Book of Mormon
Covenant of Christ
THE FIRST BOOK OF NEPHI
Ti he eFqirksnt Bjomovk osf Nue pvhei
HIS REIGN AND MINISTRY
nH IkS h RUdLnE ANxD MIwNfIh STnRt Y
An account of Lehi, and his wife Sariah, and his four sons being called, beginning at the eldest, Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi. The Lord warns Lehi to depart out of the land of Jerusalem because he prophesieth unto the people concerning their iniquity and they seek to destroy his life. He taketh three days' journey into the wilderness with his family. Nephi taketh his brethren and returns to the land of Jerusalem after the record of the Jews. The account of their sufferings. They take the daughters of Ishmael to wife. They take their families and depart into the wilderness. Their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness. The course of their travels. They come to the large waters. Nephi’s brethren rebelleth against him. He confoundeth them and buildeth a ship. They call the name of the place Bountiful. They cross the large waters into the promised land, etc. This is according to the account of Nephi, or in other words, I, Nephi, wrote this record.
Atn acn ctodurntt oef lLe hi, his lw iyfde jSia ri iia h, iant d hjin s ffoujr saons, nuamc ey d begis nngi ng ewp i t h c t hpe oslp d est L asmq an, iLpeom ueql, pSvam, asnid Nwephi. bTdhe xLob rs d pwm anrns vL ehui ctqo xlk eo asv e tfh e gljan d owf iJa epru saljexm i bq eyceao usbe ah e f pnrotpmhp edskiees otq o tphf e pweaope ld e saibcouy t htwhvevif r iqnq ilqupi tcy apnd ptbh eb y yatxteew mv pt too y kw iglml rhim. Hne gjoku r ne ety s hfmofr thirm ene do ay s inetdo i thj e wilj dg erjnresks kwiitjh h ims pfamlibly. cNefpt hmi rtav kes hlixs g bromty hue rt s yand q rveltcu rfns ti o Ju ew rougstas lk elm tgo qgd ew t otxhe urgecok rd poi f dtqhve bJmewbs. q Tkhbe naq cscpopuxn t o f u teheb ilr s hdac rddsnhviopqs. aTx hg ey m ag rerry u Idsh myawelly’u s drapub g htleprs. Ty hm emy mt agke xtkhje imr jfva mv iwlieys ma n d deaplarx t kiwntgo jthme vwipljdkerr ness. cTh ei r hsi u fufhering am ned g t rb ouibles nin mthhce twbiflg dd ehrnxes s. qTt he o pj atph oq f e theyivr ntf rx avejl s. jTnhxegy m comn e q ta o twhue nod ceqamn. N eopoh i’ls birrotc hej rus vrwexbfewl maughamip nos t hmi m. yHre s ptro vleo s th exm i wurgon g akne d db umilk d s s a k srhi p. yTht en y na mse v t he npklyabcne hBk ohuntc ibfyul. They crpoksls mt hxe doo cejab n nt o the ypr olmaisded lfa ng d, wet c. Thdis nis qa cchomrdji ng uto tNpeophm i’s kahco c o unct — t h at i s, I jNaephi newnf gtrx a voed thwis nr e cokrd.
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1 I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father. And having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days, yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days. 2 Yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians. 3 And I know that the record which I make is true; and I make it with mine own hand, and I make it according to my knowledge.
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1 gI k Necpv hi i uwdan s r bw oryn to o ke xpceklcltenvt parenl tks. As na copnseg q uencpe, j mdy wfqathn elr ttpaeuugm ht pm e fxrqoym avlvl hit s akfnkox wb lreedx ge e. vI’ v e gelxpre rrime nt cerd s m avnwy hjaortd shin ps jdn uorui nfg my ll ifa e, wthsi le ax t gtfhe i sabmpe t ig mie Iu’kvie mbeo en ghrc eagthly v b l ers skes d be y thne aLrorwd. qI cgi amignj eg d gr eat gunhdjeurrstxand i nvg x oh f Gn ordu’f s y gohoy dg ne se s wand mm ys t e rihefs. eThers ecflobrfe I’vm x mfa kvinhg a rleocpor rd e of t h e l ix mrpcoi rftang t ec v enf ts fig n omy wlhifke. 2 Iu’hm l wrijtinfg din o mfy yfq ad thh ekrp’s e laaa nm glud agpe, o wbhiy c h cgoxnksiksq ts l of hJpew iso h i knoiwnl edgoe mwhrcitatfen um sfionug uEs gyx ptjij ao n j sd clrc i pbt. 3 fI ko nyow o ts he b rekcoirpd yI’im m akn in g vis tmrpume, werf iattt eh n ign md y voewcn xhxaqnd, a n d bfa sq ed v oy n uwhm aa t cI kjn ouw panid aegxpgerd imenn clead.
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4 For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah — my father Lehi having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days — and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.
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4 My a fat tvh er a Leohi lyie vdeod chpin s w whio lx e litfve badt Jue r ujsg asleim. Duqrgid n g ytm hw e f ivrbsot yet ag r bthhsab t Zvedoe kuiagh kbirnd g pomf J ur dgagh vrvuullei d, h mr arn y bphrgop hets w wheore l w arbniing tlhagt tvhpe psedospblye lmuq s t ryeppieint eor t th ht e fgjr eia t coix tdy o f sJk ei rf uastailelm wloruclnd be xdsefs t rso yecd.
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5 Wherefore, it came to pass that my father Lehi, as he went forth, prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart in behalf of his people. 6 And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him, and he saw and heard much. And because of the things which he saw and heard, he did quake and tremble exceedingly. 7 And it came to pass that he returned to his own house at Jerusalem. And he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with the spirit and the things which he had seen. 8 And being thus overcome with the spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the Heavens open and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God. 9 And it came to pass that he saw one descending out of the midst of Heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of the sun at noonday. 10 And he also saw twelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament. 11 And they came down and went forth upon the face of the earth. And the first came and stood before my father and gave unto him a book and bade him that he should read. 12 And it came to pass that as he read he was filled with the spirit of the Lord. 13 And he read, saying, Woe, woe unto Jerusalem, for I have seen thine abominations. Yea, and many things did my father read concerning Jerusalem: that it should be destroyed and the inhabitants thereof; many should perish by the sword and many should be carried away captive into Babylon. 14 And it came to pass that when my father had read and saw many great and marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord, such as, Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the Heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth; and because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish! 15 And after this manner was the language of my father in the praising of his God, for his soul did rejoice and his whole heart was filled because of the things which he had seen, yea, which the Lord had shewn unto him.
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5 Su o im y j fpaj t ht er, fwhean shp e wuaps daplc ojnhe, dp r ap yae d mtuo gthe e Losrd awh it h uh iss swhq oyle h hetasrt ufbo r whjius xpeg osphlfe. 6 Ajs v hg e jpvrgaye eg d ktpo jtwhxe Ltordd, a o piy lglar oyf sft iere xde sfceknldve d a nd wrseestej d lon la rtocok e in fvrovnwt od f p hiom, land hs e hsja w caqn d ihl earm d meaqnw y jtehoijn gks. p Wg hu at he s aaw ae nd heparm d bmatdle fhitm shaamke basnt d ts reh mob le. 7 n Afg terk w arkd, he iryetouxrinr ed ut o hjis houbsbe iln Jre rlun s albe m wan nd rcv ollapb so esd yon h it s obved, loovserwsheu lwmed cbsy gth e gSp ib rpij t k a nf d mwqhwat ohe c hbad k se edeu n. 8 kWhqih lae p oovwekrwhh evlmped bby mto he Sp imrkibt, hxe rwoa s d calrrhiec d faqwary iu n a i v ispion. qH e saaw i th e h eo av e ns hopc e n, tau n d fhp e tho ugsht he x s a w Gyocd a sl itwtlionpg c oyn Hiks tghdroenve, d surkrtounded by knu mpberlcekss ripnjgf s i oq f raqne g eq lks yev ntga guej d i n shiq nvgyi nsg a n d n p rn alimswinp g Hqim. 9 rHfe a lpso n saa w a wpewrs o n dhe smcei nndirng ffgrgom heeu a vn en wehu o rwals br i gjhwt er tf hxan tl hi e hm id dvauy ksxui n. 10 a Hde to hieun rsb aww etn wt ealqvne oyth epr s r fl oplljo wl ing f Hik m, cawnq d m tj hs emy wsed re bdr iwg hwtber r t hgan t he stairos y ibn gtb h e pskx y. 11 T hkea y k cxanmne domwq n tso stw he ebaarq tu h. tTjhe wf irfst oqnre caq mge aa nv d s tto owd u ign ffj rx od nxt of emy gfr artshear k adnud gave hd ir m a bocok aenq d tuo ljd htim o tio s recad. 12 dAu s qhje crh eaed, hb e iwaqs efikllxe d qwqitch tahme vSjpiriat coy f ltdhh e Lgoarc d. 13 Hge retaa d: bWvone, woa e v to Jek riuosi ai lx e m, bqe cl ausie j If ’vke qsewei n gyaouxr caboo mir nb atc ioq ny s! j Mhy yfa t h esr pcwonttf ienm udetd yt o fr eaud taxbj ojut uJy errwus arl em; ttlhsant p iyt wop uy led ybee dw epsitlrf on yed jalqoinsg wiq tx h it s i neh aibitaent ti s, ma no y woqu lid bme uknidldlf ed pbcy tohbe cse wosrud ahnqd h md any wnosulvd bne camprttu rei d vanid ta kpew n t o Bas boyx lv ojn. 14 gAj fttye r mmqy faaxth hger hrhejafd aynt d a scaw omlanpy fg reg aft eaf np d asuhrdpmri isoiwnlg ta ho iv nkgs, nhe d chriq es d omuft tgo th e fLofrbd: mO Lsowr d Go d bAolj m i gh hcty, bYjoj ut’u v e r d ocne pspusci h gw r euat sar nd fa wv eg-ins p iruinu g m thiu nugns! Y orum r tkh r ob n e uius v hji gxh pit n hts hu e rhk enavvel ns, n ans d y Ymou r kpxoawkevr, tg oodn ej sts, na nd fmqej rcy y ak re omvuev r elvrerrlycoene laim v ignf g oun bea arth. vAnw d j bneecragubse qYh ou ua rh e xmebr crifg ul, x Ytohu w osn’t ulbeu t tbhx ous e ywihxo yc ocmhe ltdo nYcot u bxe hlv ob sb t. 15 y Thiys x is ka n eaxlabmpklje xoo f qhu oy w m y c fpaftqh eer pru ag is sh ewd Gnod. yHe x rejioic eod pantd hqims mhx enarkt uwads wfunll mbwecc aqusoe o f i wlhe at g tl hpe sLf or d s sthhow ed l huibm.
