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1:1 Chapter 1 And now I, Moroni, proceed to give an account
of those ancient inhabitants which were destroyed by the hand
of the Lord upon the face of this north country.
1:2 And I take mine account from the twenty and four plates which
were found by the people of Limhi, which is called the Book of
Ether.
1:3 And as I suppose that the first part of this record, which
speaketh concerning the creation of the world, and also of Adam,
an account from that time even to the great tower, and whatsoever
things transpired among the children of men until that time, is
had among the Jews,
1:4 therefore I do not write those things which transpired from
the days of Adam until that time; but they are had upon the plates;
and whoso findeth them, the same will have power that he may get
the full account.
1:5 But behold, I give not the full account, but a part of the
account I give, from the tower down until they were destroyed.
1:6 And on this wise do I give the account. He that wrote this
record was Ether, and he was a descendant of Coriantor;
1:7 Coriantor was the son of Moron;
1:8 and Moron was the son of Ethem;
1:9 and Ethem was the son of Ahah;
1:10 and Ahah was the son of Seth;
1:11 and Seth was the son of Shiblon;
1:12 and Shiblon was the son of Com;
1:13 and Com was the son of Coriantum;
1:14 and Coriantum was the son of Amnigaddah;
1:15 and Amnigaddah was the son of Aaron;
1:16 and Aaron was a descendant of Heth, who was the son of Hearthom;
1:17 and Hearthom was the son of Lib;
1:18 and Lib was the son of Kish;
1:19 and Kish was the son of Corom;
1:20 and Corom was the son of Levi;
1:21 and Levi was the son of Kim;
1:22 and Kim was the son of Morianton;
1:23 and Morianton was a descendant of Riplakish;
1:24 and Riplakish was the son of Shez;
1:25 and Shez was the son of Heth;
1:26 And Heth was the son of Com;
1:27 and Com was the son of Coriantum;
1:28 and Coriantum was the son of Emer;
1:29 and Emer was the son of Omer;
1:30 and Omer was the son of Shule;
1:31 and Shule was the son of Kib;
1:32 and Kib was the son of Orihah, which was the son of Jared;
1:33 which Jared came forth with his brother and their families,
with some others and their families, from the great tower, at
the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, and swear
in his wrath that they should be scattered upon all the face of
the earth; and according to the word of the Lord the people were
scattered.
1:34 And the brother of Jared, being a large and a mighty man,
and being a man highly favored of the Lord; for Jared his brother
said unto him, Cry unto the Lord, that he will not confound us
that we may not understand our words.
1:35 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did cry unto
the Lord, and the Lord had compassion upon Jared; therefore he
did not confound the language of Jared; and Jared and his brother
were not confounded.
1:36 Then Jared said unto his brother, Cry again unto the Lord,
and it may be that he will turn away his anger from them which
are our friends, that he confound not their language.
1:37 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did cry unto
the Lord, and the Lord had compassion upon their friends, and
their families also, that they were not confounded.
1:38 And it came to pass that Jared spake again unto his brother,
saying, Go and inquire of the Lord whether he will drive us out
of the land; and if he will drive us out of the land, cry unto
him whither we shall go. And who knoweth but the Lord will carry
us forth into a land which is choice above all the earth. And
if it so be, let us be faithful unto the Lord, that we may receive
it for our inheritance.
1:39 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did cry unto
the Lord according to that which had been spoken by the mouth
of Jared.
1:40 And it came to pass that the Lord did hear the brother Jared,
and had compassion upon him, and said unto him,
1:41 Go to and gather together thy flocks, both male and female,
of every kind; and also of the seed of the earth of every kind,
and thy families; and also Jared thy brother and his family; and
also thy friends and their families, and the friend of Jared and
their families.
1:42 And when thou hast done this, thou shalt go at the head of
them down into the valley, which is northward. And there will
I meet thee, and I will go before thee into a land which is choice
above all the land of the earth.
1:43 And there will I bless thee and thy seed, and raise up unto
me of thy seed, and the seed of thy brother, and they which shall
go with thee, a great nation. And there shall be none greater
than the nation which I will raise up unto me of thy seed, upon
all the face of the earth. And thus I will do unto thee because
of this long time which ye have cried unto me.
2:1 And it came to pass that Jared and his brother, and their
families, and also the friends of Jared and his brother, and their
families, went down into the valley which was northward, mighty
hunter,) with their flocks which they had gathered together, male
and female, of every kind.
2:2 And they did also lay snares and catch the fowls of the air;
and they did also prepare a vessel, in the which they did carry
with them the fish of the waters;
2:3 and they did also carry with them deseret, which by interpretation,
is a honey bee; and thus they did carry with them swarms of bees,
and all manner of that which was upon the face of the land, seeds
of every kind.
2:4 And it came to pass that when they did come down into the
valley of Nimrod, the Lord came down and talked with the brother
of Jared; and he was in a clowd, and the brother of Jared saw
him not.
2:5 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded them that they
should go forth into the wilderness, yea, into that quarter where
there never had man been. And it came to pass that the Lord did
go before them, and did talk with them as he stood in a cloud,
and gave directions, whither they should travel.
2:6 --And it came to pass that they did travel in the wilderness,
and did build barges, in the which they did cross many waters,
being directed continually by the hand of the Lord.
2:7 And the Lord would not suffer that they should stop beyond
the sea in the wilderness, but he would that they should come
forth even unto the land of promise, which was choice above all
other lands, which the Lord God had preserved for a righteous
people;
2:8 and he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared, that
whoso possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth
and forever, should serve him, the true and only God, or they
should be swept off when the fulness of his wrath should come
upon them.
2:9 And now we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land,
that is a land of promise, and whatsoever nation shall possess
it, shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness
of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath
cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity:
2:10 for behold, this is a land which is choice above all other
lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God, or shall
be swept off; for it is the everlasting decrees of God. And it
is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the
land, that they are swept off.
2:11 And this cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know
the decrees of God, that ye may repent, and not continue in your
iniquities until the fulness be come, that ye may not bring down
the fulness of the wrath of God upon you, as the inhabitants of
the land hitherto done.
2:12 Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall
possess it, shall be free from bondage, and captivity, and from
all other nations under the Heaven, if they will but serve the
God of the land, which is Jesus Christ, which hath been manifested
by the things which we have written.
2:13 And now I proceed with my record: for behold it came to pass
that the Lord did bring Jared and his brethren forth even to that
great sea which divideth the lands. And as they came to the sea,
they pitched their tents; and they called the name of the place
Moriancumer; and they dwelt in tents; and dwelt in tents upon
the seashore for the space of four years.
2:14 And it came to pass at the end of the four years, that the
Lord came again unto the brother of Jared, and stood in a cloud
and talked to him. And for the space of three hours did the Lord
talk with the brother of Jared, and chastened him because he remembered
not to call upon the name of the Lord.
2:15 And the brother of Jared repented him of the evil which he
had done, and did call upon the name of the Lord for his brethern
which were with him. And the Lord said unto him, I will forgive
thee and thy brethren of their sins; but thou shalt not sin anymore,
for ye shall remember that my spirit will not always strive with
man; wherefore if ye will sin until ye are fully ripe, ye shall
be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And this is my thoughts
upon the land which I shall give you for your inheritance; for
it shall be a land choice above all other lands.
2:16 And the Lord said, Go to work and build, after the manner
of barges which ye have hitherto built. And it came to pass that
the brother of Jared did go to work, and also his brethren, and
built barges after the manner which they had built, according
to the instructions of the Lord. And they were small, and they
were light upon the water;
2:17 and they were built after a manner that they were exceeding
tight; even that they would hold water like unto a dish; and the
bottom thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the sides thereof
was tight like unto a dish; and the ends thereof were peaked;
and the top thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the length
thereof was the length of a tree; and the door thereof, when it
was shut, was tight like unto a dish.
2:18 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared cried unto
the Lord, saying: O Lord, I have performed the work which thou
hast commanded me, and I have made the barges according as thou
hast directed me.
2:19 And behold, O Lord, in them there is no light, whither shall
we steer. --And also we shall perish, for in them we cannot breathe,
save it is the air which is in them; therefore we shall perish.
2:20 And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared, Behold, thou
shalt make a hole in the top thereof, and also in the bottom thereof;
and when thou shalt suffer for air, thou shalt unstop the hole
thereof, and receive air. And if it so be that the water come
in upon thee, behold, ye shall stop the hole thereof, that ye
may not perish in the flood.
2:21 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did so, according
as the Lord commanded.
2:22 And he cried again unto the Lord, saying, O Lord, behold
I have done even as thou hast commanded me; and I have prepared
the vessels for my people, and behold, there is no light in them.
