Third Nephi, the Book of Nephi, the son of Nephi, who was the son of Helaman.
NE3 0:0 And Helaman was the son of Helaman, who was the son of Alma, who was
the son of Alma, being a descendant of Nephi who was the son of Lehi, who
came out of Jerusalem in the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, the king of
Judah.
NE3 1:0 Nephi, son of Helaman, departs--Signs given of the Savior's
birth--Opposite effects manifest--Again, the Gadianton band.
NE3 1:1 Now it came to pass that the ninety and first year had passed away
and it was six hundred years from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem; and it
was in the year that Lachoneus was the chief judge and the governor over the
land.
NE3 1:2 And Nephi, the son of Helaman, had departed out of the land of
Zarahemla, giving charge unto his son Nephi, who was his eldest son,
concerning the plates of brass, and all the records which had been kept, and
all those things which had been kept sacred from the departure of Lehi out of
Jerusalem.
NE3 1:3 Then he departed out of the land, and whither he went, no man
knoweth; and his son Nephi did keep the records in his stead, yea, the record
of this people.
NE3 1:4 And it came to pass that in the commencement of the ninety and second
year, behold, the prophecies of the prophets began to be fulfilled more
fully; for there began to be greater signs and greater miracles wrought among
the people.
NE3 1:5 But there were some who began to say that the time was past for the
words to be fulfilled, which were spoken by Samuel, the Lamanite.
NE3 1:6 And they began to rejoice over their brethren, saying: Behold the
time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy
and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain.
NE3 1:7 And it came to pass that they did make a great uproar throughout the
land; and the people who believed began to be very sorrowful, lest by any
means those things which had been spoken might not come to pass.
NE3 1:8 But behold, they did watch steadfastly for that day and that night
and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night, that they
might know that their faith had not been vain.
NE3 1:9 Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the
unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to
death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the
prophet.
NE3 1:10 Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this
wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.
NE3 1:11 And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the
earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who
were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their
fathers.
NE3 1:12 And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that
day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying:
NE3 1:13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at
hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I
into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I
have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.
NE3 1:14 Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made
known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do
the will, both of the Father and of the Son--of the Father because of me, and
of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this
night shall the sign be given.
NE3 1:15 And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were
fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down
of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished
because there was no darkness when the night came.
NE3 1:16 And there were many, who had not believed the words of the prophets,
who fell to the earth and became as if they were dead, for they knew that the
great plan of destruction which they had laid for those who believed in the
words of the prophets had been frustrated; for the sign which had been given
was already at hand.
NE3 1:17 And they began to know that the Son of God must shortly appear; yea,
in fine, all the people upon the face of the whole earth from the west to the
east, both in the land north and in the land south, were so exceedingly
astonished that they fell to the earth.
NE3 1:18 For they knew that the prophets had testified of these things for
many years, and that the sign which had been given was already at hand; and
they began to fear because of their iniquity and their unbelief.
NE3 1:19 And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night,
but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the
sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they
knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign
which had been given.
NE3 1:20 And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to
the words of the prophets.
NE3 1:21 And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to
the word.
NE3 1:22 And it came to pass that from this time forth there began to be
lyings sent forth among the people, by Satan, to harden their hearts, to the
intent that they might not believe in those signs and wonders which they had
seen; but notwithstanding these lyings and deceivings the more part of the
people did believe, and were converted unto the Lord.
NE3 1:23 And it came to pass that Nephi went forth among the people, and also
many others, baptizing unto repentance, in the which there was a great
remission of sins. And thus the people began again to have peace in the land.
NE3 1:24 And there were no contentions, save it were a few that began to
preach, endeavoring to prove by the scriptures that it was no more expedient
to observe the law of Moses. Now in this thing they did err, having not
understood the scriptures.
NE3 1:25 But it came to pass that they soon became converted, and were
convinced of the error which they were in, for it was made known unto them
that the law was not yet fulfilled, and that it must be fulfilled in every
whit; yea, the word came unto them that it must be fulfilled; yea, that one
jot or tittle should not pass away till it should all be fulfilled; therefore
in this same year were they brought to a knowledge of their error and did
confess their faults.
NE3 1:26 And thus the ninety and second year did pass away, bringing glad
tidings unto the people because of the signs which did come to pass,
according to the words of the prophecy of all the holy prophets.
NE3 1:27 And it came to pass that the ninety and third year did also pass
away in peace, save it were for the Gadianton robbers, who dwelt upon the
mountains, who did infest the land; for so strong were their holds and their
secret places that the people could not overpower them; therefore they did
commit many murders, and did do much slaughter among the people.
NE3 1:28 And it came to pass that in the ninety and fourth year they began to
increase in a great degree, because there were many dissenters of the
Nephites who did flee unto them, which did cause much sorrow unto those
Nephites who did remain in the land.
NE3 1:29 And there was also a cause of much sorrow among the Lamanites; for
behold, they had many children who did grow up and began to wax strong in
years, that they became for themselves, and were led away by some who were
Zoramites, by their lyings and their flattering words, to join those
Gadianton robbers.
NE3 1:30 And thus were the Lamanites afflicted also, and began to decrease as
to their faith and righteousness, because of the wickedness of the rising
generation.
NE3 2:0 Nephite degeneracy--White Lamanites--Both peoples unite for defence
against robbers and murderers.
NE3 2:1 And it came to pass that thus passed away the ninety and fifth year
also, and the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had
heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from
heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in
their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen--
NE3 2:2 Imagining up some vain thing in their hearts, that it was wrought by
men and by the power of the devil, to lead away and deceive the hearts of the
people; and thus did Satan get possession of the hearts of the people again,
insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the
doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing.
NE3 2:3 And it came to pass that the people began to wax strong in wickedness
and abominations; and they did not believe that there should be any more
signs or wonders given; and Satan did go about, leading away the hearts of
the people, tempting them and causing them that they should do great
wickedness in the land.
NE3 2:4 And thus did pass away the ninety and sixth year; and also the ninety
and seventh year; and also the ninety and eighth year; and also the ninety
and ninth year;
NE3 2:5 And also an hundred years had passed away since the days of Mosiah,
who was king over the people of the Nephites.
