THE BOOK OF MOSIAH
MSH 1:0 King Benjamin's exhortation to his sons--Mosiah chosen to succeed his
father--Mosiah receives the records, etc.
MSH 1:1 And now there was no more contention in all the land of Zarahemla,
among all the people who belonged to king Benjamin, so that king Benjamin had
continual peace all the remainder of his days.
MSH 1:2 And it came to pass that he had three sons; and he called their names
Mosiah, and Helorum, and Helaman. And he caused that they should be taught in
all the language of his fathers, that thereby they might become men of
understanding; and that they might know concerning the prophecies which had
been spoken by the mouths of their fathers, which were delivered them by the
hand of the Lord.
MSH 1:3 And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on
the plates of brass, saying: My sons, I would that ye should remember that
were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these
commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time,
not knowing the mysteries of God.
MSH 1:4 For it were not possible that our father, Lehi, could have remembered
all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the
help of these plates; for he having been taught in the language of the
Egyptians therefore he could read these engravings, and teach them to his
children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so
fulfilling the commandments of God, even down to this present time.
MSH 1:5 I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have
been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand
of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even
our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like
unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things,
or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the
traditions of their fathers, which are not correct.
MSH 1:6 O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are
true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of
Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time
they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their
surety because we have them before our eyes.
MSH 1:7 And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them
diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the
commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the
promises which the Lord made unto our fathers.
MSH 1:8 And many more things did king Benjamin teach his sons, which are not
written in this book.
MSH 1:9 And it came to pass that after king Benjamin had made an end of
teaching his sons, that he waxed old, and he saw that he must very soon go
the way of all the earth; therefore, he thought it expedient that he should
confer the kingdom upon one of his sons.
MSH 1:10 Therefore, he had Mosiah brought before him; and these are the words
which he spake unto him, saying: My son, I would that ye should make a
proclamation throughout all this land among all this people, or the people of
Zarahemla, and the people of Mosiah who dwell in the land, that thereby they
may be gathered together; for on the morrow I shall proclaim unto this my
people out of mine own mouth that thou art a king and a ruler over this
people, whom the Lord our God hath given us.
MSH 1:11 And moreover, I shall give this people a name, that thereby they may
be distinguished above all the people which the Lord God hath brought out of
the land of Jerusalem; and this I do because they have been a diligent people
in keeping the commandments of the Lord.
MSH 1:12 And I give unto them a name that never shall be blotted out, except
it be through transgression.
MSH 1:13 Yea, and moreover I say unto you, that if this highly favored people
of the Lord should fall into transgression, and become a wicked and an
adulterous people, that the Lord will deliver them up, that thereby they
become weak like unto their brethren; and he will no more preserve them by
his matchless and marvelous power, as he has hitherto preserved our fathers.
MSH 1:14 For I say unto you, that if he had not extended his arm in the
preservation of our fathers they must have fallen into the hands of the
Lamanites, and become victims to their hatred.
MSH 1:15 And it came to pass that after king Benjamin had made an end of
these sayings to his son, that he gave him charge concerning all the affairs
of the kingdom.
MSH 1:16 And moreover, he also gave him charge concerning the records which
were engraven on the plates of brass; and also the plates of Nephi; and also,
the sword of Laban, and the ball or director, which led our fathers through
the wilderness, which was prepared by the hand of the Lord that thereby they
might be led, every one according to the heed and diligence which they gave
unto him.
MSH 1:17 Therefore, as they were unfaithful they did not prosper nor progress
in their journey, but were driven back, and incurred the displeasure of God
upon them; and therefore they were smitten with famine and sore afflictions,
to stir them up in remembrance of their duty.
MSH 1:18 And now, it came to pass that Mosiah went and did as his father had
commanded him, and proclaimed unto all the people who were in the land of
Zarahemla that thereby they might gather themselves together, to go up to the
temple to hear the words which his father should speak unto them.
MSH 2:0 King Benjamin builds a tower from which he addresses his people--the
righteous reign of a God-fearing king.
MSH 2:1 And it came to pass that after Mosiah had done as his father had
commanded him, and had made a proclamation throughout all the land, that the
people gathered themselves together throughout all the land, that they might
go up to the temple to hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto
them.
MSH 2:2 And there were a great number, even so many that they did not number
them; for they had multiplied exceedingly and waxed great in the land.
MSH 2:3 And they also took of the firstlings of their flocks, that they might
offer sacrifice and burnt offerings according to the law of Moses;
MSH 2:4 And also that they might give thanks to the Lord their God, who had
brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of
the hands of their enemies, and had appointed just men to be their teachers,
and also a just man to be their king, who had established peace in the land
of Zarahemla, and who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that
they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men.
MSH 2:5 And it came to pass that when they came up to the temple, they
pitched their tents round about, every man according to his family,
consisting of his wife, and his sons, and his daughters, and their sons, and
their daughters, from the eldest down to the youngest, every family being
separate one from another.
