Produced by David Edwards, Christian Boissonnas and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) [Illustration: THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF JESUS TO THE NEPHITES. Copy of painting by Wm. T. Armitage in the Logan Temple.] THE STORY OF THE BOOK OF MORMON. BY ELDER GEORGE REYNOLDS. _Author of "The Myth of the Manuscript Found;" "Are we of Israel?" Treatise on "The Book of Abraham;" "Dictionary of the Book of Mormon;" "Concordance of the Book of Mormon."_ "Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven."--_Psalm, LXXXV, 11._ FOURTH EDITION. PRESS OF HILLISON & ETTEN CO. CHICAGO Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1888, by GEORGE REYNOLDS In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. PREFACE The Book of Mormon is the record of God's dealings with the peoples of ancient America, from the age of the building of the Tower of Babel to four hundred and twenty-one years after the birth of Christ. It is the stick of Ephraim, spoken of by Ezekiel: the Bible of the western continent. Not that it supersedes the Bible or in any way interferes with it, any more than the history of Peru interferes with or supersedes the history of Greece; but, on the other hand, in many places it confirms Bible history, demonstrates Bible truths, sustains Bible doctrines, and fulfills Bible prophecy. For many years we have taken great pleasure in perusing its sacred pages and studying its truths. The more we read it the more we found it contained. Like other inspired records, every time it was opened we discovered new and oft-times unexpected testimonies of its divinity. From reading it we turned to writing of it; and much that this volume contains has been penned at various intervals, from the days we were in prison for conscience sake, where portions were written, to the present. And now we present it to the reader with the feeling that the work is but commenced; that what remains unsaid is probably as important as what is given, but with the hope that what we have done will not prove ineffectual in spreading the truth, in increasing knowledge concerning God's dealings with mankind, and aiding in the development of the purposes of Jehovah. If this be accomplished we shall feel that great has been our reward. This volume presents one unique feature, in that it is the first attempt made to illustrate the Book of Mormon; and we have pleasure in realizing that the leading illustrations are the work of home artists. To break fresh ground in such a direction is no light undertaking; the difficulties are numerous, none more so than the absence of information in the Book of Mormon of the dress and artificial surroundings of the peoples whose history it recounts. Each artist has given his own ideas of the scenes depicted, and as so much is left to the imagination, some readers will doubtless praise where others will blame; and the same effort will be the subject of the most conflicting criticism. Not the least interesting feature of the book will, we believe, be found in the reproductions of portions of certain ancient Aztec historical charts. These have been the subjects of controversy for centuries past; many efforts have been made at their translation; but all such attempts have been ineffectual, and in many cases ludicrous. It required the publication of the Book of Mormon to turn on them the light of divine truth, when their intent at once became apparent. Others, we trust, in time will be discovered which will be added testimonies to its genuineness and divine authenticity, as well as to the sacred mission of the instrument in God's hands in bringing it forth--the youthful Prophet, Joseph Smith. GEO. REYNOLDS December, 1888. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION. America the first inhabited of all Lands--Its Ancient Peoples--The Garden of Eden--The Antediluvians--The Jaredites--The Nephites and Lamanites 15 CHAPTER I. Ancient Jerusalem--Lehi--His Vision--His Call to Preach to the Jews--They Persecute Him--He is Commanded of God to take his Family into the Wilderness--Their Departure--The Return of his Sons to Jerusalem to obtain the Records. They are ill-treated by Laban--His Death--Zoram Accompanies the Brothers into the Wilderness 18 CHAPTER II. The Rejoicing Over the Records--Nephi and his Brothers again Return to Jerusalem--They Conduct Ishmael and his Family into the Wilderness--Lehi's Dream--The Tree of Life--The Rod of Iron--The Boturini Manuscript--Nephi's Vision 25 CHAPTER III. Marriages in the Company--The Liahona--The Journey Continued--Nephi Breaks his Bow--Death of Ishmael--They Reach the Ocean--Nephi Builds a Ship--They Cross the Great Waters and Reach the Promised Land 35 CHAPTER IV. The Promised Land--Chili--Its Natural Productions--The Death of Lehi--His Blessing on his posterity--Prophecies of his Ancestor Joseph 44 CHAPTER V. The Nephites and Lamanites Separate--The Nephites seek a New Home--Nephi Chosen King--He Builds a Temple--Instructs his People in the Arts of Peace--War with the Lamanites--The Sword of Laban--Nephi's Death--Jacob, his Brother, Becomes the Chief Priest--Jacob's Teachings on Marriage 47 CHAPTER VI. The Condition of the Lamanites--Sherem, the First Anti-Christ--His Recantation and Dreadful End 50 CHAPTER VII. Enos, the Son of Jacob--The Nephites and Lamanites of his Day--His Testimony and Prophecies 53 CHAPTER VIII. Jarom--Omni--Amaron--Chemish--Abinadom--Amaleki--Mosiah--Review of Nephite History for Four Hundred Years 55 CHAPTER IX. Causes that Led to the Migration from the Land of Nephi--The People of Zarahemla--Mulek and his Colony--The Fusion of the Two Nations--Mosiah made King--His Happy Reign 59 CHAPTER X. The Reign of King Benjamin--The Progress of his People--His Last Great Speech--He Establishes the Church of Christ--All the People Covenant with God--Mosiah II. Anointed King 64 CHAPTER XI. Zeniff Returns to the Land of Nephi--His Treaty with the Lamanites--The Prosperity of the People of Zeniff--The Treaty Broken--War--Peace and Wars Again--The Death of Zeniff--Noah's Wicked Reign--His Wars with the