NE3 2:6 And six hundred and nine years had passed away since Lehi left
Jerusalem.
NE3 2:7 And nine years had passed away from the time when the sign was given,
which was spoken of by the prophets, that Christ should come into the world.
NE3 2:8 Now the Nephites began to reckon their time from this period when the
sign was given, or from the coming of Christ; therefore, nine years had
passed away.
NE3 2:9 And Nephi, who was the father of Nephi, who had the charge of the
records, did not return to the land of Zarahemla, and could nowhere be found
in all the land.
NE3 2:10 And it came to pass that the people did still remain in wickedness,
notwithstanding the much preaching and prophesying which was sent among them;
and thus passed away the tenth year also; and the eleventh year also passed
away in iniquity.
NE3 2:11 And it came to pass in the thirteenth year there began to be wars
and contentions throughout all the land; for the Gadianton robbers had become
so numerous, and did slay so many of the people, and did lay waste so many
cities, and did spread so much death and carnage throughout the land, that it
became expedient that all the people, both the Nephites and the Lamanites,
should take up arms against them.
NE3 2:12 Therefore, all the Lamanites who had become converted unto the Lord
did unite with their brethren, the Nephites, and were compelled, for the
safety of their lives and their women and their children, to take up arms
against those Gadianton robbers, yea, and also to maintain their rights, and
the privileges of their church and of their worship, and their freedom and
their liberty.
NE3 2:13 And it came to pass that before this thirteenth year had passed away
the Nephites were threatened with utter destruction because of this war,
which had become exceedingly sore.
NE3 2:14 And it came to pass that those Lamanites who had united with the
Nephites were numbered among the Nephites;
NE3 2:15 And their curse was taken from them, and their skin became white
like unto the Nephites;
NE3 2:16 And their young men and their daughters became exceedingly fair, and
they were numbered among the Nephites, and were called Nephites. And thus
ended the thirteenth year.
NE3 2:17 And it came to pass in the commencement of the fourteenth year, the
war between the robbers and the people of Nephi did continue and did become
exceedingly sore; nevertheless, the people of Nephi did gain some advantage
of the robbers, insomuch that they did drive them back out of their lands
into the mountains and into their secret places.
NE3 2:18 And thus ended the fourteenth year. And in the fifteenth year they
did come forth against the people of Nephi; and because of the wickedness of
the people of Nephi, and their many contentions and dissensions, the
Gadianton robbers did gain many advantages over them.
NE3 2:19 And thus ended the fifteenth year, and thus were the people in a
state of many afflictions; and the sword of destruction did hang over them,
insomuch that they were about to be smitten down by it, and this because of
their iniquity.
NE3 3:0 Lachoneus, governor of the land, receives epistle from Giddianhi, the
robber chieftain--Surrender demanded--Lachoneus ignores demand and prepares
for defence.
NE3 3:1 And now it came to pass that in the sixteenth year from the coming of
Christ, Lachoneus, the governor of the land, received an epistle from the
leader and the governor of this band of robbers; and these were the words
which were written, saying:
NE3 3:2 Lachoneus, most noble and chief governor of the land, behold, I write
this epistle unto you, and do give unto you exceedingly great praise because
of your firmness, and also the firmness of your people, in maintaining that
which ye suppose to be your right and liberty; yea, ye do stand well, as if
ye were supported by the hand of a god, in the defence of your liberty, and
your property, and your country, or that which ye do call so.
NE3 3:3 And it seemeth a pity unto me, most noble Lachoneus, that ye should
be so foolish and vain as to suppose that ye can stand against so many brave
men who are at my command, who do now at this time stand in their arms, and
do await with great anxiety for the word--Go down upon the Nephites and
destroy them.
NE3 3:4 And I, knowing of their unconquerable spirit, having proved them in
the field of battle, and knowing of their everlasting hatred towards you
because of the many wrongs which ye have done unto them, therefore if they
should come down against you they would visit you with utter destruction.
NE3 3:5 Therefore I have written this epistle, sealing it with mine own hand,
feeling for your welfare, because of your firmness in that which ye believe
to be right, and your noble spirit in the field of battle.
NE3 3:6 Therefore I write unto you, desiring that ye would yield up unto this
my people, your cities, your lands, and your possessions, rather than that
they should visit you with the sword and that destruction should come upon
you.
NE3 3:7 Or in other words, yield yourselves up unto us, and unite with us and
become acquainted with our secret works, and become our brethren that ye may
be like unto us--not our slaves, but our brethren and partners of all our
substance.
NE3 3:8 And behold, I swear unto you, if ye will do this, with an oath, ye
shall not be destroyed; but if ye will not do this, I swear unto you with an
oath, that on the morrow month I will command that my armies shall come down
against you, and they shall not stay their hand and shall spare not, but
shall slay you, and shall let fall the sword upon you even until ye shall
become extinct.
NE3 3:9 And behold, I am Giddianhi; and I am the governor of this the secret
society of Gadianton; which society and the works thereof I know to be good;
and they are of ancient date and they have been handed down unto us.
NE3 3:10 And I write this epistle unto you, Lachoneus, and I hope that ye
will deliver up your lands and your possessions, without the shedding of
blood, that this my people may recover their rights and government, who have
dissented away from you because of your wickedness in retaining from them
their rights of government, and except ye do this, I will avenge their
wrongs. I am Giddianhi.
NE3 3:11 And now it came to pass when Lachoneus received this epistle he was
exceedingly astonished, because of the boldness of Giddianhi demanding the
possession of the land of the Nephites, and also of threatening the people
and avenging the wrongs of those that had received no wrong, save it were
they had wronged themselves by dissenting away unto those wicked and
abominable robbers.
NE3 3:12 Now behold, this Lachoneus, the governor, was a just man, and could
not be frightened by the demands and the threatenings of a robber; therefore
he did not hearken to the epistle of Giddianhi, the governor of the robbers,
but he did cause that his people should cry unto the Lord for strength
against the time that the robbers should come down against them.
