works of repentance, the Son of God, it being His order. that you may also enter that rest. After receiving these ordinances, they looked forward to Him for a remission Humble yourselves even as the people who lived in the days of Melchizedek. 226 of their sins, and also to the time when to prepare the hearts of the people to they would enter into His rest. receive His word when He comes in When Melchizedek was King of His glory. We wait for angels to tell us Salem, his people had become very the joyful news of His coming, which wicked. By using his mighty faith will be soon. (having been ordained to this high I don't know how soon, but I hope it's priesthood according to the holy order during my lifetime. Whether His of God) he preached repentance to his coming is sooner or later, I will rejoice people, and they repented. He in it. established peace in the land during his When He comes, angels will make it lifetime and was called the Prince of known to just and holy men. This will Peace, for he was King of Salem, fulfill the words of our forefathers, who reigning under his father. have spoken of Him according to the There were many before Melchizedek, spirit of prophecy in them. and many after, but none were greater. And now, my brothers and sisters, I This is why the prophets make special desire from the center of my heart with mention of him in their writings. great anxiety, and even pain, that you Now I’ve said enough. The scriptures would listen to my words. Throw off are before you. If you resist their your sins and do not put off the day of messages, it will be to your own your repentance. destruction." Humble yourselves before the Lord, After saying this, Alma stretched out calling upon His holy name. Watch his arm and cried with a mighty voice, and pray continually so that you may "Now is the time to repent, for the day not be tempted beyond what you can of salvation is near! Yes, the Lord bear. speaks through His angels, telling all By doing this, you will be led by the people in all nations to receive the Holy Spirit, and you will become joyful news. This is why angels have humble, meek, submissive, patient and come to us. full of love. Because we of the house of Israel are You will have faith in the Lord and you wanderers in a strange land, these will have hope in receiving eternal life. things are declared to us in all parts of You will always have God's love in the earth, and in plain terms so that your heart and will be lifted up at the we may understand. Because of this last day to enter into His rest. we are highly favored by the Lord. May the Lord give you repentance so Even now, angels are declaring this to you will not bring down His anger many people in our land. They do this upon you nor be tied down by the 227 chains of hell and suffer the second His soul began to be tormented as he death.” realized his own guilt, and he began to The innocent are burned be surrounded by the pains of hell. He See Alma, Chapter 14 cried out, "I am guilty, and these men are spotless before God!" Alma said many other things not written in this book. Many people But the men reviled Zeezrom, believed him and began to repent and saying, "Are you also possessed with search the scriptures. the devil?" But most of the people wanted to They spit on him and threw him out. destroy Alma and Amulek. They were They also threw out the men who angry with Alma because he spoke so believed Alma and Amulek and sent plainly to Zeezrom. They said Amulek men to throw rocks at them and chase had lied to them and had reviled their them out of the city. law, lawyers and judges. Then they brought the believers' wives They were angry, for Alma and Amulek and children to a fire pit, and all who had testified plainly against their believed or had been taught to believe wickedness. in God's word were thrown into the fire. Then they brought their records — They wanted to take the law into their the holy scriptures--and threw them own hands and kill them privately, but into the fire. They took Alma and instead they tied Alma and Amulek Amulek to the place of martyrdom to with strong ropes and took them to the see the women and children burning. chief judge. When Amulek saw the pains of the These wicked men witnessed against women and children burning in the fire, them, testifying Alma and Amulek had he was pained, and said to Alma, "How reviled their law, lawyers, judges and can we witness this awful scene? Let us all the people in the land. hold out our hands and exercise God's Among many other things, they power in us to save them." testified Alma and Amulek said there Alma replied, "The Spirit stops me was only one God who would send His from holding out my hand. For the Son among the people, not to save Lord receives them up unto Himself in them, but to throw them into a lake of glory. He allows the wicked to fire and brimstone. murder according to the hardness of Zeezrom was astonished when he heard their hearts so that His judgments his words being repeated in the men's and anger upon them will be just. For testimonies. He knew he had caused the the blood of the innocent will stand as a blindness of their minds with his lies. witness, and cry mightily against them at the last day.” 228 Then Amulek said to Alma, "Perhaps that I have the power to throw you into they'll burn us, too." the fire?" Alma replied, "If it's the Lord's will, He commanded them to speak, but they but our work isn't done yet, so they answered nothing. won't burn us." They all left, but came again the next After the innocent were burned along day. The judge slapped their faces, and with their scriptures, the chief judge of so did many others, while saying, "Will the land came and stood before Alma you stand again and judge this people and Amulek who were bound. He and condemn our law? If you have such slapped their faces and said, "After great power, then why don't you free what you’ve seen, will you preach to us yourselves?" again that we will be thrown into a lake Then with clenched teeth, they spit on of fire and brimstone? them and said, "How will we look You did not have the power to save when we are damned?" those in the fire, nor did God save them They said all kinds of things like this to because they believed in your religion." them, mocking and abusing them for The judge slapped them again and many days. asked, "What do you have to say for They took away their clothes and gave yourselves?" them no food or water. Alma and This judge was after the order and faith Amulek suffered this way, tied up in of Nehor, who killed Gideon. Alma and prison. Amulek did not answer the judge, and By the twelfth day of the tenth month he slapped them again and then turned in 82 BC, they had suffered for many them over to the officers to be thrown days in prison. On this day, the chief in prison. judge over the land of Ammonihah 1After Alma and Amulek had spent went into the prison again along with three days in prison, many lawyers many teachers and lawyers. came to see them. Many judges, priests The chief judge slapped them again and and teachers, who were of the said, "If you have power from God, profession of Nehor, also came. They then free yourselves from your ropes. asked them many questions, but Alma Then we will believe the Lord will and Amulek answered none of them. destroy this people as you said he Again the judge stood before them and would." said, "Why don't you answer these people's questions? Don't you know 229 One by one, all the teachers and Alma and Amulek were crushed to lawyers slapped Alma and Amulek, death by the falling walls. repeating what the chief judge had said. The Lord had given Alma and Amulek At last, when they had all finished, power according to their faith in Christ God's power came upon Alma and and they walked out of the prison Amulek, and they stood up. Alma unharmed. Then they walked into the

cried out, "How long will we suffer city of Ammonihah. these great afflictions, oh Lord? Oh Multitudes of people who had heard the Lord, give us strength to be freed great noise had run toward the prison to according to our faith in Christ!" see what had happened. When they saw Then Alma and Amulek broke the Alma and Amulek coming out of the ropes. collapsed prison they were very afraid When the people saw this, they tried to and ran from them like a goat with her run, for they were afraid they would be young running from two lions. destroyed. They were so afraid, they Zeezrom healed fell down and could not get out of the See Alma, Chapter 15 prison. The Lord commanded Alma and Then the earth shook mightily, and the Amulek to leave the city, so they went prison walls broke in half and fell to the to the land of Sidom. There they found earth. all the people who had been driven out The chief judge and all the lawyers, of Ammonihah for believing Alma's priests and teachers who had abused testimony. 230 With great sorrow, Alma told them Then to the great astonishment of all what had happened to their wives and the people, Zeezrom leaped to his feet children. He also told them of his and and began to walk. Amulek's captivity, and of their The news of this miraculous healing powerful deliverance. spread throughout the land of Sidom. At that time, Zeezrom lay sick in Then Alma baptized Zeezrom unto the Sidom with a burning fever caused by Lord, and from then on Zeezrom the great tribulations of his mind preached to the people. because of his wickedness. He thought Alma established a church in the land Alma and Amulek had been killed of Sidom and consecrated priests and because of his sins. This great sin and teachers to baptize unto the Lord many others tortured his mind until it anyone who desired baptism. had become very sore, burning without relief. Many people came from all around the region of Sidom to be baptized. When Zeezrom heard Alma and Amulek were in Sidom his heart began But the people of Ammonihah to take courage. He immediately sent a remained very stubborn. They message to them, asking them to come. did not repent of their sins, and they credited all the power of Alma and Alma and Amulek quickly went to his Amulek to the power of the devil (for house, to his bedside. When Zeezrom they were of the profession of Nehor, saw them he held out his hand and and did not believe in repentance). begged for them to heal him. Amulek had given up all his gold, Alma took his hand and said, "Do you silver and precious things in believe in the power of Christ to save?" Ammonihah for the word of God. He "Yes, I believe all the words that you had been rejected by those who were have taught,” answered Zeezrom. once his friends, and by his father and Alma said, "If you believe in the relatives. redemption of Christ, then you can be Alma established the church in Sidom, healed." and the people began to humble "Yes, I believe according to your themselves before God, assembling to words," replied Zeezrom. worship Him before the altar. They Then Alma cried to the Lord, "Oh Lord watched and prayed continually to be our God, have mercy on this man and delivered from Satan, death and heal him according to his faith in destruction. Christ." After doing and seeing all these things, Alma took Amulek to his home in Zarahemla, took care of him during his 231 tribulations, and strengthened him in side of the river, where the Lord will the Lord. deliver your brethren who have been This is how the year 82 BC ended. taken captive." All die in Ammonihah Upon hearing this, Zoram and his two See Alma, Chapter 16 sons led their armies as Alma had instructed. There had been peace in Zarahemla for several years, but in 81 BC, on the fifth They attacked the Lamanite armies on day of the second month, a cry of war the east side of the Sidon River and was heard throughout the land. scattered them into the wilderness. By doing this they reclaimed their The Lamanite armies had come through brethren, and not one of them was lost. the wilderness, into the city of Ammonihah, and had begun to kill the This is how 81 BC ended. The people and destroy the city. Lamanites had been driven out of the land, and the people of Ammonihah Before the Nephites could raise a had all been destroyed, along with their sufficient army to drive them out of the great city, which they said God could land, the Lamanites had killed all the not destroy because of its greatness. people in the city of Ammonihah. They had also killed some Nephites But in a single day it was left desolate, near the city of Noah, and had taken and their bodies were mangled by dogs others captive into the wilderness. and wild animals from the wilderness. The Nephites wanted to free their After many days, their bodies were people who had been taken into the piled up and covered with dirt. The wilderness, and so Zoram, the smell of the dead bodies was so bad, appointed chief captain over the nobody went to Ammonihah for many Nephite armies, and his two sons, Lehi years. and Aha, knew Alma was the high It was called Desolation of Nehors, for priest over the church. They had they were of the profession of Nehor, heard Alma had the spirit of prophecy, and their lands remained desolate. so they went and asked him where the The Lamanites did not come again to Lord wanted them to go in the war against the Nephites until 78 BC. wilderness to search for their brethren. Meanwhile, the Nephites enjoyed three Alma asked the Lord, and after years of peace throughout the land. receiving an answer, he told Zoram and During these three years, Alma and his sons, Amulek preached repentance to the "The Lamanites will cross the Sidon people in their temples, River in the south wilderness, up sanctuaries and synagogues, which beyond Manti. Meet them on the east 232 were built like Jewish synagogues in come and appear to them after His Jerusalem. resurrection. Alma and Amulek continually preached When 78 BC ended, the church was the word of God to all who would established throughout all the land, listen. They did not favor any person having won the victory over the devil. above another. Many others were also The word of God had been preached in chosen to preach the word throughout its purity, and the Lord had poured out the land. His blessings upon the people. Soon the establishment of the church Mosiah’s sons return became common throughout all the See Alma, Chapter 17 surrounding regions, among all the Nephites. While Alma was traveling south from the land of Gideon to the land of Manti, There was no inequality among them, to his surprise, he met Mosiah's sons, for the Lord poured out His Spirit upon who were on their way to Zarahemla. all the people in the land to prepare These were the friends who were with their hearts to receive the words that Alma when the angel first appeared to He Himself would soon teach them. him. This was done so that they would not Alma was very happy to see his reject the word and go on to brethren and even happier to see they destruction, but receive it with joy, as a were still his brethren in the Lord. They branch being grafted into the true vine, had become strong in the truth, for they that they might enter into the rest of the were men of sound understanding and Lord their God. had searched the scriptures The priests who taught the people diligently to know the word of God. preached against lying, deceiving, But this is not all. They had prayed envying, fighting, stealing, murdering, and fasted often. Because of this, they committing adultery and against every had the spirit of prophecy and type of evil. revelation and were able to teach with They did this hoping to rid the people power and authority from God. of these things completely. They also They had been teaching God's word for taught the people about the coming of 14 years among the Lamanites and had the Son of God, about His suffering and been successful in bringing many to the death, and about the resurrection of the knowledge of the truth. dead. By the power of their words, many Many people wanted to know where souls had been brought before the altar the Son of God would come. To their of God to call upon His name and great joy, they were told that He would confess their sins before Him. 233 Like Alma, Mosiah's sons had suffered Lamanites and declare God's word to many afflictions such as hunger, thirst them. and fatigue. They had also labored After arriving in the borders of the greatly in the spirit. Lamanite land, they had separated, Fourteen years earlier, in 92 BC, they trusting in the Lord they would meet had refused the kingdom their father, again at the close of their harvest, for Mosiah, and the people wanted to they believed the work they started was confer upon them. They had left great. Zarahemla, taking their swords, spears, And it was great, for they had chosen to bows, arrows and slings in order to preach God's word to a wild, hardened hunt food in the wilderness. and ferocious people — a people who They had gone into the wilderness with loved to rob and kill Nephites, whose others whom they had chosen, heading hearts were set upon gold, silver and to the land of Nephi to preach God's precious things. word to the Lamanites. They had The Lamanites robbed and killed to get traveled for many days in the things rather than make them with their wilderness, fasting and praying for the own hands, for they were a very lazy Lord to give them a portion of His people. Many of them worshipped Spirit to stay with them. idols, and the curse of God had fallen They wanted to be instruments in God's upon them because of the false hands to bring, if possible, their traditions of their forefathers. brethren the Lamanites to the But the promises of the Lord were still knowledge of the truth — to the extended to them if they repented. This knowledge of the baseness of their is why Mosiah's sons had started the forefathers' incorrect traditions. work, to perhaps bring them to And they had been comforted, for the repentance and know the plan of Lord had visited them with His Spirit redemption. and had said to them, In order to teach more Lamanites, they "Be comforted. Go among your had separated and gone among them, brehren, the Lamanites, and establish every man alone, according to the word my word. and power of God given him. Be patient in your afflictions, showing a Ammon had been their chief and had good example to them in me, and I will administered to each of them, blessing make you instruments in my hands to them according to their callings and save many souls." needs. Then he left and they took their These words gave Mosiah's sons and separate journeys throughout the land. their companions courage to go to the 234 Ammon went to the land of Ishmael, their flocks, began to scatter the king's the land named after the sons of flocks. Ishmael, who had become Lamanites. Then the king's servants became As Ammon entered the land of Ishmael, frightened, saying, "Now the king will the Lamanites captured and bound him. kill us, just as he killed others whose It was their custom to bind all Nephites flocks were scattered by these wicked who fell into their hands and take them men." before the king, who would then decide They began to cry fearfully while whether to have the Nephite killed, saying, "Look, our flocks are already made to be a slave, thrown into prison, scattered!" or thrown out of the land. So Ammon They wept because they did not want to was brought before the king. be put to death. The king's name was Lamoni. He was a When Ammon saw this, he was filled descendant of Ishmael and he ruled with joy, thinking to himself, "Now I over the land of Ishmael. The king will show the power of God in me to asked Ammon if he wanted to live in my fellow-servants by restoring these the land among the Lamanites, or flocks to the king. Then I will win the return to his own people. hearts of my fellow-servants and lead Ammon said that he wanted to live them to believe in my words." among the Lamanites for a time, and Ammon encouraged the servants by perhaps until the day he died. King saying, "My brethren, cheer up. Let us Lamoni was very pleased with Ammon go find the flocks and bring them back and had him untied. Then he offered here for watering. We will save the Ammon one of his daughters to marry. flocks and the king will not kill us!" Ammon responded, "No, but I will be The servants followed Ammon, running your servant." quickly to head off the king's flocks and So Ammon became King Lamoni's bring them back to the watering place. servant and worked among his other Then their enemies came to scatter their servants, watching his flocks. flocks again, but Ammon said to his After serving the king for three days, he brethren, "Surround the flocks so they and the Lamanite servants were driving do not get away again, and I will go their flocks to the waters of Sebus and contend with these men." where all the Lamanites drove their The servants did as they were told, and flocks for watering. Ammon went to contend with the many Along the way, a certain number of men who stood by the waters of Sebus. Lamanites, who had already watered The men were not afraid of Ammon, 235 thinking that one of them could easily After driving his enemies far away, he kill him. returned to the king's servants and told They did not know the Lord had them to water the flocks. promised Mosiah that He would deliver Then they returned the flocks to the his sons out of the Lamanites' hands. king's pasture. They did not know anything about the The servants went to the king, carrying Lord, and they delighted in seeing their the arms which had been cut off by brethren die. This is why they had Ammon as a testimony of the things he scattered the king's flocks. had done. Then Ammon began to hurl stones at Lamoni and servants marvel them with his sling, and with mighty See Alma, Chapter 18 power, he killed six of them. King Lamoni told his servants to tell They were astonished at his strength, him everything they saw Ammon do. but they were angry because he had killed some of their men. They were After the king learned how faithful determined to kill Ammon, so after Ammon had been in saving his flocks, they failed to hit him with their stones, and how great his power was in they rushed him with clubs to kill him. fighting, he was amazed. As each man raised his club, Ammon He said, "Surely this is more than a cut off his arm with his sword. man. This must be the Great Spirit, sending His great punishments upon The men were astonished and they all this people because of their murders!" ran from Ammon. Ammon had killed six with his sling, and had killed their The servants answered, “We do not leader with his sword. know if he’s a man or the Great Spirit.