MSH 2:6 And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having
his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might
remain in their tents and hear the words which king Benjamin should speak
unto them;
MSH 2:7 For the multitude being so great that king Benjamin could not teach
them all within the walls of the temple, therefore he caused a tower to be
erected, that thereby his people might hear the words which he should speak
unto them.
MSH 2:8 And it came to pass that he began to speak to his people from the
tower; and they could not all hear his words because of the greatness of the
multitude; therefore he caused that the words which he spake should be
written and sent forth among those that were not under the sound of his
voice, that they might also receive his words.
MSH 2:9 And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written,
saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that
can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not
commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak,
but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and
your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God
may be unfolded to your view.
MSH 2:10 I have not commanded you to come up hither that ye should fear me,
or that ye should think that I of myself am more than a mortal man.
MSH 2:11 But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in
body and mind; yet I have been chosen by this people, and consecrated by my
father, and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a ruler and
a king over this people; and have been kept and preserved by his matchless
power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath
granted unto me.
MSH 2:12 I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your
service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any
manner of riches of you;
MSH 2:13 Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor
that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that ye should murder, or
plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye
should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should
keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded
you--
MSH 2:14 And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might
serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should
nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne--and of all these things
which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.
MSH 2:15 Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast,
neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell
you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before
God this day.
MSH 2:16 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent
my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in
the service of God.
MSH 2:17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that
ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are
only in the service of your God.
MSH 2:18 Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your
king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?
MSH 2:19 And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his
days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any
thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly King!
MSH 2:20 I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the
thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who
has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye
should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with
another--
MSH 2:21 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from
the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath,
that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even
supporting you from one moment to another--I say, if ye should serve him with
all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.
MSH 2:22 And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments;
and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should
prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said;
therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.
MSH 2:23 And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto
you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.
MSH 2:24 And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded
you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath
paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever
and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?
MSH 2:25 And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer you, Nay. Ye
cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth; yet ye were
created of the dust of the earth; but behold, it belongeth to him who created
you.
MSH 2:26 And I, even I, whom ye call your king, am no better than ye
yourselves are; for I am also of the dust. And ye behold that I am old, and
am about to yield up this mortal frame to its mother earth.
MSH 2:27 Therefore, as I said unto you that I had served you, walking with a
clear conscience before God, even so I at this time have caused that ye
should assemble yourselves together, that I might be found blameless, and
that your blood should not come upon me, when I shall stand to be judged of
God of the things whereof he hath commanded me concerning you.
MSH 2:28 I say unto you that I have caused that ye should assemble yourselves
together that I might rid my garments of your blood, at this period of time
when I am about to go down to my grave, that I might go down in peace, and my
immortal spirit may join the choirs above in singing the praises of a just
God.
MSH 2:29 And moreover, I say unto you that I have caused that ye should
assemble yourselves together, that I might declare unto you that I can no
longer be your teacher, nor your king;
MSH 2:30 For even at this time, my whole frame doth tremble exceedingly while
attempting to speak unto you; but the Lord God doth support me, and hath
suffered me that I should speak unto you, and hath commanded me that I should
declare unto you this day, that my son Mosiah is a king and a ruler over you.
MSH 2:31 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should do as ye have hitherto
done. As ye have kept my commandments, and also the commandments of my
father, and have prospered, and have been kept from falling into the hands of
your enemies, even so if ye shall keep the commandments of my son, or the
commandments of God which shall be delivered unto you by him, ye shall
prosper in the land, and your enemies shall have no power over you.
MSH 2:32 But, O my people, beware lest there shall arise contentions among
you, and ye list to obey the evil spirit, which was spoken of by my father
Mosiah.
MSH 2:33 For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth to obey
that spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his
sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own soul; for he receiveth for his
wages an everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of God contrary
to his own knowledge.
MSH 2:34 I say unto you, that there are not any among you, except it be your
little children that have not been taught concerning these things, but what
knoweth that ye are eternally indebted to your heavenly Father, to render to
him all that you have and are; and also have been taught concerning the
records which contain the prophecies which have been spoken by the holy
prophets, even down to the time our father, Lehi, left Jerusalem;
MSH 2:35 And also, all that has been spoken by our fathers until now. And
behold, also, they spake that which was commanded them of the Lord;
therefore, they are just and true.
MSH 2:36 And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and
have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to
that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of
the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths
that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved--
MSH 2:37 I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in
open rebellion against God; therefore he listeth to obey the evil spirit, and
becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore, the Lord has no place in
him, for he dwelleth not in unholy temples.
MSH 2:38 Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an
enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a
lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the
presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and
anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever
and ever.
MSH 2:39 And now I say unto you, that mercy hath no claim on that man;
therefore his final doom is to endure a never-ending torment.
MSH 2:40 O, all ye old men, and also ye young men, and you little children
who can understand my words, for I have spoken plainly unto you that ye might
understand, I pray that ye should awake to a remembrance of the awful
situation of those that have fallen into transgression.
MSH 2:41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed
and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they
are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out
faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may
dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember
that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
MSH 3:0 King Benjamin's address continued--Another prophecy of the
Christ--More concerning the atonement.