NE3 3:13 Yea, he sent a proclamation among all the people, that they should
gather together their women, and their children, their flocks and their
herds, and all their substance, save it were their land, unto one place.
NE3 3:14 And he caused that fortifications should be built round about them,
and the strength thereof should be exceedingly great. And he caused that
armies, both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites, or of all them who were
numbered among the Nephites, should be placed as guards round about to watch
them, and to guard them from the robbers day and night.
NE3 3:15 Yea, he said unto them: As the Lord liveth, except ye repent of all
your iniquities, and cry unto the Lord, ye will in nowise be delivered out of
the hands of those Gadianton robbers.
NE3 3:16 And so great and marvelous were the words and prophecies of
Lachoneus that they did cause fear to come upon all the people; and they did
exert themselves in their might to do according to the words of Lachoneus.
NE3 3:17 And it came to pass that Lachoneus did appoint chief captains over
all the armies of the Nephites, to command them at the time that the robbers
should come down out of the wilderness against them.
NE3 3:18 Now the chiefest among all the chief captains and the great
commander of all the armies of the Nephites was appointed, and his name was
Gidgiddoni.
NE3 3:19 Now it was the custom among all the Nephites to appoint for their
chief captains, (save it were in their times of wickedness) some one that had
the spirit of revelation and also prophecy; therefore, this Gidgiddoni was a
great prophet among them, as also was the chief judge.
NE3 3:20 Now the people said unto Gidgiddoni: Pray unto the Lord, and let us
go up upon the mountains and into the wilderness, that we may fall upon the
robbers and destroy them in their own lands.
NE3 3:21 But Gidgiddoni saith unto them: The Lord forbid; for if we should go
up against them the Lord would deliver us into their hands; therefore we will
prepare ourselves in the center of our lands, and we will gather all our
armies together, and we will not go against them, but we will wait till they
shall come against us; therefore as the Lord liveth, if we do this he will
deliver them into our hands.
NE3 3:22 And it came to pass in the seventeenth year, in the latter end of
the year, the proclamation of Lachoneus had gone forth throughout all the
face of the land, and they had taken their horses, and their chariots, and
their cattle, and all their flocks, and their herds, and their grain, and all
their substance, and did march forth by thousands and by tens of thousands,
until they had all gone forth to the place which had been appointed that they
should gather themselves together, to defend themselves against their
enemies.
NE3 3:23 And the land which was appointed was the land of Zarahemla, and the
land which was between the land Zarahemla and the land Bountiful, yea, to the
line which was between the land Bountiful and the land Desolation.
NE3 3:24 And there were a great many thousand people who were called
Nephites, who did gather themselves together in this land. Now Lachoneus did
cause that they should gather themselves together in the land southward,
because of the great curse which was upon the land northward.
NE3 3:25 And they did fortify themselves against their enemies; and they did
dwell in one land, and in one body, and they did fear the words which had
been spoken by Lachoneus, insomuch that they did repent of all their sins;
and they did put up their prayers unto the Lord their God, that he would
deliver them in the time that their enemies should come down against them to
battle.
NE3 3:26 And they were exceedingly sorrowful because of their enemies. And
Gidgiddoni did cause that they should make weapons of war of every kind, and
they should be strong with armor, and with shields, and with bucklers, after
the manner of his instruction.
NE3 4:0 The robbers beaten and their leader slain--His successor, Zemnarihah
hanged--Gidgiddoni's military prowess.
NE3 4:1 And it came to pass that in the latter end of the eighteenth year
those armies of robbers had prepared for battle, and began to come down and
to sally forth from the hills, and out of the mountains, and the wilderness,
and their strongholds, and their secret places, and began to take possession
of the lands, both which were in the land south and which were in the land
north, and began to take possession of all the lands which had been deserted
by the Nephites, and the cities which had been left desolate.
NE3 4:2 But behold, there were no wild beasts nor game in those lands which
had been deserted by the Nephites, and there was no game for the robbers save
it were in the wilderness.
NE3 4:3 And the robbers could not exist save it were in the wilderness, for
the want of food; for the Nephites had left their lands desolate, and had
gathered their flocks and their herds and all their substance, and they were
in one body.
NE3 4:4 Therefore, there was no chance for the robbers to plunder and to
obtain food, save it were to come up in open battle against the Nephites; and
the Nephites being in one body, and having so great a number, and having
reserved for themselves provisions, and horses and cattle, and flocks of
every kind, that they might subsist for the space of seven years, in the
which time they did hope to destroy the robbers from off the face of the
land; and thus the eighteenth year did pass away.
NE3 4:5 And it came to pass that in the nineteenth year Giddianhi found that
it was expedient that he should go up to battle against the Nephites, for
there was no way that they could subsist save it were to plunder and rob and
murder.
NE3 4:6 And they durst not spread themselves upon the face of the land
insomuch that they could raise grain, lest the Nephites should come upon them
and slay them; therefore Giddianhi gave commandment unto his armies that in
this year they should go up to battle against the Nephites.
NE3 4:7 And it came to pass that they did come up to battle; and it was in
the sixth month; and behold, great and terrible was the day that they did
come up to battle; and they were girded about after the manner of robbers;
and they had a lamb-skin about their loins, and they were dyed in blood, and
their heads were shorn, and they had headplates upon them; and great and
terrible was the appearance of the armies of Giddianhi, because of their
armor, and because of their being dyed in blood.
NE3 4:8 And it came to pass that the armies of the Nephites, when they saw
the appearance of the army of Giddianhi, had all fallen to the earth, and did
lift their cries to the Lord their God, that he would spare them and deliver
them out of the hands of their enemies.
NE3 4:9 And it came to pass that when the armies of Giddianhi saw this they
began to shout with a loud voice, because of their joy, for they had supposed
that the Nephites had fallen with fear because of the terror of their armies.
NE3 4:10 But in this thing they were disappointed, for the Nephites did not
fear them; but they did fear their God and did supplicate him for protection;
therefore, when the armies of Giddianhi did rush upon them they were prepared
to meet them; yea, in the strength of the Lord they did receive them.