Lamanites--The Prophet Abinadi--His Terrible Message of God's Wrath--He is Martyred--Alma--He Pleads for Abinadi--Is Cast Out--Flees to the Place of Mormon 69 CHAPTER XII. The Waters of Mormon--Alma, Helam and Others Baptised Therein--The Church Organized--The King Warned--He Sends Troops--Alma and his People Flee to the Land of Helam--They Build a City 77 CHAPTER XIII. King Noah's Subjects Rebel--Gideon--The Lamanites Invade Lehi-Nephi--The Nephites Retreat--A Part Surrender--The New Terms of Peace--Noah is Burned to Death--Limhi made King--Noah's Priests Escape--They seize some Lamanite Maidens--Another War--The Nephites Victorious--The King of the Lamanites wounded--Mutual Explanations 80 CHAPTER XIV. The Bondage of the People of Limhi--An Expedition North--Finding of the Jaredite Records--The Arrival of Ammon--The People of Limhi Escape--The Pursuit--The Amulonites--The People of Alma--They are Brought into Bondage--Their Deliverance 84 CHAPTER XV. Mosiah's Good Reign--The Circumstances of his Advent--He Assembles the People--The Baptism of Limhi--Churches Organized Throughout the Land 89 CHAPTER XVI. The Unbelief of the Youth of Zarahemla--The Younger Alma and the Sons of Mosiah--They Encourage the Persecutions Against the Church--They are Met by an Angel--His Message--Alma's Awful Condition--His Vision and Testimony--The Changed Life of the Young Men 92 CHAPTER XVII. The Growth of the People in Zarahemla--They Build Many Cities--Mosiah's Sons Desire to Take a Mission to the Lamanites--Mosiah Inquires of the Lord--The Divine Answer 96 CHAPTER XVIII. Mosiah's Sons Refuse the Kingdom--He Grants the People a Constitution--The People to Elect their Rulers--Alma, the Younger, First Chief Judge 98 CHAPTER XIX. The Mission of the Sons of Mosiah to the Lamanites--Their Journey in the Wilderness--Ammon Brought before King Lamoni--The Conflict at the Waters of Sebus--The Miraculous Conversion of Lamoni and his Family--Abish the Waiting Woman 100 CHAPTER XX. Ammon and Lamoni Start for the Land of Middoni--They Meet the Old King--His Rage at Seeing Ammon--He Endeavors to Kill his Son--Aaron and his Brethren Liberated--A Sketch of their Labors and Sufferings--The Conversion of Lamoni's Father and his Household 106 CHAPTER XXI. The King Issues a Proclamation--The Results of the Labors of the Sons of Mosiah--The People of Anti-Nephi-Lehi--They Bury their Weapons of War--Are Massacred by the Thousand--They Remove to the Territory of the Nephites, who give them the Land of Jershon 110 CHAPTER XXII. Review of the Mission of the Sons of Mosiah--Its Importance and Great Length--Its Results to Both Races--The Dates of its Leading Occurrences 114 CHAPTER XXIII. The Days of the Judges--Their Names and Reigns--The Heresy of Nehor--He Slays Gideon and is Executed--Amlici's Rebellion--The Battle of Amnihu--The Conflict at the Crossing of the Sidon--A Third Battle 117 CHAPTER XXIV. Alma Resigns the Chief Judgeship--Nephihah Chosen--Alma Ministers in Zarahemla, Gideon, Melek and Ammonihah--Condition of the Last Named City--It Rejects the Message Alma Bears--An Angel Meets Him--Amulek--The Lawyer Zeezrom--The Great Controversy--Zeezrom Converted and Cast Out--The Martyrdom of the Believers--Alma and Amulek in Prison--Their Deliverance 124 CHAPTER XXV. Zeezrom Sick with Fever--His Miraculous Recovery--The Destruction of Ammonihah--The Invasion of the Land of Noah--Zoram, the Nephite Commander, Seeks the Mind of the Lord--It is Given--Its Results--The War Ended--Alma's Ministrations 131 CHAPTER XXVI. Korihor, the Anti-Christ--His False Teachings and Blasphemy--He is Taken before Alma--Is Struck Dumb--His Miserable End--The Heresy Rooted Out 135 CHAPTER XXVII. Zoram and the Zoramites--Their Peculiar Heresy--The Land of Antionum--The Rameumptom--Alma's Mission to these People--Those Who Receive His Teachings Persecuted--They Flee to Jershon 139 CHAPTER XXVIII. Another War--Moroni the Leader of the Nephites--The Tactics of the Lamanites--Zerahemnah--The Battle at Riplah--Defeat of the Lamanites 144 CHAPTER XXIX. Alma's Charge to His Sons--He Transfers the Records to Helaman--He Leaves This World--Zeezrom's Latter Days--Helaman's Ministrations 147 CHAPTER XXX. Amalickiah--His Apostasy and Treason--Moroni's Title of Liberty--The Nephites Respond to His Call--Lehonti--He is Poisoned by Amalickiah--The King of the Lamanites Treacherously Slain--Amalickiah Marries the Queen and is Proclaimed King--A Disastrous Lamanite Raid 149 CHAPTER XXXI. A Few Years of Peace--Teancum--The Contention Between Lehi and Morianton--Amalickiah's Terrible Invasion--His Success--He is Stopped at Bountiful by Teancum--Teancum Slays Amalickiah--Ammoron Made King of the Lamanites 156 CHAPTER XXXII. Jacob the Zoramite--His Characteristics--The Strategy by Which Mulek Was Taken--The Fierce Battle between Jacob and the Nephite Forces--Jacob's Death 159 CHAPTER XXXIII. The War in the South-west--Antipus--Helaman and His Two Thousand Sons--Their Valor and Faith--The Repulse of the Lamanites 162 CHAPTER XXXIV. The Relief of Manti--The Overthrow of the Kingmen--Pachus Slain--The Struggle at Moroni--Teancum Slays Ammoron, but at the Cost of His Own Life--Teancum's Noble Character 167 CHAPTER XXXV. Peace Once More--The Results of the War--The Labors of Helaman--Shiblon Receives the Records--Hagoth, the Ship-builder--Another War--Moronihah--Pahoran's Death--Contention Regarding the Chief Judgeship--Paanchi's Rebellion--The Gadianton Bands--Assassination of Pahoran II.