He had also cut off every arm lifted We do know he can’t be killed by your against him, and there were many. enemies, nor can they scatter your flocks when he is with us because of his skill and great strength. 236 Because of this, we know he is your When King Lamoni heard that Ammon friend. He has more power than any was preparing his horses and chariots, man, for he cannot be killed." he was even more astonished by Upon hearing this, the king said, "Now Ammon's faithfulness, and said, "I have I know this is the Great Spirit. He came never had a servant as faithful as this here to save your lives, so I would not man, for he remembers to carry out kill you, as I did your brethren. This all my commands. must be the Great Spirit, of whom our Now I know for sure this is the Great forefathers have spoken." Spirit. I want him to come to me, but I Lamoni's tradition, which he had dare not ask him." received from his father, was to believe When Ammon was finished with the in a Great Spirit. horses and chariots, he went to the Even though he and his people believed king. in a Great Spirit, they thought whatever Ammon noticed that the king looked they did was right. Even so, Lamoni different. He was no longer bold, but in still began to be afraid, fearing he had deep thought. Seeing this, Ammon done wrong by killing his servants. thought he should leave the king alone, Before this time, Lamoni had and he turned to walk away. killed many of his servants for But one of the king's servants said to allowing other Lamanites to scatter his him "Rabbonah (meaning powerful flocks at the watering place. These king), the king would like you to stay." Lamanites often came to the waters of Then Ammon turned back to the king Sebus to scatter the people's flocks so and said, "What do would want me do they could steal their sheep. for you, oh king?" Now Lamoni asked his servants, The king did not answer Ammon, but "Where is this man who has such great sat silent for an hour, not knowing what power?" to say. The servants replied, "He is feeding Then Ammon asked again, "What your horses." would you have me to do?" And the Now before the servants had gone to king still did not answer. water the sheep, the king had Ammon, being filled with the Spirit of commanded them to prepare his horses God, knew Lamoni's thoughts and and chariots to travel to the land of asked him, "Do you wonder because Nephi. you have heard about what I did? Why Lamoni's father, the king over all the do you wonder so much? I’m only a land, was going to hold a great feast in man and your servant. I will do the land of Nephi. whatever you want, if it’s right." 237 The king answered, “I will believe everything you say.” Then Ammon boldly asked the king, "Do you believe in God?" The king answered, "I don’t know what you mean." Ammon asked, "Do you believe in the Great Spirit?" "Yes," answered the king. Ammon said, "The The king still marveled because Great Spirit is God. Do you believe Ammon knew his thoughts, but God created the earth and the managed to finally ask, "Who are you? heavens?" Are you the Great Spirit who knows all "Yes, I believe He created the earth, things?" and all things in it, but I do not know Ammon answered, "No." about the heavens,” replied Lamoni. The king asked, "How do you know my Ammon said, "The heavens is a place thoughts? You may tell me boldly. Also where God lives with all His holy tell me by what power you killed those angels." men and cut off arms of those who King Lamoni asked,"Is it above the scattered my flocks. earth?" If you will tell me, I will give you "Yes," replied Ammon."He looks down anything you want. I would guard you upon all His children, and He knows all with my armies if you needed them, but the thoughts and intentions of their I know you’re more powerful than hearts, for by His hand they were all them all." created from the beginning." Now Ammon was wise (cunning--with Then King Lamoni said, "I believe guile), yet harmless. So he said to everything you have told me. Did God Lamoni, “I'll tell you by what power I send you?" did these things if you will believe what I say.” Ammon explained, "I am a man. In the beginning, man was created in the 238 image of God. I was called by His Holy King Lamoni truly believed everything Spirit to teach these things to this Ammon said and cried out, "Oh Lord, people, that they may learn all that is have mercy on me and my people, just and true. according to your abundant mercy you A part of God's Holy Spirit is in me, showed the Nephites." which gives me knowledge and power. This is done according to my faith in God and my desire to serve Him." Then Ammon began to teach Lamoni, starting from the creation of the world and of Adam. He taught about the fall of man, and about all the records and holy scriptures of the people which had been After saying this he fell down as if spoken by the prophets even down to dead. Then the king's servants carried the time their forefather Lehi left him to his wife and laid him on a bed. Jerusalem. He lay as if dead for two days and Ammon also told the king and his nights. And his wife, sons and servants about the journeying of their daughters mourned over him in the forefathers in the wilderness — how customary way, greatly lamenting his they suffered with hunger and thirst. loss. He told them about the rebellion of The Queen believes Ammon Laman, Lemuel and Ishmael's sons. He See Alma, Chapter 19 explained all the records and scriptures, After two days and nights, the king's from the time Lehi had left Jerusalem servants were about to put him in a down to their present time. tomb. The queen had heard of This is not all. Ammon explained Ammon's fame, so she sent for him. the plan of redemption, which was Ammon went to the queen and asked prepared from the foundation of the her what she wanted him to do. world. She said, "My husband's servants told He also told them of the coming of me that you are a prophet of a holy Christ, and of all the works of the God, and that you have power to do Lord. many mighty works in His name. 239 If this is true, I want you to go to my The queen was also overpowered by husband, for he has been on his bed for the Spirit, and she also collapsed. two days and nights. Some say he isn't Seeing the Lord's Spirit poured out dead, but others say he is and want to according to his prayers, Ammon fell take him away. As for me, I don't think upon his knees and began to pour out he is dead." his soul in thanksgiving to God for This is what Ammon wanted to hear, what He had done for his brethren. for he knew king Lamoni was under Then Ammon was also overpowered God's power. He knew the marvelous with joy and collapsed near the king light of God's glory--the light of and queen. everlasting life--had brought When the servants who had witnessed Lamoni such joy it had overcome his Ammon's great power saw him on the natural body. The cloud of darkness had ground, they began to pray to God, been lifted from over Lamoni, and he fearing His power. had been carried away in God. As each servant prayed to God with Ammon told the queen, "He is not his might, he also fell unconscious! dead. He sleeps in God. Tomorrow he will rise, so don’t bury him. Do you Soon they had all fallen, except one believe me?" woman named Abish. She had been converted to the Lord many years The queen answered, "I have only your earlier because of a remarkable vision word and the word of our servants, but her father had received. Abish had I do believe my husband will rise, as never told anyone about her conversion you said." to the Lord. Ammon replied, "You are blessed When she saw all the servants, the because of your great faith--a faith queen, the king, and Ammon fallen, never known among all the Nephites." she knew it was by God's power. Then the queen sat by her husband all Abish knew this was her opportunity night long. And in the morning, the to help many souls believe in God's king awoke! Holding out his hand to power, so she ran from house to house, the queen, he said, "Blessed is the name telling people to come and see what His of God! And you are blessed, too, for as power had done. surely as you live, I have seen my Redeemer! He will be born of a mortal A crowd came to the king's house, and woman and He will redeem all who to their astonishment, they saw the will believe in Him!” king, the queen and their servants lying on the ground as if dead. They also saw Lamoni's heart was so full of joy, he Ammon, a Nephite. was overcome again. 240 Some people said a great evil had come Others argued that he was a monster upon the king and his house because he who had been sent from the Nephites to had let a Nephite stay in the land. torment them. Others argued, "The king has brought Still others said Ammon was sent by this evil upon his own house by having the Great Spirit to afflict them because his servants killed, whose flocks were of their sins, that it was the Great Spirit scattered at the waters of Sebus." who had always protected the Nephites Those men who had scattered the flocks by destroying many of their Lamanite had also gathered with the crowd. They brethren. argued with those who said evil had As the people started to argue sharply come upon the king for killing his with one another, Abish became sad servants. The men were angry with and started to cry. Then she took the Ammon because he had killed seven of queen by the hand, with the hope of their brethren. raising her from the ground. The brother of their leader, whom Ammon had killed with his sword, was very angry with Ammon. He drew his sword and rushed over to where Ammon lay, but as he lifted his sword to kill him, he fell dead. Ammon could not be killed, for the Lord had said to Mosiah, his father, "I will spare him according to your faith." Because of this, Mosiah trusted his son's safety to the Lord. After the crowd saw the man fall dead while trying to kill Ammon, they all As soon as Abish touched her hand, the became afraid. They dared not touch queen sat up, stood on her feet, and Ammon or any of the others who had cried out, "Oh blessed Jesus, who has fallen the ground. saved me from an awful hell! Oh blessed God, have mercy on this They again wondered what could be the people!" cause of this great power and what these things meant. Filled with joy, the queen clasped her hands and said many things to the Many said Ammon was the Great crowd they did not understand. Spirit, while others said he was sent by the Great Spirit. 241 Then she took Lamoni's hand, and he But the Lord's voice told Ammon, sat up and stood on his feet. "Do not go to the land of Nephi, for Seeing his people arguing, Lamoni Lamoni's father will try to kill you. quickly went among them to rebuke Instead, go to the land of Middoni, and teach them Ammon's words. where your brother Aaron, and also Those who listened to the king believed Muloki and Ammah are in prison." him and were converted to the Lord. Upon hearing this, Ammon said to But many people would not listen and Lamoni, "My brother and his friends went away. are in prison in Middoni. I must go there to free them." Then Ammon and Lamoni's servants stood and spoke to the people. They all Lamoni replied, "I know in the strength declared the same thing —that their of the Lord you can do anything. But I hearts had been changed and they will go with you, for the King had no more desire to do evil. Antiomno there is a friend of mine. I will flatter him and he will let your Many of the servants told the people brethren out of prison. they had spoken with angels, who had told them of God and His And who told you your brethren were righteousness. in prison?" Many people believed the Ammon answered, "No one but God, servants and were baptized. They who said to me, became a righteous people and 'Go and free your brethren who are in established a church among prison at Middoni.'" themselves. Lamoni told his servants to get his This is how the Lord’s work began horses and chariots ready to go, and among the Lamanites, and how He then said to Ammon, "I will go with began to pour out His Spirit upon them. you to Middoni, and I will plead with From this we learn the Lord will extend the king to let your brethren out of His arm to all who will repent and prison." believe in Him. As Ammon and Lamoni were heading Lamoni and Ammon’s to Middoni, they met Lamoni's father, confrontation the king over all the land. He was sharp with Lamoni, and asked him, "Why See Alma, Chapter 20 didn't you come on the day I held a After the Lamanites had established a great feast for my sons and my people? church, King Lamoni asked Ammon to And where are you going with this go with him to the land of Nephi to Nephite, a child of a liar?" meet his father. 242 Lamoni refused, saying, "I will not kill Ammon, and I will go to Middoni to free his brethren, for I know they are just men and holy prophets of the true God!" Upon hearing this, Lamoni's father became very angry and drew his sword to kill Lamoni. But Ammon stepped between Lamoni and his father, saying, "You will not kill your son, but if he did die, it would be better for him than you, for he has repented of his sins. If you were to die now in your anger, your soul could not be saved. For your own sake, do not kill your son, for he is an innocent man, and his blood Afraid of offending his father, Lamoni would cry up from the ground to the answered that he was going to Lord his God for vengeance upon you, Middoni. He told his father all that had and perhaps you would lose your soul." happened in his kingdom —t hat these Lamoni's father answered, "Yes, you’re things had kept him from coming to the right. If I killed my son I would shed feast. innocent blood. You are the one who Lamoni expected his father to be happy has tried to destroy him!" with this good news, but to his surprise, He raised his sword against Ammon, his father was angry with him, who defended the blows. Then Ammon saying, "Lamoni, why would you want wounded the king's arm so he could not to free these Nephite sons of a liar? use it. Nephi robbed our forefathers, and now Helpless, Lamoni's father begged his children have come among us to Ammon to spare his life. trick and rob us!" But Ammon raised his spear above Then Lamoni's father commanded him him, saying, "I will kill you unless you not to go to Middoni to free the give me authority to let my brethren out Nephites, but to go with him back to of prison!" the land of Ishmael. He also Afraid for his life, the king said, "You commanded Lamoni to kill Ammon may have whatever you want, even half with his sword. my kingdom!" 243 Seeing he had power over the king, The people had driven them from house Ammon said, "In addition to letting my to house, and from place to place. The brethren out of prison, I want Lamoni people had beaten them, and had driven to keep his kingdom. You must not be them away, until at last they had gone displeased with him, and let him do as to Middoni, the worst place of all. In he wishes. Unless you promise this, I Middoni, they had been thrown in will kill you!" prison, tied with strong ropes, and kept Now the king was happy because his there for many days before finally life had been spared. He realized being released by Lamoni and Ammon. Ammon didn't want to kill him, and he A report from Aaron was very surprised at Ammon's great See Alma, Chapter 21 love for his son. When Ammon and his brethren first He said, "Because all you want is to separated near the Lamanite border, free your brethren from prison and see Aaron went toward Jerusalem, named Lamoni keep his kingdom, I will grant after the old Jerusalem across the this, and I will not govern Lamoni ocean. The Lamanites, Amalekites and again. people of Amulon had built this great Come to my kingdom when your city, Jerusalem. brethren are out of prison, and bring The Lamanites were stubborn, but the them with you. I want to see you again Amalekites and Amulonites were even and learn more about what you and more hardened. They had influenced Lamoni have told me today." the Lamanites to become even more Then Ammon and Lamoni continued wicked. their journey to Middoni. When Aaron came into Jerusalem, he Upon arriving, Lamoni was favored by started to preach to the Amalekites in Antiomno, the king of the land, who their great church buildings, called released Ammon's brethren from synagogues. These synagogues were prison. built according to the order of the Nehors, for many of the Amalekites When Ammon saw his brethren he was and Amulonites belonged to that order. very sorrowful, for they were naked and had many sores from being tied up. As Aaron was preaching, an Amalekite They had suffered from hunger, thirst man stood up and argued with and all types of afflictions, but they had him, "What do you mean, you have been patient through it all. seen an angel? It had been their misfortune to be Why don't angels appear to us? among a more stubborn people who Are your people better than we? had refused to listen to them. 244 You said if we do not repent, we will die. How do you know if we need to repent? How do you know if we are righteous or not? Look around. We have built sacred buildings and have come here to worship God, who we believe will save all men." Aaron responded to the man by asking, "Do you believe the Son of God will come to redeem mankind from their sins?" The man answered, "We do not believe in these foolish traditions. We do not believe you know the future any more than we believe our forefathers knew the future." Then Aaron read the scriptures to them about the coming of Christ and the resurrection of the dead — that no redemption could be made for So they all left and went to Middoni. anyone unless it were through the There they preached the word to many, death and suffering of Christ, and the but few believed them. atonement of His blood. Aaron and some of his brethren were The people did not want to hear the thrown into prison. The others ran out truth. They wanted to believe they of the city to other places. In prison, would all be saved no matter Aaron and his brethren suffered many what they did. things until they were freed by Lamoni As Aaron explained the scriptures, they and Ammon, who fed and clothed became angry and interrupted him with them. their mocking. After recovering, Aaron and his Aaron left their synagogue and went to brethren went out to preach again, a village called Ani-Anti. There he going wherever the Lord’s Spirit told found Muloki, Ammah and his brethren them to. They preached God's word in preaching to the people, every Amalekite synagogue and who also refused to listen to the truth. 245 Lamanite assembly where they were Then Aaron said, "Oh King, we are allowed to preach. Ammon's brethren, who you let out of The Lord began to bless them, for prison. Oh King, if you will spare our they brought many to the knowledge of lives, we will be your servants." the truth. The king answered, "Arise, I don’t They convinced many people their want to kill you or for you to be my lives were sinful, and their forefathers' servants. I insist you teach me, for my traditions were false. mind is troubled and confused. Ammon and Lamoni went to Ishmael, Ammon's words to me were very great Lamoni's land, and King Lamoni no and generous. Tell me, why didn't he longer allowed Ammon to be his come with you as I asked him to?" servant. He had his people build Aaron replied, "The Spirit of the Lord synagogues where they could meet called him to Ishmael to teach Lamoni's together. He rejoiced over them and people." taught them many things. He told them The king then asked, "What do you they were a free people under him, and mean, the Spirit of the Lord? This is they would no longer be oppressed by what troubles me. And what did his father, the king, who had given him Ammon mean when he said, reign over Ishmael, and over all the 'If you repent, you will be saved, and if surrounding land. you do not repent, you will be cast off Lamoni told everyone under his reign at the last day?'" they were free to worship the Lord Aaron answered, "Do you believe in their God the way they desired. God?" Ammon preached about righteousness The king responded, "I know the to King Lamoni's people. He taught Amalekites say there’s a God, and I them diligently each day, and they have allowed them to build churches listened, for they were eager to keep where they worship Him. And if you God's commands. say there’s a God, I will believe you." Aaron teaches Lamoni’s father When Aaron heard this, his heart See Alma, Chapter 22 rejoiced, and he said, "As surely as you While Ammon was teaching in live, oh King, there is a God." Ishmael, Aaron and his brethren The king asked, "Is God that Great were led by the Spirit to Lamoni's Spirit who brought our forefathers out father in the land of Nephi. They went of the land of Jerusalem?" into the king's palace and bowed before him. 246 Aaron said that since man had fallen, he could not earn anything for himself, and that only the suffering and death of Christ could atone for sins, through faith and repentance. He said that Christ would break the bands of death, and the grave would have no victory, and the sting of death would be consumed "Yes," answered Aaron. "He is that by the hope of glory. Great Spirit, and He created all things in heaven and earth. Do you believe After Aaron explained all this, the king this?" asked, "What must I do to have this eternal life? What must I do to be born "Yes, I believe the Great Spirit created of God--to have this wicked spirit taken all things,” replied the king. "Tell me from me and receive His Spirit, that I about these things, and I will believe may be filled with joy, and not be cast you." off at the last day? When Aaron saw the king would I will give up all that I have, even my believe him, he began entire kingdom to receive this great to read aloud from the scriptures. He joy!” read about the creation of Adam — how God created man in His own Aaron replied, "You will have what image and gave him commandments, you hope for, oh King, if you will bow and that because of transgression, man down before God and repent of all your had fallen. sins — if you will call upon His name in faith, believing you will receive." Then Aaron explained the scriptures he had read. He explained the fall of man, The king them immediately bowed his carnal state, and the plan of down on his knees before the Lord, and redemption, prepared from the even laid himself over the ground. He beginning of the world through cried out loudly, "Oh God, Aaron has Christ, for all who would believe in told me there is a God. If there is a Him. God, and if you are God, then will you 247 make yourself known to me? I will household until they were all give away all my sins to know you, to converted to the Lord. be raised from the dead and be saved at Meanwhile, a large crowd had gathered the last day." because of the queen's orders, and had And when the king said this, he was begun to conspire against Aaron and his struck as if he were dead. brethren. But the king spoke to the The king's servants ran and told the crowd and they calmed down. queen what had happened. She came The king also told Aaron and his running and saw him lying as if dead. brethren to stand before the people and She also saw Aaron and his brethren preach the word to them. standing nearby. She was angry with Then the king sent a proclamation to all them and commanded the king's his people throughout his land and all servants to kill them. the surrounding areas. The servants had seen how the king had The Lamanites' land, which had a sea fallen and they were afraid to lay their on the east and the west, was divided hands on Aaron and his brethren. They from the Nephites' by a narrow strip pled with the queen, "Why do you of wilderness. This narrow strip of command us to kill these men when land, which ran from the east sea to the one of them is mightier than us all and west sea, was located south of the land will kill us?" of Zarahemla. It went through the When the queen saw the servants' great borders of Manti, near the head of the fear, she became very afraid, too. Then Sidon River. she commanded her servants to call the The more idle Lamanites lived in tents people to come and kill Aaron and his near the western seashore, west of the brethren. land of Zarahemla, and west of the land Aaron saw the queen’s determination to of Nephi, in the wilderness --in the have him killed. And knowing the place of their forefathers' first unbelief and stubbornness of the inheritance. people, fearing there would be a great Many Lamanites also lived on the disturbance among them, Aaron took eastern shore, where the Nephites had the king's hand and shouted,”Stand!" driven them. Then the king received his strength and Being nearly surrounded by Lamanites, stood on his feet. the Nephites had taken possession of all When the queen and servants saw this the northern lands, starting from the they became fearful, wondering how it wilderness at the head of the Sidon was done. And the king spoke to his River, from the east sea to the west sea. 248 The Nephites' land continued north to Note: Present-day south sea is mostly marshland. This map fits all descriptions of the land they called Bountiful. geography and distances traveled. In all On the north of Bountiful was cases, distances traveled is mentioned in days, not weeks or months. It’s not likely for Desolation, a land once populated and Nephites and Lamanites prior to 400 A.D. to then destroyed. have covered North, Central and South America. Upon landing there in their ships, the The Nephites also lived in the land of people of Zarahemla (the Mulekites) Bountiful (just north of the neck) from were the first to discover the bones of the eastern to the western shores. They this lost civilization (the Jaredites). were wise to guard the narrow neck Then the Mulekites had gone into the (about 35 miles wide) with their armies, which kept the Lamanites from overrunning the northern land. Now I, Mormon, will continue my account of Ammon, Aaron, Omner Himni and their brethren. The king opens the way for preaching See Alma, Chapter 23 The proclamation the Lamanite king sent among all his people told them not to harm Ammon, Aaron, Omner, Himni or any of their brethren who preached the word of God. It was forbidden for anyone to bind, imprison or hurt them in any way. They were to have free access to their houses, temples and sanctuaries so southern wilderness. They called the God's word could be preached through southern land Bountiful because it was all the land. filled with all types of wild animals. Lamoni's father, the Lamanite king, It took a day and a half for a Nephite to desired all his people be convinced of travel in an east-to-west direction their forefathers' wicked traditions. He across the neck of land, the line on the wanted them to realize they were all land Bountiful / Desolation. brethren, and they should not murder, And so the lands of Nephi and steal, commit adultery, or do any kind Zarahemla were nearly surrounded by of wickedness. seas. 249 The king made this proclamation Only one Amalekite was converted because he and his household had been and no Amulonites were ever converted to the Lord. converted. They hardened their hearts, After this, Aaron and his brethren went and also the hearts of the Lamanites from city to city, from one house of who lived in their villages and cities. worship to another. They established The king and those who were converted churches and consecrated priests and wanted a name to distinguish teachers throughout the land among the themselves from those who did not Lamanites. They preached and taught believe. The king consulted with Aaron God's word with great success. and many of their priests about the Thousands were brought to the name they would take upon themselves. knowledge of the Lord and to believe They decided no longer to call in the Nephites' traditions. They were themselves Lamanites, but Anti- taught about the records and prophecies Nephi-Lehies. that had been handed down, even to Note: Anti (Ahn-tee) in ancient Israel their present time. meant "liken unto". So the name Anti- Nephi-Lehi meant to be “like” their Ammon and his brethren forefathers Nephi and Lehi, who had been preached according to the spirit of (faithful to God). revelation and prophecy, and by the They began to be a very industrious power of God, which people. They were friendly with the worked miracles among the Lamanites. Nephites and openly communicated And as surely as the Lord lives, all the with them, and God's curse no longer Lamanites who were converted to the followed them. Lord never fell away. They became a Note: The record of this Lamanite righteous people. They laid down their awakening is a type for the last days. Knowing this, Mormon and Moroni's final weapons and did not fight against their words were directed to latter-day brethren the Nephites nor against Lamanites — words beckoning them God anymore. to use their faith to come to know their covenant status. Now these are they who were See Mormon 7:1-4,10 Moroni 10:1,33 converted to the Lord: Former Nephites stir The Lamanites in the land of Ishmael, up the Lamanites Middoni, Shimlon and Shemlon, and See Alma, Chapter 24 the Lamanites in the cities of Nephi, Then the unconverted Amalekites, Lemuel and Shimnilom. Amulonites and Lamanites in the All these Lamanites who were surrounding lands were stirred up by converted laid down all their weapons the wicked Amalekites and Amulonites of war. to be angry with their brethren. 