Behold, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great
water in darkness?
2:23 And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared, What will ye
that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold,
ye cannot have windows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither
shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light
of the fire:
2:24 for behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea;
for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will
bring you up again out of the depths of the sea: for the winds
have gone out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have
I sent forth.
2:25 And behold, I prepare you against these things: for howbeit,
ye cannot cross this great deep, save I prepare you against the
waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the
floods which shall come. --Therefore what will ye that I should
prepare for you, that ye may have light when ye are swallowed
up in the depths of the sea?
3:1 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared, (now the number
of the vessels which had been prepared, was eight,) went forth
unto the mount, which they called the mount Shelem, because of
its exceeding height, and did moulten out of a rock sixteen small
stones; and they were light and clear, even as transparent glass;
and he did carry them in his hands upon the top of the mount,
and cried again unto the Lord, saying,
3:2 O Lord, thou hast said that we must be encompassed about by
the floods. Now behold, O Lord, and do not be angry with they
servant because of his weakness before thee: for we know that
thou art holy, and dwellest in the heavens, and that we are unworthy
before thee: because of the fall, of our natures have become evil
continually; nevertheless, O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment
that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according
to our desires.
3:3 Behold, O Lord, thou hast smitten us because of our iniquity,
and hath driven us forth, and for this many years we have been
in the wilderness; nevertheless, thou hast been merciful unto
us. O Lord, look upon me in pity, and turn away thine anger from
this thy people, and suffer it not that they shall go forth across
this raging deep in darkness, but behold these things which I
have moulten out of the rock.
3:4 --And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do
whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these
stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may
shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in
the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while
we cross the sea.
3:5 Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art
able to shew forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding
of men.
3:6 And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said
those words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched
the stones, one by one, with his finger; and the veil was taken
from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger
of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh
and blood; and the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord,
for he was struck with fear.
3:7 And the Lord saw that the brother of Jared had fallen to the
earth; and the Lord said unto him, Arise, why hast thou fallen
down?
3:8 And he saith unto the Lord, I saw the finger of the Lord,
and I feared lest he should smite me: for I knew not that the
Lord had flesh and blood.
3:9 And the Lord said unto him, Because of thy faith thou hast
seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood, and never has
man come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast: for
were it so, ye could not have seen my finger. Sawest thou more
than this?
3:10 And he answered, Nay, Lord, shew thyself unto me.
3:11 And the Lord said unto him, Believest thou the words which
I shall speak?
3:12 And he answered, Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the
truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie.
3:13 And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord shewed
himself unto him, and said, Because thou knowest these things,
ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into
my presence; therefore I shew myself unto you.
3:14 Behold, I am he which was prepared from the foundation of
the world, to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am
the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have light, and
that eternally, even they which shall believe on my name; and
they shall become my sons and daughters.
3:15 And never hath I shewed myself unto man whom I have created,
for never hath man believed in me as thou hast. Seest thou that
ye are created after mine own image? Yea, even all men were created,
in the beginning, after mine own image.
3:16 Behold, this body, which ye now behold, is the body of my
spirit; and man have I created after the body of my spirit; and
even as I appear unto thee to be in the spirit, will I appear
unto my people in the flesh.
3:17 And now, as I Moroni, said I could not make a full account
of these things which are written, therefore it sufficeth me to
say, That Jesus shewed himself unto this man in the spirit, even
after the manner and in the likeness of the same body, even as
he shewed himself unto the Nephites;
3:18 and he ministered unto him, even as he ministered unto the
Nephites: and all this, that this man knew that he was God, because
of the many great works which the Lord had shewed unto him.
3:19 And because of the knowledge of this man, he could not be
kept from beholding within the veil: and he saw the finger of
Jesus, which when he saw, he fell with fear: for he knew that
it was the finger of the Lord; and he had faith no longer, for
he knew, nothing doubting;
3:20 wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could
not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus, and
he did minister unto him.
3:21 And it came to pass that the Lord said unto the brother of
Jared, Behold, thou shalt not suffer these things which ye have
seen and heard, to go forth unto the world, until the time cometh
that I shall glorify my name in the flesh; wherefore, ye shall
treasure up the things which ye have seen and heard, and shew
it to no man.
3:22 And behold, when ye shall come unto me, ye shall write them
and shall seal them up, that no one can interpret them: for ye
shall write them in a language that they cannot read.
3:23 And behold, these two stones will I give unto thee, and ye
shall seal them up also with the things which ye shall write.
3:24 For behold, the language which ye shall write, I have confounded;
wherefore I will cause in mine own due time that these stones
shall magnify to the eyes of men, these things which ye shall
write.
3:25 And when the Lord had said these words, the Lord shewed unto
the brother of Jared all the inhabitants of the earth which had
been, and also all that would be; and the Lord withheld them not
from his sight, even unto the ends of the earth:
3:26 for the Lord had said unto him in times before, that if he
would believe in him, that he could shew unto him all things --it
should be shewn unto him; therefore the Lord could not withhold
any thing from him: for he knew that the Lord could shew him all
things.
3:27 And the Lord said unto him, Write these things and seal them
up, and I will shew them in mine own due time unto the children
of men.
3:28 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded him that he should
seal up the two stones which he had received, and shew them not,
until the Lord should shew them unto the children of men.
4:1 And the Lord commanded the brother of Jared to go down out
of the mount from the presence of the Lord, and write the things
which he had seen: and they were forbidden to come unto the children
of men, until after that he should be lifted up upon the cross:
and for this cause did king Benjamin keep them, that they should
not come unto the world until after Christ shew himself unto his
people.
4:2 And after that Christ truly had shewed himself unto his people,
he commanded that they should be made manifest.
4:3 And now, after that, they have all dwindled in unbelief, and
there is none, save it be the Lamanites, and they have rejected
the Gospel of Christ; therefore I am commanded that I should hide
them up again in the earth.
4:4 Behold, I have written upon these plates the very things which
the brother of Jared saw; and there never was greater things made
manifest, than that which was made manifest unto the brother of
Jared;
4:5 wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to write them; and I
have wrote them. And he commanded me that I should seal them up;
and he also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation
thereof; wherefore I have sealed up the interpreters. according
to the commandments of the Lord.
4:6 For the Lord saith unto me, They shall not go forth unto the
Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity,
and become clean before the Lord;
4:7 and in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith
the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become
sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which
the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all
my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father
of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them is.
4:8 And he that will contend against the word of the Lord, let
him be accursed; and he that shall deny these things, saith Jesus
Christ, for I am he which speaketh;
4:9 and at my command the heavens are opened and are shut; and
at my word, the earth shall shake; and at my command the inhabitants
thereof shall pass away, even so as by fire;
4:10 and he that believeth not my words, believeth not my disciples;
and if it so be that I do not speak, judge ye: for ye shall know
that it is I that speaketh, at the last day.
4:11 But he that believeth these things which I have spoken, him
will I visit with the manifestations of my spirit, and he shall
know and bear record. For because of my spirit, he shall know
that these things are true: for it persuadeth men to do good;
4:12 and whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good, is of me:
for good cometh of none, save it be of me. I am the same that
leadeth men to all good: he that will not believe my words, will
not believe me, will not believe the Father which sent me. For
behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the
truth of the world.
4:13 Come unto me, O ye Gentiles, and I will shew unto you the
greater things, the knowledge which is hid up because of unbelief.
4:14 Come unto me, O ye house of Israel, and it shall be made
manifest unto you how great things the father hath laid up for
you, from the foundation of the world; and it hath not come unto
you, because of the unbelief.
4:15 Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth
cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness
of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvellous
things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world
from you; yea, when ye shall call upon the father in my name,
with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know
that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto
your fathers, O house of Israel;
4:16 and then shall my revelations which I have caused to be written
by my servant John, be unfolded in the eyes of all the people.
Remember, when ye see these things, ye shall know that the time
is at hand that they shall be made manifest in very deed;
4:17 therefore, when ye shall receive this record, ye may know
that the work of the Father has commenced upon all the face of
the land.
4:18 Therefore, repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto
me, and believe in my Gospel, and be baptized in my name: for
he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that
believeth not, shall be damned: and signs shall follow them that
believe in my name.
4:19 And blessed is he that is found faithful unto my name, at
the last day: for they shall be lifted up to dwell in the kingdom
prepared for them from the foundation of the world. And behold,
it is I that hath spoken it. Amen.
5:1 Chapter 2 And now I, Moroni, have written the words
which was commanded me, according to my memory; and I have told
you the things which I have sealed up; therefore touch them not,
in order that ye may translate: for that thing is forbidden you,
except by and by it shall be wisdom in God.