NE3 4:11 And the battle commenced in this the sixth month; and great and
terrible was the battle thereof, yea, great and terrible was the slaughter
thereof, insomuch that there never was known so great a slaughter among all
the people of Lehi since he left Jerusalem.
NE3 4:12 And notwithstanding the threatenings and the oaths which Giddianhi
had made, behold, the Nephites did beat them, insomuch that they did fall
back from before them.
NE3 4:13 And it came to pass that Gidgiddoni commanded that his armies should
pursue them as far as the borders of the wilderness, and that they should not
spare any that should fall into their hands by the way; and thus they did
pursue them and did slay them, to the borders of the wilderness, even until
they had fulfilled the commandment of Gidgiddoni.
NE3 4:14 And it came to pass that Giddianhi, who had stood and fought with
boldness, was pursued as he fled; and being weary because of his much
fighting he was overtaken and slain. And thus was the end of Giddianhi the
robber.
NE3 4:15 And it came to pass that the armies of the Nephites did return again
to their place of security. And it came to pass that this nineteenth year did
pass away, and the robbers did not come again to battle; neither did they
come again in the twentieth year.
NE3 4:16 And in the twenty and first year they did not come up to battle, but
they came up on all sides to lay siege round about the people of Nephi; for
they did suppose that if they should cut off the people of Nephi from their
lands, and should hem them in on every side, and if they should cut them off
from all their outward privileges, that they could cause them to yield
themselves up according to their wishes.
NE3 4:17 Now they had appointed unto themselves another leader, whose name
was Zemnarihah; therefore it was Zemnarihah that did cause that this siege
should take place.
NE3 4:18 But behold, this was an advantage to the Nephites; for it was
impossible for the robbers to lay siege sufficiently long to have any effect
upon the Nephites, because of their much provision which they had laid up in
store,
NE3 4:19 And because of the scantiness of provisions among the robbers; for
behold, they had nothing save it were meat for their subsistence, which meat
they did obtain in the wilderness;
NE3 4:20 And it came to pass that the wild game became scarce in the
wilderness insomuch that the robbers were about to perish with hunger.
NE3 4:21 And the Nephites were continually marching out by day and by night,
and falling upon their armies, and cutting them off by thousands and by tens
of thousands.
NE3 4:22 And thus it became the desire of the people of Zemnarihah to
withdraw from their design, because of the great destruction which came upon
them by night and by day.
NE3 4:23 And it came to pass that Zemnarihah did give command unto his people
that they should withdraw themselves from the siege, and march into the
furthermost parts of the land northward.
NE3 4:24 And now, Gidgiddoni being aware of their design, and knowing of
their weakness because of the want of food, and the great slaughter which had
been made among them, therefore he did send out his armies in the night-time,
and did cut off the way of their retreat, and did place his armies in the way
of their retreat.
NE3 4:25 And this did they do in the night-time, and got on their march
beyond the robbers, so that on the morrow, when the robbers began their
march, they were met by the armies of the Nephites both in their front and in
their rear.
NE3 4:26 And the robbers who were on the south were also cut off in their
places of retreat. And all these things were done by command of Gidgiddoni.
NE3 4:27 And there were many thousands who did yield themselves up prisoners
unto the Nephites, and the remainder of them were slain.
NE3 4:28 And their leader, Zemnarihah, was taken and hanged upon a tree, yea,
even upon the top thereof until he was dead. And when they had hanged him
until he was dead they did fell the tree to the earth, and did cry with a
loud voice, saying:
NE3 4:29 May the Lord preserve his people in righteousness and in holiness of
heart, that they may cause to be felled to the earth all who shall seek to
slay them because of power and secret combinations, even as this man hath
been felled to the earth.
NE3 4:30 And they did rejoice and cry again with one voice, saying: May the
God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, protect this
people in righteousness, so long as they shall call on the name of their God
for protection.
NE3 4:31 And it came to pass that they did break forth, all as one, in
singing, and praising their God for the great thing which he had done for
them, in preserving them from falling into the hands of their enemies.
NE3 4:32 Yea, they did cry: Hosanna to the Most High God. And they did cry:
Blessed be the name of the Lord God Almighty, the Most High God.
NE3 4:33 And their hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many
tears, because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the
hands of their enemies; and they knew it was because of their repentance and
their humility that they had been delivered from an everlasting destruction.
NE3 5:0 Nephites repent and seek to end works of wickedness--Mormon's account
of himself and of the plates kept by him--Another allusion to the gathering
of Israel.
NE3 5:1 And now behold, there was not a living soul among all the people of
the Nephites who did doubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets
who had spoken; for they knew that it must needs be that they must be
fulfilled.
NE3 5:2 And they knew that it must be expedient that Christ had come, because
of the many signs which had been given, according to the words of the
prophets; and because of the things which had come to pass already they knew
that it must needs be that all things should come to pass according to that
which had been spoken.
NE3 5:3 Therefore they did forsake all their sins, and their abominations,
and their whoredoms, and did serve God with all diligence day and night.
NE3 5:4 And now it came to pass that when they had taken all the robbers
prisoners, insomuch that none did escape who were not slain, they did cast
their prisoners into prison, and did cause the word of God to be preached
unto them; and as many as would repent of their sins and enter into a
covenant that they would murder no more were set at liberty.
NE3 5:5 But as many as there were who did not enter into a covenant, and who
did still continue to have those secret murders in their hearts, yea, as many
as were found breathing out threatenings against their brethren were
condemned and punished according to the law.
NE3 5:6 And thus they did put an end to all those wicked, and secret, and
abominable combinations, in the which there was so much wickedness, and so
many murders committed.
NE3 5:7 And thus had the twenty and second year passed away, and the twenty
and third year also, and the twenty and fourth, and the twenty and fifth; and
thus had twenty and five years passed away.
NE3 5:8 And there had many things transpired which, in the eyes of some,
would be great and marvelous; nevertheless, they cannot all be written in
this book; yea, this book cannot contain even a hundredth part of what was
done among so many people in the space of twenty and five years;
NE3 5:9 But behold there are records which do contain all the proceedings of
this people; and a shorter but true account was given by Nephi.