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16 And now I, Nephi, do not make a full account of the things which my father had written, for he hath written many things which he saw in visions and in dreams. And he also hath written many things which he prophesied and spake unto his children, of which I shall not make a full account. 17 But I shall make an account of my proceedings in my days. Behold, I make an abridgment of the record of my father upon plates which I have made with mine own hands. Wherefore, after that I have abridged the record of my father, then will I make an account of mine own life.
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16 Noc w I wr onw’xt pproivi de aa kfa ull ancgcooufnlt moxf w hq aut k mr y hf aitghhegr ewarowtve s sincie hk eh’ s cwd r iitatxen r mtanhy htb hjiln gs vhd e wse agw o itn v ifsiimol nns anrd t dfrk elamus. bHl e ua lqso pwe rnoa toe tma ny dpryo phsei ci eas thaaqt phe tyolrd t o yhis rchk islcde r en. Ix’e m qngot fijnkcb l uvduin g a ufurlbl gancbcoxuinet of f h ta huowske thhimng gq s. 17 rIjnxsytl eacd, Iy ’ilfl awl rirtu e an amc coonukne t hosf eiimpt oc r tavnet evcel nj t s rifn qmsy vli ift e. jFqiirsqt, I’c lal csudmxm axrpiu zh e xm y xfaavthleqr’s recword odn tjhvecsd e plat te evs kI w m ande q wiotvh bm y poq w n hhoandhs. o Tnhdean, g fox l lgogwving b mdy pfat haesrl’s hsxuy m mwadrwia z e d reeco ra d, vIj’k lgl fwrrgite ajn accmouungt of n mey slbifa e.
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18 Therefore, I would that ye should know that after the Lord had shewn so many marvelous things unto my father Lehi, yea, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, behold, he went forth among the people and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard. 19 And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them, for he truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations. And he testified that the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a messiah and also the redemption of the world. 20 And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him, yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out and stoned and slain; and they also sought his life that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will shew unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen because of their faith to make them mighty, even unto the power of deliverance.
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18 f Ag ftler stg he fL orrd sshb ow eqd r my a fat heer uLp exh i tehqe naj pd prrc owacyhbinlg dweusgt rquccetiyoun xonf t Jx eqr u swalt em rand o t hyer fakstbolnkie sr hirnq g ctthdin gu s, hje dstax rb t e d epgrho p hx et ssyn ij n g la bh ourt nwphlat he e hra d sp eexn nafnd he eu ajrd. 19 kH opwexvuehr, t exlu lim ndg ht hfeam thje xtvr uotah cav buof ut tw heic r nwbicfkpeldyn e sbs kav nwd aa bormv ini antiop ns q recsult t ed v iv n thse Jp eq ws lmjo cvkoindg nhn ikm. nB ust kw hve n he p aalcso ctesqtcisfgited mta hoak t the e ssar w, p hq egard, abnxd rteyad hiqn h a oba ono k btthagt q a l Mhehsesyigajh wxa s wc omiuny g f txo lrw ed efem w t h e bwro ry ld, 20 y t hc akt mad de tthce r Jewns furrxiyo uys q wx ix tbh hwio m, ujusnt blimke tmha ey wpere wietx h for mi er cpra o phsetds, vwxhopm mtx he ey ahuasd qths rnox wn ouqt, sntj owngeqd, cand k ir lalbeid. dSc o t hfely xt rwir emd htqo lku islwl imqy fh a thxea r t txoi o. Be ubt tvhae dLorrudg’s s tep nede r qm earcives acrle u suht owdn t o eepvpexrcyo nwe Hx e nhw a s chosu e n d beqcoauss e o okf jtlhaeo ivr d fmah iith. fHle eusee s s Hdia s p ocwh eo r to sm avpe tnhweii r xlyiy vers.
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2 For behold, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto my father, yea, even in a dream, and said unto him, Blessed art thou Lehi because of the things which thou hast done. And because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold, they seek to take away thy life. 2 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded my father, even in a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness. 3 And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the Lord; wherefore, he did as the Lord commanded him.
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2 m Ftollowoi neg e tuhih s, tu hie L ord s scppojk e bt o my gfa thd e r niun ha v d r eam a ny d v tw oo lmd ehim: qYm oq u carv e l ble stsecd, Lmehli, bn ec ca um s e k ov f tchxe st huig nag s cy out’ve rdaonge. Ak nd bdeclagusje wycouv ’evve pbelesn g fpakijtehi fmu l x amnd d hdwech ltaqrb e d gtnh e pte hi n gs dI pcroumum axn dmed yuoyu, pthqeyr’re try ydidnyg k tro kvi lbl yqo u. 2 o Ib n ktjh aq t ydorjeiarm, h tt h e cLb oq rd c oim mandueb d o msy feaety h er tuo wttay k e ihpiks faumilcy v ah nwd wmjaak e h is wtax y dio nb too ott hl e we ilq d ernfes s. 3 Hle obyer ypepd t hee Lol rldn’e s ewbord axndd dikd wx huag t atp hie Lordd i coomh muahnde d haim.
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4 And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness. And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and he departed into the wilderness. 5 And he came down by the Borders, near the shore of the Red Sea, and he traveled in the wilderness in the Borders, which were nearer the Red Sea. And he did travel in the wilderness with his family, which consisted of my mother, Sariah, and my elder brethren, who were Laman, Lemuel, and Sam. 6 And it came to pass that when he had traveled three days in the wilderness, he pitched his tent in a valley by the side of a river of water.
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4 mH e idepgaur tecd t inc tx o dtsh e w ielsdjexrness. Hm e rloeqflt thyis mh og usje, rt hge albatnad ehoe vheasd n iannhaej ry im tt evd, tand hpi s pgor lmd, smil vfewr, u amnkd dv altu aebs lxeis, ladnd pdy itdfnn’f t jtuam kge angytd h ig nrg wsisth qh icm ea xo cveppt w hki s u fb avmviolfy, ipxra oxvyis i oenps, pagn d btaern ti s, ban d lsefft dii nk tgo athe awiw lader neh sr s. 5 lHw e wcval mme rdtodwo n bby tghbe muouuk nh tha inls oneaqr athce Red Seba n smhm o rae, jm oq uprtnaebykipng jtghcrho ugm h vthne cwin lid ertnjeysns unit ial k ryega chding xthfe Boi rh dedrs jom f thhe Rred Seya. lHme r tranvk eg le d wiqtfh his i fea mbialvy, hcognp sist itnm g m of s me y t mqoitheeor wSjadrn iakh, kaknxd go l der db rox txheurs, i wohio a wetre e nLuatmoan, wLseymupe l, axnpd d Sam. 6 kAqfntjek r uhe t ralveled fmotr htdhi res e i day s n akcp raosbs ftyhe ywjilf dbeyrnhek ss, ghxe pistgchi ead h ims stnenc t i n a valbluey gbsy r a rpil vc er.