--Another Lamanite Invasion 171 CHAPTER XXXVI. Pacumeni Slain--Helaman Chosen Chief Judge--The Conspiracy to Slay Him--Kishkumen Killed--The Prosperity of the Nephites under Helaman 175 CHAPTER XXXVII. The Sons of Helaman--Nephi's Righteous Rule--The Lamanites Again Invade Zarahemla--They Drive the Nephites into the Northern Continent--The Ministrations of Nephi and Lehi--The Manifestations of God's Power in the City of Nephi--Aminadab--The Conversion of the Lamanites--Universal Peace 177 CHAPTER XXXVIII. Growth of Evil amongst the Nephites--The Increase of the Gadianton Robbers--Nephi's Announcement of the Murder of the Chief Judge--The Discovery--Nephi Arrested--He is Proven Innocent--God's Covenant with Him--Increase of Iniquity--A Terrible Famine--The Welcome Rain--The Trend to Death 184 CHAPTER XXXIX. Samuel, the Lamanite--His Mission and Prophecies--The Vain Attempt to Destroy Him--He Returns to His Own Country 189 CHAPTER XL. Nephi Translated--His Son Nephi--Time of the Savior's Coming--The Conspiracy to Slay the Believers--The Revelation to Nephi--The Promised Signs Appear--Increase of the Gadianton Robbers--War--Lachoneus Gathers all the People to One Land--The End of the Struggle 193 CHAPTER XLI. The Last Chief Judge Murdered and the Republic Overthrown--The Signs of the Savior's Death Appear--A Terrible Storm--The Universal Darkness--The Unparalleled Destruction--The Terror of those Hours 197 CHAPTER XLII. The Voice from Heaven--The Savior Testifies of Himself--Silence Throughout the Land--How oft would Christ have Gathered His People--The Darkness Departs 202 CHAPTER XLIII. Christ Appears in the Land Bountiful--The Testimony of the Father--Jesus Calls Twelve Disciples--His Teachings to Them and to the Multitude 205 CHAPTER XLIV. The Fulfillment of the Mosaic Law--"Other Sheep Have I"--The Ten Tribes--The Events of the Latter Days 208 CHAPTER XLV. The Savior Heals the Sick--He Blesses the Children of the Nephites--Angels Minister unto them 210 CHAPTER XLVI. The Sacrament Administered--The Savior's Teachings Regarding it--He Confers on His Disciples the Power to Give the Holy Ghost--He Ascends into Heaven 213 CHAPTER XLVII. Jesus Returns and Renews His Teachings--He Administers the Sacrament--He Explains the Teachings of the Prophets--The Words of Malachi 216 CHAPTER XLVIII. The Savior Continues His Ministrations--He Raises a Man from the Dead--The Labors of the Twelve--The Name of the Church--The Three who should Remain 220 CHAPTER XLIX. The Long Continued Era of Peace and Righteousness--Death of Nephi--His Son Amos--Amos the Second 223 CHAPTER L. The Commencement of the Apostasy--It Grows in Intensity--The Persecution of the Disciples--Lamanites Again--Re-appearance of the Gadianton Bands--War--Ammaron Hides the Records 226 CHAPTER LI. The Last Long Series of Wars--Mormon--The Final Conflict at Cumorah--The Last of the Nephites 229 CHAPTER LII. The Historians of the Nephites--The Plates of Nephi--List of their Custodians--Their Lengthened Years 232 CHAPTER LIII. The Women of the Book of Mormon--Their Condition and Position--Abish--Isabel--Marriage--Amulek--Moroni's Title of Liberty--The Mothers of the Ammonites--Two Extremes 237 CHAPTER LIV. Domestic Life Among the Nephites--Household Duties--Dress-- Ornaments--Homes--Food--Manufactures--Transportation 241 CHAPTER LV. Agriculture Among the Nephites--Grains--Stock Raising--Irrigation 247 CHAPTER LVI. Science and Literature Among the Nephites--Their Astronomy and Geography--The Learning of Egypt 250 CHAPTER LVII. The Art of War Among the Nephites--Their Weapons, Armor and Fortifications--Moroni's Line of Defense 255 CHAPTER LVIII. The Laws of the Nephites--The Roman and Nephite Civilizations--The Laws under the Kings--Position of the Priesthood--Slavery--Criminal Offenses 262 CHAPTER LIX. The Laws under the Judges--The Voice of the People--Elections--Rights of the People--Church and State--The Criminal Procedure 269 CHAPTER LX. Laws of the Nephites, Continued--The Division into Tribes--The Messianic Dispensation--The Final Convulsion 277 CHAPTER LXI. The Money of the Nephites--Their Coins--Barley the Standard of Value 281 CHAPTER LXII. Personal Appearance of the Nephites--Their Beauty--Testimony of Remains Found--The Dark-Skinned Lamanites 284 CHAPTER LXIII. Language of the Nephites--The Influence of the Egyptians--Nephite Words--Rameumptom--Liahona--Rabbanah--The Lamanite Tongue--Word Building 287 CHAPTER LXIV. Nephite Proper Names--Bible Names--Sariah--Nephi--Sam--Melek-- Jershon--Isabel--Aha, etc.--Prefixes and Suffixes 294 CHAPTER LXV. The Lands of the Nephites--Mulek and Lehi--Zarahemla and Nephi--The Wilderness--The Land of First Inheritance--The Journeys Northward--The Waters of Mormon--Lehi--Nephi 300 CHAPTER LXVI. Nephi in the Hands of the Lamanites--The Lands of Shemlon, Shilom, Helam, Amulon, Ishmael, Middoni, Jerusalem, etc. 310 CHAPTER LXVII. The Lands of the Nephites, Continued--Zarahemla--Jershon-- Antionum--Manti--Gideon 314 CHAPTER LXVIII. Lands of the Nephites, Continued--Minon--Melek--Ammonihah--Noah-- Sidom--Aaron--Lehi--Mulek--Bountiful--The South-west Border 318 CHAPTER LXIX. The Lands of Antum, Teancum, Joshua, David, etc.--Cumorah--The Hills of the Nephites--The River Sidon 325 CHAPTER LXX. Religion of the Nephites--It is Stated by Nephi--The Priesthood and Ordinances Thereof--Baptism--Confirmation--Ordination--The Sacrament--Spiritual Gifts 329 CHAPTER LXXI. Miracles Among the Nephites--The Miracles of Christ--John and the Three Nephites--Translations 336 CHAPTER LXXII. The Prophecies Regarding the Savior--Their Completeness and Detail--Names and Titles Given to Christ 341 CHAPTER LXXIII. Nephite Apostates--The Order of Nehor--Amalekites-- Amalickiahites--Amulonites--Abinadi's Prophecy--The Gadiantons 343 CHAPTER LXXIV. Church Discipline Among the Nephites--Treatment of the Unrepentant--The Word of the Lord Regarding Transgressors--The Testimony of Moroni 349 CHAPTER LXXV. The Discovery of the Jaredite Records--Coriantumr--Ether--The Dispersion at Babel--The Journey of the Jaredites--Atlantis 352 CHAPTER LXXVI. Moriancumer--Building the Barges--The Finger of the Lord--The Appearing of the Savior--The Voyage 356 CHAPTER LXXVII. The Land of Promise--A Monarchy Established--The Kings of the Jaredites from Orihah to Omer--Akish--The Daughter of Jared 359 CHAPTER LXXVIII. The Kings of the Jaredites from Omer to Coriantumr--The Material Prosperity of this Race 361 CHAPTER LXXIX. The Judgments of God on the Jaredites--The Extinction of the Race--The Hill Ramah--Shiz and Coriantumr--Ether 363 BOOK OF MORMON CHRONOLOGY 368 APPENDIX 381 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE The Glorious Appearing of Jesus to the