5:2 And behold, ye may be privileged that ye may shew the plates
unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work;
5:3 and unto three shall they be shewn by the power of God; wherefore,
they shall know of a surety that these things are true.
5:4 And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be
established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in which
shall be shewn forth the power of God, and also his word, of which
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost beareth record; and
all this shall stand as a testimony against the world, at the
last day.
5:5 And if it so be that they repent and come unto the Father
in the name of Jesus, they shall be received into the kingdom
of God.
5:6 And now, if I have no authority for these things, judge ye,
for ye shall know that I have authority when ye shall see me,
and we shall stand before God at the last day. Amen.
6:1 Chapter 3 And now I, Moroni, proceed to give the record
of Jared and his brother.
6:2 For it came to pass after that the Lord had prepared the stones
which the brother of Jared had carried up into the mount, the
brother of Jared came down out of the mount, and he did put forth
the stones into the vessels which were prepared, one in each end
thereof; and behold, they did give light unto the vessels thereof.
6:3 And thus the Lord caused the stones to shine in darkness,
to give light unto men, women and children, that they might not
cross the great waters in darkness.
6:4 And it came to pass that when they had prepared all manner
of food, that thereby they might subsist upon the water, and also
food for their flocks and herds, and whatsoever beast, or animal,
or fowl that they should carry with them. And it came to pass
that when they had done all these things, they got aboard of their
vessels or barges, and set forth into the sea, commending themselves
unto the Lord their God.
6:5 And it came to pass that the Lord caused that there should
a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised
land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before
the wind.
6:6 And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the
depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon
them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused
by the fierceness of the wind.
6:7 And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep,
there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight
like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of
Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters,
they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again
upon the top of the waters.
6:8 And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow
towards the promised land, while they were upon the waters; and
thus they were driven forth before the wind;
6:9 and they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother
of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and
praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they
did not cease to praise the Lord.
6:10 And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea,
could break them, neither whale that could mar them: and they
did have light continually, whether it was above the water or
under the water.
6:11 And thus they were driven forth, three hundred and forty
and four days upon the water;
6:12 and they did land upon the shore of the promised land. And
when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land,
they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did
humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before
the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over
them.
6:13 And it came to pass that they went forth upon the face of
the land, and began to till the earth.
6:14 And Jared had four sons; and they were called Jacom, and
Gilgah, and Mahah, and Orihah.
6:15 And the brother of Jared also begat sons and daughters.
6:16 And the friend of Jared and his brother, were in number about
twenty and two souls; and they also begat sons and daughters,
before they came to the promised land; and therefore they began
to be many.
6:17 And they were taught to walk humbly before the Lord; and
they were also taught from on high.
6:18 And it came to pass that they began to spread upon the face
of the land, and to multiply and to till the earth; and they did
wax strong in the land.
6:19 And the brother of Jared began to be old, and saw that he
must soon go down to the grave; wherefore he saith unto Jared,
Let us gather together our people, that we may number them, that
we may know of them what they will desire of us before we go down
to our graves.
6:20 And accordingly the people were gathered together. Now the
number of the sons and daughters of the brother of Jared were
twenty and two souls; and the number of the sons and daughters
of Jared were twelve, he having four sons.
6:21 And it came to pass that they did number all their people;
and after that they had numbered them, they did desire of them
the things which they would that they should do before they went
down to their graves.
6:22 And it came to pass that the people desired of them that
they should anoint one of their sons to be a king over them.
6:23 And now behold, this was grievous unto them. --But the brother
of Jared said unto them, Surely, this thing leadeth into captivity.
6:24 But Jared said unto his brother, Suffer them that they may
have a king; and therefore he said unto them, Choose ye out from
among our sons a king, even whom ye will.
6:25 And it came to pass that they chose even the first born of
the brother of Jared; and his name was Pagag. And it came to pass
that he refused and would not be their king. And the people would
that his father should constrain him; but his father would not;
and he commanded them that they should constrain no man to be
their king.
6:26 And it came to pass that they chose all the brothers of Pagag,
and they would not.
6:27 --And it came to pass that neither would the sons of Jared,
even all, save it were one; and Orihah, he was anointed to be
king over the people.
6:28 And he began to reign, and the people began to prosper; and
they became exceeding rich.
6:29 And it came to pass that Jared died, and his brother also.
6:30 And it came to pass that Orihah did walk humbly before the
Lord, and did remember how great things the Lord had done for
his father, and also taught his people how great things the Lord
had done for their fathers.
7:1 And it came to pass that Orihah did execute judgment upon
the land in righteousness all his days, whose days were exceeding
many.
7:2 And he begat sons and daughters; yea, he begat thirty and
one, among whom were twenty and three sons.
7:3 And it came to pass that he also begat Kib in his old age.
And it came to pass that Kib reigned in his stead; and Kib begat
Corihor.
7:4 And when Corihor was thirty and two years old, he rebelled
against his father, and went over and dwelt in the land of Nehor;
and he begat sons and daughters; and they became exceeding fair;
wherefore Corihor drew away many people after him.
7:5 And when he had gathered together an army, he came up unto
the land of Moron where the king dwelt, and took him captive,
which brought to pass the saying of the brother of Jared, That
they would be brought into captivity.
7:6 Now the land of Moron where the king dwelt, was near the land
which is called Desolation by the Nephites.
7:7 --And it came to pass that Kib dwelt in captivity, and his
people, under Corihor his son, until he became exceeding old;
nevertheless Kib begat Shule in his old age, while he was yet
in captivity.
7:8 And it came to pass that Shule was angry with his brother;
and Shule waxed strong, and became mighty, as to the strength
of a man; and he was also mighty in judgment.
7:9 Wherefore he came to the hill Ephraim, and he did moulten
out of the hill, and made swords out of steel for those which
he had drew away with him; and after he had armed them with swords,
he returned to the city Nehor, and gave battle unto his brother
Corihor, by which means he obtained the kingdom, and restored
it unto his father Kib.
7:10 And now because of the thing which Shule had done, his father
bestowed upon him the kingdom; therefore he began to reign in
the stead of his father.
7:11 And it came to pass that he did execute judgment in righteousness;
and he did spread his kingdom upon all the face of the land, for
the people had become exceeding numerous.
7:12 --And it came to pass that Shule also begat many sons and
daughters.
7:13 And Corihor repented of the many evils which he had done;
wherefore Shule gave him power in his kingdom.
7:14 And it came to pass that Corihor had many sons and daughters.
--And among the sons of Corihor, there was one whose name was
Noah.
7:15 And it came to pass that Noah rebelled against Shule, the
king, and also his father Corihor, and drew away Cohor his brother,
and also his brethren and many of the people.
7:16 --And he gave battle unto Shule, the king in the which he
did obtain the land of their first inheritance; and he became
a king over that part of the land.
7:17 And it came to pass that he gave battle again unto Shule
the king; and he took Shule the king, and carried him away captive
into Moron.
7:18 And it came to pass as he was about to put him to death,
the sons of Shule crept into the house of Noah by night and slew
him, and broke down the door of the prison and brought out their
father, and placed him upon his throne in his own kingdom;
7:19 wherefore the son of Noah did build up his kingdom in his
stead; nevertheless they did not gain power any more over Shule
the king; and the people which were under the reign of Shule the
king, did prosper exceedingly and wax great.
7:20 And the country was divided; and there was two kingdoms,
the kingdom of Shule, and the kingdom of Cohor, the son of Noah.
7:21 And Cohor, the son of Noah, caused that his people should
give battle unto Shule, in the which Shule did beat them, and
did slay Cohor.
7:22 And now Cohor had a son which was called Nimrod; and Nimrod
gave up the kingdom of Cohor unto Shule, and he did gain favor
in the eyes of Shule; wherefore Shule did bestow great favor upon
him, in the which he did do in the kingdom of Shule according
to his desires;
7:23 and also in the reign of Shule there came prophets among
the people, which were sent from the Lord, prophesying that the
wickedness and idolatry of the people was bringing a curse upon
the land, in the which they should be destroyed, if they did not
repent.
7:24 And it came to pass that the people did revile against the
prophets, and did mock them. And it came to pass that king Shule
did execute judgment against all those who did revile against
the prophets;
7:25 and he did execute a law throughout all the land, which gave
power unto the prophets that they should go whithersoever they
would; and by this cause the people were brought unto repentance.
7:26 And because the people did repent of their iniquities and
idolatries, the Lord did spare them, and they began to prosper
again in the land. And it came to pass that Shule begat sons and
daughters in his old age.
7:27 And there was no more wars in the days of Shule; and he remembered
the great things that the Lord had done for his fathers in bringing
them across the great deep into the promised land; wherefore he
did execute judgment in righteousness all his days.