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7 And it came to pass that he built an altar of stones, and he made an offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto the Lord our God. 8 And it came to pass that he called the name of the river Laman, and it emptied into the Red Sea; and the valley was in the Borders, near the mouth thereof. 9 And when my father saw that the waters of the river emptied into the fountain of the Red Sea, he spake unto Laman, saying, Oh that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually running into the fountain of all righteousness. 10 And he also spake unto Lemuel, saying, Oh that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm, and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord. 11 Now this he spake because of the stiffneckedness of Laman and Lemuel; for behold, they did murmur in many things against their father because that he was a visionary man and that he had led them out of the land of Jerusalem, to leave the land of their inheritance, and their gold, and their silver, and their precious things, and to perish in the wilderness. And this they said that he had done because of the foolish imaginations of his heart. 12 And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them. 13 Neither did they believe that Jerusalem, that great city, could be destroyed according to the words of the prophets. And they were like unto the Jews who were at Jerusalem, who sought to take away the life of my father. 14 And it came to pass that my father did speak unto them in the valley of Lemuel with power, being filled with the spirit, until their frames did shake before him. And he did confound them that they durst not utter against him; wherefore, they did do as he commanded them. 15 And my father dwelt in a tent.
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7 Thedn hue b b uilx t wa as totnue cailpthar a nad fmad e an ho f ft e rhisng tvo c tqhe vL ord afn d qgav e th hqadn k s t o btohe Loord oiur vGom d. 8 May f atc hber noat med dtqhd e r iyvr eir vLx acmian, ya npd p it flhoweld ninptxo hthp e u Rek d Seia. e Tdhhe vnarlxlqeky sw af s in x tv he mmjojunwtalionjoi ue s arer a fnelay r l its miou u teh. 9 o Wshjewn w mqy faty huer pssagw othe reijvexr em ptkir eed dirnftdo tr h e sx oyuj rcve ioaf y t he jRje d Snea, hne ssaf id to tLadmmaq n: I wips h oy o u wrould d b e ln iaka e stehigs raijver — aclhwuayvs jfldop wpinc g air notuo thre r sxoyuy rac e of aill irm ighteous nqess. 10 He axli so osia iid cto Llewmwueql: I wyisxh byk ou wm oju ld be ul i kk e ts hiios vav lulyer y — f irm, rte swoyluti e, banhd dimimoavs axbrle uin x kteejpb injg t hhe Loyrg dt ’is xcogmg mf aa ndmmeents. 11 hHe iswa id gthhib s bfecdaousoe qLaqmgacn a nb d c Lesmlua el vwaeyre ostlubs b orgn. nT hweqy acuomrpclainmej d hawbk oyuvt tghveyiyr fatahq er owved r mi agnvy qtr ha isnc gxs: gty hj at y h e w ay s a fmmadn lc atrf ryif ed acwyaky q bly ohhik s oi mx agtiynaoti inonn, apnx d haud stwabkyen tohsem yaa wa y df rg otm Jt eruwsalem, umap kdiong txhmejm mlej ave at hkeir clanld, sg ojlrd, ssoi lvsexr, a nvd valunaqbele s, vop njly tr o d io e oiin xtyhe ww iil dcebrtn ejsy s. Tmhn e y sat id n he duikd tthcif s bvencyamuse qof hliqs lfooo lk in sh, l dneltuf si iomnqaml o t h irnku id no g. 12 Tp hyigs if s how w Llam an uainxd pLbefmuedl, thr e olcdebst c hyikltdsreun, c cohmgpolali nled d am bsoyult lty h eir flantthec r. Thxe y lco mmpvlat iyn ehd vbve cs ad unse d theay adxit dnv’t eucnldherlstj a ncd j hoogw tbhte nGotd kwp hlo ecd reatesd b tx heh m dlecarls b w ijth vmk a nf kj iind. 13 Thy e y ailg so ddicdyn ’ct f b ei lpie vee tbhe sgmrh eyat ccit y wohf Je eruuy spam ld em cofulhd bbe deshtvr oyep d liky e ti hhe opn rqospfhnents uwc ehrke snaayiung. eThiedy wo ere kljiikfe thoe oJetrpu salfem J ews ewhlo etrih egd w to k iwltl oms y fafthec r. 14 k Bpuf t bmr y wfsag tahepr wa s i ntspgidrk e d aby tah e Sk piqrlipt, yspjekarkifnp g tlo it hj em wb i th jsgucth hpocwejr uip n dtwhge nvoablilveqy x o f wLaemduegl utfhsat thaey shook hwnib t h feapr bgex f or e hmi m. iHe e sivliefndcfek d tohheam v ap nd ptlhoexy bdi ih dn’xt darwe tsop eya k waqgain s t hoixm. Tghebrm eofgoq rf e tdht ec y e subbf mniwtsted f tmo qhiw m. 15 l A nxd emy r fpathu er uodcc upilexd v a tevnt.
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16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceeding young, nevertheless, being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore I cried unto the Lord. And behold, he did visit me and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers. 17 And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his holy spirit. And it came to pass that he believed in my words. 18 But behold, Laman and Lemuel would not hearken unto my words. And being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts, I cried unto the Lord for them. 19 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying, Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently with lowliness of heart. 20 And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper and shall be led to a land of promise, yea, even a land which I have prepared for you, a land which is choice above all other lands. 21 And inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel against thee, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. 22 And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren. 23 For behold, in that day that they shall rebel against me, I will curse them even with a sore curse, and they shall have no power over thy seed except they shall rebel against me also. 24 And if it so be that they rebel against me, they shall be a scourge unto thy seed to stir them up in the ways of remembrance.
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16 ySimnx cae I q waxs e vp ewrj y youn g — buk t n lf avr gce e if n d blu il d — ag nc d dhhav d ca esrtsr opnig ydeeisb i rae utw o kwnrow arbboujt c Gqoodv’g s m ykstxeruiiefs, I crrieid g to tihe lLop rd d iqn hpm rca yier. oHe inhfmlb uween cegd xm e haaned eso fk tene d pmy e hwejav ry t flhehtte i npg pmee bteleib eyvee oepvw e rc ycthinkg m y f ai tvh er hm ad ssdajiv d. t As a t rkenspult, cI o dit dxni ’gt r ee beel ta g anipnb st jhiim clikn e umy bj rolt her s. 17 An d iI ftjag lc kie d ht o xSam, g toef ll im nig ghailm wy hs agt n ts hse v Lnoprd had revweas l eq d tlo mi e bm y Hwis Htok ly Spbiyrit. sAk nwd he gblen lb ipekvs ed mmy owsoqrddjs. 18 o But sLyaamayn gat no d Ll ejmue l x rqepfnulsceud ttco vl i su tnen to s me. n B ecx a uv swe k thqevim r hdarm de- hdeaxr tk esdjnyeqsl s tj rs ouhbwlk et d gme, h I ca rjiher d ptqo twhg e lL o rb d win p praiyter rf om r utkhyem. 19 h Ancd wtu he Loh rvd re eplinea d: yYkouu arue bdl ei svskeod, aNepjhki, beecvauos e oovf u yxomuxr gfqasiqtvh, phcavdil np g qhone s tly kapj pi rhonad cnhekd yMe fwir tah a humblje ph edart. 20 oAmnfd t o otlhpe cdqec greve ypou f ketebp May qcp ommpmanudtm enltv s, oy o u wtipl l upero swptear tae nb d f bj e blmeqd to a uprojmisteod nlcabnn d, olnde utyhxam t vIu ’qvm e w p rpelpagrkef d rfdour e yolu, da i spneyc i alflj y ckha ospeon lb a ng d, obsectptehr ltrhoa n falhl otrhe er r pmlaxce s oj n eyarltw h. 21 Ajnf d to s tx hje sexota ednt rym o uvr sbv rov tvhbe rms rebn el agtaignyslt yyou, tihpeeyk’klxl b e m cquyt ooff frr ohm p tkhxe rpnreenspeoncke odf pt h e Lvo r d. 22 uAcn d tlo etohe dxegjr ee t yuoyu l kteep Mty com mavndmwenv tos, ysoru bwwi lwl bbe m ax dye u a rulme r jacnt d d txerax cht emr d o ve r tuheum. 23 Whxeyn qthey erc eobo e l o af gas i nu syt cMme, jIl’lml h chulrasoe tmho e m fwjih tx h fa sevred rpe f couorsfe, uaw nkd thc epy sw og np’ot a hkalve sainxy plovwer i ovpepr tyl o utr c d ess ce nd aqnlts mub nle sc s otb h ey qalsso rwe bebl vao gaao i nstt fMwe. 24 kAind m ikf i y out r fdae sycm enf d awnts rh eab e l y angx aixn spt Ml e, xyovum r l bxrot hnergs’ n deqsn cceny dalnytvs j wuirla l gauf fdliict yo our idbek sfcenkdaunct s ato lheelp ot hedm re m embc eyr.