Nephites _Armitage_ Frontis- piece Ancient Aztec Chart, Showing Lehi's Travels. No. 1 _Boturini_ 21 Ancient Aztec Chart, Showing Lehi's Travels. No. 2 _Boturini_ 31 Vision of Nephi _Held_ 33 Ancient Aztec Chart, Showing Lehi's Travels. No. 3 _Boturini_ 36 Ancient Aztec Chart, Showing Lehi's Travels. No. 4 _Boturini_ 37 Ancient Hieroglyphic Chart _Farerri_ 43 The First Sacrifice on the Promised Land _Ottinger_ 45 The Jews Led Away to Captivity 62 The Land of Helam 79 Discovery of the Records of the Jaredites _Ottinger_ 86 Baptism of Limhi _Ottinger_ 91 Wilderness of Hermounts 121 Moroni Raises the "Title of Liberty" _Ottinger_ 151 Destruction of Zarahemla _Ottinger_ 202 Ancient Egyptian Characters 290 Copy of Characters on the Plates from Which the Book of Mormon Was Translated 292 Appearance of Christ to the Brother of Jared _Held_ 358 Ether Finishing His Record _Morris_ 367 THE Story of the Book of Mormon. INTRODUCTION. AMERICA THE FIRST INHABITED OF ALL LANDS--ITS ANCIENT PEOPLES--THE GARDEN OF EDEN--THE ANTEDILUVIANS--THE JAREDITES--THE NEPHITES AND LAMANITES. The story that we are about to relate is a true one. It is the history of the races who lived on this broad land of ours long, long ago. From it we shall learn many lessons of God's great love for man. We shall also learn how oft his love has been spurned, how apt his favored children have been to walk in ways of sin, and how prone to disobey his holy law. It is a story full of light and shade, one which it will be well for all of us to take to heart, for by so doing our faith in God will increase, and we shall be prompted to strive the more earnestly to avoid the evils that others, by their misdeeds, have brought upon themselves and their posterity. America, the land we love, is, in our Heavenly Father's eyes, choice above all other lands as the home of those of his sons and daughters, whom he has placed upon this earth. For all God's creatures are not here. He has made many worlds and filled them with his children. How many we know not; they are countless to us. The stars, that shine in myriads in the heavens, are nearly all suns like the one that gives us light: the remaining few are worlds like unto this on which we dwell; and ours is one of the very smallest of them all. To the works of God there is no beginning, neither is there any end. God made America the richest of all lands. He filled its depths with precious minerals; he caused the most lovely trees, and herbs, and flowers to grow upon its surface. In all things he made it most desirable as a home for man. And here he planted the Garden of Eden, and placed our first parents, Adam and Eve, therein. From that garden they were afterwards driven forth when they failed to keep God's law. But they did not leave this continent. Here they still remained; here their sons and daughters were born, until many strong peoples had sprung from them. It was in this land that Cain slew his brother Abel; it was here that Enoch and his city dwelt, that Noah preached to the ungodly, and the ark was built. But when the flood was over and the waters sank, that ark, by the winds and waves, had been carried far away to a new land, until it rested on the Mountains of Ararat. Then for a short time America was without inhabitant. But not long after the deluge the wicked tried to build a tower that would reach so high that if ever another flood came they might escape the rising waters by ascending it. This is called the Tower of Babel. The Lord was angry with those who attempted to build this tower, for he had promised that he would never again destroy the earth with the waters of a flood. But they did not believe him; and in their unbelief they went to work to construct it. In his anger he confounded their language, that they could not understand each other. Then he scattered them abroad upon the face of the earth. Some few, better than the others, he brought to America. Here he made them a great nation; and they filled the land for many hundreds of years. By and by they grew exceedingly wicked and gathered together in vast armies to war one with another. And they fought so terribly that at last they were all destroyed,--all except one man. These people were called the Jaredites. By this we see that this continent was a second time left without inhabitants because of the great wickedness of the people. After this the Lord brought another people to fill this land. They were a branch of the house of Israel, and we call them the Nephites and Lamanites. They also grew great, prospered, flourished, and fell. Like the Jaredites, at the last, they destroyed each other in war, and there were but few left. But from those few have come the many tribes of Indians that today are found scattered far and wide over both North and South America, and also on some of the outlying islands of the sea. Thus fell a third race who would not serve God; for he had decreed that the wicked should not inherit this land. To one of his ancient servants he declared, "If iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes; but unto the righteous it shall be blessed for ever." (II. Nephi 1:7.) North America was the first of all lands to be inhabited; it was here that Adam and Eve dwelt. The Jaredites from the Tower of Babel also first landed here. But the Nephites made their earliest settlements on the western shores of the southern continent, where by degrees they spread north and south, then east and west, until their cities and villages could be seen in every part of the land. CHAPTER I. ANCIENT JERUSALEM--LEHI--HIS VISION--HIS CALL TO PREACH TO THE JEWS--THEY PERSECUTE HIM--HE IS COMMANDED OF GOD TO TAKE HIS FAMILY INTO THE WILDERNESS--THEIR DEPARTURE--THE RETURN OF HIS SONS TO JERUSALEM TO OBTAIN THE RECORDS--THEY ARE ILL-TREATED BY LABAN--HIS DEATH--ZORAM ACCOMPANIES THE BROTHERS INTO THE WILDERNESS. (I. NEPHI CHAP. 1 TO 4.) Our story opens in the royal city of Jerusalem, in the first year of the reign of King Zedekiah, or exactly six hundred years before the birth of our Savior. It was then very grand and very beautiful, the capital