139 A Plain English Reference to have faltered in unbelief. We would be The like the , who know nothing teaches sons about God's commandments and See Mosiah, Chapter 1 mysteries. They don't believe these things because they are misguided by This peace among all the people in the their forefathers' false traditions. land of lasted for the rest of Remember this, for these records are King Benjamin's days. He had three true. sons, Mosiah, Helorum and , and taught them the writing language of And these plates Nephi made, which their forefathers — modified Egyptian. contain our forefathers' words from the time they left Jerusalem until now, are He did this so they would become men also true. Remember to search them of understanding, knowing the diligently so you may profit from them. prophecies the Lord had given their forefathers (engraved on Nephi's I want you to obey God’s commands plates). so you will prosper in the land, according to the promises He made to Benjamin also taught his sons our forefathers." concerning the records engraved on the brass plates, saying, King Benjamin taught many more things to his sons not written here. "My sons, I want you to remember, if it were not for these plates containing As he grew old and realized he would records and commandments, we would soon die, he felt it necessary to confer now be in ignorance, not knowing the the kingdom upon one of his sons. And mysteries of God. It would have been so he called for Mosiah, named after impossible for our forefather Lehi to his grandfather, and said to him, have remembered all these things, and "My son, I want you to make a to have taught them to his children proclamation throughout all the land of without these plates. Zarahemla. Tell the people to assemble Lehi had been taught in the Egyptian tomorrow, when I will proclaim that language. This is why he could read the you are now a king and ruler over this brass plates and teach them to his people, whom the Lord our God has children. They in turn taught their given us. children Egyptian, fulfilling God's Tomorrow I will also give this people a commandments, even down to this name to distinguish them from all the present time. people the Lord God has brought out of My sons, if it were not for these brass Jerusalem. I will do this because they plates that have been preserved by the have been diligently keeping the Lord's hand of God, our forefathers would 140 commandments. It will always be their order to remind them of their duty to name unless they become sinful. Him. For if this people, who are now highly Mosiah did as he was asked and made a favored of the Lord, become wicked proclamation to all the people in the and adulterous, the Lord will deliver land of Zarahemla to go up to the them to the Lamanites by taking temple to hear his father speak. away their strength and protection. King Benjamin Then He will no longer save them by speaks to his people His matchless, marvelous power as He See Mosiah, Chapter 2 saved our forefathers. If the Lord had The next day all the people went up to not extended His arm to save our the temple to hear King Benjamin. forefathers, they would have fallen The had become very victim to the Lamanites, who hated numerous, even too numerous to count. them." They brought the firstborn of their After King Benjamin said this to his flocks as sacrifices and burnt offerings son, he put him in charge of the according to the law of Moses. They kingdom. gave thanks to the Lord their God, who He also gave Mosiah the brass plates, had brought their forefathers out of Jerusalem and delivered them from their enemies. They were also grateful for the just men who had been appointed to be their teachers, and for Benjamin, a just man, who had been appointed as their king. These just men had established peace in the land of Zarahemla and had Nephi's plates, 's sword and the taught the people to keep God's Liahona — the ball with spindles, commandments, that they might rejoice made by the Lord, which had led Lehi and be filled with love toward God and and his people through the wilderness all mankind. when they diligently obeyed the Lord. Each family — a man with his wife, When anyone in Lehi's group had sons, daughters and grandchildren, been unfaithful, the whole group did from the oldest down to the youngest, not progress in their journey. They were set up separate tents around the temple. driven back and suffered hunger and Their tent doors faced the temple so pain. They felt God's displeasure in they could stay in their tents and still hear King Benjamin. 141 the might, mind and strength that He gives me. I've spent my life in your service, not seeking gold, silver or any kind of riches from you. I have not allowed slavery or confinement in dungeons. I have not allowed murder, plunder, stealing or adultery. I have not condoned any kind of wickedness, but I have taught you to The multitude was so large that all the keep all the Lord's commandments. I've people could not fit inside the temple even labored with my own hands to walls, and so King Benjamin had a serve you so you would not be tower built. burdened with taxes. You, yourselves, When he spoke from this tower many know all these things. more people could hear him. I do not say these things to boast or to But as he started to speak, not everyone accuse you. I say these things so that could hear, so King Benjamin had his you will know that I can answer to God words written and sent among those with a clear conscience today. who were too far to hear him. Saying I've spent my days in your And these are Benjamin’s words: service doesn't mean I'm boasting, for I've only been serving God. "My brothers and sisters, I have not commanded you to come here to make You will be wise when you learn that light of what I will tell you, but to open serving your brothers and sisters is you hearts and minds, so that God's serving your God. mysteries may be unfolded to your If I your king work with my own hands view. to serve you, then shouldn't you do the I have not commanded you to come to same for one another? fear me, or to make you think I’m more And if I your earthly king (who serves than mortal. Like everyone else, I too, God by serving you), deserve thanks, am sometimes weak in body and mind. then how much more should you thank But I've been chosen by you your Heavenly King! and consecrated by my father Mosiah, If you gave God all the thanks and and I've been allowed to be your ruler praise that you could, for creating and and king. I've been saved by the Lord's protecting you, and for giving you matchless power to serve you with all reason to rejoice and live in peace, it would not be enough. 142 He lends you breath to live, to move I do this to rid my robes of your blood about, to do as you wish, supporting before I die --that I might die in peace you from moment to moment. and my immortal spirit join the choirs If you served Him with all your souls above in singing praises to a just God. forever, you could never do enough to I also need to tell you I can no longer profit Him. Yet all He requires of you is be your teacher nor your king. For even to keep His commandments. He has now, my whole body shakes while I promised you that if you obey His attempt to speak to you. But the Lord commands, you will prosper in the supports me, and He has commanded land. And you see that He has blessed me to tell you that my son Mosiah you. is now your king and ruler. But since He created you, giving you Now, my brothers and sisters, continue your life, you are still in debt to Him. to keep the Lord's commandments that He does not require payment for your my father, Mosiah, and I have given to life, but only for you to keep His you. commandments. When you do this, He Because you have been keeping these immediately pays you with blessings. commandments, you have prospered, Since you still owe Him for your life and have been protected from your no matter what you do, how can you enemies. boast? If you continue to keep God's Can you, yourselves, say you are great? commandments that will be given to No, you are no greater than the you by my son Mosiah, you will dust of the earth, for it was the continue to prosper in the land, and Creator's dust from which you were your enemies will never have power created. over you. Even I, whom you call your king, am But beware of contention among you, no better than you, for I, too, am made oh my people, which arise when you from dust. You see that I am old, and obey the evil spirit. There’s a curse am about to give up this mortal body to pronounced upon those who obey that its mother earth. spirit. I have asked you to gather here so If you have a knowledge of God's that I might be found blameless, so laws and transgress them, choosing to that your blood will not come upon me obey the evil spirit, and then die in your when I stand before God to be judged sins, your souls will not progress (will for the things I have done for you-- be damned). things that I have been commanded to All of you, except your little children, do. have been taught these things. You 143 know that after you have given your This will cause you to shrink from the Heavenly Father all the service and Lord's presence and will fill your heart substance He requires, you will still with guilt, pain and anguish, like an owe Him, never being able to fully unquenchable fire with flames that go repay. up forever and ever. You’ve also been taught from the brass Mercy has no claim on such a person. plates, which contain the ancient His final doom, or judgment, is to prophecies of the holy prophets down endure this never-ending torment. until the time our forefather Lehi left I have spoken plainly so that you may Jerusalem. all understand, both old and young You also know everything spoken by alike. Wake up and remember the awful our forefathers, who said what the Lord situation of those who have fallen into commanded them to say. This is why transgression. their words are just and true. But more than this, I want you to After having been taught all these consider the blessed and happy state of things and knowing they are true, if those who keep God's commandments. you go against them, then you They are blessed in all things, withdraw yourselves from the Lord's both temporal and spiritual. If they Spirit. Then you will no longer have are faithful to the end of their lives, Him as a guide to keep you on the they will be received into heaven to paths of wisdom, which lead you to live with God in a state of never-ending blessings prosperity and safety. happiness. Oh remember, remember If you go against what you know is that these things are true because the true, then you’re in open rebellion Lord God has spoken them.” against God, obeying the evil spirit. King Benjamin quotes an angel Then you become an enemy to all See Mosiah, Chapter 3 righteousness. Listen carefully, brothers and sisters, In this condition, the Lord cannot help because I have things to tell you of the you because He cannot send His Holy future. An angel from God told me Spirit to live in unholy temples. these things, saying, "Awake!" If you do not repent, but choose to I awoke and saw him before me, and he remain an enemy to God until you die, said, then the demands of divine justice will "Listen, because I have come to give suddenly awaken your immortal you news of great joy, for the Lord has should to a clear awareness of your heard your prayers and has judged you own guilt. to be righteous. You will rejoice with 144 your people when you give them this But there is great cursing upon those news. who do know God's will and rebel In not many years the Lord against it, for among such, only those Omnipotent, who reigns for all eternity, who repent and rely upon the Lord will come down from heaven with Jesus Christ will be saved. power among His people. He will live The Lord God has sent His holy in a mortal body, performing mighty prophets to give this news to all the miracles — healing the sick, raising the people of the world. Those who believe dead, causing the lame to walk, the in Christ and change their ways will be blind to receive their sight, the deaf to forgiven of their sins, and they may hear, and curing all types of diseases. rejoice as though Christ had already He will cast out the evil spirits that live come. in people's hearts. Because the Lord's covenant people -- He will suffer temptations, pain, the house of Israel --were stubborn, hunger, thirst and fatigue that would He gave them a lower law--the law of certainly kill an ordinary man. His Moses. He showed them many signs, suffering and anguish for the sins of wonders, types and shadows of His His people will be so great, He will coming. Their holy prophets also spoke sweat blood from all His pores. He will of His coming. be called Jesus Christ — the Son of But the children of Israel still hardened God --the Father of Heaven and Earth their hearts and did not understand that — the Creator of all things from the the law of Moses was given to prepare beginning. them to accept the atoning blood of His mother will be called Mary. He will Jesus Christ. come to save His own — those who It is impossible for little children to sin. have faith in Him. But after doing all Even if they could sin, the law of this for His chosen people, they will Moses could not save them. Because treat Him like an ordinary man, and Adam and Eve fell from God's say, 'He is possessed by a devil.' Then presence, all their children are in an they will whip and crucify Him. imperfect state. This is why Christ's After three days, He will rise from the blood will atone even for their little dead and stand to judge the world. He children. will do all this to qualify to make It is important to know there is no perfect judgment upon all people. His other name or way that can save blood will even atone for those who sin anyone other than Christ, the Lord in ignorance — those who die not Omnipotent, for His judgments are just. knowing God's will for them. 145 Infants who die are saved in His Standing before me, the angel kingdom because they are innocent. concluded, But those who know God's laws and "In the last days, all people refuse to humble themselves as throughout the world will know of children damn their own souls, for they the Savior. When that time comes, do not believe their salvation has only little children, and those who have always been through the atoning blood become like them through repentance of Christ, who is Lord over all things. and faith in the Lord God Omnipotent, Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, will be found innocent. all of their descendants are born into a When you have given your people the fallen, natural state. As mortals, with knowledge that the Lord your God natural desires to serve themselves, commanded you to give them, they will they are enemies to God forever. But if only become innocent in His sight if they allow the Holy Spirit to guide they have repented, with faith in them, rejecting their natural desires, their Savior." then they become saints through the I, Benjamin, have said everything the atonement of Christ the Lord. Lord God commanded me to say. The Lord said these words will stand as a bright testimony against this people on judgment day, when all will be judged according to the good or evil they have done. If they have done evil, they will see their own guilt and sins, which will cause them to cower in the Lord's presence. They will be in a state of misery and endless torment from which they cannot return having already damned their own souls. They become as submissive, meek, Mercy will never claim them, for they humble, patient and as full of love as will receive God's justice as Adam and children. They again become willing to Eve received (through the fall) for learn all the lessons that the Lord sees eating forbidden fruit. Their torment fit to teach them, as if they were again will be like a lake of fire and burning children. sulfur, with unquenchable flames and smoke rising up forever. 