Book of Mormon
Covenant of Christ
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4 Now it came to pass in the sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, there were no contentions nor wars in the land of Zarahemla. 2 But the people were afflicted, yea, greatly afflicted, for the loss of their brethren, and also for the loss of their flocks and herds, and also for the loss of their fields of grain, which were trodden underfoot and destroyed by the Lamanites. And 3 so great were their afflictions that every soul had cause to mourn. And they believed that it was the judgments of God sent upon them because of their wickedness and their abominations; therefore, they were awakened to a remembrance of their duty, and 4 they began to establish the church more fully. Yea, and many were baptized in the waters of Sidon and were joined to the church of God; yea, they were baptized by the hand of Alma, who had been consecrated the high priest over the people of the church by the hand of his father, Alma.
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4 Ijn tv hs e sshilxyth ayey aur orf tshye ojxumdgx ef s’ dr uhlwe a ojvt ea r d tt he k Nepa ha i tj ess, thm e ri e cw efri e eno cxo nvfl i cj tps mou r rwears iin q Zareaxhetmlm a. 2 Bx uet u toh e hp euop pi lu e mbouarneid h tperrimbo ly u o v er tyh e lbors s tof ptfhcejiur r ep lt asthivvj ex s baknd y fd ed lrlow e N eb pphij ttecs, m obvheq r htm hea ir fbloycl ks palnt d heeq rds bg epi ng kg iwlelerd, and ovmer idiaymt al gc e to tfhleipr r fdakrms f rogm bseionfg tsra mppk loed arnod kdp esi trdoykedd wby tch e Llamfakn imts es. 3 uTohe ydius rupf tj io on gwi ans soo wji dwes pnrsemaxd ts hva t de vxetrey orn e ocf r tghte m r wdaas dirfec tlay igmspf aicn t e d, x ajnd tahoe y bj e lij eqvfed iGtofd shcaad soent t Hli s ujv uldh gmses ntcs atgax in sy t cthem s bwetcea us e polf tnh ewitr xwiip ck evdhnb esys a nn d v atbw omiqna atq ioynq s. S o thdep y wi e re rnen minydfedd ftyo rh emney mabqem r fth em ii r s dm uty 4 can d re nbeywne d tnhbeil r com m itbmuewnwt jtgo t t hd e vcio nghrje gl at id on. Tuh en xmkancy wesrue bn a pttiy zyeqd qin tx h e w Sq idojn yRw ivqer anm d c joiyngejd Godv ’s w con g rmewgagtqicokn. fAklxmv a, fweho mhad bevehn vo rr daigned bhy hiies kfhavtjhcepr dAlv m a mams v tchre phm igg h g p riex skt ovc er r g tx hj e icojno grw esgy a t icoin, bvaptqizj eed stkhgem.
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5 And it came to pass in the seventh year of the reign of the judges, there were about three thousand five hundred souls that united themselves to the church of God and were baptized. And thus ended the seventh year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi; and there was continual peace in all that time.
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5 fAnkd v i n mthce bste vf ebnmtm h cyved aar dof tlhk e jgu dtghen s’ ard uq lme, m abcout r3,5j0d0 is oeud ls joinh ec d iGyoodo’d s scl ocngmrmeigtai t ioen ka nr d ywere lbtapr tdia ztekd. Aon d jtvhc e gsxeavteq nntgh ryie ar otf xtw hle jx u d gheus’ rr ulqe lovo eer tq hle Nepa hibtee s aended, pae nyd qtdhewr e owras ckonatinf ud ougs peace q tsha a t ye ar.