NE3 5:10 Therefore I have made my record of these things according to the
record of Nephi, which was engraven on the plates which were called the
plates of Nephi.
NE3 5:11 And behold, I do make the record on plates which I have made with
mine own hands.
NE3 5:12 And behold, I am called Mormon, being called after the land of
Mormon, the land in which Alma did establish the church among the people,
yea, the first church which was established among them after their
transgression.
NE3 5:13 Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been
called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have
everlasting life.
NE3 5:14 And it hath become expedient that I, according to the will of God,
that the prayers of those who have gone hence, who were the holy ones, should
be fulfilled according to their faith, should make a record of these things
which have been done--
NE3 5:15 Yea, a small record of that which hath taken place from the time
that Lehi left Jerusalem, even down until the present time.
NE3 5:16 Therefore I do make my record from the accounts which have been
given by those who were before me, until the commencement of my day;
NE3 5:17 And then I do make a record of the things which I have seen with
mine own eyes.
NE3 5:18 And I know the record which I make to be a just and a true record;
nevertheless there are many things which, according to our language, we are
not able to write.
NE3 5:19 And now I make an end of my saying, which is of myself, and proceed
to give my account of the things which have been before me.
NE3 5:20 I am Mormon, and a pure descendant of Lehi. I have reason to bless
my God and my Savior Jesus Christ, that he brought our fathers out of the
land of Jerusalem, (and no one knew it save it were himself and those whom he
brought out of that land) and that he hath given me and my people so much
knowledge unto the salvation of our souls.
NE3 5:21 Surely he hath blessed the house of Jacob, and hath been merciful
unto the seed of Joseph.
NE3 5:22 And insomuch as the children of Lehi have kept his commandments he
hath blessed them and prospered them according to his word.
NE3 5:23 Yea, and surely shall he again bring a remnant of the seed of Joseph
to the knowledge of the Lord their God.
NE3 5:24 And as surely as the Lord liveth, will he gather in from the four
quarters of the earth all the remnant of the seed of Jacob, who are scattered
abroad upon all the face of the earth.
NE3 5:25 And as he hath covenanted with all the house of Jacob, even so shall
the covenant wherewith he hath covenanted with the house of Jacob be
fulfilled in his own due time, unto the restoring all the house of Jacob unto
the knowledge of the covenant that he hath covenanted with them.
NE3 5:26 And then shall they know their Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ, the
Son of God; and then shall they be gathered in from the four quarters of the
earth unto their own lands, from whence they have been dispersed; yea, as the
Lord liveth so shall it be. Amen.
NE3 6:0 The people are prospered--Pride, wealth, and class distinction
follows--The church rent by dissension--Deeds of darkness.
NE3 6:1 And now it came to pass that the people of the Nephites did all
return to their own lands in the twenty and sixth year, every man, with his
family, his flocks and his herds, his horses and his cattle, and all things
whatsoever did belong unto them.
NE3 6:2 And it came to pass that they had not eaten up all their provisions;
therefore they did take with them all that they had not devoured, of all
their grain of every kind, and their gold, and their silver, and all their
precious things, and they did return to their own lands and their
possessions, both on the north and on the south, both on the land northward
and on the land southward.
NE3 6:3 And they granted unto those robbers who had entered into a covenant
to keep the peace of the land, who were desirous to remain Lamanites, lands,
according to their numbers, that they might have, with their labors,
wherewith to subsist upon; and thus they did establish peace in all the land.
NE3 6:4 And they began again to prosper and to wax great; and the twenty and
sixth and seventh years passed away, and there was great order in the land;
and they had formed their laws according to equity and justice.
NE3 6:5 And now there was nothing in all the land to hinder the people from
prospering continually, except they should fall into transgression.
NE3 6:6 And now it was Gidgiddoni, and the judge, Lachoneus, and those who
had been appointed leaders, who had established this great peace in the land.
NE3 6:7 And it came to pass that there were many cities built anew, and there
were many old cities repaired.
NE3 6:8 And there were many highways cast up, and many roads made, which led
from city to city, and from land to land, and from place to place.
NE3 6:9 And thus passed away the twenty and eighth year, and the people had
continual peace.
NE3 6:10 But it came to pass in the twenty and ninth year there began to be
some disputings among the people; and some were lifted up unto pride and
boastings because of their exceedingly great riches, yea, even unto great
persecutions;
NE3 6:11 For there were many merchants in the land, and also many lawyers,
and many officers.
NE3 6:12 And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to
their riches and their chances for learning, yea, some were ignorant because
of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their
riches.
NE3 6:13 Some were lifted up in pride, and others were exceedingly humble;
some did return railing for railing, while others would receive railing and
persecution and all manner of afflictions, and would not turn and revile
again, but were humble and penitent before God.
NE3 6:14 And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch
that the church began to be broken up; yea, insomuch that in the thirtieth
year the church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the
Lamanites who were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart
from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all
diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord.
NE3 6:15 Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this--Satan had
great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity,
and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and
authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world.
NE3 6:16 And thus Satan did lead away the hearts of the people to do all
manner of iniquity; therefore they had enjoyed peace but a few years.
NE3 6:17 And thus, in the commencement of the thirtieth year--the people
having been delivered up for the space of a long time to be carried about by
the temptations of the devil whithersoever he desired to carry them, and to
do whatsoever iniquity he desired they should--and thus in the commencement
of this, the thirtieth year, they were in a state of awful wickedness.
NE3 6:18 Now they did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God
concerning them, for it had been taught unto them; therefore they did
wilfully rebel against God.
NE3 6:19 And now it was in the days of Lachoneus, the son of Lachoneus, for
Lachoneus did fill the seat of his father and did govern the people that
year.
NE3 6:20 And there began to be men inspired from heaven and sent forth,
standing among the people in all the land, preaching and testifying boldly of
the sins and iniquities of the people, and testifying unto them concerning
the redemption which the Lord would make for his people, or in other words,
the resurrection of Christ; and they did testify boldly of his death and
sufferings.