146 This is what the Lord commanded me sisters, my family and my people. to say. Listen and understand the rest of my The Spirit fills the words. The knowledge of the goodness People with joy! of God has made you realize your See Mosiah, Chapter 4 nothingness in your fallen state. You now know the goodness of God, His After King Benjamin finished quoting matchless power, wisdom, patience and the angel, he saw the multitude bowing His long-suffering toward all people. on the earth, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them. They had You know the atonement, planned realized that in their carnal state they from before the beginning of the world, were lower than the dust of the earth. brings salvation to those who trust the Lord and diligently keep His They all shouted with one voice, "Oh commandments throughout their lives. have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ to us, so our sins may This salvation is offered to Adam and be forgiven — that our hearts may Eve's descendants until the end of the be purified. world. This salvation, and the conditions for it, come only through Christ. • Believe in God, that He created all things in heaven and earth. • Believe He has all wisdom and power. • Believe we cannot comprehend what the Lord comprehends. • Believe you must leave your sinful ways and not go back to them. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of • Humble yourselves before God, God, who created heaven, the earth and sincerely asking the Lord to forgive all things, and who will come down you. among His people." • And if you believe these things, see that you do them. Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon I repeat, now that you know the glory them, and they were filled with joy, of God, His goodness, having tasted of having received a remission of their His love, having been forgiven, and sins and peace of conscience because having received His great joy, I want of their great faith in Jesus Christ, of you to remember His greatness and whom King Benjamin had spoken. your own nothingness. Then King Benjamin said to the Remember His goodness and multitude, "My friends, brothers and patience, humbling yourselves as 147 much as you can, praying to the Lord Anyone who does this has great need to daily with faith in Christ, who will repent or he or she will spiritually come. perish forever, having no place in If you do this, you will . . . God's kingdom. 1) Always rejoice and be filled with For we're all beggars! We all depend God's love. upon the same Being, even God, for all 2) Always retain a remission of your we have . . . food, clothing and all our sins. prosperity. 3) Grow in the knowledge of justice Today you've been calling on His and truth (the glory of your Creator). name, begging to have your sins taken 4) Live in peace and deal justly with away. Have you begged in vain? No, one another because you will lose because God poured out His Spirit on your desire to hurt anyone. you, and you could not even speak 5) Not let your children go hungry or because your hearts were filled with so be ill-clothed. much joy. 6) Teach your children to obey God’s God, the one on whom you depend for laws, that they may not serve the your lives, and for everything you have devil by fighting and arguing with and are, gives what you ask for, if you one another. ask in faith for what’s right, The devil is the master of sin, an believing you will receive. So how enemy to all righteousness. He is the much more should you give your evil spirit, of whom our forefathers substance to those in need? wrote. If you judge and condemn those who Teach your children to . . . ask you for substance just to survive, 1) Walk in the ways of truth. then you will be condemned for 2) Take God seriously. holding back. For what you think is yours is really God's, including 3) Love and serve one another. your life. Help those who need your help, and give your substance to those who need Yet while under this condemnation, do it. Do not turn away those who ask for you ask for God's forgiveness or your help, saying, change your ways? If you don’t, then you are cursed, because your substance This foolish man has brought on his will perish with you. own misery. I will not relieve his misery by giving him food or money. I’m speaking to those He deserves to suffer for his own who are rich in the mistakes. (compare Matthew things of the world. 8:20, 25:40) 148 And the poor who turn away the needy prompt his neighbor to sin by should say, becoming angry with him. 'I can’t help you today because I have I cannot tell you all the ways you can nothing to give, but if I had sin because there are too many. something, I’d give it to you.' But this I can tell you . . . If you who are poor feel this way in . . . if you do not watch your actions, your hearts, then you are guiltless. your words, and even your thoughts, Otherwise, you are condemned for not and keep God’s commands, having being willing in your hearts to give up faith in the coming of our Lord until things you don’t even have. the end of your lives, then you must perish spiritually. In order to be forgiven of your sins each day, walking guiltless before So remember these things, and do not God, give your substance to the poor. perish. From faith to Having more, the rich must give more. knowledge and covenants Having less, the poor will give less. See Mosiah, Chapter 5 After saying these things to his people, King Benjamin sent messengers among them to ask if they believed his words. All the people looked up at King Benjamin and shouted with one voice, "Yes, we believe everything you have told us. We know it’s the truth because the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent has brought about a mighty change in our Yet everyone must feed the hungry, hearts. clothe the ill-clothed, and visit and We no longer have any desire to do relieve the sick according to their evil, but only to do good continually. wants, both spiritual and temporal. We have seen what is coming through To obtain eternal life, it is necessary the infinite goodness of God and the to do these things. But you must do manifestations of His Spirit. them in wisdom and order, for you If necessary, we could prophesy are not required to give more than of all things. you are able. Because we first had faith in what you Whoever borrows something from his our king told us, we are now overjoyed neighbor and does not return it when to have a great knowledge of it promised commits sin. He may also ourselves! 149 We are willing to make a covenant lives. Those who do this will be found with our God to do His will, and to be at the right hand of God, with Christ. obedient to His commandments in all Those who are righteous will know things for the rest of our lives! their name, for they will be called, We do not want to bring a never ending The Children of Christ. torment upon ourselves and experience Those who do not take the name of God's wrath, as the angel described." Christ upon themselves must be called King Benjamin responded, by another name, and they will find "This is what I wanted to hear. The themselves on the left hand of God. covenant you have made is righteous. Children of Christ is the name I said I Because of the change made in your would give to you — a name that will hearts through faith in His name, and never be forgotten in your hearts, because of the covenant you have unless you sin. Remember to always keep this name written in your hearts so you will not be found on the left hand of God, so you will recognize His voice and know the name by which He will call you. For how can you know someone you have not served, a stranger to you, far from the thoughts and intentions of your heart?

made, you will be called The Children Does a shepherd keep his neighbor's of Christ, for today you have been goat? No. He will not even allow it to spiritually born of Him, and have feed among his sheep. He will drive it become His sons and daughters. out, away from his flock. Your fate will Only as Children of Christ can you be be like the goat's if you don't recognize made free, for no other name could free your Shepherd's voice, if you're not one you and save your souls from hell. of His sheep. Remember, all who have entered into Be strong and immovable, always this covenant with God should be doing good works. If you do this, then obedient to Him for the rest of their Christ the Lord God Omnipotent will 150 seal you His. Then you will be brought help them always remember the oath to heaven—to everlasting salvation and they had made. Then he dismissed the eternal life, through the wisdom, multitude, and they all returned to their power, justice and mercy of Him who homes with their families. created all things in heaven and earth, In the year 124 BC, at age thirty, who is God above all. Amen.” Mosiah began to reign in his father's Mosiah made king place. About 476 years had passed See Mosiah, Chapter 6 since Lehi had left Jerusalem. After speaking, King Benjamin felt it King Benjamin lived three more years necessary to write the names of all and then died in 121 BC. who had entered a covenant with God King Mosiah walked in the ways of the to keep His commands. Everyone in the Lord, observing His judgments, statutes multitude, except their little children, and commandments. He told his people had entered the covenant, taking the to farm the earth. Like his father, he name of Christ upon themselves. himself farmed so he would not be a burden to his people. 16 men search for their brethren See Mosiah, Chapter 7 After three years of peace, King Mosiah wanted to know about his people ( and his followers) who had gone to live in the city of Lehi- Nephi, for none of Mosiah's people had heard from them since they had left the land of Zarahemla 56 years prior (in 174 BC—- 20 years before Mosiah had been born). Mosiah's people constantly bothered him, asking permission to send out a Then King Benjamin consecrated his search party. King Mosiah finally son 36 year old son Mosiah to be a allowed 16 of their strong men to go ruler and king over his people, giving up to the land of Lehi-Nephi to learn him charge of everything concerning of their brethren. the kingdom. The next day the search party set off. Benjamin appointed priests to teach They were led by Ammon, a strong, God’s commandments to the people, to mighty man and a descendant of 151 Zarahemla. He and his men didn't know boldness, for I'm sure if you had known the way to the land of Lehi-Nephi, so me, you would not have had me bound. they wandered in the wilderness for 40 I am Ammon, a descendant of days. Zarahemla. I have come from there to Finally they camped on a hill, from discover what happened to our where they could see the land of brethren, whom your grandfather, Shilom to the south. From their camp, Zeniff, brought out of our land 56 years Ammon took three of his brethren, ago." , Helem and Hem. The When heard this he was very four went down into the land of happy and said, "Now I know for sure Nephi. Outside the city walls, they my brethren in the land of approached the king of the people in Zarahemla are yet alive! Now I will the land of Nephi and the city of rejoice, and tomorrow I will cause my Shilom. people to also rejoice! For at this time The king's guard quickly surrounded we're in bondage to the Lamanites, and captured them and threw them in paying them a high tax, which is very prison. After spending two days in difficult to do. prison, they were brought before the And now our fellow Nephites will king and untied. They stood before the deliver us from this Lamanite bondage, king and were ordered to answer his and we will be their slaves if they want questions. us to. For it's better to be slaves to The king said, "I am Limhi, son of Nephites than to pay tribute to the Noah. My grandfather, Zeniff, led Lamanite king!” people up out of the land of Zarahemla Then King Limhi told his guards to to inherit this land, which was once the untie Ammon and his brethren. Then land of our forefathers. After arriving Ammon and his men went up the hill here, the people he had led voted him north of Shilom to bring the rest of the to be their king. men down into the city, to eat, drink Now, why were you so bold as to come and rest from their long, hard journey. near the city walls when I was outside The next day, King Limhi sent a the gate with my guards? I could have proclamation among all his people, to had my guards kill you, but I wanted to assemble at the temple to hear him ask why you were so bold. You may speak. speak." After they had gathered, Limhi Then Ammon bowed before the king, said, "Oh my people, lift up your heads and upon rising said, "Oh king, I am and be comforted, for soon we will no very thankful before God to be alive, to longer be controlled by our enemies, in be allowed to speak. I will speak with 152 spite of all our futile resistance. I Yes, we do have great reason to mourn, believe we may yet be effective in our for many of our brethren have died in struggle. vain, all because of sinfulness. If this Lift up your heads, rejoice, and put people had not been so sinful, the Lord your trust in that God who is the God would not have allowed this great evil of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob — the to come upon us. But they would not same God who brought the children of listen to the Lord. Instead, they fought Israel out of the land of Egypt, to walk among themselves and killed one through the Red Sea on dry ground -- another. He who fed them with manna in the Before that war, they killed , a wilderness, who did many more things prophet of the Lord. He was a chosen for them. man of God, who told them of their Trust that same God who brought our great wickedness. He prophesied many fathers out of Jerusalem, who has kept things, and of the coming of Christ. He and preserved His people even until told them Christ was God, the Father of now. We know it's because of our all things, and that He would come sinfulness that He brought us into down among His people to take upon bondage. Himself a body of flesh and blood in the image of man, who was created in You're all witnesses today that my God's image. grandfather, Zeniff (who was made king over this people), was over- Because Abinadi said these things, they zealous to inherit the land of his killed him. They also did many other forefathers. Then he was deceived by things to bring God's wrath down upon the cunning, crafty King Laman, who them. This is why we're so sorely made a treaty with Zeniff, giving him afflicted