8:1 And it came to pass that he begat Omer, and Omer reigned in
his stead. And Omer begat Jared; and Jared begat sons and daughters.
8:2 And Jared rebelled against his father, and came and dwelt
in the land of Heth. And it came to pass that he did flatter much
people, because of his cunning words until he had gained the half
of the kingdom.
8:3 And when he had gained the half of the kingdom, he gave battle
unto his father, and he did carry away his father into captivity,
and did make him serve in captivity.
8:4 And now in the days of the reign of Omer, he was in captivity
the half of his days. And it came to pass that he begat sons and
daughters, among whom were Esrom and Coriantumr;
8:5 and they were exceeding angry because of the doings of Jared
their brother, insomuch that they did raise an army, and gave
battle unto Jared. And it came to pass that they did give battle
unto him by night.
8:6 --And it came to pass that when they had slew the army of
Jared, they were about to slay him also; and he plead with them
that they would not slay him, and he would give up the kingdom
unto his father. And it came to pass that they did grant unto
him his life.
8:7 And now Jared became exceeding sorrowful because of the loss
of the kingdom, for he had set his heart upon the kingdom, and
upon the glory of the world.
8:8 Now the daughter of Jared being exceeding expert, and seeing
the sorrows of her father, thought to devise a plan whereby she
could redeem the kingdom unto her father.
8:9 Now the daughter of Jared was exceeding fair. And it came
to pass that she did talk with her father, and saith unto him,
Whereby hath my father so much sorrow? Hath he not read the record
which our fathers brought across the great deep? Behold, is there
not an account concerning them of old, that they by their secret
plans did obtain kingdoms and great glory?
8:10 And now therefore, let my father send for Akish, the son
of Kimmer; and behold, I am fair, and I will dance before him,
and I will please him, that he will desire me to wife; wherefore
if he shall desire of thee that ye shall give unto him me to wife,
then shall ye say, I will give her if ye will bring unto me the
head of my father, the king.
8:11 And now Omer was a friend to Akish, wherefore when Jared
had sent for Akish, the daughter of Jared danced before him, that
she pleased him, insomuch that he desired her to wife. And it
came to pass that he said unto Jared, Give her unto me to wife.
8:12 And Jared said unto him, I will give her unto you, if ye
will bring unto me the head of my father, the king.
8:13 And it came to pass that Akish gathered in unto the house
of Jared all his kinsfolks, and saith unto them, Will ye swear
unto me that ye will be faithful unto me in the thing which I
shall desire of you?
8:14 And it came to pass that they all sware unto him, by the
God of Heaven, and also by the Heavens, and also by the earth,
and by their heads, that whoso should vary from the assistance
which Akish desired, should lose his head; and whoso should divulge
whatsoever thing Akish made known unto them, the same should lose
his life.
8:15 And it came to pass that thus they did agree with Akish.
And Akish did administer unto them the oaths which was given by
them of old, who also sought power, which had been handed down
even from Cain, who was a murderer from the beginning.
8:16 And they were kept up by the power of the devil to administer
these oaths unto the people, to keep them in darkness, to help
such as sought power, to gain power, and to murder, and to plunder,
and to lie, and to commit all manner of wickedness and whoredoms.
8:17 --And it was the daughter of Jared which put it into his
heart to search up these things of old; and Jared put it into
the heart of Akish; wherefore Akish administered it unto his kindreds
and friends, leading them away by fair promises to do whatsoever
thing he desired.
8:18 And it came to pass that they formed a secret combination,
even as they of old; which combination is most abominable and
wicked above all, in the sight of God:
8:19 for the Lord worketh not in secret combinations, neither
doth he will that man should shed blood, but in all things hath
forbidden it, from the beginning of man.
8:20 And now I, Moroni, do not write the manner of their oaths
and combinations, for it hath been made known unto me that they
are had among all people, and they are had among the Lamanites,
8:21 and they have caused the destruction of this people of which
I am now speaking, and also the destruction of the people of Nephi;
8:22 and whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations,
to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation,
behold, they shall be destroyed, for the Lord will not suffer
that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall
always cry unto him from the ground for the vengeance upon them,
and yet he avengeth them not;
8:23 wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these
things should be shewn unto you, that thereby ye may repent of
your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall
get above you, which are built up to get power and gain, and the
work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you; yea, even
the sword of justice of the eternal God, shall fall upon you,
to your overthrow and destruction, if ye shall suffer these things
to be;
8:24 wherefore the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these
things come among you, that ye shall awake to a sense of your
awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall
be among you, or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them which
have been slain: for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon
it, and also upon those who build it up.
8:25 For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up, seeketh
to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations and countries;
and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people: for it
is built up by the devil, which is the father of all lies; even
that same liar which beguiled our first parents; yea, even the
same liar which hath caused man to commit murder from the beginning;
which hath hardened the hearts of men, that they have murdered
the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning.
8:26 Wherefore I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things,
that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan
may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, that
they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come
unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved.
9:1 Chapter 4 And now I, Moroni, proceed with my record.
Therefore behold, it came to pass that because of the secret combinations
of Akish and his friends, behold they did overthrow the kingdom
of Omer;
9:2 nevertheless, the Lord was merciful unto Omer, and also his
sons and daughters, which were not, or which did not seek his
destruction.
9:3 And the Lord warned Omer in a dream, that he should depart
out of the land; wherefore Omer departed out of the land with
his family, and travelled many days, and came over and passed
by the hill of Shim, and came over by the place where the Nephites
were destroyed, and from thence eastward, and came to a place
which was called Ablom, by the seashore, and there he pitched
his tent, and also his sons and his daughters, and all his household,
save it were Jared and his family.
9:4 And it came to pass that Jared was anointed king over the
people, by the hand of wickedness; and he gave unto Akish his
daughter to wife.
9:5 And it came to pass that Akish sought the life of his father-in-law;
and he applied unto those whom he had sworn by the oath of the
ancients, and they obtained the head of his father-in-law, as
he sat upon his throne, giving audience to his people:
9:6 for so great had been the spreading of this wicked and secret
society, that it had corrupted the hearts of all the people; therefore
Jared was murdered upon his throne, and Akish reigned in his stead.
9:7 And it came to pass that Akish began to be jealous of his
son, therefore he shut him up in prison, and kept him upon a little
or no food, until he had suffered death.
9:8 And now the brother of him that suffered death, that which
his father had done unto his brother.
9:9 And it came to pass that Nimrod gathered together a small
number of men, and fled out of the land, and came over and dwelt
with Omer.
9:10 And it came to pass that Akish begat other sons, and they
won the hearts of the people, notwithstanding they had sworn unto
him to do all manner of iniquity, according to that which he desired.
9:11 Now the people of Akish were desirous for gain, even as Akish
was desirous of power; wherefore the sons of Akish did offer them
money, by the which means they drew away the more part of the
people after them;
9:12 and there began to be a war between the sons of Akish and
Akish, which lasted for the space of many years; yea, unto the
destruction of nearly all the people of the kingdom; yea, even
all, save it were thirty souls, and they which fled with the house
of Omer;
9:13 wherefore Omer was restored again to the land of his inheritance.
9:14 And it came to pass that Omer began to be old; nevertheless,
in his old age he begat Emer; and he anointed Emer to be king
to reign in his stead.
9:15 And after that he anointed Emer to be king, he saw peace
in the land for the space of two years, and he died, having seen
exceeding many days, which were full of sorrow. And it came to
pass that Emer did reign in his stead, and did fill the steps
of his father.
9:16 And the Lord began again to take the curse from off the land,
and the house of Emer did prosper exceedingly under the reign
of Emer; and in the space of sixty and two years, they had become
exceeding strong, insomuch that they became exceeding rich,
9:17 having all manner of fruit, and of grain, and of silks, and
of fine linen, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things,
9:18 and also all manner of cattle, of oxen, and cows, and of
sheep, and of swine, and of goats, and also many other kind of
animals, which were useful for the food of man;
9:19 and they also had horses, and asses, and there were elephants,
and cureloms, and cumoms; all of which were useful unto man, and
more especially the elephants, and cureloms, and cumoms.
9:20 And thus the Lord did pour out his blessings upon this land,
which was choice above all other lands; and he commanded that
whoso should possess the land, should possess it unto the Lord,
or they should be destroyed when they were ripened in iniquity:
for upon such, saith the Lord, I will pour out the fulness of
my wrath.
9:21 And Emer did execute judgment in righteousness, all his days;
and he begat many sons and daughters; and he begat Coriantum;
and he anointed Coriantum to reign in his stead.