NE3 6:21 Now there were many of the people who were exceedingly angry because
of those who testified of these things; and those who were angry were chiefly
the chief judges, and they who had been high priests and lawyers; yea, all
those who were lawyers were angry with those who testified of these things.
NE3 6:22 Now there was no lawyer nor judge nor high priest that could have
power to condemn any one to death save their condemnation was signed by the
governor of the land.
NE3 6:23 Now there were many of those who testified of the things pertaining
to Christ who testified boldly, who were taken and put to death secretly by
the judges, that the knowledge of their death came not unto the governor of
the land until after their death.
NE3 6:24 Now behold, this was contrary to the laws of the land, that any man
should be put to death except they had power from the governor of the land--
NE3 6:25 Therefore a complaint came up unto the land of Zarahemla, to the
governor of the land, against these judges who had condemned the prophets of
the Lord unto death, not according to the law.
NE3 6:26 Now it came to pass that they were taken and brought up before the
judge to be judged of the crime which they had done, according to the law
which had been given by the people.
NE3 6:27 Now it came to pass that those judges had many friends and kindreds;
and the remainder, yea, even almost all the lawyers and the high priests, did
gather themselves together, and unite with the kindreds of those judges who
were to be tried according to the law.
NE3 6:28 And they did enter into a covenant one with another, yea, even into
that covenant which was given by them of old, which covenant was given and
administered by the devil, to combine against all righteousness.
NE3 6:29 Therefore they did combine against the people of the Lord, and enter
into a covenant to destroy them, and to deliver those who were guilty of
murder from the grasp of justice, which was about to be administered
according to the law.
NE3 6:30 And they did set at defiance the law and the rights of their
country; and they did covenant one with another to destroy the governor, and
to establish a king over the land, that the land should no more be at liberty
but should be subject unto kings.
NE3 7:0 Chief judge murdered and government overthrown--Division into
tribes--King Jacob--Nephi's powerful ministry.
NE3 7:1 Now behold, I will show unto you that they did not establish a king
over the land; but in this same year, yea, the thirtieth year, they did
destroy upon the judgment-seat, yea, did murder the chief judge of the land.
NE3 7:2 And the people were divided one against another; and they did
separate one from another into tribes, every man according to his family and
his kindred and friends; and thus they did destroy the government of the
land.
NE3 7:3 And every tribe did appoint a chief or a leader over them; and thus
they became tribes and leaders of tribes.
NE3 7:4 Now behold, there was no man among them save he had much family and
many kindreds and friends; therefore their tribes became exceedingly great.
NE3 7:5 Now all this was done, and there were no wars as yet among them; and
all this iniquity had come upon the people because they did yield themselves
unto the power of Satan.
NE3 7:6 And the regulations of the government were destroyed, because of the
secret combination of the friends and kindreds of those who murdered the
prophets.
NE3 7:7 And they did cause a great contention in the land, insomuch that the
more righteous part of the people had nearly all become wicked; yea, there
were but few righteous men among them.
NE3 7:8 And thus six years had not passed away since the more part of the
people had turned from their righteousness, like the dog to his vomit, or
like the sow to her wallowing in the mire.
NE3 7:9 Now this secret combination, which had brought so great iniquity upon
the people, did gather themselves together, and did place at their head a man
whom they did call Jacob;
NE3 7:10 And they did call him their king; therefore he became a king over
this wicked band; and he was one of the chiefest who had given his voice
against the prophets who testified of Jesus.
NE3 7:11 And it came to pass that they were not so strong in number as the
tribes of the people, who were united together save it were their leaders did
establish their laws, every one according to his tribe; nevertheless they
were enemies; notwithstanding they were not a righteous people, yet they were
united in the hatred of those who had entered into a covenant to destroy the
government.
NE3 7:12 Therefore, Jacob seeing that their enemies were more numerous than
they, he being the king of the band, therefore he commanded his people that
they should take their flight into the northernmost part of the land, and
there build up unto themselves a kingdom, until they were joined by
dissenters, (for he flattered them that there would be many dissenters) and
they become sufficiently strong to contend with the tribes of the people; and
they did so.
NE3 7:13 And so speedy was their march that it could not be impeded until
they had gone forth out of the reach of the people. And thus ended the
thirtieth year; and thus were the affairs of the people of Nephi.
NE3 7:14 And it came to pass in the thirty and first year that they were
divided into tribes, every man according to his family, kindred and friends;
nevertheless they had come to an agreement that they would not go to war one
with another; but they were not united as to their laws, and their manner of
government, for they were established according to the minds of those who
were their chiefs and their leaders. But they did establish very strict laws
that one tribe should not trespass against another, insomuch that in some
degree they had peace in the land; nevertheless, their hearts were turned
from the Lord their God, and they did stone the prophets and did cast them
out from among them.
NE3 7:15 And it came to pass that Nephi--having been visited by angels and
also the voice of the Lord, therefore having seen angels, and being
eye-witness, and having had power given unto him that he might know
concerning the ministry of Christ, and also being eye-witness to their quick
return from righteousness unto their wickedness and abominations;
NE3 7:16 Therefore, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts and the
blindness of their minds--went forth among them in that same year, and began
to testify, boldly, repentance and remission of sins through faith on the
Lord Jesus Christ.
NE3 7:17 And he did minister many things unto them; and all of them cannot be
written, and a part of them would not suffice, therefore they are not written
in this book. And Nephi did minister with power and with great authority.
NE3 7:18 And it came to pass that they were angry with him, even because he
had greater power than they, for it were not possible that they could
disbelieve his words, for so great was his faith on the Lord Jesus Christ
that angels did minister unto him daily.
NE3 7:19 And in the name of Jesus did he cast out devils and unclean spirits;
and even his brother did he raise from the dead, after he had been stoned and
suffered death by the people.
NE3 7:20 And the people saw it, and did witness of it, and were angry with
him because of his power; and he did also do many more miracles, in the sight
of the people, in the name of Jesus.
NE3 7:21 And it came to pass that the thirty and first year did pass away,
and there were but few who were converted unto the Lord; but as many as were
converted did truly signify unto the people that they had been visited by the
power and Spirit of God, which was in Jesus Christ, in whom they believed.