and in bondage. For the Lord possession of part of the land — the has said, city of Lehi-Nephi, the city of Shilom 'I will not protect my people when they and the surrounding area. transgress. I will keep them from King Laman did this in order to bring prospering, and everything they do will Zeniff and his people into bondage. become a stumbling block before them. Even now we must pay a 50% annual If my people plant filthiness, then they tribute to King Laman of all our grain, will harvest its chaff in the whirlwind-- increase of flocks and herds, and of the east wind, which will affect them everything we own, or he will kill us. like poison, bringing immediate destruction.' Isn't this a terrible tax? Isn't our affliction great? What great reason we Now this promise of the Lord is have to mourn! fulfilled, and you are stricken and afflicted. But if you will turn to the 153 Lord with full purpose of heart, trusting my people, I sent 43 men into the and serving Him with all diligence of wilderness to find the land of mind, He will deliver you out of Zarahemla, to ask their fellow bondage according to His own will and Nephites to deliver us out of bondage. pleasure." These men became lost in the King Limhi presents wilderness for many days. They never Plates to Ammon found the land of Zarahemla, and See Mosiah, Chapter 8 returned home, having traveled King Limhi said many other things to through a land of many lakes and his people not written in this book, rivers. They discovered a land covered telling them of their fellow Nephites in with the bones of people and animals, Zarahemla. and with the ruins of all types of buildings. Then Limhi had Ammon tell them everything that had happened in The land had once been populated with Zarahemla over the l last 56 years, from as many people as the hosts of Israel. the time Zeniff left until Ammon and To prove their findings, my men his 15 companions went to search for brought back 24 plates of pure gold, them. filled with engravings. They also Ammon also repeated and explained brought large breastplates in perfect King Benjamin's last speech to King condition, made of brass and copper, Limhi's people so they would know and and rusty swords with the handles understand Benjamin's prophecies of rusted away. Christ. No one in this land is able to interpret After all this, King Limhi dismissed the the language engraved on the plates. multitude and they returned to their This is why I asked if you could homes. translate. If not, perhaps you know someone who can. Then Limhi brought a set of plates to Ammon which contained the record of I want these records to be translated his people from the time his into our language, for maybe they will grandfather Zeniff left the land of tell us about any of the survivors of Zarahemla. those who were destroyed, and from where these plates came. Or maybe the When Ammon finished reading this plates will tell us about the very people record, Limhi asked him if he could who were destroyed. I’m very curious interpret languages. Ammon told him to know how they were destroyed." he could not. Ammon replied, "I know of a man who Limhi then explained to Ammon, can translate ancient records by "Being grieved over the afflictions of simply looking at them through what 154 are called interpreters. This is a gift seek to be governed by wisdom. They from God. No man can look into them are like a wild flock running from the unless commanded to, or else he would shepherd, and once scattered, are look for what he should not, and perish. chased and eaten by wild animals." Whoever is commanded to look into 52 year history of Zeniff, them is called a seer, or one who sees. Which includes . . . The man who has this high gift from 12 years of peace in the land of Nephi God is King Mosiah, king of the people 18 years warring with the Lamanites of Zarahemla." 22 years of peace. Limhi said, "A seer must be greater See Mosiah, Chapter 9 than a prophet!" Now I, Mormon, will transcribe Ammon explained, "A seer is both a some of Zeniff's own writings revelator and a prophet. No man can (chapters 9-10) . . . have a greater gift from God unless he I, Zeniff, was taught both Nephite possesses God's power, which no man languages (Hebrew for speaking and can. But a man can be given great for engraving). power from God. I also knew of our forefather, Nephi, A seer can know the past and the and of the land that he and his people future. Through a seer, all things are had settled. revealed, secret things shown, and I was sent out to spy on the Lamanites hidden things brought light. God has who had taken over the land of Nephi provided this method for a man, — to see how our army could destroy through faith, to work mighty miracles them. But when I saw the good things and become a great benefit to his fellow they were doing, I did not want them to beings." die. King Limhi was overjoyed at hearing I returned to our camp, asking our this news. He thanked God, leader to make a treaty with the saying, "No doubt a great mystery is Lamanites. But instead of doing that, contained within these plates. These our leader, a strict, bloodthirsty man, interpreters must have been prepared ordered our men to kill me. I was for the purpose of unfolding all such spared because many disagreed with mysteries to all people. our leader, and a battle broke out Oh, how marvelous are the works of between fellow Nephites. the Lord! How long He suffers with Father fought against father and brother His people. against brother. Only fifty of us And how blind and dense people are in survived the battle, and we returned to their understanding, for they will not Zarahemla to tell the sad tale to the 155 wives and children of those who had Twelve years after our arrival, King been killed. Laman started getting restless, seeing And yet I, being over-zealous to inherit us grow stronger by the day. He knew the land of our fathers, gathered if he didn't overtake us soon, bringing many who also wanted to regain the us into bondage, it would soon be too land of our forefathers. late. We started out again on our journey The Lamanites were lazy and into the wilderness. We suffered with idolatrous. They wanted to bring us hunger and fatigue because we were into bondage so they could feast upon slow to remember the Lord our God. our flocks while we did all the work. This is why King Laman stirred up his After many days wandering around, we people to fight with mine, and we camped where our brethren had killed began to have wars in the land. one another, near the land of Nephi. After 18 years of warring, during the Then I went into the city with four of 13th year of my reign, in the southern my men. We went to ask the Lamanite part of Shilom, my people were king if I might go in with my people watering and feeding their flocks and and possess the land in peace. working their lands. All at once, a very Laman, the king, covenanted with me large Lamanite army attacked them and that I could possess the land of Lehi- began to kill them in their fields, taking Nephi and the land of Shilom. He even their flocks and corn. commanded his people to leave the My people ran from the army. Those land so that my people could take who were not overtaken ran to the city possession of it. of Nephi, calling upon me for After coming into the land, we began to protection! I armed them with bows construct buildings and to repair the and arrows, swords, scimitars, clubs, city walls of Lehi-Nephi and Shilom. slings and with all the weapons we We farmed the land and could invent. Then I went out with my raised corn, wheat, barley and other people to battle the Lamanites. crops. We also planted all types of fruit Note: a scimitar is a sword with a short, from seeds, and began to multiply and curved one-edged blade. prosper in the land. We went with the strength of the Lord But from the beginning, King Laman against them, for we all cried mightily was being crafty, planning to bring my to Him to deliver us from our enemies, people into bondage. This is why he remembering how our forefathers had gave us the lands so easily. been delivered. God heard our cries and answered our prayers. We went forth in His 156 might against the Lamanites. In one Knowing their plans, we hid our day and night we killed 3,043 of them women and children in the wilderness. and drove the rest out of our land. I All our young and old men who were helped bury them. able-bodied were armed and placed in And to our great sorrow, 279 of our ranks according to age. Then we fought brethren had been killed (an 11 to 1 kill the Lamanites. rate). Even I Zeniff in my old age (most Nephites rely on likely around 75 years old) fought. We God for strength went to battle strengthened by the See Mosiah, Chapter 10 Lord. After this war, we established our The Lamanites were ignorant of the kingdom again in peace. I told my Lord and of His strength. They people to make every kind of weapon depended on their own strength, being to be used if the Lamanites attacked us strong as to the strength of men, and again. I set guards around the land to they were wild, ferocious and blood- watch for Lamanites and to protect my thirsty. people and my flocks, and we They believed in the false traditions of continued to live in the land of our their forefathers, , forefathers for an additional 22 years. who had taught their children Lehi's Our men continued to farm the land, sins had caused him and his family to raising all types of grain and fruit, and be thrown out of Jerusalem. They our women spun all types of cloth and taught their children they had been fine linen. We peacefully prospered in treated badly by Nephi in the the land during those 22 years. wilderness and while crossing the Then King Laman died, and his son ocean. began to reign in his stead. He Laman and Lemuel had also taught encouraged his people to rebel against their children they were wronged after my people and to prepare for war again. arriving in the land of their first I had sent spies around the land of inheritance. Shemlon to find out what the The truth was Nephi was favored by Lamanites were doing. My spies saw a the Lord who heard and answered his very large Lamanite army coming into prayers because he had been more northern Shilom, armed with bows and faithful in keeping the Lord's arrows, swords, scimitars, stones and commandments. This is also why slings. They had shaved their heads and Nephi had been Laman and Lemuel's wore nothing but a leather loincloth. leader during their wilderness journey. 157 Laman and Lemuel had hated Nephi Then we returned to our land, and my because they had not understood how people tended their flocks and raised the Lord deals with His people. food again. They were angry with Nephi because Since I was growing old, I conferred they hardened their hearts against the the kingdom upon one of my sons, Lord while crossing the ocean. They Noah. This is all that I will engrave. still hated Nephi upon arriving in the May the Lord bless my people. promised land, saying he had taken the Zeniff’s son Noah is corrupt, leadership of the people away from Abinidi cries repentance them, and they had planned to kill him. See Mosiah, Chapter 11 They hated Nephi because the Lord had Now I, Mormon, will continue to write told him to take the brass plates and about Zeniff's people while referring to depart into the wilderness. Because he the records of King Benjamin and his did this, they said Nephi had robbed son Mosiah (chapters 11-22). them. did not follow the ways of Laman and Lemuel taught their his father Zeniff. Rather than keep children this eternal hatred toward God's commandments, Noah followed Nephi and his followers. They taught the desires of his own heart. He had their children to murder, rob and many wives and mistresses. He also plunder the Nephites, and to do allowed his people to commit adultery everything in their power to destroy and other sins offensive to the Lord. them. He imposed a 20% tax on everything This is why King Laman deceived me the people owned and acquired. This with his cunning, lying craftiness and meant his people had to give fair promises. All he wanted was to him 20% of all their gold, silver, bring my people into this land so he copper, brass, iron, cattle, sheep and could destroy them. And we have grain. suffered for many years in this land. Noah did this to support himself, his I Zeniff told all these things to my priests, and all their wives and people to motivate them to fight with mistresses. He completely changed the their might while putting their trust in way the kingdom was run, replacing all the Lord. the humble priests his father had Then we fought the Lamanites face to consecrated with new, proud ones. face. We drove them out of our land Noah and his priests were supported in again, killing too many of them to their laziness, materialism and count. immorality by Noah's high taxes, which the people worked hard to pay. 158 Soon the people had also become Noah told his people to plant vineyards materialistic, being deceived by the and build wine-presses in order to make vain and flattering words of their king lots of wine. He and his people soon and his priests. became drunkards. King Noah built many elegant and Then small groups of Lamanites began spacious buildings, finely decorated to attack his people, killing them in with wood and precious metals. Noah their fields. King Noah responded by had a spacious palace built with a posting guards around the land, but not throne in the middle of it. This palace enough, so the Lamanites killed the was lavishly decorated with precious guards and stole the people's flocks. metals and woodwork. This is how the Lamanites in their Noah also hired fine craftsman to hatred began to destroy the Nephites decorate the inside of the temple with under King Noah's reign. wood, copper and brass. The seats for After these attacks, King Noah sent out the high priests, trimmed with pure armies who drove the Lamanites back gold, were placed above the other seats. and then returned, boasting of their A pulpit was built for them to lean on victory. They were very and to rest their arms while they spoke proud, boasting in their own strength, vain and lying words to the people. saying 50 of them could fight King Noah had a very high tower built thousands of Lamanites. They next to the temple, upon which he delighted in war because of their could overlook all the surrounding wicked king and his priests. lands, including his land of Shilom and Then a man named Abinadi (Ah-bin- the Lamanite land of Shemlon. ah-dee) went among the people and With the tax money, Noah ordered began to prophesy . . . many buildings to be built in Shilom "The Lord has commanded me to tell and a great tower to be built on a hill you that you are cursed, for He has north of Shilom. That hill had once seen your great sins, wickedness and been a hiding place for the Nephites' immorality. forefathers when fleeing from their Unless you repent, He will visit you in lands. His anger. Unless you repent, and turn Note: "fleeing the land of Nephi” (Omni 1:12-13) to the Lord your God, He will deliver you into the hands of your enemies, Noah loved his riches and spent his who will afflict you and bring you into time in riotous living with his wives bondage. Then you will know that the and mistresses. His priests also spent Lord is your God, that He demands their time with prostitutes. 