MSH 3:1 And again my brethren, I would call your attention, for I have
somewhat more to speak unto you; for behold, I have things to tell you
concerning that which is to come.
MSH 3:2 And the things which I shall tell you are made known unto me by an
angel from God. And he said unto me: Awake; and I awoke, and behold he stood
before me.
MSH 3:3 And he said unto me: Awake, and hear the words which I shall tell
thee; for behold, I am come to declare unto you the glad tidings of great
joy.
MSH 3:4 For the Lord hath heard thy prayers, and hath judged of thy
righteousness, and hath sent me to declare unto thee that thou mayest
rejoice; and that thou mayest declare unto thy people, that they may also be
filled with joy.
MSH 3:5 For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power,
the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all
eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall
dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty
miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to
walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all
manner of diseases.
MSH 3:6 And he shall cast out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the
hearts of the children of men.
MSH 3:7 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger,
thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death;
for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for
the wickedness and the abominations of his people.
MSH 3:8 And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of
heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his
mother shall be called Mary.
MSH 3:9 And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the
children of men even through faith on his name; and even after all this they
shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge
him, and shall crucify him.
MSH 3:10 And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, he
standeth to judge the world; and behold, all these things are done that a
righteous judgment might come upon the children of men.
MSH 3:11 For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who
have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will
of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned.
MSH 3:12 But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God! For
salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on
the Lord Jesus Christ.
MSH 3:13 And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children
of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that
thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might
receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even
as though he had already come among them.
MSH 3:14 Yet the Lord God saw that his people were a stiffnecked people, and
he appointed unto them a law, even the law of Moses.
MSH 3:15 And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows showed he unto
them, concerning his coming; and also holy prophets spake unto them
concerning his coming; and yet they hardened their hearts, and understood not
that the law of Moses availeth nothing except it were through the atonement
of his blood.
MSH 3:16 And even if it were possible that little children could sin they
could not be saved; but I say unto you they are blessed; for behold, as in
Adam, or by nature, they fall, even so the blood of Christ atoneth for their
sins.
MSH 3:17 And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name
given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the
children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.
MSH 3:18 For behold he judgeth, and his judgment is just; and the infant
perisheth not that dieth in his infancy; but men drink damnation to their own
souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and
believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the
atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.
MSH 3:19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall
of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of
the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through
the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek,
humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord
seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
MSH 3:20 And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come when the
knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue,
and people.
MSH 3:21 And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless
before God, except it be little children, only through repentance and faith
on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent.
MSH 3:22 And even at this time, when thou shalt have taught thy people the
things which the Lord thy God hath commanded thee, even then are they found
no more blameless in the sight of God, only according to the words which I
have spoken unto thee.
MSH 3:23 And now I have spoken the words which the Lord God hath commanded
me.
MSH 3:24 And thus saith the Lord: They shall stand as a bright testimony
against this people, at the judgment day; whereof they shall be judged, every
man according to his works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil.
MSH 3:25 And if they be evil they are consigned to an awful view of their own
guilt and abominations, which doth cause them to shrink from the presence of
the Lord into a state of misery and endless torment, from whence they can no
more return; therefore they have drunk damnation to their own souls.
MSH 3:26 Therefore, they have drunk out of the cup of the wrath of God, which
justice could no more deny unto them than it could deny that Adam should fall
because of his partaking of the forbidden fruit; therefore, mercy could have
claim on them no more forever.
MSH 3:27 And their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames
are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever. Thus hath
the Lord commanded me. Amen.
MSH 4:0 King Benjamin's address concluded--The conditions of salvation--Man's
dependence upon God--Liberality, wisdom and diligence enjoined.
MSH 4:1 And now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an end of
speaking the words which had been delivered unto him by the angel of the
Lord, that he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and behold they had
fallen to the earth, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them.
MSH 4:2 And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less
than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying:
O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive
forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things;
who shall come down among the children of men.
MSH 4:3 And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit
of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a
remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the
exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come, according to
the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them.
MSH 4:4 And king Benjamin again opened his mouth and began to speak unto
them, saying: My friends and my brethren, my kindred and my people, I would
again call your attention, that ye may hear and understand the remainder of
my words which I shall speak unto you.
MSH 4:5 For behold, if the knowledge of the goodness of God at this time has
awakened you to a sense of your nothingness, and your worthless and fallen
state--
MSH 4:6 I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of
God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his
long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has
been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might
come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in
keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his
life, I mean the life of the mortal body--
MSH 4:7 I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the
atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all
mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever
shall be, even unto the end of the world.
MSH 4:8 And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is none
other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any
conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told
you.
MSH 4:9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things,
both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power,
both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the
things which the Lord can comprehend.
MSH 4:10 And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake
them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he
would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do
them.
MSH 4:11 And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come
to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and
have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which
causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye
should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and
your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you,
unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility,
calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith
of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.
MSH 4:12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always
rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of
your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that
created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.