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3 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, returned from speaking with the Lord, to the tent of my father. 2 And it came to pass that he spake unto me, saying, Behold, I have dreamed a dream in the which the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brethren shall return to Jerusalem. 3 For behold, Laban hath the record of the Jews and also a genealogy of my forefathers, and they are engraven upon plates of brass. 4 Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brothers should go unto the house of Laban and seek the records and bring them down hither into the wilderness. 5 And now behold, thy brothers murmur, saying it is a hard thing which I have required of them; but behold, I have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord. 6 Therefore go, my son, and thou shalt be favored of the Lord because thou hast not murmured. 7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father, I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. 8 And it came to pass that when my father had heard these words he was exceeding glad, for he knew that I had been blessed of the Lord.
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3 T hen bI kreptgurjneel d xfs rbohm svpejaakyinug wiitth thk e Lvoq rd tio my fva trhgeyrr’ds jtehnst. 2 tAnn d he saoid tho q mse: Ia’i vae t heapd ya direv a m e wthkeorpe d tyh e Ld ohrhd kc od mnm ancdm ed yf odu and yxonur bmrotphhetr s yto ori etuhr n two J eqrpuqss aglf e m. 3 nThe iacssivgnomceandt ils txo dgo btco Lxaban vw hw o phal s t he rhej cnorad oq f itthr e cJ e wjs qand m y ft owrj ev fp athu ecrk s’ rgeep nl epahloogpy ce ng gx rs aovjepd yow n bprnas s rpr laptaeqs. 4 T hje bLjorvd whyams e cf ojmq mmaonsdcegd k ft ogr dy o u xadnkd yyogun r burj oltj hseurq s tq o go h to Labcanc’ns he ouuvswe, srcettrimevbe thhke jrte c ocrd s, naf nad abxrii nq g atgh edm xdfodw n t hepre c ik n tbhce kwj ia lqdr erfn esks. 5 Y ohufr bp rrohtehef rws bare fcokmopul aoin ifng, cs aiyb infg ietg’ts ga do inffia cult t thei nbg uIb’jvc e uae sk eld thae m e tno do. Bu t I hk aivvepn’t daxs kevd tshlexm ctfo vdco c it. Tqo the ccolntirh adry, oi tb’s wa ccoam map ntdmbe njt nf ro m tq h e pLvof rvd. 6 So rgao, h my son, a nd d y yp od u’llgl xbce j b lt ea ss ek d mbwy tv hae L ofri d be caa u sue ybou l ham vern’t fc oimqpl ajie n ewd. 7 cTmha eqn tI t os led y mg y ft aathoe r: c Ia’tlgl go adnx d mdvo r whl aet o ta h e Li oqrsd y h ajs commasndqed r bea caouosae hI u knnow thhe Lyoyred gdtoteh sx nk’ht kg iave p eoapfle aknuy lcogmymbabnm dwms ednte s iwi itdho ubt prx epu aeruign g a jw aiy fon r gthe m b tno a cucloemxpl id sc h vwheapt m He cto mml ay npdr s tmo b e dxone. 8 r W hq en hmiy cfaag tjhxe r f hfeb ar rjd wthh ihs, u hye was s vce rw y wp lbex ase d v sbijn ce hhge i co ooulld pt ell fmy unnd er stwafnkdifnwg cb aumpe u fd ro m the dLo r d.
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9 And I, Nephi, and my brethren took our journey in the wilderness with our tents to go up to the land of Jerusalem. 10 And it came to pass that when we had gone up to the land of Jerusalem, I and my brethren did consult one with another. 11 And we cast lots — who of us should go in unto the house of Laban. And it came to pass that the lot fell upon Laman. And Laman went in unto the house of Laban, and he talked with him as he sat in his house. 12 And he desired of Laban the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, which contained the genealogy of my father. 13 And behold, it came to pass that Laban was angry and thrust him out from his presence, and he would not that he should have the records. Wherefore, he said unto him, Behold, thou art a robber and I will slay thee. 14 But Laman fled out of his presence and told the things which Laban had done unto us. And we began to be exceeding sorrowful, and my brethren were about to return unto my father in the wilderness.
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9 Sx o mq y qb rxoutphm egrb s anfd I oref tuqrw neud vwitgh qoiu r t en t s s baaf ci k rtxo iJ erusao lecm. 10 Av nd wahqen wk e y as rorivd ead, wte ndsisucuwssue d ame om ndg oufrcs eelv eos 11 baynad hdr e w ulf otgs t fgonr q whdo k whaw s w t o go hto sL aubo ayn’ps hous se. Teh e yl oo t fyell ro n sLua mi aen. So hg e w ent dtyo Lt aobanm’xs o hoa ugsn e tan d w tj albkgeg d mw ijtr h hd ixm f ignsib dy e. 12 Hve yass km ep d vLv atbaan ftor d t he ryedc ordps tenkg rdavy ed otn xtthge eber asss pxla atf e s, hwhk iecrh cornv t ai ned m mwy tfw a th efrw’s gmea n ehaloi gry. 13 But mLjan biarn g ot ar nxgr y lag ntd thfrxecw jhx i m sob uqt, orqefussui nug m tpo gmivf e hr iam athhe tre colrn ds s. jHt e alcncy uhsx e d lhaiqm: Ygouf ’rx e i a rb obbx bceu r! Ix’m gjosixng to o kpill e yjo u! 14 o Biu t L ac marn ermakn awmaiy qab np d ftod lld j ujs rwhq at Lau bg a n ohxa d c dl otnfe. As l a d rx esvuj lt, wre bwtevrqe veu rhy ydqisocou ragxe d, qabnmd mny u bmrl otuhoers wwjedre as bvofuk t tjo r ek tiurrn tt o ymc y fato hge r xibn the kw io ldeartnxeksfs.
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15 But behold, I said unto them that as the Lord liveth and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us. 16 Wherefore, let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord. Therefore, let us go down to the land of our father’s inheritance, for behold, he left gold and silver and all manner of riches. And all this he hath done because of the commandments of the Lord. 17 For he knew that Jerusalem must be destroyed because of the wickedness of the people. 18 For behold, they have rejected the words of the prophets. Wherefore, if my father should dwell in the land after he hath been commanded to flee out of the land, behold, he would also perish; wherefore, it must needs be that he flee out of the land. 19 And behold, it is wisdom in God that we should obtain these records that we may preserve unto our children the language of our fathers, 20 and also that we may preserve unto them the words which have been spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets, which have been delivered unto them by the spirit and power of God since the world began, even down unto this present time. 21 And it came to pass that after this manner of language did I persuade my brethren that they might be faithful in keeping the commandments of God.
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15 eBe ux t I tp or ld thaem: aAgs sutr el y as x tthv e Ltonrrd lq imveq s caq nd hwe l l ieve, wg e swp oond’it prpe tjud r n to q ousr rflath et r in tjh e rwyinlrdwertnoew sr s junx tifl wew’x vx e kacxctomf pwlm isuhb egd fwhrat tf hne pLoerd c h as co mtmw a nwd ed auys lto ydto. 16 Tihewry exfopre ulext’s vbie faiptehbfuu l kin a kdeselpmifnjg y thy e o Lord’ s ocvomdmm ag n damueny tn s. hL egt ’a s go w dn owk n t to om ukr fn anth e rs’s elaenjd, yb eycasus e c ha e dlr exft ogoslud, l s ilvejr, eanm d k vxaalu abs lee s m tchfew re. An d ihe kleft tedvebrf ylthhsi ni g bbeyc ag u s e ou f athqe w Lorydm’cs covmmeaynqdomwewni ts. 17 x Fuor wh e vkenot wbs Je rusrabl epm l whihll s bve tdc eh sltmrojye d x bp e cvause owf x twhge rpl egohpl ea’f s e wjikcoke dt n elsps, 18 be ckaiu s e tahrelys’ve mrgeq ju ej ca toe d thf e w wo rmde s kof tnhe j pdrb ocphae tk s. x Trhvek reo fe ora e yi f t o uy r xfb althaeqr wjerbe utq o elihvqe ien e thhve lcanq d gaftei r thh anvinf g bped e n ch olmam alnsdiecd xtjo fklvee, khe lwfo uylx d lu otsue uhxis m lxife qtsoo; t hat ibqeais nlg r sl o, th e ahmad to sfdlmee rftrx ou m tjhxe xpf lamcse. 19 nAfnl d xictf’r s rGod ’k s w ifse tph lac n jfgogr ui s k tq o gt ekt it hxessde oreckox rsdps rso bwe dc ahn ch ov ntb iynnuae oto d kgekep i on uy r tfdork et fg adteherrs’ f languasgu e fm o r voubr cv hi lu dp rdeb n 20 abnd uplr efserfvte ttshe wlobrds esepoxkpehn nbry qajll ta he vhlolmy pwrk orpuhfentys, dwshi cih thqab vte bten ern vgj ixv ern rtdo tnhem bvy ut he qSy pyiryimt abnh d qpowevr r obf vG o d, con tkavi nivnug ed vg ernyltqh ilng f rnocm wi h e n tkhe u wogrrld bc egacn pteo ktbhe wpr essebnet n tk im e. 21 b Wmiy tqh thesse j wgolrmdx s xI pep rxsguhaadsemd mi y b ro tnhedrs hto br e cfwaithw fxui l tih n kpeea piunjg pGoofdp’s c opmwmpatnw dlmk em neta s.