159 loyalty, and that He punishes the sins of Abinadi’s warnings rejected His people. See Mosiah, Chapter 12 Unless you repent and turn to the Two years later, Abinadi came among Lord, you will be brought into them again, this time in disguise, bondage, and no one but the Lord the saying, Almighty God will be able to deliver "The Lord commanded me, you. 'Abinadi, go and prophesy to my Then when you cry to the Lord, He will people, for they have hardened their be slow to hear you, and He will allow hearts against my words. They have not repented of their evil doings, so I will your enemies to keep afflicting you. visit them in my fierce anger.' And then unless you repent in the This generation is cursed, for the Lord depths of humility, crying mightily to said to me, the Lord your God, He will not hear 'Stretch forth your hand and prophesy: your prayers, nor will He deliver you." Thus saith the Lord, this generation After Abinadi said this to the people, will be brought into bondage because they became angry with him and tried of their sins. They will be slapped in to kill him, but the Lord delivered him the face, driven by their enemies and out of their hands. When King Noah killed. heard what Abinadi had said, he was very angry and said, Vultures, dogs and wild animals will eat their carcasses. King Noah's life "Who does Abinadi think he is, judging will be as worthless as an old coat my people? And who is the Lord, burned in a furnace. And at that time, saying He will afflict my people? he will know I am the Lord. Then I will Guards, bring Abinadi to me. He is afflict my people with drought, famine trying to stir up my people to fight and pestilence, and they will suffer. among themselves. For doing this, he will die!" I will allow burdens to be placed on their backs, and they will be driven like Because the people had been blinded dumb mules. I will send hail and the to the truth, they would not listen to east wind to afflict them. Insects will Abinadi. They were determined to find eat their grain, and I will afflict them and kill him, but he could not be found. with a great pestilence. King Noah also hardened his heart I will do all this because of their great against the Lord's word, not repenting sinfulness. If they will not repent after of his evil deeds. all this, I will completely destroy them off the face of the earth. 160 But they will leave their record, which I And now, oh King, what great evil have will preserve for future nations that will you done, and what great sins have possess their lands. By reading their your people committed to deserve this record, these future nations will be man's judgment and God's given a vivid warning not to repeat condemnation? This man has lied about you and has prophesied in vain. We know how strong we are. We will not come into bondage or be captured by our enemies. You have prospered in the land and will continue to prosper. Here is the man. We deliver him into your hands to do whatever you wish with him." their sins.'" King Noah had Abinadi This is how Abinadi prophesied against put in prison and then called his priests the people, and they became angry with together to counsel with him. The him again. They tied him, carried him priests told King Noah they wanted to to King Noah and said, question Abinadi, so the king had him brought before them. The priests began "This man has prophesied evil about to question Abinadi so they could your people, saying, 'God will destroy accuse him of some crime. But to their all of you'. He has prophesied about astonishment, Abinadi answered their you, saying, 'King Noah's life will be as questions boldly, confounding them. worthless as an old coat that is burned.' Then one of the priests asked Abinadi, He said your burned body will be like a "What do these written words mean dry stalk of corn that is trampled by that have been taught by our people and animals--that your ashes forefathers? will be like ripe thistle blossoms blowing in the wind across the land. He 'How beautiful will be the sight of him pretends the Lord has said these things among the nations — he who will bring to him, and that all this will come upon good news, announcing peace and you, oh King, unless you repent. salvation, who will say to Zion, "Your God reigns." 161 Your watchmen will sing aloud understanding. This is why you are not together, for they will be equal when wise. What do you teach this people?" the Lord establishes Zion. The priests replied, "We teach the law Break forth in joy, singing together, of Moses." you who are in the war-ravished places Abinadi responded, "If you teach the of Jerusalem, for the Lord has law of Moses, then why don't you keep comforted His people and has it? Why do you set your hearts upon redeemed you. riches? Why do you commit adultery He has shown His great power as all with prostitutes, causing this people to the nations watched, and throughout the also commit sin? earth, all will yet see the salvation of This is why the Lord has sent me to our God.'"

Abinadi answered, prophesy a great evil against this "How can you call yourselves priests? people. Do you know I speak the truth? You pretend to teach this people, and Yes, you do know, and you should be pretend to understand the spirit of trembling before God. prophecy — yet you ask me what that Soon you will be stricken for your means? If you do understand these sinfulness, for you have said you teach things, you certainly do not teach them. the law of Moses, but you know Because of this, you have distorted the nothing about it. Does salvation come Lord's ways and you are cursed! In by the law of Moses? What do you your hearts you have not desired say?" 162 They answered salvation does come by Moses' face shone while he spoke with the law of Moses. the Lord on Mt. Sinai. Then Abinadi said, "I know you will be With God's power and authority, saved if you keep the commandments Abinadi continued, "Now that you the Lord gave to Moses on Mt. Sinai, realize you do not have the power to saying, kill me, I will finish my message. 'I am the Lord thy God who has I know my words cut you to the brought you out of bondage in Egypt. center of your hearts, for they testify of Worship no God but me. Do not create your sins. My words fill you with images for worship that look like wonder, amazement, and anger! anything in heaven or on earth.'" After I deliver my message to you, it Abinadi then asked, "Have you obeyed will not matter where I go, as long as these commandments and taught this my soul is saved. But whatever you do people to also obey them? No, you with me will be a type and shadow of have not." the future. Abinadi questions the priests Now I will read the rest of God's See Mosiah, Chapter 13 commandments. I see that they are not Upon hearing this, Noah said to his written in your hearts because you have priests, "Why do you keep this crazy studied and taught sin for most of your man around? Take him away and kill lives. The Lord said, him!" 1. Do not create images for your The priests stepped forward to take worship that look like anything in hold of Abinadi, but he boldly said to heaven, on earth, or in the water. them, "Do not touch me! God will 2. Do not worship them, for I the Lord strike you if you do, for I have not yet thy God demand loyalty. My judgments delivered the Lord’s message to you will come against those who hate me, nor explained Isaiah's words as you even until their third and fourth asked me to. Until I do this, God will generations. But I will show mercy to not allow me to be killed. For I must thousands of the descendants of those fulfill the commandments that God has who love me and keep my given me. commandments. Noah, because I told you the truth, 3. Do not take the Lord's name in vain, speaking God's words, you are angry because He will not consider those who with me and say that I am crazy." do that to be guiltless. Because the Lord's Spirit was upon 4. Remember to keep the Sabbath day Abinadi, no one dared touch him. His holy. Do all your work in six days, but face shone very brightly, the way on the seventh day, the Sabbath of the 163 Lord thy God, do not do any work --not It was necessary for the Lord to give you, your son, daughter, servants, the children of Israel a very strict law cattle, nor your guests. The Lord made because they were stubborn, quick to heaven, earth, the sea and everything in sin, and slow to remember the Lord them in six days. Then the Lord blessed their God. If this strict, daily law of the seventh day--the Sabbath, making it performances and ordinances had not holy. been given them, they would not have 5. Honor your father and mother. If remembered God and their duty to you do this, the Lord your God will Him. give you a long life upon the land of All of their performances and your inheritance. ordinances were types of things to 6. Do not kill. come. 7. Do not commit adultery. But did the children of Israel understand the law? No. Most of 8. Do not steal. them did not understand it because of 9. Do not lie about your neighbor. their pride, which kept them from 10. Do not covet your neighbor's realizing they could only be saved spouse, nor anything that belongs to through God's redemption. your neighbor." Moses prophesied to them about the After saying this, Abinadi asked Noah's coming of the Messiah, that God would priests, "Have you taught the people to redeem His people. keep these commands? All of the prophets since the world No, you have not, for if you had, the began have said the same. They have Lord would not have sent me to all said God Himself would come prophesy evil about this people. down among His people, take the form You said salvation comes by the law of of a man, and go forth in mighty power Moses. I tell you it is necessary to keep upon the face of the earth. All the the law of Moses for now, but in the prophets said He would be oppressed future it will not be necessary to keep and afflicted, then bring to pass the it. resurrection of the dead.” Abinadi’s warnings rejected Salvation does not come by the law of See Mosiah, Chapter 14 Moses alone, for if the atonement were not made by God Himself for the "Even Isaiah said, sins of His people, they would all die 'Who has had faith in my revelations, spiritually — even after keeping the which faith allows the Lord to show law of Moses! His power--to reveal His arm on their behalf? For Jesus Christ will grow up 164 before the Father like a tender plant, He will not be put in prison nor receive like a root coming out from dry ground. a fair trial. He will look like any other man, so And after He is dead, having been the people will not accept Him as their killed for my people's sins, who will be Savior. He will be despised and called His children? rejected, and will become a man of He will be buried among the wicked sorrow, acquainted with grief. and the rich, even though He will do no The people will turn away from Him, evil nor speak deceitfully to anyone. considering Him to be of little worth. The Savior will be bruised and will Surely He will bear the grief and grieve. sorrow for our sins, but the people will The Father will offer His Son, who will think it’s God who is smiting and live again to see His children. For the afflicting Him. He will be wounded for Father will witness and be satisfied our transgressions, bruised for our sins, with the travail of His Son's soul. chastised for our peace, and whipped By His knowledge, the Savior will that we might be healed. justify many, for He will bear the sins All of us are like sheep gone astray. of His people. Because the Son will Because we have gone our own way, pour out His soul and be killed, and the Lord will take all our sins upon will make an intercession for our sins, Himself. the Father will give Him an inheritance among the great. And in turn, the Son will give an inheritance to His children.' Note: Concerning this inheritance, see D&C 84:37-38 Abinadi explains Isaiah See Mosiah, Chapter 15 I want you to know God Himself will come down among His people to redeem them. Because He will have a mortal body, He will be called the Son of God. And because He will do the Father's will in Oppressed and afflicted, He will not the flesh, He will be called the Father. speak, but will be silent like a lamb And again, because He will brought to the slaughter. be conceived by the power of God, He will be called the Father. And because 165 He will be partly mortal, He will be He will break the bands of death and called the Son. go into heaven with mercy and And this is how the Father and His Son compassion toward all people, standing are one God, the very Eternal Father of between, them and justice. Heaven and Earth. And who will be called His children? As the Son in the flesh submits to the After offering His body and spirit for Holy Spirit, His desires become the sin, He will see His children, whom He desires of the Father, and the Savior has spiritually borne. And who do you will not give in to temptation. think His children will be? Note: The Children of Christ He will allow Himself to be mocked, Mosiah 5:7, 26:18, 24 scourged, thrown out and disowned by They will be those who believe the His people. holy prophets, who prophesy the Lord After suffering all this, and after will come to redeem His people. They working many mighty miracles among will be those who look forward to Him His people, He will be led, as Isaiah for a remission of their sins, patiently said, waiting to inherit God's kingdom. For Christ will bear the sins of His people and die for them to redeem them from their transgressions. These people are called, The Children of Christ All the holy prophets who have spoken of Christ since the world began are also His children, for they have published peace, bringing good news of salvation 'Like a lamb to the slaughter, to be to Zion, saying, 'Your God reigns!' crucified and slain,' giving up His will to the will of His Father. This is how God will break the bands of death and gain victory over it. He will give the Son the power to intercede on our behalf — to plead our cause through His mercy. The Savior will be able to do this because He will take the sins of all people upon Himself, redeeming them and satisfying the demands of justice. 