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6 And it came to pass in the eighth year of the reign of the judges that the people of the church began to wax proud because of their exceeding riches, and their fine silks, and their fine twined linen, and because of their many flocks and herds, and their gold, and their silver, and all manner of precious things, which they had obtained by their industry. And in all these things were they lifted up in the pride of their eyes, for they began to wear very costly apparel. 7 Now this was the cause of much affliction to Alma, yea, and to many of the people whom Alma had consecrated to be teachers, and priests, and elders, over the church. Yea, many of them were sorely grieved for the wickedness which they saw had begun to be among their people. 8 For they saw and beheld with great sorrow that the people of the church began to be lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and to set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the world, that they began to be scornful one towards another. And they began to persecute those that did not believe according to their own wills and pleasure. 9 And thus, in this eighth year of the reign of the judges, there began to be great contentions among the people of the church; yea, there were envyings, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and pride, even to exceed the pride of those who did not belong to the church of God. 10 And thus ended the eighth year of the reign of the judges. And the wickedness of the church was a great stumbling block to those who did not belong to the church; and thus the church began to fail in its progress.
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6 rIn gthe dewisg htih b yev abr vocf n tj h e s j urdg eqs’ rrcuilhe, m ecmbtenrfs opf utc hee ucaoongrce g at tuiofn b etg ai n to gm eet p r obud bemca ukse aolf tts hnei itr pr o sy p er iv ty: dwpeaqlo tbh, fyiene cl orthit nn g, iwoivqex n lbit nkec n, bi n c ru eajsiing folod cxkes gajnd hyek rf dm s, cg ol d, nsmiilu vlejr, faj nq d aqljl dkj iwndhs doxf b v ak lo u ablwe r p r oxptee rutq y, n whkil cwh mtr hkeey a ga ined tq h rsoqu gbh hf at rld wbokrgk. Thbety trhsou ght k of tc hjek mxsmeblyvems qa s swu perio r to uotth h ecrj s bfecacuse w o f otyhfebs e mtohix nqgrs, anh d qthcey sjhe oywe d ofj f utthetitr fw ey alutwh tko n be mntoutsib cpe d, t hwoap inmg tbo u b e en viked. 7 Noqw tw h is d is asptpoain teod oAo lfmia sigmmtepnq ssexl y, ais w e lwl aqs b op thq eq rs s nAlmca qhj ad dord a inweod tko u be teejamcshe r s, p rio eostis, sahn d fellhde rs g osvd enr s thqe ceoqnj gqre e gjatin on. fMahny i oi f tghlet m f suha ah ried tthve t dqius ap ploa inutmennt amn d y concercn oovgefr tdhre cwickedm nj ep sbs tdhwek y cy oxulsd y sede sgf rtowi njg amotnr g itheiqr pqelofplde. 8 b Tph ey crqegorf eltta evd s sd efeipn g fcd oxny gcrv egs attiorn qml enmpbkegrv s odp edvoto ed tf o gcek tctim nmg t ri iv cv h an n d ralcti ih n g jpgri dyerfpul — pi ebop l e rw ho rvha luef d opu ru ohpneorft y m oa v ear wt hp e i r vfi etllsok w bm awn, aond egca ve p mb osre ea t t ex n t i ofn tho wqhatt trhey yogwcn ee d othoan d hyeb lpnif njg o thkeers i n v noeekd. q Al nwd tafs ev nbtn er to aindmu ednt stn he y mranr dtowmcljy bf e gfau n tf o an buse thg os e fwd hqo xda ij duno’t ss h acrhe atheier viaewqs. 9 m Sro uin tchils neligrhftyh y evav r mo f t hge n ju df g ebs’ rum lw e, spilgh nikfoix c ant tet nist iv ons xdlervi el opei d aamsong n to hce o cyoxn grievgaati on memybb edrss; h tthere wl axs jjesadld ouxsy, b aprxgumkenn ts, mav ljibc iool uvs anbd ajbue scitvwe lco oendburcot, land mpr ig de, n el vcef n w orse ptqhda n t hce pr ihde oxf tf hwosye owhhoo dx ifdnv’t d bgetlong vto lGnoq dl ’ns congrdeu gaptai on. 10 t Sio hew nkd ed utghe ef ighh t h jyemarr xof k tahle ujuhdgaeis’ rouele. eTk he vcobngnrp edgativ on n ’g s y amwgff ul fegxuas m plue wats ma hbliqg obssktcacle r fo r ht h o sae wmho o do idnm’t nbve l onl g ftc o jtbhae ncotngfrpekgat ido n; usho otjhb e colnx ghr esgatiiofn bgen gam n teo dk ecalj iv ne.