250 Their hatred grew, and they began to Nephites. And by this correspondence, rebel against their king (Lamoni's we have been convinced of our sins and father). They did not want him to be of the many murders we have their king any longer, so they took up committed. arms against the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. I also thank my God, my great God, for During this time, the king conferred the giving us the chance to repent of these kingdom upon his son (Lamoni's things, for He has forgiven us of our brother) and gave him the new many sins and murders we have name . . . Anti-Nephi-Lehi committed, and He has taken away the Then the king died in the same year the guilt from our hearts through the merits Lamanites were preparing for war of His Son. against God's people. And in our lost condition, it was all we When Ammon, his brothers, and those could do to repent of our sins and who had come up with him realized the murders we had committed so God unconverted Lamanites were preparing would take the guilt from our hearts, for war, they all met at Midian. From and also take away our stains. there they went to Ishmael to hold a My best beloved brethren, since God council with Lamoni and his brother, has taken away our stains, and our Anti-Nephi-Lehi, to discuss what they swords have become bright, let us not should do to defend themselves against stain them again with the blood of our the Lamanites. brethren. For perhaps if we stained our None of the Lamanites who had been swords again, they could not be converted to the Lord would take up washed bright through the blood of arms against their brethren. They the Son of our great God, which will be would not make any preparations for shed to atone for our sins. war. Their king Anti-Nephi-Lehi also The great God has had mercy on us, commanded them not to take up arms. and has made these things known to us He said to his people, "I thank my God, so we would not perish. He has given my beloved people, that our great God us a knowledge of His Son before He has in His goodness sent our brethren, comes, for He loves our souls as well the Nephites, to preach to us — to as the souls of our future children. convince us of the wickedness of our This is why, in His mercy, He visits us forefathers' traditions. by His angels, who teach us the plan I thank my great God that He has given of salvation, which is to be known by us a portion of His Spirit to soften our us as well as by our future generations. hearts, and that we have opened a Oh, how merciful is our God! Since we correspondence with these brethren, the have done all we can do to have our 251 stains removed, and our swords have replace him with another, and to kill the been made bright, let us hide them people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi. away, that they may be kept bright. When the converted Lamanites saw Then on the last day, when we are them coming, they went out to meet brought before God to be judged, our them, bowed to the earth before them, bright swords will be a testimony that and called on the name of the Lord. we did not stain them with the blood of They continued to do this as the our brethren after He gave us His word, Lamanites began to fall upon them and which word enabled us to repent. kill them with their swords. And now, even if our brethren seek to Without meeting any resistance, the kill us, we will now bury our swords Lamanites killed 1,005 of them, and we deep in the earth, that they may be kept know they have gone to live with their bright as a testimony at the last God and are blessed. day that we never used them. And if Soon the Lamanites realized their our brethren do kill us, we will go to brethren would not run from the sword our God and be saved." After the king said this, the people buried all their swords and weapons deep in the earth. This was their testimony to God, and also to men, that they would never use their weapons again. They covenanted with God that rather than kill their brethren they would give up their own lives --that rather than take from a brother they would give to him — rather than waste their time in idleness they would work productively with their own hands. From this we see when Lamanites are brought to believe and know the truth, they are firm and would rather die than commit sin, for they buried nor resist, but would rather lie down their weapons of war to have peace. and die, praising God while being Then the wicked Lamanites came to the killed. land of Nephi to kill the king and Many stopped their killing and repented of what they had done, for 252 their hearts had swollen for those who Because they had sworn this had fallen. vengeance, they took their armies into Many Lamanites threw down their Ammonihah and killed everyone in weapons and would not take them up that city. And after this, they lost many again. They became like their brethren, battles with the Nephites. relying upon the mercies of those who Almost all of Amulon's descendants, then raised their arms to kill them. and the descendants of Noah's other More Lamanites joined the people of priests, were killed by the Nephite God that day than the number of those army. killed. Not one of the 1,005 killed was Those who were not killed ran into the a wicked man, and more than eastern wilderness and usurped power that were brought to the knowledge of and authority over the Lamanites, the truth. killing many of them by fire because From this we learn the Lord works of their belief in the Lord. in many ways to save the souls of His After so much suffering and loss, many people. Lamanites remembered the preaching Most of the Lamanites who killed their of Aaron and his brethren in their land. brethren were Amalekites and They began to disbelieve the traditions Amulonites, after the order of Nehor. of their forefathers and believe in the And not one of them joined the people Lord — that He gave great power to of God. Only Lamanites joined. the Nephites. From this we can plainly discern that By their faith, many were converted to when people fall away into sin, after the Lord while in the wilderness. having been enlightened by the Spirit Now it was Amulon's descendants who of God, they become more hardened, were killing the converted Lamanites and their spiritual condition becomes by fire. This martyrdom made many worse than if they had never been other Lamanites very angry, and they enlightened. hunted and killed Amulon's Abinadi’s prophecy fulfilled descendants as they ran into the east See Alma, Chapter 25 wilderness. Because they had killed so many of Even to this day, those Amulonites are their own men, the Amalekites and still hunted by Lamanites. Amulonites became even more angry. This is how Abinadi's words were They swore vengeance upon the fulfilled, for he said the descendants of Nephites and stopped killing Anti- Nephi-Lehies. 253 the priests who killed him would be This is how they kept their hope . . . hunted down and killed. through their faith in an eternal Abinadi said, "Your children will be salvation, relying on the spirit of hunted, captured, and suffer death by prophecy, which spoke of things to fire." come. Abinadi was the first to die by fire Now Ammon, Aaron, Omner, Himni because of his belief in God. He had and their brethren rejoiced greatly over told Noah's priests their descendants their success among the Lamanites, would burn many people after him, seeing the Lord had answered their and they in turn would be scattered, prayers and had also verified His word hunted and burned by their enemies. to them down to the last detail. Now when the Lamanites realized they The missionaries rejoice! could not overpower the Nephites, they See Alma, Chapter 26 went back to their own land. Many of Ammon said to his brethren, "We have them came to live in the land of great reason to rejoice. For how could Ishmael and land of Nephi and joined we have known when we left the people of God . . . Zarahemla God would have given us the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. such great blessings? They, too, buried their weapons as their And what are these great blessings? brethren had done and began to be a Our brethren the Lamanites were in the righteous people. They also walked in most terrible darkness, but now many the ways of the Lord, keeping His have been brought to see the marvelous statutes and commandments. light of God! They kept the law of Moses which was This is the great blessing given us, that necessary to do, for it had not yet been we have been instruments in God's fulfilled. hands to do His great work. Thousands of Lamanites now rejoice, having come Even though they kept the law of into the fold of God. The field was ripe, Moses, they looked forward to the and now you are blessed, for you coming of Christ, understanding the reaped with your might, working all the law of Moses was a type of His day. coming. Now look at your harvest which will They believed they had to keep not be lost! They will not be lost at the those outward performances until last day, when storm and whirlwind Christ revealed Himself to them. They come, but will be gathered together knew that salvation did not come by where the storm cannot harm them, the law of Moses, but it served to strengthen their faith in Christ. 254 where enemies will have no power over and has freed our brethren from the them. chains of hell. They are in the hands of the Lord of the Not long ago they were surrounded by harvest. They are His, and He will raise eternal darkness and destruction. But them up at the last day. Blessed be the God has brought them into His name of our God! Let us sing His everlasting light and salvation! praise! Let us give thanks to His holy Now they are surrounded by the name, for His works are righteous matchless bounty of His love, and we forever! have been instruments in His hands by Had we not come from Zarahemla, doing this great and marvelous work! these Lamanites, our dearly beloved So let us glory and rejoice in the Lord, brethren, who have so dearly loved us, for our joy is full. We will praise our would still hate us and be strangers to God forever, for who can glory too God." much in the Lord? Who can say too After Ammon said this, his brother much about His great power, mercy Aaron rebuked him, saying, "Ammon, and long-suffering toward His I’m afraid you’re so carried away with children? joy you’re boasting." I cannot express the smallest part of Ammon replied, “I’m not boasting of what I feel! my own strength or wisdom. My heart Who could have thought that our God is filled with joy, and I rejoice in my would be so merciful as to snatch us God! from our awful, sinful and polluted I know I am nothing. I am weak, and I state? We were angrily going about do not boast of myself, but of God, for threatening to destroy His church. in His strength I can do all things! So why didn't God just consign us to an We have performed many mighty awful destruction — letting the sword miracles in this land for which we will of His justice fall upon us and doom us praise His name forever. to eternal despair? See how many thousands of our My soul cowers at the thought. God did brothers God has freed from the pains not exercise His justice upon us, but in of hell? They have been brought to sing His great mercy, He carried us over redeeming love because of the power of that everlasting gulf of death and His word, which is in us. misery, and saved our souls. Isn't this a great reason to rejoice? Yes, And what natural man or woman can we have great reason to praise Him know these things? None, unless they forever, for He is the Most High God repent. 255 Those who repent and exercise faith, from house to house, relying upon who do good works and always pray, God's mercy. We taught them in their are given the knowledge of God's homes, on their streets and hills, and in mysteries. their temples and synagogues. They will be given the power to reveal We were thrown out, mocked, spit on, that which has never been revealed and slapped in the face. We had rocks before. They will be given the power, thrown at us, and were tied with strong even as we have been given, to bring ropes and thrown in prison. thousands of souls to repentance. And by God's power and wisdom we Remember how our brothers in the have once again been delivered. church at Zarahemla laughed at us We suffered all this to perhaps be the when we told them we wanted to means of saving some soul. We thought preach to the Lamanites in the land of our joy would be full with even a few Nephi? Remember how they scorned converts. us, saying, But are the fruits of our labors few? 'Do you really think you can convert No, they are many! And we know they the Lamanites to the truth and convince are sincere, seeing their love for each them that their forefathers' traditions other and us. are wrong? They would rather sacrifice their own The Lamanites are stubborn. They lives than take the life of an enemy. delight in bloodshed, and they spend They have buried their weapons deep in their time doing the most wicked the earth because they love their things. Let us go to war against them, brethren. and destroy them and their iniquity Has there ever been such great love in before they overrun and destroy us.' all the land? No, not even among the But we ignored our brethren in Nephites, for they would take up arms Zarahemla and went into the against their brethren and not allow wilderness, hoping to perhaps save a themselves to be killed. few souls. When we were depressed But over 1,000 Lamanites have laid and about to turn back, the Lord down their lives. And we know they comforted us and said, have gone to their God because of their 'Go among your brethren, the love for their brothers and hatred of sin. Lamanites. Bear your afflictions Do we have great reason to rejoice? patiently and I will give you success.' Yes, since the world began, no men And now we have returned after having have ever had greater reason to rejoice been among them. We patiently than us! suffered every deprivation. We went 256 My joy is carried away, even to And having made a covenant with the boasting in my God. For He has all Lord not to fight, many of the Anti- power, wisdom and understanding He Nephi-Lehies were killed by their comprehends all things, and He is a enemies. They treated Ammon and his merciful Being who saves those who brethren like angels sent from God to will repent and believe in Him. save them from everlasting destruction. Now if this is boasting, then I boast, for So when Ammon and his brethren saw God is the source of my life and light, them being killed, they were moved my joy and salvation, and my with compassion and said to their redemption from an everlasting king, "Let us gather this people of the curse. He has been mindful of this Lord and take them to our brethren, the people — a branch of the tree of Nephites, in the land of Zarahemla. Let Israel, who are lost from their roots us escape from our enemies and not be and wander in a strange land. killed." My brethren, we see God is mindful of The king replied, "The Nephites will every people no matter where they kill us because of the many murders live. He numbers all His people and and sins we have committed against shows His mercy over all the earth. them." This is the reason for my joy and great Then Ammon said, "I will go and ask thanksgiving, and I will give thanks to the Lord, and if He tells us to leave, my God forever!” will you leave?" The time just before the The king answered, "Yes, if the Lord missionaries reunite tells us to leave, then we will go to our See Alma, Chapter 27 brethren and be their slaves until we Now, as I, Mormon, said before, when have made restitution for the many the Lamanites who had gone to war murders and sins we have committed against the Nephites realized that they against them." could not destroy them, they returned Ammon replied, "Slavery is against our to the land of Nephi. law established by my father, Mosiah. The Amalekites were very angry for So let us go and rely upon their mercy." having lost so many of their people, The king said, "Ask the Lord, and if He and when they could not take revenge tells us to go, we will. Otherwise, we on the Nephites, they stirred up the will die in this land." wicked Lamanites to be angry enough Ammon went and asked the Lord, who to begin killing their brethren, the Anti- said to him, Nephi-Lehies, once again. "Get this people out of this land, so they will not be killed, for Satan has a 257 great hold upon the hearts of the They went to tell the chief judge Amalekites. They have stirred up the everything that had happened to them Lamanites to be angry enough to kill in the land of Nephi among the their brethren, so take them out of this Lamanites. land. This generation of people are Then the chief judge sent a blessed, for I will preserve them." proclamation throughout all the land, Then Ammon told King Anti-Nephi- asking the people how they felt about Lehi everything that the Lord had told allowing their brethren, the Anti-Nephi- him. Lehies, to come into their land. Then they gathered all the people of the The answer came, "We will give them Lord with their flocks and herds and the land of Jershon as an inheritance left the land. (the land near the east shore, adjacent They made their exodus into the to the southern border of Bountiful). wilderness that divided the land of We will protect them with our armies Nephi from the land of Zarahemla, and because they have refused to fight, they came near Zarahemla's border. fearing to commit sin again. We will Then Ammon said to King Anti-Nephi- post our armies between the land of Lehi, "My brethren and I will go into Jershon and the land of Nephi to guard Zarahemla to see if our brethren there them from their enemies. will allow you and your people to come We will do this for our brethren on into their land. You wait here with your condition they give us some of their people until we return." supplies to help maintain our armies." It was when Ammon was going toward When Ammon heard this, he and Alma Zarahemla with his brethren that he and went to the Anti-Nephi-Lehies, who his brethren met Alma. were camping in the wilderness, and Ammon's joy was so full that he was told them the good news. Alma also consumed by the joy of his God, and he told them how he had been converted lost his strength and fainted. Now with Ammon and his brothers. wasn't this great joy? This is the joy This caused great joy among them, and only the truly repentant and humble they went and took possession of the seekers of happiness receive. land of Jershon. Alma, Aaron, Omner and Himni also From then on, the Nephites called those had great joy, but not so much that they converted Lamanites "Ammon's lost their strength like Ammon. people." They were numbered among Ammon was revived, and Alma led him the Nephites and God's church. and his brethren back to his own house They were known for their zeal toward in Zarahemla. God and men, for they were perfectly 258 honest and upright in all things. They The Nephites also suffered tremendous were firm in the faith of Christ loss, but the Lamanites were driven throughout their lives. away and scattered, after which the They looked upon shedding the blood Nephites went back to their lands. of their brethren with the greatest This was a time of great mourning and abhorrence. lamentation throughout the land. They never did fight their brethren, nor Widows mourned for their husbands, did they fear death because of their fathers for their sons, sisters for their hope in Christ and His resurrection, for brothers, and sons for their fathers. they knew that Christ would have Surely this was a sorrowful day — a victory over death. time of soberness, of much fasting and Rather than take up the sword, many of prayer. them died in the most aggravating and This is how 77 BC ended --the 15th distressing manner that could be year of the Nephite judges' reign. inflicted by their brethren, the This is the account of Ammon and his Lamanites. brethren, and their travels in Nephi, of Ammon's people were zealous, their suffering, and of their beloved, and highly favored by the incomprehensible joy. Lord. It is an account of the reception and Mormon recounts 92-77 B.C. safety of the Lamanites who inherited See Alma, Chapter 28 Jershon. And may the Lord, the A church was established among them Redeemer of all mankind, bless their and a Nephite army guarded the land of souls forever. Jershon. This is also the account of the wars the The army was guarding the Zarahemla Nephites fought among themselves, border when a Lamanite army came and also with the Lamanites through into the land. They had followed the the year 77 BC. Over this fifteen year converted Lamanites into the period, from 92 BC to 77 BC, many wilderness. thousands of lives were lost in awful scenes of bloodshed. The Nephite army fought them in a tremendous battle, like no other battle Many thousands were buried, and many fought before in the promised land, thousands were not buried, but piled up and tens of thousands of Lamanites in heaps on the ground. were killed and scattered throughout Many thousands mourned the loss of the land. their relatives, having reason to fear they had been cursed forever according to the Lord's promises. 259 Many other thousands also mourned I also know that His judgments, which the loss of their loved ones, yet they cannot be changed, result in spiritual rejoiced in their knowledge according and temporal salvation or death. to the promises of the Lord, that their I know that good and evil come to all, loved ones would be raised to live at and that those who do not know right the right hand of God, in a state of from wrong are innocent. But those never-ending happiness. who know good from evil are given From all this we realize how great the what they choose--good or evil, life or inequality of people is because of sin. death, joy or remorse of conscience. We also see the devil's great power, Since I know this, why should I want to which he gains through his cunning do more than what I have been called to plans to capture people's hearts. do? Why should I want to be an angel, We see the Lord calls His servants to speaking to all the ends of the earth? labor diligently in His vineyard. For in His wisdom, justice and truth, the Lord gives portions of His words to And we see great reason for sorrow and people in all nations, in their own rejoicing --sorrow over mortal death language. and separation, and joy for those who live in Christ's light. I glory in knowing what the Lord has commanded me to do, for perhaps I Alma wishes he were an angel may be an instrument in His hands to See Alma, Chapter 29 bring some soul to repentance, and this Because of all these things, Alma is my joy. exclaimed, "If only I were an angel. If When I see so many of my brethren only I could have the wish of my heart, truly repenting and coming to the Lord to shake the earth with my voice, their God, my soul is filled with joy. crying repentance to all people! I would Then I remember how the Lord heard declare repentance and the plan of my cry and extended His merciful arms redemption to every soul with the voice toward me. of thunder, so that they would repent and come to our God. I also remember the captivity of my father, Alma, and of his people. I know Then there would be no more sorrow that the God of Abraham, Isaac and throughout the entire world! Jacob delivered them out of bondage But I am a man, and I sin in my wish, and established His church among for I should be content with what the them. Lord has given me. I should not want I have always remembered that the anything but the firm judgments of a same God who delivered my father also just God, for I know He rewards men and women according to their desires. 260 delivered my ancient forefathers out of of Moses, for they were taught to keep the Egyptians' hands. it until it was fulfilled. That same God established His church There were no disturbances during all among my people and gave me a holy of 76 BC. calling to preach the word to them. And During most of 75 BC, the 17th year of He gave me great success, in which my the judges' reign, there was peace also. joy is full! I do not rejoice in my own But toward the end of that year, a man success alone. came into the land of Zarahemla, who My joy is greater because of my was Anti-Christ, for he preached brethren's success in the land of Nephi. against the prophecies of the coming of They worked very hard, harvesting Christ. much fruit, and their reward will be There was no law against one's beliefs, great! When I think of their success, for passing a law that regulated one's my joy is so great that my soul is beliefs was strictly forbidden by God's carried away, as if separated from my commands. For the scriptures say, body! "Choose for yourself who May God reward my brethren to sit you will serve.” down in His kingdom with all those If a man wanted to serve God, it was who are the fruit of their labors, never his privilege to serve Him. But if he did to leave again, but to praise Him not believe in Him, there was no law to forever. May God grant this according punish him for not believing. to my words. Amen.” Korihor begins the preach Murder was punishable by death, and those who committed robbery and See Alma, Chapter 30 adultery were also punished for their After Ammon's people were established wickedness, for the law judged and in Jershon, and the Lamanites were punished only according to the crimes driven out, the Nephites buried their committed. dead. The year was 76 BC. So many But there was no law against a person's Lamanites and Nephites had died they beliefs, for the equality of the people's were not counted. right to believe was upheld. And after they were buried, and after This Anti-Christ, named Korihor, who the days of fasting, mourning and could not be restricted by the law, prayer, there was continual peace began to preach that there would be no throughout the land. Christ. He said, The people kept the Lord's commandments, strictly observing God's ordinances according to the law 261

"Oh you who are bound down under a forefathers' traditions, which lead you foolish, vain hope. Why do you burden away to believe in things that are not yourselves with such foolish things? true." Why do you look forward to a Christ Korihor said many other things, telling when no one knows the future? the people an atonement could not be What you call prophecies --things you made for the sins of men because every say have been handed down by holy man prospered according to his own prophets — are simply your forefathers' genius, conquering according to his foolish traditions. How do you know strength, and that whatever he did was they are really true? You cannot know no crime. about things you do not see, so you This is how he preached and led many cannot know there will be a Christ. hearts away, and inspired them to be You look ahead, saying you see a proud in their wickedness. remission of your sins. But this is the Korihor led away many women and effect of a frenzied mind. Your men to commit sexual sins — telling derangement comes from your 262 them that it did not matter because You say these people are guilty, a fallen death was the end of life. people, because of some long ago He went over to Jershon to preach to transgression of a parent. But I say that Ammon's people — the converted a child is not guilty of anything his Lamanites — but they were more wise parents do. than many of the Nephites. They tied You also say that Christ will come and him and took him before Ammon, their be killed for the sins of the world, but I high priest. say you do not know this. Ammon had Korihor taken out of This is how you lead these people away Jershon. Then Korihor preached in with your forefathers' foolish traditions, Gideon with no success, for he was according to your own desires. bound again and taken before both the You keep them down like slaves, to high priest and the chief judge over the glut yourselves on their labors, so that land. they do not dare boldly claim and enjoy The high priest, Giddonah, asked their rights and privileges. They do not Korihor, dare use what is theirs for fear of "Why do you distort the Lord's ways? offending their priests, who burden them as they desire. Why do you interrupt this people's rejoicing by teaching them that there Their priests bring them into will be no Christ? submission by convincing them to believe in their own traditions, dreams, Why do you speak against all the whims, visions and made-up mysteries. prophecies of the holy prophets?" The priests tell the people that if they Korihor replied, "I do this because I do do not obey them, that they will offend not teach your forefathers' foolish some unknown being, whom they say traditions. I do not teach this people to is God--a being who never has been bind themselves down under foolish seen or known, who never was nor ever ordinances and performances given by will be." ancient priests to get power and authority over the people, and to keep When Giddonah and the chief judge them in submission and ignorance. realized how hard Korihor's heart was-- that he would revile even against God-- You say these people are free, but I say they made no reply. They had him they are in bondage. bound and delivered to the officers, You say those ancient prophecies are who took him to Zarahemla to be true, but I say you do not know they are brought before Alma and the chief true. judge, the governor over all the land. 263 Standing before Alma and the chief Korihor answered, "No." judge, Korihor blasphemed as he had in Alma asked him, "Will you deny again Gideon. Korihor reviled against the that there is a God, and also deny the priests and teachers, accusing them of Christ? For I know there is a God, and I leading the people away after their know that Christ will come. forefathers' silly traditions in order to What evidence do you have that there glut themselves on the labors of the is no God, or that Christ will not come? people. You only have your word, but I have When Korihor was finished, Alma said all things as a testimony that these to him, "You know we do not glut things are true, and so do you. ourselves on the labors of this people. I Will you still deny them? myself work with my own hands for my support, and have worked even Do you believe that what I say is true? I from the beginning of the reign of the know you do, but you are possessed judges until now. with a lying spirit, for you have put off the Spirit of God so that He has no I work even though I travel around the place in you. The devil has power over land to declare God's word to my you, and he carries you about, working people. his devices to destroy God's children." In spite of the many labors I have Korihor replied to Alma, "If you show performed in the church, I have never me a sign to convince me there’s a God received so much as a senine, nor have and that He has power, then I will any of my brethren, except those in the believe." judgment-seat. And even then, we have only been paid for our time, according Alma responded, "You've had enough to the law. signs. Will you tempt your God when you have the testimony of all your Now, if we do not receive anything for brethren, and of all the holy prophets? our labor in the church, how do we profit other than by rejoicing with our The scriptures are laid before you, brethren? and all things witness that there is a God. So why do you say that we preach to get gain, knowing that we receive no Even the earth and all things upon it, its pay? Do you really believe that these motion, and all the planets that move in people have such joy in their hearts their regulated times, all witness because we have deceived them?" together there is a Supreme Creator. "Yes," answered Korihor. Alma then asked, "Do you believe there With all these witnesses, will you deny is a God?" them and continue to go about leading 264 people away, testifying that there is no Korihor then wrote, "I know I cannot God?" speak, and that nothing but God's Korihor answered, "Yes, I will deny power could have brought this upon these things, unless you show me a me. sign." I always knew there was a God, but the Then Alma said, “I'm sorry your heart devil deceived me. He appeared to me is so hard. You will resist the spirit of as an angel, saying, 'Go and reclaim the truth until your soul is destroyed. this people, for they have all gone But it’s better for your soul to be lost astray after an unknown God, for there than for you to bring many souls down is no God.' to destruction by your lying and The devil taught me what to say. I flattery. taught his words because they were So if you deny God again, He will pleasing to my carnal mind. strike you so that you will not be able I taught them until I had great to speak again to deceive this people." success, believing myself they Korihor then said, "I do not deny a God were true. This is why I withstood the may exist. truth, even until I have brought this great curse upon me." I simply do not believe in Him. I also say you do not know there’s a God. So Then Korihor begged Alma to ask God unless you show me a sign, I will not to take away his curse, but Alma believe." replied, "If this curse were taken away, you would again lead hearts of this Alma said, “I'll give this sign to you people away. So it will remain upon according to my words. In the name of you as the Lord wills it." God, you will never speak again." After Alma said this, Korihor could not The curse was not taken from Korihor, speak. and he was sent out to wander from house to house, begging for food. When the chief judge saw this, he wrote to Korihor, "Are you now What happened to Korihor was convinced of God's power? immediately published throughout the land. To whom did you expect Alma to show his sign? A proclamation was sent forth by the chief judge to all the people in the land, Did you want Alma to afflict others declaring to those who had believed with a sign? Korihor, they must speedily repent or Now that he has shown you a sign, will you continue to dispute?" 265 the same judgment would come upon with the Lamanites and cause great loss them. among them. The people were convinced of And since preaching had a more Korihor's wickedness and were powerful effect on the minds of the reconverted to the Lord. The sins people than the sword, Alma felt that he Korihor had taught the people to and his brethren should use the virtue commit came to an end. of God's word to benefit the Zoramites. As Korihor went begging among the So he took Ammon, Aaron and Omner, Zoramites (people who had separated leaving Himni in charge of the affairs themselves from the Nephites), he was of the church in Zarahemla. run over and trampled to death. From the land of Melek, Alma also From this we see the reward for those took Amulek and Zeezrom. who distort the Lord's ways. Alma left his oldest son, Helaman, but We learn the devil will not support his took his two younger sons, Shiblon and children in the end, but quickly drags Corianton. them down to hell. Now the Zoramites were dissenters The word is more from the Nephites, for at one time they powerful than the sword had been taught God’s true words. See Alma, Chapter 31 They had fallen into great error, for Not long after the days of Korihor, they would not keep God's commands Alma's heart grew sick again, for he and statutes according to the law of heard the Zoramites were distorting the Moses. Nor would they observe the Lord's ways, and their leader Zoram performances of the church — to was leading his people to bow down to always ask God each day to protect dumb idols. them from the devil's temptations. Alma's heart was very sorrowful They had distorted the Lord's ways. because of the separation of the This is why Alma and his brethren went Zoramites from the Nephites. to preach to the Zoramites. The Zoramites had gathered in a land One day a week, which they called the they called Antionum. It was east of Lord's day, the Zoramites met in their Zarahemla, close to the east sea, and synagogues. To their astonishment, south of Jershon. Alma and his brethren saw the Their land bordered the southern Zoramites worshipping in a way they wilderness, which was full of had never seen before. Lamanites. The Nephites were afraid The Zoramites had built a high the Zoramites would form an alliance platform in the center of their 266