NE3 7:22 And as many as had devils cast out from them, and were healed of
their sicknesses and their infirmities, did truly manifest unto the people
that they had been wrought upon by the Spirit of God, and had been healed;
and they did show forth signs also and did do some miracles among the people.
NE3 7:23 Thus passed away the thirty and second year also. And Nephi did cry
unto the people in the commencement of the thirty and third year; and he did
preach unto them repentance and remission of sins.
NE3 7:24 Now I would have you to remember also, that there were none who were
brought unto repentance who were not baptized with water.
NE3 7:25 Therefore, there were ordained of Nephi, men unto this ministry,
that all such as should come unto them should be baptized with water, and
this as a witness and a testimony before God, and unto the people, that they
had repented and received a remission of their sins.
NE3 7:26 And there were many in the commencement of this year that were
baptized unto repentance; and thus the more part of the year did pass away.
NE3 8:0 Christ's crucifixion attested by predicted signs--Tempest and
earthquake, whirlwind and fire--A great and terrible destruction--Three days
of darkness.
NE3 8:1 And now it came to pass that according to our record, and we know our
record to be true, for behold, it was a just man who did keep the record--for
he truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus; and there was not any man
who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save he were cleansed every whit
from his iniquity--
NE3 8:2 And now it came to pass, if there was no mistake made by this man in
the reckoning of our time, the thirty and third year had passed away;
NE3 8:3 And the people began to look with great earnestness for the sign
which had been given by the prophet Samuel, the Lamanite, yea, for the time
that there should be darkness for the space of three days over the face of
the land.
NE3 8:4 And there began to be great doubtings and disputations among the
people, notwithstanding so many signs had been given.
NE3 8:5 And it came to pass in the thirty and fourth year, in the first
month, on the fourth day of the month, there arose a great storm, such an one
as never had been known in all the land.
NE3 8:6 And there was also a great and terrible tempest; and there was
terrible thunder, insomuch that it did shake the whole earth as if it was
about to divide asunder.
NE3 8:7 And there were exceedingly sharp lightnings, such as never had been
known in all the land.
NE3 8:8 And the city of Zarahemla did take fire.
NE3 8:9 And the city of Moroni did sink into the depths of the sea, and the
inhabitants thereof were drowned.
NE3 8:10 And the earth was carried up upon the city of Moronihah that in the
place of the city there became a great mountain.
NE3 8:11 And there was a great and terrible destruction in the land
southward.
NE3 8:12 But behold, there was a more great and terrible destruction in the
land northward; for behold, the whole face of the land was changed, because
of the tempest and the whirlwinds and the thunderings and the lightnings, and
the exceedingly great quaking of the whole earth;
NE3 8:13 And the highways were broken up, and the level roads were spoiled,
and many smooth places became rough.
NE3 8:14 And many great and notable cities were sunk, and many were burned,
and many were shaken till the buildings thereof had fallen to the earth, and
the inhabitants thereof were slain, and the places were left desolate.
NE3 8:15 And there were some cities which remained; but the damage thereof
was exceedingly great, and there were many of them who were slain.
NE3 8:16 And there were some who were carried away in the whirlwind; and
whither they went no man knoweth, save they know that they were carried away.
NE3 8:17 And thus the face of the whole earth became deformed, because of the
tempests, and the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the quaking of the
earth.
NE3 8:18 And behold, the rocks were rent in twain; they were broken up upon
the face of the whole earth, insomuch that they were found in broken
fragments, and in seams and in cracks, upon all the face of the land.
NE3 8:19 And it came to pass that when the thunderings, and the lightnings,
and the storm, and the tempest, and the quakings of the earth did cease--for
behold, they did last for about the space of three hours; and it was said by
some that the time was greater; nevertheless, all these great and terrible
things were done in about the space of three hours--and then behold, there
was darkness upon the face of the land.
NE3 8:20 And it came to pass that there was thick darkness upon all the face
of the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof who had not fallen could
feel the vapor of darkness;
NE3 8:21 And there could be no light, because of the darkness, neither
candles, neither torches; neither could there be fire kindled with their fine
and exceedingly dry wood, so that there could not be any light at all;
NE3 8:22 And there was not any light seen, neither fire, nor glimmer, neither
the sun, nor the moon, nor the stars, for so great were the mists of darkness
which were upon the face of the land.
NE3 8:23 And it came to pass that it did last for the space of three days
that there was no light seen; and there was great mourning and howling and
weeping among all the people continually; yea, great were the groanings of
the people, because of the darkness and the great destruction which had come
upon them.
NE3 8:24 And in one place they were heard to cry, saying: O that we had
repented before this great and terrible day, and then would our brethren have
been spared, and they would not have been burned in that great city
Zarahemla.
NE3 8:25 And in another place they were heard to cry and mourn, saying: O
that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and had not killed
and stoned the prophets, and cast them out; then would our mothers and our
fair daughters, and our children have been spared, and not have been buried
up in that great city Moronihah. And thus were the howlings of the people
great and terrible.
NE3 9:0 The voice of God proclaims the extent of the disaster and declares
the causes thereof--The Law of Moses fulfilled--the acceptable sacrifice of a
broken heart and a contrite spirit.
NE3 9:1 And it came to pass that there was a voice heard among all the
inhabitants of the earth, upon all the face of this land, crying:
NE3 9:2 Wo, wo, wo unto this people; wo unto the inhabitants of the whole
earth except they shall repent; for the devil laugheth, and his angels
rejoice, because of the slain of the fair sons and daughters of my people;
and it is because of their iniquity and abominations that they are fallen!
NE3 9:3 Behold, that great city Zarahemla have I burned with fire, and the
inhabitants thereof.
NE3 9:4 And behold, that great city Moroni have I caused to be sunk in the
depths of the sea, and the inhabitants thereof to be drowned.
NE3 9:5 And behold, that great city Moronihah have I covered with earth, and
the inhabitants thereof, to hide their iniquities and their abominations from
before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints shall not come
any more unto me against them.