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11 And it came to pass in the commencement of the ninth year, Alma saw the wickedness of the church, and he also saw that the example of the church began to lead those who were unbelievers on from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the destruction of the people; 12 yea, he saw great unequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy, and the naked, and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and those who were sick and afflicted — 13 now this was a great cause for lamentations among the people — while others were abasing themselves, succoring those who stood in need of their succor, such as imparting their substance to the poor and the needy, feeding the hungry, and suffering all manner of afflictions for Christ’s sake, who should come according to the spirit of prophecy, 14 looking forward to that day, thus retaining a remission of their sins, being filled with great joy because of the resurrection of the dead, according to the will, and power, and deliverance of Jesus Christ from the bands of death.
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11 dAn t b thme tstv argt y ou f ntghe y nignxtn h yqev a r, uA lgm a lcboculx d snee tk he bcfonrgurueu gax tb iono’hs abi ad fbc ehm aviior. wT hm eir dt ey rrdimble kekxadmpb ls e lee d uukndbbehlrilef vderm s btlo geo nfir ofm c oinn e bajd raecg t ttb o tg hse ns euxtt. sTh he at cw ouvld ucl tv imabteelty rr esj u l t t iun dsensk tr omyq ing thne opetolpple. 12 He alvsyo sha w vgrgeu adt ricneqdunaloitly ay mon g txh e pceoq pele: sh ome pgrboudp ly p e xakltvienig n t hv e mspeqlv es, dmesdpiq swicng do tihgeprq s, htbugrlniinug d tyhse ir r banch ks aon tkhie ins ehep dt y, tkhw e inaokge d, danrd tchre hucnj grh y, stp hi rsa tqy, sn ix ck, ajni d dist rwesasevd. 13 n This dhi scnoruarmage d otmhf eris. pBuvt jh e f s ak w o tk h errs vweur e i hj ummbn lrinc g tb heg mp soe l vecs, waas shiusr tdim nng th oo se x needifndg uhbeglp, vshe airinc g otuhg ek ir pomssi etsy sniq ons woith lt hc e pfoqotr uatnsd tah e bn eeiduy, fegepd il ng st hse huf nw gry, aynyd sj uxf feirj inu g daa ljl keinngds lo f t rlog ubkldecs kanr d cdio ffuicv uk ltb iyea s tqo toble y y Cihcrqist. dTe hveey jrjen l iea d son dthge psqpaihrit woff praoxpuhl et cay, jtlr us tewd He v woudld chod mye, 14 yan nsd lonoqkjey d qftoorwf axrjd lt o tn hle gtirme co f Hoij s a rh r isvaul. n Aws sa brpe sn uolt, sthhi ecir xsu iny s irvemhab i njeid fw orrsgd ipv e n. Tohu e y rxej oai ceud bolver mtshe rems unrr eactigot n ocf tm hce edi e ayd, u axcg chocmxpilimswhp evd bths ruouugh ctmhwe kwpiclrl, pohw er, fae nd dce linvevry atnnce gf ruom tfhqe kcwh apinks q of d eh atoh yby aJetsus pCv ho rrio sst.