9:22 And after he anointed Coriantum to reign in his stead, he
lived four years, and he saw peace in the land; yea, and he even
saw the son of righteousness, and did rejoice and glory in his
days; and he died in peace.
9:23 And it came to pass that Coriantum did walk in the steps
of his father, and did build many mighty cities, and did administer
that which is good unto his people, in all his days. And it came
to pass that he had no children, even until he was exceeding old.
9:24 And it came to pass that his wife died, being an hundred
and two years old. And it came to pass that Coriantum took to
wife, in his old age, a young maid, and begat sons and daughters;
wherefore he lived until he was an hundred and forty and two years
old.
9:25 And it came to pass that he begat Com, and Com reigned in
his stead; and he reigned forty and nine years, and he begat Heth,
and he also begat other sons and daughters.
9:26 And the people had spread again over all the face of the
land, and there began to be an exceeding great wickedness upon
the face of the land, and Heth began to embrace the secret plans
again of old, to destroy his father. And it came to pass that
he did dethrone his father:
9:27 for he slew him with his own sword; and he did reign in his
stead.
9:28 And there came prophets in the land again, crying repentance
unto them; that they must prepare the way of the Lord, or there
should come a curse upon the face of the land; yea, even there
should be a great famine, in the which they should be destroyed,
if they did not repent.
9:29 But the people believed not the words of the prophets, but
they cast them out; and some of them they cast into pits, and
left them to perish. And it came to pass that they done all these
things according to the commandment of the king Heth.
9:30 And it came to pass that there began to be a great dearth
upon the land, and the inhabitants began to be destroyed exceeding
fast, because of the dearth: for there was no rain upon the face
of the earth;
9:31 and there came forth poisonous serpents also upon the face
of the land, and did poison many people. And it came to pass that
their flocks began to flee before the poisonous serpents, towards
the land southward, which was called by the Nephites, Zarahemla.
9:32 And it came to pass that there were many of them which did
perish by the way; nevertheless, there were some which fled into
the land southward.
9:33 And it came to pass that the Lord did cause the serpents
that they should pursue them no more, but that they should hedge
up the way, that the people could not pass; that whoso should
attempt to pass, might fall by the poisonous serpents.
9:34 And it came to pass that the people did follow the course
of the beasts, and did devour the carcasses of them which fell
by the way, until they had devoured them all. Now when the people
saw that they must perish, they began to repent of their iniquities,
and cry unto the Lord.
9:35 And it came to pass that when they humbled themselves sufficiently
before the Lord, the Lord did send rain upon the face of the earth,
and the people began to revive again, and there began to be fruits
in the north countries, and in all the countries round about.
And the Lord did shew forth his power unto them, in preserving
them from famine.
10:1 And it came to pass that Shez, which was a descendant of
Heth, for Heth had perished by the famine, and all his household,
save it were Shez: wherefore Shez began to build up again a broken
people.
10:2 And it came to pass that Shez did remember the destruction
of his fathers, and he did build up a righteous kingdom, for he
remembered what the Lord had done in bringing Jared and his brother
across the deep; and he did walk in the ways of the Lord, and
he begat sons and daughters.
10:3 And his eldest son, whose name was Shez, did rebel against
him; nevertheless, Shez was smitten by the hand of a robber, because
of his exceeding riches, which brought peace again unto his father.
10:4 And it came to pass that his father did build up many cities
upon the face of the land, and the people began again to spread
over all the face of the land. And Shez did live to an exceeding
old age; and he begat Riplakish, and he died. And Riplakish reigned
in his stead.
10:5 And it came to pass that Riplakish did not do that which
was right in the sight of the Lord, for he did have many wives
and concubines, and did lay that upon men's shoulders which was
grievous to be borne; yea, he did tax them with heavy taxes; and
with the taxes he did build many spacious buildings.
10:6 And he did erect him an exceeding beautiful throne, and he
did build many prisons, and whoso were not able to pay taxes he
did cast into prison; and he did cause that they should labor
continually for their support; and whoso refused to labor, he
did cause to be put to death;
10:7 wherefore he did obtain all his fine work; yea, even his
fine gold he did cause to be refined in prison, and all manner
of fine workmanship he did cause to be wrought in prison. And
it came to pass that he did afflict the people with his whoredoms
and abominations;
10:8 and when he had reigned for the space of forty and two years,
the people did raise up in rebellion against him, and there began
to be war again in the land, insomuch that Riplakish was killed
and his descendants were driven out of the land.
10:9 And it came to pass after a space of many years, Morianton,
(he being a descendant of Riplakish,) gathered together an army
of outcasts, and went forth and gave battle unto the people; and
he gained power over many cities; and the war became exceeding
sore, and did last for the space of many years, and he did gain
power over all the land, and did establish himself king over all
the land.
10:10 And after that he established himself king, he did ease
the burden of the people, in the which he did gain favor in the
eyes of the people, and they did anoint him to be their king.
10:11 And he did do justice unto the people, but not unto himself,
because of his many whoredoms; wherefore he was cut off from the
presence of the Lord.
10:12 And it came to pass that Morianton built up many cities,
and the people became exceeding rich under his reign, both in
buildings, and in gold, and in silver, and in raising grain, and
in flocks, and herds, and such things which had been restored
unto them.
10:13 And Morianton did live to an exceeding great age, and then
he begat Kim; and Kim did reign in the stead of his father; and
he did reign eight years, and his father died. And it came to
pass that Kim did not reign in righteousness, wherefore he was
not favored of the Lord.
10:14 And his brother did raise up in rebellion against him, in
the which he did bring him into captivity; and he did remain in
captivity all his days; and he begat sons and daughters in captivity;
and in his old age he begat Levi, and he died.
10:15 And it came to pass that Levi did serve in captivity after
the death of his father, for the space of forty and two years.
And he did make war against the king of the land, in the which
he did obtain unto himself the kingdom.
10:16 And after that he had obtained unto himself the kingdom,
he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord; and the
people did prosper in the land, and he did live to a good old
age, and begat sons and daughters; and he also begat Corom, whom
he anointed in his stead.
10:17 And it came to pass that Corom did that which was good in
the sight of the Lord, all his days; and he begat many sons and
daughters; and after that he had seen many days, he did pass away,
even like unto the rest of the earth; and Kish reigned in his
stead.
10:18 And it came to pass that Kish passed away also, and Lib
reigned in his stead.
10:19 And it came to pass that Lib also did that which was good
in the sight of the Lord. And in the days of Lib the poisonous
serpents were destroyed; wherefore they did go into the land southward,
to hunt food for the people of the land; for the land was covered
with animals of the forest. And Lib also became a great hunter.
10:20 --And they built a great city by the narrow neck of land,
by the place where the sea divides the land.
10:21 And they did preserve the land southward for a wilderness,
to get game. And the whole face of the land northward was covered
with inhabitants;
10:22 and they were exceeding industrious, and they did buy and
sell, and traffic one with another, that they might get gain.
10:23 And they did work in all manner of ore, and they did make
gold, and silver, and iron, and brass, and all manner of metals;
and they did dig it out of the earth; wherefore they did cast
up mighty heaps of earth for to get ore, of gold, and of silver,
and of iron, and of copper. And they did work all manner of fine
work.
10:24 And they did have silks, and fine twined linen; and they
did work all manner of cloth, that they might clothe themselves
from their nakedness.
10:25 And they did make all manner of tools to till the earth,
both to plough and to sow, to reap and to hoe, and also to thrash.
10:26 And they did make all manner of tools in the which they
did work their beasts.
10:27 And they did make all manner of weapons of war. And they
did work all manner of work of exceeding curious workmanship.
10:28 And never could be a people more blessed than were they.
and more prospered by the hand of the Lord. And they were in a
land that was choice above all lands, for the Lord had spoken
it.
10:29 And it came to pass that Lib did live many years, and begat
sons and daughters; and he also begat Hearthom.
10:30 And it came to pass that Hearthom reigned in the stead of
his father. And when Hearthom had reigned twenty and four years,
behold the kingdom was taken away from him. And he served many
years in captivity; yea, even all the remainder of his days.
10:31 And he begat Heth, and Heth lived in captivity all his days.
And Heth begat Aaron, and Aaron dwelt in captivity all his days;
and he begat Amnigaddah, and Amnigaddah also dwelt in captivity
in all his days; and he begat Coriantum, and Coriantum dwelt in
captivity all his days; and he begat Com.
10:32 And it came to pass that Com drew away the half of the kingdom.
And he reigned over the half of the kingdom forty and two years;
and he went to battle against the king Amgid, and they fought
for the space of many years, in the which Com gained power over
Amgid and obtained power over the remainder of the kingdom.