166 The sight of them will be beautiful the Lord has never redeemed those among the nations. Those who who have willfully rebelled against continue to publish peace will also be Him and died in their sins — those who beautiful to see among the nations! knew His commandments and refused And again, those who publish peace to keep them. from now until all eternity will be Such people will have no part in the beautiful among the nations! first resurrection. This is why you But this is not all. For how beautiful it should tremble. For salvation cannot will be to see the Lord among the come to you in your condition. The nations, who will redeem His people, Lord cannot deny Himself by granting them salvation, and bringing redeeming men such as you when good news as the founder of their justice has its rightful claim on you. peace. In the last days, the Lord's salvation Without the redemption of Christ, will be declared to every nation, tribe which was planned from the beginning and people, in all languages. The of the world, everyone would die and Lord's watchmen — His righteous never rise again. But the bands of servants --will sing aloud together, for death will be broken, and the Son will they will be one when the Lord again reign with power over the dead, brings Zion. bringing to pass their resurrection! Then it will be declared (Abinadi The first to be resurrected will be the quoting Isaiah again), righteous who lived before Christ. The 'You in the war-ravished places of first resurrection will also also include Jerusalem, break forth into joy, singing prophets and all who believed and kept together, for the Lord has comforted God’s commandments. They will be and redeemed you. All have seen the raised to live with their Redeemer and Lord show His great power, and now have eternal life through Christ's the people from all parts of the earth redemption. will yet see His salvation!’ Those who die in ignorance of Christ, Abinadi tells the fate who have not had salvation preached to of the wicked them, will also be redeemed by the See Mosiah, Chapter 16 Lord and be a part of the first Then Abinadi stretched out his hand resurrection — will have eternal life. and said, "The time will come when all And little children who die also have the people of the earth, in every eternal life. nation, tribe, and of every But you priests should be trembling language, will witness the Lord's before God, for since the world began salvation. They will understand the 167 truth together, and they will confess made, because like the devil, they will before God that His judgments are just. be God's enemies. After this, the wicked will be cast If Christ does not come to earth, there out to their own place. They will have will be no redemption from sin. good reason to moan, cry, wail and If Christ does not rise from the dead, clench their teeth, for they will not be breaking the bands of death and gaining redeemed, having ignored the Lord's a victory over the grave, there will be voice. no resurrection. After they die, the wicked will still be carnal and devilish, and the devil will still have power over them. After the devil deceived Adam and Eve, they fell into this lower world. This is why their But there will be a redemption and a resurrection! The grave will not have the final victory because Christ will come. He is the light and life of the world, putting an end to darkness and death forever. Because of Christ, all people will be resurrected and then brought to stand before the bar of God, to be judged by descendants are carnal, sensual and Him according to their good or evil devilish when without God's Spirit. works. If their works were good, they And in this fallen state, we would all be will be resurrected to endless life and lost forever if God did not redeem us. happiness. If their works were evil, But all who choose to remain in their they will be resurrected to endless fallen state, to be controlled by their damnation, which is to become one of own carnal nature, going the way of sin the devil's subjects. and rebellion against God, will remain The damned will have lived on earth in the devil's power. For them it will according to their own carnal wills be as if no redemption had ever been and desires - having never prayed to the Lord while His arms of mercy were 168 extended to them — having never people. If you do not recall all your evil repented after being warned. words about me and my people, you You priests should now tremble and will die!" repent of your sins, remembering you Abinadi responded, "I will not recall can only be saved in and through my words, for they are true. I allowed Christ. you to capture me so you will know for If you teach the law of Moses, then sure my words are true. If necessary, I teach it's a symbol of things to come. will die, but no matter what happens to Teach redemption comes through me, my words will stand as a Christ the Lord, the very Eternal testimony against you! Father of our salvation.” If you kill me, you will shed innocent Alma defends Abinadi blood, and this will also stand as a See Mosiah, Chapter 17 testimony against you at the last day." After Abinadi finished speaking, King These words were so powerful to King Noah commanded the priests to take Noah, he became afraid of God's him away and kill him. But one of judgments, and he was about to let Noah's young priests, Alma, a Abinadi go. But the priests objected, descendant of Nephi, believed accusing Abinadi, exclaiming, Abinadi's testimony of their sinfulness. "He has reviled the king!” Alma pled with King Noah to not be Then Noah became angry again and angry with Abinadi, but to let him go in delivered Abinadi to the priests. peace. This just made Noah even more furious. He had Alma thrown out and sent his servants after him to kill him, but Alma escaped and hid. During the next several days in hiding, Alma wrote down everything Abinadi had said. After throwing Alma out, King Noah told his guards to surround Abinadi, to tie him and throw him in prison. After three days, and after counseling with his priests, King Noah called for Abinadi and said to him, "We have found you guilty of a crime punishable by death, for you have said God The priests took Abinadi, tied him, and Himself will come down among the burned him with dried wood. When the 169 flames began to scorch him, Abinadi where many wild animals came during cried out, "Your children will burn certain times of the year. others who believe in the salvation of In this place, Alma lived near a pure the Lord their God. And you will be spring. During the day he hid in a small afflicted with all types of diseases thicket of trees near the spring while because of your sinfulness. the king's men searched for him. The You will be killed and scattered like a believers came to this place to hear wild flock driven by wolves. Your Alma speak. children will be hunted and After many days, all the believers, now captured by your enemies, and finally a large group, had come to hear Alma. suffer, as I do, the pains of death by He preached repentance, redemption fire. God will execute vengeance upon and faith in the Lord. He said, those who destroy His people. Oh God, "Here are the . And receive my soul." here you have come to enter the fold of Note: Abinadi's prophecies of the priests' descendants being hunted and killed by God. You desire to be called His people fire was fulfilled. (see Alma 25:3-8) and are willing to bear one another's After saying this, Abinadi fell, having burdens, making them light. suffered death by fire. He was You are willing to mourn with those murdered because he would not deny who mourn, comfort those who need God's commandments, and he sealed comfort, and stand as witnesses of God the truth of his words by his death. at all times, in all things, and in all Alma teaches outside the city places for the rest of your lives. You See Mosiah, Chapter 18 desire this so you may be redeemed by Alma, who had repented of his sins, God and rise in the first resurrection to went secretly among the people, eternal life. teaching Abinadi's words. Since this is the desire of your hearts, Many believed as he taught of the do you have anything against being resurrection and redemption that would baptized in the name of the Lord, as a come through the power, suffering and witness before Him that you have death of Christ, who would be entered a covenant to serve Him and resurrected, and then go up into heaven. keep His commandments, that He may pour out His Spirit upon you even Alma taught in private so King Noah more?" would not discover him. When the people heard this, they The people who believed Alma met in a clapped their hands for joy, place called Mormon, named by King exclaiming, "This is the desire of our Noah. This was a place outside the city hearts!" 170 baptized another man, but this time he did not go under the water himself. In the same way, Alma baptized everyone who had come, about 204 of them, and they were all filled with the grace of God. From then on they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ. All who were baptized by the power and authority of God were added to His church. Then Alma, having authority from God, ordained one priest for every fifty people in the church, to teach them of God's kingdom. Alma commanded the priests to teach only what he had taught — things the Then Alma went into the water with holy prophets had spoken — Helam, one of the first believers, and repentance and faith in the Lord who cried, "Oh Lord, pour out Thy Spirit would redeem His people. upon Thy servant, that he may do this Alma also commanded them not to work with holiness of heart." argue, but to have one faith and one After saying this, the Lord's Spirit came baptism, with their hearts knit together upon Alma. He said, "Helam, having in unity and love for one another. authority from the Almighty God, I By preaching this way, Alma's people baptize you as a testimony that you were taught, and they became the have entered a covenant to serve Him children of God. Alma commanded for the rest of your life. them to keep the Sabbath day holy and May the Lord's Spirit be poured out give thanks to the Lord their God each upon you, and may God grant you day. He also commanded the priests to eternal life through the redemption of work to support themselves. Christ, whom He has prepared from the One day a week was set apart for the foundation of the world." people to gather and worship the Lord After saying this, both Alma and Helam their God and to be taught. They also went under the water. They arose and met at other times during the week came out of the water rejoicing and when they could. filled with the Spirit. Then Alma 171 The priests did not depend on tothers These things were done on the borders for their support. As compensation for outside the land so that King Noah their service they received God's grace, would not know of them. But the king which made them strong in Spirit and discovered this movement and sent out gave them a knowledge of God, his spy servants to find them. On the enabling them to teach with power and day Alma's people were gathered to be authority from Him. taught, they were discovered by the Alma commanded everyone in the spies. church to give of their substance Upon hearing his servants' report, King according to what they had. If some Noah claimed Alma was stirring up the had more, they gave more, while the people to rebel against him, so he sent poor were to give less, and all were to his army to destroy them. give to those with nothing. They were Alma and the Lord's people (about 450 taught to give by their own free will of them, including 204 newly baptized) and good desires toward God. were informed the king's army was They gave to the needy priests, who coming, so they took their tents and spent much of their time building the families and escaped into the church, and also to anyone needing wilderness. food or clothing. Alma said it was a Noah’s power collapses commandment of God to give to one See Mosiah, Chapter 19 another, both temporally and The king's army returned, having spiritually, according to the needs and searched for the Lord's people in vain. wants among them. Noah's army was small, and the rest of his people began to be divided among themselves. The minority were those who threatened the king. Among them was Gideon, a strong man who hated the king. He drew his sword and vowed in his anger he would kill King Noah. Gideon fought with Noah, and when Noah realized he could not beat Gideon, he ran and climbed to the top All this happened in the forest near the of his tower near the temple. waters of Mormon, a beautiful place to Note: Contrary to King Noah's depiction those who there found their as a very obese man, as illustrated in Redeemer. And how blessed they are, Arnold Frieberg's well-known painting, for they will sing His praise forever. Noah was most likely in good physical 172 condition. He Note: A few years later in Zarahemla, the was able to first abandoned Nephite children of these engage Gideon fathers who ran with Noah disowned their in a vigorous fathers' names and named themselves sword fight, “Nephi, the children of Nephi.” then run from (Mosiah 25:13) Gideon and climb to the The fathers who stayed with their wives top of his and children had their fair daughters tower without being overtaken. Moments later he climbed down his tower and ran stand and plead with the Lamanites to ahead of his people into the wilderness. not kill them. The Lamanites had Gideon chased Noah and was about to compassion on the people, being climb the tower to kill him, when from atop the tower, King Noah looked toward the land of Shemlon and saw an approaching Lamanite army. He cried out in the anguish of his soul, "Gideon, spare me, for the Lamanites charmed by their beautiful women. But are coming to kill my people!" the Lamanites still captured them and Gideon knew King Noah was more forced them to return to the land of concerned about his own life than his Nephi. They allowed them to keep their people, but he spared King Noah lands on these two conditions. anyway. First, they had to bring King Noah to Noah then commanded his people to them. run from the Lamanites. Then he ran Second, they had to pay an annual 50% ahead of his people into the wilderness. tribute to the Lamanite king . . . half of As the Lamanites began to catch up everything they owned, and half of with Noah's people and kill them, Noah what they would produce each year. commanded the men to leave their Among Noah's captured sons was families behind and run with him. Limhi. He didn't want his father to die, Many fathers disobeyed the king, but being a just man himself, he knew preferring to die with their families his father had been very sinful. rather than leave them behind. The rest Gideon sent spies into the wilderness to of the fathers ran with Noah. find King Noah and his followers. They found the men who had run away from 173 their families with the king, but they establish his people's kingdom in did not find the king and his priests. peace. The men who had gone with the king The Lamanite king set guards around had sworn in their hearts they would their land to keep Limhi's people from return to the land of Nephi, and if their escaping into the wilderness. These wives, children and men who had guards were supported by part of the stayed behind had been killed, they Nephite tribute. would seek revenge, even if they had to King Limhi had peace in his kingdom die in the process. for two years because the Lamanites Noah had commanded them not to were pacified by the tribute and did not return, but they had heard enough and hurt them. put him to death by fire. They would Noah’s priest cause a war have also killed his priests if they had See Mosiah, Chapter 20 not escaped. Just as they were about to return to the land of Nephi, they met Gideon's spies, who told them their wives and children had been spared and the Lamanites had let them keep their land if they would pay a 50% tribute. The men told Gideon's spies they had killed Noah, and that his priests had escaped into the wilderness. After a peace ceremony with Gideon's men, they returned to the land Now there was a place in