MSH 4:13 And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live
peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due.
MSH 4:14 And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked;
neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and
quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or
who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an
enemy to all righteousness.
MSH 4:15 But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness;
ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another.
MSH 4:16 And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your
succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need;
and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in
vain, and turn him out to perish.
MSH 4:17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery;
therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor
impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments
are just--
MSH 4:18 But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great
cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he
perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.
MSH 4:19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the
same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and
raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have
of every kind?
MSH 4:20 And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and
begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged
in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your
hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be
stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy.
MSH 4:21 And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for
your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever
ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how
ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another.
MSH 4:22 And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your
substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be
your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to
you but to God, to whom also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no
petition, nor repent of the thing which thou hast done.
MSH 4:23 I say unto you, wo be unto that man, for his substance shall perish
with him; and now, I say these things unto those who are rich as pertaining
to the things of this world.
MSH 4:24 And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not and yet have
sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all you who deny the
beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your hearts that: I give
not because I have not, but if I had I would give.
MSH 4:25 And now, if ye say this in your hearts ye remain guiltless,
otherwise ye are condemned; and your condemnation is just for ye covet that
which ye have not received.
MSH 4:26 And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto
you--that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to
day, that ye may walk guiltless before God--I would that ye should impart of
your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such
as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and
administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to
their wants.
MSH 4:27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it
is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And
again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win
the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.
MSH 4:28 And I would that ye should remember, that whosoever among you
borroweth of his neighbor should return the thing that he borroweth,
according as he doth agree, or else thou shalt commit sin; and perhaps thou
shalt cause thy neighbor to commit sin also.
MSH 4:29 And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit
sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number
them.
MSH 4:30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves,
and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the
commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard
concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must
perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.
MSH 5:0 Effect of king Benjamin's address--The people repent and enter into
covenant with Christ, and are called by his name.
MSH 5:1 And now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had thus spoken to
his people, he sent among them, desiring to know of his people if they
believed the words which he had spoken unto them.
MSH 5:2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the
words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and
truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a
mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do
evil, but to do good continually.
MSH 5:3 And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of God, and
the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come;
and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all things.
MSH 5:4 And it is the faith which we have had on the things which our king
has spoken unto us that has brought us to this great knowledge, whereby we do
rejoice with such exceedingly great joy.
MSH 5:5 And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his
will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall
command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon
ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been spoken by the angel, that we
may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God.
MSH 5:6 And now, these are the words which king Benjamin desired of them; and
therefore he said unto them: Ye have spoken the words that I desired; and the
covenant which ye have made is a righteous covenant.
MSH 5:7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be
called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this
day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed
through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his
sons and his daughters.
MSH 5:8 And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head
whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation
cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ,
all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be
obedient unto the end of your lives.
MSH 5:9 And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at
the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for
he shall be called by the name of Christ.
MSH 5:10 And now it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall not take upon
him the name of Christ must be called by some other name; therefore, he
findeth himself on the left hand of God.
MSH 5:11 And I would that ye should remember also, that this is the name that
I said I should give unto you that never should be blotted out, except it be
through transgression; therefore, take heed that ye do not transgress, that
the name be not blotted out of your hearts.
MSH 5:12 I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name
written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God,
but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also,
the name by which he shall call you.
MSH 5:13 For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is
a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?
MSH 5:14 And again, doth a man take an ass which belongeth to his neighbor,
and keep him? I say unto you, Nay; he will not even suffer that he shall feed
among his flocks, but will drive him away, and cast him out. I say unto you,
that even so shall it be among you if ye know not the name by which ye are
called.
MSH 5:15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always
abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you
his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting
salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and
mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above
all. Amen.
MSH 6:0 Names of the people recorded--Priests appointed--Beginning of
Mosiah's reign--Death of king Benjamin.
MSH 6:1 And now, king Benjamin thought it was expedient, after having
finished speaking to the people, that he should take the names of all those
who had entered into a covenant with God to keep his commandments.
MSH 6:2 And it came to pass that there was not one soul, except it were
little children, but who had entered into the covenant and had taken upon
them the name of Christ.
MSH 6:3 And again, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an end of
all these things, and had consecrated his son Mosiah to be a ruler and a king
over his people, and had given him all the charges concerning the kingdom,
and also had appointed priests to teach the people, that thereby they might
hear and know the commandments of God, and to stir them up in remembrance of
the oath which they had made, he dismissed the multitude, and they returned,
every one, according to their families, to their own houses.
MSH 6:4 And Mosiah began to reign in his father's stead. And he began to
reign in the thirtieth year of his age, making in the whole, about four
hundred and seventy-six years from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem.
MSH 6:5 And king Benjamin lived three years and he died.
MSH 6:6 And it came to pass that king Mosiah did walk in the ways of the
Lord, and did observe his judgments and his statutes, and did keep his
commandments in all things whatsoever he commanded him.
MSH 6:7 And king Mosiah did cause his people that they should till the earth.