of the Kingdom of Judah, and the chief city of all Israel. In name it was holy, for the Temple of the Lord was there. Its busy streets were crowded with a mixed multitude. Priests and Levites, who officiated in the ordinances of the law of Moses, worshipers from the other tribes of Jacob, warriors of the armies of Judah, courtiers and attendants on the king, merchants from Egypt, from Tyre and Sidon and from many other parts, artificers in various trades, all these combined to make it wealthy and renowned, a busy mart of trade, a center of civilization, and a sacred city. Holy it should have been, but the glory of the Lord had departed from his house. Its people had become very wicked. They were filled with pride and greed; they heeded not the law of the Lord; their affections were set upon the things of this world; they served God with their lips only, while their hearts were far from him. He had sent unto them his prophets, but one after another they had rejected these holy men; many they had persecuted, and some they had slain.[1] In this city, at that time, dwelt a worthy man named Lehi. He was of the tribe of Manasseh, but had made his home in Jerusalem all his days, though it was a city of the Kingdom of Judah. He was a man who had been prospered of the Lord and had gathered around him considerable wealth. His wife's name was Sariah, and they had four sons and some daughters. The names of the sons, in the order of their ages, were Laman, Lemuel, Sam and Nephi; the number or names of the daughters are nowhere given in the sacred history. To this good man the word of the Lord came. God raised him up to be a prophet. He sent him with a message to the people of Jerusalem. As a servant of the Lord he had to warn them of many evils that would come upon them if they did not cease from their wicked ways. But they paid no heed to his words; they refused to listen to his warning. Indeed, they became very angry because he told them of their sins, and before long they sought to kill him. God gave to Lehi many dreams and visions. One day a pillar of fire came and rested on a rock before him; and then he heard and saw many wonderful things. The things which he had seen and heard so overpowered him that he went home to his house at Jerusalem, and threw himself on his bed. Then being overcome by the Holy Spirit he was carried away in a vision. In that vision he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded by vast hosts of angels who were singing and praising the Lord. And he saw a holy Being, surrounded by a glory as bright as the sun at noon day, come down out of the midst of heaven. It was the Lord Jesus. Our Savior was followed by twelve others whose brightness exceeded that of the stars. They were Christ's Apostles. These came down and went forth on the face of the earth. And in the vision the Savior came to Lehi and gave him a book, and bade him read it. In that book was an account of events that had not yet taken place. It was full of the woes that should happen to Jerusalem and her people if they repented not of their sins and follies. It told how that great city should be taken by her enemies and destroyed; how numbers of the inhabitants should perish, while many should be carried captive into Babylon. All of which was fulfilled a few years later. These things with others were what Lehi told the Jews; and as they did not believe his words they became enraged at him and ill treated him. How gracious was our heavenly Father to show such great things to Lehi, and to reveal to him so much with regard to the earthly life of our Lord and Savior, whose coming in the flesh was yet six hundred years in the future. Before long the Lord was satisfied with what Lehi had said and done. He told him, in a dream, that as the Jews had rejected his message and sought his life, to leave them to the destruction that would surely come upon them. God then directed him to leave Jerusalem and take his family and journey into the wilderness. This Lehi did. He left behind him his gold and other precious things, and only carried with him what was needful for the use of his family during their travels. Like Abraham before him, he went not knowing whither he was going, but went because God had commanded him; and, like Abraham, he was led by Divine power to a blessed land of promise. When Lehi and his family left Jerusalem they traveled southward to the borders of the Red Sea. There they pitched their tents and rested for a season in a valley near a river which emptied into the sea. In this valley Lehi built an altar, and upon it he offered a sacrifice to the Lord, and gave thanks unto him for his great goodness in bringing them out of the doomed chief city of Judah. It was while Lehi's little company were camped in this valley, to which he gave the name of the Valley of Lemuel, that the dispositions of the four young men began to show themselves. Laman and Lemuel here commenced to grumble, to complain and to rebel, while Nephi was obedient in all things to the word of God and the wishes of his father. He sought the Holy One in earnest prayer in his own behalf and in that of his brothers, and the Lord made him many precious promises, all of which were, in due time, fulfilled. While encamped in this valley the Lord, in a dream, commanded Lehi to send his sons back to Jerusalem to obtain certain plates on which was engraven a record of the Jews. They also contained a genealogy or list of Lehi's forefathers. These plates were kept by a rich man named Laban, who held them because, like Lehi, he was a descendant of that Joseph who was sold into Egypt. When Lehi's elder sons heard this they murmured. They did not want to go back to the city. They said it was a hard thing to do, and they claimed to be afraid of Laban. But Nephi neither feared nor murmured, for he was a man of much faith. On this occasion he said to his father, I will go and do the things which God has commanded, for I know that the Lord gives no commandment to the children of men, save he prepares a way that they may do the thing that he requires of them. When