10:33 And in the days of Com there began to be robbers in the
land; and they adopted the old plans, and administered oaths after
the manner of the ancients, and sought to destroy the kingdom.
10:34 Now Com did fight against them much; nevertheless, he did
not prevail against them.
11:1 And there came also in the days of Com many prophets, and
prophesied of the destruction of that great people, except they
should repent and turn unto the Lord, and forsake their murders
and wickedness.
11:2 And it came to pass that the prophets were rejected by the
people, and they fled unto Com for protection, for the people
sought to destroy them;
11:3 and they prophesied unto Com many things: and he was blessed
in all the remainder of his days.
11:4 And he lived to a good old age, and begat Shiblom; and Shiblom
reigned in his stead. And the brother of Shiblom rebelled against
him; and there began to be an exceeding great war in all the land.
11:5 And it came to pass that the brother of Shiblom did cause
that all the prophets which prophesied of the destruction of the
people, should be put to death;
11:6 and there was great calamity in all the land: for they had
testified that a great curse should come upon the land, and also
upon the people, and that there should be a great destruction
among them, such an one as never had been upon the face of the
earth; and their bones should become as heaps of earth upon the
face of the land, except they should repent of their wickedness.
11:7 And they hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord, because
of their wicked combinations; wherefore there began to be wars
and contentions in all the land, and also many famines and pestilences,
insomuch that there was a great destruction, such an one as never
had been known upon the face of the earth: and all this came to
pass in the days of Shiblom.
11:8 And the people began to repent of their iniquity; inasmuch
as they did, the Lord did have mercy on them.
11:9 And it came to pass that Shiblom was slain, and Seth was
brought into captivity; and he did dwell in captivity all his
days.
11:10 And it came to pass that Ahah, his son, did obtain the kingdom;
and he did reign over the people all his days. And he did do all
manner of iniquity in his days, in the which he did cause the
shedding of much blood; and few were his days.
11:11 And Ethem, being a descendant of Ahah, did obtain the kingdom;
and he also did do that which was wicked in his days.
11:12 And it came to pass in the days of Ethem, there came many
prophets and prophesied again unto the people; yea, they did prophesy
that the Lord would utterly destroy them from off the face of
the earth, except they repented of their iniquities.
11:13 And it came to pass that the people hardened their hearts,
and would not hearken unto their words; and the prophets mourned
and withdrew from among the people.
11:14 And it came to pass that Ethem did execute judgment in wickedness
all his days; and he begat Moron. And it came to pass that Moron
did reign in his stead; and Moron did do that which was wicked
before the Lord.
11:15 And it came to pass that there arose a rebellion among the
people, because of that secret combination which was built up
to get power and gain; and there arose a mighty man among them
in iniquity, and gave battle unto Moron, in the which he did overthrow
the half of the kingdom; and he did maintain the half of the kingdom
for many years.
11:16 And it came to pass that Moron did overthrow him, and did
obtain the kingdom again.
11:17 And it came to pass that there arose another mighty man;
and he was a descendant of the brother of Jared.
11:18 And it came to pass that he did overthrow Moron and obtain
the kingdom; wherefore Moron dwelt in captivity all the remainder
of his days; and he begat Coriantor.
11:19 And it came to pass that Coriantor dwelt in captivity all
his days.
11:20 And in the days of Coriantor there also came many prophets,
and prophesied of great and marvellous things, and cried repentance
unto the people, and except they should repent, the Lord God would
execute judgment against them to their utter destruction;
11:21 and that the Lord God would send or bring forth another
people to possess the land, by his power, after the manner which
he brought their fathers.
11:22 And they did reject all the words of the prophets, because
of their secret society and wicked abominations.
11:23 And it came to pass that Coriantor begat Ether, and he died,
having dwelt in captivity all his days.
12:1 Chapter 5 And it came to pass that the days of Ether
was in the days of Coriantumr; and Coriantumr was king over all
the land.
12:2 --And Ether was a prophet of the Lord; wherefore Ether came
forth in the days of Coriantumr, and began to prophesy unto the
people, for he could not be constrained because of the spirit
of the Lord which was in him:
12:3 for he did cry from the morning, even until the going down
of the sun, exhorting the people to believe in God unto repentance,
lest they should be destroyed saying unto them, That by faith
all things are fulfilled;
12:4 wherefore, whoso believeth in God, might with surety hope
for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God,
which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men;
which make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works,
being led to glorify God.
12:5 And it came to pass that Ether did prophesy great and marvellous
things unto the people. which they did not believe, because they
saw them not.
12:6 And Now I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these
things: I would shew unto the world that faith is things which
are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye
see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your
faith:
12:7 for it was by faith that Christ shewed himself unto our fathers,
after that he had risen from the dead; and he shewed not himself
unto them, until after they had faith in him, for he shewed himself
not unto the world. But because of the faith of men, he has shewn
himself unto the world,
12:8 and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way
that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that
they might hope for those things which they have not seen;
12:9 wherefore ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the
gift, if ye will have faith.
12:10 Behold, it was by faith that they of old were called after
the holy order of God;
12:11 wherefore by faith was the law of Moses given. But in the
gift of his Son, hath God prepared a more excellent way; and it
is by faith that it hath been fulfilled:
12:12 for if there be no faith among the children of men, God
can do no miracle among them; wherefore he shewed not himself
until after their faith.
12:13 Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused
the prison to tumble to the earth.
12:14 Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi, that wrought
the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire
and with the Holy Ghost.
12:15 Behold it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which
wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites;
12:16 yea, and even all they which wrought miracles, wrought them
by faith, even those which were before Christ, and also them which
were after.
12:17 And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a
promise that they should not taste of death; and they obtained
not the promise until after their faith.
12:18 And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until
after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of
God.
12:19 And there were many whose faith was so exceeding strong
even before Christ came, which could not be kept from within the
veil, but truly saw with their eyes the things which they had
beheld with an eye of faith, and they were glad.
12:20 And behold, we have seen in this record, that one of these
was the brother of Jared: for so great was his faith in God, that
when God put forth his finger, he could not hide it from the sight
of the brother of Jared, because of his word which he had spoken
unto him, which word he had obtained by faith.
12:21 And after that the brother of Jared had beheld the finger
of the Lord, because of the promise which the brother of Jared
had obtained by faith, the Lord could not withhold any thing from
his sight; wherefore he shewed him all things, for he could no
longer be kept without the veil.
12:22 And it is by faith that my fathers have obtained the promise
that these things should come unto their brethren through the
Gentiles; therefore the Lord hath commanded me, yea, even Jesus
Christ.
12:23 And I said unto him, Lord, the Gentiles will mock at these
things because of our weakness in writing: for Lord, thou hast
made us mighty in word by faith, whereunto thou hast not made
us mighty in writing: for thou hast made all this people that
they could speak much, because of the Holy Ghost which thou hast
given them;
12:24 and thou hast made us that we could write but little, because
of the awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us
mighty in writing like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest
him that the things which he wrote, were mighty even as thou art,
unto the overpowering of man to read them.
12:25 Thou hast also made our words powerful and great, even that
we cannot write them; wherefore, when we write, we behold our
weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and
I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words.
12:26 And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying,
Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for
the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness:
12:27 and if men come unto me, I will shew unto them their weakness.
I give unto men weakness, that they may be humble. and my grace
is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me: for
if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then
will I make weak things become strong unto them.
12:28 Behold, I will shew unto the Gentiles their weakness, and
I will shew unto them that faith, hope, and charity, bringeth
unto me the fountain of all righteousness.
12:29 And I, Moroni, having heard these words, was comforted,
and said, O Lord, thy righteous will be done, for I know that
thou workest unto the children of men according to their faith:
12:30 for the brother of Jared said unto the mountain Zerin, Remove,
and it was removed. And if he had not faith, it would not have
moved; wherefore thou workest after that men have faith:
12:31 for thus did thou manifest thyself unto thy disciples. For
after that they had faith, and did speak in thy name, thou didst
shew thyself unto them in great power;
12:32 and I also rememberest that thou hast said that thou hast
prepared a house for man; yea, even among the mansions of thy
Father, in the which man might have a more excellent hope; wherefore
man must hope, or he cannot receive an inheritance in the place
which thou hast prepared.
12:33 And again I remember that thou hast said that thou loved
the world, even unto the laying down of thy life for the world,
that thou mightest take it again to prepare a place for the children
of men. And now I know that this love which thou hast had for
the children of men,
12:34 is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity, they
cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions
of they Father.
12:35 Wherefore, I know by this thing which thou hast said, that
if the Gentiles have not charity because of our weakness, that
thou wilt prove them, and take away their talent, yea, even that
which they have received, and give unto them which shall have
more abundantly.