And he also, himself, did till the earth, that thereby he might not become
burdensome to his people, that he might do according to that which his father
had done in all things. And there was no contention among all his people for
the space of three years.
MSH 7:0 Expedition to the land of Lehi-Nephi--Ammon and king Limhi--People of
Lehi-Nephi in bondage to Lamanites.
MSH 7:1 And now, it came to pass that after king Mosiah had had continual
peace for the space of three years, he was desirous to know concerning the
people who went up to dwell in the land of Lehi-Nephi, or in the city of
Lehi-Nephi; for his people had heard nothing from them from the time they
left the land of Zarahemla; therefore, they wearied him with their teasings.
MSH 7:2 And it came to pass that king Mosiah granted that sixteen of their
strong men might go up to the land of Lehi-Nephi, to inquire concerning their
brethren.
MSH 7:3 And it came to pass that on the morrow they started to go up, having
with them one Ammon, he being a strong and mighty man, and a descendant of
Zarahemla; and he was also their leader.
MSH 7:4 And now, they knew not the course they should travel in the
wilderness to go up to the land of Lehi-Nephi; therefore they wandered many
days in the wilderness, even forty days did they wander.
MSH 7:5 And when they had wandered forty days they came to a hill, which is
north of the land of Shilom, and there they pitched their tents.
MSH 7:6 And Ammon took three of his brethren, and their names were Amaleki,
Helem, and Hem, and they went down into the land of Nephi.
MSH 7:7 And behold, they met the king of the people who were in the land of
Nephi, and in the land of Shilom; and they were surrounded by the king's
guard, and were taken, and were bound, and were committed to prison.
MSH 7:8 And it came to pass when they had been in prison two days they were
again brought before the king, and their bands were loosed; and they stood
before the king, and were permitted, or rather commanded, that they should
answer the questions which he should ask them.
MSH 7:9 And he said unto them: Behold, I am Limhi, the son of Noah, who was
the son of Zeniff, who came up out of the land of Zarahemla to inherit this
land, which was the land of their fathers, who was made a king by the voice
of the people.
MSH 7:10 And now, I desire to know the cause whereby ye were so bold as to
come near the walls of the city, when I, myself, was with my guards without
the gate?
MSH 7:11 And now, for this cause have I suffered that ye should be preserved,
that I might inquire of you, or else I should have caused that my guards
should have put you to death. Ye are permitted to speak.
MSH 7:12 And now, when Ammon saw that he was permitted to speak, he went
forth and bowed himself before the king; and rising again he said: O king, I
am very thankful before God this day that I am yet alive, and am permitted to
speak; and I will endeavor to speak with boldness;
MSH 7:13 For I am assured that if ye had known me ye would not have suffered
that I should have worn these bands. For I am Ammon, and am a descendant of
Zarahemla, and have come up out of the land of Zarahemla to inquire
concerning our brethren, whom Zeniff brought up out of that land.
MSH 7:14 And now, it came to pass that after Limhi had heard the words of
Ammon, he was exceedingly glad, and said: Now, I know of a surety that my
brethren who were in the land of Zarahemla are yet alive. And now, I will
rejoice; and on the morrow I will cause that my people shall rejoice also.
MSH 7:15 For behold, we are in bondage to the Lamanites, and are taxed with a
tax which is grievous to be borne. And now, behold, our brethren will deliver
us out of our bondage, or out of the hands of the Lamanites, and we will be
their slaves; for it is better that we be slaves to the Nephites than to pay
tribute to the king of the Lamanites.
MSH 7:16 And now, king Limhi commanded his guards that they should no more
bind Ammon nor his brethren, but caused that they should go to the hill which
was north of Shilom, and bring their brethren into the city, that thereby
they might eat, and drink, and rest themselves from the labors of their
journey; for they had suffered many things; they had suffered hunger, thirst,
and fatigue.
MSH 7:17 And now, it came to pass on the morrow that king Limhi sent a
proclamation among all his people, that thereby they might gather themselves
together to the temple, to hear the words which he should speak unto them.
MSH 7:18 And it came to pass that when they had gathered themselves together
that he spake unto them in this wise, saying: O ye, my people, lift up your
heads and be comforted; for behold, the time is at hand, or is not far
distant, when we shall no longer be in subjection to our enemies,
notwithstanding our many strugglings, which have been in vain; yet I trust
there remaineth an effectual struggle to be made.
MSH 7:19 Therefore, lift up your heads, and rejoice, and put your trust in
God, in that God who was the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob; and also,
that God who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, and
caused that they should walk through the Red Sea on dry ground, and fed them
with manna that they might not perish in the wilderness; and many more things
did he do for them.
MSH 7:20 And again, that same God has brought our fathers out of the land of
Jerusalem, and has kept and preserved his people even until now; and behold,
it is because of our iniquities and abominations that he has brought us into
bondage.