Lehi saw how strong was his son's faith he greatly rejoiced, for he perceived that Nephi had been much blessed of the Lord. [Illustration: ANCIENT AZTEC CHART SHOWING LEHI's TRAVELS. NO. 1.] At last all the sons consented to return and get the plates. They took their tents with them, traveled as they came, and in a few days reached Jerusalem. When they arrived they cast lots to decide which of them should first visit Laban. The lot fell upon Laman. As he had no faith in his mission, we can readily understand that he failed to get the records. He went to Laban's house, which was a very fine one, and talked with him on the matter. But Laban grew angry, would not let him have the plates, called him a robber, and drove him out of the house. When Laman returned to his brothers they were very sad at hearing how violently Laban had acted. All but Nephi wished to return to their father in the wilderness; but he would not consent. He had come up to Jerusalem to do what God had commanded, and he would not return until he had done it. He said to his brothers, "As the Lord liveth, and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness, until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord has commanded us." Brave words from a heart of faith, and by that faith their purpose was accomplished. Nephi next proposed that they should go to their father's house and collect some of the gold, silver and other precious things which he had left behind, take them to Laban and offer them to him in exchange for the records. They did all this; still Laban would not let them have the plates. But when he saw how great was the value of the property which they offered him, he coveted it; for he was a wicked man, filled with greed and covetousness. So he thrust the brothers out of his house and kept their property. Not content with this he sent his servants after them to slay them. But the servants did not overtake them, for Nephi and his brothers outran them and hid themselves in a cave in the wilderness outside of the walls of the city. Laman and Lemuel were now furious at their lack of success. In their anger they said many hard things to Sam and Nephi, and moreover they beat them with a rod. While thus engaged an angel of the Lord stood before them and rebuked them for their cruel treatment of their younger brothers. He further told them to go up to Jerusalem once again, and Laban should be delivered into their hands. Even though an angel from heaven had appeared to them, Laman and Lemuel still murmured and did not want to go back to the house of Laban. But after some persuasion from Nephi they reluctantly followed him. His faith had made him their leader, which position he ever afterwards held. Nephi caused his brethren to hide themselves without the walls, and then went forward alone, not knowing exactly where he was going, but suffering himself to be guided by the Spirit of the Lord. It was now night. When near the house of Laban he came across a man lying in a drunken stupor on the ground. It proved to be Laban himself. The Spirit of the Lord now directed Nephi to slay Laban, telling him that it was better that one man should die than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief. This the Nephites undoubtedly would have done had they not had the law of the Lord with them; and this law was engraved on these plates. As we proceed we shall find that both the Lamanites and the people of Zarahemla sank in sin and dwindled in unbelief from this very cause,--they had no Divine records. For all that the Spirit thus prompted, still Nephi felt loath to slay Laban, although he had robbed him and his brothers of their father's property and sought to take their lives. But at last he obeyed the voice of the Spirit, and drawing Laban's own sword from its sheath, with it he smote off this wicked man's head. Nephi next removed Laban's armor from the dead body and put it on his own person; he also took the sword of Laban and girded it around his waist. Then he went to the dead man's house, and, imitating Laban's voice, he commanded the servant who had the keys of the room where the records were kept to go with him and get them. The servant, whose name was Zoram, obeyed, and brought forth the records, for in the darkness, he thought it was his master who was talking to him. Nephi, still acting as though he was Laban, had Zoram go with him to where his brothers were hid. When Laman, Lemuel and Sam saw him coming they became greatly afraid, for they did not know him, dressed as he was in the armor of Laban; and he had some little difficulty in making them understand that he was their brother, and that they had no cause for fear. But when Zoram discovered that Nephi was not his master, he also was seized with fear, and would have run away had not Nephi held him. We may be sure Nephi did not want Zoram to return to Jerusalem, lest he should gather a body of men and follow him and his brothers into the wilderness and slay them. So he spake kind and encouraging words to Zoram, who soon consented to make a covenant of friendship with Nephi and go with him to the place where Lehi had pitched his tents. This covenant Zoram most faithfully kept. FOOTNOTE: [1] See II. Chronicles 36:14-16. CHAPTER II. THE REJOICING OVER THE RECORDS--NEPHI AND HIS BROTHERS AGAIN RETURN TO JERUSALEM--THEY CONDUCT ISHMAEL AND HIS FAMILY INTO THE WILDERNESS--LEHI's DREAM--THE TREE OF LIFE--THE ROD OF IRON--THE BOTURINI MANUSCRIPT--NEPHI's VISION. (I. NEPHI CHAP. 5 TO 15.) When Nephi and his companions reached their father's tent in the wilderness their parents were exceedingly glad. Sariah had mourned during their absence because she fancied her sons would never return alive; and with those feelings she had upbraided her husband for sending them away. She charged him with being a visionary man, who was always giving heed to dreams in which she had little faith. All this was changed when her boys got back; then she was willing to acknowledge the inspiration of Heaven in her husband's visions. The first thing Lehi did when his sons arrived was to offer a