Shemlon of Nephi. They rejoiced because their where the Lamanites' daughters wives and children had been spared, gathered to sing, dance and make and they told Gideon they had killed themselves merry. One day, a small the king. number of them had gathered to sing and dance. Then the Lamanite king made an oath that his people would not kill them. King Noah's priests had been hiding in the wilderness, too ashamed and Because Limhi was the king's son, the afraid for their lives to return to their kingdom was conferred upon him by wives and children in the city of Nephi. the people. He made an oath to the Lamanite king his people would pay While wandering in the wilderness, the 50% tribute. Then Limhi began to they had discovered the Lamanites' 174 daughters and secretly watched them. Limhi responded, “We will not kill When only 24 of them had gathered to him. Bring him closer, so I may see dance, they came out of their hiding him.” places and carried them off. Limhi then asked the bound Lamanite When the Lamanites found out their king, "Why did you come to war daughters were missing, they were against my people? My people have not angry with Limhi's people, thinking broken the oath I made to you, so why they had taken them. In his anger, the have you broken the oath you made Lamanite king led his army to the land with us?" of Nephi to destroy Limhi's people. The king replied, "I broke the oath and From the top of his tower, Limhi saw came to war against your people them coming. He gathered his people, because they carried away my people's and they hid in the fields and forests, daughters." waiting for the Lamanites. When they Limhi had heard nothing about this, so came near, Limhi's people attacked the he said, "I will search among my Lamanites and began to kill them. people, and whoever has done this will The battle became fierce as the die." Nephites fought like lions for their When Gideon, now the king's captain, prey. Though they were outnumbered heard this, he said to King Limhi, by more than two to one, Limhi's "Please do not search our people or people drove the Lamanites before them. They fought like dragons for their own lives, and for their wives and children. After the battle, they found the Lamanite king among the fallen, but he was not dead. His army had run away so fast, they had left him to die, wounded on the ground. Limhi's men bandaged his wounds, brought him before Limhi, and blame them. said, “Here’s the Lamanite king, Remember your father's priests, whom wounded and abandoned by his army. we searched for to destroy? It must be Let’s kill him!" those priests, still in the wilderness, who stole the Lamanites' daughters! 175 Tell this to the Lamanite king so he will The bondage of Limhi’s people pacify his people toward us, for the Mosiah, Chapter 21 Lamanites are now preparing to attack After many days, the Lamanites us, and we can’t keep holding them off became angry with the Nephites again with our small numbers. and surrounded their borders. The Unless the king pacifies his people, his Lamanites did not dare kill the great army will kill us all! You see, the Nephites because of their king's oath to Lord’s words spoken by Abinadi are Limhi, but they exercised all the beginning to be fulfilled because we did authority they could against them as not listen to him and repent. cruel taskmasters. They slapped their Let’s pacify the king and keep our oath faces, made them do hard labor and with him, for it’s better to be in drove them like dumb mules. bondage than die. Let's do this and put The Lord allowed this as fulfillment of an end to so much bloodshed." His word. The Nephites' suffering Limhi took Gideon's advice and told became great, and there was no way the king about his father's priests who they could escape, for they were had run away into the wilderness, who surrounded. Limhi's people began to must have been the ones who stole their complain to him, and they asked him if daughters. they could fight the Lamanites. Hearing this, the Lamanite king was Because Limhi was constantly harassed pacified toward Limhi's people and by their complaining, he allowed them said, “Let's go out and meet my people to do as they wished. Then they put on unarmed. I swear to you with an oath their armor and went out against the my people will not kill your people." Lamanites to drive them out of their land. But the Lamanites beat them, Then unarmed, Limhi's people drove them back, and killed many of followed the Lamanite king and went them. out to meet the Lamanites. Upon meeting them, the Lamanite king After this, there was great mourning bowed himself down before them and and lamentation among Limhi's people. pled in behalf of Limhi's people. They mourned for their lost husbands, fathers and brothers. There were a great Upon seeing the unarmed Nephites, the number of widows in the land, who Lamanites had compassion on them cried much every day because they and were pacified. Then they returned feared the Lamanites. with their king to their own land in peace. Limhi and his people returned to All this crying made the rest of Limhi's their city of Nephi and began to live in men very angry with the Lamanites. So peace. they went out again to battle, but again they were driven back, suffering 176 another great loss. Then the men went caused the great destruction among his out a third time, suffering still more people. losses. Those who survived returned to Limhi and his people wanted to see the city of Nephi. those priests punished. Furthermore, Finally, they humbled themselves, those priests would sneak into the city even to the dust, accepting their yoke of Nephi by night and steal grain and of bondage, allowing themselves to be precious things. beaten, driven and burdened by their It was after this time, when Limhi's enemies. They humbled themselves to people had quit fighting the Lamanites, the depths of humility, crying that Ammon and his 15 men came mightily to God all day long to into their land. When King Limhi saw deliver them from their afflictions. them outside the city walls, he thought And the Lord was slow to hear their they were Noah's priests. cries because of their sins. But He did That's why Ammon and his men were hear them and began to soften the tied and thrown in prison. If they had hearts of the Lamanites to make their been Noah's priests, Limhi would have burdens easier. However, the Lord did had them killed. When Limhi learned not see fit to deliver them from they were not Noah's priests, but fellow bondage just yet. Nephites come from Zarahemla, he was And little by little, Limhi's people very joyful. began to prosper in the land by raising Before Ammon's arrival, King Limhi more grain, flocks and herds, and they had sent 43 men to search for the land no longer suffered from hunger. of Zarahemla, but they could not find it, Because there were many more women and they became lost in the wilderness. than men, King Limhi commanded the Limhi's men did find a land once very men to give food to the widows and populated, now covered with dry their children to prevent them from bones. They thought the place was starving. Zarahemla and had returned just a few Limhi's people stayed in groups as days before Ammon's expedition had much as possible in order to protect arrived. their grain and flocks. They feared the Limhi's 43 men had brought a record, Lamanites, and King Limhi would not engraved on twenty-four gold plates, dare go outside the city walls without that they had found in the land covered his guards. He told his people to with bones. constantly watch for those priests who Limhi was filled with joy again when were in the wilderness, who had stolen Ammon told him that Mosiah had a gift the Lamanites' daughters and had from God to interpret such engravings. 177 Even though Ammon also rejoiced, he Limhi’s people escape and his brethren were filled with sorrow to Zarahemla because so many of their fellow See Mosiah, Chapter 22 Nephites had been killed. Ammon, his 15 men, King Limhi and They were sorry to hear that King Noah his people devoted all their thoughts and his priests had caused the people to and energy toward finding a way to commit so many sins against God. deliver themselves out of bondage. They mourned for the death of Abinadi After consulting with the people, and were sad that Alma and his people, Ammon and King Limhi called a who had formed a church of God, were meeting with everyone to decide on no longer among them. how to deliver themselves. Ammon and his brethren mourned They concluded since there were too because they did not know where Alma many Lamanites to fight, the only way and his people had gone. Alma's people to deliver themselves out of bondage would have gladly joined Limhi's, for would be to take their women, children, they had made a covenant to serve God flocks, herds and tents, and escape into and keep His commandments. the wilderness. Since Ammon had arrived, King Limhi Gideon said to the king, "Oh king, you and many of his people also made this have listened to my counsel many times covenant with God. They wanted to be as we have fought the Lamanites. If my baptized, but no one in the land had the advice has been useful to you in the authority from God to baptize. Ammon past, listen to me now, and I will be did not want to do the baptizing your servant to deliver this people out because he considered himself of bondage." unworthy. King Limhi listened as Gideon So at that time no church was formed, explained his strategy for escape: "The but the people waited upon the Spirit Lamanites who guard the pass through of the Lord. They wanted to become a the back wall of the city are drunk at church, like Alma's people, who had night. So let us send a proclamation escaped into the wilderness. They among all this people to drive their wanted to be baptized as a witness and flocks and herds through that back pass testimony that they were willing to and into the wilderness during the serve God with all their hearts, but night. they had to wait. An account of their I will go according to your command baptism will be given later. and pay the last tribute of wine to the Lamanites, and they will all get drunk. Then we will go through the secret pass on the left of their camp while they 178 sleep. By going around the land of Alma warns against Shilom, we will escape into the having a king wilderness with our women, children, See Mosiah, Chapter 23 flocks and herds." Now, back to Alma. He had left the The king accepted Gideon's plan. He place called Mormon with his people had his people gather their flocks, and after being warned by the Lord that then sent the regular tribute of wine to Noah's army was coming after them. the Lamanites. He also sent more wine The Lord gave them the endurance to as a present to them. Happy to have the out march King Noah's army, which extra wine, they drank it freely and all could not catch them. became very drunk. They continued their exodus for eight As the Lamanites fell asleep drunk, days in the wilderness. Then Alma and King Limhi's people, led by Ammon his people came to a very beautiful and and his fifteen men, departed that night pleasant land, a land of pure water. into the wilderness with their flocks They settled in this beautiful land, and and herds. worked very hard to farm it and construct buildings. They went around the land of Shilom into the wilderness, bending their The people asked Alma to be their king course toward the land of Zarahemla. because they loved him. But Alma They took all the gold, silver, precious said,”It's not necessary for us to have a things and provisions that they could king, for the Lord said, carry. 'You will not put one man above After traveling many days, they another or allow one man to put himself above you.' finally arrived in the land of Zarahemla. There they were accepted, If it were possible for kings to always and joined Mosiah's people as his be just men, then it would be well for subjects. With joy, Mosiah received you to have a king. But remember the them and the records that their men had sinfulness of King Noah and his priests. found. I myself was caught in that snare, doing Meanwhile, the Lamanites had many things which were abominable in awakened to find Limhi and his people the sight of the Lord, which caused me gone, and had sent an army into the sore repentance. wilderness to capture them. But after But after I had experienced great two days, the Lamanites not only lost suffering, the Lord heard my cries and Limhi's trail, but also became lost answered my prayers. He has made me themselves in the wilderness. an instrument in His hands to bring many of you to a knowledge of the 179 truth. But I do not glory in this, for I But we will see that all who put their am not worthy to glory in myself. trust in the Lord are supported by Him, You were oppressed by King Noah, in for the people of Helam were given bondage to him and his priests. trials and blessings by the Lord. Because of them, you were brought I Mormon will show you that they were into sin. brought into bondage, and no one but And now that you have been delivered the Lord their God, even the God of by God's power out of that condition, I Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, could want you to hold onto this liberty and deliver them. And He did deliver them, remain free, trusting no man to be your showing His mighty power, after which king. they rejoiced greatly. Also, trust no one to be your teacher or minister unless he is of God--walking in His ways and keeping His commandments." Alma taught everyone to love their neighbors as themselves, and never to fight or argue with one another. He was their high priest, being the founder of As Alma's people were farming the their church. land of Helam near their city, a No one received the authority to preach Lamanite army came into their borders. or teach unless it was given to him Terrified by the army, Alma's people from God through Alma, who ran from their fields and into the city. consecrated all the priests and teachers, Alma told them not to be afraid, but to and only just men were consecrated. remember that their God would deliver The priests and teachers watched over them. They calmed down and asked the their people, and nourished them with Lord to soften the hearts of the things having to do with righteousness. Lamanites so they would spare them. Alma and his people began to prosper And the Lord softened the hearts of the greatly in the land, which they called Lamanites as Alma and his people went Helam (named after the first man Alma out and surrendered to them. Then the baptized). As they populated and Lamanites took possession of the land prospered in the land, they built the city of Helam. of Helam. This Lamanite army, which had Still, the Lord saw fit to chastise His followed King Limhi's people, had people in Helam, and He truly tested been lost in the wilderness for many their patience and faith. days after losing the trail. But they had 180 found those priests of King Noah in a Amulon becomes place they had called Amulon. A trial to Alma The priests had settled down with the See Mosiah, Chapter 24 Lamanite daughters they had stolen, After the Lamanites had taken over all and had begun to raise crops. these lands, the Lamanite king appointed kings within them. Amulon The leader of the priests was Amulon. gained favor in the eyes of the He pled with the Lamanites, and also Lamanite king, who appointed him and sent out his men's wives, the Lamanites' his men to be teachers over the daughters, to plead with their people Lamanites in the lands of Shemlon, not to kill their husbands. Because of Shilom and Amulon. their wives, the Lamanites had In addition to being a teacher, Amulon compassion on Amulon and his men, was made king and ruler over Alma's and did not kill them. people in Helam. However, Amulon Then Amulon and his men joined the was not allowed to do anything against Lamanites. The Lamanites were the Lamanite king's will. looking for the way back to the land of The Lamanite king, Laman, was named Nephi when they found Alma and his after his father, and he ruled over many people in the land of Helam. people. Because King Laman had Now the Lamanites promised to spare appointed Amulon and his men to be Alma and his people and give them teachers in every Lamanite land, the their liberty if they would show Nephite language began to be taught them how to get back to the land of among all the Lamanites. Nephi. The Lamanites were friendly with one But after Alma had shown them the another, but they knew nothing about way back to Nephi, the Lamanites did God. Amulon and his men did not not keep their promise. Before enlighten them by teaching them of the returning to the land of Nephi, they set Lord, or about the law of Moses, or guards around the land of Helam to Abinadi's words. They only taught watch Alma’s people. them how to keep records and write The rest of the Lamanite army went letters. back to the land of Nephi. Soon after With this new writing skill, the that, part of the Lamanite army Lamanites started a trading system returned to Helam, bringing the guards' among their cities. They grew richer wives and children. and began to be cunning and wise as to the wisdom of the world. They delighted in all types of wickedness and plunder, except among their relatives. 