MSH 7:21 And ye all are witnesses this day, that Zeniff, who was made king
over this people, he being over-zealous to inherit the land of his fathers,
therefore being deceived by the cunning and craftiness of king Laman, who
having entered into a treaty with king Zeniff, and having yielded up into his
hands the possessions of a part of the land, or even the city of Lehi-Nephi,
and the city of Shilom; and the land round about--
MSH 7:22 And all this he did, for the sole purpose of bringing this people
into subjection or into bondage. And behold, we at this time do pay tribute
to the king of the Lamanites, to the amount of one half of our corn, and our
barley, and even all our grain of every kind, and one half of the increase of
our flocks and our herds; and even one half of all we have or possess the
king of the Lamanites doth exact of us, or our lives.
MSH 7:23 And now, is not this grievous to be borne? And is not this, our
affliction, great? Now behold, how great reason we have to mourn.
MSH 7:24 Yea, I say unto you, great are the reasons which we have to mourn;
for behold how many of our brethren have been slain, and their blood has been
spilt in vain, and all because of iniquity.
MSH 7:25 For if this people had not fallen into transgression the Lord would
not have suffered that this great evil should come upon them. But behold,
they would not hearken unto his words; but there arose contentions among
them, even so much that they did shed blood among themselves.
MSH 7:26 And a prophet of the Lord have they slain; yea, a chosen man of God,
who told them of their wickedness and abominations, and prophesied of many
things which are to come, yea, even the coming of Christ.
MSH 7:27 And because he said unto them that Christ was the God, the Father of
all things, and said that he should take upon him the image of man, and it
should be the image after which man was created in the beginning; or in other
words, he said that man was created after the image of God, and that God
should come down among the children of men, and take upon him flesh and
blood, and go forth upon the face of the earth--
MSH 7:28 And now, because he said this, they did put him to death; and many
more things did they do which brought down the wrath of God upon them.
Therefore, who wondereth that they are in bondage, and that they are smitten
with sore afflictions?
MSH 7:29 For behold, the Lord hath said: I will not succor my people in the
day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways that they prosper
not; and their doings shall be as a stumbling block before them.
MSH 7:30 And again, he saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they shall
reap the chaff thereof in the whirlwind; and the effect thereof is poison.
MSH 7:31 And again he saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they shall
reap the east wind, which bringeth immediate destruction.
MSH 7:32 And now, behold, the promise of the Lord is fulfilled, and ye are
smitten and afflicted.
MSH 7:33 But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put
your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this,
he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.
MSH 8:0 Ammon learns of the discovery of twenty-four gold plates with
engravings--He suggests their submission to king Mosiah, prophet and seer.
MSH 8:1 And it came to pass that after king Limhi had made an end of speaking
to his people, for he spake many things unto them and only a few of them have
I written in this book, he told his people all the things concerning their
brethren who were in the land of Zarahemla.
MSH 8:2 And he caused that Ammon should stand up before the multitude, and
rehearse unto them all that had happened unto their brethren from the time
that Zeniff went up out of the land even until the time that he himself came
up out of the land.
MSH 8:3 And he also rehearsed unto them the last words which king Benjamin
had taught them, and explained them to the people of king Limhi, so that they
might understand all the words which he spake.
MSH 8:4 And it came to pass that after he had done all this, that king Limhi
dismissed the multitude, and caused that they should return every one unto
his own house.
MSH 8:5 And it came to pass that he caused that the plates which contained
the record of his people from the time that they left the land of Zarahemla,
should be brought before Ammon, that he might read them.
MSH 8:6 Now, as soon as Ammon had read the record, the king inquired of him
to know if he could interpret languages, and Ammon told him that he could
not.
MSH 8:7 And the king said unto him: Being grieved for the afflictions of my
people, I caused that forty and three of my people should take a journey into
the wilderness, that thereby they might find the land of Zarahemla, that we
might appeal unto our brethren to deliver us out of bondage.
MSH 8:8 And they were lost in the wilderness for the space of many days, yet
they were diligent, and found not the land of Zarahemla but returned to this
land, having traveled in a land among many waters, having discovered a land
which was covered with bones of men, and of beasts, and was also covered with
ruins of buildings of every kind, having discovered a land which had been
peopled with a people who were as numerous as the hosts of Israel.
MSH 8:9 And for a testimony that the things that they had said are true they
have brought twenty-four plates which are filled with engravings, and they
are of pure gold.
MSH 8:10 And behold, also, they have brought breastplates, which are large,
and they are of brass and of copper, and are perfectly sound.
MSH 8:11 And again, they have brought swords, the hilts thereof have
perished, and the blades thereof were cankered with rust; and there is no one
in the land that is able to interpret the language or the engravings that are
on the plates. Therefore I said unto thee: Canst thou translate?
MSH 8:12 And I say unto thee again: Knowest thou of any one that can
translate? For I am desirous that these records should be translated into our
language; for, perhaps, they will give us a knowledge of a remnant of the
people who have been destroyed, from whence these records came; or, perhaps,
they will give us a knowledge of this very people who have been destroyed;
and I am desirous to know the cause of their destruction.
MSH 8:13 Now Ammon said unto him: I can assuredly tell thee, O king, of a man
that can translate the records; for he has wherewith that he can look, and
translate all records that are of ancient date; and it is a gift from God.