synagogue. Atop the platform was has elected us to be saved, while all room for one person to stand. those around us have been elected to be Anyone who wanted to worship had to thrown by thy anger down to hell. stand on top of the platform, hold up For this holiness, oh God, we thank his arms toward heaven, and cry with a thee. We also thank thee for saving us loud voice: from the foolish traditions of our "Holy, holy God, we believe that thou brethren, which bind them down to a are God, and we believe that thou are belief of Christ, leading their hearts to holy, and that thou was a spirit, and that wander far from thee, our God. And thou art a spirit, and that thou will be a again we thank thee, oh God, that we spirit forever. are a chosen and holy people. Amen." Holy God, we believe that thou has After hearing this prayer, Alma, his separated us from our brethren. We do brethren and his sons were astonished not believe in the traditions of our beyond measure, for every man went brethren, which were handed down to and offered up this same exact prayer! them by the childishness of their They called this high stand forefathers. Rameumptom, which means, "holy We believe that thou has elected us to stand." be thy holy children, and has made it From the top of the stand, they offered known to us that there will be no this same prayer, thanking their God Christ. But thou are the same that they were chosen by Him, for not yesterday, today and forever. And thou leading them away after their brethren's 267 traditions, and that their hearts were not They say you made it known to them stolen away to believe in things to there will be no Christ. Oh Lord come, which no one knew of anyway. God, how long will you suffer such After all the people had offered up wickedness and unfaithfulness to be thanks in this way, they returned to among this people? their homes, never speaking of their Oh Lord, give me strength to bear my God again until they gathered to the pain, for seeing such wickedness holy stand the next week to offer up among this people pains my soul. this same prayer. Oh Lord, my heart is very sorrowful. When Alma saw this, his heart was Will you comfort my soul in Christ? grieved, knowing they had become a Oh Lord, will you give me strength to wicked, perverse people. He realized patiently suffer the afflictions that will that their hearts were set upon gold, come upon me because of silver and all types of fine things. He the iniquity of this people? saw their great pride as they lifted up Oh Lord, will you comfort my their hearts to boast. soul and give me success, and also my And Alma lifted up his voice to heaven, fellow laborers with me, Ammon, crying, Aaron, and Omner, Amulek, Zeezrom "Oh Lord, how long will allow your and my two sons? servants to live here below in the flesh, Oh Lord, comfort their souls in to witness such great wickedness Christ. among people? Will you also give them Oh God, they cry to you, and yet strength to bear the afflictions that their hearts are consumed with pride. will come upon them because of the Oh God, they cry to you with their iniquity of this people? mouths, while lifting themselves up in Oh Lord, will you give us success great pride because of their love of in bringing them back to you through the vain things of the world. Christ? Their souls are precious, and Oh my God, their hearts are set on their many are our brethren. fine clothing, jewelry and ornaments So give us, oh Lord, power and made of gold and precious things, with wisdom to bring our brethren to which they adorn themselves. Yet they you again." cry, After Alma prayed to God, he laid his 'We thank Thee, oh God, for we are a hands on all those with him, and they chosen people unto Thee, while others were filled with the Holy Spirit. will perish.' 268 Then they separated, not concerned we have no place to worship our God. bout what they would eat, drink or What should we do?" wear. When Alma heard this, he turned The Lord provided their food and around to face the man. With great joy, drink. He also gave them strength so Alma realized their afflictions had any physical afflictions would be truly humbled them --that they consumed in the joy of Christ. were now prepared to hear the word. This was done according to Alma's Alma stopped speaking to the other prayer because he prayed in faith. group and stretched out his hand to the Alma compares truth humble, crying out, "I see you are (the word of God) lowly in heart, and if so, you are to a seed blessed. See Alma, Chapter 32 Your brother asked me what you should do now, not allowed to go into your Then Alma and his brethren began to synagogues to worship your God. preach God's word to the people in their synagogues, houses and streets. Do you think you cannot worship God unless you are in a After expending great effort, they synagogue? And do you think you began to have success among the poor should only worship God once a class of people who had not been week? allowed to go into their synagogues because they could not afford fine It’s good you have been cast out from clothes. your synagogues because of your poverty, for now you are humble Because their fellow Nephites had not enough to learn wisdom. allowed them to worship God in their synagogues, considering them to be Because you have been compelled to worthless and unworthy, the poor be humble, you are blessed, for people had become poor in heart and sometimes the humble seek repentance. were humble and teachable. And surely, whoever repents will find As Alma was teaching some of the mercy. And whoever finds mercy and Zoramite people on Onidah Hill, a continues in righteousness throughout large crowd of these poor people came their life will be saved. near him. You are blessed because you are Their leader said, "We are despised, compelled to be humble. especially by our priests, because we But can you see, those who truly are so poor. Our priests have banned us humble themselves because of the from our synagogues, even though we word are blessed even more? Yes, built them with our own hands. Now 269 those who truly humble themselves, did with their knowledge, or with who repent of their sins and continue in their faith. righteousness throughout their Faith is not a perfect knowledge. lives will be blessed much more than If you have faith, you hope for those who are compelled by their something true, but which you cannot poverty to be humble. see. Blessed are those who humble Remember, God is merciful to all who themselves without being compelled, believe in His name. who believe in the word of God and are baptized without stubbornness of heart. First of all, He wants you to believe His word He gives through angels to Many say, 'If you show us a sign from men and women. heaven, then we’ll know for sure and believe.' And many times little children have words given them that confound the But is this faith? No, for if wise and well-educated. you know something, you have no need of faith. My beloved brothers and sisters, just because you have asked me what to do Those who know God's will and do in your poverty and affliction, not do it are cursed much more than do not think I judge all of you have those who only believe God's word and been compelled to be humble. I believe then fall into transgression. some of you would have humbled Judge for yourselves, for there is yourselves regardless of circumstance. a reward for those who know, and a

reward for those who only believe, Now, as I was saying about faith . . . and everyone will be judged and it’s not a perfect knowledge. rewarded according to what they 270 You cannot know perfectly what I am and sprout. And now you know it’s saying is true, for that’s not faith. a good seed. But if you will listen and try an Is your knowledge perfect now? Yes! experiment with my words, using Your just a little faith (even if you have only knowledge in that particular thing is the desire to believe), then let perfect. You don’t use faith anymore your desire work within you, until you because you know the seed (word) has can make a small place for enlarged your soul, sprouting up and my words in your heart. enlightening your understanding, Let us compare the word to a seed. expanding your mind. If you make a place to plant a seed in Is this real? Yes, because it’s light, your heart, and if the seed is good, or which is real and good because you can true, and if you do not discard it by discern (feel, experience, see) it, so your unbelief, or by resisting the you know it’s good. Lord's Spirit, then it will begin to grow. Now after you have felt this light, do When you feel it growing in your heart you have a perfect knowledge of the you say, 'The seed (word) must be word? good because it’s starting to enlarge No, you only know the word is good, my soul. It’s beginning to enlighten so keep using your faith. my understanding. As the seed becomes a tree, and as your It’s starting to satisfy my soul. knowledge increases, keep using your Now does this experience increase your faith by nourishing the tree with great faith? Yes, but your knowledge of the care (study and prayer). Allow your word is not yet perfect. tree to establish roots, to grow to maturity and bear fruit. As the seed continues to grow and sprout, bringing joy to your heart, you If you neglect the tree, it will not take feel it is good, and that feeling root. When trials and temptations strengthens your faith even more. come, your tree, your understanding of the word, will falter without strong After having these feelings, are you roots. sure the seed is good. Yes, you are sure, for only a good seed would grow. And when the Lord of the harvest comes to His vineyard, your If a seed doesn't grow, it's not good and understandng, and thus your life, will you throw it out. be as a barren tree, worthy only to be Because you have tried this experiment pulled out and burned. — planting the seed — you felt it grow If this case, you will not be pulled out because your seed was not good, or 271 You will feast upon this fruit until filled and never hunger or thirst again. Then, my brothers and sisters, you will receive the great, eternal reward for using you faith, diligence and patience with God’s word.” How to use faith, How to worship See Alma, Chapter 33 When Alma finished speaking about faith, the people asked how they should believe in God, how they should plant the seed in their hearts, and how they should begin to exercise because you did not want to be their faith. harvested. You'll be pulled out because Alma answered, "You told me you you didn't nourish the tree. You will cannot worship God because you’ve not have borne the fruit you could been banned from your synagogues. have tasted (God's love). If you think you cannot worship God Remember, if you do not nourish the without a synagogue you are greatly word by your faith, looking forward to mistaken and need to read the the fruit, then you will never taste it. scriptures. But if you prove to be diligent by And if you think scriptures teach this, using the little faith you have, and you don’t understand them. patiently heed His words each day, looking forward to living with your Do you remember reading what Zenos Heavenly Father again, then your the prophet of old said about prayer or faith will become stronger and worship? He said, stronger, until at last you 'You are merciful, oh God, for are reunited with Him. you heard my prayer, even when I If you use diligence, faith and patience was in the wilderness. in nourishing the seed (His word), You were merciful when I prayed for allowing it to take root in you, my enemies, and you softened them eventually you will taste His fruit, toward me. which is most precious, sweet and pure Oh God, you were merciful to me and above all else. heard me when I prayed in my field. 272 And again, oh God, when I went into you do, then you also believe Zenos my house and private room, you said, heard my prayer. You are merciful to ‘You have turned away your judgments your children when they cry to you, to because of your Son.' be heard by you and not by men, and Now my brothers and sisters, have you you will hear them. read the scriptures? If you have, how Oh God, you have been merciful to me can you not believe in the Son of God? and heard my cries in the middle of For Zenos was not the only prophet your congregations. You also heard me who spoke of the Son of when I was cast out and despised by God. Zenock also spoke of Him. He my enemies. said, You heard my cries and were angry ‘You are angry, oh Lord, with this with my enemies, visiting them in your people, because they will not anger with speedy destruction. understand your mercy on them And you heard me because of my because of your Son.' afflictions and my sincerity. Because Now my brothers and sisters, a second of your Son, you have been merciful to prophet of old testified of the Son of me. God. And because the people refused to Therefore, I will cry to you during all understand his words, they stoned him to death. These two prophets were not the only ones who spoke of the Son of God. Moses also spoke of Him. A symbol of the Son of God, a brass snake, was held up by my afflictions, for in you is my joy. For Moses, so whoever would look upon it you have turned your judgments away would live. And many who had been from me because of your Son.'" bitten by poison snakes looked up and After reading this, Alma asked the poor were healed. people, "Do you believe these But many did not understand the scriptures written by prophets of old? If meaning of the brass snake because 273 they were stubborn. They did not coming to redeem His people. Believe believe they would be healed by simply He will suffer and die to atone for your looking up at the brass snake, and they sins. died. Believe He will rise again from the Oh my brothers and sisters, if you dead and bring to pass the resurrection, could be healed by simply looking so all people will stand before Him to up, would you not look up quickly? be judged at the last day according to Or would you rather harden your hearts their works. in unbelief, being slothful and refusing Plant this word in your hearts. As it to look up, and perish? begins to grow nourish it with your faith until it becomes a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. Then may God make your burdens light through the joy of His Son." Alma and Amulek preach of Christ See Alma, Chapter 34 When Alma finished speaking he sat on the ground. Then Amulek stood and began to teach. He said, "My brothers and sisters, I think it is impossible for you to be If you do not look up, curses will come ignorant of the coming of Christ, who upon you. If you do look up, then we have been taught is the Son of God. believe you will see the Son of God 274 For I know you were taught a great deal or fowl, but an infinite and eternal about Him before you broke away from sacrifice. us in Zarahemla. No man's blood can atone for the sins Because your afflictions have now of his brother, for if a man commits made you humble, you have asked my murder, will our just law take his beloved brother what you should do. To brother's life? No, the law requires the prepare your minds, he called on you to life of the murderer. have faith and patience, even if you Therefore, only an infinite atonement only have enough faith to plant the is sufficient to atone for all the sins word in your hearts to see if it's good. of the world. We know your great question, An infinite atonement is the one great, 'Will the word testify of the Son of God, last sacrifice. After it is made, there that He will come?’ will be no more blood sacrifices. In many ways my brother has proven to Then the law of Moses will be fulfilled. you the word does testify of Christ's This atonement is the whole meaning salvation. of the law, for each aspect of it points He has quoted the words of Zenos and to that great, last sacrifice — the Son of Zenock, that redemption comes God, who is infinite and eternal. through the Son of God. He also This is how He will bring salvation reminded you of what Moses did to to all who believe in His name. prove these things are true. The purpose of this last sacrifice is to Now I Amulek testify to you, that bring about mercy, which overpowers these things are true. I know Christ justice, and introduces a way for will come to take the transgressions of people to have faith, repent, and to be His people upon Himself. He will forgiven. atone for the sins of the world, for the This is how mercy can rescue us from Lord God has spoken it. the demands of justice and encircle us It is very important that an atonement in the arms of safety. is made, for according to the great plan But those who do not use faith and of the Eternal God, there must be an repentance are exposed to the whole atonement or else all mankind would law — to all the demands of justice! perish. For all people are hardened, Only those who have faith and repent fallen and lost. All mankind would are redeemed by this great, eternal plan. perish if an atonement were not made. May God grant you mercy, my brothers It is very important for a great, last and sisters, as you use your faith to sacrifice to be made. Not of man, beast repent and call upon His holy name. 275 Cry to Him for mercy, for He is charity. Having read the words of both Benjamin and Alma, Moroni also spoke of mighty to save. charity (Moroni 7:44). Humble yourselves, and continue to Now that you’ve been given so many pray to Him. witnesses, and you know the holy Cry to Him to bless all your flocks scriptures testify of these things, you when you are in your fields. must show your repentance. Do not be stubborn, for the time of your salvation Cry to Him in your homes, to bless all is now. your household, morning, mid-day and If you repent, the great plan of evening. redemption will be brought upon you Cry to Him to protect you against the immediately. For in this life we power of your enemies, and against prepare to meet God by doing His the devil, who is an enemy to all work. righteousness. Now that you've had so many Cry to Him to bless your crops and witnesses, do not delay your your flocks, that you may prosper in repentance. For after this day of life them. (which is given to us to prepare for But this is not all. Pour out your souls eternity), if we have not improved in your closets and secret places, and ourselves, then night comes, when no in your wilderness. work may be done. And when you do not cry to the Lord, If you are brought to that awful crisis, let your hearts be full — drawn out in you cannot say you will repent and prayer to Him continually for your return to God, for the spirit possessing welfare, and also for the welfare of your body when you die will have those around you. power to possess your body in the But after you do this, if you turn away eternal world. the needy and the ill-clothed, if you do If you put off the day of your not visit the sick and afflicted, and if repentance all your life, then when you you do not give your substance to die, you will become subject to the those who need it, then your prayers devil's spirit, who will seal you his. are in vain and will not profit you, for At that time, the Lord’s Spirit will have you will be hypocrites who deny the left you, and the devil will have full faith. power over you. If you do not remember to have charity, This is the final state of the wicked. I you have no value to God’s kingdom. know this because the Lord said He Note: King Benjamin first spoke will not live in unholy temples, but of charity (Mosiah 4:17-18) Having read the words of Benjamin, Alma spoke of only in the hearts of the righteous. 276 The righteous will sit down in His When Amulek was through speaking, kingdom, never to leave again. Their he and Alma left the crowd and went robes will be made white through the over to the land of Jershon. After the blood of the Lamb. rest of his brethren had preached the My brothers and sisters, I want you to word to the Zoramites, they joined remember these things. I want you Amulek and Alma in Jershon. to work out your salvation with fear Then the more popular Zoramites before God, and no longer deny the consulted with one another about what coming of Christ. had been preached, and they became Do not resist the Holy Ghost, but angry, for it destroyed their receive Him, taking the name of Christ priestcraft. This is why they had not upon yourselves. listened to the words. Humble yourselves, even to the dust. Then they assembled all the people in Worship God wherever you are, in the land and asked them what they spirit and in truth. thought of the preaching. Live in thanksgiving daily for the The rulers, priests and teachers did not many mercies and blessings He gives let the people know their plan, so the you. people expressed their opinions openly. I urge you to pray continually so you By this deception, the rulers, priests won't be led away by the devil's and teachers identified those who were temptations—so he may not in favor of the preaching, and then overpower you, that you end up as one exiled them from the land. of his subjects at the last day. And The many people who were exiled Satan will never reward you with came over to the land of Jershon. In anything good. Jershon, Alma and his brethren I also call upon you to have patience ministered to them. while bearing all types of affliction. The Zoramites remaining in Zoram Do not argue with those who cast you were angry with Ammon's people for out because of your extreme poverty, or taking in their outcasts. Their wicked you might become sinners like them. chief ruler sent an order to Ammon's people, telling them to send away the Have patience, and bear your Zoramites who had come into their afflictions with a firm hope that you'll land. He threatened Ammon's people, one day rest from them all.” but they were not afraid of his words. Zoramites become angry They received all the poor Zoramites with believers that came to them. They fed and See Alma, Chapter 35 clothed them, gave them lands for their 277 inheritance, and administered to them Alma gathered his sons, Helaman, according to their wants. Shiblon and Corianton to give each of This made the Zoramites very angry them instructions about righteousness. with Ammon's people, and they stirred Alma instructs his son Helaman up the Lamanites to also become angry. See Alma, Chapter 36 By the end of 75 BC, the Zoramites and I, Mormon, now include an account of Lamanites began to prepare for war Alma's instructions, taken from his own against Ammon's people and the record: Nephites. "Listen my son Helaman, for I promise Ammon's people left the land of you if you keep God's commands, you Jershon and went to the land of Melek, will prosper in the land. Remember our allowing the Nephite army to occupy fathers' captivity. They were in bondage the land of Jershon. Then a war and no one could deliver them except between the Lamanites and Nephites the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. began in 74 BC. And He surely delivered them from Note: The account of this war continues their afflictions. You are still young, so in Alma 43. I plead with you to listen to me and Alma and his two sons (Shiblon and learn. Corianton), Ammon, and their brethren I know all those who put their trust in returned to the land of Zarahemla, God will be supported in their trials, having been instruments in God's hands troubles and afflictions, and will be to bring many Zoramites to repentance. lifted up at the last day. And those who had been exiled I would not want you to think I know were given lands in Jershon. There this by my carnal and temporal mind, they took up arms to defend for this knowledge is spiritual — themselves, their wives, children and from God. If I had not been born of lands. God I would not know these things. Alma was very sad, and his heart Through His holy angel, God made sorrowed over his people's sinfulness, these things known to me, and not wars, bloodshed and contentions. because I was worthy. For I went about Alma had declared the word, or had with Mosiah's sons, trying to destroy sent others to declare it, in every city. God's church. But now the people’s hearts were And God sent His holy angel to stop us. growing hard, and they The angel spoke to us with a voice of were offended by the strictness of the thunder. The earth shook beneath our word. feet and we fell down, fearing the Lord. 278 coming into the presence of my God struck my soul with inexpressible horror! I remember wishing, 'If only I could be banished and become extinct, both body and soul, so I would not have to stand in the presence of my God to be judged for my deeds.' For three days and nights I was tortured with the pains of a damned soul. During this torment, I remembered my Then the angel said, many sins. I also remembered my 'Get up!' father's prophecies to the people about I stood up and saw him, and he said to the coming of one Jesus Christ, the me, Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. 'You may destroy yourself, but stop trying to destroy God's church!' As my mind caught hold of this thought, I cried within my heart, After the angel left, I could not speak or move for three days and nights. 'Oh Jesus, Thou Son of God, have mercy on me, for I am in the middle of The angel said more things to me I did great bitterness, surrounded by the not hear, but Mosiah's sons heard them, everlasting chains of death.' for when the angel said, 'You may destroy yourself, but stop trying to As soon as I thought this, I could no destroy God's church,’ I was so afraid longer remember my pains, for the of being destroyed, I fainted. memory of my sins no longer tortured me. And oh, what joy, and what Then I was tortured with eternal marvelous light I saw! My soul was torment, for my soul could remember filled with as much joy as it had been all my sins in the greatest detail. with pain! I remembered everything I had done, My son, nothing could have ever been and I was tormented with the pains of so exquisite and so bitter as my pain! hell. I clearly saw I had rebelled And on the other hand, nothing could against God, and I had not kept His ever be so exquisite and so sweet as my holy commandments. joy! I had murdered many of his children by Like our forefather Lehi, I thought I leading them away to destruction. My saw God sitting on his throne, sins were so great, the very thought of surrounded by countless hosts of angels 279 singing and praising their God, and my will raise me up at the last day to live soul longed to be there with them. My with Him in glory. limbs received strength again, and I I will praise Him forever, for He stood on my feet and witnessed to all I brought our forefathers out of Egypt had been born of God. and commanded the Red Sea to Ever since that time, I have never swallow up the Egyptians. He also led stopped working to bring souls to our forefathers by His power into the repentance — to bring them to taste the promised land, and He delivered them great joy I had tasted, that they might out of captivity many times. also be born of God and be filled with He also brought our forefathers out of the Holy Ghost. Jerusalem, and He delivered them out Now my son, the Lord gives me great of bondage many times by His joy in the fruit of my labors. Because of everlasting power, even until today. I the word He has given me, many have have always remembered our been born of God, have tasted the joy I forefathers' captivity, and so should have, and have been given you. understanding. They know the things I But this is not all, my son. You should have told you, and their knowledge also know, as I do, that if you keep God's commandments, you will prosper in the land. Otherwise, you will be cut off from His presence according to His word." Alma continues to instruct his son Helaman . . . (compare Alma, chapter 37) "My son Helaman, I command you to take the plates entrusted to me. I also command you to engrave a record of this people as I have done, upon comes from God. Nephi's large plates. I have been supported under every kind Preserve all these sacred things of trial, trouble and affliction. God has (Laban's sword, the Liahona, the delivered me from prison, from bonds, interpreters) as I have, for these things and from death. are kept for a wise purpose. These brass plates contain the records of the holy I still put all my trust in Him, for He scriptures and the genealogy of our will yet deliver me. I know He forefathers back to Adam and Eve. 280