181 Meanwhile, Amulon began to use authority over Alma and his people in the city of Helam. He persecuted Alma's people and encouraged his children to persecute their children. Having been one of King Noah's priests, Amulon knew Alma. He remembered Alma had believed Abinadi and had been thrown out. Amulon was angry with Alma because that I, the Lord God, visit my people he was subject to King Laman himself. in their trials." In his anger, Amulon exercised Then the burdens on Alma and his authority over Alma's brethren were made light. The Lord people and put taskmasters over them. strengthened them to bear their Alma's people became so afflicted that burdens easily, and with patience they they cried mightily to God. cheerfully submitted to His will. Then Amulon ordered them to stop Their faith and patience was so great their cries. He put guards over them the Lord's voice came to them again with orders to kill anyone found calling saying, upon God. So Alma and his people "Be comforted, for tomorrow I will stopped raising their voices to the Lord deliver you out of bondage." their God, but they still poured their And the Lord said to Alma hearts out to Him, and God knew the thoughts of their hearts. "You will lead this people, and I will go with you and deliver them out of Then the Lord's voice came to Alma's bondage." people in their afflictions, All that night, Alma and his people "Lift up your heads and be comforted, gathered their flocks and grain. And in for I remember the covenant you the morning the Lord caused a deep made with me. I will covenant with sleep to come over the Lamanite you, my people, and deliver you out of taskmasters. bondage. Then Alma and his people departed into I will also ease the burdens on your the wilderness. After traveling all day, shoulders so you will not feel them in they pitched their tents in a valley. your bondage. I will do this so that you They called it the valley of Alma may stand as witnesses for because he had led them there. me hereafter, knowing without a doubt 182 In that valley, they poured out their Nephites reunite in Zarahemla thanks to God for being merciful to See Mosiah, Chapter 25 them, for easing their burdens, and for After Alma's people arrived in delivering them out of bondage. Zarahemla, King Mosiah called a They knew that no one but the Lord meeting of all the people, most of their God could have delivered them. which were descendants of . And every man, woman and child that Although many, the Nephites and the could speak lifted up their voice in descendants of Mulek combined still praises to their God. were not even half the number of Lamanites. Then the Lord said to Alma, The Nephites and the descendants of "Hurry and get this people out of this Mulek assembled into two groups to land, for the Lamanites have awakened hear the readings from the records that and are pursuing you. I will stop them had been kept. in this valley." Mosiah first had Zeniff's record read Then Alma and his people left the (the record kept by Zeniff and his valley and continued their journey. grandson, Limhi). After 12 days in the wilderness, they arrived in the land of Zarahemla, and Then Alma's account was read, King Mosiah received them with joy. beginning from his own conversion, 183 and ending when he and his people Now all the people in Zarahemla, even arrived in Zarahemla. the descendants of Mulek, were called Mosiah's people who had stayed in Nephites, because beginning with Zarahemla were completely amazed Mosiah's grandfather, Mosiah, the after hearing these accounts. They kingdom had been conferred only upon didn't know what to think. a descendant of Nephi. Seeing those who had been delivered When Mosiah finished speaking, he out of bondage filled them with joy, yet asked Alma to speak. thinking about their fellow Nephites The people divided into large groups, who had been killed brought them to and Alma spoke to each group, tears. preaching repentance and faith in the But when they realized the immediate Lord. Alma called on Limhi's people, goodness of God, and how He and all who had been delivered out of delivered Alma and his people out of bondage, to remember it was the Lord Lamanite bondage, they raised their who delivered them. voices and gave thanks to Him. After Alma had taught the people many And when they thought about their things, Limhi and all his people wanted brethren, the Lamanites, and of their to be baptized, so Alma went into the sinful and polluted state, they were water and baptized them by immersion. filled with pain and anguish for the Those whom he baptized then belonged welfare of their souls. to the church of God. The children of Amulon and those other Then King Mosiah allowed Alma to wicked priests — the children who had establish churches throughout all the been abandoned when their fathers land of Zarahemla, giving him had run away with King Noah, were so permission to ordain priests and unhappy with the conduct of their teachers over each church. fathers, they rejected their fathers' There were too many people to be names and called themselves . . . governed by one teacher, nor could . . . The Children of Nephi they all hear the word of God in one Note: These children should not be assembly, so they gathered into mistaken for Amulon and his different groups called churches. Every priests' second set of children, borne by the stolen Lamanite daughters. The church had priests who taught second set of children did not escape to according to Alma's words. Zarahemla with Alma. They were taught to hate Alma's people and their children. Even though there were many Abinadi prophesied they would cause others to suffer death by fire and then be churches, they were all one church — scattered, hunted and killed. the church of God, and nothing 184 but repentance and faith in God was The unbelievers deceived many church preached in all the churches. members with flattery and caused them There were seven church groups in the to commit many sins. land of Zarahemla, and all who wanted It soon became necessary to correct to take upon themselves the name of those people in the church who Christ, or of God, joined the church of committed sin, and so they were God. brought before the priests by the They were all called the people of God, teachers. The priests in turn brought and the Lord poured out His Spirit them before Alma, the high priest. upon them, and they were blessed, and King Mosiah had given Alma authority they prospered in the land. over the church. Alma did not know of A new generation these people's sins, but there were of unbelievers many witnesses against them. This kind See Mosiah, Chapter 26 of thing had never happened before in As time passed, many of the rising the church, and Alma's spirit was generation did not believe their fathers' troubled. righteous traditions. At the time that He did not feel comfortable judging the their parents had experienced a mighty accused, so he brought them before change of heart under King Benjamin's King Mosiah and said to him, reign, they were too young to "Here are many who have been accused understand. They did not believe what by their brethren, having been caught in had been said about the resurrection of various sins. The accused are not sorry, the dead or about the coming of Christ. so we brought them here for you to Because of their unbelief, they could judge.” not understand God's word and their King Mosiah replied, "I will not judge hearts became hardened. Because of them. I prefer that you judge them, their lack of faith, they refused to be Alma." baptized or to join the church. They remained in their carnal, sinful state, Now Alma's spirit was even more for they would not call upon the Lord troubled. He went and asked the Lord their God. what to do, for he was afraid of doing something wrong in the sight of God. During Mosiah's reign, the unbelievers After pouring out his whole soul to were not half as numerous as God's God, the Lord's voice said to him, people, but because of dissension among church members, the "You are blessed, Alma, and those unbelievers soon became more baptized in the waters of Mormon are numerous. also blessed. You are blessed because 185 of your great faith, having heard only Redeemer, and know they did not the words of my servant Abinadi. desire redemption. And those who were baptized are Then I will tell them I never knew blessed because of their great faith in them, and they will go into an your words alone. You are also blessed everlasting fire, prepared for the devil because you have established a church and his angels. among my people. This is why I tell you not to This people, who are willing to bear my receive (baptize) those who refuse to name, are blessed, for in my name they hear my voice into my church, for I will be called, and they are mine. will not receive them at the last day. And because you have asked me about Now go and judge all who transgress the transgressors, you are blessed. You against me, according to the sins they are my servant, and I covenant with have committed. If they confess their you, that you will have eternal life. sins before you, and before me, and You will serve me, going forth in my repent in the sincerity of their hearts, name, gathering my sheep. Those who forgive them, and I will also forgive hear my voice will be my sheep. You them. will receive them into the church, and I And as often as my people repent I will receive them also. will forgive their trespasses against me. For this is my church, and I will freely You will also forgive one another, forgive those whom you receive — because anyone who will not those who will believe in my name and forgive his neighbor when his neighbor be baptized unto repentance. I take the says he has repented brings himself sins of the world upon myself, having under condemnation. created those who sin. Note: Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he who And I will give a place at my right hand will not forgive his brother his to those who believe in me throughout trespasses stands condemned before the their lives. They are called by my name Lord; for there remains in him the greater sin. --- D&C 64:9 (Children of Christ). If they know me, at the sound of the first trumpet they Now go, and those who refuse to repent will be resurrected and have a place of their sins will not be numbered eternally at my right hand. among my people. Observe this law from this time forward." When the second trumpet sounds, those who never knew me will be resurrected Upon hearing these words, Alma wrote and stand before me. Then they will them down so he could judge the know I am the Lord their God — their people of the church according to God's commandments. Then he judged those 186 who had been found committing sin could not persecute those who according to the word of the Lord. belonged to God's church. Those who repented of their sins and There was also a strict command confessed them were numbered among throughout all the churches that there the people of the church. Those who would be no persecutions among them. would not confess and repent of their They were told to treat all people sins were not numbered among the equally. people of the church. No pride or haughtiness was to Alma regulated all the affairs of the disturb their peace, and everyone was church, and the Nephites began to to love his neighbor as himself, again have peace. The church working with his own hands for his prospered as the people walked in support. obedience before God, and they The priests and teachers were also received and baptized many. commanded to work with their own Alma and the other priests and teachers hands for their own support, unless were diligent in teaching God's word to they were sick or in great need. By the people of the church. They suffered doing this, the Nephites enjoyed God's all types of afflictions at the hands of grace. all who did not belong to God's church. Peace was restored, and the people Those who committed sins were became very numerous, spreading out counseled with God's word, and they over the land in all directions, building were all commanded by God to large cities and villages. As the Lord always pray and give thanks to Him visited and prospered them, they in all things. became a numerous and wealthy Unbelievers persecute believers people. See Mosiah, Chapter 27 However, King Mosiah's own sons But the persecution of the people of the were among the unbelievers. One of church by the unbelievers became so Alma's sons, Alma, was also an great that the church members began to unbeliever. He became a very wicked lose faith and began to complain to and idolatrous man. He was a man of their leaders. Their leaders complained many words, and he used much flattery to Alma, who laid the case before King to lead many people after his sinful Mosiah. ways. After Mosiah consulted with his Alma's son became a great obstacle to priests, he sent a proclamation the growth of God's church, for he led throughout the land, stating unbelievers away people's hearts and caused many to leave the church, giving God's 187