NE3 9:6 And behold, the city of Gilgal have I caused to be sunk, and the
inhabitants thereof to be buried up in the depths of the earth;
NE3 9:7 Yea, and the city of Onihah and the inhabitants thereof, and the city
of Mocum and the inhabitants thereof, and the city of Jerusalem and the
inhabitants thereof; and waters have I caused to come up in the stead
thereof, to hide their wickedness and abominations from before my face, that
the blood of the prophets and the saints shall not come up any more unto me
against them.
NE3 9:8 And behold, the city of Gadiandi, and the city of Gadiomnah, and the
city of Jacob, and the city of Gimgimno, all these have I caused to be sunk,
and made hills and valleys in the places thereof; and the inhabitants thereof
have I buried up in the depths of the earth, to hide their wickedness and
abominations from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the
saints should not come up any more unto me against them.
NE3 9:9 And behold, that great city Jacobugath, which was inhabited by the
people of king Jacob, have I caused to be burned with fire because of their
sins and their wickedness, which was above all the wickedness of the whole
earth, because of their secret murders and combinations; for it was they that
did destroy the peace of my people and the government of the land; therefore
I did cause them to be burned, to destroy them from before my face, that the
blood of the prophets and the saints should not come up unto me any more
against them.
NE3 9:10 And behold, the city of Laman, and the city of Josh, and the city of
Gad, and the city of Kishkumen, have I caused to be burned with fire, and the
inhabitants thereof, because of their wickedness in casting out the prophets,
and stoning those whom I did send to declare unto them concerning their
wickedness and their abominations.
NE3 9:11 And because they did cast them all out, that there were none
righteous among them, I did send down fire and destroy them, that their
wickedness and abominations might be hid from before my face, that the blood
of the prophets and the saints whom I sent among them might not cry unto me
from the ground against them.
NE3 9:12 And many great destructions have I caused to come upon this land,
and upon this people, because of their wickedness and their abominations.
NE3 9:13 O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they,
will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted,
that I may heal you?
NE3 9:14 Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have
eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and
whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto
me.
NE3 9:15 Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and
the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the
beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the
Father glorified his name.
NE3 9:16 I came unto my own, and my own received me not. And the scriptures
concerning my coming are fulfilled.
NE3 9:17 And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the
sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for
behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled.
NE3 9:18 I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the
beginning and the end.
NE3 9:19 And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea,
your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will
accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.
NE3 9:20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a
contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite
spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the
Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were
baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.
NE3 9:21 Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the
world, to save the world from sin.
NE3 9:22 Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him
will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have
laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come
unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.
NE3 10:0 Silence in the land--Again the voice from heaven--The darkness
disperses--Only the more righteous of the people are spared.
NE3 10:1 And now behold, it came to pass that all the people of the land did
hear these sayings, and did witness of it. And after these sayings there was
silence in the land for the space of many hours;
NE3 10:2 For so great was the astonishment of the people that they did cease
lamenting and howling for the loss of their kindred which had been slain;
therefore there was silence in all the land for the space of many hours.
NE3 10:3 And it came to pass that there came a voice again unto the people,
and all the people did hear, and did witness of it, saying:
NE3 10:4 O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are
descendants of Jacob, yea, who are of the house of Israel, how oft have I
gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have
nourished you.
NE3 10:5 And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her
chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, who have
fallen; yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem,
as ye that have fallen; yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen
gathereth her chickens, and ye would not.
NE3 10:6 O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you
as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return
unto me with full purpose of heart.
NE3 10:7 But if not, O house of Israel, the places of your dwellings shall
become desolate until the time of the fulfilling of the covenant to your
fathers.
NE3 10:8 And now it came to pass that after the people had heard these words,
behold, they began to weep and howl again because of the loss of their
kindred and friends.
NE3 10:9 And it came to pass that thus did the three days pass away. And it
was in the morning, and the darkness dispersed from off the face of the land,
and the earth did cease to tremble, and the rocks did cease to rend, and the
dreadful groanings did cease, and all the tumultuous noises did pass away.
NE3 10:10 And the earth did cleave together again, that it stood; and the
mourning, and the weeping, and the wailing of the people who were spared
alive did cease; and their mourning was turned into joy, and their
lamentations into the praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ,
their Redeemer.
NE3 10:11 And thus far were the scriptures fulfilled which had been spoken by
the prophets.
NE3 10:12 And it was the more righteous part of the people who were saved,
and it was they who received the prophets and stoned them not; and it was
they who had not shed the blood of the saints, who were spared--
NE3 10:13 And they were spared and were not sunk and buried up in the earth;
and they were not drowned in the depths of the sea; and they were not burned
by fire, neither were they fallen upon and crushed to death; and they were
not carried away in the whirlwind; neither were they overpowered by the vapor
of smoke and of darkness.
NE3 10:14 And now, whoso readeth, let him understand; he that hath the
scriptures, let him search them, and see and behold if all these deaths and
destructions by fire, and by smoke, and by tempests, and by whirlwinds, and
by the opening of the earth to receive them, and all these things are not
unto the fulfilling of the prophecies of many of the holy prophets.
NE3 10:15 Behold, I say unto you, Yea, many have testified of these things at
the coming of Christ, and were slain because they testified of these things.
NE3 10:16 Yea, the prophet Zenos did testify of these things, and also Zenock
spake concerning these things, because they testified particularly concerning
us, who are the remnant of their seed.
NE3 10:17 Behold, our father Jacob also testified concerning a remnant of the
seed of Joseph. And behold, are not we a remnant of the seed of Joseph? And
these things which testify of us, are they not written upon the plates of
brass which our father Lehi brought out of Jerusalem?
NE3 10:18 And it came to pass that in the ending of the thirty and fourth
year, behold, I will show unto you that the people of Nephi who were spared,
and also those who had been called Lamanites, who had been spared, did have
great favors shown unto them, and great blessings poured out upon their
heads, insomuch that soon after the ascension of Christ into heaven he did
truly manifest himself unto them--
NE3 10:19 Showing his body unto them, and ministering unto them; and an
account of his ministry shall be given hereafter. Therefore for this time I
make an end of my sayings.
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