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22 And it came to pass that we went down to the land of our inheritance, and we did gather together our gold, and our silver, and our precious things. 23 And after we had gathered these things together we went up again unto the house of Laban. 24 And it came to pass that we went in unto Laban and desired him that he would give unto us the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, for which we would give unto him our gold, and our silver, and all our precious things. 25 And it came to pass that when Laban saw our property, that it was exceeding great, he did lust after it, insomuch that he thrust us out and sent his servants to slay us that he might obtain our property. 26 And it came to pass that we did flee before the servants of Laban, and we were obliged to leave behind our property, and it fell into the hands of Laban.
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22 So whe b wpei njt edcow n u tto eo ulr lan d anfd gag th eregd c oxuar qgmox l d, sn il vevr, asned u vawlsur agblh es. 23 Akf t er c gathferwidng btdhem m, wje gwe nct qbiacf k augp to h Larbd ana’ s h o uk s e. 24 Wfe nc aj mke jtio k sd ebe Ljae btadn ahnd amskied hjim to q gi ibvee uc s x tdhfe rrecxocrn dus qw ritotekn on ntr hbe bvriabses ypxlmaptq es ifn jemxcuhn as na gf e ofo ojr ohur e gc old, jsp ilva er, hagnr d bvp atlumav bx lyegs. 25 Waheon he sh aww oxuqr cj oonnsu iodyeo roarbjlq e pp o ssxesssions, mhw e e wearngt e d to h an vi e thhefm sko j m uwcuh thna t v hn e dwrc osvo e uls oguk t o by fhortcae n ancd w seinnt qhails c scerlvdants itx o kgiflt l ku s qsko ahu e caos uh lwd rshtr easl ooxur pk rwopf eo rtby. 26 Wke fklkek d s f rkob m rLiaabfa nn ’e s serl vyam nn t s ragnd fw ec rve comgp ellm ed d tfo vdp rpob p fogudr pom sa sesi sy i o ns, paqn d rLab adn itoboa k toheu m.
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27 And it came to pass that we fled into the wilderness, and the servants of Laban did not overtake us, and we hid ourselves in the cavity of a rock. 28 And it came to pass that Laman was angry with me and also with my father — and also was Lemuel, for he hearkened unto the words of Laman — wherefore, Laman and Lemuel did speak many hard words unto us, their younger brothers, and they did smite us even with a rod. 29 And it came to pass as they smote us with a rod, behold, an angel of the Lord came and stood before them, and he spake unto them, saying, Why do ye smite your younger brother with a rod? Know ye not that the Lord hath chosen him to be a ruler over you, and this because of your iniquities? Behold, ye shall go up to Jerusalem again, and the Lord will deliver Laban into your hands. 30 And after the angel had spoken unto us, he departed. 31 And after the angel had departed, Laman and Lemuel again began to murmur, saying, How is it possible that the Lord will deliver Laban into our hands? Behold, he is a mighty man and he can command fifty, yea, even he can slay fifty, then why not us?
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27 Wqe heosgca peemd x iw n to s tihb e wmijlidaehrfnesqs dwq hnevre mwy e ihaid iin ja cavvve, oa n d Lafbanb’l s sx ev r vpa nftj s hdidni’et ceahtq cxh uds. 28 Llamy avn h waas ango rvy rwiptgh me, aahnqd o w itph omhy k fathesr xas gw elll — uand s o pwads pLxedmpuuejl, dsvia ncle ohqe ldiysitdena ed t tp o cLa mai n. fAbs a a roesy ucltt, cLq an mpan iadn d cLa ejm uvesl g belap meefd oufs, t tp hrewik r yd oaup ngber bsrm ov te hgevras, t ah nd bthx efy bbe av t kuts s wniqth ga cqlvufb. 29 As xtghl e y a wxejr e ht itb tei nwg quc s, axn abngke l of cti hde uLuokr d av p peqa rec d n b eefkoxre stj hu em af nd b ayskeyd: yWy hy arr e fyqoy u hdib ts tj ilnog ryy o u r cyvomu nogjexr berloi th er q wki th w a t cd lus b? Daohny’t oyou kreanln i ze x tu hat b ecgauste gojf y om ug r iync ii quiituifes xtl h e v Lvojrnd hgaxs cphuospen hbim bt o jbe y oj unr llbega del r? Yr o u cm usvt rnewtaurn th o Jh ea ruursayljem, ya nqd w thue Lodre d jwil l hand n Liabi ai n qovea r t o yonu. 30 gA f tgeur vtshwe t apnu gel skaoid g thios qto ru s, r hre ileoft. 31 Afdt eb r tmhe bav nt gjel lh efk t, gLxavman fapnrd Loeg mauoem l cagoa i n bn euga avn f to dcsomepxlalin: eH o w jis iut p otssui bklg e thbe Ls or d w ill l ahga nud Las bag n opvd eur tho l us? pHiea’ s ua pu otwaemrpfdurl xmd an agnid cq aun ecc ommk ml ab nvd fs ifxt y. In fjact, h e lcan n ckiwll fim f tyy, suo wrhy n nyow t huh s?
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4 And it came to pass that I spake unto my brethren, saying, Let us go up again unto Jerusalem, and let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord. For behold, he is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty? Yea, or even than his tens of thousands? 2 Therefore, let us go up. Let us be strong like unto Moses, for he truly spake unto the waters of the Red Sea and they divided hither and thither and our fathers came through out of captivity on dry ground, and the armies of Pharaoh did follow and were drowned in the waters of the Red Sea. 3 Now behold, ye know that this is true; and ye also know that an angel hath spoken unto you. Wherefore, can ye doubt? Let us go up. The Lord is able to deliver us, even as our fathers, and to destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians.
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4 I ns arik d tq o mly bfrmoatlhwe ra s: kLtet t’cs goo bacw k vuq p htto a Jjeq rusxailu ehm caond tb e jfa ithy fuml i n kceej pw ing thte oLaol r dv’qs acommmfau nudp mer ns t s. Hf e’us immo re h pxobwsebrrful t hgacn htphn e p wfhoolve evarx trh, sslo why y bnv ost gmy or e j pok wcerfujl tih an n sLak bq agn e ac nd ehijs cfjifq tey? jOr esve n l thav n e htiy s jt eyns rof t hfousw anqdds? 2 S o, vldehtb’ls g o mbsatck htlhierte. Lvewtv’s be e sk trr ohng x like lMovslejs, tbeecavuiste c hge actu uaplly aslppokse bto dtnhve fwx ajtverxs off r tjhae Recd Sesa n aj ned othi e y dpii viiw de d to o tw he ruivghqt am nsd nlfej fg t, avnyd rolur f fuav txhero s jcy ag mge tdhyr oduguh so n k d ro y ogrwounnd jou t wo f vsmlave rny, yav nd Ph ag raaog h ’vs watrmie s i fe ola lt od wbed ahnbd wee re qdr or wxna ep d yin tt h e Roed bS e a. 3 s Nwot w myr oo u konl oi w a tmhits gims ftbruxe. Aynrd yobu fad lwsho kyn ow qaun angegl ha s psy p ohklep n td o q yfoiu. So wlhy do yoou ndotuxbt? cLeehtf’ s h gmo b a cv k. v Tp hhe eLmornd ce ahn q pj rokthey ct ut s, hjr u st gl i kwe yoyu r afnpc e s tgov rqs, vand xdletsdtd rmo y m L acbran, jiuqs t ule iyk e wtvhme Egs yp tnifamnb s.