sacrifice to the Lord, as a token of his gratitude for their safe return. Next he examined the records, and rejoiced greatly to find that they contained the five books of Moses and a history of the Jews to the commencement of the reign of King Zedekiah. These plates also contained many of the prophecies of the holy prophets, and a genealogy of Lehi's fathers. We may be well assured how grateful Lehi felt to the Lord for placing these sacred records in his hands, so that his people could have the Law of the Lord and the history of their ancestors always in their possession. It is a great stay and a help to any people, who, like Lehi's family, are separated from the rest of mankind and who are building up a new civilization to possess the annals of their forefathers. It tends to keep them from sinking into idolatry, and from corrupting the laws of heaven; it preserves the purity of their language, and connects them with those from whom they have sprung. But the four young men had to return once again to Jerusalem. God intended to make of Lehi's posterity a great nation. This could scarcely be done unless his sons married. But they had no young maidens with them in the wilderness who would do for wives. So the Lord told Lehi to send his sons to a man named Ishmael, of the tribe of Ephraim, who dwelt in Jerusalem, and desire him and his family to join them on their journey. The reason why God sent them to Ishmael was that he was a good man and had a number of daughters. When Lehi's sons delivered their message the Lord softened Ishmael's heart and he consented to go with them; and soon he and his family were on the way to the valley by the Red Sea where Lehi was encamped. As they journeyed, however, they had the usual trouble. Laman and Lemuel had another rebellious fit. They induced some of the family of Ishmael to join them, and for a time there was great division in the little company. Nephi, inspired with the Spirit of the Lord, rebuked them for their folly. This so angered them that they bound him with cords, intending in their cruelty to leave him to perish in the wilderness, or to be devoured by wild beasts. But Nephi prayed in great faith to the Lord to give him strength to burst the bands which held him. The Lord answered his prayer and the cords were loosened from his hands and feet. Being now free he again reproved his brethren, which renewed their anger. Once more they sought to take his life, but Ishmael's wife and one of her sons and a daughter so earnestly plead for him that the hearts of the rebels were softened and they ceased their efforts to slay him. By and by, when their anger had cooled down, they felt very sorry for their great wickedness in trying to kill their brother. Then they humbled themselves before him and sought his forgiveness, which he, in the goodness of his heart, at once most gladly granted. When the company reached the tents of Lehi, after the usual custom they offered burnt offerings and sacrifices to the Lord. While Lehi dwelt in the Valley of Lemuel he had another remarkable dream. It was like unto this: He dreamed that a man stood before him and bade him follow him. This Lehi did. They traveled for many hours through a dark and dreary waste. When they had thus journeyed for so long a time Lehi began to pray to the Lord to have mercy on him. After he had prayed he beheld a large and spacious field. In it grew a tree whose fruit was very desirable to make one happy. Lehi partook of this fruit. He found it whiter and sweeter than any fruit he had ever before seen or tasted. When he had eaten his heart was filled with great joy, and he was very anxious that his family should partake of it also. So he looked around in the hope of seeing some of them, and in doing so his eyes fell upon a river. Its waters were filthy, and it ran along near the tree upon which the sweet fruit grew. Not far off was the fountain from whence the river sprang; and near by he saw his wife Sariah, and his sons, Sam and Nephi. They stood there hesitating, as if they knew not where to go. Lehi there-upon beckoned, and called them to come to him and taste of the fruit. Then they all three came and partook of it. Lehi now felt desirous that his two elder sons, Laman and Lemuel, should also partake; but when he called them, they would not come. Lehi also saw a rod of iron. It extended along the bank of the river and led to the tree by which he stood. And there was a straight and narrow path which ran along by the rod of iron to the tree. This path led into a broad field, so spacious that it might have been a world. He likewise saw vast numbers of people, many of whom were pressing forward to get to the path which led to the tree. Then it seemed that as soon as these people began to walk in the path there arose a great mist of darkness, that many missed their way, wandered off, and were lost. Others, by taking hold of the rod of iron, and clinging thereto, kept in the narrow path, reached the tree and partook of its precious fruit. Some of those who tasted the fruit appeared to soon grow ashamed; and Lehi, casting his eyes across the river, beheld on the other side a very large and fine building, which stood as if it were in the air high above the earth. This building was filled with men and women of all ages, whose style of dress was very rich and grand. These people were mocking and ridiculing those who ate of the fruit of the tree. Because of this taunting and derision some felt ashamed, and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost. Lehi also saw other multitudes groping their way towards the spacious building; and some were drowned in the fountain of filthy water, and others were lost to sight wandering in strange roads. The interpretation of Lehi's dream is this: The tree which bore the precious fruit, of which Lehi, Sariah, Sam and Nephi ate, was the tree of life. The rod of iron which led thereunto represented the word of God, and whoso will hearken unto the word of God, and will cleave unto it, will never perish, but partake of the fruit of the tree of life. The river of filthy water showed the awful gulf which separates the wicked from the tree of life and from the saints of God. The vast and costly building represented the wicked world, with those who belong thereto. Lehi further saw that Laman and Lemuel ate not of the fruit of the tree, and it gave him much sorrow. We present a copy of a portion of an ancient Aztec map or chart. The original map is about twenty feet in length, it was found in Mexico more than a hundred years ago by an Italian gentleman named Boturini.