12:36 And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he
would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity.
12:37 And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me, if they
have not charity, it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful;
wherefore thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast
seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting
down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my
Father.
12:38 And now I, Moroni, bid farewell unto the Gentiles, yea,
and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before
the judgment seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my
garments are not spotted with your blood;
12:39 and then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that
he hath talked with me face to face, and that he told me in plain
humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language,
concerning these things;
12:40 and only a few have I written, because of my weakness in
writing.
12:41 And now I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the
prophets and Apostles have written, that the Grace of God the
Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which
beareth record of them, may be, and abide in you forever. Amen.
13:1 Chapter 6 And now I, Moroni, proceed to finish my
record concerning the destruction of the people of which I have
been writing.
13:2 --For behold, they rejected all the words of Ether: for he
truly told them of all things, from the beginning of man; and
how that after the waters had receded from off the face of this
land, it became a choice land above all other lands, a chosen
land of the Lord; wherefore the Lord would have that all men should
serve him, which dwelleth upon the face thereof;
13:3 and that it was the place of the New Jerusalem, which should
come down out of Heaven, and the Holy Sanctuary of the Lord.
13:4 Behold, Ether saw the days of Christ, and he spake concerning
a New Jerusalem upon this land;
13:5 and he spake also concerning the house of Israel, and the
Jerusalem from whence Lehi should come; after that it should be
destroyed, it should be built up again a holy city unto the Lord;
wherefore it could not be a New Jerusalem, for it had been in
a time of old, but it should be built up again, and become a holy
city of the Lord; and it should be built up unto the house of
Israel;
13:6 and that a New Jerusalem should be built up upon this land,
unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph, for the which things there
has been a type:
13:7 for as Joseph brought his father down into the land of Egypt,
even so he died there; wherefore the Lord brought a remnant of
the seed of Joseph out of the land of Jerusalem, that he might
be merciful unto the seed of Joseph, that they should perish not,
even as he was merciful unto the father of Joseph, that he should
perish not;
13:8 wherefore the remnant of the house of Joseph shall be built
upon this land; and it shall be a land of their inheritance; and
they shall build up a holy city unto the Lord, like unto the Jerusalem
of old; and they shall no more be confounded, until the end come,
when the earth shall pass away.
13:9 And there shall be a new heaven and a new earth; and they
shall be like unto the old, save the old have passed away, and
all things have become new.
13:10 And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they
which dwell therein, for it is they whose garment are white through
the blood of the Lamb; and they are they which are numbered among
the remnant of the seed of Joseph, which were of the house of
Israel.
13:11 And then also cometh the Jerusalem of old; and the inhabitants
thereof, blessed are they, for they have been washed in the blood
of the Lamb; and they are they which were scattered and gathered
in from the four quarters of the earth, and from the north countries,
and are partakers of the fulfilling of the covenant which God
made with their father Abraham.
13:12 And when these things come, bringeth to pass the Scripture
which saith, There are they which were first, which shall be last;
and there are they which were last, which shall be first.
13:13 And I was about to write more, but I am forbidden; but great
and marvellous were the prophecies of Ether, but they esteemed
him as nought, and cast him out, and he hid himself in the cavity
of a rock by day, and by night he went forth viewing the things
which should come upon the people.
13:14 And as he dwelt in the cavity of a rock, he made the remainder
of this record, viewing the destructions which came upon the people
by night.
13:15 And it came to pass that in that same year which he was
cast out from among the people, there began to be a great war
among the people, for there were many which rose up who were mighty
men, and sought to destroy Coriantumr by their secret plans of
wickedness, of which hath been spoken.
13:16 And now Coriantumr, having studied himself in all the arts
of war, and all the cunning of the world, wherefore he gave battle
unto them which sought to destroy him;
13:17 but he repented not, neither his fair sons nor daughters;
neither the fair sons and daughters of Cohor; neither the fair
sons and daughters of Corihor; and in fine, there was none of
the fair sons and daughters upon the face of the whole earth,
which repented of their sins;
13:18 wherfore it came to pass that in the first year that Ether
dwelt in the cavity of a rock, there was many people which was
slain by the sword of those secret combinations fighting against
Coriantumr, that they might obtain the kingdom.
13:19 And it came to pass that the sons of Coriantumr fought much,
and bled much.
13:20 And in the second year, the word of the Lord came to Ether,
that he should go and prophesy unto Coriantumr, that if he would
repent, and all his household, the Lord would give unto him his
kingdom, and spare the people,
13:21 otherwise they should be destroyed, and all his household,
save it were himself, and he should only live to see the fulfilling
of the prophecies which had been spoken concerning another people
receiving the land for their inheritance; and Coriantumr should
receive a burial by them; and every soul should be destroyed save
it were Coriantumr.
13:22 And it came to pass that Coriantumr repented not, neither
his household, neither the people; and the wars did cease not;
and they sought to kill Ether, but he fled from before them, and
hid again in the cavity of the rock.
13:23 And it came to pass that there arose up Shared, and he also
gave battle unto Coriantumr; and he did beat him, insomuch that
in the third year he did bring him into captivity.
13:24 And the sons of Coriantumr, in the fourth year, did beat
Shared, and did obtain the kingdom again unto their father.
13:25 Now there began to be a war upon all the face of the land,
every man with his band, fighting for that which he desired.
13:26 And there was robbers, and in fine, all manner of wickedness
upon all the face of the land.
13:27 And it came to pass that Coriantumr was exceeding angry
with Shared, and he went against him with his armies, to battle;
and they did meet in great anger; and they did meet in the valley
of Gilgal; and the battle became exceeding sore.
13:28 --And it came to pass that Shared fought against him for
the space of three days. And it came to pass that Coriantumr beat
him, and did pursue him until he came to the plains of Heshlon.
13:29 And it came to pass that Shared gave him battle again upon
the plains; and behold, he did beat Coriantumr, and drove him
back again to the valley of Gilgal.
13:30 And Coriantumr gave Shared battle again in the valley of
Gilgal, in the which he beat Shared, and slew him.
13:31 And Shared wounded Coriantumr, in his thigh, that he did
not go to battle again for the space of two years, in the which
time all the people upon all the face of the land were a shedding
blood, and there was none to constrain them.
14:1 And now there began to be a great curse upon the land, because
of the iniquity of the people, in the which, if a man should lay
his tool or his sword upon the shelf, or upon the place whither
he would keep it, and behold, upon the morrow, he could not find
it, so great was the curse upon the land.
14:2 Wherefore every man did cleave unto that which was his own,
with his hands, and would not borrow, neither would he lend; and
every man kept the hilt of his sword thereof, in his right hand,
in the defence of his property and his own life, and they of his
wives and children.
14:3 And now after the space of two years, and after the death
of Shared, behold, there arose the brother of Shared, and he gave
battle unto Coriantumr, in the which Coriantumr did beat him,
and did pursue him to the wilderness of Akish.
14:4 And it came to pass that the brother of Shared did give battle
unto him in the wilderness of Akish; and the battle became exceeding
sore, and many thousands fell by the sword.
14:5 And it came to pass that Coriantumr did lay siege to the
wilderness, and the brother of Shared did march forth out of the
wilderness by night, and slew a part of the army of Coriantumr,
as they were drunken.
14:6 And he came forth to the land of Moron, and placed himself
upon the throne of Coriantumr.
14:7 And it came to pass that Coriantumr dwelt with his army in
the wilderness, for the space of two years, in the which he did
receive great strength to his army.
14:8 Now the brother of Shared, whose name was Gilead, also received
great strength to his army, because of secret combinations.
14:9 And it came to pass that his High Priest murdered him as
he sat upon his throne.
14:10 And it came to pass that one of the secret combinations
murdered him in the secret pass, and obtained unto himself the
kingdom; and his name was Lib; and Lib was a man of great stature,
more than any other man among all the people.
14:11 And it came to pass that in the first year of Lib, Coriantumr
came up unto the land of Moron, and gave battle with Lib,
14:12 in the which Lib did smite upon his arm, that he was wounded;
nevertheless, the army of Coriantumr did press forward upon Lib,
that he fled to the borders upon the seashore.
14:13 And it came to pass that Coriantumr pursued him; and Lib
gave battle unto him upon the seashore.
14:14 And it came to pass that Lib did smite the army of Coriantumr,
that they fled again to the wilderness of Akish.
14:15 And it came to pass that Lib did pursue him until he came
to the plains of Agosh. And Coriantumr had taken all the people
with him, as he fled before Lib, in that quarter of the land whither
he fled.
14:16 And when he had come to the plains of Agosh, he gave battle
unto Lib, and he smote upon him until he died; nevertheless, the
brother of Lib did come against Coriantumr in the stead thereof,
and the battle became exceeding sore, in the which Coriantumr
fled again before the army of the brother of Lib.