And the things are called interpreters, and no man can look in them except he
be commanded, lest he should look for that he ought not and he should perish.
And whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is called seer.
MSH 8:14 And behold, the king of the people who are in the land of Zarahemla
is the man that is commanded to do these things, and who has this high gift
from God.
MSH 8:15 And the king said that a seer is greater than a prophet.
MSH 8:16 And Ammon said that a seer is a revelator and a prophet also; and a
gift which is greater can no man have, except he should possess the power of
God, which no man can; yet a man may have great power given him from God.
MSH 8:17 But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things
which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather,
shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light,
and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things
shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known.
MSH 8:18 Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work
mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings.
MSH 8:19 And now, when Ammon had made an end of speaking these words the king
rejoiced exceedingly, and gave thanks to God, saying: Doubtless a great
mystery is contained within these plates, and these interpreters were
doubtless prepared for the purpose of unfolding all such mysteries to the
children of men.
MSH 8:20 O how marvelous are the works of the Lord, and how long doth he
suffer with his people; yea, and how blind and impenetrable are the
understandings of the children of men; for they will not seek wisdom, neither
do they desire that she should rule over them!
MSH 8:21 Yea, they are as a wild flock which fleeth from the shepherd, and
scattereth, and are driven, and are devoured by the beasts of the forest.
MSH 9:00 THE RECORD OF ZENIFF. --An account of his people, from the time they
left the land of Zarahemla until the time that they were delivered out of the
hands of the Lamanites. Comprising chapters 9 to 22 inclusive.
MSH 9:0 Zeniff goes to possess the land of Lehi-Nephi--A spy among the
Lamanites--The craftiness of king Laman.
MSH 9:1 I, Zeniff, having been taught in all the language of the Nephites,
and having had a knowledge of the land of Nephi, or of the land of our
fathers' first inheritance, and having been sent as a spy among the Lamanites
that I might spy out their forces, that our army might come upon them and
destroy them--but when I saw that which was good among them I was desirous
that they should not be destroyed.
MSH 9:2 Therefore, I contended with my brethren in the wilderness, for I
would that our ruler should make a treaty with them; but he being an austere
and a blood-thirsty man commanded that I should be slain; but I was rescued
by the shedding of much blood; for father fought against father, and brother
against brother, until the greater number of our army was destroyed in the
wilderness; and we returned, those of us that were spared, to the land of
Zarahemla, to relate that tale to their wives and their children.
MSH 9:3 And yet, I being over-zealous to inherit the land of our fathers,
collected as many as were desirous to go up to possess the land, and started
again on our journey into the wilderness to go up to the land; but we were
smitten with famine and sore afflictions; for we were slow to remember the
Lord our God.
MSH 9:4 Nevertheless, after many days' wandering in the wilderness we pitched
our tents in the place where our brethren were slain, which was near to the
land of our fathers.
MSH 9:5 And it came to pass that I went again with four of my men into the
city, in unto the king, that I might know of the disposition of the king, and
that I might know if I might go in with my people and possess the land in
peace.
MSH 9:6 And I went in unto the king, and he covenanted with me that I might
possess the land of Lehi-Nephi, and the land of Shilom.
MSH 9:7 And he also commanded that his people should depart out of the land,
and I and my people went into the land that we might possess it.
MSH 9:8 And we began to build buildings, and to repair the walls of the city,
yea, even the walls of the city of Lehi-Nephi, and the city of Shilom.
MSH 9:9 And we began to till the ground, yea, even with all manner of seeds,
with seeds of corn, and of wheat, and of barley, and with neas, and with
sheum, and with seeds of all manner of fruits; and we did begin to multiply
and prosper in the land.
MSH 9:10 Now it was the cunning and the craftiness of king Laman, to bring my
people into bondage, that he yielded up the land that we might possess it.
MSH 9:11 Therefore it came to pass, that after we had dwelt in the land for
the space of twelve years that king Laman began to grow uneasy, lest by any
means my people should wax strong in the land, and that they could not
overpower them and bring them into bondage.
MSH 9:12 Now they were a lazy and an idolatrous people; therefore they were
desirous to bring us into bondage, that they might glut themselves with the
labors of our hands; yea, that they might feast themselves upon the flocks of
our fields.
MSH 9:13 Therefore it came to pass that king Laman began to stir up his
people that they should contend with my people; therefore there began to be
wars and contentions in the land.
MSH 9:14 For, in the thirteenth year of my reign in the land of Nephi, away
on the south of the land of Shilom, when my people were watering and feeding
their flocks, and tilling their lands, a numerous host of Lamanites came upon
them and began to slay them, and to take off their flocks, and the corn of
their fields.
MSH 9:15 Yea, and it came to pass that they fled, all that were not
overtaken, even into the city of Nephi, and did call upon me for protection.
MSH 9:16 And it came to pass that I did arm them with bows, and with arrows,
with swords, and with cimeters, and with clubs, and with slings, and with all
manner of weapons which we could invent, and I and my people did go forth
against the Lamanites to battle.