[2] On a previous page we have inserted a copy of the first part of this map or panorama, which seems to show the departure of Lehi from Jerusalem, his crossing some waters, his journey in the desert, and the names of his family. In the second part we consider is yet more clearly shown Lehi's dream. We can plainly see the tree of life, with its twelve branches, with Lehi near by, the rod of iron that led thereto, Sariah, Sam and Nephi partaking of the fruit; while Laman and Lemuel are not touching it. Then the journey is continued, and we see them all weeping over one man. This we think represents the death of Ishmael, of which we shall speak hereafter. Above again appear the names of the family.[3] [Illustration: ANCIENT AZTEC CHART, SHOWING LEHI'S TRAVELS. NO. 2.] Nephi was very desirous to have the same dreams as his father; and he prayed earnestly to the Lord that this favor might be granted him. God answered his prayers, and showed him many of the greatest events that would take place in the future history of the world. For while Nephi was pondering these things in his heart he was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, into an exceedingly high mountain, on which he had never before set his foot. There the Spirit, which was in the form of a man, showed him the things which he desired. After the Spirit left him he was shown Jerusalem and other cities, especially Nazareth, and therein a virgin exceedingly white and fair. While gazing upon this scene, he beheld the heavens open, and an angel came down and stood before him, who explained to him the various scenes that were brought before his vision. [Illustration: VISION OF NEPHI.] The virgin that Nephi saw was named Mary; she was the mother of Jesus. Next the angel showed him the virgin with the babe in her arms. The angel also showed him the Savior; how he should be baptized of John in the Jordan; how he went forth among the people preaching the gospel and doing marvelous works, and how that he was taken and crucified, and thus died for the sins of the world. Nephi further saw how the world fought against the disciples of Christ, and how, in the end, all those who contended against heaven and against God's servants were destroyed. Furthermore he was shown the land of America filled with a numerous people, who were the seed of his father. He also saw the terrible earthquakes and devastating storms that took place on this land at the time of the crucifixion of the Redeemer. He saw the Savior visit this land, and how he chose twelve disciples and here established his holy church. He saw the reign of profound peace that continued for three generations, and also the time of awful wickedness that followed this blessed era. And there were shown to him the final wars in which the Nephite nation was destroyed. Nor was this all. Like a vast panorama, the kingdoms and nations of the Gentiles were presented to his view. He saw a man inspired by the Spirit of God cross the great waters which separated the Gentiles from the land on which the remnants of his father's seed dwelt, and that this man was followed by numerous hosts of others who came out from the nations and occupied the land. He saw the remnants of the seed of his father, the Indians, abused, robbed and massacred by the Gentiles. Then the war of the revolution was shown to him, the triumph of the colonies, and the growth of the people of this land in power, riches and pride. And again he saw the rise of a great and abominable church which exercised power and dominion over many peoples. It was the great apostate Christian Church which held sway after the true gospel ceased to exist on the earth by reason of the wickedness of mankind. Nephi also saw the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, the establishment of the great Latter-day work, the preaching of the gospel to Gentile and Jew, and the final triumph of God's cause. Indeed he saw to the end of the world and thereafter; but much that he had revealed to him he was told not to write, as the Apostle John would have the same things shown to him in a later day, and John would be instructed of the Lord to write the things which he heard and saw. FOOTNOTES: [2] Of Boturini, Humboldt observes. "This Milanese traveler had crossed the seas with no other view than to study on the spot the history of the native tribes of America; but in traversing the country to examine its monuments and make researches into its antiquities, he had the misfortune to fall under the suspicion of the Spanish government. After having been deprived of the fruit of his labors, he was sent in 1736 as a state prisoner to Madrid. The king of Spain declared him innocent, but this did not restore to him his property; and this collection * * * lay buried in the archives of the University of Mexico; those valuable relics of the culture of the Aztecs were preserved with so little care that there scarcely exists at present an eighth part of the hieroglyphic records taken from the Italian traveler." [3] The priests of the Roman Catholic Church who visited Mexico at the time of and soon after the Spanish conquest were struck with the great resemblance of so large a number of the customs of the Mexican people to those of the ancient Israelites. To account for these resemblances they invented the theory that the devil had imitated the Lord when he delivered the Hebrews from their bondage in Egypt, by bringing the forefathers of the American races from their original home
{'title': 'The Story of the Book of Mormon by George Reynolds', 'source': 'Project Gutenberg', 'lang': 'en'}