14:17 Now the name of the brother of Lib was called Shiz. And
it came to pass that Shiz pursued after Coriantumr, and he did
overthrow many cities, and he did slay both women and children,
and he did burn the cities thereof;
14:18 and there went a fear of Shiz throughout all the land; yea,
a cry went forth throughout the land: Who can stand before the
army of Shiz? Behold, he sweepeth the earth before him!
14:19 And it came to pass that the people began to flock together
in armies, throughout all the face of the land.
14:20 And they were divided, and a part of them fled to the army
of Shiz, and a part of them fled to the army of Coriantumr.
14:21 --And so great and lasting had been the war, and so long
had been the scene of bloodshed and carnage, that the whole face
of the land was covered with the bodies of the dead;
14:22 and so swift and speedy was the war, that there was none
left to bury the dead, but they did march forth from the shedding
of blood, to the shedding of blood, leaving the bodies of both
men, women and children, strewed upon the face of the land, to
become a prey to the worms of the flesh;
14:23 and the scent thereof went forth upon the face of the land,
even upon all the face of the land; wherefore the people became
troubled by day and by night, because of the scent thereof;
14:24 nevertheless, Shiz did not cease to pursue Coriantumr, for
he had sworn to avenge himself upon Coriantumr of the blood of
his brother, which had been slain, and the word of the Lord which
came to Ether, that Coriantumr should not fall by the sword.
14:25 And thus we see that the Lord did visit them in the fulness
of his wrath, and their wickedness and abominations had prepared
a way for their everlasting destruction.
14:26 And it came to pass that Shiz did pursue Coriantumr eastward,
even to the borders by the seashore, and there he gave battle
unto Shiz for the space of three days;
14:27 and so terrible was the destruction among the armies of
Shiz, that the people began to be frightened, and began to flee
before the armies of Coriantumr; and they fled to the land of
Corihor, and swept off the inhabitants before them, all they that
would not join them;
14:28 and they pitched their tents in the valley of Corihor. And
Coriantumr pitched his tents in the valley of Shurr. Now the valley
of Shurr was near the hill Comnor; wherefore Coriantumr did gather
his armies together, upon the hill of Comnor, and did sound a
trumpet unto the armies of Shiz, to invite them forth to battle.
14:29 And it came to pass that they came forth, but were driven
back again; and they came a second time; and they were driven
again a second time. And it came to pass that they came again
the third time, and the battle became exceeding sore.
14:30 And it came to pass that Shiz smote upon Coriantumr, that
he gave him many deep wounds. And Coriantumr having lost his blood,
fainted, and was carried away as though he were dead.
14:31 Now the loss of men, women and children, on both sides,
were so great that Shiz commanded his people that they should
not pursue the armies of Coriantumr; wherefore they returned to
their camp.
15:1 And it came to pass that when Coriantumr had recovered of
his wounds, he began to remember the words which Ether had spoken
unto him:
15:2 He saw that there had been slain by the sword already nearly
two millions of his people, and he began to sorrow in his heart;
yea, there had been slain two millions of mighty men, and also
their wives and their children.
15:3 He began to repent of the evil which he had done; he began
to remember the words which had been spoken by the mouth of all
the prophets, and he saw them that they were fulfilled, thus far,
every whit; and his soul mourned, and refused to be comforted.
15:4 And it came to pass that he wrote an epistle unto Shiz, desiring
him that he would spare the people, and he would give up the kingdom
for the sake of the lives of the people.
15:5 And it came to pass that when Shiz had received his epistle,
he wrote an epistle unto Coriantumr, that if he would give himself
up, that he might slay him with his own sword, that he would spare
the lives of the people.
15:6 And it came to pass that the people repented not of their
iniquity; and the people of Coriantumr were stirred up to anger
against the people of Shiz; and the people of Shiz were stirred
up to anger against the people of Coriantumr; wherefore the people
of Shiz did battle unto the people of Coriantumr.
15:7 --And when Coriantumr saw that he was about to fall, he fled
again before the people of Shiz.
15:8 And it came to pass that he came to the waters of Ripliancum,
which, by interpretation, is large, or to exceed all; wherefore,
when they came to these waters, they pitched their tents; and
Shiz also pitched his tents, near unto them; and therefore, on
the morrow, they did come to battle.
15:9 And it came to pass that they fought an exceeding sore battle,
in the which Coriantumr was wounded again, and he fainted with
the loss of blood.
15:10 And it came to pass that the armies of Coriantumr did press
upon the armies of Shiz, that they beat them, that they caused
them to flee before them; and they did flee southward, and did
pitch their tents in a place which was called Ogath.
15:11 And it came to pass that the army of Coriantumr did pitch
their tents by the hill Ramah; and it was the same hill where
my father Mormon did hide up the records unto the Lord, which
were sacred.
15:12 --And it came to pass that they did gather together all
the people, upon all the face of the land, which had not been
slain, save it were Ether.
15:13 And it came to pass that Ether did behold all the doings
of the people; and he beheld that the people which were for Coriantumr,
were gathered together to the army of Coriantumr; and the people
which were for Shiz, were gathered together to the army of Shiz;
15:14 wherefore they were for the space of four years, gathering
together the people, that they might get all which were upon the
face of the land, and that they might receive all the strength
which it were possible that they could receive.
15:15 And it came to pass that when they were all gathered together,
every one to the army which he would, with their wives, and their
children; both men, women and children being armed with weapons
of war, having shields, and breast-plates, and head-plates, and
being clothed after the manner of war, they did march forth one
against another, to battle; and they fought all that day, and
conquered not.
15:16 And it came to pass that when it was night they were weary,
and retired to their camps; and after that they had retired to
their camps, they took up a howling and a lamentation for the
loss of the slain people; and so great were their cries, their
howlings and lamentations, that it did rend the air exceedingly.
15:17 And it came to pass that on the morrow they did go again
to battle, and great and terrible was that day; nevertheless they
conquered not, and when the night came again, they did rend the
air with their cries, and their howlings, and their mournings,
for the loss of the slain of their people.
15:18 And it came to pass that Coriantumr wrote again an epistle
unto Shiz, desiring that he would not come again to battle but
that he would take the kingdom, and spare the lives of the people.
15:19 But behold, the spirit of the Lord had ceased striving with
them, and Satan had full power over the hearts of the people,
for they were given up unto the hardness of their hearts, and
the blindness of their minds, that they might be destroyed; wherefore
they went again to battle.
15:20 And it came to pass that they fought all that day, and when
the night came they slept upon their swords;
15:21 and on the morrow they fought even until the night came;
15:22 and when the night came they were drunken with anger, even
as a man which is drunken with wine and they slept again upon
their swords;
15:23 and on the morrow they fought again; and when the night
came they had all fallen by the sword, save it were fifty and
two of the people of Coriantumr, and sixty and nine of the people
of Shiz.
15:24 And it came to pass that they slept upon their swords that
night, and on the morrow they fought again, and they contended
in their mights with their swords, and with their shields, all
that day;
15:25 and when the night came there was thirty and two of the
people of Shiz, and twenty and seven of the people of Coriantumr.
15:26 And it came to pass that they ate and slept, and prepared
for death on the morrow. And they were large and mighty men, as
to the strength of men.
15:27 And it came to pass that they fought for the space of three
hours, and they fainted with the loss of blood.
15:28 And it came to pass that when the men of Coriantumr had
received sufficient strength, that they could walk, they were
about to flee for their lives, but behold, Shiz arose, and also
his men, and he swore in his wrath that he would slay Coriantumr,
or he would perish by the sword;
15:29 wherefore he did pursue them; and they fought again with
the sword. And it came to pass that when they had all fallen by
the sword, save it were Coriantumr and Shiz, behold, Shiz had
fainted with loss of blood.
15:30 And it came to pass that when Coriantumr had leaned upon
his sword, that he rested a little, he smote off the head of Shiz.
15:31 And it came to pass that after he had smote off the head
of Shiz, that Shiz raised upon his hands and fell; and after that
he had struggled for breath, he died.
15:32 And it came to pass that Coriantumr fell to the earth, and
became as if he had no life.
15:33 And the Lord spake unto Ether, and said unto him, Go forth.
And he went forth, and beheld that the words of the Lord had all
been fulfilled; and he finished his record; (and the hundredth
part I have not written,) and he hid them in a manner that the
people of Limhi did find them.
15:34 Now the last words which are written by Ether are these:
Whether the Lord will that I be translated, or that I suffer the
will of the Lord in the flesh: It mattereth not, if it so be that
I am saved in the kingdom of God. Amen.
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