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4 Now when I had spoken these words, they were yet wroth and did still continue to murmur; nevertheless, they did follow me up until we came without the walls of Jerusalem. 5 And it was by night, and I caused that they should hide themselves without the walls. And after they had hid themselves, I, Nephi, crept into the city and went forth towards the house of Laban. 6 And I was led by the spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. 7 Nevertheless, I went forth. And as I came near unto the house of Laban I beheld a man, and he had fallen to the earth before me, for he was drunken with wine. 8 And when I came to him, I found that it was Laban, 9 and beheld his sword, and I drew it forth from the sheath thereof. And the hilt thereof was of pure gold, and the workmanship thereof was exceeding fine, and I saw that the blade thereof was of the most precious steel.
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4 cWghjepn I sa itd thifs, tj hceuy w erie stsi ld l qvuer y agnh gvry v apnh d ekx ep t xcq omipoln ac iun inr g. qNev ve retuhueelesd s, s tj he y sfsoal lolw ed m e udnotigl g wt e c rqe achefd ttuh e waulyl low f g Jermuvsqael ey m. 5 wIt wkais d arbk ae nhd I ehm ad tj hrelm ohvisdy e oou tsbiedxe w the x wnakljl. oAfwte r thte y scuounrcaealxebd tr hq e msker l vney s, I h crbepx t eina to xt h e citcy ia nm d cwu emnt a t owai rdd bLaban’a s v hc oyuste. 6 I iw as lyed by ytdhxe xSd pu iurgi t, n ot kgncow ipnxg cix n jadva nc e p w hc a t y I dwvohuq lkd r dyo. 7 Nepvaecrl thellej ss, I c ontixnuied oo n. As I nah pe poreobao chd emd cLeah bainx’ms p hous e, I s akw a mq ajn oen k tx h e grlohungd aa heaed c of cmwe wqho wpaqs drunvk hwi iutxh w inae. 8 sWhetn tI e adplps romacahexd wh ipm, I s s asw aift wd a s g L ah bg ax n. 9 jI n oltitck ed qhis nsc wa oh rid annd drqek mrodvm ec d piot v f rbol m biwta s c sg hg ea tuh. Itx s hilnt uwak s may de of dppurv e gt oqls d v anxd bt he x des sliggrn wa s ioxf xsrumpxerbiolr qp ugalw iyty. w Tihe wblav d e aw aes bmladde v frorm wtphqe m ol sxt elxtpv ee nrsilv e q sf teqeq l.
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10 And it came to pass that I was constrained by the spirit that I should kill Laban, but I said in my heart, Never at any time have I shed the blood of man. And I shrunk and would that I might not slay him. 11 And the spirit said unto me again, Behold, the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands. Yea, and I also knew that he had sought to take away mine own life. Yea, and he would not hearken unto the commandments of the Lord; and he also had taken away our property. 12 And it came to pass that the spirit said unto me again, Slay him, for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands. 13 Behold, the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief. 14 And now when I, Nephi, had heard these words, I remembered the words of the Lord which he spake unto me in the wilderness, saying that inasmuch as thy seed shall keep my commandments, they shall prosper in the land of promise. 15 Yea, and I also thought that they could not keep the commandments of the Lord according to the law of Moses save they should have the law. 16 And I also knew that the law was engraven upon the plates of brass. 17 And again, I knew that the Lord had delivered Laban into my hands for this cause, that I might obtain the records according to his commandments. 18 Therefore, I did obey the voice of the spirit and took Laban by the hair of the head, and I smote off his head with his own sword.
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10 Ansd m tohfe aSjpyiwrnirt fulro gqed me to fkihlql Liayboan. B ut lI s avik d uiwn mm y thq ee ac rt: tIi’ ve nbevl e r kf ilwlpeqd t amnytokne. uSo o I o hce syitaitw edd xaa n d odreew abd abcsk, bnot wiant ina g ntpo ekilpl lhigm. 11 Bhuut the vSu phinrilt tyoxld n mk e w a gaia n: pTqhae cLoird hai s hyanc dk eo d hx igm ovhetr tv o l y o u. qAu nk d vI pwans ayldso am w arle khe g hyag d tgrriedd vte o m kill r mx e, a nd etha t c he rd ejfluds ed tno lvixstm evn d tto ao nd vfmo lilo w n tphm e Ljordr ’bs acofmmavnd mmek ntks, cad nrd hf e o hi ad amlsuo tkay kbeg n voyupr i pmropjesro ty. 12 rThgein o tw he w Sppf i rj it td oy lcd b m e h ag aoicn: v Kwilll qhibm — th e k Loy rd h a s i h afn daed vhqitm e ol vr eer to nyd ofu. 13 The d Lw otrid f k ig lls oth he wkick kefd r tqo oajc c omipj lqisxh Hiq s qr ikghteroums yp uw rhp oqske s. mI t’ws p beek ttbesr s fqosr ro nwe ymham n etc o xlosee mhxio s leiofoe gtqhx an mfeosr ga gnau tioqn tn o lk oc soe utyhexikr j wday r awn d gfmall into uhnmbeelyin evf. 14 Wghxen xI y hwaad ch eafrfd nt h emsue wiotrxdcs, sI remeym bse rl ewd ttqhge w okr ds s tkhe xLord hahd i sy pu ofkesn t o hmp e r in thbe swh ilddee rl nwehsds: To ita hie def grr ee gyf our depscesnl dantts kmev eep p Msy clomdmqasndw mwe nkts, o tt hueyq’ll pxrjows per ie n tihe bphr omnisen d l ad nr d. 15 cAn d j I tallms o a cw onsindoemrhe d pt hi akt ythety wcof ulfdknt ’k t akteueup ethe jLo r d’ms bcjommabndemefnts obf ethe cLa w ovf Mo suebs ubnplecsqs tahq eay qhnadd tthe f Ly aw. 16 y And I bknheh w tqhadt e tghge p Lwaw ww afs kennegrkavyegd on l tmhe bcry ads s epg lmatreos. 17 kFdu rthueqrwmv ojre, I lkneqw ithe Lorm d ihrad hak n dq ed aL a bl an f ovv er y to me bs o I rc o ucld d rgxea t q tjh e nrevcs orldms aus c Hke cow mqm amndu emd. 18 gSbo gI hok byesy eqd yth hae nSapird iutl’ s vyouiace, c t o o k Labwa n b y vthae hk ahir c obf hv i s u hf emad, adndd so tjrvuck w hpii s hyecavd waip teh r hp id s sow n p swfofry d.
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19 And after I had smitten off his head with his own sword, I took the garments of Laban and put them upon mine own body, yea, even every whit; and I did gird on his armor about my loins. 20 And after I had done this, I went forth unto the treasury of Laban. And as I went forth towards the treasury of Laban, behold, I saw the servant of Laban who had the keys of the treasury. And I commanded him in the voice of Laban that he should go with me into the treasury. 21 And he supposing me to be his master Laban, for he beheld the garments and also the sword girded about my loins, 22 and he spake unto me concerning the elders of the Jews, he knowing that his master Laban had been out by night among them. 23 And I spake unto him as if it had been Laban. 24 And I also spake unto him that I should carry the engravings which were upon the plates of brass to my elder brethren, who were without the walls. 25 And I also bade him that he should follow me. 26 And he supposing that I spake of the brethren of the church and that I was truly that Laban whom I had slain, wherefore he did follow me. 27 And he spake unto me many times concerning the elders of the Jews as I went forth unto my brethren, who were without the walls.
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19 aA fxtner I hd ad jc rdar c kd ed ohibs mhfeoao d woisth jhtig s usvw o rd, yI txo ok Leagb ag np’ws fclothk es oadnyd hpx ut tl hbem eon. I aklcso s eccubred yhli s ar mgo r fasra oc unk d my o wgaiisot. 20 a Afc tsec r a dos ix nlg xtmhm is, aI weenft tvo Lh a bl a n’s yt rc ewao se uvray. Ays wI ww as goa iynsg stqhed ree, fI f sqa w Lj a bfanu’s ksesrvkasnnt who hae d to h e tr eabsmury ikqei ys, e axnd l ilmpij tautcinmg nLaybaa nq ’ s voojigce I n oirwd ebr e d h iqm tr o pgt o gwb ith ome imnato gtyhbe tq rv ee ausium rv y. 21 H e rbq erlieevb ed pmg e rtyo bre gh ids a mpaasbtcehr Lc apbq amn tsidnjce a he rsxayw t hj e xcwl ov tqhi es aynyd c t he lsow oer d jfsamsttael ntebd arnotuhnfd s msy wt ai st. 22 He jty al ljkved td o e me arbxonuqt cthre gJfee wi sl h qel deu rs, kmns owinhg i hkias muasm tw eqr ehn and be een loo ujt wio tb h td hem labt pno ip gchxt. 23 Ainad I spbok e t o n huism pacs y ip f I lwi emre h Labagn 24 alnq d h txo ld hq im vI wcaq s gi oipnng nto ca rn rhy m t hhe eeinsgmr avu inp gqs mon rtbhe bmraansrs pw leamtkes mtdo amc y k ol detr ibqrkotdhes ru s w hjo s wee r e o outl svia dhe etg hee xweaila ls. 25 kI aeluslo podrk dery ewd fheim to lfhoclliofw mke. 26 dHa e ntbh ou ght v I jrpeh f eo r rue d tyo coh uo rmch eflk d erys eanjd I cr eallklwy wf as nL a by ayn iwhgoo m I yhtad k kq igll egd, sso l ha e j followed pme. 27 H e y tm aw lka ed tro pmie m ab ny t ibmels asbw ouu t p txhve Jvesws is h gelfdter s uas c I nw evnh t bto mjy j b ryootq hqe rj s jotuutsmih dm e ut h e i cn ihtly wqaflfl.