Our forefathers prophesied the brass many of their sinful ways, bringing plates would be handed down from one them to repentance and the salvation of generation to another. They will be their souls. preserved by the hand of the Lord until If not for these records, Ammon and they are read by all people in every his brethren could not have convinced nation. All people will read them in thousands of Lamanites that their their own language and come to know forefathers' traditions were false. the mysteries contained in them. The words of these records brought The brass plates, and all other plates them to repentance — to the knowledge that contain holy writings, will be of the Lord their God, so they may preserved and always retain their rejoice in Jesus Christ, their Redeemer. brightness. Because of these plates, who knows You may think me foolish to say these how many more thousands of things, but I know by small and Lamanites will be converted, or how simple things great things are brought many thousands of our stubborn fellow to pass. At many times, small things Nephites will be brought to know their confound the wisdom of the world. Redeemer? This is how the Lord God works, using Now these mysteries are not yet fully very small means to bring about His made known to me, so I won’t great, eternal purposes, confounding speculate further. It's enough to say the wise while bringing His salvation to these plates will be preserved for wise many souls. purposes known by God. God has shown His wisdom in For He counsels in wisdom over all His preserving these things, for they have works. His paths are straight and His reminded this people of their course one eternal round forefathers and have given them a (a continuing cycle). knowledge of their God. The words engraved on them have convinced 281 Oh remember, remember, my son and to be diligent in keeping God's Helaman, how strict God's commands commands as they are written. are. He has said, Keep these interpreters and these 24 'If you keep my commands, you will gold plates so that the existence of the prosper in the land. Otherwise you will Jaredites' mysteries, secret works of be cut off from my presence.' darkness, murder, robbery, plunder and Remember, God has trusted you with wickedness may be made known to our these sacred things He will preserve people. For when the Lord saw His for His wise purposes, to show His people beginning to work in darkness, power to future generations. to commit secret murders and abominations, He said, I tell you by the spirit of prophecy, if you transgress God's commands, these 'If they do not repent, they will be sacred things will be taken from you destroyed off the face of the earth. I will by His power, and you will be prepare for my servant, Gazelem, a delivered to Satan, who will then do stone that will shine and bring what is with you as he pleases. in darkness into the light. Then my people who serve me will know their But if you obey God's commands, and brethren practiced secret always ask the Lord what to do with works of darkness.' these sacred things, then no power of earth or hell can take them from you, And now, my son Helaman, these for God is powerful in the fulfilling of interpreters were prepared to fulfill all His words. God's word, which is: He will fulfill all His promises to you, 'I will bring all their secret works of just as He fulfilled the promises He darkness into the light. And unless they made to our forefathers. He promised repent, I will sweep them off the face of them He would preserve these sacred the earth, and then bring a knowledge things for His wise purposes — to of all their secret sins to every nation show His power to future generations. that will live in this land.' He has already fulfilled one wise We know the Jaredites did not repent, purpose by restoring thousands of and that’s why they have been Lamanites to the knowledge of the destroyed. So far, God's word has been truth. He has shown the Lamanites His fulfilled, for their secret abominations power and will show His power to their have been brought out of darkness and descendants in order to preserve them. made known to us. This is why I command you Helaman And now my son, I command you to to be diligent in fulfilling all my words, keep all their oaths, covenants, agreements, and secret abominations, 282 as well as their signs and wonders, workers of darkness and secret hidden from our people. For if our combinations. people were to use them, they would This land is forever cursed to those fall into darkness and be destroyed. who work in darkness and secret For there is a curse upon all this land, combinations, even to their that when people are fully ripe, destruction, unless they repent before destruction will come upon all their they become fully ripe. workers of darkness, according to Remember my words Helaman. Do not God's power. And I do not wish for this give those secret plans to our people, people to be destroyed. but teach them an everlasting hatred So keep these secret plans, oaths and against sin and iniquity. covenants away from this people, and Preach repentance and faith in the only tell them about the wickedness, Lord Jesus Christ. Teach them to murders and abominations of those humble themselves, to become meek who have gone before them. Teach and lowly in heart, and to resist every them to abhor these things, and that all temptation of the devil by their faith in the people on the face of this land were the Lord Jesus Christ. once destroyed because of such things. Teach them to never be weary of good For the Jaredites murdered all the works, but to be meek and lowly in Lord's prophets who told them of their heart, for such will find rest to their sinfulness. And the murdered prophets souls. cried to the Lord their God for Remember all these things, my son. vengeance upon their murderers. Then Learn to be wise — to obey God's God's judgments came upon these commands while you’re still young. Pray to God for all your support. Wherever you go, let all you do be for the Lord. Let all your thoughts and affections of your heart be toward the Lord forever. Counsel with Him in all you do and He will direct you for good. At night pray to the Lord, that He may watch over you in your sleep. And when you arise in the morning, let your heart be full of thanks to God. If you do these things, you will be lifted up to Him at the last day. 283 I want to tell you about the Liahona Christ's words will carry us beyond (Lee-ah-ho-nah), which the Lord made, this vale of sorrow into a far better which means, land of promise. A Compass Oh my son, let us not be careless or No mortal could make anything like the take things too lightly because the Liahona. It was made to show our way is easy as it was for our forefathers which way to go in the forefathers. All they had to do was look wilderness. and they would live. So it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we look to It worked according to their faith in Christ we will live forever with Him. God, and its spindles pointed the way they should go. And now my son, Day by day, this and many other see that you take care of these sacred miracles were shown to them. Even things. See that you look to God and though these miracles were performed live. Go among this people and declare in small ways, our forefathers were the word. Be careful and serious shown God's marvelous power. minded. Farewell, my son.” When they forgot to use their faith Alma instructs his son Shiblon and diligence, those marvelous works See Alma, Chapter 38 stopped, and they did not progress in Listen my son Shiblon. I will tell you their journey. what I told Helaman, that if you obey When they transgressed, they did not God's commands you will prosper in travel in a straight course, which the land. Otherwise you will be cut off caused them to suffer from hunger and from His presence. I trust I will have thirst. great joy in you because of your steadiness and faithfulness to God. I want you to understand my son, that a lack of faith in this temporal thing, the I hope when you are older you will Liahona, is a symbol of a lack of faith continue looking to the Lord your God in spiritual things. For it’s just as by obeying His commands, for easy to follow Christ's words, which whoever continues in righteousness point a straight course toward eternal throughout his life is blessed. bliss, as it was for our forefathers to I have had great joy in you already follow the directions of this compass, because of your faithfulness, diligence, which pointed a straight course for patience and long-suffering among the them toward the promised land. Zoramites. I know you were in prison This Liahona was an example for us. and had rocks thrown at you for For just as surely as it brought our preaching. You have suffered all this forefathers to this promised land, 284 with patience because the Lord was Control your passions so you may be with you. filled with love. Do not be idle. Do not And you know it was the Lord who pray like the Zoramites, for you have delivered you. Remember, if you put seen how they pray to be heard by your trust in God, you will be delivered others and to be praised for their out of your trials, troubles and wisdom. Do not say, afflictions, and you will be exalted on 'Oh God, I thank Thee that we are the day of judgment. better than our brethren,' but rather say, Now, my son, do not think that I know 'Oh Lord, forgive my unworthiness this on my own, for it is God's Spirit in and remember my brethren in mercy.’ me that makes these things known to Acknowledge your unworthiness me. For if I had not been born of God, I before God at all times. would not have known these things. May the Lord bless your soul and But in His great mercy, the Lord sent receive you at the last day into His His angel to tell me to stop the work of kingdom, to sit down in peace. destruction among His people. I saw the angel face to face, and he spoke to Now go my son, and teach the word to me. His voice was like thunder, and it this people. Be serious minded. shook the earth beneath my feet. Farewell.” For three days and nights I was in the Alma instructs his son Corianton most bitter pain and anguish of soul. See Alma, Chapter 39 Only after I cried out to the Lord Jesus And now my son Corianton, I have Christ for mercy did I receive a more to say to you than I said to your remission of my sins and peace to my brothers, for you have not followed soul. their good examplea — their My son, I tell you this so you may learn faithfulness and diligence in obeying wisdom from me, that there is no other God's commands. You have not way or means that can save anyone listened to my words as your brothers other than Christ. He is the life and did when we were among the light of the world. He is the word of Zoramites. I speak against your truth and righteousness. boasting in your own strength and Continue to teach the word and be wisdom. diligent and temperate in all things. Do This is not all. You did what was not be lifted up in pride, boasting in grievous to me. You left the ministry your own wisdom or strength. Be bold, and went to the land of Siron, near the but not overbearing. Lamanite border, after the harlot, Isabel. She stole away many hearts, but that’s no excuse for you, my son. 285 You should have attended to the I command you to counsel with your ministry with which you were older brothers in whatever you do, for entrusted. you are young and you still need their My son, what you did is a very serious counsel. sin in the Lord's sight — even the worst Do not let yourself be led away by any vain or foolish thing. Do not let the devil lead away your heart again after those wicked harlots. What a great sin you have brought upon the Zoramites, for when they saw your conduct, they would not believe my words. The Spirit of the Lord says to me, sin, except for murder or denying the 'Command your children to do good, or Holy Ghost. For if you deny the Holy they may lead away the hearts of many Ghost after He once had a place in you, people to destruction.' and you know you deny Him, this sin is unpardonable. This is why I command you, my son, in the fear of God, to stop your sinfulness. And anyone who murders against the Turn to the Lord with all your mind, light and knowledge of God is not might and strength. Stop leading others easily forgiven. to sin. And now my son, I would to God that Go back to them and admit to them you had not been guilty of so great a your faults and wrong-doing. Do not crime. seek riches or vain things of this world, I would not dwell upon your crimes, to for you cannot carry them with you. harrow up your soul, if it were not for And now my son, I will speak to you your own good. But you cannot hide about the coming of Christ. He will your crimes from God. And unless you surely come to take away the sins of the repent, they will stand as a testimony world. He comes to declare glad news against you at the last day. of salvation to His people. I advise you to repent and forsake your This was the ministry to which you sins, and no longer seek after the lust of were called — to declare this glad news your eyes, but deny yourself these to our people, that salvation might things. Unless you do this, you can come to them, and that they may never inherit God's kingdom. Oh prepare their children to hear the word remember, and take upon yourself the when Christ comes. responsibility to repent. I will explain this subject to you, for you wonder why these things need to 286 be known so far ahead of time. Is not a soul just as precious to God now as it will be when He comes? Is it not just as important for the plan of redemption to be known by this people as it will be for their children? Yes, and it is just as easy for the Lord to send His angel to declare this glad news to us as it will be for Him to send His angel to declare it to our children. Alma continues to instruct his son Corianton See Alma, Chapter 40 Now my son Corianton, I sense you’re worried about how the resurrection works, so let me explain it to you. People will not be resurrected until after Christ comes, for only He brings to pass the resurrection of the dead. Now I will explain a mystery to you. Again, it does not matter if people are There are many mysteries known only resurrected at different times, for they by God, so I have prayed intently about do not all die at the same time. the resurrection to gain my own Everything that happens may as well knowledge of it from Him. occur in one day to God, for time is There’s a time appointed, known only only measured by people on earth. So by God, when all people will come a time is appointed for all people to rise forth from the dead. It does not matter from the dead, and there is a period of if there is a first, second, or third time time between death and the when people come forth from the dead, resurrection. for God knows all these things. It’s When the time comes to rise, all will enough to know all will rise. know God knows their appointed time There’s a period between the time to rise. It has been made known to me people die and when they are by an angel, that when people die, their resurrected. I have prayed and asked, spirits, all men and women, are taken 'What happens to people's spirits after home to God who gave them life. This they die, and before they are is the case for both the good and the resurrected?' evil. 287 resurrection. It could be called a resurrection — the raising of the spirit to a consigned state of happiness or misery. Others believe the first resurrection is when everyone who lived before Christ is resurrected along with Him. Perhaps this is true, but in any case, the first resurrection is certainly more than the spirit being assigned to a state of happiness or misery. The first resurrection is the reuniting of spirits with their bodies, from Adam and Eve's time to the resurrection of Christ. I do not know Righteous spirits are received into a whether or not the spirits of the wicked state of happiness, called paradise — a and the righteous are resurrected all at state of rest and peace, where they rest once. It is enough to saythose who have from all their troubles, cares and died, from the time of Adam to the sorrow. resurrection of Christ, will be resurrected before those who live after On the other hand, the spirits of the Christ's resurrection. wicked will be sent into outer darkness. In that place, there will be weeping, I do not say they will all be resurrected wailing and clenching of teeth over along with Christ, for it is my opinion their own sinfulness —having been led the righteous who lived before Christ captive by the devil’s will. will be resurrected with Him when He ascends into heaven. They are evil, having no part of the Lord's Spirit because they chose evil Whether they will be resurrected at that works rather than good, and the devil's time or not, I do not know. spirit entered them. I only know there’s a time between The wicked remain in this dark state, death and the resurrection — a state of fearfully waiting for God's fiery anger happiness or misery — for all spirits to come upon them, while the righteous while they wait, according to God's remain in paradise until the time of appointed time, to be reunited with their resurrection. their bodies — to then be brought to stand before God and judged according Some people think this state of to their works. happiness or misery after death is a first 288 This brings about the restoration of the last day we will be restored to what those things mentioned by the prophets. is good. The soul will be restored to the body — If our works were evil, then we will be to every limb and joint. Not even a hair restored to what is evil. of the head will be lost, for every part This is how all things will be restored of the body will be restored perfectly. to their proper order. First, every My son, this is the restoration of which imperfect mortal body becomes the prophets have spoken. At that time, immortal and perfect. the righteous will shine forth in God's Then every immortal body is joined to kingdom. its spirit —resurrected — to receive But an awful death comes upon the endless happiness and inherit God's wicked, who die as to things having to kingdom or to receive endless misery do with righteousness, being unclean. and inherit the devil's kingdom. And since no unclean thing can inherit One is raised to happiness and good God's kingdom, they are cast out and according to his desires, while the other must taste the fruits of their labors, or is raised to evil according to his desires, their works, which have been evil — for those who desire evil during their and their fruit will be bitter. lives will have their reward of evil Alma further instructs when they die. his son Corianton All who repent of their sins, desiring See Alma, Chapter 41 righteousness until the end of their My son Corianton, because some days, will be rewarded with people have not read the scriptures, righteousness. they have gone far astray and do not All these are redeemed by the Lord — understand the plan of restoration. I taken out and delivered from an endless sense you worry about this, so I’ll night of darkness. This is how we will explain it to you. stand or fall, being able to judge for God's justice requires everything to be ourselves whether to do good or evil. properly restored to its own order, God's decrees cannot be changed, and according to the power and resurrection the way is prepared for the righteous to of Christ — that each spirit will be be saved. restored to its body, and that each part of each body be restored to itself. My son, do not risk one more offense against your God upon these points of God's justice also requires us to be doctrine, which you have already risked judged according to our works. If our by sinning. Do not think because I have works were good in this life, and the spoken about a restoration you will be desires of our hearts were good, then at restored from sin to happiness, for 289 wickedness cannot be changed to happiness. My son, all men and women are in a carnal, natural state, bound by sins, full of bitterness. They are without God in this world, going against His nature — the nature of happiness. The word restoration does not mean to take something in a natural state and change it to an unnatural state, opposite to its nature. Restoration means bringing back evil to what is evil, carnal to what is carnal, and devilish to what is devilish. It means bringing fair for sinners to be in a place of goodness back to what is good, misery, so I’ll explain this to you. righteousness to what is righteous, justice back to what is just, and mercy The Lord God sent our first parents out to what is merciful. of the east end of the Garden of Eden to till the earth. Then He placed an angel, Knowing this plan, be merciful to your wielding a flaming sword, to guard the brethren, my son. Deal justly, judge tree of life. righteously and do good continually. At that time, (by eating fruit from the If you do all these things, then you will tree of knowledge of good and evil), receive your reward and have mercy, Adam and Eve had become like God, justice, righteousness and good restored knowing good from evil. If they had to you. eaten fruit from the tree of life, they For what you send out will return would have become immortal and lived and be restored to you. This is how forever in their sins. the plan of restoration fully condemns, But instead, Adam and Eve became rather than justifies, the sinner.” mortal — subject to death. The time of Alma instructs his son their mortality became a time of Corianton even more probation — a time for them to repent See Alma, Chapter 42 and learn to serve God. Alma continued, "My son Corianton, I According to God's word, if they had sense you are still worried because you eaten of the fruit of the tree of life don’t understand how God's justice before being sent out of the garden, punishes the sinner. You think it’s not they would not have had a time to repent. Then God's word would have 290 been void, and the great plan of Without an atonement, mercy alone salvation would have been frustrated. could not have redeemed Adam and But men and women were appointed to Eve, for mercy could only redeem them die. So just as they were cut off from after they repented and relied on the the tree of life, they would be cut off atonement. Otherwise, mercy would from the face of the earth. In this have destroyed justice (which cannot natural state, they and their children be destroyed), and God would have were lost and fallen from God forever, ceased to be God. being cut off from His presence, both Now we see that Adam, Eve and all temporally and spiritually. their descendants were in the grasp of This is how we became beings who God's justice, which required them be follow after our own will. cut off from His presence forever. In their fallen state, it was not necessary for Adam and Eve to be spared from a temporal death, for that would have destroyed the great plan of happiness. But since their souls were immortal, and their fall had cut them off from the Lord's presence, it was essential for But the plan of mercy could save them them to be spiritually reclaimed. And if an atonement were made. This is why since they had become carnal, sensual God Himself atones for the sins of the and devilish by nature, their lives world — to bring about the plan of became a period to prove themselves. A mercy — to appease the demands of time to prepare and repent. justice, that God might be a perfect, Remember my son, if not for the plan just and merciful God. of redemption, then as soon as we die Now, there would be no need for men our souls would be miserable, being cut and women to repent unless their off from the Lord's presence forever. eternal happiness were threatened by an Adam and Eve had no way to save eternal punishment, for the life of the themselves from their fallen state —a soul is eternal. People can only repent state they brought upon themselves and after they sin, which is to break a law their descendants by disobeying God. that requires the sinner to be punished. 291 These punishments are affixed to just Through God’s justice, all are laws, and breaking just laws bring resurrected and either redeemed from feelings of guilt. their sins or condemned in their sins. For example, if there was no law that Remember my son, all who come may said a murderer would be put to death, drink the waters of life freely. Those then potential murderers would have no who will not come are not forced, but fear of death. when they are resurrected at the last With no laws against sin, there would day, their works will be restored to be no fear of sinning. And with no them. If they wanted to do evil and laws, justice and mercy would have no never repent during their mortal lives, purpose, and there could be no misery then evil will be restored to them by nor happiness. This is why laws are God's justice. given to man by God. My son, do not let these things trouble Punishments are given by justice while you any longer. Only let your sins repentance is granted by mercy. trouble you until they bring you to Otherwise, everyone would be repentance. punished, for without perfect justice, Do not make the smallest excuse for God would cease to be God. your sins, for doing this denies God's But God lives, and because of His justice. Instead, let a realization of atonement, His mercy claims those who God's justice, and mercy and patience repent. His atonement also makes fill your heart and bring you to the possible the resurrection, which brings depths of humility. us all back into His presence, to be Oh my son, you are called of God to judged by our works, according to the preach the word to this people. Now go law and justice (the application of the do this in truth and in soberness. May law). you bring souls to repentance, that the For justice exercises all its demands great plan of mercy may claim them, and mercy claims all those worthy of it. and claim you. May God grant this This is why only those who truly according to my words.” repent will escape spiritual death. The wicked Zoramites Do you think mercy can rob justice? create war No, not one bit. If so, God would cease See Alma, Chapter 43 to be God, for His justice brings about After Alma spoke to his sons they went His great, eternal purposes, prepared to declare the word among the people. before the world was created. Alma could not rest, so he also went out to declare the word. 292 Alma and his sons preached truth not take up arms, having made a according to the spirit of prophecy and covenant which they refused to break. revelation in them. According to the If Ammon's people were to fall into the holy order of God, by which they were Lamanites' hands, they would all called. certainly die, so the Nephites had given Now I, Mormon, return to an account them protection and lands for their of the wars between Nephites and inheritance. Lamanites during 74 BC. Ammon's people gave much of what The wicked Zoramites had become they had to support the Nephite armies, Lamanites and prepared to fight which were compelled to fight the Nephites. Seeing this, the Nephites Lamanites alone. Yet the Lamanites gathered armies in the land of Jershon. were joined by the Nephite dissenters Then thousands of Lamanites came into — the Amalekites, Zoramites and the the Zoramite land of Antionum, led by descendants of Noah's wicked priests Zerahemnah. (the Amulonites). Since the Amalekites and Zoramites The Lamanites and the dissenters were were of a more wicked and murderous almost as numerous as the Nephites, disposition, Zerahemnah appointed who had no choice but to fight their them to be chief captains over the brethren. Lamanites. He did this to keep hatred As the Lamanites gathered in the land strong toward Nephites. of Antionum, the Nephite army was Zerahemnah used the Lamanites' anger prepared to meet them in Jershon. for his own designs — to conquer the The chief captain over the entire Nephites and make them his slaves. Nephite army was Moroni, age 25. He All the Nephites wanted was to protect and his army met the Lamanites at the their lands, houses, wives and children Jershon border, armed with swords, from their enemies. They also wanted scimitars and all types of weapons. to preserve their rights, privileges and The Lamanites saw Moroni's army liberty to worship God according to wearing breastplates, arm-shields, their desires. They knew if they fell to helmets and thick clothing. the Lamanites, then all those who Zerahemnah's army did not have such worshipped the true and living God in protection. They only had swords, spirit and in truth would be killed. scimitars, bows, arrows, stones and The Nephites knew of the Lamanites' slings, and only wore loin cloths, hatred toward them and toward the except for the Zoramites and people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, or Amalekites. Ammon's people — those who would 293 Because the Nephites were so well themselves over all the land. He also protected, the Lamanites were afraid to knew the Nephites only wanted to attack them, even though they greatly defend their lands, liberty and church. outnumbered them. So the Lamanites This is why Moroni did not feel it was did not dare come to the Jershon wrong to use spies to find out which border. They left the land of Antionum way the Lamanites were heading. and went into the wilderness, going Moroni used the strategy of dividing around the Nephite army, near the head his army, hiding part of them in a of the Sidon River, to take the land of valley on the east side of the Sidon Manti. They thought Moroni's army River, just south of Riplah Hill. He kept would not know where they had gone. the rest hidden in the valley near the As soon as they went into the west bank the Sidon River, which ran wilderness, Moroni sent spies to watch down toward the Manti border. Having their camp. Moroni also knew Alma's placed his armies according to his prophecies, so he sent men to ask Alma desire, Moroni was prepared to meet to find out from the Lord where his the Lamanites. army should go to defend themselves Then, coming from the north side of against the Lamanites. Riplah Hill, the Lamanite army passed The word of the Lord came to Alma, by the hill, and came into the valley who informed Moroni's men the where part of Moroni's army was Lamanite army was marching around hiding. As they passed through the them into the wilderness, heading valley and began to cross the Sidon toward the land of Manti, to attack their River, part of Moroni's army, led by weaker fortifications. Lehi, attacked the Lamanites from Upon receiving this message, Moroni behind. left part of his army in Jershon and took When the Lamanites saw the Nephites the other part into the land of Manti. coming from behind, they turned and Moroni then had all the people in Manti fought Lehi's army. Men on both sides gather to battle against the Lamanites died, but it was more dreadful for the — to defend their lands, country, rights Lamanites. Their bare skin was and liberties. exposed to the heavy blows of the Nephite swords and scimitars, which Moroni hid part of his army in a valley brought death at almost every stroke. near the west bank of the Sidon River, and then sent out spies to discover A Nephite fell only now and then, when the Lamanites would come. He having lost too much blood from sword knew it was the Lamanites' intention to wounds. Their more vital parts were kill their brethren, or to make them protected by breastplates, arm-shields slaves and establish a kingdom for and helmets, so it was mostly the 294 their breastplates, and by cutting off many of their arms. But the Nephites were inspired by a better cause. They were not fighting for kingship or power, but for their homes, liberties, wives, children, church and rites of worship. They were doing what they felt was their duty to God, for the Lord had said to them and their fathers, "If you Nephites who carried on the work of are not guilty of the first or second death among the Lamanites. offense, you must not allow yourselves Seeing this slaughter, the Lamanites to be killed by your enemies. You became frightened and started to run will defend your families even if you toward the Sidon River. Lehi and his must kill." men chased them into the river and When Moroni's men saw the then waited on the bank while the Lamanites' fierce anger, they were Lamanites crossed over to the west about to run from them. But seeing the side. situation, Moroni sent word among Then Moroni and his army met the them to inspire their hearts — to Lamanites in the valley on the west remind them that they were fighting for side of the river and began to kill them. their lands, their liberty, and their The Lamanites ran toward the land of freedom from bondage! Manti, but were again met by Moroni's After hearing this, the Nephites turned army. Then the Lamanites fought with on the Lamanites, crying with one more strength and courage than they voice to the Lord their God for their had ever fought before, even from their liberty and freedom from bondage. beginnings. They began to stand against the They were inspired by Zerahemnah and Lamanites with power during the same their Zoramite and Amalekite chief hour they had cried to the Lord for their captains and leaders. They fought with freedom, and they drove many fierce anger, like dragons, killing many Lamanites into the Sidon River. Nephites by slicing many of their The Lamanites outnumbered the helmets in half, by piercing many of Nephites two to one, yet the Lamanites 295 were rounded into one group in the church and sacred support, which we valley near the west bank of the Sidon owe to our wives and children — by River. They were surrounded by that liberty which binds us to our lands Moroni's army on the west and by and our country — by the maintenance Lehi's army on the east side of the river. of God's sacred word, to which we owe When Zerahemnah's army realized all our happiness, and by all most dear their precarious situation, they were to us -- struck with terror. Seeing this, Moroni I command you, by all the desires you commanded his men to stop killing have for life, to give up your weapons! them. If you do this and go your way, and do Moroni demands an oath not come to war against us again, then See Alma, Chapter 44 we will spare your lives. Otherwise, I will command my men to kill you. Then Moroni said to Zerahemnah, "You Then we will see who will have power know you are in our hands, but we do over people and who will be brought not want to kill you and become men of into bondage." bloodshed. We have not come to battle to kill you, or to make you our slaves, When Zerahemnah heard this, he came but this is exactly why you have come forward and delivered up his sword, against us. You are angry with us scimitar and bow to Moroni, and said, because of our religion. "These are our weapons of war. We will But now you see the Lord is with us deliver them up to you, but we will not and has delivered you into our hands. I make such an oath to you --an oath that want you to understand this is done we know we and our children will because of our religion and our faith in break. Take our weapons and allow us Christ, which you now realize you to depart into the wilderness. Otherwise cannot destroy. we will keep our swords, and perish or conquer. You must now realize this is the true faith of God, and He will support and We are not of your faith, and we do not preserve us as long as we are faithful to believe a God delivered us into your Him. The Lord will never allow us to hands. We believe your cunning, your be destroyed unless we fall into breastplates and shields have preserved transgression and deny our faith. you from our swords." And now Zerahemnah, I command you, When Zerahemnah finished speaking, in the name of that all-powerful God Moroni gave him back his sword and who has strengthened our arms so that other weapons, and said, "We will end we have gained power over you -- by the conflict, for I cannot recall my our faith, religion, rites of worship, words. As the Lord lives, you will not leave here without making an oath that 296 you will not return to war. Now as you Nephites, being swept down as are in our hands, we will spill your Moroni's soldier had foretold. blood upon the ground, or you will When Zerahemnah finally realized they submit to the conditions I have made." were all about to die, he cried out Upon hearing this, Zerahemnah was so loudly to Moroni, promising if they angry with Moroni he rushed forward were spared, he and his people would to kill him. But as he raised his sword, one of Moroni's soldiers struck it, breaking it off near the handle. Then the soldier struck Zerahemnah, cutting off his scalp, which fell to the ground. And Zerahemnah withdrew into the midst of his soldiers. Then Moroni's soldier put Zerahemnah's scalp on the point of his sword, held it up high, and shouted "Even as the scalp of your cheif has fallen to the earth, so will all of you fall, unless you give up your weapons and depart with a covenant of peace!" Many who heard this and saw the scalp on the sword were struck with fear. They came forward, threw down their weapons at Moroni's feet, and entered into a covenant of peace. Those who covenant never again to come to war entered into a covenant were allowed to against them. depart into the wilderness. Then Moroni commanded his men to Now Zerahemnah was very angry. He stop the killing them, and to take away stirred up the rest of his soldiers to fight their weapons. even more powerfully against the After they had all entered into a Nephites. covenant of peace, they were allowed Seeing this stubbornness, Moroni to depart into the wilderness. became angry and commanded his So many of the Lamanites had died people to kill those who had kept their they were not counted, and the losses of swords. The Lamanites' bare skin and both Nephites and Lamanites were very heads were exposed to the Nephites' great. The dead were thrown into the sharp swords. They were pierced and Sidon River, which carried the bodies stricken, and quickly fell before the out to the depths of the sea. 297 Then Moroni's army returned to their I perceive this very people, the houses and lands. This is how 74 BC, Nephites, (according to the spirit of the 18th year of the judges' reign over revelation in me), will falter in unbelief the Nephites, ended. This is the end of 400 years after Jesus Christ shows what Alma wrote on Nephi's large Himself to them. At that time, they will plates. have wars, pestilences, drought and War ends and Alma bloodshed — even until they become Questions Heleman extinct! See Alma, Chapter 45 This will happen after they receive The Nephites were very happy because great light and knowledge, for not even the Lord had delivered them from their four generations will pass before they enemies again. They thanked the Lord become unbelieving, working in their God, fasted and prayed often, and darkness, full of all types of sinfulness. worshipped Him with great joy. When that great day comes, the time is In 73 BC, the 19th year of judges' near when our descendants will no reign, Alma visited his son Helaman longer be counted with the Nephites. and asked him, "Do you believe what I Our Nephite descendants who survive said about the records that have been that great and dreadful day will be kept?" counted with the Lamanites, and will Helaman answered, become like them, except for a few . . . "Yes, I believe." the Lord's disciples, all of whom the Lamanites will hunt down and kill. And Alma then asked, "Do you believe in because of great sinfulness, this Jesus Christ, who will come?" prophecy will be fulfilled." "Yes, I believe all the words you have After Alma spoke to Helaman, he spoken,” answered Helaman. blessed him, and also his other sons. Alma asked, "Will you obey my Then Alma blessed the earth for the commands?" sake of the righteous. He said, "The Helaman answered, "Yes I will, with all Lord God says, my heart." 