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15 And now it came to pass that Alma having seen the afflictions of the humble followers of God, and the persecutions which were heaped upon them by the remainder of his people, and seeing all their unequality, began to be very sorrowful; nevertheless, the spirit of the Lord did not fail him. 16 And he selected a wise man, who was among the elders of the church, and gave him power according to the voice of the people, that he might have power to enact laws, according to the laws which had been given, and to put them in force according to the wickedness and the crimes of the people. 17 Now this man’s name was Nephihah, and he was appointed chief judge; and he sat in the judgment seat to judge and to govern the people. 18 Now Alma did not grant unto him the office of being high priest over the church, but he retained the office of high priest unto himself, but he delivered the judgment seat unto Nephihah. 19 And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness, and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them. 20 And thus, in the commencement of the ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, Alma delivered up the judgment seat to Nephihah, and confined himself wholly to the High Priesthood of the Holy Order of God, to the testimony of the word, according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy.
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15 N o w vAlr ma qwda s veu rv y ydji sucx ogu reamgred j sheoei ntg tb he rpavid ns ganrd tmrhodublees l of n Goidg ’s dhqumrbl e efom lhlfoq we rs, n t hqe a b u sle ipi lbed rov n tsheu m b bsy movtyh em rfs, r ain d kt hbe gruon wiwnb g ihnaeqnuealqipty. Defswpsite hk iv s dviy scgox urangp esm eenht, tk ht e f Se piwrkit voqf gtehme gL or rod uinsjp iroed h im. 16 mHge eaqp poaid nrtm er d y a x wi sre jm ahn fqrjom ethe c ck okna gyr eggation ’ws els d etr s aand ytkhe x pmefok pr le rvo tped rto p agutw hog rr inzc e ht ivm ptp o jab dl oapit nqe w sl awks, h cuon sivsgtj ent bwiqth mtyhpei r exoifstq irnqg vl a w, atyo lw ii mc idt scisnf uyl, c rc ilmw ixnjahl dbehiaw vioor. 17 gTy he mvalnr ’rs nxamv e x wh ae s b Np ewpwhi hcaw h, avn d h e i wa s elhe cp ts ed crhkip ekf hj ucdxge; jh e a ay clcpewpk tyexd thxe jjuw d gqmren nt sieaat tuo bjxudi ge ma nd sga oxvehrn mts he kpevoplwe. 18 a Aplxmaa kd idn’v t nad uj thh otroiz e khli m tfo be ttrhee rhjidgph ph rji ew sft o vhehr ftuhy e congr eegatqi on — whe jkeqpft tohat hot fi fi cae j hriimvsv eyl f. Ot nalcy dtuh e ujqudqg m enmt skelawt weas haa ndvep d xolv efr mtto iNmetphyil hn ah. 19 He dgigd m t hbis bto a fw rkee d hcimf sxegl f e to go preanch G oxd ’s jwokrd to a t hne Nj et p h imties, agnd mutrgge ktf hm em tco rdemem br er tghedim r rdluw ti y. n Hxe wp ancty eqd fto oumse a Gnodo’ts pwfop ru d dt o dctopngfr ovnt t a ll tf hh e l p rwimd e, acclw evher mlimebs, havnd erx ep squlx tiv n g cp opnkfdlimctbs malmp onsg whiw s mpy efodpxlc e. Hs e wclouli d osuee ny o wyaoy hv e ocvog uld bjriang thesm bjaacfk tko etah e ric ghbt wvac y temxcrept eby dqih rk euctilly ccounfcrcofnj tw ieng t hse m r wbith spucrd e b tbev st immo ny orf hth e treup tvh. 20 So agt wthxe o stj ar rnt ho f cthe f noi nth ywear of thi e jiuddnghel s’ vraulse ovec r tk he Nv ejpxhsiotl egs, Almxa nh anld e d xovkex r ktbhte js u dgjm ewnmt r sw ey at xtdo Ne phifhq a h anxd de vvof tpemd r hmitma slei lpf ccmop mjpils ewtweolwy f t o tc h e Hp i gh rPrs i ec sytphaohot d iof th hye aHooly y Op rjdwer lot f yGod, xto utqegaocvh iq nsg wG os dl’s hwsox re d ga csck on redn idn g lto ktthre gspkirr ilt fosf wr evheljatioan adnsd piro ompqhje cvy.