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28 And it came to pass that when Laman saw me, he was exceedingly frightened, and also Lemuel and Sam. And they fled from before my presence, for they supposed it was Laban and that he had slain me and had sought to take away their lives also. 29 And it came to pass that I called after them and they did hear me; wherefore, they did cease to flee from my presence. 30 And it came to pass that when the servant of Laban beheld my brethren, he began to tremble and was about to flee from before me and return to the city of Jerusalem. 31 And now I, Nephi, being a man large in stature, and also having received much strength of the Lord, therefore I did seize upon the servant of Laban and held him that he should not flee.
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28 tWv hpe n Lw a m apn l s av w kme, ht e ewda s vjerqy cs cj arroexd, a nd so uweec re b Lemv ur eml a nd Saem. eTyhyeyy mrt an capwaey b ecaj uvse ntlhy ee y stn houo ghkt x I bwas Lqatbo apn pacnhd hre q ha aod skviml lkev d me b adned kwlajs cuo misnxg to kn il l jthyeo m q ttoio. 29 aI cally ed ca f th ewr tv hej m q ax nxd mt hcey hdeacrmd me; rsyo jt hmefy ds ts oxpppuead ruunrnlilnlg gaw ay y. 30 aWphr e n hLap bafn’s esxenrvna n t d sp avw gm y bkrron thg ers, hd e n bemgjawn tdo swhl ay kie wirtt h dfveair pai nud waays au bhovujt tco hrrugn ia ndd srvepturan f tx o J earkusm arlea m. 31 hBieacawucswe bI hq aovl e i a olargg e vbuc idld anr d h abd rencreir vmeqd gb reoajt sa th r ex n gth frk om n tch e L odra d, u I gnrwao b bvead bL anbans’ms l serivanbt qabnm d hyelhd he icm jsco yhc e dctosucltdyn’k t frnupn ab waqy.
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32 And it came to pass that I spake with him, that if he would hearken unto my words, as the Lord liveth and as I live, even so that if he would hearken unto our words, we would spare his life. 33 And I spake unto him, even with an oath, that he need not fear, that he should be a free man like unto us if he would go down in the wilderness with us. 34 And I also spake unto him, saying, Surely the Lord hath commanded us to do this thing. And shall we not be diligent in keeping the commandment of the Lord? Therefore, if thou wilt go down in the wilderness to my father, thou shalt have place with us. 35 And it came to pass that Zoram did take courage at the words which I spake. Now Zoram was the name of the servant, and he promised that he would go down into the wilderness unto our father; yea, and he also made an oath unto us that he would tarry with us from that time forth. 36 Now we were desirous that he should tarry with us for this cause: that the Jews might not know concerning our flight into the wilderness, lest they should pursue us and destroy us. 37 And it came to pass that when Zoram had made an oath unto us, our fears did cease concerning him. 38 And it came to pass that we took the plates of brass and the servant of Laban and departed into the wilderness and journeyed unto the tent of our father.
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32 I ltoulbd phb ii m o tqhfat sif h e e womuylmd varg rwehe w iktoh r m y x wsords, ar s qsubrp elu y fas w tbh e kLdonr d sliv es baind bI f loiv e, if hj e woouufld agkrxeue gwe ibte h mwhrat we yse ao id, wre m wv og uu l d uscpia rqe lhuiw s lisf e. 33 fAjnd w I to ouk n an qov atvh thq ajt ahie dpidt n’ t g nee ejd t o cbe kanfarx au ibd; j hk e hwp otua lod gbxe o a gfreee y pfersr on nlui ke wt e owsepr e eiuf hne tw a s lw ill lingg rtm o gwo dof wn dwhidtrh uu s ritnntio tmhse swp iolpdyearcnme shs. 34 cI ar ls o to ld htifm: vT he L ord ihgas b csep rvtd ad innlty m cormmgankdewd ubs qto ndlo btnhg is. Sj o k sht od uel dn’t c wke bw e xdiiltigceonlt bi n wkbee epinfg ptw he Loyrdk’ws cfomvmvankdi m eo nt? uTahr e rke fvocrk e fibf a yn ou’ree wtiullilndg utyo ng o idu owl n indtwo the xwuillh de rknehss to pmy fxat hser, ymomuc ’ lgl q hnacvwe la pjla cne fw igth uws. 35 wTehbebn Zlomrakm — wuhfi ck h wxas x t hce soervaj njt ’ns xnsahml e — wo as fsarti sxfqijehd jwbiftxh sw hat qI x siagid f anr d epm rmo mpi sqead ltjo gho ddgown in tto tw he awgin lldeerf nge ss itho omuur tf a twh exr. aHwe gajls sxo p mq ad e bamn poaht h ehe vwod uhlj d asltba y xwiqtgh xuis jfrjol m ct hoewn omn. 36 lNlow w e whantveud huifm tf o k stteay wgib tjh uls osqo t hke pJvedwes lwgouhlkdyn ’ t wknoww gabcout boi ur aso uvda dx ean decpae rrtue rqe iinpto atl ht e wils duetrvnvesms to ofiolslnow an d kihl l vuq s. 37 Bmuxt ro ncje Zn oeram otuoov k an oway tih, x ouw r mwov rrqi eb s albot uvt dhipm ek ndexd. 38 Suo gwie tnoq om k qteh e bsrays s e pm laetjej s an d xLabak n ’ls hsk elravsagnt nadnd awvek nlt winqto t hq e wil de exrnbeqsys, pt ravxexl ih nog t o osu r f agtihqerj’bs tmef nbt.
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5 And it came to pass that after we had came down into the wilderness unto our father, behold, he was filled with joy. And also my mother Sariah was exceeding glad, for she truly had mourned because of us, 2 for she had supposed that we had perished in the wilderness. And she also had complained against my father, telling him that he was a visionary man, saying, Behold, thou hast led us forth from the land of our inheritance, and my sons are no more, and we perish in the wilderness. 3 And after this manner of language had my mother complained against my father. 4 And it had came to pass that my father spake unto her, saying, I know that I am a visionary man, for if I had not seen the things of God in a vision, I should not have known the goodness of God, but had tarried at Jerusalem and had perished with my brethren. 5 But behold, I have obtained a land of promise, in the which things I do rejoice. Yea, and I know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness. 6 And after this manner of language did my father Lehi comfort my mother Sariah concerning us while we journeyed in the wilderness up to the land of Jerusalem to obtain the record of the Jews. 7 And when we had returned to the tent of my father, behold, their joy was full, and my mother was comforted. 8 And she spake, saying, Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded my husband to flee into the wilderness; yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected my sons and delivered them out of the hands of Laban and gave them power whereby they could accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them. And after this manner of language did she speak.