'This land will be cursed to every Then Alma said, "You are blessed, and nation, tribe, tongue and people — the Lord will prosper you in this land. I even to destruction, who become have a prophecy to tell you, but don’t fully ripe in wickedness.’ tell it to anyone, for it must not be It will be as I have said, for this is known until it is fulfilled. For now, God's cursing and blessing upon the only write it down. This is the land. The reason for this curse is the prophecy: 298 Lord cannot allow any degree of sin to be acceptable in His sight." After blessing the earth, Alma blessed those in the church who would stand firm in the faith from that time forward. Then Alma left the land of Zarahemla and went toward the land of Melek. He was never heard of again, and we know nothing of his death or burial. We know he was a righteous man. Among the church members, it was widely believed Alma was taken up by the Spirit, or buried by the hand of the Lord, like Moses. In the beginning of 73 BC, Alma's son Those who would not listen to Helaman went among the people to Helaman and his brothers gathered declare God's word to them. Because of against them, determined to kill them. their wars with Lamanites, and because The leader of these angry apostates was of many little dissensions and Amalickiah. He was a large, strong disturbances among the people, it man. He and his followers wanted him became necessary for God's word to be to become king. declared, for the church to be regulated. Most lower judges of the land had Helaman and his brothers established become angry apostates, desiring more the church once again, appointing and more power. They were led along priests and teachers in every city by Amalickiah's flattering words, who throughout all the Nephite lands. promised them ruling positions over the But after the church was established, a people if they helped him become king. dissension arose among those who This is how Amalickiah led dissensions refused to listen to Helaman or his in spite of the preaching of Helaman brethren. They grew proud, lifting and his brethren, who as high priests, themselves up because of their great took great care of the church. But many riches. They grew rich in their own church members believed Amalickiah's eyes and would not listen to God's flattery and left the church. words nor walk uprightly before Him. Because of this situation, Nephite Church members lead affairs became very precarious and away by flattery unstable, even though they had just See Alma, Chapter 46 been victorious over the Lamanites, and 299 had greatly rejoiced in being delivered by God. From this we learn just how quickly people forget the Lord their God and return to sin, being led away by the evil one. We also learn how just one man can cause great wickedness among people. was left in the land. All true believers For Amalickiah alone led many hearts of Christ who belonged to God's church away by his cunning plans and flattery, were called Christians by non- seeking to destroy God's church and the believers. foundation of liberty — a blessing God Those who belonged to the church, had sent upon the land for the benefit of who truly believed in Christ, were the righteous. faithful to Him. They gladly took on When Moroni, chief commander of the the name Christians because they Nephite army, heard about these believed in Christ who would come. dissensions, he was very angry with Moroni prayed for the Christians' cause Amalickiah. He tore a piece of his coat and for freedom in the land to be off to make a flag, and on it he wrote, favored. After he had poured out his "In memory of our God, our religion, soul to God, he named all the land that our freedom, our peace, our wives was south of Desolation, both the and our children." northern and southern parts, "A chosen Then he fastened the flag to the end of land, the land of liberty." a pole. After putting on his helmet, Then Moroni said, "Surely God will not breastplate, shields and armor, Moroni allow us, who are despised because we took his flag, which he called take the name of Christ upon us, to The Title of Liberty be trodden down and destroyed, until and bowed to the earth. we bring it upon ourselves by transgression." He prayed mightily to his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren as long as a band of Christians 300 Then Moroni went among the people, Let us preserve our liberty as holding his flag in the air for all to see descendants of Joseph of old. Let us its message. remember the words of his father He shouted, "Whoever would maintain Israel, who before his death, saw a this title upon the land, come forward remnant of his son's coat had been in the strength of the Lord and enter a preserved. covenant with Him to maintain your He said, 'Even as this remnant of my rights and religion, that the Lord God son's coat has been preserved, a may bless you!" remnant of my son's descendants will When he had proclaimed this, the be preserved by God's hand, to be taken people came running, wearing their to Himself. The rest of Joseph's armor and tearing their coats as a descendants will perish, just as the rest covenant that they would not forsake of Joseph's coat has perished. This the Lord their God. In other words, if brings sorrow to my soul, but my soul they transgressed God's has joy in my son, Joseph, because of commandments, and became ashamed the part of his descendants that will be to be called Christians, then the Lord taken to God.'" would justly tear them, as they had torn Moroni then speculated, "Perhaps the their coats. remnant of Joseph's descendants that As they threw their coats at Moroni's will perish, like his coat, are those who feet, they said, "We covenant with our have dissented from us. Surely we will God that we will be destroyed like our be part of the destroyed remnant if we brethren in the northern land (the do not stand firm in the faith of Christ." Jaredites) if we fall into transgression. After saying this, Moroni went out May God throw us at the feet of our himself, and also sent letters to all parts enemies, as we have thrown our coats, of the land where there were to be trampled under foot, if we fall dissensions. In this way, he gathered all into transgression!” who wanted to maintain their liberty by Then Moroni said, "We are descendants standing against Amalickiah and his of Jacob (Israel), father of Joseph of dissenters, called Amalickiahites. old, whose coat was torn into many When Amalickiah saw that Moroni's pieces by his brothers. people outnumbered his followers, and Now let us remember to obey God's that his followers also had doubts about commands, or our coats will be torn by the justice of their cause, he was afraid our brethren, and we will be thrown in that they would not prevail. So he took prison, sold or killed. his faithful followers and headed toward the land of Nephi to join the Lamanites. 301 Moroni did not want the Lamanites to rejoicing. Many went out of the world gain any more strength. He knew that rejoicing, firmly believing their souls he had to bring back Amalickiah and were redeemed by the Lord Jesus his followers and put Amalickiah to Christ. death. Otherwise, they would stir up the Some died from the seasonal fevers, Lamanites to become angry and to but not many, for they were healed by battle against them in order to obtain the excellent qualities of plants and their own purposes. roots God had prepared to remove Moroni knew he had to take his army, the cause of their diseases. who had entered into a covenant to Note: Herbs also recommended keep the peace, and stop Amalickiah in D&C 42:43 the wilderness. Moroni acted on this, Many died of old age, and we must and marched his army into the suppose those who died in the faith of wilderness to head off Amalickiah's Christ are happy with Him. army. Upon seeing Moroni's army, Amalickiah gains power Amalickiah ran away with a few of his See Alma, Chapter 47 men. The rest of his army fell into Now we will return to our record of Moroni's hands and were taken back to Amalickiah and of those who ran into the land of Zarahemla. the wilderness with him. They joined Moroni had been given authority over the Lamanites in the land of Nephi, and the Nephite army by the chief judges, as Moroni had predicted, they made the who in turn had been elected by the Lamanites angry with the Nephites. people. With this authority, Moroni had The Lamanite king sent a message every Amalickiahite put to death who throughout all his land, telling his would not enter into a covenant to people to prepare for war against the support the cause of freedom and a free Nephites. government. When the Lamanites heard this Only a few would not enter this message, they were very afraid to covenant of freedom. displease the king, yet they were also Moroni ordered The Title of Liberty to afraid to fight the Nephites. Most of be raised on every tower in all the them decided not to obey the king's land, thereby planting a standard of command. liberty among the Nephites. They had This made the king very angry. He gave peace in the land until the end of 73 Amalickiah command of those who BC. would fight and told him to force the Helaman and high priests maintained other Lamanites to fight. This is exactly order in the church for four years, what Amalickiah wanted the Lamanite during which they had peace and king to do, for he was cunning and had 302 an evil plan to take the king's throne message to him, asking him to come and become king himself. down, and to bring his guards with him. As commander of part of the Lamanite Lehonti finally came down with his army, Amalickiah had a plan to gain the guards. Amalickiah told Lehonti that if support of the Lamanites who had he brought his army down that night refused to obey the king's orders. He and surrounded the men under his and his army went to Onidah, a place command, he would deliver them into where the weapons were kept. All the Lehonti's hands, providing that he, rebelling Lamanites had gone there, Amalickiah, would be made second in thinking that Amalickiah's army was command. coming to kill them. Lehonti came down with his men and The rebels had appointed Lehonti as surrounded Amalickiah's army before their own king, and were determined they awoke. When the men saw that not to be forced to fight the Nephites. they were surrounded, they begged They prepared to defend themselves Amalickiah to allow them to join their from the top of Mt. Antipas. brethren, and not be destroyed. This Amalickiah had no intention of fighting was exactly what Amalickiah wanted the rebels as the king had commanded them to do. He delivered his men, him to do. He wanted to gain favor contrary to the commands of the with all the Lamanite men, and thereby Lamanite king, as part of his plan to obtain an army to take the throne and dethrone him. take control of the kingdom. Now according to Lamanite custom, if their chief leader was killed, the second Amalickiah had his army camp in the in command was made chief leader. So valley near Mt. Antipas. By night, Amalickiah had a servant give small doses of poison to Lehonti, until he Amalickiah sent a secret embassy to the died. Amalickiah was appointed to be top of Mt. Antipas, asking the rebels' their leader and chief commander. leader, King Lehonti, to come down and talk with him. Lehonti would not Then he marched with his armies to the dare go down, so Amalickiah sent land of Nephi--to the capital city of another message to him, again asking Nephi. The king came out to meet him him to come down. with his guards, thinking that Amalickiah had fulfilled his commands Lehonti refused again, and also a third by gathering this great army to go time. Seeing that Lehonti would not against the Nephites. As the king came come down, Amalickiah went up near out to meet him, Amalickiah sent his Lehonti's camp and sent his fourth servants ahead. They bowed before the 303 king, as if to reverence him because of servants, and that he had chased them his greatness. with his army but had not caught them. The king held out his hand to raise When the queen received this message, them. This custom--a token of peace-- she sent a message to Amalickiah, had been taken from the Nephites. As asking him to spare the people of the the king raised the first servant, that city. She also wanted him to come to servant stabbed him in the heart, and her with witnesses to testify of the the king fell dead. king's death. Frightened, the king's servants ran Amalickiah brought the same servant away, and Amalickiah's servants who had stabbed the king, and the shouted, others who were with him, and went to "The king's own servants have stabbed the queen. him and have run away. Come and see!" Amalickiah commanded his army to go and see what had happened to the king. When they found the king dead, Amalickiah pretended to be angry, and said, "Whoever loved the king, let them chase his servants and kill them." Then all those who loved the king chased the king's servants. When the servants saw an army pursuing them, They all testified to her the king was they were frightened again and ran into killed by his own servants, whose guilt the wilderness. They went into the land was proven by the fact they had run of Zarahemla and joined Ammon's away. The queen was satisfied with people. their story. The Lamanite army returned, having Then Amalickiah sought the favor of pursued the servants in vain. This is the queen and married her. This is how how Amalickiah, by his fraud, gained by his fraud, and by the assistance of the confidence of the people. his cunning servants, he obtained the The next day he entered the city of kingdom. He was acknowledged as the Nephi with his armies and took king throughout all the land, among all possession of it. Amalickiah sent an the Lamanites, which included embassy to the queen informing her Lemuelites, Ishmaelites and all the that the king had been murdered by his Nephite dissenters since the days of Nephi. 304 Now these dissenters had been taught to the Lord their God. He had also been about the Lord. But it is strange to strengthening the Nephite armies by relate that not long after they dissented, ordering them to build small forts, to they became more stubborn, pile up banks of dirt around them to unrepentant, wild, wicked and enclose his armies, and to build stone ferocious than the Lamanites. They walls around their cities and the borders embraced the Lamanites' false of all their lands. traditions and gave way to all type of Moroni placed the greatest number of sins, completely forgetting the Lord men in the cities with the weakest their God. fortifications. He was preparing to Amalickiah seeks total power support their liberty, lands, wives, See Alma, Chapter 48 children and peace, so they might live Just as soon as Amalickiah had to serve the Lord their God and obtained the kingdom, he began to maintain what their enemies called, inspire the Lamanites to hate the "the Christians' cause." Nephites. He appointed men to speak Moroni was strong and mighty. He had from their towers against the Nephites. a perfect understanding and did not By the end of 73 BC, having delight in bloodshed. His soul rejoiced accomplished his plans so far, in the liberty and freedom of his Amalickiah sought to reign over all the country. people, Nephite and Lamanite. After His heart swelled with thanksgiving to blinding their minds and making them his God for the many privileges and angry, he gathered a numerous host of blessings that He had bestowed upon Lamanites to battle against the his people, and he worked hard for their Nephites. Amalickiah was determined welfare and safety. (knowing how numerous his people He was firm in the faith of Christ, and were) to overpower the Nephites and he had sworn an oath to defend his bring them into bondage. people, their rights, country and He appointed Zoramites as chief religion, even to the loss of his own captains, for they were the most blood. acquainted with the Nephite The Nephites were taught to defend strongholds and the weakest parts of themselves against their enemies, their cities. The chief captains led the shedding blood if necessary. They were Lamanite armies into the wilderness also taught never to begin an offense, toward the land of Zarahemla. and only to raise the sword against an While Amalickiah had been obtaining aggressor in defense of their lives. power by fraud and deceit, Moroni had They believed that if they were faithful been preparing his people to be faithful in obeying God's commands, He would 305 Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God. Helaman and his brethren's service to the Nephites was just as important as Moroni's service, for they preached God's word and baptized unto repentance all those who would listen to the gospel. Because of their words, the people humbled themselves. They were highly favored of the Lord and were free from internal wars and contentions for four years. But as I said, toward the end of 73 BC, in spite of their peace among themselves, they were reluctantly compelled to fight prosper them in the land and warn them their brethren, the Lamanites. to run or to prepare for war according to their danger. They also believed God would tell Although they were very reluctant to them where to go to defend themselves fight, their wars with Lamanites lasted against their enemies, and by doing so, many years. They were sorry to take up He would deliver them. arms because they did not delight in war. They were sorry to be the means This was Moroni's belief. His heart did of sending so many of their brethren not glory in the victories of warfare, but out of this world to an eternal world, rather in doing good, in preserving his not ready to meet their God. people, in obeying God's commands, and in resisting sinfulness. But they could not lay down their own lives and allow their wives and children If all men had been or would be like to be massacred by the barbaric cruelty Moroni, the very powers of hell of those apostates. They could not would have been shaken forever, and allow the Lamanites to rejoice in killing the devil would have had no power them as long as any of them kept God's over any heart. commandments, for the Lord's promise Moroni was like Ammon, and also like was if they obeyed His commands they Mosiah's other sons. He was also like would prosper. 306 numbers would allow them to easily conquer Ammonihah again. They had also prepared themselves with shields, breastplates and thick clothing. An inspired system of defence They thought they would be able to See Alma, Chapter 49 overpower the Nephites, and kill and On the tenth day of the eleventh month capture them as they pleased. But to of 73 BC, the Lamanite armies were their complete astonishment, the seen approaching the land of Nephites were prepared for them in a Ammonihah. A city partly rebuilt, near way never before known among Lehi's where Moroni had stationed an army descendants, having prepared for battle near its border. They had piled up according to Moroni's instructions. banks of dirt around the city, which If King Amalickiah had come out of the protected it from stones and arrows — land of Nephi at the head of his army, the main Lamanite weapons. perhaps he would have ordered the Because the Lamanites had once Lamanites to attack the city of destroyed Ammonihah, they thought Ammonihah, for he did not care how they could easily destroy it again, not many Lamanites died in battle. knowing they had been allowed to But Amalickiah had not come to battle, destroy it before because the people and the Zoramite chief captains dared there had been so very wicked. not attack the city of Ammonihah. Moroni had changed the Nephites' The Lamanites were greatly tactics, and the Lamanites were disappointed, for the bank of dirt disappointed in their desire to conquer around the city was so high that they because of the Nephite strongholds. could not hit the Nephites with their stones and arrows. The only way they The Lamanites retreated into the could come in was through a single wilderness and marched toward the entrance. The Zoramite chief captains land of Noah, thinking it was the next were very surprised by the Nephites' best place to attack the Nephites. They wisdom in preparing their places of did not know Moroni had fortified security. They had thought their great every city in all the land, so they 307 marched with firm determination. Their When the Lamanite captains ordered chief captains came forward and took their armies to attack the entrance, they an oath that they would destroy the were driven back again and again with people in the next city. an immense slaughter. Upon arriving, they were astonished to When they realized that they could not see the city of Noah, once a very weak get through the pass, they started to dig place, now a stronger fortification than down the dirt banks to make a pass for Ammonihah! This had been done their armies. As they did this, they were according to Moroni's wisdom. He swept off by Nephite stones and knew the Lamanites would be arrows. The Lamanites tried to fill up frightened upon seeing the city of the ditches by pulling down the dirt, Ammonihah, and then would come to but instead the ditches were partly filled the city of Noah, which had once been with their dead and wounded bodies. the weakest city in the land. The Nephites had complete power over Lehi, whose army had fought the their enemies, who continued to make Lamanites in the valley east of the attempts to take their stronghold until Sidon River, was appointed by Moroni all their chief captains were dead. to be chief captain over the men in the Over 1,000 Lamanites were killed, but city of Noah. When the Lamanites not a single Nephite was killed. learned Lehi commanded the city, they The Nephites had been protected by were disappointed again, for they were their shields, breastplates and helmets. very afraid of Lehi. But their chief However, about fifty Nephites had been captains had sworn with an oath to wounded in their legs, some very attack the city, so they advanced severely, having been exposed to anyway. Lamanite arrows through the pass. The only way the Lamanites could After their chief captains had all been penetrate the fort was through the killed, the Lamanites ran away into the entrance, as the bank of dirt was too wilderness. They returned to the land of high, and the ditch too deep, except at Nephi and told their king, Amalickiah, the front entrance. From atop the bank, a Nephite by birth, about their great Nephites were ready to shoot arrows loss. He was very angry with his people and sling rocks down on anyone for not obtaining his desire to subject attempting to climb up to enter their the Nephites with the yoke of bondage. fort away from the entrance. He cursed God and cursed Moroni, Within the entrance, the Nephites had swearing with an oath he would drink placed their strongest men, armed with Moroni's blood! swords and slings, to strike down any who attempted to come through. 308

On the other hand, the Nephites Moroni also had secure towers built thanked the Lord their God because of from which the Nephites could see over His matchless power in delivering them their walls and still be safe from from the hands of their enemies. This is Lamanite stones and arrows. The how 73 BC ended. towers were positioned so that stones The Nephites enjoyed continual peace could be slung down upon any who and great prosperity in the church, for would attempt to approach the city they had diligently obeyed God's word walls. declared to them by Alma's sons, This is how Moroni had his people Helaman, Shiblon, and Corianton, by build strongholds in every city in all Ammon and his brethren, and by all their lands. who had been ordained by the holy After doing this, Moroni took his order of God, who had been baptized armies into the eastern wilderness and unto repentance and sent forth to drove all the Lamanites there back into preach among them. their own lands, which were south of Nephites drive out Lamanites the land of Zarahemla. The border of See Alma, Chapter 50 the Lamanite lands ran directly from It was now 72 BC, and Moroni the east sea to the west sea. continued to have his people pile up After driving all the Lamanites out of banks of dirt around all the Nephite the eastern wilderness, which was north cities. Atop these ridges surrounding of the Lamanite lands, he allowed his the cities, walls of timber were built as people of Zarahemla to occupy the high as a man. eastern wilderness all the way to the Then sharp stakes were attached to the eastern seashore. tops of these strong, high walls of Then Moroni placed armies on their timber. southern borders and had them build 309 fortifications. By doing this, the people. Now these words He spoke to Lamanite strongholds from the eastern father Lehi were verified: wilderness to the west were cut off. "You and your children are blessed, and The border between the Nephites and they will continue to be blessed if they Lamanites, which ran from west to east, obey my commands. But remember, if south of Zarahemla, was now they will not obey my commands, they completely controlled by the Nephites. will be cut off from my presence." The Nephites possessed all the From this period of Nephite history we northern land and also all the land north learn these promises were verified. For of the land of Bountiful. it was not the Lord, but their internal Moroni's armies grew larger every day quarreling, contention, murders, because the men felt assured of plundering, idolatry, sexual impurity protection within all the fortifications. and other great sins that brought on Nephite wars and destruction. Moroni and his armies weakened the Lamanites and cut them off from the Those among them who were faithful Nephite lands in the north. in obeying the Lord's commands were delivered at all times, while thousands Then the Nephites began to build a city of their wicked brethren were named Moroni. It was on the south, near the eastern seashore, and bordered the Lamanite land. The Nephites also began to build a city named Nephihah between the city of Moroni and city of Aaron, which joined their borders. The construction of many cities in the north began that year. One of these cities, named Lehi, was located near the eastern seashore. consigned to bondage or death, or to This is how 72 BC ended. During the falter in unbelief and mix with the following year, the 21st year of the Lamanites. judges' reign, the Nephites continued to prosper. They were a very rich people, There was never a happier time among quickly populating and growing strong the Nephites since the days of Nephi in the land. than in the days of Moroni in 71 BC. From this we see the Lord's mercy and The years 70 and 69 BC were also justice in fulfilling all His words to His peaceful for the Nephites. 