enemy a chance to exercise power over Alma and Mosiah's sons were so them. astonished they fell down and did not One day, Alma's son Alma and hear what the angel was saying. Mosiah's sons were secretly going But the angel cried out again, about to destroy God's church — to "Alma, arise and face me! Why do you lead the Lord's people astray, contrary persecute God's church? The Lord has to the commandments of God and of said, the king. 'This is my church, and I will establish As they were going about, an angel of it. Nothing will overthrow it except the the Lord appeared to them. The angel transgression of my people.' came down as if in a cloud, and he The Lord has heard the prayers of His spoke with a voice of thunder, people, including His servant, Alma, causing the earth to shake beneath your father, who has prayed with great them. faith that you would come to know the truth. 188 I have come to convince you of God's power and authority so the prayers of His servants will be answered according to their faith. And now, can you deny God's power? For does not my voice shake the earth? Can you not see to his father, Alma, and told him me before you? And I am sent from everything that had happened. God! Upon hearing this, Alma's father Now I say to you, remember the rejoiced, knowing it had been done by captivity of your fathers in the land of God's power. Alma had a large crowd Helam, and in the land of Nephi. come see what the Lord had done for Remember the great things God did for his son, and also for Mosiah's sons. them, for they were in bondage, and He delivered them. Alma's father then called priests together, to fast and pray to the Lord, Now, Alma, go your way, and stop asking Him to restore Alma's speech trying to destroy the church . . . that the and strength — that the eyes of the prayers for the salvation of your soul people would be opened to see and may be answered, in spite of your know of God's goodness and glory. rebellion." After the priests had fasted and prayed After saying this to Alma, the angel for two days and nights, Alma stood up left. Alma and Mosiah's sons were so and began to speak, telling them to be astonished they fell down again. They comforted. He said, had seen an angel of the Lord with their own eyes! His voice had been like "I have repented of my sins, and I have thunder, shaking the earth! been redeemed by the Lord. I have been born of His Spirit! The Lord said They knew nothing but God's power to me, could have caused the earth to quake as if it were about to split open. 'Do not wonder that all people in all nations must be born of God Alma was too astonished to speak. He again. They must be changed from became so weak he could not speak or their carnal and fallen state to a state even move his hands. He was so of righteousness — being redeemed by helpless that Mosiah's sons carried him God — becoming His sons and daughters. All must become new 189 creatures, and unless they do this, they Those who rejected God in the world cannot inherit God's kingdom.' will confess that their judgment of an Unless we change, we must be cast everlasting punishment is just. They off from God's presence. will quake, tremble and cower when He I know this sees them in all their wickedness." because I was about to be cast off. But after suffering much while unconscious, repenting, close to death, the Lord in His mercy saw fit to snatch me out of an everlasting burning, and I am From that day forward, Alma and now born of God! Mosiah's sons began to teach the My soul has been redeemed from bitter people as they traveled throughout the pain and compulsive sin. I was in the land, telling of what they had seen and darkest pit, but now I behold God's heard. They preached God's word in marvelous light. While my soul was much tribulation, for they were greatly being racked with eternal torment, I persecuted and even beaten by was snatched away and my soul is unbelievers. now free from pain! But in spite of their suffering, I had rejected my Redeemer, denying they patiently consoled the church, our forefathers' words, but now I know confirming their faith, encouraging our Redeemer will show Himself to them with great patience to keep God's all, so that all may look forward to His commandments. coming. Mosiah's four sons, who taught with I know He remembers each person He Alma, were Ammon, Aaron, has created, for at the last day, every and . They traveled throughout person will be resurrected and then the land of Zarahemla among all the stand before Him to be judged. We will people of King Mosiah. They zealously all kneel and confess He is God. did everything they could to repair the damage they had done to the church. They constantly confessed their sins 190 and declared everything they had seen. them, for they had been the worst They explained the prophecies and sinners of all. the scriptures to all who wanted to The Lord had spared them because of hear. His infinite mercy. But they still By doing these things, they were suffered great anguish of soul because instruments in God's hands, bringing of their sins, fearing they would be cast many to know of their Redeemer. And off forever. They begged their father how blessed they are for publishing over a period of many days for peace and good news, for declaring to permission to go to the land of Nephi. people the Lord reigns! King Mosiah finally asked the Lord if Alma and Mosiah’s sons preach he should let his sons go among the See Mosiah, Chapter 28 Lamanites to preach the word. The Lord answered Mosiah, After King Mosiah's four sons had preached in the land of Zarahemla, they "Give them permission to go and returned to their father. After selecting preach, for many will believe them and some men, they asked their father if gain eternal life. I will deliver your they and those whom they had selected sons out of the hands of the could go to the land of Nephi to preach Lamanites." God's word to the Lamanites. Then Mosiah granted his sons They were hoping to bring the permission to go preach to the knowledge of the Lord to the Lamanites, and they did. Lamanites — to convince them of their I, Mormon will give an account of false traditions and to end their hatred Mosiah's sons later. of Nephites. After his sons had left, King Mosiah Mosiah's sons explained to their father, had no one to confer the kingdom upon, "If the Lamanites knew the truth, they for none of his sons would accept it. So would rejoice in the Lord their God. he gathered the brass plates, Nephi's They would become friendly with the large and small plates, the sacred things Nephites, and there would be no more to be preserved according to God's fighting in all the land the Lord has commandments (Liahona, Laban's given us." sword, and the interpreters), and his translation from the 24 pure gold plates Mosiah's sons wanted salvation to be Limhi had brought him. declared to everyone, for even the thought of any soul enduring endless Mosiah had translated the plates torment made them tremble. This is because his people were very anxious how the Spirit of the Lord worked in to know about those people whose bones were scattered over the land. He 191

had translated the 24 plates using two stones fastened to two rims of a bow. These interpreters were prepared from the beginning of the world, and had been handed down from generation to The record of this great destruction generation for the purpose of filled Mosiah's people with sorrow, but interpreting languages. They had been it also gave them much knowledge, for preserved by the Lord so He could which they were thankful. The record reveal the sins of His people to all who of these people will be written later. would possess this land. Note: Although Mormon said he would And whoever has these interpreters is write this record later, he was killed before he could do it. Therefore his son Moroni called a seer (one who sees), like those wrote the record of the destruction of of ancient times. "these people" (Ether 13:15-22) Mosiah's translation of the 24 plates It’s very important for all people to gave an account that began from the know the details of this destruction. creation of Adam and Eve. It continued After King Mosiah translated the 24 through the time when the people at plates, he took the brass plates, all the Babel built a great tower --when the records and sacred things, and Lord confused their language and conferred them upon Alma's son Alma. scattered them over all the earth. Then Mosiah commanded Alma to The account continued to the time preserve everything, and also to keep when the people who had migrated to his own record of the people, handing this continent from Babel had everything down from one generation completely destroyed one another. to another, just as they had been handed 192 down from the time Lehi had left So let us be wise and consider Jerusalem. something else, for we have no right to Mosiah ends the reign destroy my son or anyone else who Kings in the land may be appointed in his place. If my See Mosiah, Chapter 29 son turned back to his pride and vanity, After doing this, Mosiah sent recalling what he had said, and claimed messengers among all his people to ask his right to the kingdom, then he and all who they wanted to be their next king. this people would commit many sins. The people wanted Mosiah's son, Let us look ahead and do what will Aaron, to be their king and ruler. Since keep the peace of this people. Aaron had gone to the land of Nephi, I will be your king the rest of my life, the kingdom could not be conferred but let us now appoint judges to take upon him. Besides, he and his brothers my place when I die, to judge this had already refused the kingdom. people according to our law. Together So King Mosiah sent a written message we will create a new way to govern, to his people which said, appointing wise men to judge this "My brethren (for I think of you as people according to God's brethren), I call upon you to consider commandments. something other than having a king. Isn't it better to allow God, rather than Aaron, to whom the kingdom rightly men, to rule over and judge us? For belongs, has declined to take it upon himself. Now if someone else is appointed in his stead, I am afraid that some of you would argue about it. And who knows whether or not my son, to whom the kingdom God's judgments are always just, but rightly belongs, would angrily return to man's judgements are not. split this people — some for him, and If it were possible for you to always others against him. This would cause have just men to be your kings — great bloodshed among you, for it men who established God's laws and would be against the ways of the Lord, judged this people according to His and many souls would be lost. 193 laws, like my father King Benjamin Evil kings invent their own corrupt did, then it would be good to always laws and then kill those who disobey have kings. them by sending armies to put down I have taught God's commandments to rebellions. you as well as I possibly could in order Unrighteous kings corrupt the to establish peace throughout the land, righteous principles of governing. and to put an end to wars, stealing, It is not good for such sinfulness to plunder, murder and all types of sins. I come upon you. So choose judges by have punished those who have sinned your vote, that you may be judged according to the law given to us by our according to the correct laws the Lord forefathers. gave our forefathers. Because not all leaders are just, it is not It is more common for the minority, not necessary for you to have a king, for the majority, to want what is wrong. So one wicked king can be the cause of make it your law to always do your great sinfulness and destruction. business by majority vote. Always remember King Noah and his If the time comes when the majority of wicked people, and the great the people choose sinfulness, that is destruction and bondage that resulted when God's judgments will come from their sinfulness. If their all-wise upon upon them. That is when He will Creator had not intervened after they visit them with great destruction, as had sincerely repented, they would still He has done before in this land. be in bondage today! If one of your judges does not judge He delivered them because they you according to the law, then have him humbled themselves before Him. brought to a higher judge. Because they cried mightily to Him, He If your higher judge does not judge delivered them out of bondage. In all righteously, then have a small number cases, this is how the Lord works with of your lower judges meet together and His power among His children. He judge the higher judge, according to the always extends His arm of mercy to voice of the people. those who put their trust in Him. I command you to do these things in You cannot dethrone an evil king the fear of the Lord. I command you without much bloodshed, for evil kings to have no king, for from now on, you put their sinful friends in power and will have to answer to judges for surround themselves with guards. They your own sins. tear up the righteous laws of those who have reigned before them and trample Until now, the sins of many people God's commandments. have been caused by the wickedness of their kings, who have had to answer 194 for the sins of their people. This greedy tyrant, for he had not taxed inequality should end in this land, them, nor had he delighted in war. He especially among you my people. had established peace in the land, This land should be a land of liberty, granting liberty to all. where all people enjoy their rights and The people appointed judges, privileges equally, as long as the Lord according to the law, throughout all the sees fit for our descendants to remain land. Alma's son Alma was appointed upon this land." as the first chief judge. He was also the King Mosiah wrote many other high priest, for his father had conferred things to his people, explaining that office upon him, giving him charge the burden upon the soul of a of all church affairs. righteous king on behalf of his people Like his father, Alma walked in the — of having to bear their lack of ways of the Lord, obeying His faith, their complaints and their sins. commands. He judged righteously Mosiah told them it should not have to during a period of continual peace. be this way, but that the burden should This was the beginning of the reign of be upon each individual. the judges among the Nephites Mosiah explained all the disadvantages throughout the land of Zarahemla. of laboring under an unrighteous king. At age 82, Alma's father Alma, the He told his people the sins under an founder of their church, died, having unrighteous king, such as wars, lived to fulfill God's commands. stealing, plunder, immorality, and too In 91 BC, at age 63 Mosiah died, many others to mention, are expressly having reigned for 33 years. He was the repugnant to God's commandments. last of the Nephite kings who had After King Mosiah sent his written reigned for more than 450 years. word to the people, they were all convinced what he had written was true. They gave up their desire to have a king and became very eager to have equality throughout the land. Mosiah's people were willing to answer for their own sins. They voted for their judges, according to the law, and rejoiced in their God given liberty. They loved Mosiah very much, and they esteemed him more than any other man. They never saw him as a corrupt,