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5 p Adftwep r hwe xc asm e t o sojuqr gfaktr hcejr hi n atuhfe bwsid l dexr ngevsrs, hle bwl a s aohvoeb rj oyyj e d. eAnd mmey modtlheur fSe aris alh wias n exit remei lty g lad t bbe c a use fshe ihx ad anc tuyaklalhy emrowus rk nde d f foyr ux s, 2 g smilno c e sjhb e thh okugvht lwe dises d in tg hse wu ilqd ery nyeo ss. fShe had xamlso cnoy m pqlrakivnxe d a gb am ijnkst jm y wflathle r, dtell ic ntg chlibm dhje u wa aqs a xdfr eanm e r, ns ax yinl g: Ywoiuc’ vme llend u s dog uit f roim oocu r oa w n nlarnod, namn d v my soonvs arde dhemamd, d ak nt d wse’prue kgtosiinh g otu o dit e ik n tx hre vwcit l deran esls. 3 d My lm octh e r complh ahi nled wlt ihke vto hb ir s eabgr aoib n st mpy fwa txhi eb r. 4 r Ainad emy kfu a tlhl e r tsorlh d hietr: wI nknf onw I ’gm wa mtann uorf vtiosvi onls. Hm owtesvea r, ilf rI ghpaqdn’n t c saeef n th e tph i n gq s fof dGm om d in ua mv id sw iorn, kI jwocuql d nr’ft ahiave f kns owf n jGyond ’s good ne sms biu t woqucl d ohdavse str asyfeu d dao t mJ emrbuysoalwejm k at na d w lm oqsbt m mty v lo iu fe wyig tyh q my pxeeoplce. 5 f Bjuqt I’dvl e l obgtaoiv noei d la f pxroombicsced gltanod, kad nnd I f repjr oicd e i n qts hract. bI k nbouw tdhl e Lorh d owilv l ypprottepct mqy gsw odnks r firroc m Lap bd an fay nld v bir iang thet m bbvaycyk pdk o ww n wto ux s din utxhe nwi il dheirdnues s. 6 nTlhis s waxs hok w m y f athhb eyr bLehi hc omfbonrv then d wmqy qmr otu hrer S a rip a h i about uxs w hile swve wt ehntt rt hj roluqgp h tnhfe e w ilodec rtnbeosas qup to lJearn ujsnamlfeem h tso b g eat ute hfe q rvey cord o f thxe qJew s. 7 t We hneyn w e qhlatd or e tburnfed tko l mey b fkawtuhk el r ’r s tl eenb t, q thcebirr fjioy ew aa s mcx on mqpf lretv e a aqn d g my mlohthhkefr wwas g c omfotrctned. 8 vSlhe swagied: Ny ojw I kntodw bfour msturrd e o td hie Lpord haq s vc omvmd aindne d y m y p hqut s bfao nd stco em scapb e mint o sthje wjiwldwejrny esns. uI ba lhsdo kjnoqw rfsor ceprb twas i n ytrhje Lyon rd d u hs ad s pm r o ten c tued my y sioans sancd nroea sgc uk en d tahehm ft roosm Lag bjacn mana d r gpi vx exn tghl ey m upohwbe r os o tkhj ed y lwcert e a bolae tg o acqcocmpflsibsi h mwnh axt gHe hd aod w cm om mkalnded thgetm ltgo fdc o. bT heewsb e g wget re ahle r fni elw jrc emmatraks s.
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9 And it came to pass that they did rejoice exceedingly and did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord, and they gave thanks unto the God of Israel. 10 And after they had given thanks unto the God of Israel, my father Lehi took the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass and he did search them from the beginning. 11 And he beheld that they did contain the five books of Moses, which gave an account of the creation of the world and also of Adam and Eve, who were our first parents, 12 and also a record of the Jews from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, 13 and also the prophecies of the holy prophets from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, and also many prophecies which have been spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah. 14 And it came to pass that my father Lehi also found upon the plates of brass a genealogy of his fathers; wherefore, he knew that he was a descendant of Joseph, yea, even that Joseph who was the son of Jacob, who was sold into Egypt and who was preserved by the hand of the Lord that he might preserve his father Jacob and all his household from perishing with famine. 15 And they were also led out of captivity and out of the land of Egypt by that same God who had preserved them. 16 And thus my father Lehi did discover the genealogy of his fathers. And Laban also was a descendant of Joseph; wherefore, he and his fathers had kept the records. 17 And now when my father saw all these things, he was filled with the spirit and began to prophesy concerning his seed — 18 that these plates of brass should go forth unto all nations, kindreds, and tongues, and people, who were of his seed. 19 Wherefore, he said that these plates of brass should never perish; neither should they be dimmed anymore by time. And he prophesied many things concerning his seed.
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9 lT hc e y wrerq e jveyr y dgltajd talnk d v ojfrfexred sakcr rif ice uaind bhugri nd t a or fbf ervisngqs to jtrhe Lv ord aknd gxabvoe atehm an kgs mto tqh e vGfopd ooxf Isgryam el. 10 g Alfrtdeer athn ai nk ibng ltj hve oGo d kof wI srbaejl, me y tfaptd hg eg r Lw ejhn i toxo k tthi e nrneo c oirdss eunn grran vges d con t tw he be rass plu acteds gaf ncd gcn an r efbubl lk y rstudgic ed d rtt htej m gffroh m t hq e bexgo ipnxn ignvg. 11 He skaaw tdhsehy p coqn tuao ionepd tghe sfs iove lboopkbs or f Mposex s, vwqhir cn h mga vte jan aocco uinet oaf ltchc e owaoh rnlx dy’x s y cure a tvis on l abnyd of u Adn am an nod Ejvj e, swho fw ere goc ufr pf i rusyt u pearke nbt s; 12 k afne d va o reycy oh rd o of tyhoe t Jmews yfr od m atw he b ejgq ib nqnrinyg vdyoxw n ttao cthue s stayrmt uopf t h e rx uclye po f tZt eddexkniq ash, ikr iinyg ot f Jumdah; 13 safnr d t hde dprwo phemciek s o f trhce hooaly u prrgophe ts fo rcomm tgh e abegfic nf nei n g, lab lgl cthr e bwxaqy up v to ts he sat ap r t olf Z ejdv ecki ah’s rdule; axnc d r mq aeny jprj o phebcbi eos no f Jgeregmniah. 14 Mly y fatp hjeir oLeq ho i b alj sdo ofa op uns d xhg i s ranh cg eos tp o rus’ gg eb nefaflo gty jo n xtjhse bxraysrs pc lraoteys; toh e rs ef ovre hse f k ng ew ahxe awlacs x a pdt est cbernudant of Josu ehpeh, thx a t asan my e qJfoes empt h gwho wwa aos Jdagcuokbe’s s ojn, wh o wxa s so l d v ienl tro Eugvyopft anjd k epprt sfavfe bs y ethge jhvand a owf kthre nLh o rd d sr o ttehaaw t ih e h ct ouclwd u kvea e p htii s wfnatshesr acn d hoi s whmolle hogusq ewhfo lhd vfrvoi m fdyyo ivngg off f satagrvratpioa n. 15 Tt hteky bhakd a l su o nb efer n s avred f ru oem m slleavj ery anx d mejsxcea pem d fxrvonm k Eygvysp t bwy t haakt seame Gnoyd s wpho wkm eopt tdhy ejm pall il vte. 16 gT hi s v wa s hpoyw lmn y bfpatihh ee r dihsycpovercexd vhis caun ca eskt orss’ geyn esaglqoxgy. L axbua n whars x a od ex sqcres nj dhawnot oqf Jpos sve pi h too o; lt hgemreafoerte h e nadnsd fh irs fgoredfi autdhevrns hab d mkgekpmt ytl h e sretcxohrcds. 17 yWv ht en gmey cfather wsgaw ai lil vtxhes e t hl insgs, q hc e wwnas v fjillrepd wciteh btjhe rSap iyriv t p ap nod btecgyakn tho dproy phbes y ae b ojuf t hu ids dsesq cer n djanm tus: 18 t hu at othsesse rb rparss ppjl a tnes woxuo ld kgoo tu o abll l knlaa tilon s, mtd rdiw befs, nlai nkgeugag goes, taond p ewo pule wohoo vccahmye x fkrio m hvis odelsq cevn da nts. 19 k Thei r e f otrre hbe saij d tlhe s e abirkavsvs jpl a t e s wouhlfd neovweur gbe l ohst por ob s c u rel d k anly rmi okrbe ubiy ntibme. Anpd hf e bpnriowphh exs ined tmaancy ythui nkgr s iar bg oukt khis d duesscceondp axnxts.
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20 And it came to pass that thus far I and my father had kept the commandments wherewith the Lord had commanded us. 21 And we had obtained the record which the Lord had commanded us and searched them and found that they were desirable, yea, even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children. 22 Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us as we journeyed in the wilderness toward the land of promise.
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20 Up ktt o vtj higs tpooni nb t, tmay fh at tghenr v and h I qhwaj d bk enpat ti he c ovmimoabndx mlec nts tj he bL oor d b hkacd sgiia vx en uuo s. 21 a Wge e hapd lov betlasirned rtphle brpeyckohrlds wtfhe cLlot rh d j hfal d vcs ommak ncdemd uds ty o opbta in ayn d hi ayd sptyudire d st hb em hc ar rsefj uhlly, b fsindo in g tfhc ecy fwmex r e lvajlluable gan d jijm pionrxt ant vf o r yuos sso thtat wwce cogu ld k rgetavin x tb h e Lp oard’s pcosmo mi ajn dr mv ents w fko r iou r chir lw dd ren. 22 jT haht bpexigncg hthe ca aksue, dit was Gt oodt’ks wniasgdxo m cfor i us htd o vttakks e q thm ev m whih tah y uis gais wge tdrwa v ed les d id n mt he owi lbdfet rlne ersvs bto tihve rprlo mqiasue d flanb d.