310 Sixty-eight BC was a peaceful year people from going into the northern except for some internal disputes that land. arose over the lands of Lehi and Moroni's men headed them off at the Morianton, which bordered the land of border of the land of Desolation, near Lehi. The people who possessed the the narrow pass that led to the northern land of Morianton claimed part of the land, with a sea on the west and the land of Lehi. This caused some serious east. fighting, for the people of Morianton The Nephite army Moroni sent was led took up swords against their brethren by a man named Teancum. He killed and were determined to kill them. But Morianton during the battle which the people in the land of Lehi ran to broke out (for Morianton's flattery had Moroni's camp and begged for his made his people stubborn enough to assistance, for they were not in the take up the sword). Teancum took wrong. Morianton's people as prisoners and When the people of Morianton, led by returned to Moroni's camp. him, heard the people of Lehi had run This is how 68 BC ended --the 24th to Moroni's camp, they were very year of the judges' reign over the afraid Moroni's army would come and Nephites. destroy them. So Morianton planned with his people to run to the northern After Morianton's people were brought land, a land covered with large lakes, back, and after they covenanted to keep and take possession of it. the peace, they were restored to the land of Morianton. They became united This plan would have been carried out with Lehi's people, who were also and caused great sorrow had it not been restored to their lands. That same year, for Morianton's bad temper. He was the second chief judge, Nephihah, died. angry with one of his maid servants and He had filled the judgment-seat with beat her badly. perfect uprightness before God. She then ran to Moroni's camp and told However, he had refused to take him what Morianton had done to her, possession of the plates and sacred and that he was planning to run away things, so Alma conferred them upon into the northern land. his son Helaman. Moroni was afraid the people in Nephihah's son Pahoran was appointed Bountiful would listen to Morianton to fill the judgment-seat as chief judge and unite with him, taking control of and governor over the people. With an the northern land and jeopardizing his oath and sacred ordinance, Pahoran people's freedom. Because of this threat covenanted to judge righteously, to to their freedom, Moroni sent an army keep the peace and freedom of the to head off Morianton, to prevent his people, to allow them their sacred 311 privileges to worship the Lord their (descendants of Nephite kings) and God, to support and maintain the cause they wanted to be kings themselves. of God all his days, and to bring the They were supported by those who wicked to justice according to their wanted power and authority over the crimes. He began his reign toward the people. end of 68 BC. This was a critical time for the Freeman vs. Kingman Nephites to be having internal See Alma, Chapter 51 contentions, for Amalickiah had stirred 67 BC began with peace in the Nephite up the hearts of the Lamanites to come lands. But soon the people had internal against the Nephites again. He was political disputes because some people gathering soldiers from all parts of his wanted to change parts of the law. land and diligently arming them, for he Pahoran ignored those who had sent had made an oath to drink Moroni's him their petitions and would not allow blood. the law to be changed. We will see that Amalickiah's oath was Those who wanted the law to be foolish, and yet he prepared his armies changed were angry with him and to go to battle against the Nephites. His wanted him to give up the judgment- armies were not as great as they had seat. They caused some heated arguing, once been, because thousands of his but no bloodshed. Those who wanted to men had been killed by the Nephites. get rid of Pahoran were called But in spite of their great losses, Kingmen, for they wanted to overthrow Amalickiah gathered such a great army the free government and establish a that he was not afraid to come to the king over the land. land of Zarahemla. Pahoran's supporters called themselves In 67 BC, just as the Nephites had Freemen. They covenanted to maintain settled the matter concerning Pahoran, their rights and the privileges of their Amalickiah led his Lamanite army religion by a free government. toward the land of the Nephites. When the Kingmen heard the Lamanites were The matter was settled by a vote, and coming to battle against them, they the majority was in favor of the were glad in their hearts and refused to Freemen. Pahoran retained the take up arms. judgment-seat, over which the people of liberty rejoiced. When Moroni saw this, and saw that the Lamanites were marching toward The Kingmen were silenced and dared their borders, his soul was filled with not oppose, and were obliged to anger toward the Kingmen. He was maintain the cause of freedom. Those angry because they had become so in favor of kings were of high birth 312 stubborn after he had worked so hard to humble themselves like their brethren, preserve their liberty. and to fight valiantly to maintain their Moroni sent a petition to Pahoran, the freedom from bondage. chief judge and governor of the land, While Moroni was dealing with these which voiced Moroni's and the people's internal contentions and making desire. He asked to be given the power regulations to prepare for war, the to compel the Kingmen to defend their Lamanites came into the land of country or be put to death. Moroni near the eastern seashore. Moroni's first priority was to put an end The Nephites in the city of Moroni to the internal disputes and dissensions were not strong, so Amalickiah killed among the Nephites, which had caused many of them and drove them out. all their previous destruction. And Amalickiah took possession of the city according to the voice of the people, and all of its fortifications. Those who Moroni was granted the power to ran out of the city of Moroni came to compel the Kingmen. the city of Nephihah. The people in that Then Moroni commanded his army to city, and also in the city of Lehi, go against the Kingmen and pull down gathered and made preparations to their pride and nobility, leveling them battle the Lamanites. to the earth unless they took up arms to Amalickiah had not attacked with all of support the cause of liberty. his men. He had left many of them in As the Kingmen lifted their weapons Moroni to maintain and defend it while against Moroni's army, they were he marched on to other cities. He took leveled to the earth. 4,000 dissenters many east coast cities, including were killed by the sword, and their Nephihah, Lehi, Morianton, Omner, leaders who had not been killed were Gid, and Mulek. put in prison. There was no time for By Amalickiah's cunning, and with his their trials, for the Lamanites were numberless hosts, he took the strongly coming. fortified cities for the Lamanites. Then Rather than be killed, the rest of the he and his army marched north to the Kingmen were compelled to raise The borders of the land Bountiful, driving Title of Liberty on their towers and in the Nephites before them and killing their cities, and to take up arms in many. Then he met Teancum's army. defense of their country. Teancum headed off Amalickiah, This is how Moroni put an end to those preventing his army's advance into the Kingmen and to the stubbornness and northern lands, just as he had pride of those who professed noble previously headed off Morianton's blood. They were brought down to rebellion. Teancum's men were great warriors. Each of them was stronger 313 than any Lamanite and more skillful in warfare. They distressed and killed the Lamanites until nightfall. Then Teancum and his men pitched their tents inside the land of Bountiful while Amalickiah's men pitched their tents near the beach. That night, on the eve of the new year, Teancum and his servant went into Amalickiah's camp. The whole army was asleep, worn out from Mulek, seeking protection from within fighting during the heat of the day. its walls. Teancum sneaked into Amalickiah's Then Amalickiah's brother Ammoron tent and put a javelin through his heart, was appointed king over the Lamanites. killing him instantly so he could not He commanded his people to maintain wake his servants. the cities they had taken at the cost of Then Teancum went back to his camp, so many of their men. woke his men and told them what he'd When Teancum saw their determination done. They made themselves ready for to maintain cities they had taken, and the Lamanites in case they had saw their enormous numbers, he awakened and were coming to attack decided not to attack them in their forts. them. He kept his men nearby, making This is how 67 BC ended. preparations for war and building their own protective walls. Teancum's men Teancum and Moroni continued to make their preparations fight separately while they waited for Moroni to send See Alma, Chapter 52 reinforcements. On the first day of 66 BC the Moroni sent orders for Teancum to take Lamanites awoke and found prisoners as a ransom for the many Amalickiah dead in his tent. They also Nephite prisoners taken by the saw Teancum's army, ready for another Lamanites. He also sent orders to day of battle. All of this frightened fortify the land of Bountiful and secure them so they retreated to the city of the narrow pass that led into the northern land. Otherwise, the 314 Lamanites would obtain that pass and possible. As he prepared to attack have power to torment them on every Mulek, he realized it would be side. impossible to overpower its Moroni wrote to Teancum, telling him fortifications. So he gave up his plans to be faithful in maintaining that part of and went back to the city of Bountiful the land while he, Moroni, did to wait for Moroni's reinforcements. everything in his power to regain their Toward the end of 65 BC Moroni and cities and fortify cities not fallen to the his army arrived in the land of Lamanites. Bountiful. Moroni wrote, "I would have come to In the beginning of 64 BC, Moroni, your assistance, but the Lamanites are Teancum and many chief captains held upon us in the borders near the west a war council to decide how to draw the sea. I must go against them, so I cannot Lamanites out of their stronghold. They come to your assistance at this time." decided to send an embassy to Jacob, King Ammoron left the land of the leader of the Lamanite army in the Zarahemla, and told the Lamanite city of Mulek. They asked him to come queen that Amalickiah had been killed. out with his armies and meet them Then he gathered a large number of upon the plains between the two cities. men and marched against the Nephites But when Jacob, a Zoramite, received near the west sea. their message, he refused to come out with his army. King Ammoron wanted to harass the Nephites and draw away part of their With no hope of meeting them on forces to the west sea while his forces neutral ground, Moroni made a plan to in the conquered cities harassed the lure the Lamanites out of their Nephites near the east sea, to take strongholds. He sent Teancum with a possession of as much land as they small number of men to the beach on could. Because of Ammoron's tactics, the east side of Mulek. That night, the Nephites were in a dangerous Moroni and his army went into the position by the end of 66 BC. wilderness on the west side of the city. The next day, when the Lamanite In 65 BC, Moroni had established guards saw Teancum and his men, they armies to protect the southern and ran and told Jacob. western borders. Then he began his march toward the land of Bountiful to Then the Lamanite army came out assist Teancum's army in retaking their against Teancum's men, thinking they east coast cities. could easily destroy them because of their small numbers. But Teancum and Teancum had received orders to attack his men ran north along the coast. the city of Mulek and retake it if When the Lamanites saw this, they 315 became over-confident and chased Lamanites to battle with great fury them vigorously. against Moroni. While Teancum was leading away the Jacob was determined to kill Moroni's Lamanites, pursuing them in vain, part men and cut his way back to Mulek, of Moroni's army took possession of but Moroni and his men were more Mulek, and Lamanites in Mulek who powerful. would not surrender were killed. Both sides fought with great fury. Meanwhile, Moroni and the rest of his Moroni was wounded and many army marched out to meet the Nephites and Lamanites were killed, Lamanites that would return from including Jacob. Then from behind, pursuing Teancum. As the Lamanites Lehi and his strong men attacked with chased Teancum, they came close to the such fury the Lamanites in the rear city of Bountiful and met Lehi and his gave up their weapons. The rest of small army, who had been left to them were so confused, they did not protect that city. know which way to go or strike. When the Lamanite chief captains saw Seeing their confusion, Moroni Lehi coming with his army, they shouted, "If you will give up your panicked and ran back toward the city weapons, we will not kill you." of Mulek. They were afraid of being Upon hearing this, the Lamanites' overtaken before they could get back to remaining chief captains threw down the safety of Mulek, for they were tired their weapons at Moroni's feet and and Lehi's men were fresh. commanded their men to do the same. The Lamanites didn't know they were Many would not, so their weapons heading straight toward part of were taken from them and their hands Moroni's army. All they feared were were tied. Then they were forced to Lehi and his men, (who did not want to march with their brethren to the land of overtake them until they had met Bountiful. Moroni's army). The number of prisoners taken was The Lamanites had not retreated far greater than the number of those who when they were surrounded by had been killed on both sides. Moroni Nephites — Lehi on the north and placed guards over the Lamanite Moroni on the south, all fresh and full prisoners and forced them to bury all of strength. The Lamanites were very the dead Nephites and Lamanites. tired, having marched long and hard. Nephites prepare amidst dissent Moroni commanded his men to attack them until they surrendered. See Alma, Chapter 53 Their Zoramite leader Jacob had an Moroni gave Lehi command of the city unconquerable spirit. He led the of Mulek. Lehi had been with Moroni 316 in nearly all his battles. He and Moroni Nephites were again placed in the most were much alike, and they rejoiced in dangerous of circumstances. one another's safety. They loved each Now I Mormon have something to say other and the Nephites loved them. about Ammon's people (the Anti- When the Lamanites finished burying Nephi-Lehies), who in the beginning the dead, they were marched back into were Lamanites then converted to the the land of Bountiful. Lord by His power and word: Moroni ordered Teancum to force them Ever since they had come to the land of to dig a ditch around the city of Zarahemla, they had been protected by Bountiful. On the city side of the ditch, the Nephites. Because of their oath the Lamanites were forced to build a never to kill again, they had not taken strong, high retaining wall of timber. up arms against their Lamanite After this was done, Bountiful became brethren. And because of their oath, a great stronghold, and the Nephites they would have been killed if Ammon guarded the Lamanite prisoners within and the other Nephites had not had pity its walls. on them and a great love for them. Moroni had to make the Lamanites And because of their love for them, the work because it required fewer men to Nephites had brought them into the guard them while they worked, and he land of Zarahemla and had protected needed most of his forces to attack the them. But when Ammon's people saw Lamanites. the danger, and the many afflictions and Moroni had gained a victory over a tribulations that the Nephites bore for great Lamanite army, had regained the them, they were moved with city of Mulek — a great Lamanite compassion and wanted to take up arms stronghold, and he had built a to help defend their country. stronghold in Bountiful to retain his They were about to break their oath but prisoners. He did not attempt to battle were convinced by Helaman and his with the Lamanites again that year, but brethren not to do that. instead had his men prepare for war by Helaman feared if they took up arms making fortifications and growing food, they would lose their souls. Those who which kept their women, children and had entered this covenant had been armies from suffering. compelled to watch their brethren go And now, while Moroni went to settle through afflictions and dangerous more internal dissensions, the Lamanite circumstances, while they could do army took possession of a number of nothing to help them. cities in the southern land near the west But they had many sons who had not sea. And because of their own entered into this covenant. The sons sinfulness, dissensions and intrigue, the 317 who were able, gathered together and took up arms. They called themselves Nephites and entered into a covenant to fight for the Nephites, to protect the land with their lives and never give up their liberty. 2,000 young men made this covenant and took up their weapons to defend their country. Before this time, Ammon's people had not been a burden to the Nephites, yet they could not help them fight. But now, at this time of Nephite dissent, they were a great help to the Nephite cause. Their sons took up their weapons, and they asked Helaman to be their leader. They were all young men, all valiant, courageous, full of energy and strength. They were also true to all with which they were entrusted. They were serious minded, for they had been taught to Moroni, requesting an exchange of obey God's commands and to walk prisoners. Moroni was happy with this uprightly before Him. request, for he needed the provisions being used to support the Lamanite Helaman marched at the head of his prisoners for his own people. He also 2,000 young soldiers in the cause to wanted to increase the size of his army. support the people in the southern border near the western sea. And this is The Lamanites had taken many women, how 64 BC ended. children and men as prisoners, but Moroni had only taken Lamanite men as prisoners. He had a strategy to get Moroni’s reply to back many of his captured people. He Ammoron’s letter wrote a letter and gave it to Ammoron's See Alma, Chapter 54 servant to delivered it. In the beginning of 63 BC, Ammoron, The letter read: the Lamanite king, sent a message to 318 down the wrath of that God, whom you have rejected, upon you, even to your utter destruction. For as the Lord lives, our armies will come upon you if you do not withdraw. You will soon be visited with death, for we will retain our cities and lands, "Ammoron, I have written you about and we will maintain our religion and this war you have waged against my the cause of our God. people, or rather that your brother has waged against them, which you are still I may be writing to you about these determined to carry on after his death. things in vain, for I think that you are a The sword of God's almighty wrath child of hell. I will end my letter by hangs over you unless you repent and telling you that I will not exchange take your armies back to the land of prisoners unless you deliver up a man your possession, the land of Nephi. with his wife and children for one prisoner. I would tell you more about these things if you were capable of If you will not do this, I will come responding to them. I would tell you against you with my armies. I will even about the awful hell that has received arm our women and children. We will your brother, and that awaits you unless follow you into your own land, the land you repent by giving up your of our first inheritance, and give you murderous ways, and take your armies battle until you are destroyed off the back to your own lands. But since you face of the earth! have rejected these things once before, My people and I are very angry, for you and have fought against the Lord's have sought to murder us while we people, I expect you to do it again. have only sought to defend ourselves. We are prepared to receive you, and If you seek to destroy us anymore, we unless you withdraw, you will pull will seek to destroy you and take the 319 land of our first inheritance. This is the However, I will gladly exchange end of my letter. I am Moroni, the prisoners according to your request, to leader of the Nephite armies.” preserve my food for my men of war. Angry, Moroni makes a plan We will wage an eternal war, and either See Alma, Chapter 55 subject the Nephites to our authority or make them eternally extinct. Upon reading Moroni's letter, Ammoron became angry. He responded And as for that God whom you say we to Moroni's letter, writing . . . have rejected, we do not know such a being, and neither do you. If there is such a thing, he made us as well as you. And if there is a devil and a hell, he will send you there to live with my brother, whom you have murdered, and whom you have hinted has gone to such a place. But these things do not even matter. I am Ammoron, a descendant of Zoram, whom your forefathers forced out of Jerusalem. I am a bold Lamanite, and this war has been waged to avenge the “ . . . I am Ammoron, king of the wrong-doings of your forefathers upon Lamanites. I am Amalickiah’s brother, ours, and to obtain our rights to the whom you have murdered. I will government. This is the end of my avenge his blood upon you by coming letter to you, Moroni." upon you with my armies, for I do not fear your threats. When Moroni read Ammoron's response, he became angrier than Your forefathers wronged their before, knowing Ammoron, a Zoramite/ brothers, robbing them of their right to Nephite dissenter, was perfectly aware govern when it rightly belonged to of his own fraud --aware that his own them. reasons for waging war against the Now, if you will lay down your Nephites were not just. weapons and subject yourselves to be Moroni exclaimed, "We will not governed by those to whom the exchange prisoners with Ammoron government rightly belongs, then I will unless he withdraws his armies, as I tell my people to lay down their stated to him in my letter, for I will not weapons and this war will end. give him more men than he already has. You have threatened me and my I know where the Lamanites guard our people, but we do not fear you. people, whom they have taken prisoner. 320 Because Ammoron will not do what I Laman returned to Moroni and told him have asked of him, I will give him what what had happened. I said I would. I will seek their death Things were going according Moroni's until they beg for peace." plan, and he prepared his men with Then Moroni searched among his men weapons and went to the city of Gid. to find a descendant of Laman. A pure While the Lamanites were in a deep, Lamanite was found, named Laman. drunken sleep, he and his men threw He was one of the Lamanite king's weapons to the prisoners. The Nephite servants who had run away after women and even all the children who Amalickiah's servant stabbed the king. were able to use a weapon were armed. Moroni sent Laman and a few of his All this was done in complete silence. men to the city of Gid, where the Even if they had awakened the Nephite prisoners were being held. Lamanites, they could have easily At night, Laman walked up to the men killed them, for they were all drunk. guarding the Nephites. When they saw But this was not Moroni's intention. He him coming they called out, but Laman did not delight in murder or bloodshed, shouted, “No need to fear, I’m a but in saving his people from Lamanite. We escaped from the destruction. Nephites as they slept, and we took He had obtained his desire to arm the their wine with us." prisoners, giving them the power to When the Lamanites heard this they take back their city from within. He had received Laman with joy, saying, "Give his men step back from the drunken us some wine! We're glad you brought guards and surround them. it, for we are weary." In the morning, when the Lamanites But Laman replied, "Let's save it until awoke, they saw that they were we go and fight the Nephites." This surrounded by Nephites, and that their only made the Lamanites want it more. prisoners were armed from within the They said, "We're so weary, so let's city walls. Realizing the Nephites now drink it now! We'll get more wine in had power over them, they did not our rations to strengthen us when we fight. Their chief captains demanded fight the Nephites." their weapons, brought them to the feet of the Nephites and pled for mercy. Laman replied, "Do as you wish." This is what Moroni wanted. He took Then they drank freely. The wine had them as prisoners of war, and then took been prepared extra strong, and it was possession of the city. He had liberated good tasting, so the Lamanites drank it the Nephite prisoners, and many of even more freely, and all became very them joined and strengthened his army. drunk. After they had all passed out, 321 Moroni put the Lamanite prisoners to Helaman reports to Moroni work strengthening the fortifications See Alma, Chapter 56 around the city of Gid. After Gid was On the second day of 62 BC, Moroni fortified, Moroni sent his prisoners to received a letter from Helaman, Bountiful, which was guarded by a informing him of the affairs of the very large Nephite force. people in the Zarahemla area. The letter In spite of the Lamanites' plots, the read: Nephites kept and protected all their "My dearly beloved brother in the Lord prisoners and maintained the advantage (as well as in the tribulations of in all the places they had retaken. The warfare, for we have also had our share Nephites began to be victorious by of warfare in this part of the land). I reclaiming their rights and privileges. will tell you about the 2,000 sons of the Many times the Lamanites tried to people that Ammon brought out of the surround them at night, but during land of Nephi, who as you know, are these attempts, many Lamanite descendants of Laman, the oldest son prisoners were killed. Many times the of father Lehi. Lamanite armies tried to give their I do not need to tell you about the wine to the Nephites, to poison them or traditions and unbelief of the make them drunk. Lamanites, for you already know of But the Nephites remembered the Lord them. their God during their time of affliction, I am writing to tell you about these and they could not be tricked. They did 2,000 young men, who took up their not drink wine from the Lamanites until weapons and made me their leader, and first giving some of it to Lamanite came to the defense of their country. prisoners. The Nephites were careful not to be poisoned by the Lamanites' You know about the covenant that their wine, for if it would poison a Lamanite, fathers made not to take up weapons it would poison a Nephite. against their brethren. Four years ago, in 66 BC, when their fathers saw the Soon it became necessary for Moroni to afflictions we were suffering on their prepare to attack the city of Morianton, behalf, they were about to break their for the Lamanites had fortified that city covenant and take up weapons to and had made it into a great stronghold. defend us. But I would not let them do The Lamanites were continually this, thinking that God would bringing new forces, supplies and strengthen us and keep us from provisions into Morianton. And this is suffering too much. how 63 BC ended. Then something happened that has given me great joy! I marched at the 322 head of those 2,000 young men to the Ammoron, ordered his men not to city of Judea to assist Antipus, whom attack Judea. This is how we were you had appointed as the leader in that favored and spared by the Lord, for if city. they had attacked us then in our I joined my 2,000 sons (for they are weakness, they might have destroyed worthy to be called sons) with Antipus' our small army. army. This made Antipus very happy, Instead of attacking us, Ammoron for his army had been greatly reduced commanded his Lamanite army to by the Lamanites, which gives us cause maintain the cities that they had already to mourn. Our only consolation is taken. By the end of 66 BC, we had knowing that our men have died in the completed our fortification of Judea, cause of their country and their God, and we wanted the Lamanites to come and are now in a state of happiness. against us. We had no desire to attack The Lamanites have taken many chief them in their strongholds. captains as prisoners, for they kill We kept our spies out to watch their everyone else. If those prisoners are movements so that they would not be still alive, we think they are being held able to pass by us during the day or in the land of Nephi. These are the night, and go northward to attack our cities that the Lamanites have other cities. conquered by killing so many of our We knew that our northern cities were valiant men: Manti, Zeezrom, Cumeni not strong enough to withstand them. If and Antiparah. they tried to pass near us, our plan was When I arrived at Judea, these four to attack them from behind while others cities had already been conquered, and met them in the front. We were I found Antipus and his men working disappointed not to have had the chance with all their strength to fortify the city. to do this. They had become depressed in body The Lamanites, fearing that they would and spirit, for they fought valiantly not be strong enough against us out in during the day and worked at night to the open, did not dare pass by us. Nor maintain their cities. They had suffered did they dare march out against the city greatly with every type of affliction. of Zarahemla, or cross the Sidon River Antipus and his men were determined toward Nephihah. They were to hold out in Judea or die, so you can determined to use their forces to imagine how glad they were to see maintain the cities they had taken. those sons of mine coming to their In the second month of this year, many assistance. provisions came to us from the fathers When the Lamanites saw that Antipus' of my 2,000 sons. We also received an army had been reinforced, their leader, additional 2,000 men from Zarahemla. 323 Now we had a total of 10,000 men and When Antipus saw our danger, he provisions for them and their wives and hurried his army. When night came, we children. camped, for the Lamanites had not Seeing our forces and provisions caught up to us, nor had Antipus caught increasing daily, the Lamanites began up to them. to be afraid, so they tried to cut off our Before dawn, the Lamanites were supplies and reinforcements. When coming after us. We were not strong they began to do this, we knew the enough to fight such a great army, nor Lamanites were growing uneasy, so we would I allow my sons to be caught by planned a strategy. Antipus ordered me them, so we quickly marched into the to march out with my young sons as if wilderness. The Lamanites did not turn we were carrying supplies to a to the left or the right, fearing that they neighboring city. would be surrounded. And I would not We were to pass by the conquered city turn to the left or the right for fear of of Antiparah pretending to be carrying being overtaken. supplies to the next city near the coast. Again we marched until nightfall. And After my little army left Judea and again, the next morning we saw the came near the city of Antiparah, Lamanites coming closer to us, and we Antipus and part of his army left Judea ran. They chased us for a short time and followed us. Antiparah was where and then stopped. the strongest, most numerous Lamanite This was the morning of the third day army was stationed. After their spies of the seventh month of the year. We told them that we had passed nearby did not know if Antipus had overtaken their city, carrying supplies, the entire them or not, but I said to my men, Lamanite army came out after us, 'Maybe the Lamanites want us to attack thinking they could easily kill us and them so that they can catch us in their take the supplies. snare. What do you say, my sons, will We ran from them heading north, and you go against them in battle?' led away the most powerful Lamanite My beloved brother, Moroni, I had army. By the time they saw Antipus never seen such great courage, even following them, we had led them too among the bravest Nephites. Because I far from Antiparah for them to return to called them my sons (for they were all it safely. So the Lamanite army chased very young), they said to me, 'Father, us vigorously, marching in a straight our God is with us, and He will not course to catch and kill us before allow us to fall. Let us go to battle, for Antipus caught up to them, for they did we would not kill our brothers if they not want to be surrounded. would leave us alone. Let us go before they overpower Antipus and his army.' 324 They had never fought before, yet they did not fear death. They thought more of the liberty of their fathers than they did of their own lives. Their mothers had taught them if they did not doubt God would deliver them. They repeated their mothers' words to me, then said, 'We do not doubt our mothers know this.’ Then I went against the Lamanites with my 2,000 young men. By then, the armies of Antipus had caught up to the Lamanites, and a terrible battle had begun. Because they had marched long and hard to catch up to the Lamanite army, the army of Antipus was tired, and they were about to be beaten. If my to kill them. By surrounding and killing 2,000 young men and I had not come to them quickly, we terrified the great their assistance, they would all have Lamanite army so completely they certainly been killed. gave up their weapons and surrendered. Antipus and many of his leaders had Then I counted my young men who had already been killed, and without their fought with me, fearing that many of leaders, the army had become them had been killed. But to my great confused. The Lamanites were boldly joy . . . chasing them when we attacked the Lamanites from behind. We killed so not one had fallen! They had fought as many Lamanites so quickly that their if they had the strength of God! Never entire army turned away from the army were men known to have fought with of Antipus and turned upon us. such miraculous strength, frightening the enemy so completely. Then the army of Antipus came upon the Lamanites from behind and started 325 we prepared to attack Antiparah. But before we had the chance to attack, the Lamanites abandoned Antiparah and ran to other cities they had taken, hoping to fortify them. By now 64 BC had come to an end. In the beginning of 63 BC, we received 6,000 additional soldiers and supplies from Zarahemla. 