MSH 9:17 Yea, in the strength of the Lord did we go forth to battle against
the Lamanites; for I and my people did cry mightily to the Lord that he would
deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, for we were awakened to a
remembrance of the deliverance of our fathers.
MSH 9:18 And God did hear our cries and did answer our prayers; and we did go
forth in his might; yea, we did go forth against the Lamanites, and in one
day and a night we did slay three thousand and forty-three; we did slay them
even until we had driven them out of our land.
MSH 9:19 And I, myself, with mine own hands, did help to bury their dead. And
behold, to our great sorrow and lamentation, two hundred and seventy-nine of
our brethren were slain.
MSH 10:0 King Laman dies--Zeniff and his people prevail against their
oppressors.
MSH 10:1 And it came to pass that we again began to establish the kingdom and
we again began to possess the land in peace. And I caused that there should
be weapons of war made of every kind, that thereby I might have weapons for
my people against the time the Lamanites should come up again to war against
my people.
MSH 10:2 And I set guards round about the land, that the Lamanites might not
come upon us again unawares and destroy us; and thus I did guard my people
and my flocks, and keep them from falling into the hands of our enemies.
MSH 10:3 And it came to pass that we did inherit the land of our fathers for
many years, yea, for the space of twenty and two years.
MSH 10:4 And I did cause that the men should till the ground, and raise all
manner of grain and all manner of fruit of every kind.
MSH 10:5 And I did cause that the women should spin, and toil, and work, and
work all manner of fine linen, yea, and cloth of every kind, that we might
clothe our nakedness; and thus we did prosper in the land--thus we did have
continual peace in the land for the space of twenty and two years.
MSH 10:6 And it came to pass that king Laman died, and his son began to reign
in his stead. And he began to stir his people up in rebellion against my
people; therefore they began to prepare for war, and to come up to battle
against my people.
MSH 10:7 But I had sent my spies out round about the land of Shemlon, that I
might discover their preparations, that I might guard against them, that they
might not come upon my people and destroy them.
MSH 10:8 And it came to pass that they came up upon the north of the land of
Shilom, with their numerous hosts, men armed with bows, and with arrows, and
with swords, and with cimeters, and with stones, and with slings; and they
had their heads shaved that they were naked; and they were girded with a
leathern girdle about their loins.
MSH 10:9 And it came to pass that I caused that the women and children of my
people should be hid in the wilderness; and I also caused that all my old men
that could bear arms, and also all my young men that were able to bear arms,
should gather themselves together to go to battle against the Lamanites; and
I did place them in their ranks, every man according to his age.
MSH 10:10 And it came to pass that we did go up to battle against the
Lamanites; and I, even I, in my old age, did go up to battle against the
Lamanites. And it came to pass that we did go up in the strength of the Lord
to battle.
MSH 10:11 Now, the Lamanites knew nothing concerning the Lord, nor the
strength of the Lord, therefore they depended upon their own strength. Yet
they were a strong people, as to the strength of men.
MSH 10:12 They were a wild, and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people,
believing in the tradition of their fathers, which is this--Believing that
they were driven out of the land of Jerusalem because of the iniquities of
their fathers, and that they were wronged in the wilderness by their
brethren, and they were also wronged while crossing the sea;
MSH 10:13 And again, that they were wronged while in the land of their first
inheritance, after they had crossed the sea, and all this because that Nephi
was more faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord--therefore he was
favored of the Lord, for the Lord heard his prayers and answered them, and he
took the lead of their journey in the wilderness.
MSH 10:14 And his brethren were wroth with him because they understood not
the dealings of the Lord; they were also wroth with him upon the waters
because they hardened their hearts against the Lord.
MSH 10:15 And again, they were wroth with him when they had arrived in the
promised land, because they said that he had taken the ruling of the people
out of their hands; and they sought to kill him.
MSH 10:16 And again, they were wroth with him because he departed into the
wilderness as the Lord had commanded him, and took the records which were
engraven on the plates of brass, for they said that he robbed them.
MSH 10:17 And thus they have taught their children that they should hate
them, and that they should murder them, and that they should rob and plunder
them, and do all they could to destroy them; therefore they have an eternal
hatred towards the children of Nephi.
MSH 10:18 For this very cause has king Laman, by his cunning, and lying
craftiness, and his fair promises, deceived me, that I have brought this my
people up into this land, that they may destroy them; yea, and we have
suffered these many years in the land.
MSH 10:19 And now I, Zeniff, after having told all these things unto my
people concerning the Lamanites, I did stimulate them to go to battle with
their might, putting their trust in the Lord; therefore, we did contend with
them, face to face.
MSH 10:20 And it came to pass that we did drive them again out of our land;
and we slew them with a great slaughter, even so many that we did not number
them.
MSH 10:21 And it came to pass that we returned again to our own land, and my
people again began to tend their flocks, and to till their ground.
MSH 10:22 And now I, being old, did confer the kingdom upon one of my sons;
therefore, I say no more. And may the Lord bless my people. Amen.
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