60 additional sons of the Ammonites also came to join their brethren, my little band of 2,000. Now we were a strong and well-supplied force, and we wanted to wage a battle with the Lamanite army holding the city of Cumeni. One night, prior to the time the Lamanites were to receive a supply of provisions, part of our strong force surrounded the city. We camped We had no place to guard our prisoners, around the city for many nights, so we sent them to the land of posting guards and sleeping on our Zarahemla with some of Antipus' men. swords. Many nights the Lamanites Then we marched back to Judea." attacked us in vain. Helaman’s letter When those bringing provisions finally To Moroni continues arrived, we intercepted them with their See Alma, Chapter 57 provisions. In spite of having their "Then I received a letter from the provisions cut off, the Lamanites were Lamanite king, Ammoron, stating that determined to maintain the city. if I would give up our prisoners of war, We sent the Lamanites we had he would give up the city of Antiparah. intercepted as prisoners to the land of I sent a reply to the king, saying that we Zarahemla, and their provisions to were strong enough to take Antiparah Judea. After a few days, the Lamanites by force, so we would only give up our in the city of Cumeni began to lose prisoners in exchange for theirs. hope, so they gave up the city and surrendered. After Ammoron rejected my letter, being unwilling to exchange prisoners, 326 At that time, we had so many prisoners were firm and fearless. They obeyed that even with our large force it was all every command with exactness and we could do to control them, and we were protected according to their had to kill many of them. They would faith. I remembered the words they break out in great numbers, fighting said their mothers had taught them. with stones, clubs and whatever they It was my sons, and the part of our could find. army that had returned, to whom we We had to kill nearly 2,000 of them owe this great victory, for it was they after they had surrendered. It became who beat the Lamanites and drove them necessary to kill them or guard them, back to the city of Manti. We retained sword in hand, down to the land of the city of Cumeni and were spared, Zarahemla. although we suffered great losses. Even though we had intercepted the After the Lamanites fled, I immediately Lamanites' provisions, we barely had gave orders for my wounded men to be enough food for our own people. Under taken from among the dead and their these critical circumstances, we had to wounds dressed. decide what to do with so many About 200 of my 2,060 had fainted for prisoners. We were determined to get the loss of blood. But by the goodness the prisoners to the land of Zarahemla, of God, and to the great astonishment so we selected part of our men to take and joy of our whole army, again not the prisoners there. one of them had been killed! The next day our men returned to us However, all of them had many without the prisoners. We didn't have wounds. time to ask what had happened, for the Their preservation was astonishing to Lamanites were upon us. our whole army because over 1,000 The Lamanite king Ammoron had sent Nephites had been killed. We credit this a new supply of provisions along with a to God's miraculous power, shown numerous army. The men we had sent because of their great faith in what out with the prisoners had arrived just they had been taught to believe — that in time to save us. there was a just God, and that all who Before they had arrived, my little band did not doubt would be saved by His of 2,060 had been fighting the marvelous power. This is the kind of Lamanites most desperately. faith these young men have. Their minds are firm and they put My young men were firm in battle, their trust in God continually. giving death to all who opposed them. After we had taken care of our While the rest of our army were about wounded men and had buried our dead, to give in to the Lamanites, my 2,060 and the many dead Lamanites, we 327 asked Gid what happened to the remembered what we'd done before. prisoners he and his men had been The Lamanites were so much more taking to Zarahemla. Gid was chief numerous than us that we dared not captain over the band appointed to attack them. Instead, we had our men guard them. He reported: maintain the cities we'd retaken, and we "'As we started out toward the land of waited for more reinforcements and Zarahemla with our prisoners, our spies provisions from Zarahemla. came running to us. They cried out, I had sent an embassy to our chief "The Lamanite army is marching judge and governor in Zarahemla, toward Cumeni. They will fall upon requesting more provisions and them and destroy our people!" When soldiers, and then waited to receive our our prisoners heard this, they took provisions. If we had received courage and rose up in rebellion against provisions and more soldiers sooner, it us. would not have helped us much, for We tried to contain them, but they ran every day the Lamanites received many in a group against our swords. Most of soldiers and provisions. them were killed, but the rest broke On occasion, the Lamanites rushed out through and escaped. We could not against us with strategies to destroy us. catch them, so we quickly marched This was frustrating to us, for we toward Cumeni, hoping to arrive in couldn't attack them in their retreats time to assist you, Helaman. and strongholds. Now we have been delivered from our We waited many months for our enemies again, and blessed is the name provisions and almost starved to death. of our God, for it is He who delivered Our food finally arrived along with us!' 2,000 men, and this is all the assistance "When I, Helaman, heard this report I we've received to defend ourselves and was filled with great joy because of our country from an innumerable God's goodness in preserving us, that enemy. we might not all perish. And I trust that We didn't know why more the souls of those who have died have reinforcements weren't sent, and we entered into His rest.” became sorrowful and afraid that God's Helaman’s letter to judgments would overthrow our land Moroni continues and completely destroy us. See Alma, Chapter 58 We poured out our souls in prayer to "Our next goal was to retake the city of God, asking Him to deliver us from our Manti. We could not lure the Lamanites enemies and give us the strength to out of their strongholds again, for they hold our cities, lands and possessions for the support of our people. 328 By speaking peace to our souls, the Lamanites had passed by Gid and Lord our God assured us He would Teomner, they rose up from their hiding deliver us. He gave us great faith in places and prevented the Lamanite Him, through which we hoped for spies from returning to the city. Then deliverance. We took courage with the they ran to the city, killed the Lamanite small force we had received, and guards, and took possession of it. became determined to conquer our Gid and Teomner were able to do this enemies, and to maintain our lands, with only a few men because the possessions, wives, children, and our Lamanites had allowed their entire cause of liberty. army, except for a few guards, to be led We marched in all our strength against away into the wilderness. the Lamanites who had taken the city Meanwhile, after traveling for a long of Manti. First we pitched our tents time in the wilderness, we headed near the city on the wilderness side. toward Zarahemla. When the The next day, when the Lamanites saw Lamanites realized where we were us near the city, they sent out spies to headed, they became very afraid and see how large our army was. began to return through the wilderness. When they discovered our small army By then it was dark, so the Lamanites threatened to cut off their supplies, they set up camp for the night. Their chief prepared to come out, thinking they captains thought our whole army had could easily kill us with their large been on the march and were tired, so army. they didn't worry about the safety of Knowing the Lamanites were preparing Manti. to come out of the city, I ordered Gid That night, rather than sleep, we went and Teomner to each take a small group around the Lamanites and back to of men and hide in the wilderness. Manti by another route. In the morning, Gid's group hid on the right, and we arrived at the city ahead of the Teomner's on the left. I stayed with the Lamanites. This was our strategy to rest of my army in our camp and waited take back Manti without much for the Lamanites to come out. bloodshed. When the numerous Lamanite army As the Lamanite army came near the came out and were about to attack us city, they saw us prepared to meet with their swords, our men ran away them. They were very astonished and into the wilderness. The Lamanites so afraid they ran into the wilderness. wanted very much to kill us, so they All the Lamanites ran out of this part of ran after us. the land, taking many women and We ran between the places where Gid children as prisoners. and Teomner were hiding. After the 329 All the cities taken by the Lamanites their faith is strong in the prophecies of are now back in our possession. Our what will come. men, women and children are returning Now my beloved brother, Moroni, may to their homes, except for those taken the Lord our God, who has redeemed prisoner and carried off by the us and made us free, keep you Lamanites. continually in His presence. May He Our armies are too small to maintain so favor this people so you may have many cities and possessions, but we success in regaining what Lamanites trust in our God who has given us have taken from us. victory over our cities and lands. And Without support, Nephite city falls we don't know why the government See Alma, Chapter 59 doesn't send more reinforcements. Moroni received Helaman's letter in 62 Moroni, for all we know, your army has BC, the 30th year of the judges' reign been unsuccessful and has needed the over the Nephites. Moroni was very forces in your part of the land. If this be happy to learn Helaman and his people the case, we won't complain. But if this had been successful in regaining their isn't the case, we feel there must have lands. He announced this news to all been some unrest in the government, the people in his region so that they for we know many more would also rejoice. He immediately reinforcements could have been sent! sent a letter to Pahoran, requesting It doesn't matter, for we trust God to troops to help Helaman more easily deliver us, in spite of our small maintain the Nephite cities his army numbers. had so miraculously regained. This year, 63 BC, is coming to an end, After sending this letter, Moroni again and we have regained our lands that the made plans to obtain the rest of their Lamanites abandoned. And those sons possessions and cities from the of Ammon's people, of whom I have so Lamanites. The Nephites, from the highly spoken, are now with me in the cities of Moroni, Lehi and Morianton, city of Manti. The Lord has supported had found refuge in Nephihah. But as and kept them from falling by the Moroni was making battle plans, the sword, for not even one soul has been Lamanites attacked Nephihah. killed. They have received many The Lamanites who had run away from wounds but stand firm in that liberty Helaman's army in the Manti region with which God has made them free! had joined the attacking Lamanite They are strict to remember the Lord army. This numerous Lamanite army their God from day to day. They grew larger every day. continually keep His statutes, judgments and commandments, and 330 Feeling strong and confident, and also to those who have been chosen Ammoron, the Lamanite king, had by this people to govern and manage commanded his army to attack the affairs of this war. Nephihah, and they had began to kill I condemn you, for you know you were the Nephites with great slaughter. But appointed to gather armies and send many Nephites escaped and joined them out against the Lamanites in Moroni's army. whatever areas they were attacking. Moroni thought men would have been Helaman and his men, and my men and sent to Nephihah from their capital, I have suffered greatly with hunger, Zarahemla, to assist the people in thirst, fatigue, and all types of maintaining that city. Moroni assumed afflictions. the government knew, as he did, that it If this is all we had suffered we would was easier to keep a city from falling not doubt or complain. But thousands than to retake it. This is why Moroni of our people have fallen by the sword kept his forces in the cities he had who might not have fallen if you had retaken. not neglected us, but had instead sent When Moroni learned that Nephihah support. was lost, he was very sorry. He began We want to know why you've neglected to wonder if they, too, would fall us for so long. Can you just sit upon because of the wickedness of their your thrones in a thoughtless stupor people in Zarahemla. All of Moroni's while your enemies are spreading the chief captains felt the same. work of death around you, murdering Because the Lamanites were having thousands of your brethren? You might success over them, they wondered what have saved thousands who looked to was happening with the people in you for protection, who trusted you to Zarahemla, and they doubted their support them by sending armies. personal righteousness. This isn't all. You've withheld your Moroni became angry with the provisions while many men have government officials because of their fought and bled out their lives while apparent indifference to the freedom of desiring only the welfare of this people. their country. He wrote another letter to They defended their country while Pahoran, the governor of the land in nearly starving because of your great Zarahemla, which read: neglect. Moroni’s angry letter to Pahoran And now, my beloved brethren — for See Alma, Chapter 60 you ought to be beloved, you should "This letter is directed to Pahoran, the have been more diligent in chief judge and governor of the land, supporting the welfare and freedom of this people. You have neglected 331 them so much that the blood of But now the Lamanites are coming thousands will come upon your heads upon us and are taking possession of for vengeance, for God has witnessed our lands. They are murdering our all their cries and suffering. women and children and carrying them Do you think you can just sit on your away captive, causing them to suffer all thrones doing nothing, and that God types of afflictions. All this is will deliver you because of His great happening because of the great goodness? If you think this, you do so wickedness of those Kingmen who in vain. only want power and authority. Do you think that so many of your But why should I write this? For all we brethren have been killed because of know, you yourselves are seeking their wickedness? If you do, you're power and authority as traitors to your mistaken, for many have fallen by the country. Have you neglected us because sword to your condemnation. you feel safe in the heart of our country, surrounded by security? Is this The Lord allows the righteous to be why you haven't sent food and killed so His justice and judgment reinforcements to strengthen our can come upon the wicked. So don't armies? think the righteous are lost because they're dead, for they have entered into Have you forgotten the commandments the rest of the Lord their God. of the Lord your God? Have you forgotten the captivity of our I am very afraid that God's judgments forefathers, and how many times we will come upon this people because of have been delivered out of the hands of our government's great slothfulness and our enemies? neglect of those who have been killed. Do you think the Lord will deliver us For if the head of our government had while you sit upon your thrones, not not become wicked, we could have using the means He has provided for withstood our enemies, and they would us? Will you do nothing, surrounded by not have gained any power over us. If tens of thousands who also do nothing, those Kingmen had not desired power while thousands who fight to maintain over their fellow men and had not the borders of the land fall by the raised their swords to us, but instead sword, wounded and bleeding? Do you had been true to the cause of our think that God will see you as guiltless freedom, uniting with us, then we while you sit and watch? No, He will would have gone against our enemies not. in the strength of the Lord, and we would have fulfilled His word by Remember, God has said that the inner dispersing them. vessel will be cleansed first, and then the outer vessel. Unless you repent of 332 what you have done and begin to be up grow strong in your iniquities to and doing, sending food and men to us, destroy His righteous people. and also to Helaman, it will be Do you think the Lord will spare you in necessary for us to stop fighting the your love of glory and the vain things Lamanites until we first cleanse the of the world, and destroy the inner vessel, even you, the great head Lamanites, who hate us because of of our government. their traditions? You know when you Unless you respond to this letter and are breaking God's laws and trampling show me the true spirit of freedom, them under your feet. This is why the sending reinforcements and food, I will Lord has said to me, leave part of my Freemen here to ‘If those whom you have appointed as maintain this part of our land. I will governors do not repent of their sins leave the strength and blessings of God and iniquities, you will go up to battle upon them so that no other power can against them.' operate against them. I will do this I Moroni will have no choice but to do because of their great faith and patience just that, according to the covenant I in their tribulations. made to obey the commands of my Then I will come to you, and if even a God. So rather than have me come spark of desire for freedom remains against you, you should adhere to the among you, I will stir up a revolt word of God and quickly send among you until those who desire to provisions and men to us, and to usurp power and authority are extinct. I Helaman. do not fear your power or authority, but If you will not do this, I will come only God's. against you quickly, for God will allow According to His commands, I take up us to kill you and take your food before my sword to defend the cause of my He will allow us to die of starvation. country, for it is because of your Now see that you fulfill God's word! sinfulness that we have suffered so am Moroni, your chief captain. I do not much loss. seek for power, but to pull it down. I do Unless you begin to defend your not seek for the honors of the world, country and your little ones right now, but the glory of my God and the the sword of justice hangs over you, freedom and welfare of my country. and it will utterly destroy you. I wait This is the end of my letter." for your assistance. If you do not Helaman’s response letter administer to our relief, I will come against you in the land of Zarahemla See Alma, Chapter 61 and strike you with the sword, for the Soon after Moroni had sent his letter to Lord will not allow you to live and Pahoran, he received this reply: 333 "Moroni, I have no joy in your great I Pahoran also do not seek for power. I afflictions, for they grieve my soul. But desire to regain my judgment-seat to a great number of people here do preserve the rights and liberty of my rejoice in your afflictions, for they have people. My soul stands fast in that risen up in rebellion against me and my liberty with which God has made us people, the Freemen. Your great free. We will resist wickedness even if suffering has been caused by those who we must shed blood. We would not kill have taken the judgment-seat from me. the Lamanites if they would stay in By using great flattery, they have led their own land, nor would we kill our away the hearts of many people, which own brethren if they would not rise up will be the cause of sore affliction in rebellion against us with swords. among us. They have withheld our We would subject ourselves to the yoke provisions and have prevented our of bondage if God's justice required us Freemen from coming to you. They to do so. But He does not require us to have driven me out, and I have escaped subject ourselves to our enemies. He to the land of Gideon with as many requires that we trust in Him to deliver men as I could get. us. I have sent a proclamation, calling My beloved brother Moroni, let us people to arms throughout this part of resist evil, and whatever evil we cannot the land. They are coming to us daily, resist with our words, such as armed to defend their country and rebellions and dissensions, let us resist freedom, and to avenge our wrongs. them with our swords, that we may Because of this, those who have risen retain our freedom, that we may rejoice up in rebellion against us are afraid to in the great privilege of our church and come out of Zarahemla and fight us. in the cause of our Redeemer and God. They have taken over the city and have Come to us quickly with a few of your appointed Pachus to be their king. men. Leave the rest under the Pachus has written to the Lamanite command of Lehi and Teancum. Let king, making an alliance with him. He them fight in that part of the land has agreed with the Lamanite king to according to the Spirit of God in them maintain Zarahemla, making it easier — the Spirit of freedom. I have sent a for the Lamanites to conquer the rest of few provisions so your men will not our lands. starve before you can come to me. In return, Pachus will be made king As you come, gather more men along over our people if we are conquered by the way. Then according to our faith, in the Lamanites. You rebuked me in your the strength of our God we will go letter, but I am not angry. I rejoice in quickly against those dissenters. We the greatness of your heart. will take back the city of Zarahemla, 334 obtain more food to send to Lehi and the judgment-seat, rebelling against Teancum, and put an end to this great their God and country. iniquity! Moroni took a small number of men After reading your letter, Moroni, I was and marched toward the land of very happy, for I was not sure if my Gideon, leaving Lehi and Teancum in plans to go against our brethren was a command over the rest of his army. He just cause. But now I know it is a just raised The Title of Liberty in every cause, for as you said, unless they place he entered, adding whomever he repent, the Lord has commanded you to could to his forces while marching go against them. toward Gideon.

Be sure to strengthen Lehi and Thousands rallied to his flag, taking up Teancum in the Lord. Tell them and all swords to defend their freedom. After those who stand firm for their liberty Moroni gathered all the men he could, that God will deliver them. This is the he arrived in the land of Gideon and end of my letter to you, my beloved united his forces with Pahoran's. brother, Moroni." Together, their army was much stronger Moroni sets Zarehemla in order . . . than the Kingmen's army. (compare Alma, chapter 62) Moroni's and Pahoran's armies met the Upon receiving this letter, Moroni took Kingmen's army in the city of courage and was filled with great joy Zarahemla. During the battle Pachus because of Pahoran's faithfulness. He was killed, and his men were taken was glad to know that Pahoran was not prisoner. Then Pahoran was restored to a traitor to the cause of freedom for his his judgment-seat. country. However, Moroni was very All of Pachus' men and the Kingmen sorry because of the sinfulness of the received their trial and were executed people who had driven Pahoran from according to the law. It was necessary for this strict law to be observed in 335 order to preserve the safety of their That night, Moroni climbed on top of country. the wall to see where the Lamanites This is why all those who denied the were camping inside the city. He saw freedom of others were quickly their camp on the east side, near the executed according to the law. By the entrance, and they were all asleep. end of 62 BC, Moroni and Pahoran had Moroni returned to his army and told restored peace in the land of Zarahemla them to quickly prepare strong ropes by destroying all those who were not and ladders. true to the cause of freedom. Then Moroni and his men climbed on In the beginning of 61 BC, Moroni top of the west wall, away from the quickly sent provisions and 6,000 men Lamanites' camp, and climbed down to assist Helaman in preserving his part into the city, using their strong ropes of the land. Moroni also sent provisions and ladders. with 6,000 men to Lehi's and In the morning they were all within the Teancum's armies. Then he and city walls. When the Lamanites awoke Pahoran left many men in the land of and saw Moroni's army in the city, they Zarahemla and took a large army to were so afraid that they began to run Nephihah, determined to overthrow the out of the entrance. Lamanites in that city. During their Moroni ordered his men to attack them. march, they attacked a large Lamanite Many were killed and many more were army, killing many and capturing the surrounded and taken prisoner. The rest rest. escaped into the land of Moroni, near They also captured their provisions and the eastern shore. weapons. Moroni told the 4,000 This is how Moroni and Pahoran captured Lamanites they must enter regained Nephihah without losing a into a covenant never to take up their single Nephite. The Lamanite prisoners weapons of war against the Nephites wanted to join Ammon's people and again. After they entered into this become free, so they were granted their covenant, they were sent to live with freedom according to their desires. Ammon's people. All the prisoners joined Ammon's Then Moroni and Pahoran's army came people. They worked hard tilling the near Nephihah, camping in the plains ground and raising all types of grain, near the city. Moroni wanted the flocks and herds. This is how the Lamanites to come out and fight them Nephites were relieved from the great in the plains. Seeing their large army, burden of keeping prisoners. and also knowing the Nephites were In regaining the city, Moroni had set very courageous, the Lamanites dared many Nephite prisoners free. He had not come out against them. 336 also reduced the Lamanite forces by the When Lehi and Moroni heard that number of those who had made a Teancum was dead, they were very covenant of peace. Thus strengthened, sorry, for he was a man who had fought Moroni's army marched toward the valiantly for his country. He had been a land of Lehi. true friend of liberty and had suffered When the Lamanites in the land of Lehi many great afflictions. But now he was saw Moroni's army coming, they were dead, and had gone the way of all the again frightened and ran away. Moroni earth. and his army chased them from city to In the morning, Moroni's army attacked city, until they were met by Lehi and the Lamanites, killing them with a great Teancum. The Lamanites ran from slaughter, and the Lamanites were them, down the coast, until they came driven out of the land. This is how 61 to the land of Moroni. The entire BC ended, and the Nephites had been Lamanite army, including their king, experiencing wars, bloodshed, famine Ammoron, gathered there. and affliction for many years. There Moroni's, Lehi's and Teancum's armies had been murders, contentions, camped near the southern and eastern dissensions, and all types of iniquity borders of the land of Moroni, near the among the Nephites, but for the sake of wilderness, surrounding the Lamanites. the righteous, and because of their The Nephites and Lamanites were tired, prayers, the Nephites had been spared. having made a long journey, so they Because the war had lasted for so many both camped for the night. years, many people had hardened their The Nephites did not decide on any hearts. And others, because of their night-time strategy, except for afflictions, had softened their hearts, for Teancum. He was very angry with they humbled themselves before God in Ammoron, knowing that he and his the depths of humility. brother, Amalickiah, had been the cause After Moroni had fortified the most of this long war and so much bloodshed vulnerable parts of the land, he returned and famine. So Teancum went out, to the city of Zarahemla. Helaman lowered himself down over the city returned to the place of his inheritance, wall, and went looking for Ammoron in and peace was once again established the Lamanite camp. among the Nephites. Moroni retired Teancum found him sleeping and from the army and went to his own stabbed him near the heart with a house to live out the rest of his life in javelin. But Ammoron cried out and peace. He gave the command of his awoke his servants before he died, and armies to his son, Moronihah. the servants chased Teancum and killed Pahoran returned to his judgment-seat, him. and Helaman took up preaching the 337 word of God to the people again. Because there had been so much war and contention, it had become necessary to regulate the affairs of the church again. Helaman and his brethren declared the word of God with great power, convincing many people of their wickedness, and they repented of their sins and were baptized to the Lord their God. And God's church was established once again throughout the land. to the Lord their God, so much that He Regulations were made concerning the blessed them according to His word. law, and judges and chief judges were And in 57 BC, Helaman died. chosen. More than 20,000 go North The Nephites began to prosper again, See Alma, Chapter 63 populating the land and growing rich. In the beginning of 56 BC, Shiblon Even though they became rich, they did took charge of the sacred things that not become proud. They were not slow Alma had given to Helaman. Shiblon to remember the Lord their God, and was a just man who did good they greatly humbled themselves before continually. He obeyed the commands of the Lord his God, like his brother, Helaman. By the end of 56 BC, Moroni had died. In 55 BC, 5,400 men took their families out of the land of Zarahemla and traveled north. One man, named Hagoth, was very curious and adventurous. He built a very large ship and launched it into the western sea. By the end of 55 BC, many Him. They remembered the great things Nephite men, women and children had the Lord had done for them in boarded this ship, which sailed north, delivering them from death, captivity carrying many provisions. and all types of afflictions. They prayed 338 In 54 BC, Hagoth built other ships. The beaten and driven back to their own first ship returned, and many more lands, suffering great losses. people boarded the ship with many This is how 53 BC ended. This is the provisions, and the ship sailed north a end of the account of Alma, and of his second time. They were never heard of sons, Helaman and Shiblon. again, and we think they were drowned in the depths of the sea. And one other ship sailed to a destination not known to us. In 54 BC, many more people went to the northern land. In 53 BC, Shiblon died, and Corianton was gone, having boarded a ship to deliver provisions to the people who had gone to the northern land. Before he died, Shiblon gave those sacred things (Laban’s sword, Liahona, interpreters, brass plates) to Helaman's son, Helaman. Now all the engravings on the plates held by Helaman were published and distributed among the people throughout the land. Only those parts of the record that Alma had commanded not to go forth were not published. Those things were to be kept sacred and handed down from one generation to another. In the same year Helaman had been given the sacred things, some dissenters had gone to the Lamanites and had stirred them up again to be angry with the Nephites. That same year, the Lamanites came with a numerous army to war against the army of Moronihah, but they were